Original subtitles

Then Now

This is the Windy City, Chicago, Illinois, a WWE hotbed, a city defined

by its hard -nosed, blue -collar sports teams like the NBA's Bulls and the NHL's

Blackhawks, who play here in the iconic United Center, hosting a WWE

TV event for the first time in 32 years.

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Chicago, the home to the world's

champion, CM Punk.

People ask me,

does pressure bother you?

Pressure feels like this city I grew up in.

Like the walls that shake when the trains go by.

The wind that hits you head on.

Growing up here, you learn how to stay calm when it's loud.

To think straight when everything's closing in.

That's why the chamber, never rattled me.

Whether it's one -on -one on

the outside, or

a battle on the inside,

when that door slams shut and the world goes quiet,

Everyone feels that way.

Welcome to the Elimination Chamber.

This is going to get nasty.

The stake could not be higher.

Getting through it isn't a win. It's the price for chasing what matters most. A

guaranteed opportunity at WrestleMania.

So all this pressure.

Wait a minute. Oh, my God.

Feels like home.

You are looking live at the United Center. Sold out 19

,346 WWE fans on hand tonight for the final PLE

before WrestleMania.

And the stars are out tonight.

It's the last chance to earn a WWE title opportunity at WrestleMania for the

American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes. He'll be locked inside the Elimination Chamber

tonight. As will the 14 -time world champion, the Viper. Randy Orton

the chamber for a record 10th time, looking to win for a second time in his

career.

Finn Balor says he'll shake up the main event at WrestleMania tonight when he

wins the world heavyweight championship.

Also tonight, the intercontinental champion, Becky Lynch, has an away game.

back's against the wall because she's in the hometown of none other than... AJ

Lee, first title match in 11 years, accompanied by her husband, Chicago's

Punk, who defends the world title versus Finn Balor tonight.

It is a menacing steel structure known as the Elimination Chamber.

24 years old this year, it will surround the ring.

As we kick off the home stretch to WrestleMania.

Let's check in with our ring announcer, Mark Nash.

The following is the women's elimination chamber match.

Two superstars start in the ring.

Four superstars in individual pods.

A random pod door.

scheduled intervals until all pods are empty.

Superstars are eliminated by pinfall or submission.

The last superstar standing will be declared the winner and go on to

challenge the WWE Women's Champion, Jade Cargill.

Introducing first, from Columbus, Ohio, Alexa Bliss!

Alexa Bliss will enter the Elimination Chamber for the fourth time in her

career. Second all -time to Liv Morgan, who is at sixth on the women's

side of things.

Alexa Bliss knows what it takes to win the chamber. She won the inaugural

women's chamber match back in 2018.

Yeah, here's a woman with an all -timer resume who has been mainly focused on

tag action in recent months, but looking to get back to the very top. It's been

a long time since Alexa Bliss has held world championship gold. She gets one

step closer tonight.

with victory inside the chamber highly decorated with four world champ five

world championships in her career four tag team titles and she will be locked

inside a pod inside the chamber to start off this matchup here tonight hell get

everybody in ringside i'm michael cole he's wade barrett we're in the final ple

stop before wrestlemania yeah this entire arena is now vibrating it's not

The music, it is the energy of this audience that, trust me, the vibrations

the locker room are massive. This is a huge step towards making your dreams

true at WrestleMania. The winner of this chamber match tonight will head to

WrestleMania to take on Jade Cargill for the WWE Championship.

Jade Cargill, we understand, is in attendance here tonight at the United

in Chicago among the 19 ,000 -plus.

She's looking on.

She will learn in a matter of moments who she will face at WrestleMania.

The awestriking presence of the storm.

Referee Eddie Arango will shut the pod door.

Alexa Bliss locked inside until it's her turn.

Another woman who has massive experience inside the chamber. Her third chamber

match here tonight. She won back in 2023, which would earn her a WWE

championship match at WrestleMania.

Way to the history of Elimination Chamber. Only one woman has won this

twice. That was Bianca Belair. Alexa Bliss.

Oscar, have an opportunity to tie her tonight.

Well, nobody's doubting the pedigree of either woman, and I don't know if the

Elimination Chamber is ready for Oscar, but Oscar is certainly ready for the

Chamber, and indeed, Alexa Bliss.

La ruda.

La más ruda.

Next, from Rio Grande Valley, Texas, representing the Judgment Day,

Raquel Rodriguez.

For the third time in her career, Raquel Rodriguez steps inside Elimination

Chamber. And this is a big night here tonight for the Judgment Day. We know

Liv Morgan, the winner of the Women's Oil Oral Weight, will challenge

LeCair at WrestleMania for the world title. Raquel Rodriguez wins tonight.

Another member of Judgment Day will challenge for a championship, the WWE

at WrestleMania.

Well, this is the Judgment Day, getting back to what they do best ever since Liv

Morgan's return. All members exclusively focus on the acquisition of gold, and

they can't make it at all.

Judgment Day affair at WrestleMania at the top of the women's chart.

And the way she's been going, nothing may stop Raquel tonight.

We're going to say it again.

Google the word superstar and Rhea Ripley's image will appear.

Ripley Wade looking to win this match tonight and earn her fifth world

championship match. Five of them at WrestleMania.

Yeah, it's been a dreadful 24 hours for Rhea Ripley. Just 24 hours ago,

Louisville, Kentucky for SmackDown. Rhea Ripley and Io Sky lost the women's tag

team championship.

To the irresistible forces of Rhea Ripley, undoubtedly, physically beat up

and perhaps with the loss of gold mentally too. Yeah, I was going to say,

does last night's watch, and she got pinned.

in that match by Last Legend. How does last night's loss affect Rhea coming

tonight? It just ramps that pressure up. Rhea Ripley needs a marquee

championship match at WrestleMania. She would have had that with Pat Gold.

That's gone now. If Ripley does not win this match, she will not be having a

marquee match at WrestleMania this year, and that is unthinkable.

As Rhea Ripley tours the pod, she will be the fourth woman.

locked inside the pods here tonight we now know the next two women will

start the elimination chamber

wayne

you have been in Three chamber matches

in your career. Don't remind me. How intimidating is that to have one of the

superstars walk up to you, go face to face while you're in the pod?

You know what? As long as I was locked in the safety of the pod, I didn't mind

so much. It was when that pod opened, I was surrounded by steel everywhere I

looked and ravenous looking competitors looking to end my career as quickly as

they could in order to put their ticket to WrestleMania or a championship,

whatever it may have been.

Now these four women have got lucky. The next two, not so much.

outing the attributes of Kiana James for a number of months now. It's been an

incredible couple of months for Kiana back at the Royal Rumble. She lasted

almost 30 minutes in the Rumble match. And then, of course, one of the biggest

upsets, I believe, in SmackDown history when she knocked off Nia Jax and

Charlotte Flair, pitting the queen to qualify tonight.

Yeah, not everybody gets handed the same opportunity right off the bat when it

comes to WWE.

Kiana has had to make...

meals out of crumbs at times, but she's more than done that. She's blown

people's minds, shocked the world when, as you mentioned, she defeated Charlotte

and Nia to qualify for this. The truth is, Kiana James is flying under the

in this match. None of the other five competitors are focused on Kiana James.

Kiana wants to shock the world.

She's in exactly the right place to do just that, although...

She's going to have to do it the hard way from the very start of this match.

Kiana's rise in WWE was sidetracked with a very serious knee injury. It cost her

over a year of her career. She told Yahoo Sports in an exclusive interview

she, well, wants to come back stronger than ever. One percent better in the

every single day has helped her develop a mental toughness in that brick -by

-brick approach.

to get better. What an opportunity for the woman who you claim will fly under

the radar tonight.

Yeah, as smart as they come, Kiana James knows the secret to success in this

game is a competitive edge.

And that mega brain of Kiana James has done her a real solid in her run on

SmackDown so far. Can it launch her all the way to WrestleMania?

Tiffany Stratton! Tiffany Stratton beat Chelsea Green in last legend to qualify

for tonight. It's her second chamber match in her career. Last year at the

chamber, she had a career highlight, she told me earlier today. That was the

night she tagged with the Hall of Famer, the legendary Trish Stratus in Toronto.

Well, 2025 as a whole was an absolute banner year for Tiffany Stratton, all

way up until she lost.

her Women's WWE Championship to one Jade Targill. Now, she got injured in the

process of that loss and has been desperate to get a rematch with Targill

since. It's a real simple process. You just have to win the chamber from the

very start to be then. You get your date with destiny with Jade Targill. One

note on the number two entry mark for Kiana James in this matchup.

Number two, the least amount of wins in elimination chamber match history, just

three wins over the 24 -year history of the chamber. So the matchup starts with

two women in the ring. At regular intervals, pods will open. Another woman

enter the fray. This is an elimination match. Once you lose, either pinned or

submitted, you've got to head back to the locker room. The last woman standing

goes to WrestleMania.

And we're underway.

Referee Dan Engler calling for the bell.

Hillworth matchup inside the ring.

Outside, a number of officials will guard the pods, open the pods when it is

necessary. So James and Tiffany Stratton, Wade, what type of strategy do

when you start this matchup off? Well, you've mentioned we've got some veterans

in there who experienced the chamber before. We also have some others, such

Kiana James, who have not.

Kiana James is in for a massive shock imminently.

Once she tastes that steel for the very first time, nothing can prepare you for

it. My advice at this point is stay as far away from the outside of this ring

for as long as you possibly can.

My estimation, Kiana James is playing with house money tonight.

Not really a lot to lose here, but a perfect opportunity and a nice headlock

takedown by Stratton. See, I actually disagree with you there. You have a lot

lose in the chamber, regardless of the results. When it comes to your health

longevity of your career, this is such a dangerous situation to be in. Although

I do agree, this is not where Kiana James expected to be right now.

She just needs to execute.

Both of these women are...

Highly decorated gymnasts in their college days brought that athleticism

WWE.

And I don't know if Tiffany wants to get into a test of strength with Kiana

James. I'll tell you right now, there is a level of disrespect being thrown at

Kiana James from the entire women's locker room. And I think after tonight,

those who have not been paying attention will suddenly...

Gain a lot more respect for Little Miss Smarty Pants here. What a nice start.

You know, we talked about it earlier today. The chip, the massive chip on the

shoulder of Kiana James.

A very valuable thing to have at this level. Here we go.

Only a one count.

Would have been nice to put Tiffany away there. Have a little rest till the next

pod opens. Get yourself as fresh as you can because four more women are going to

be.

consecutively introduced into this match, each one fresher than the last. I

think it also drives Kiana James, the fact that for, oh, a lot of her career,

she's been overlooked by her buddy, Julia.

Oh, and a nice basement dropkick by Strat into the cover, hooks the lay, and

gonna kick out at two. Well, she's done a hell of a job for Julia so far as her

official representative, led Julia to a couple of championships already here on

SmackDown. And that's standing fruit salt by Kiana James. Cover on Strat and

kick out. The word is certainly out too about Kiana James now. And the taste for

gold has spread around Julia and Kiana.

And that is an addictive thing to have. Man, they could have a whole lot of gold

come WrestleMania.

See Tiffany in the ring. She battled Kairi Sane 24 hours ago.

Masterclass put on by Asuka, who originally accepted Tiffany Stratton's

challenge. Yeah, you've got to be absolutely insane to accept a match 24

before a massive battle like this.

Well, certainly Tiffany did on the basis that a fellow opponent in Asuka was

going to. And then a last -minute switcheroo changed that to Kairi Sane.

fresh as a daisy is Asuka, whereas pre -beaten up, perhaps.

is Tiffany Stratton, despite getting the victory yesterday. Yeah, and then she

had to start the match up off as well.

And Kiana now tossing Stratton outside the ropes. Again, there are no

disqualifications, obviously no count -outs in this match.

This is the danger zone right now. As soon as you leave the inside of those

ropes, there is steel, metal everywhere you look. And there is no part of the

human body that likes being introduced to cold, hard steel. Kiana looking for a

suplex block three times now by Tiffany, who delivers one of her own!

And you see the back buckle of Kiana. What does that feel like? Well, that is

certain regret now coursing through the veins of Kiana. Whatever strategy she

had to take down Tiffany Stratton has backfired in the worst way. And welcome

the chamber. Oh!

And Kiana rolled out of harm's way and Tiffany head first.

Into the pod as Raquel Rodriguez laughs at her. Oh, man, you see all that

gymnastic ability.

But it backfired there in a big way, blasting hard against that chamber in

lower back of Tiffany Stratton. It was a bad, bad way, and it was a big mommy

tool like the look of that.

And, Wade, the thing about the chamber is sometimes you have to change your

game. You've got to change your offense a little bit. You can't go back to the

well with the things that have brought you there because it can get you in

trouble like we saw there.

Who will enter the chamber next?

The empress of tomorrow,

Oscar, waiting for the door to open. That's a Keanu James with a preemptive

strike, driving Oscar into the pod.

Well, absolutely bull rushing Asuka. No, full -weather Asuka is one of the

biggest threats in this match. Kiana James smart enough to stop Asuka getting

out of the blocks, but it simply didn't last.

Oh, goodness, look at this.

Bounty, bounty.

Kiana James off the pod.

Yeah, and this goes back to what you were talking about moments ago about

strategies and how you have to change them. This is the point Kiana James

changes strategy.

because she can't remember the strategy that she came in with. And now Tiffany,

trap driven into the pod by Asuka, who's been relentless in her attacks since

coming into the chamber.

Uncaged, unleashed, and wreaking havoc inside the Elimination Chamber.

Two for the price of one, now for the Empress of...

Asuka, one of the most dangerous women in WWE.

No doubt about it, there is nothing this woman cannot do in there. Everything

this woman picks is hit with authority.

And there is a certain demented look in the eye of Asuka now, who is loving the

carnage she can exact inside the chamber. A four -time world champion,

five tag titles, tied with Raquel for the most ever. We mentioned she won a

chamber three years ago.

And now the Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka, with a double missile dropkick to take

out James and Shratt. Cover now on Kiana and a kick out by James. Now a cover on

Stratton by Asuka and a kick out by Tiffany.

So fantastic start here from Asuka, taking down two opponents who were

pre -weakened as they started the match before Asuka did. Here's the issue.

Asuka has just burned up a ton.

of energy staying in control of this match and eventually that might come

to bite her in the latter stages and you know oscar beat a couple of legends to

actually qualify bailey and natty knocked off by oscar earn her the

tonight it just tells you that oscar really is firing on all cylinders as the

best always do this time of year as we close in on wrestlemania and now tiffany

that hand spring back elbow and on the other side

Big knee by Asuka connects into the cover. Is it enough on Tiffany who just

the shoulder up. Just shows you the experience of Asuka then when on a tear

Tiffany Strand just lying in wait ready to pounce. The fourth member of the

chamber will enter.

Little miss.

Bliss, and look at the look, the disturbing look on the face of the

the inaugural chamber match for the women.

It is not a look anybody should ever have on their face, stepping into the

carnage that is the Elimination Chamber.

Bliss knocking off Julia and Zelina to qualify for this match tonight.

What was a sinister and ominous presence surrounding Alexa Bliss, and right off

the bat, dropping the entire field.

Your eyes peeled. Threats everywhere you look, Bliss.

The fact that Alexa's in this match and her friend Charlotte Flair is not really

is depressed Charlotte.

Yeah, she says she's fine. I do know for a fact when a woman tells you that, she

is never fine. Don't fall for that trap. Charlotte Flair very unhappy about

missing out on the chamber.

And Tiffany Stratton with a rolling centime, showing off her power here.

to head up to the top rope, looking for the prettiest moonsault ever, but Alexa

Bliss intercepted. It was a rough, rough landing, and Tiffany Stratton's been in

this match a long time already, and the tolls are going to show.

Movement not quite as crisp as it was in the early goings, and that drop kick to

the gut will not help.

Now Asuka stalking Alexa Bliss, looking for a German suplex. Alexa able to

deliver a back elbow.

Ooh, and a big knee by James.

Bliss rolls her up, trying to take advantage.

Bliss seems to have almost extra sensory perception on that one, and wait a

second.

don't know about kiana breaking that pin up may have been a little inexperienced

there you kind of want to eliminate opponents any way you can at this point

a bit overzealous perhaps but kiana james has looked great so far in the

absolutely superb and now looking completely dominant with three bodies

around her two fresh bodies waiting to enter the match imminently and bounced

off the steel and stratton

Two miles of chain link surround this structure.

And now James looking to catapult Stratton into

the pod.

Faith first getting completely wiped out is Stratton. Let's take another look at

this slingshot right into that glass and steel. Just bouncing off skull first.

What an epic display it's been thus far from Kiana James.

But no time to rest, no time to relax.

Number five going to enter the chamber.

More wins than any other number, number five. Nine wins in the history of the

chamber, so a lucky spot here.

For the eradicator, Rhea Ripley.

Oh, and Kiana James tried her best to rush it just as she did. Asuka simply

didn't work.

Ripley was waiting for it. Yeah, Rios had issues with Kiana, issues with

So many of these women have had issues in the tag division over on SmackDown,

including the two in the ring right now.

Planting Asuka face first.

Stratton now runs into a headbutt by Ripley.

Ripley had any war wounds from last night, losing tag gold for the

Forces. It's not showing.

Rhea Ripley who knocked off Lyra, Valkyria, and Ivy Nile to qualify

Now turns her attention to Alexa Bliss.

Look at this.

Just pure power from Ripley. It's hard to argue with that, but navigating her

way out again. And Alexa Bliss looking perhaps for Sister Abigail here.

And Rhea turns it around.

Rhea having to be very, very nimble here. And straight back to power.

Looking for riptide. Bliss so able to.

Oh, you can just read the panic on the body of Alexa Bliss there as she

out of that riptide attempt. But it might be about to get worse now on the

steel.

Bliss does not want to be out there. Rhea Ripley, Bliss now trying to hang

trying to hang on to the chamber, trying to protect herself.

Smart use of the chains there, clinging on for dear life at this point, but

getting higher and higher and a drop from there.

And Keanu driving Ripley back first into the steel. Oscar went for the hip

attack. Tiffany Stratton with a drop kick to Oscar, drops her outside.

Keanu James once again lying in wait and finding the exact right moment to

strike.

All four women on the field outside the ring.

Alexa Bliss has found herself on top of the pod. And Bliss.

Oh, God. Twisted Bliss from the top of the pod takes down everyone.

Take another look at that.

Carla James maybe avoided the worst of that one, but three women completely

wiped out with one high -risk move.

Unless it's taking something out of Alexa Bliss in the process.

Raquel Rodriguez, who will join the spray momentarily, has to be licking her

chops, Wade, as these five women beat each other up. When you see carnage like

that right in front of your eyes, now is the time to start thinning the herd in

this Elimination Chamber match.

And no eliminations thus far. Kiana James caught.

Looking for Sister Abigail.

For Alexa Bliss.

Pointing to the WrestleMania sign.

And a miss!

A miss by Asuka to Bliss.

Kiana rolls her up. Kiana eliminates Bliss.

Alexa Bliss has been eliminated.

And the miss is legal. No disqualifications inside the chamber.

And Bliss is going to have to leave the chamber. We are down to five.

And Raquel Rodriguez, ten seconds away from entering her third elimination

chamber with an opportunity to face Jade Cargill for the WWE Championship in

WrestleMania. Up for grab.

And Raquel, the powerhouse of the Judgment Day, just catching Tiffany

And a baseball swing into the side of the cage.

The strongest woman in the match. The baddest woman in the match. The freshest

woman in the match.

You know, you talked about Kiana James in the number of months that she's had

here. What about Raquel Rodriguez? Really coming of age.

to Raquel.

Oh, and Rhea Ripley hung up on the top rope. Oh, God. Raquel stepped up

absolutely huge when Liv Morgan went down with injury in the Judgment Day

12 months ago, and Raquel has not looked back.

Get yourself all the way to WrestleMania, but wait up here. Smart

Kiana, Asuka, and Tiffany. Well, it was smart strategy, I thought. Now, Rhea

Ripley. The right idea. Very difficult to tear down someone as powerful as

Raquel. Slowly, teamwork seems to get the job done. Oh, God. Who the hell can

manhandle Rhea bloody Ripley like that? Raquel treating Ripley and now Oscar

like ragdolls. And Kiana James sent into the steel.

Raquel Rodriguez, a human demolition ball.

And now Rhea Ripley with a big forearm.

Raquel, just a woman who nobody in the locker room can physically dominate. Oh,

look at this. That is just ludicrous, Raquel.

Rhea was going for the... Oh, Hurricane Rana.

Caught by Raquel and now tossed into the ring.

Those are two women who know each other so, so well at NXT. They were best buds

and training partners.

However, two alpha females do not get on for long.

Eventually, that imploded.

Just like the spine of Rhea Ripley, and now the head, perhaps, of Tiffany

Stratton. And now Asuka trying to drive Raquel Rodriguez into the field.

Quick strike by the Empress of Tomorrow.

And every woman in this match outside of Raquel needs to get on the same page.

You cannot give Raquel any breathing room. She's going to cut through you all

like a hot knife through butter.

Well, that's a fall -away slam, sending Asuka into the ring.

And now Kiana James driving Raquel into the steel. And now caught in a pod.

Raquel drops her guard. You have to bounce. Someone needs to be waiting.

Raquel is going to take this like candy from a baby if you don't. And now a

running power slam.

Raquel has done the damage.

And now Raquel catching Asuka.

It arrives to Hanabal modified.

Stacking up both women.

Raquel eliminates James and Asuka. Asuka and Kiana James have been

eliminated.

Well, take a look at this. Kiana James getting smashed through one of the...

Just waiting to be pinned, but before she could get there, Asuka had other

ideas. Not tonight to hold a bomb.

Two for the price of one for Raquel, who is starting to steamroller towards

WrestleMania. We are now down to three. One of these women going to Las Vegas in

seven weeks to face Jade Cargill for the WWE title. Will it be Tiffany Stratton?

Will it be Rhea Ripley? Will it be Raquel Rodriguez?

High stakes, high pressure here tonight.

Stratton has been in this thing from the very beginning to relatively pressure

women in there with her.

But Tiffany Stratton has the movement to avoid the worst of the damage and try

and put this to bed, but no, that's not going to work.

Yeah, Tiffany may want to change things up instead of trying to overpower Raquel

Rodriguez, who delivers that twirling slam to Stratton.

Tiffany gets the shoulder up at two.

Here's part of the problem when it comes to Tiffany Stratton. This deep in the

matchup, you simply are working up instincts, not strategy now.

And some of the things you're looking to do, your body is not going to cooperate

with you on them because you are too beaten up. Now Ripley's sent into the

steel. This is just barbaric abuse now being thrown at Ripley from the

powerhouse Raquel.

What the hell is she chucking up here?

Rhea caught.

Raquel now trapping Rhea Ripley in the steel chain link.

Now, defenseless makes this a one -on -one matchup, but wait, Tiffany

got other ideas.

Where the hell's she going?

Tiffany now, caught by Raquel again. Another high -risk maneuver, backfiring

Stratton. Trying to fight out of this.

Raquel, dumped into the ring by Tiffany.

Nice move by Tiffany, using the momentum of Raquel against her. That's about the

only way you can take Raquel down. Big move by Raquel.

Meanwhile, Rhea Ripley still trapped in the chamber. And this is exactly what

Raquel needs at this point. Make it one -on -one for now. Keep Rhea Ripley out

of this situation completely.

Maul Tiffany Stratton. Send her back to the locker room and then pull apart Rhea

Ripley. That's a perfect way to describe a big old Ripley bear. Raquel

Rodriguez, as you said, mauling Stratton.

And it's become an unfair fight.

Like a grown -up against a child at this point. There's that spinning corkscrew

elbow.

Raquel's patented that move. And now looking to lift Stratton up.

Looking to put the dahana bomb.

Stratton lands on her feet.

Raquel now with a splash in the corner.

We know all about the durability of Tiffany Stratton and some of the wars

had last year as the women's champion.

She's going to need all of that right now and perhaps more if she's somehow

going to navigate her way through the chamber. Naomi suffered two losses in

2025. Meanwhile, Ripley on top of the pod.

Cannonball to take out Raquel.

But wait up, Cole. Look who's on the top rope.

Stratton.

The smash pass has been triggered. Order on DoorDash and use code SMASHPASS for

a chance to win a flyaway trip for four to WrestleMania in Las Vegas.

Terms apply.

Jade Cargill looks on.

One of these two women will face her at WrestleMania.

Will it be Stratton? Will it be Ripley?

Misses with a big knee by Stratton. Caught Rhea in the face.

Okay, some old paper here. You have to say Rhea Ripley would be the favorite

given that she was last out of the pod. And Tiffany started this thing. But

let's not forget, Rhea Ripley losing tag gold 24 hours ago in an incredibly

brutal matchup with Lash Legend and Nia Jax. Is it going to pay here?

Looking for the razor's edge to Tiffany. Stratton lands on her feet. Again, I

think you can throw all that out the window when it gets down to the final

Like this, Alabama!

What a match.

The prize at the end of the line, WrestleMania.

Yeah, and this is that point where those top -level competitors find that extra

gear when they need it. There's your reminder, Tiffany Stratton, the

WrestleMania Vegas sign hanging there.

How much more motivation does anybody need?

Oh, went for the swanton.

Rhea Ripley rolled out of harm's way.

Catches Tiffany now with a kick. It could be Ripley's opportunity.

Boom! Takes out Stratton. Faith first. Cover now by Rhea.

And a kick out.

Rhea Ripley in absolute agony. That lower back has been... completely given

on her, unsurprisingly, after the abuse it's received in this match and indeed

last night.

Is there enough left in the tank of the eradicators to put this one to bed?

Now Ripley toward the corner. Tiffany strapped. Rear goes shoulder first.

But it's one mistake at this point in a match that will cost you. Is that the

mistake? Ready to pounce is Tiffy.

Stratton this time connects with a swan pod.

Into the cover.

Stratton looking to face Cargill at WrestleMania. And Rhea kicks out.

It has been an incredible performance by Stratton.

Started the match up here tonight.

The wound obvious on the face of Tiffany Stratton now. But she doesn't care.

She's focused on one thing. That is victory at all costs.

Rhea sets out again.

Tiffany Stratton up top. Looking for the prettiest moonsault ever. But driven

into the...

Oh God, Joel first by Ripley into that part and now, wait up!

Those dominant powerhouses in the women's division are going to clash for

WWE Women's Championship right there at WrestleMania.

Rhea Ripley earns the opportunity to battle for a championship match

in her fifth straight WrestleMania.

And here is some of the wreckage of this match. A double elimination by Raquel,

who had an absolutely epic performance.

And this one, but this is when it all went wrong. Drop your guard for a

and you come a cropper in the chamber. One prettiest moonsault ever, taking

the powerhouse, Raquel, after she thought she started to taste victory.

And then Tiffany Stratton looking to put Rhea away with the prettiest moonsault

ever, shoved into the pod, and that's all Rhea Ripley needed to deliver the

riptide.

That gives her a first class ticket seven weeks from tonight to WrestleMania

What

an incredible performance

Ripley, the storm, the eradicator.

Jade says bring it on.

Jade, be careful what you wish for.

Elimination Chamber tonight is presented by DoorDash, the official on -demand

delivery platform.

SmackDown star Trick Willie. Trick Williams enters his first Elimination

match tonight. It is tonight, finally, LA Night Night. Will we find out in just

a little bit inside the chamber?

And 21 -year -old Javon Evans, the upstart for Monday Night Raw, looks to

up the world tonight.

Coming up next, for the Intercontinental Championship, Becky Lynch

versus Chicago's own A .J. Lee, live from Elimination Chamber.

Wheatley American Vodka is for hardworking people with true American

People who never just mail it in. Oh, a thing of beauty!

People who rise to the occasion.

Here we go!

Boom!

Men and women who know how to get the job done. From the top!

And when the day is over, nothing's better than celebrating with something

American. Wheatley!

so good at drinking deep

Let me talk to you. Life inside the ring can be a grind.

So outside the ring, we like to let loose.

Like tearing into a drum solo.

Or going full throttle with the EST.

Oh yeah!

And living it up in retirement, that's a gimme.

Don't you mean, it's a snap?

Snap into a Slim Jim!

Yeah!

And we'd like to extend a special thank you to Offset, JID, Drowning Pool, and

Benny X for Bodies, the official theme song of Elimination Chamber 2026 from

album Kyrie Offset. Available now on Apple Music, Spotify.

And let's take a look at what's up next. The Intercontinental Championship.

I retired.

I felt like I had accomplished all of my dreams in wrestling.

Thought that was the end of my story.

But Becky, she just lights a fire in me that I forgot that I had.

AJ Lee has gotten underneath the skin of Becky Lynch in a big way.

You're ruining my life.

disrespect that one woman can take.

Becky passed out in a gang company with more gangs.

What's it going to take to get rid of it?

It's an elimination chamber.

It's in your hometown.

It's in Chicago.

You want to go one -on -one with the greatest of all time? And it's not just

saying it. Other people say it. Everybody says it. Sports Illustrated

The police report says it.

I haven't had a singles match in over a decade.

Without Becky, maybe I wouldn't have even come back to prove that I can still

a champion.

You do not deserve to hold this, but I

deserve to get rid of you and retire you in front of all of your friends and

family in your hometown of Chicago.

Welcome to the big time.

If I walked out of Chicago victorious, then I'm sure as hell going to walk into

WrestleMania as the Intercontinental Champion.

Becky Lynch, a seven -time world champion, two -time intercontinental

Her second reign began back on January 5th, the season premiere of Monday Night

Raw on Netflix. We'd like to thank everyone who is watching Elimination

tonight, the final stop on the road to WrestleMania for premium live events in

the United States, of course, on the ESPN app and internationally on Netflix.

Becky Lynch understands.

It'll be a hostile crowd tonight because the woman who now calls Chicago home,

AJ Lee, will have the backing of the majority of this crowd.

Highly partisan environment here, but that's not going to shake a veteran like

Becky Lynch, who at least in her mind is the woman who single -handedly turned

women's wrestling into the massive juggernaut it is today. The truth might

quite... Might just be a little different there, especially considering

she's competing against. But as far as Becky Lynch is concerned, every ring is

her territory.

It's interesting.

You see in the background there the official of this matchup, someone who

Lynch has had major issues with as of late, Jessica Carr.

I had a sit -down with AJ Lee a bit earlier today, talked to her a lot about

this moment tonight here in Chicago, her adopted hometown, and, of course, the

personal issues with Becky Lynch, and the fact that this is AJ Lee's first

singles match in over a decade, and her first title match in 11 years. Will that

affect her tonight?

Well, let me put a little perspective on that, Michael Cole.

I... have had a singles match more recently than AJ Lee.

And now you're telling me AJ Lee, after 10 years in the wilderness, albeit with

a couple of matches alongside her husband in mixed tag and inside the war

where you have people to lean on, she now has to do it alone against one of

best on the planet, Becky Lynch. I'm not buying it. Let's set up to Mark Nash.

contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the Women's Intercontinental

Championship.

Introducing first, the challenger from Union City, New Jersey.

From Dublin, Ireland, she is the women's Intercontinental

Champion, Big Time Becky Lynch!

Well, the delusional Becky Lynch claims that the mayor of Chicago named today

Becky Lynch Day. Becky claims that she will humiliate AJ Styles.

in front of all her family and friends here tonight, and make her retire. And

her nickname for AJ, Absolute Joke AJ Lee.

Well, you say that derisively. However, should Becky Lynch put AJ Lee away in

short order here, I would actually agree with the nickname that AJ Lee would be

an absolute joke.

AJ Lee tapped Becky Lynch out at Wrestlepalooza in the mixed tag match.

Then back at War Games, tapped out Becky again.

to win war games cost becky her first reign as intercontinental championship

now hopes to win the title from becky tonight if you're becky what strategy do

you use coming into this against aj lee you absolutely smother aj lee i promise

you right now the nerves in aj lee are going to be through the roof in this

position she hides it well you put on a face of confidence But right now, AJ Lee

must feel like the loneliest person on planet Earth 10 years removed from being

in this exact situation.

Becky told me earlier today that she is going to try to out -wrestle AJ Lee,

realizing AJ may be rusty. Of course, it's been a decade since you mentioned

she's been in a one -on -one match.

And I'll tell you right now, I went through the developmental system in WWE

alongside AJ Lee during my time in Florida Championship Wrestling with a

coach, Dr. Tom Pritchard, and one of his quotes... was there is no cheating rep

and the truth is aj lee has just not had rep in the single game certainly not at

this level and that means there's nowhere to hide aj telling me earlier

she won one of her divas championships here in chicago returned here last year

and feels very comfortable wrestling here tonight now the headlock by

becky lynch as aj looks to fight out

A couple of well -placed shots to the kidneys of Becky.

And wants to roll through. And AJ, nice takedown. Cover now on the champ and a

kick out.

For AJ, how does she win the title?

Uh -oh, look at this. Oh, here we go.

Rolling up Becky and a kick out. Well, what's the key to success been for AJ

when it comes to Becky Lynch? Over the past six months, it's been that Black

Widow submission.

That is something that I genuinely think lingers in the mind of Becky Lynch. And

there's some real fear for Becky.

Knowing full well that if that gets locked in, she's tapping out and she's

losing the gold.

And Becky, who's had a tendency as of late to get very frustrated in the ring,

has to hold those emotions in check tonight, not let this crowd get under

skin.

Well, I think Becky Lynch came into this one thinking it would be over by now.

It was going to be two or three minutes she was going to rush AJ Lee. AJ Lee has

just not allowed that to happen. And now the frustration of perhaps self -doubt

kicking in for Becky Lynch.

Hammerlock and Becky Lynch now writhing in pain. And look at AJ Lee now

continuing the pressure while Becky tapped.

If she does, AJ wins the title. What's happening to those technical skills? She

was so well known for her first time around in WWE. And now tying up Becky

in knots.

And Becky now turns it into a hammerlock of her own.

Continental champion sent outside the ring. Remember, champion's advantage for

Becky. AJ must pin or tap Lynch to win the title.

Countouts, disqualifications.

Doesn't help AJ at all.

And that frustration on the outside, you saw Becky Lynch booting the hell out of

our security barrier, and that skipping around the ring from AJ Lee is not going

to help the mindset of the Intercontinental champ. And Becky

Carr, who she calls the most crooked referee in the history of WWE.

A lot of people call her Fast Town Carr, has caught Becky Lynch championships

before.

And who knows what she's up to again tonight. I'm keeping a very close eye on

this referee who I simply do not trust. And I know Becky Lynch feels the exact

same way.

AJ Lee tried to go up over the top, intercepted by Lynch.

Nice takedown.

And now a trot kick to Becky.

God, how crisp and nimble is AJ Lee been in the early goings there? I certainly

wasn't expecting that.

That changes everything.

Make no mistake about it, AJ's been training with her husband, the world

CM Punk. We'll be out here in a matter of moments as Becky Lynch now rains down

on white hands. And that's what you're talking about, training. Training is

great, training is important, but these are live rounds now. You never get

drilled at the same level in training as you do when the spotlight's on and gold

is on the line. And especially with Becky, who just has a little more malice

every one of her punches to AJ Lee. This has become so personal.

Yeah, there's a lot of ego on the line here. Obviously, all the talk is about

the Intercontinental Championship, which is huge in WrestleMania season. But

these are two women who, between them, put women's wrestling where it is today.

Who's going to get the credit? Perhaps whoever wins this match now. So there's

lot more than just a championship riding on this. Well, there's no doubt that

Becky Lynch has already developed a Hall of Fame resume in WWE. And now

she's... Mouthing off to the over 19 ,000 in Chicago here tonight.

That's what you can do when you're in full control of an opponent like this.

They might not like it, but there's nothing they can do about it. I'm

ragged on now with Lee. By Lynch to retain. Hooked the inside leg and AJ

it too.

And again, Becky talking to herself a bit. Cannot allow frustration to creep

here.

And this is something Lee has talked about in the past. She sees Lynch as an

arrogant bully.

Needs taking down a peg or two. Whilst you may agree with the first part of

that, taking Lynch down a peg or two has proven to be incredibly difficult for a

lot of women in the locker room. I think a lot of people think she's an arrogant

bully. She's also a champion, though. She's a conspiracy theorist. Where's the

conspiracy? She makes things up. No, she doesn't.

You obviously don't follow her on social media.

Yes, I do.

Subscribe to her Patreon, too.

Get all the insight, Josh. She also called you the biggest liar on the

commentary table, and you've just proven her right. You won a Bexley Award for

it, correct? I didn't accept it. And AJ now whipped into the corner by Lynch,

who's having her way with AJ Lee.

And Becky looking for the death blow here.

AJ dropped in the corner. Becky Lee now for the kick.

And it's suddenly become all Becky Lynch. Exploder!

Into the cover to retain the Intercontinental title. And Becky's done

job taking this crowd out of the match.

Yeah, they're in shock right now. So here's the problem. Hot right from the

start with AJ Lee. And when you have a lack of reps, as AJ obviously does with

10 years out, suddenly you hit a brick wall when it comes to your cardio and

conditioning. Kind of thing that simply cannot be helped in training alone.

Becky now toying with AJ. I'm not sure that's wise.

Now, ran right into a right hand. AJ's trying to rally there, and Becky Lynch

stopped her in her tracks.

AJ's certainly an emotionally volatile individual. She says herself she can be

erratic at times, and I think the provocation might have lit a fire inside

here. I was going to say, I don't think erratic is bad right now against the

Intercontinental Champion, and here comes Lee.

AJ Lee unloading on Becky Lynch. Here comes AJ. Becky, though, kicked right to

the midsection.

An uppercut now by big -time Becks.

A .J. Lee, though, quickly off the ropes.

Connected with a nice bulldog there that has finally knocked the steam out of

Becky Lynch.

Question being, can A .J. Lee find some sort of reserve?

to mount a major comeback in this championship match. Yeah, this is a

moment for AJ. Allows her to reset, catch her breath a bit. Again, ring

could be an issue with AJ coming into this one.

Well, she's got that frame that is simply built for speed and being

that speed is starting to come to the fore now, finding a major second wind

here. Yeah, picking up some momentum into the corner, though. Becky

This time she got caught, went to the well once too often.

Telegraphed that one. AJ Lee stops Becky Lynch. Now Lee from the second rope.

Tornado DDT to Lynch.

Looks like AJ Lee has suddenly got a major spark back. Shining wizard.

Lee for the title.

Becky kicks out.

Well, that belief is now fully back.

With AJ Lee, who almost won this thing, this audience, too, starting to believe

that AJ can get this done.

That Shining Wizard, which was such an important part of AJ's arsenal over the

years, almost took out Becky Lynch.

AJ sent to the corner, Becky ducks underneath, looking for the manhandle

AJ, though, able to counter, rolls into a pinning combination, a kick out by the

champ at two. Pin now on AJ Lee, who's got a kick out at two.

Yeah, if this turns into a chess game, it may start to favor AJ Lee, and it

oh! Looking for the Black Widow, but Becky Lynch countered. Cover for the

two retained, and a kick out at two.

Well, clearly, Becky Lynch has been working on the reversals to that Black

Widow, knowing full well the damage it holds.

And she's already tapped twice to it over the past six months.

Becky, is she getting frustrated, Wade? And look at this. Becky Lynch now

exposing the steel turnbuckle. The referee missed the entire thing there.

While she was dealing with AJ, she was doing her job, Wade.

And now AJ's back to the corner.

A burning disaster there.

Big kick.

Not senseless now is Becky Lynch.

First goes Lynch. Certainly will not help matters.

Turns for AJ Lee to really pick up the pace here.

Went up top with Becky Lynch, the Wiley veteran.

I mean, just such great instincts from Becky Lynch. She's got that unmatched

finesse and an extra level of aggression tonight against her most hated rival.

That was one.

Reason she's one of the all -time greats.

Never ending debating that.

Superplex!

And Becky now with an arm bar on A .J. Lee.

And A .J. now is going to try to counter this. Smart move.

And now rolls over Lynch. Forces the break off the pin.

Big kick by AJ. Becky may be out. Can AJ capitalize?

Yeah, right on the temple, but too much has been taken out of AJ Lee. Cover now

for Lee.

Becky survives it too.

Yeah, just a groggy pin there from AJ Lee, who's had the stuffing knocked out

her already. Come pounce on the pin quick enough, giving Lynch just enough

to kick out. And now the official Jessica Carr.

Realizing that the protective padding has come off the turnbuckle, we're going

to put it back on.

Oh. Oh, no.

Roll up by Becky.

Jessica Carr momentarily stunned.

Momentarily stunned. Let's a slow count. Oh, no.

Becky just took out Jessica Carson.

Inadvertent, Coles. Don't spin that. She didn't seem to give a damn. And now AJ

Lee with a block widow. The block widow locked in on Becky Lynch.

Becky's tapping.

Becky's tapping.

The ref doesn't see it. AJ should win the title. You know as well as I do,

that's not how it works. But Becky Lynch may have her arms snapped at that

point. That was locked in a long time. Ref did not see it. Ref cannot give the

call.

Well, AJ Lee should be the intercontinental champion right now.

And now Becky just attacking AJ from behind as she went to check on the

official. Oh, God, this match completely falling apart at the seams now. There's

no law. There's no authority in this one. Yeah, this is right up Becky's

alleyway.

And over 19 ,000 all over the champion.

Telling Becky Lynch, you tapped out. Well, it doesn't count if the referee

doesn't see it. It's all for naught, and this match is continuing.

And the championship has swung back to the grasp of Becky Lynch, at least for

now. Becky glancing back at her Intercontinental title as she just beats

Lee. The official Jessica Carr is still down.

And AJ.

in trouble because Becky can do whatever she wants now with the official out

technically we would have had a tap out and a count out by now perhaps a double

count out maybe even a disqualification the way this is going you can do

whatever you want providing the ref is down Becky sitting a steel chair in the

ring as AJ Lee now looks to fight back in this.

That's a much needed fight back from AJ Lee given what no doubt Becky Lynch was

cooking up there. Becky driven into the barricade.

I'll say a lot for the durability and endurance of AJ Lee where I'm now in

seriously deep water.

Oh!

AJ's so impressive here.

Sending Becky back into the ring.

Grimacing through the pain, but continuing to try and grind out a result

Back elbow by AJ.

Up now to the second rope.

AJ. Oh!

Connecting knee first with a steel chair.

Oh, and now the DDT planting AJ on the chair. Becky gets rid of the evidence.

AJ may be out.

The body of AJ Lee is completely wrecked. The back down car is coming

Just at the right time for the champ.

Fan handles slam!

Starting to dawn on the champ that tonight is just not your night, Becky

And now AJ rolling up, Becky.

And a kick out at two.

Again, this rivalry between Lynch and Jessica Carr.

Nice takedown by AJ Lee. Continues here.

Both women clinging on by a thread at this point. Looking completely rattled,

understandably. And Becky Cole!

First championship in 11 years.

How sweet it is for A .J. Lee.

Well, this is how we got there. One manhandled slam. It's all over, right?

Chairs involved prior to this.

Unfathomably, A .J. Lee finding the will to kick out. And just when it looked

like A .J. was going face first. into that exposed buckle.

Referee Jessica Carr put the brakes on that one. Quick pin attempt, and then

this charge from Becky Lynch straight into said exposed buckle, followed by,

once again, Old Faithful, the one that's done so much damage to Becky Lynch, the

Black Widow, the tap out, and AJ Lee picks up the Intercontinental

on the road to WrestleMania.

Not twice, but three times in less than six months, A .J. Lee

taps out Becky Lynch, and tonight it earns her the Intercontinental

Championship.

Big night, new chat. What a night.

Yeah. Truth. You wanted to talk to us about it. You said you know what's in

box. Yeah. Yes, that's right. Okay. I had to smell it, dog. It smelled good.

What are you talking about? I give you the Papa John pan pizza.

It has a golden brown, crispy garlic parmesan crust.

Yes, it does.

Soft and chewy center.

Watch this.

Actually,

don't worry about what's in this box.

I handle it from here.

Are you hungry?

I am now.

I want to know what's in the box. Well, ladies and gentlemen, coming up next,

the conquering hero returns home.

CM Punk defends the World Heavyweight Championship against the man who claims

he's going to shake up WrestleMania, Finn Balor. It's live and it's next.

Chicago, a city connected, not just by train lines or shorelines, but by the

drive to never settle.

We talk less, dream bigger, and never stop pushing. We change the course of

rivers and the course of history.

When we build things, the world looks up. So welcome to the greatest city in

world, because in Chicago, we are never done, and we are never outdone.

Technical Sergeant Roberto Armas, an 18 -year Air Force logistics leader, has

supported key missions worldwide, including Operation Enduring Freedom and

earned multiple combinations, including Air and Space Medals and Army

Achievement Medal. We want to thank all the men and women around the world,

especially with what's going on today, those like Technical Sergeant Armas.

Thank you for protecting our freedoms.

Finn Balor is the man that says he will turn the main event at WrestleMania.

Slated to be CM Punk versus Roman Reigns.

One of the greatest WrestleMania main events of all time. Finn says he's going

to turn that upside down when he wins the championship tonight.

He's made it very clear, Wade, that Finn wants to do it alone.

I saw Judge Midday members J .D. McDonough and Dominic Mysterio in the

earlier today, but Finn Balor promises he needs to do this himself tonight.

Do you believe that?

Yes. I actually don't believe that at all. I think that's merely a strategy to

get Punk to drop his dog, keep the champs guessing.

And I'll be honest with you right now. You have two choices at the very top of

this game. You can be a noble loser or you can be a cheating champion.

And I know full well which one I would pick.

Ballard, who battled Punk in his homeland of Ireland, Belfast, Northern

back in January.

It was a home game for Ballard then. Tonight, he's the away team.

You know, we already crowned one new men's champion this week.

to Miles Bourne down at NXT. He won the NXT North American title. Can Finn

Fowler secure a world title tonight?

Did he think he is the best in the world?

C .F.

Paul!

Some nostalgia from the Jordan -era Bulls, voiced by the iconic PA

Ray Clay.

The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the World

Heavyweight Championship!

Introducing first, the challenger from Frey County, Wicklow, Ireland,

weighing in at 190 pounds, representing...

The Judgment Day in Ballard!

And his opponent...

Had a WWE match in his hometown of Chicago.

Punk understands that father time is undefeated. He understands that this

be the very last match that he ever has in his career here in United Center. And

he says tonight he is going to savor it all as he defends the World Heavyweight

Championship against a very hungry Finn Balor.

who wants to turn the main event at WrestleMania upside down.

I talked to Balor earlier today. He told me that he needs to take the crowd out

of this match early on. He learned way back in Belfast what a crowd can do to

you, the momentum and the emotion that you can feed off when it comes to the

hometown crowd. He says he needs to take that crowd out of this match early on

tonight.

off the bat trying to charge up the end point is this audience but let me just

make it abundantly clear to insulated americans a lot of the international

superstars they're used to these environments we spend most of our career

competing on foreign soil and in finn case most of his career either in japan

here in the U .S. This will not face Finn Balor in the slightest.

You know, CM Punk's been pissed off as of late, Wade. All the questions coming

his way over the past few weeks of why would you take this match? Why would you

endanger one of the greatest...

main events in WrestleMania history against Roman Reigns. What does Punk do?

doesn't back down from a fight. Instead, he always doubles down. He says he

wants to be a fighting champion.

Yeah, I'm split on that. I respect the fact that he sees it as his

responsibility as the world heavyweight champ to prove against anyone, anytime

that he is the champ. However, we know full well how much Punk wants a win, and

I'll emphasize win.

in the main event of WrestleMania.

Lose tonight, you're not even getting a chance at that, pal. Yeah, full Nelson

applied by Balor, and now Punk into a pinning combination and a kick out at

Into a side headlock now. You know, Finn Balor actually credits CM Punk and some

of the talks that they had leading up to that match in Belfast for, quote,

awakening, reawakening, a killer instinct that was dominant for too long

Balor. And here's the kick out again by Punk.

Yeah, we were speaking a little earlier today, Colton. You were asking me about

what Finn Balor might have learned in that first match. And I think the entire

demeanor of Balor when he entered here today, you can read it on his body. He

completely relaxed.

Why? Because he proved in Belfast that he can hang at the very top level with a

world heavyweight champion in this day and age. It's been a long time since

proven that to himself.

He is a completely different man if there were any doubts.

In the head of Balor going into that match in Belfast. They've all

today. And again, Wade, listen to how quiet it is right now inside the United

Center. Balor doing what he promised to do. Not allow this crowd into this

match. And that fires up Balor more. What does it do to the mindset of CM

He expects a raucous atmosphere. Suddenly goes deathly silent in here.

That'll wake him up a bit as Punk delivers a heel kick to the face. Now,

hungry. As well, Wade, it's been 10 long years since Balor held a world title.

He was the inaugural universal champion. And remember, he only held that title

for 24 hours.

Yeah, and the butterfly effect of that incident you're talking about can be

speculated about nonstop ad infinitum. Where would Finn Balor's career have

over the last 10 years had he not been stripped of that championship because of

the injury?

Punk cover, and Balor kicked out.

You expect this pace early on in the match?

You know what? I thought Balor was going to come hot out of the blocks. You

mentioned the age of Punk. He's no spring chicken, obviously.

He is fighting against Father Time, and that is something that somebody like

Finn Balor, who is renowned for his endurance, needs to use to his

if I was Balor, I personally want to pick up the pace here. Senior official

Patton working this World Heavyweight Championship match.

Again, the winner will defend against...

The Royal Rumble winner, Roman Reigns, seven weeks at WrestleMania.

Here we go. This is exactly what I was talking about from Balor. He's not as

as CM Punk, but he's ready to throw fists. In the early joins here, there

technical start to the match, but that got thrown out of the window now.

Of course, Wade, the United Center, the home of the beloved NHL Blackhawks,

Punk's favorite team.

Does Punk want to turn this into a hockey fight tonight against Balor?

I mean, you'll win by hook or by crook, but if it is a hockey fight, I think

that probably favors CM Punk. He does have probably 25 pounds on Finn Balor.

now Punk after delivering the elbow to the face of Balor.

Nice switch by Finn.

Drops Punk to the mat.

Tweet something in his ribcage there with a nasty landing.

And if he did, zeroing in on it is Finn Balor.

A sixth dent for an injury on an opponent's body. And at this level, with

World Championship hanging in the balance, that is a massive asset for the

Irishman. Can you imagine if Balor wins tonight? He turns Mania upside down in

a...

It's WrestleMania season. Anything can happen as Balor now delivers a stomp to

Punk, weakening up the midsection for the Coup de Grace.

Well, Finn Balor is sick of being labeled an underachiever. He does feel

times like management, in a way, lost faith in him when he had that injury 10

years ago as a brief world champion.

And this is one way to stick it up to management.

Ripping away their dream matchup at WrestleMania between Punk and Roman

Balor's got a five count here. Again, working the ribcage.

It'll be kicked to CM Punk. Great strategy here by Balor. Not only slow

down, but as I mentioned before, soften him up for your finishing blow.

Yeah, and here's why you know that initial tweak in the ribcage of Punk was

You do all you can to hide any form of weakness from your opponent.

Punk was trying his best to. He simply couldn't. The tail was there

Balor is now all over that weakness like a rash. Yeah, Balor doing a great job.

Physically wearing Punk down.

This is the belief that is starting to grow in Finn Balor now, and it's the

belief that is starting to dissipate from this partisan crowd here in

Punk has had a great career in Chicago. He won his Intercontinental Championship

here when he beat William Regal back in 2009. Who would ever forget?

The great street fight with Chris Jericho here in Chicago. And how about

Wade? The night that CM Punk defeated John Cena to win the championship in one

of the most iconic moments in WWE history.

Yeah, blowing that kiss to John Cena.

Championship in hand as he left the arena. One of the most iconic shots in

wrestling history.

Oh, God.

Abdominal stretch again, working on the midsection of CM Punk. You see Punk

screaming in pain here. A tap out by Punk would give the title to Balor.

Punk has a very high pain tolerance, but barely, barely able to conceal the

sheer agony that he's in right now with Balor attacking with abandon.

And I'm not sure Balor has even got out of third gear at this point. That's the

scary part.

What a predicament here for the world heavyweight champion CM Punk.

Crowd trying to rally against Punk.

He's got a bad taste in his mouth after last year's Elimination Chamber when he

was in the Chamber match. And it was down to him and Cena. And a Seth Rollins

stomp handed the match to John Cena.

Bad taste from Elimination Chamber perhaps. Oh! Not even worth tasting.

From last year's WrestleMania, we all remember how that went down, getting

stabbed in the back by Paul Heyman. That's why he's so desperate to get back

the showcase of the Immortals and set the record straight this year in the

event. Yeah, but Punk has really turned things around, not counting the night

that Rollins cashed in on Punk at SummerSlam. Punk has not lost a one -on

match since late spring of 2025.

And now Balor.

Taking the fight to Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship.

The main event.

WrestleMania takes the balance here tonight.

And it's just so easy for

Balor to knock the stuffing out of Punk here. But Punk resolute.

An elbow followed by a clothesline. Well, now suddenly you've got Finn

Finn Balor has been knocked for a loop by Punk. And Punk now ratcheting up

through the gears. The belief is back here. This match is physical as those

great 1990s Bulls teams here tonight.

And Punk now back to his feet.

And he's got Finn in position for a GTS. Finn, though, able to fly behind.

And out.

Sending Finn out to the floor. Here comes CM Punk. Punk now with a suicide

driving Balor right into our table.

Punk going high risk at the right time and the lower back of Finn Balor

absorbing all of that abuse from our deck.

And this is important for Punk here. It buys him a lot of time, Wade, to try to

recover from what's been a banged -up midsection.

Yeah, I'm not sure time is going to help. That's one of those injuries that

of gets worse and worse as the match goes on. Punk, for my money, needs to

finish this and finish it quick. That's why he sends Balor back into the ring.

Punk a proud man. He doesn't want to take a count -out win. He wants to pin

Balor in his hometown here tonight.

CM Punk, top rope.

Punk! Off the top rope for the flying clothesline.

Cover now by Punk to retain.

And a kick out. If you're Roman Reigns, right, and you're watching this match

tonight, who do you want to face at WrestleMania, or does it matter?

I don't think Roman Reigns fears any man in this industry. He wants all comers.

Bring him on. We'll make it as big as possible.

All he cares about is the gold, and that gold might be coming the way of CM Punk

right now. Looking for a GTS. Fowler now from behind.

Finn Fowler who actually into the cover, hook to the leg on Punk, and a kick

out. Fowler actually.

owns a victory over Roman Reigns in the not -so -distant past. And, of course,

we know the history and the rivalry between Punk and Reigns. Well, victories

over Roman Reigns are a collective item in this industry. So if Finn Balor has

some history with Reigns, and it's a positive history, even more reason why

needs to get the job done here tonight.

And Punk dragging himself through his feet. Balor.

Again, working the midsection. This has been a great strategy by Balor. Well,

you take gifts when they arrive. Oh!

Must be shot there to see him. But you take gifts when they arrive in this

And whatever strategy Finn had coming into the match, immediately he had to

pivot once Punk tweaked that rib change. But wait up. Into position.

Finn Balor trying to hang on. Punk looking to hit the go to sleep here.

Went for it. Balor rolls him up. Small package. Is it enough? And a kick out by

Punk.

Punk dips underneath. There's that patented swinging neckbreaker by Punk.

to retain.

Kick out at two by Fowler.

And Punk just keeps finding answers. I mean, go back to SummerSlam last year

with that epic matchup with Gunther that looked completely unwinnable for about

98 % of it.

Punk just hung in there and hung in there and hung in there, showed his

toughness, showed his resolve and got the dub in the end. And it's been the

story over the last month, of course, the win over Braun Breaker, the win over

Finn Balor, the win over AJ Styles.

Punk has been a fighting champion as we head into WrestleMania season.

But will his luck run out tonight?

Both men in bad shape at this point in the matchup.

That's when you realize it is close to the death here, perhaps.

Both men must sense victory. They know their opponent is a badly weakened

Yeah, Punk now, nice block.

Balor was looking for a suplex there, and Punk drives him into the corner with

big forearm.

Punk boxing the ears of Balor.

Punk again is going to have to dig down deep to retain tonight.

Bryan is best to use that power advantage that has definitely been

that rib injury.

And Balor again going back to the midsection.

You don't change a winning formula in this game. That's where all the success

has come from for Balor. He's smart enough to know that. Oh God. And Punk

collapsing. Wisely, the veteran trying to roll away, but he's still in the drop

zone. Finn Balor from the top rope now has Punk in his sights. Went for the

de grace.

Punk rolled out of harm's way. And now Punk with a running knee, and I believe

Punk's been busted open to the mouth.

As Balor is full with a clothesline. Well, that busted open mouth is the

of Punk's worries.

That rib cage is where the real damage lies, but it might be for nothing here

Punk can connect on this.

Oh yeah, the elbow from Punk, but again the midsection divvied in. Well that was

exactly what takes the brunt of the landing for CM Punk. No cover, no

pounce on a quick three count here.

It's in fact a slow three count.

And that is for Fowler to turn it into a pinning combination of his own. And two

and a half.

So much. Oh, God. Sling blade by Fowler. So much zapped out of CM Punk at this

point in the matchup. Fowler's just a step quicker right now, Wade. He has to

be. And that blood coming from the mouth of Punk.

Fowler senses victory.

He's got gold in his eyes now.

Punk looks fat.

Physically fat.

And Punk, though, exploiting out of the corner.

Just a veteran move by Punk there. Taking a beat.

Or was it desperate?

No, taking a beat. A beat to get his senses together. Knowing full well Finn

lining something up. But what a battle we've got going on here. And Punk now.

Oh, hold on. Looking for the Anaconda Vice now on Balor. First it was the

sharpshooter. Now looking for the Anaconda Vice. He's got it in on Finn

now. Submission move. Center of the ring. Is Balor going to tap now to the

You're like a long way from the ropes here. That hand is nowhere near. That

is looking like it's going to tap out. Balor trying to hang on.

And Balor able to roll through.

Turns it into a pinning combination of his own.

And a kick out by Punk.

That's something Balor learned from their battle back in Belfast last month.

How to counter the Anaconda fight. You have to be merciless at this level.

Forget that you are fighting a human being here. This is your mortal enemy

now, Finn.

Puck up and down goes Puck. Now he's in position. This could be Balor's

opportunity to alter the entire landscape of WrestleMania.

Balor from the top rope into a Kuna...

What a gutsy kick out from CM Punk. The Cogs are now whirring in the mind of

Finn Balor who thought he was home and dry.

Balor just hit his death blow and Punk survived.

Finn Balor's down. Wait a minute.

We mentioned that JD and Dom are here. Do you think, well...

Again, he promised to do it on his own. Maybe a thought ran through his head

momentarily. Clearly torn at that point. No sign of the reinforcements as of

yet. Oh, wait up.

And Punk now powering Finn Taller up into a position for the go to sleep.

Go to sleep to the face. But Taller was driven out of the ring with his

momentum. And Punk now realizes that the win.

Well, that complete indecision momentarily from Finn Pallor opened a

window, a tiny window that the world heavyweight champ CM Punk was happy to

through.

Unfortunately, he kicked through a little too hard. And no chance of a

but there may be a count out here.

Count of five now. And again, I told you, Punk does not want to count out

victory.

He wants a decisive win heading into WrestleMania.

And Balor with a sling blade.

And that's a heavy, heavy landing on the outside of the ring. Those are thin

pads over concrete here. The ribs of CM Punk absorbing all of that impact.

And Balor now.

Shades of a decade ago.

This time he drives Punk to a barricade.

Is this his moment?

on the gold laser focused on the broken body of CM Punk now laser focused on

getting him back in the ring and getting the three count tossing the dead

carcass of Punk back into the ring Finn Balor could be closing in on the world

heavyweight title though Punk went for the go to sweep again Balor with another

swing blade again Balor a step quicker in this match right now CM Punk is

swinging at whatever he can and he's missed

And it's all in the corner now of Finn Balor. And once again in that drop zone,

take two, is Deion Pulse. Pulse survives once. Will he survive a second time?

Balor from the top.

sharpshooter in Chicago many, many years ago at WrestleMania.

CM Punk now with a sharpshooter locked into Balor. Oh, God. All of the agony on

the lower back of Balor. Balor managing somehow to break that hold.

Man, that was a great counter by Punk. That was an incredible, instinctive move

there, catching a flying fin Balor and almost getting the victory.

Now, Punk, we're going to step through again.

Balor again playing defense here.

What a physical battle between these two.

When the World Heavyweight Championships on the line in WrestleMania season, you

are going to war for it. It is worth it. That's how big this prize is.

Remember, Roman Reigns will be live in Indianapolis Monday night on Raw to

confront the winner of this match. Will it be Punk? Will it be Balor to face

Reigns at WrestleMania?

Will either of these two men be capable of going to Raw at this rate?

Bloody battered and broken.

But refusing to die off. With Balor up on his shoulders.

CM Punk going to sleep.

GTS.

On Monday Night Raw was explosive.

We can only imagine what's in store in 48 hours when

Punk and Reigns come face to face again.

Because Wade, the stage is set for one of the biggest main events in the

of WrestleMania.

Seven weeks, 49 sleeps away.

From CM Punk and Roman Reign for the World Heavyweight title.

This is how we got there. Finn Balor connecting with that two to grab.

But somehow CM Punk refusing to be denied in that moment. A

broken CM Punk still having the belief.

And then connecting with a GTS.

But blasted Palace so hard he rolled all the way out of the ring, but followed

it up with this through our security barrier.

And now laser focused on that goal. This is what Finn came for, but one mistake.

And that was all CM Punk needed to hoist him up for another GTS. This time a

fortuitous landing for the champ.

But three counts later, a successful retention and CM Punk head.

for WrestleMania.

What a great performance by Finn Balor tonight.

Promised to do it on his own. He did just that. But in the end, it has become

trademark of CM Punk's current world championship reign.

It is the gut, it is the grit, it is the resilience that has made that man the

best in the world.

I mean, what a show of respect from a true warrior in Finn Balor, who over the

past couple of months has really earned the respect of CM Punk.

Respectful and defeat magnanimous in victory, and now a double celebration

a couple of champs.

What a night it has been for CM Punk and the new women's Intercontinental champ,

AJ Lee.

Yeah, a case can be made.

as the new power couple of WWE.

What a night in Chicago, the adopted hometown of A .J. Lee, the hometown, of

course, of CM Punk.

And now we turn our attention to Las Vegas and WrestleMania.

CM Punk versus Roman Reigns.

The world has been begging for that matchup for years and years, but we are

there, Cole. Cannot wait. Seven weeks' time in Vegas. It is going to be

gangbusters at WrestleMania. And, Wade, you and I are going to have the

opportunity to sit at ringside in seven weeks and call two of the greatest of

this generation, maybe two of the greatest of all time. This match is

It is a grudge match for these two, and it is about the World Heavyweight

Championship.

And many celebrities enjoying this night tonight, including UFC fighter Michael

Chandler from the lightweight division.

Giannis is here.

Two -time NBA MVP, current board for the Milwaukee Bucks. Please, Giannis,

please come to New York. Please come to the Garden. Please, please, please.

The Grammy -nominated rapper and singer, Lil Yachty, here tonight.

Does he know he's your guy? Yeah, he does. It's a shame about it.

Hey, the Unleashed Moment of the Night is brought to you by Mad Dog by MD2020.

15 % ABV, 5 flavor, and it hits hard. Light up your night with Mad Dog by

MD2020. The grab -and -go can build the power up your main event.

This is the elimination chamber match on the women's side of things earlier

tonight. Raquel Rodriguez with a standout performance.

What a car crash it was from here. Tiffany Stratton double teaming. Big

call. Raquel down for the count here. And then there were two.

But Rhea Ripley not to be denied.

Denying that moonsault and then nailing one riptide.

To book her spot at WrestleMania in a showdown with the WWE Women's Champ, The

Storm, Jade Cargill. The Storm is coming to Vegas.

It is set for WrestleMania.

Two of the most powerful women in WWE today.

Jade Cargill defending the WWE Women's Championship against Rhea Ripley.

Well, you know, the sold -out crowd tonight has a very special rally towel

courtesy of 2K.

WWE and Chicago's own CM Punk to celebrate WWE's return to the United

And Punk's racing to the WWE 2K26 cover, which becomes available to play on

Early Access March 6th.

You know, there's always a backlash to WrestleMania.

Well, Backlash is coming to Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida on

Saturday, May 9th. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to announce tonight's WWE's attendance

here at the United Center, 19 ,346.

Thank you, Chicago!

Well, Wade, you know, the box is here. You know that surprise box that's been

everywhere? I think we're going to find out right now what's actually in the

thing. Okay, I think it's a major award.

Please.

Saw at the back of the box earlier, it said Fragile. Oh, will you stop? It must

be Italian.

Just stop.

Should have asked Joe Tess what did.

Is that?

Is that a coffee?

Oh boy.

Dan,

how does it just give me peace?

You're at that age now. It's your first set of dentures, Michael Cole.

Congratulations.

Wade, what the hell was that?

Well, I know that Dan Housen is a little off kilter, but these teeth aren't even

clean. They've got bits of parsley in them. Are they, do you think they're

Well, God, I somehow need to recover from that because coming up next,

it is our main event.

Who's going to go to WrestleMania to face Drew McIntyre for the WWE

Championship?

The chamber match is next.

Let me talk to you. Life inside the ring can be a grind.

So outside the ring, we like to let loose.

Like tearing into a drum solo.

Or going full throttle with the EST.

Oh, yeah!

And living it up in retirement, that's a gimme.

Don't you mean it's a snap?

Snap into a Slim Jim!

Yeah!

Wheatley American Vodka is for hard -working people with true American

People who never just mail it in. Oh, a thing of beauty!

People who rise to the occasion.

Here we go!

Boom!

Men and women who know how to get the job done. From the top!

And when the day is over, nothing's better than celebrating with something

American. We are

49 nights away

from WrestleMania 42, the two -night extravaganza from Las Vegas. Night one

Saturday, April 18th, starting at 6 p .m. Eastern, 3 p .m. on the West Coast.

And just in, the first hour will be live on ESPN2, as well as full coverage on

ESPN Unlimited on the app. And then the following night, Sunday, April 19th,

Same start time, 6 Eastern, 3 on the West Coast. The first hour will be live

ESPN proper.

And then, of course, the full event will be on the ESPN app with ESPN Unlimited.

WrestleMania for the first time ever on ESPN.

Speaking of WrestleMania, WWE World is returning to Las Vegas April 16th to the

20th as the ultimate WrestleMania week destination.

Let's light it up, Chicago.

A .J. Lee and the best in the world, CM Punk, are officially joining the staff

lineup. Photo and autograph opportunities will go on sale this

6th, and will go fast. So be sure to get your admission tickets in advance at

www .weworld .com. You don't want to miss this.

Immediately following our upcoming main event, it is the Elimination Chamber

Post Show.

hosted by Joe Testa, a wide array of guests as we set the stage for

WrestleMania.

You know, Wheatley American Vodka and WWE are proud to be joined tonight by

Petty Officer First Class Mary Lago from the USO and the United States Navy here

in Illinois.

Wheatley raises a glass to Petty Officer First Class Mary Lago and all retired

and active members of the US military for everything you're doing this

and for your service year -round.

The following is the men's elimination chamber match.

Two superstars start in the ring.

Four superstars in individual pods.

A random pod door opens at regularly scheduled intervals until all pods

are empty.

Superstars are eliminated by pinfall or submission.

The last superstar standing will be declared the winner and go on to

challenge the undisputed.

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania

42!

Smackdown by storm.

He beat Carmelo Hayes and Damian Priest to qualify for the Elimination Chamber

match. And Trick Williams' weight has had some success here in Chicago. He

Ethan Page for the NXT Championship back in 2024 when CM Punk was his

special guest referee.

Yeah, there's a whole lot of strength to Trick Williams, but the biggest

strength of all for him has to be this innate confidence.

There is no stage too big. There is no spotlight too bright. What a moment it

will be for Trick Willie to bug his ticket for Mania.

The man does not look intimidated at all.

Yeah, this isn't normal.

Quite the aura surrounding this young man.

Just oozing competent.

Looks like a man that has done this dance ten times before.

Completely nothing phasing Trick Williams. That is a guy destined for the

top. But how soon is that top coming for Trick Williams?

He will be locked inside a pod.

First time ever testing out the elimination chamber.

The sentimental favorite here tonight, L .A. Knight, enters the chamber for the

second time in his career. He knocked off the Visions Austin Theory and Penta

qualify for this match tonight. And you think Trick Williams has confidence.

What about L .A. Knight?

Oh, man, what an energy battle that is between these two from this crowd.

The roof lifted off when Trick Williams said, and it might have now gone off to

orbit.

Because the megastar is here in Chicago, and he's looking to take it all.

Knight will be locked in a pod to start this match.

Yeah, and these are the entrances you really want to be a part of, these first

four, because, you know, from there, you've at least got the jump on the two

guys who are going to start this thing. Did you ever start the chamber match?

Yes, I did. Guess what? I didn't win.

I also was in a pub once, and I still didn't win.

Story of your career.

I'm going to be right in.

You know the man.

How do we get one of those set on our table out here?

Still trying to figure that ball out.

Now, accompanied by WWE Hall of Famer, the Oracle, Paul Heyman, and

Austin Deary from Dorado, Puerto Rico, by way of Cleveland, Ohio,

weighing in at 220 pounds.

The Maverick, Logan Paul.

A lot to break down here. First off, last night on Friday Night SmackDown,

Uso, who was supposed to be in this spot in the chamber, was attacked by an

unknown assailant, not medically cleared to be a part of this tonight.

So general manager Nick Aldis made a match for the main event, Logan Paul

Jacob Batu. The winner would qualify tonight.

Well, there was some shenanigans. That masked man who's been trying to take out

the vision for weeks actually was unmasked by Logan Paul, and it was

Yeah, and I'll say right now, that was an ineffective attack in the first place

from the masked man, and I've got to think that is a copycat. I've not heard

anything official.

We'll wait to see for sure.

And then later on in the match, Drew McIntyre would once again stick his nose

where it didn't belong, obviously concerned that he'd have to face Jacob

WrestleMania. What does he do? He takes out Batu. He hands the match to Logan

Paul. Yeah, and I saw Giannick Aldis last night. He was bursting with rage

Drew and said there will be severe consequences coming the way of the WWE

For Logan Paul, he's got experience inside the chamber.

This is the third straight year he's been a part of this matchup. He's been a

part of the chamber inside the ring for nearly an hour overall.

24 hours ago, he had no idea he was going to be competing in this match. Not

only is he competing in it, he's also in a part that's an advantageous position

to be in.

We now know the final man in the pod in the chamber, and we know the two medals

start.

Next,

from St.

Louis, Missouri, weighing in at 280 pounds, the Viper,

Randy Orton!

You know, Wade, Randy Orton sets a record tonight, entering his 10th

chamber match in his career. He won one back in... 2014, when he retained the

world championship.

He has eight career eliminations, second all time. And listen to this. If Randy

Orton lasts more than four minutes in this match, he will shatter John Cena's

record for the most time ever spent in elimination chamber matches in their

career. Yeah, that is a true veteran.

Very little throws the Viper off his game at this point, although I will

mention. But in recent weeks on SmackDown, Randy Orton has had numerous

with a certain Aleister Black.

Now, Aleister Black has been trying to get into the head of the Viper, implying

that Randy now lacks the killer instinct at this point in his career to put down

a longtime friend such as a Cody Rhodes, who is also going to be in this match

with the Viper. It will be very interesting if those two are in the ring

same point.

at some time in this match.

Randy Orton's had quite the history in Chicago back in 2010. He won the WWE

Championship here.

Won the World Heavyweight title here in Chicago back in 2007 as Mr. Heyman

stares at us here.

There's a you.

There's a you. I don't offend Mr. Heyman. You regularly do.

Austin Theory out here as well.

And remember, the vision has fallen on hard times as of late. Rod Breaker, of

course, out of action.

after surgery, and Lawson Reed needs surgery as well for a torn biceps.

Fortune perhaps now turning around thanks to Logan's qualification,

some bad luck. That will all change tonight if Logan is victorious, but the

Viper now staring down the newcomer, Treg Williams.

They've had some issues over on SmackDown these past several weeks. Of

Clash did Saturday night's main event a few weeks ago, too, in that four -way.

You mentioned it.

There's been a lot of question, and it irks Randy Orton to no end.

This deep into his career, is the Viper still the apex predator?

Does he still have the killer instinct when needed?

You know, Wade, when you're here a long time, complacency starts to creep in.

But Randy Orton has a goal, right? He's a 14.

world champion. He's within striking distance of John Cena's record 17

He's tied with Triple H, the third most of all time.

And that is what drives Orton this late in his career. Yeah, there's no slowing

down either for the Viper. That is a man who has consistently said he wants the

last ten more years here in WWE.

You have to think, with that kind of timeline, Randy Orton absolutely has it

his power to be the number one world championship winner in history.

Make it his sweet time.

Make him wait.

Oh, I thought that was Ben Housen for a second.

The young blood, the young gin is here.

Boy, oh boy, does he make me feel old.

Making his way to the ring from Greensboro, North Carolina, weighing in

pounds, Javon Williams!

Javon Evans.

I understand the pressure gets to you. It happens to the best of us, Wade. It's

a long night. It's been a long couple of days. But nonetheless,

You want to feel old?

This young man wasn't even born in 2002 when the Elimination Chamber debuted.

He wasn't born until he was 2000.

In 2004, he's 21 years old.

I'm starting to hate Javon Evans with stats like that.

I mean, how can one guy get all the luck? How can you get to this level at

age of just 21 years? He's even a nice guy. Knocks the guys out, goes back for

it. Man, nothing is really phasing this young man, but here's the problem for

Javon Evans, and it's twofold. Number one, he's got to kick this thing off

the very beginning. That is a long match, and that is a lot of damage that

will absorb inside the chamber if you're going to go the distance. Number two,

he doesn't know what he doesn't know, and he's about to find out once he hits

that steel. But think about this, Wade. Look at what this young man's

accomplished over the past couple of months.

He was the Iron Man in his first ever Royal Rumble match when he lasted nearly

41 minutes.

And then in order to qualify, he beat the Intercontinental Champion and AAA

Champion Dominic Mysterio and the career killer Gunther to earn this opportunity

tonight. Yeah, and it's a similar story to flying under the radar. Look at him.

What are you doing? He has no fear. Get in there. You don't climb up and on the

top. You're going to get in there. He has no fear. Can you imagine what he's

going to be capable of inside the chamber? I think he might grow some fear

pretty quickly once he eats that steel for the first time.

Well, man, unbridled but useful.

And again,

the winner of this match will face Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at

WrestleMania. We know the world title is set. CM Punk beating Balor moments ago

will face Roman Reigns for the world title at WrestleMania.

Roman Reigns actually tweeted this out just moments ago.

He told CM Punk, enjoy this final month of relevancy.

Roman Reigns watching tonight.

I'll tell you right now, for an aerial practitioner like Javon Evans, who has

those freakish flying skills, this contraction, this devastating

-looking elimination chamber really could potentially be a major playground

him. A lot of options, if you like, aerial attacks in this kind of match.

know, human beings are not supposed to fly like that, Randy.

He doesn't fly, he floats.

You dropped like a blimp.

And I would never get back up.

That's why I'm over here now.

opportunity to get to the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania.

Cody Rhodes admitted, Wade, he hears it. He said some crowds are home crowds and

others are away crowds.

He wasn't sure what he would get in Chicago tonight, but he says he can't

about that. He's got to focus on the task at hand, and that is eliminating

other men to get to WrestleMania.

This is QB1.

And I don't know if you can be QB1 of this entire

industry if you are not competing for a major championship at WrestleMania.

If Cody loses here today, he will not be. My questions will start to surround

who exactly is the leader in this entire thing. He beats Sami Zayn and Jacob

Patu to qualify for this match tonight.

It is the first time in 14 years Cody Rhodes has stepped foot inside the

chamber. But this is a much different Cody Rhodes than the one that stepped in

the chamber 14 years ago.

He's been successful in Chicago. He won the tag titles with Drew McIntyre.

Here in Chicago in 2010.

Won the Intercontinental Championship here. Had that great Hell in a Cell

with Seth Rollins. And now is inside the chamber to start things off with Javon

Evans. Who will survive? Who will face McIntyre at WrestleMania?

So Cody and Javon start the match.

Regularly scheduled intervals. Another man will be released from the pod.

When you're eliminated, be it tap out or count out, I should say pinfall, you

will head back to the locker room. There are no count outs. There are no

disqualifications. The last man standing heads to Las Vegas.

And the 19 ,000 plus with the Cody Rhodes chance. And there's the drop down

right hand by Cody. There could not be a more jarring difference in experience

between two competitors to kick this whole thing off.

Still wet behind the ears is Javon Evans, but ready to shock the world

What a tall task against somebody like Cody Rhodes who's done it all. Quickly

into the cover on Evans and a kick out. Cody would be right to ground Javon

Evans in the early going here.

Yeah, do not let go of Javon Evans if you're Cody Rhodes. Knowing full well

speed of Javon Evans, the fact that he can attack from any angle. Roll up and a

kick out by Cody.

study javon evans notes it is the hardest thing in the world to keep this

grounded again we have company at ringside the

oracle of the vision paul heyman out here watching uh his charge logan paul

compete austin theory out here as well

Elusive there once again. Javon Evans and Cody getting caught a little cold in

the early goings here. Yeah, nice Hurricane Rana for Javon Evans and

about getting bouncy. Sends Rhodes across the ring. Now here's the problem

Javon Evans. He's hard to defend against.

And here's the cover off the knee.

And Cody kicks out. Yeah, no angle is off limits for Javon Evans. He is so

resourceful. He is so creative, he's so unorthodox, he throws the kind of moves

at you that this industry has not seen before.

Guys like Cody are simply not used to it despite all their experience.

And the youthful exuberance of Javon Evans, always with a smile on his face,

understands how huge this is.

How exuberant are you now, young 'un? And Cody Rhodes, who is a...

...shown over the past number of months, but he does have that killer instinct

to do what he has to do.

He's got to be put back at that qualifying match a few weeks ago. Cody

what he had to do to advance.

Yvonne Evans, welcome to the real world of WWE at the very top level. It's as

inhumane and barbaric as it gets.

You want to make it to WrestleMania. You want to compete for the biggest prizes.

This is what you have to deal with. And it only gets harsher from here. An

emotional roller coaster during WrestleMania season.

49 nights away from a start in Las Vegas.

And Cody now with a collision takes down Evans. Cover again by Rhodes.

And Rhodes is, I would say, desperate tonight.

And will that come out in the way that he works this match?

I mean, it couldn't have started any worse for Cody Rhodes. The fact that he

not draw one of the pods and he didn't get to rest while the other guys beat

themselves up. But that isn't going to daunt Cody. Cody's had to win things the

hard way plenty of times before.

He's a guy who always bets on himself and he usually ends up with a winning

hand. But at some point, does doubt start to creep in?

I mean, it's the early goings here. Ask me again in the deep waters of this

matchup. If Cody is still in the matchup. I'm just talking about in

the past couple of months of everything Cody's been through. He's been stopped

and thwarted at every turn, every opportunity to get to WrestleMania.

Now Evans and Rhodes will have to battle a third superstar.

Who will enter the chamber?

Trip Williams.

Time for this Elimination Chamber to get a little flavor.

And now Williams turns his attention to a man he's got some history with, Javon

Evans. They know each other incredibly well from their time at NXT, which was

not very long ago, just several months ago, both locking horns there. Oh!

Trip Williams.

Look at that cyclone boot Javon Evans was able to evade.

Bleakest movement again of Javon Evans.

Even Trick Williams, who's used to it and knows all about it, can't do

about it.

And now Trick sending Javon off the rope. Javon caught him with a kick.

Not sure he got all of it, but it was effective.

Simply dropped Trick Williams with something more devastating. Wait up.

Oh, what for the O .G. Cutter, and he was intercepted. Well, that's a killer

move for Javon Evans, but too fresh was Trick Willie, too powerful, manages to

block. Oh, God.

Oh, God. That shot just drops Evans.

Again, you're in there with a veteran in Cody Rhodes. You can't be trash

-talking. It's going to get you in trouble.

Oh, God, that trick lap across the jaw of Javon Evans.

And he might be toast there, completely groggy.

Again, the cyclone boot from Trent Williams dropping Cody Rhodes.

Now look at Javon Evans, now off the second rope, caught by Trent.

Now Trent with a double choke slam.

Cover now on Rhodes.

Cody gets the shoulder up. Cover now on Evans.

Evans able to kick out.

It may have been a little tribute to our friend at NXT, Booker T, a little

double bookend right there, taking both opponents down.

You know, Wade, we talked about this a few weeks ago, the fact that there's so

many similarities between Tripp Williams and Booker T, the way they move in the

ring, their moveset, their size.

Yeah, no doubt about it. I'll tell you what right now. If you are going to have

a mentor in this game, why not the five -time WCW champion sucker? Oh, and by

the way, a two -time WWE Hall of Famer, Bucker T.

Hey, wait. Shhh. The trick's talking. My bad.

He can talk smack just like Bucker T, too.

And now Cody Rhodes.

Going to turn the tables.

Driven into the chain link. Evans caught Cody with a kick.

Now a chop on Evans.

Again.

And Evans fired up.

A fourth fan to enter the chamber.

On his way in ten seconds.

Logan.

The Vision.

The Vision's one hope for a major WrestleMania moment after they got

with bad luck and injuries and clearly made a ton of enemies in the process

a reign of terror over on SmackDown.

And Cody Rhodes, Javon Evans, and Trick Williams three -on -one against Logan

Paul. Want to take out Logan as they send him to the pod and out the other

People just do not like... to Maverick, do they? Is it jealousy or is it the

arrogance of Logan Paul that sets people off? I think it's just that and the

vision and all of it.

Logan Paul might be out of this thing. And now Javon Evans over the top taking

out Cody and Trick Williams.

Not the way that Logan Paul wanted to start this night.

No, the whole aim of Logan Paul was to instill in us a more belief of prestige

back in the vision. Get him back on. Well, this couldn't have started any

for the man who only qualified 24 hours ago. Yeah, Logan's only in this because

Jey Uso was taken out by an unknown attacker.

Oh, and there's that tornado splash by Javon Evans. Cover now.

And a kick out by Trick.

Just a joy to watch Javon Evans do his thing. That tornado kick right for the

back of the head. And Trick Williams almost getting the job done there. And

things have gone south for Trick Willie in a hurry here.

Now Cody Rhodes, who started this match with Javon Evans, goes back on the

attack.

Staring up at the WrestleMania sign.

Staring up at the WrestleMania sign. Clearly a little out of breath right now

with Cody Rhodes. He's taken a real beating so far in this one. He just

look over his shoulder and see.

A fresh man in Randy Orton and a fresh man in L .A. Knight waiting to get into

this thing. It's going to be a long night for Cody if he can pull this off.

better dig down deep because his last chance at a title opportunity at

WrestleMania hangs in the balance here.

Must win for QB1.

Cody sent across the ring.

Javon Evans now launched out over to the side. That hard padding.

And now Logan. Oh, there's that quick shot. Lariat by Logan.

That is a thing of beauty. And I don't care what you think about Logan Paul and

his antics and everything else.

He is one hell of an athlete.

He has taken a WWE like no one else in such a short amount of time. Does Paul

Heyman make mistakes when he acquires a talent for his group, for the vision?

He has undoubtedly succeeded historically, and he's doing it again

Paul. As much as I don't want to admit it, I don't think Paul Heyman's ever

a mistake when it comes to talent.

We saw him walk out here with Brock Lesnar on Monday Night Raw, right? And

issued an open challenge for WrestleMania.

He may have another one on his hands in Logan

Paul. Who will enter number five?

Again, number five. More wins than any other number in the history of the

Chamber.

Yeah, and quite the history between L .A. Knight and Logan Paul.

Television in general have made L .A. Knight like hell on SmackDown. Well,

dates back to SummerSlam a couple of years ago when L .A. Knight beat Logan

for the United States Championship.

Oh, man, he turned Cody inside out.

Let's not forget that Logan Paul and Bronson Reed smashed the body of L .A.

Knight just before Christmas. Yeah, a tsunami through a car.

There's the neckbreaker.

By LA Knight. LA Knight only has eyes for Logan Paul right now.

Got to be careful how many enemies you make at this level, especially when

they're all thrown into one match together.

You see the wealth building on the back of Logan Paul.

I'm pretty sure that was when he got drove through one of those pods as soon

he entered the match.

Well, if he's not careful, he may be driven to another pod.

No eliminations yet in this match.

Logan Paul living dangerously here, but managing to somehow negotiate his way

away from the boots of LA Knight.

What was he cooking up here?

Logan Paul is not one to shy away from risks.

There's no escape line in that cage.

There was a locked roof on the top there. Hello, hello, Logan. Turn around.

Javon Evans scaling the chamber as well.

Both men now up on top of the pod.

Dangerous situation.

L .A. Knight now scaling the chamber on the other side.

One thing I know, in situations like this, gravity always wins in the end.

Somebody is going to have a rough, rough landing. Ask Austin Theory about that.

He's standing right in front of us. He came off the top of the pad. Percy and

Brock Lesnar.

And now Logan Paul sent in the Cody and Trick.

Just a human missile.

launched by L .A. Knight and Javon Evans to devastate an effect, and then there

were two.

And now Evans and L .A. Knight battle high above the ring.

Precarious situation for these two.

BFT!

On the pod!

And even delivering that move, it took a lot out of L .A. Knight, right on the

steel. This is Logan Paul taking out Trick Willie.

That was indeed blunt force trauma.

Randy Orton enters this match for the 10th time in his career in less than 10

seconds.

And I think the complexion's about to change.

The steely eyes of the Viper.

And even more so when the deck is stacked in his favor in the final pod.

Physical clothesline. There's a patented power slam.

Now Logan Paul wants into one as well.

Just looking at his superlative best.

Night just hasn't been going Logan's way, has it?

And now Randy sent Rick Williams out to that.

Heavily padded steel, and now Logan Paul walks into Trick Williams. It's been

all Orton. Poor Trick Williams has taken out a lot of bodies, getting thrown his

way.

Going to eat every single collision, going down in a heap.

And that is right where Randy Orton likes his play.

All six men still surviving.

Randy Orton now.

Vintage Orton with a draping TDT.

And it looks like Paul Heyman's soul just left his body.

He knows what's coming next.

Randy's going to that place, Wade.

We're here. Voices in his head.

L .A. Knight.

That's what the RKO did on Knight. Counters!

With a DDT. And you have to pounce on Randy Orton when you get the chance. It

may have been smart to let Randy execute an RKO on Logan Paul. Pin Logan Paul.

Get rid of Logan Paul.

But LA Knight knew his chance to drop the Viper was there. And he went for it.

Parties are everywhere.

Javon Evans is finally coming to on the top of the pod.

Following the PFT by LA Knight.

And look who's lying on the ground in the drop zone.

What the hell is Javon Evans going to do here?

From black for the pod.

He's busted his own ribs in the process. Wait up. Logan Paul now.

Here it is. Paul the riser. Paul the riser. Logan eliminates Evans.

Javon Evans.

And for all the physical abuse Paul took in this matchup, he gains the forced

elimination. There's a bitter taste of reality for Javon Evans.

Overextended himself with that frog splash. And you know a predator like

Paul was just waiting to pound.

Again, sometimes that youthful exuberance, you get a bit carried away.

That's the only way you learn lessons in this game, by making a mistake like

that. Javon Evans, nice performance.

He'll be back.

Cody now sent across the ring by Logan. Cody with a kick to Paul.

L .A. Knight now with Cody up on his shoulders. Now goes Rhodes.

Cover now by Knight.

Rod.

Kick out at two. Great job by our official in this matchup, Rod Zapata,

sure he was in perfect position.

Microscopic level eyes there for Rod Zapata. Shoulders slightly open.

unforced error there from the Megastar, which is likely to be increasingly

common in this kind of brutal match.

And now it's Randy Orton.

Every man for himself inside the chamber.

And Orton just looks so, so fresh. That's how valuable being in that final

is. A bunch of broken bodies surrounding him, throwing very little in the way.

Over Randy.

Knight into the corner.

Big boot stops Randy in his track.

What does Knight do here?

He goes up top.

He asks the world, whose game is this? And they reply.

B .F .T.

pounced on that cover, but somehow Trick Williams bouncing out of the ring. Oh,

and a low blow by Logan Paul, completely legal in this match.

And Paul with another elimination.

L .A. Knight has been eliminated.

Logan Paul eliminates L .A. Knight and Javon Evans.

The referee did not like that at all, but very little the referee can do. As

cheap as it gets, a low blow followed by a... Ampula Tyson, Logan Paul starting

to make a major mark on this Elimination Chamber match.

Four men remain, Logan and Cody tricking Randy.

So the entire field basically attacked Logan Paul the second they got the

chance. The problem is he rode that out and they may have burned themselves out

in the process. And now Logan Paul, it's his to win.

And look at the smile on the face of Paul Heyman here at ringside as he looks

at the performance that Logan Paul.

Has had so far in the chamber.

Tied to start. It's a turn for the vision on Rowe. Right there is classic

Orton. Somebody who knows every dirty trick in the book is Randy Orton.

Logan with a kick right to the midsection of Randy.

See Randy trash talking.

There you go. One of the biggest punches in the game right now. He's got that

titanium loaded right hand. Oh,

and he caught him.

And now Trick exposing the knee.

Went for the trick shot. Logan Paul ducked out of harm's way.

Trick dropped.

Cody Rhodes now.

match, and the undeniable MVP so far is Logan Paul.

I don't care how he did it. Logan Paul has eliminated William,

Knight, and Evans.

But, crucially, there's still two more to eliminate, and they may be

the biggest names in the entire match.

Probably the two...

Favorites from the word go, Cody Rhodes.

Oh, my God, who the hell?

That guy's back.

I mean,

I'm presuming this is not the same individual from last night. Well, did we

this whole thing last night? Is this another copycat?

I haven't got confirmation what the hell was going on last night, but thankfully

grabbing this guy and getting the hell out of here.

That's off to him. For once, they did their job.

It's not the same guy as yesterday.

What's going on around here?

Adam Pearce, the general manager, screaming at him. Who the hell are you?

As they finally get him out of the arena, we can reset now inside the

with Cody and... Pearce and Aldis did not want the Elimination Chamber match

messed up by anybody.

And once again, a very bizarre situation with the masked man or a clone of the

masked man.

Who the hell? Now another!

He's got a free entrance.

for the second straight year.

Seth Rollins has completely changed the complexion of the Elimination Chamber.

That's a serenade.

Seth freaking Rollins. I've got so many questions, but there's only one question

left in this Elimination Chamber.

Is it Rhodes or is it Orton? Two men left. Heist of the century.

Coup of the century.

century. Seth Rollins.

And now it's down to Cody and Randy.

No doubt about what this relationship means.

Cody Rhodes has talked on a number of occasions what Randy Orton meant to him

Rhodes was coming up at WWE.

And now these two face off.

Double a legacy, boys. Oh, no!

McIntyre! McIntyre! with the WWE title to Cody Rhodes.

Well, McIntyre's not supposed to be anywhere near here. Wait for that

And now Cody Rhodes getting some on McIntyre and a glass goat kiss.

This is absolute bad luck.

There's a place in the main event of WrestleMania hanging in the balance. Can

get some damn control? Well, Drew doesn't want anything to do with Cody

at WrestleMania.

That's pretty clear.

It's going to WrestleMania.

Randy did exactly what he said he was going to do. He pulled the trigger on

good friend in order to get to the main event of WrestleMania.

Heartbreak will now set in for Cody Rhodes.

It was his last champ.

And then the unthinkable, unmasking

of an apparently injured Seth Freakin' Rollins. I don't know what to think now.

And then Drew McIntyre, his obsession with Cody Rhodes, trying to prevent

from once again battling McIntyre for the WWE title.

Here's the problem, though, for McIntyre now.

He's got a face to fight for. Well, Orton's had his own problems with

of late, but here was Orton providing the save for Cody and then pouncing.

Cody dropped his job, it really is cutthroat at the very top. Top in WWE,

friend or foe, I don't care.

RKO, why?

Those are finger -pointing WrestleMania, and that is where Randy is headed.

Number...

Number

15 is within the grasp of Randy Orton

at WrestleMania.

In seven weeks, 49 nights, Randy Orton battles Drew

McIntyre for the WWE Championship as heartbreak and

frustration sets in for the American Nightmare.

The fans are going to start spilling out here in a minute. We want to remind

you, don't go anywhere. The Elimination Post Show is coming up immediately.

All the winners will be here live. All the analysis and interviews and what

this now mean on the road to WrestleMania.

It's all ahead on the Post Show from right here in Chicago.