WWE WrestleMania 42 Predictions for Every Loser from Elimination Chamber Matches
WWE presented Elimination Chamber 2026 live from Chicago's United Center Saturday night, a show that helped clarify several creative directions ahead of WrestleMania 42 on April 18-19.
On the February 28 premium live event:
The WrestleMania plans for those not as fortunate to leave Chicago with their arms raised in victory are a bit cloudier. What can fans expect from those Superstars? Find out with these predictions for each at The Showcase of the Immortals.
Already Announced for WrestleMania 42
1 of 4
World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns
An intensely personal matchup.
Reigns earned the right to challenge Punk for the world title by way of his victory in the 2026 men's Royal Rumble match and will now look to reclaim his throne atop WWE. The Best in the World will look to ensure The OTC does not begin another, potentially historic championship run.
WWE Women's Championship: Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill
Cargill has dominated the women's division since her arrival in 2024 and currently reigns over the SmackDown brand as WWE women's champion. Ripley has been at the forefront of Raw, both as its champion and one of its biggest stars. A modern version of the unstoppable force vs. the immovable object, this one feels like a marquee contest for wrestling's biggest show.
Women's World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan
Morgan won the women's Royal Rumble match to set up this championship clash. While the history between her and Vaquer is not as lengthy and personal as Reigns' war with Punk, Morgan is fueled by her determination to prove she is a wrestler on par with La Primera.
Non-Chamber Match Losers
2 of 4
Becky Lynch
Lynch will spend the ensuing weeks crying foul, claiming conspiracy, and targeting Jessika Carr following her loss of the Women's Intercontinental Championship to AJ Lee. She may even use Carr's indirect involvement in her downfall to convince Raw general manager Adam Pearce to grant her a rematch.
Despite all of the controversy, Lynch is a major star for WWE and will have a marquee position on the card, likely against Lee in a rematch.
Finn Balor
The show of respect initiated by Balor after his loss to Punk Saturday night should be the start of a babyface turn. With tension at a peak within The Judgment Day, look for the inaugural universal champion to split from the faction and target the Intercontinental Championship on the grand stage.
Women's Chamber Match Losers
3 of 4
Alexa Bliss and Asuka
Asuka misted Bliss in the women's Elimination Chamber match, setting up her departure from the contest.
With both currently in tag teams, and that division enjoying enhanced screen time in recent months, do not be surprised to see Bliss partner with Charlotte Flair to face Asuka and Kairi Sane at WrestleMania, potentially in a multi-team battle that also includes Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, and new champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend.
Kiana James
James has impressed of late, with a lengthy run in the women's Rumble match and an impressive performance inside the Elimination Chamber. Her road to WrestleMania is likely linked to women's United States champion Giulia whose direction remains unclear. That is disappointing for a young star-in-the-making who has shone in her handful of opportunities lately.
Raquel Rodriguez
Big Mami Cool again impressed Saturday by dominating the opposition. It was the latest in a string of performances aimed reestablishing her as a force in the women's division. With only so many spots on the card, though, her WrestleMania plans are likely tied to Morgan and serving as her bodyguard for the Rumble winner's match against women's world champ Vaquer.
Tiffany Stratton
It was made clear during Netflix series WWE Unreal that the company views Stratton in that upper echelon of women's performers. Her booking Saturday reflected as much, even in defeat.
Her plans for the upcoming Showcase of the Immortals may not be as prestigious as her title match against Charlotte Flair last year, but the teased feud with Chelsea Green should make for a fun, fan-favorite undercard match.
Men's Chamber Match Losers
4 of 4
Cody Rhodes
The American Nightmare appeared to have lost out on his opportunity to headline WrestleMania and challenge Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship after losing the men's Elimination Chamber match to Randy Orton.
Not so fast. Rhodes is still a top star and with so many competitors gunning for McIntyre, including The American Nightmare, expect a multi-man matchup for the top prize on the SmackDown brand. A Fatal 4-Way spot for Rhodes, joined by McIntyre, Orton, and Jacob Fatu, feels like the direction this is headed, for better or worse.
Logan Paul
Paul and Austin Theory have been intertwined in a rivalry with world tag team champions The Usos in recent weeks, with the remnants of The Vision implicated in the attack on Jey at SmackDown. While plans may force WWE Creative's hand and lead to Seth Rollins battling either one of them, Paul and Theory vs. The Usos for the red brand tag titles still feels like the direction here.
Trick Williams
Williams is red-hot right now, arguably the most over guy on the show not named Punk, Reigns, Rhodes, or Ripley. He is getting monster reactions in arenas across the country and one would hope WWE could find something of note for him to do on the grand stage. A feud with LA Knight has been hinted at recently, with that potential showdown making for a solid undercard addition to the WrestleMania 42 card.
Je'Von Evans
Evans, for as impressive as he has been, feels like the one Superstar from Saturday's men's Elimination Chamber match to be left on the outside looking in at 'Mania. If WWE cannot come up with something of significance for him to do, there are worse options than entering him in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and letting him win the whole thing.
.jpg?w=600 "Live Grades for SmackDown 🔡")
