WWE Events: Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber Conclude; Championships Change Hands Amidst WrestleMania Build-Up

WWE Road to WrestleMania 42: Key Title Changes, Royal Rumble, and Elimination Chamber Outcomes

Recent WWE events have featured significant title changes, Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber victors, and developing rivalries ahead of WrestleMania 42. Drew McIntyre defended and subsequently lost the WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes, only to regain it in a "Three Stages of Hell" match. Liv Morgan and Roman Reigns secured victories in their respective Royal Rumble matches, earning championship opportunities. Rhea Ripley and Randy Orton also emerged victorious from the Elimination Chamber matches, setting their paths towards WrestleMania 42 championship contests.

Royal Rumble Build-Up: Late January 2026

The broadcast from Montreal opened with Sami Zayn addressing the crowd, discussing his momentum for an upcoming four-way match that offered a shot at the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. Trick Williams and Damian Priest interrupted, leading to a physical altercation. Backstage, Randy Orton confirmed his intention to win both the four-way and the WWE Championship.

Carmelo Hayes successfully defended the United States Championship against Ilja Dragunov, with The Miz interfering by shoving Dragunov off the ropes, which allowed Hayes to secure the pinfall. Hayes later expressed anger at The Miz's actions.

A segment highlighted the intensifying feud between Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu. During an interview, Fatu, accompanied by General Manager Nick Aldis and security, confronted Rhodes, stating his focus had shifted to Rhodes due to a steel cage match. Aldis ensured both men left the building to prevent further incidents.

In the women's division, WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill defeated Chelsea Green in a non-title match. Jordynne Grace, present at ringside, challenged Cargill for an immediate title match, but Cargill declined. Meanwhile, Roman Reigns declared his entry into the Men's Royal Rumble match.

Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga, accompanied by Tonga Loa and JC Mateo, defeated Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy, accompanied by Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, and Nikki Cross, to win the WWE Tag Team Titles. Interference from Talla Tonga and Solo Sikoa (using a lantern) contributed to the title change.

Drew McIntyre, the reigning WWE Champion, delivered an in-ring promo criticizing Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu, and addressing the upcoming four-way match participants. Backstage, Sami Zayn confronted and slapped McIntyre.

Giulia and Kiana James won a Triple Threat Tag Team Match against Nia Jax & Lash Legend and Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, earning a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Cody Rhodes opened the show discussing Drew McIntyre’s actions and his intent to win the Royal Rumble. Randy Orton, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn joined the segment, expressing their own Royal Rumble aspirations. Randy Orton challenged The Vision, led by Paul Heyman, to a four-on-four match, which General Manager Nick Aldis made official.

Carmelo Hayes successfully defended the United States Championship against Rey Fenix. Backstage, Drew McIntyre commented on Sami Zayn competing in a tag match prior to the Royal Rumble, asserting his commitment to retaining his title.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky discussed their Royal Rumble strategy, while Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss delivered an in-ring promo stating their intentions to win the Royal Rumble. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss later defeated Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez in a tag team match. Jordynne Grace was attacked by Jade Cargill backstage. Axiom defeated Johnny Gargano in a singles match, with Axiom regaining his mask.

Royal Rumble 2026 (January 31, 2026, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

The 2026 Royal Rumble event featured two Royal Rumble matches, a championship defense, and a retirement match.

Liv Morgan won the Women's Royal Rumble match, earning a championship title opportunity.
Key eliminations included Jordynne Grace eliminating Candice LeRae, Lola Vice, and Ivy Nile; Charlotte Flair eliminating Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss; Nattie Neidhart eliminating Becky Lynch; Lash Legend eliminating Jordynne Grace, Brie & Nikki Bella, and Charlotte Flair; Raquel Rodriguez eliminating Rhea Ripley; and Liv Morgan ultimately eliminating Raquel Rodriguez and Tiffany Stratton to secure the victory.

AJ Styles faced GUNTHER in a match where Styles' career was on the line if he lost. GUNTHER secured the victory via referee stoppage after applying the Gojira Clutch following a low blow. This result concluded AJ Styles' career.

Drew McIntyre defended the WWE Undisputed Men’s Championship against Sami Zayn. McIntyre retained the championship, securing the pinfall victory after delivering a second Claymore to Zayn.

Roman Reigns won the Men's Royal Rumble, earning a championship title opportunity.
Oba Femi, who entered at #1, eliminated Bron Breakker after a hooded individual attacked Breakker before he fully entered the match. Other notable eliminations included Brock Lesnar eliminating Ilja Dragunov, Rey Fenix, and Oba Femi; Cody Rhodes and LA Knight eliminating Brock Lesnar; Drew McIntyre eliminating Cody Rhodes; and Roman Reigns eliminating Jacob Fatu, The Miz, Logan Paul, and Jey Uso. Reigns ultimately eliminated GUNTHER to win the match. The final four participants were Logan Paul, Randy Orton, GUNTHER, and Roman Reigns.

Elimination Chamber 2026 (February 28, 2026, Chicago, Illinois)

The Elimination Chamber event was held in Chicago, serving as a preparatory event for WrestleMania 42.

Rhea Ripley won the Women's Elimination Chamber match, securing an opportunity to challenge WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42.
Eliminations included Alexa Bliss by Kiana James, Asuka and Kiana James by Raquel Rodriguez, Raquel Rodriguez by Tiffany Stratton, and Tiffany Stratton by Rhea Ripley.

AJ Lee defeated Becky Lynch to become the new Women’s Intercontinental Champion. The match featured a referee bump and an exposed turnbuckle.

CM Punk defeated Finn Balor to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. Following the match, Punk and Balor shook hands, and AJ Lee joined Punk in celebration.

A mystery crate, which had appeared backstage on previous shows, was opened by Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis. It revealed a wooden coffin from which several individuals in vampire costumes emerged, followed by Danhausen.

Randy Orton won the Men's Elimination Chamber match, earning a WWE Title opportunity at WrestleMania 42.
Logan Paul eliminated three participants: Je’Von Evans, LA Knight, and Trick Williams. Cody Rhodes eliminated Logan Paul following an interference by an unmasked individual later revealed as Seth Rollins. Drew McIntyre then entered the Chamber and attacked Cody Rhodes with the WWE Title belt. Randy Orton intervened, hitting McIntyre with an RKO before delivering an RKO to Cody Rhodes for the pinfall victory.

Following Orton's victory, Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis announced that Drew McIntyre would defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes on the upcoming Friday Smackdown episode, stemming from McIntyre's interference.

Post-Elimination Chamber Developments: Early March 2026

On a subsequent SmackDown broadcast, Cody Rhodes secured the WWE Championship. Drew McIntyre attempted to intervene during the match but was prevented by Jacob Fatu. Rhodes defeated the reigning champion using a Super Cutter and a Cross Rhodes maneuver. This victory set up a championship match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42. Randy Orton had previously asserted his right to a championship opportunity following his Elimination Chamber win.

In a Women's Championship confrontation, Rhea Ripley confronted WWE Women's Champion Jade Cargill. Cargill expressed respect for Ripley but asserted her own superiority and predicted a WrestleMania victory. Ripley emphasized wrestling skill. Carmelo Hayes successfully defended the United States Championship against El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Damian Priest & R-Truth won a Tag Team Turmoil match to become new top contenders for the MFTs' tag team titles. Oba Femi defeated Johnny Gargano.

Note: This broadcast, dated February 23, 2026, included recaps of events from the February 28 Elimination Chamber, suggesting a potential date discrepancy or delayed airing.

The show opened with Paul Heyman, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory. Heyman accused Seth Rollins of stealing Logan Paul's Elimination Chamber opportunity and a WrestleMania main event spot. Seth Rollins, disguised among masked individuals, attacked Heyman with a steel chair and delivered The Stomp. Heyman was later shown being aided into an ambulance, which LA Knight then took control of.

Gunther secured a submission victory over Dragon Lee by applying a sleeper hold and unmasking his opponent. Penta defeated Dominik Mysterio to become the new Intercontinental Champion.

Roman Reigns made his entrance, but CM Punk interrupted, leading to a verbal exchange regarding their history and paths to WrestleMania. Punk stated his intention to "bury Roman, next to his father," concluding the show with Reigns staring down Punk.

In a later broadcast, Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match to capture the WWE Title.

• Fall 1 (Standard Rules): McIntyre defeated Rhodes after delivering a low blow (unseen by the referee) and a Claymore.
• Fall 2 (Falls Count Anywhere): Rhodes defeated McIntyre by performing a CrossRhodes on the announce desk.
• Fall 3 (Steel Cage): McIntyre defeated Rhodes. After both competitors performed high-impact moves, a masked individual, later identified as Jacob Fatu, interfered by pulling the referee away and attacking both wrestlers. McIntyre capitalized on the distraction, escaping through the cage door to win the WWE Title.

Other matches and segments on this broadcast included Trick Williams defeating Rey Fenix. Giulia, accompanied by Kiana James, defeated Alexa Bliss. Source 1 reported this as a successful defense of the U.S. Title by Giulia, though other reports indicate the Women's Intercontinental Championship was held by AJ Lee during this period. The Wyatt Sicks were defeated by Solo Sikoa & The MFTS, with Tama Tonga delivering a running Cut Throat to Uncle Howdy. Jordynne Grace defeated Alba Fyre, followed by a confrontation with Jade Cargill. Carmelo Hayes successfully defended the U.S. Title against Shinsuke Nakamura. Matt Cardona made a return to WWE.