CM Punk's WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 Plans Revealed

WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 will emanate from CM Punk's hometown of Chicago on February 28 and the 47-year-old will be defending the World Heavyweight Championship at the pay-per-view.

Fightful Select has reported that CM Punk has long been planned for the show due to it being in Chicago. WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select has noted that a pitched plan for Elimination Chamber was for Punk to put the World Heavyweight Title on the line against Finn Balor, with Sean Ross Sapp adding that the match would come together after Punk accepts a rematch on "his turf."

This would play off the recent title match between Punk and Balor in Belfast, Northern Ireland on the January 19 episode of Raw. Balor received major fan support in Belfast due to being from the island of Ireland, which is separated between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The programme between Balor and Punk has continued since their Raw match, with Balor causing Punk's world title defence against AJ Styles to end by DQ on January 26. Punk also addressed Balor again on the post-Royal Rumble episode of Raw after making his way to the ring to interrupt Roman Reigns.

It was made official in that segment that Roman Reigns will challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42, courtesy of his Royal Rumble win. The current plan within WWE is for that match to be CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns.