WWE Now — Elimination Chamber 2026 Preview

Podcast: WWE Now
Hosts: Sam Roberts and Megan Morant
Release Date: February 27, 2026
Episode Theme: A detailed breakdown and preview of WWE Elimination Chamber 2026, focusing on its unpredictable match card, road to WrestleMania storylines, and who might "steal the show." Sam and Megan offer deep dives into every Elimination Chamber participant, emerging stars, championships on the line, surprise elements (the mysterious crate), and potential fallout heading into WrestleMania.

Main Theme & Episode Overview

This episode of WWE Now is a must-listen for any WWE fan anticipating Elimination Chamber 2026 and the final bends in the Road to WrestleMania. Sam Roberts and Megan Morant bring their signature chemistry, humor, and deep WWE knowledge to dissect every angle—from the unpredictability of both Chamber matches to rising stars, championship storylines, and the mystery crate. They assess odds, bold predictions, personal biases, and foreshadow pivotal WrestleMania implications.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Unpredictability of Elimination Chamber 2026

[01:37-02:53]

• Sam expresses excitement for this year’s Elimination Chamber, emphasizing, “I find this to be a specifically unpredictable set of Elimination Chamber matches.”
• Megan adds, “There’s so many different scenarios... All of them that you could talk yourself into.” The intrigue hinges on vast possibilities for both men's and women's match-ups.

2. Breaking Down the Women’s Elimination Chamber

Entrants: Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, Kiana James, Alexa Bliss, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka

[03:45-18:34]

• Kiana James as the Dark Horse

  • Megan hypes Kiana James' forgotten NXT prowess: “Keana James was an absolute badass... Maybe if they’re not chanting her name when she walks in, she makes sure they’re chanting her name when she walks out.” [05:11]
  • Sam parallels her opportunity to Lash Legend’s breakout at Royal Rumble.

• The Tag Team Dynamic (but with Singles Focus)

  • Sam: “That women’s tag division has become such a force... you’ve got multiple people in the tag division represented, but no full teams.” [06:18]
  • Raquel Rodriguez’ momentum touted as “Kofi Kingston on the road to KofiMania” energy. [07:29]
  • Judgment Day dominance and resilience noted with: "Every time you think they're about to break up, they prove to you that they can never break up." [08:28]

• Alexa Bliss & The Charlotte Friendship Test

  • Sam probes, “How would Charlotte feel if her tag team partner went to WrestleMania?” [10:33]
  • Megan: “I don’t think it would be easy for Charlotte Flair to be happy for Alexa Bliss in this situation.” [10:43]
  • Sam on their WWE history: “Charlotte and Alexa aren’t done. Not close.” [13:08]

• Rhea Ripley’s Big-Match Aura

  • Sam: “The minute Rhea Ripley appears in the entryway... the reaction is unparalleled.” [14:47]
  • Megan adds emphasis: “Rhea is probably the most dangerous woman on the roster." [14:43]
  • Consensus: Fans are “hungry” for Rhea’s return to singles world title status. [15:29]

• Tiffany Stratton’s Star Power

  • Megan: “Her command of the audience and the audience’s response... has been remarkable.” [15:57]
  • Sam: “It’s like there is no room for her anywhere but the top of the roster.” [16:05]

Picks & Predictions

• Megan: Alexa Bliss (“It’s a swerve, but a lot can happen before Mania... and maybe it ruins a friendship!”) [17:33]
• Sam: Rhea Ripley (“It’s time. I’m ready for Rhea Ripley.”) [19:00]

3. The Men’s Elimination Chamber: Paths to WrestleMania

Entrants: Jey Uso, La Knight, Trick Williams, Javon Evans, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes

[20:30-31:31]

• Jey Uso’s Rising Stock

  • Megan: “Can you think of a better way to go off the air than Jay Uso standing on top of the Elimination Chamber?” [21:27]
  • Sam: “There is history between Jay Uso and Drew McIntyre... I wouldn’t mind seeing that get paid off.” [22:12]

• Javon Evans Surprise Entrant

  • Megan: “Definitely surprised... Who was in that graphic? Gunter. He’s a guy who’s a little tough to beat.” [22:40]
  • Sam: “Javon Evans emerges... And now we all get this dream scenario where the elimination chamber is about to get bouncy.” [23:28]

• La Knight’s Long-Awaited Spotlight

  • Sam: “Fans are waiting for that LA Knight moment and waiting for that LA Knight moment... Is Saturday Chicago, LA Knight’s moment?” [23:37-24:35]
  • “Whenever it happens for LA Knight, I think the reaction is going to be unmatched.” — Megan [24:47]

• Trick Williams: NXT Call-Up Sensation

  • Sam: “Every opportunity he’s had to prove he’s a star, he’s grabbed it.” [26:30]
  • Megan: “This connection with the audience is unparalleled... if people didn’t know before, everybody’s talking about Trick Williams.” [26:54-27:21]

• Randy Orton: The Veteran’s Road

  • Megan: “He’s been looking at Cody for well over a year... as soon as Cena won his 17th title, we quickly realize Randy isn’t that far behind.” [28:06]

• Cody Rhodes: Mr. WrestleMania Main Event

  • Sam: “Cody doesn’t just want a WrestleMania match... He wants the main event. It’s where he belongs.” [28:42]
  • Sam’s pick: “It’s very difficult for me not to pick Cody for a big match on a big show. There’s no reason not to.” [30:53]
  • Megan: “What I want is Trick Williams to win. What I really think is Cody Rhodes is going to win.” [31:28]

4. Intercontinental Title: Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee

[32:42-37:11]

• AJ Lee’s Long-Awaited Singles Return in Chicago

  • Megan: “Becky Lynch, greatest Women’s Intercontinental Champion of all time, defending against AJ Lee. Even though she’s in her hometown, back against the wall—she hasn’t had a singles match in 10 years.” [34:30]
  • Sam: “AJ’s beaten this version of Becky Lynch twice.” [34:54] (Megan disputes these results as tag matches.)

• Expectations & Imagery

  • Megan visualizes event open: “You get the scenic shot of Chicago... then the statue of Michael Jordan, then Becky’s entrance... Goat, goat!” [34:13]
  • Sam: “What if the shadow of Jordan, the Jumpman, morphs into Becky with her arm in the air?” [34:19]

• Picks

  • Sam picks AJ Lee (“AJ Lee’s, I think, going away. That’s my pick.”) [36:15]
  • Megan picks Becky Lynch (“My pick is Becky Lynch... with this title reign it’s nuts.”) [37:14]

5. The Mysterious Crate

[37:15-39:40]

• Crate hype is rampant: “Crate day is Saturday.” — Sam [03:19]
• Megan: “Our Truth.” (as her guess for the reveal) [37:20]
• Theorizing on a possible ‘Russian doll’ crate-in-a-crate twist.
• Sam: “When it’s just a crate, it could literally be anything. There’s no expectation.” [39:16]
• Recurring joke about spelling Adam Pearce’s name wrong on the crate label.

6. World Heavyweight Title: CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Balor

[41:17-44:29]

• Finn Balor’s grudge and chip on his shoulder: “If I don’t have a chance to earn a championship match, I’m going to get it by walking in as champion.” — Sam [41:52]
• WrestleMania implications: “I don’t see a world where CM Punk will give that away for anything.” [44:14]
• Megan: “It’s tough to pick against CM Punk, especially right now heading into WrestleMania.” [44:29]
• Speculation: A Finn Balor win would throw the entire WrestleMania main event landscape into chaos, which both find exciting—if unlikely.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“It’s not official until we see the graphic.” — Sam Roberts, [02:10]
“Every time you think they're about to break up, they prove to you that they can never break up.” — Megan Morant, [08:28]
“What would test the friendship more than Alexa Bliss being the one who gets the WrestleMania main event?” — Sam Roberts, [10:51]
“There’s nothing bigger than Rhea Ripley.” — Sam Roberts, [14:47]
“Whenever it happens for LA Knight, the reaction is going to be unmatched.” — Megan Morant, [24:47]
“Trick Williams has a clear connection with the audience that's unparalleled. …Everybody is talking about Trick Williams.” — Megan Morant, [26:59]
“Cody shows up for matches like this to get opportunities like this. I’m going Cody all the way.” — Sam Roberts, [31:08]
“You get the scenic shot of Chicago... then the statue of Michael Jordan, then Becky’s entrance... Goat, goat!” — Megan Morant, [34:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Context: [01:37]
• Women’s Elimination Chamber Deep Dive: [03:45-19:29]
• Men’s Elimination Chamber Analysis: [20:30-31:31]
• Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee Intercontinental Title: [32:42-37:11]
• Mystery Crate Segment: [37:15-39:40]
• World Heavyweight Title: CM Punk vs. Finn Balor: [41:17-44:29]
• Who Steals the Show?: [45:22-46:29]

Who Will Steal the Show at Elimination Chamber?

• Megan’s pick: Javon Evans (“He’s got all the opportunity in the world.”) [45:52]
• Sam’s pick: Trick Williams (“If Trick doesn’t win, there’s going to be a lot of people going, ‘I don’t know, maybe he should have.’”) [46:14]

Conclusion

Sam Roberts and Megan Morant provide one of the most comprehensive and entertaining Elimination Chamber previews you’ll find, blending analysis, humor, personal debate, and fan perspective. With high unpredictability in both Chamber matches, veteran returns, new stars surging, and the added wildcard of a mysterious crate, this episode sets the stage for a can’t-miss PLE on the road to WrestleMania.