CM Punk retains WWE World Heavyweight Title at Elimination Chamber

Punk defeats rival Finn Balor in his hometown of Chicago to set up WrestleMania match with Roman Reigns

Mar. 3, 2026 at 3:15am

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In his fourth televised defense of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, CM Punk defeated Finn Balor Saturday night at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view to retain his title. The feud between Balor and Punk began in January, leading to this championship match in Punk's hometown of Chicago at the United Center.

Why it matters

Punk's victory sets up a highly anticipated WrestleMania main event clash between Punk and six-time world champion Roman Reigns, who won the 2026 Men's Royal Rumble. This will mark Reigns' record 11th WrestleMania main event appearance.

The details

Punk and Balor had a previous World Heavyweight Championship match in Balor's home country of Ireland, which Punk won. However, Balor later attacked Punk during a title defense against AJ Styles, leading to this Elimination Chamber rematch in Chicago. Punk was able to defeat Balor and retain his championship.

  • The feud between Punk and Balor began on the Jan. 12 edition of Monday Night Raw.
  • Punk and Balor had a World Heavyweight Championship match the following week in Balor's home country of Ireland, which Punk won.
  • The next week, Balor attacked Punk during his title defense against AJ Styles.
  • This led to Punk challenging Balor to another match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in Punk's hometown of Chicago at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.
  • The Elimination Chamber pay-per-view emanated from the United Center in Chicago, marking the first major WWE event in the venue since SummerSlam 1994.

The players

CM Punk

The current WWE World Heavyweight Champion who successfully defended his title against Finn Balor at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

Finn Balor

A former Universal Champion who challenged Punk for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the Elimination Chamber.

Roman Reigns

The winner of the 2026 Men's Royal Rumble, who will now challenge Punk for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42.

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What they’re saying

“I am the champion and I deserve a little bit of say. I want all the clout and juice that comes with it. You ether give me what I want, or I spend the rest of this show chasing after him. Kicking his teeth down his throat. I will get my pound of flesh. Make it official. We want it.”

— CM Punk

“I could pick you because you're the biggest star available. I could, yeah. I could pick you because you're on Netflix and you're on the best show. I could, but no. I'm picking you because I hate you. I've always hated you. And WrestleMania's going to be the best day of my life because in the main event, you will acknowledge me.”

— Roman Reigns

What’s next

Roman Reigns is scheduled to appear on five separate episodes of 'WWE Monday Night Raw' prior to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship clash with CM Punk at WrestleMania 42.

The takeaway

This match sets up a highly anticipated WrestleMania main event between two of WWE's biggest stars, CM Punk and Roman Reigns, who will battle for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in a clash of two titans.