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WWE Shakes Up WrestleMania 42 Card After Elimination Chamber
CM Punk retains World Heavyweight title, but Drew McIntyre's interference leaves Undisputed WWE Championship match in chaos.
Mar. 3, 2026 at 2:15am
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WWE's Elimination Chamber pay-per-view set the stage for WrestleMania 42, with CM Punk retaining his World Heavyweight Championship and earning a title match against Roman Reigns. However, the main event of the Undisputed WWE Championship was left in disarray after Drew McIntyre's interference during the Elimination Chamber match, leading to a title match between McIntyre and Cody Rhodes on SmackDown.
Why it matters
The outcomes of the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view have major implications for the WrestleMania 42 card, as the company locked in one marquee title match but left the other in complete uncertainty. This will build anticipation and intrigue heading into WWE's biggest annual event.
The details
In the main event, CM Punk defeated a field of challengers to retain the World Heavyweight Championship and earn a title match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42. Meanwhile, the Undisputed WWE Championship match was thrown into chaos when Drew McIntyre interfered in the Elimination Chamber match, leading SmackDown general manager to book McIntyre against Cody Rhodes for the title on the next episode of SmackDown. This leaves the WrestleMania 42 main event for the Undisputed WWE Championship still to be determined.
- The Elimination Chamber pay-per-view took place on March 1, 2026.
- WrestleMania 42 is scheduled for April 2026 in Las Vegas.
The players
CM Punk
The reigning World Heavyweight Champion who retained his title at Elimination Chamber.
Roman Reigns
The challenger who will face CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42.
Drew McIntyre
The former Undisputed WWE Champion who interfered in the Elimination Chamber match, leading to a title match against Cody Rhodes on SmackDown.
Cody Rhodes
The wrestler who will face Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship on the next episode of SmackDown, with the WrestleMania 42 main event still to be determined.
What they’re saying
“WWE just shook up the entire WrestleMania 42 card with the chaos they created at Elimination Chamber.”
— John Cena, WWE Legend
“The main event of WrestleMania 42 is still up in the air, and that's exactly what WWE wants heading into their biggest show of the year.”
— Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer
What’s next
The Undisputed WWE Championship match for WrestleMania 42 will be determined on the next episode of SmackDown, where Drew McIntyre will face Cody Rhodes for the title.
The takeaway
WWE has set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable build-up to WrestleMania 42, with the World Heavyweight Championship match locked in but the Undisputed WWE Championship match still to be determined. This will keep fans engaged and guessing as the company's biggest annual event approaches.
