Seth Rollins will not compete at WWE Elimination Chamber 2026, set to take place this Saturday in Chicago, Illinois, due to an ongoing injury. The wrestler, who has been sidelined since WWE Crown Jewel 2025 after having to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship, recently offered an update on his recovery and expected return timeline.
On ESPN’s First Take, Rollins explained that although he won’t be active this weekend, his recovery is progressing well. He no longer needs to wear a sling and believes his return to the ring is approaching soon after surgery last October.
“No, I will not be able to do anything this weekend but we’re getting close. But look, I can move it around, it’s not in a sling anymore it’s feeling good. It was in October when I got the surgery so if you look at the timeline we’re getting close, we’re getting close, we’re not all the way there but we’re getting close guys,” he said. [H/T: WrestleTalk]
Meanwhile, Rollins’ wife, Becky Lynch, will compete on Saturday night defending her Women’s Intercontinental Championship against AJ Lee at the same event.
Fellow Star Breaks Character to Commend Rollins’ Career
CM Punk, the current World Heavyweight Champion, recently departed from his usual persona to express admiration for Seth Rollins. Speaking on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike program, Punk praised Rollins as one of the top wrestlers of the past decade, highlighting his perseverance despite not fitting the typical champion’s build.
“…You know, he’s a guy that fit the same mold as I did. He didn’t have the size. You wouldn’t look at him and be like, oh yeah, he’s a world champion. And now he’s multiple time, you know, heavyweight champion. And one of the, it pains me to say it, but he’s one of the greatest superstars over the last 10, 12 years.” [H/T: Wrestle Features on X]
Injury Challenges Affect Multiple WWE Wrestlers
Since Seth Rollins’ injury, WWE storylines have shifted, with The Vision turning on Rollins and attacking him as a way to explain his absence. In addition, wrestlers Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed are also currently recovering from injuries and remain out of competition. The exact timing of Rollins’ return remains uncertain as WWE fans await updates on his condition.
The developments surrounding Rollins and other key performers have raised concerns among fans about WWE’s roster depth heading into major events like the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view in Chicago.
CM Punk on Seth Rollins:
"…You know, he’s a guy that fit the same mold as I did. He didn’t have the size. You wouldn’t look at him and be like, oh yeah, he’s a world champion. And now he’s multiple time, you know, heavyweight champion. And one of the, it pains me to say it,… pic.twitter.com/Syd7UOb27r
— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) February 25, 2026
