On the last episode of WWE Raw before this weekend’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event, the concluding qualifying matches took place to determine the final competitors for the Chamber. For the men’s division, Jey Uso, Bronson Reed, and Original El Grande Americano fought for the last available spot. Although the match concluded with one competitor securing the place, the contest was marred by a significant injury. Meanwhile, Iyo Sky, Raquel Rodriguez, and Kairi Sane contended for the final position in the women’s division, delivering a fiercely competitive bout that highlighted the importance of earning that final entry into the Chamber.
By the end of the show, the Elimination Chamber lineup was finalized, along with additional notable moments including Liv Morgan‘s decision on which champion she will challenge at WrestleMania, C.M. Punk sending a last message to Finn Balor, and an emotional farewell tribute to A.J. Styles.
Men’s Final Qualifying Battle: Jey Uso, Bronson Reed, and Original El Grande Americano
In the weeks leading up to the Elimination Chamber, multiple qualifying matches have taken place across Raw and SmackDown to determine who will earn a shot at the WWE Championship during WrestleMania. Randy Orton was the first to qualify on SmackDown, followed by L.A. Knight on Raw. Subsequently, Cody Rhodes, Je’Von Evans, and Trick Williams also secured their spots.
This week’s triple threat match featured Jey Uso, Bronson Reed, and Original El Grande Americano in a decisive contest for the last men’s qualifier. Early in the match, Reed suffered an unfortunate and severe injury, a bicep tear, which forced his removal and sidelined him potentially for six months. With Reed out, the momentum shifted between Uso and Americano, who exchanged several high-impact maneuvers including Suicide Dives, Spear attempts, and submission holds. Ultimately, Jey Uso executed a finishing Uso Splash to claim victory and lock in the final Chamber berth.
The injury to Reed is a devastating setback, especially considering his recent history of missing WrestleMania due to injury. This development deepens concerns surrounding The Vision stable, with members Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and now Reed all suffering injuries within a short span. The string of misfortunes has effectively sidelined the entire faction as WrestleMania approaches, raising speculation about the group’s future.
Liv Morgan’s WrestleMania Title Challenger Reveal and Stephanie Vaquer Confrontation
After capturing the women’s Royal Rumble by last eliminating Tiffany Stratton, Liv Morgan has been teasing her choice of which champion to face at WrestleMania. Following an earlier segment where Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer challenged Liv’s journey and confidence—speaking in Spanish with an English translation delivered by Dominik Mysterio—Morgan appeared emotional and contemplative.
This week, Liv confronted Vaquer and acknowledged the previous comments, admitting she had underestimated her. As Liv feigned an intention to choose WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill, she instead assaulted Vaquer with a powerful right hand followed by her signature ObLIVion finisher. After physically dominating Vaquer, Liv held up the Women’s World Championship emphatically, signaling her WrestleMania opponent.
Despite the clear resolution of Liv’s choice, the segment was met with a notably tepid crowd response. The predictable nature of the decision and minimal involvement from Jade Cargill contributed to the underwhelming atmosphere. This lack of excitement reflects broader issues with WWE’s current product energy and audience investment leading into WrestleMania season.
C.M. Punk Issues Final Challenge to Finn Balor Before Chamber Match
Following his World Heavyweight Championship defense, C.M. Punk faced a rematch request from Finn Balor issued on February 9 Raw. Although initially resisted by Adam Pearce, Punk asserted his authority as champion to make the match official for Elimination Chamber. Last week’s tense promo involving Finn, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh ended in a heated standoff, with Finn halting an attack on Punk.
This week, Punk delivered a final promo ahead of their title match, dismissing “what if” scenarios regarding past encounters. He declared himself the factual main event of WrestleMania, emphasizing his status as champion and the best in the world. While Punk’s delivery was solid, it lacked the intensity and spark seen in previous promos, and there was no direct confrontation with Balor to further the storyline momentum.
The upcoming match in Chicago is expected to be the Elimination Chamber’s headline bout, with Punk defending in his hometown. Predictions suggest interference by Dominik Mysterio may complicate the outcome, potentially leading to a babyface turn for Finn and a future feud culminating at WrestleMania.
Women’s Final Qualifier: Iyo Sky, Raquel Rodriguez, and Kairi Sane Clash Fiercely
The women’s qualifying matches prior to the Elimination Chamber saw Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, and Kiana James earn spots. The final match this week featured Iyo Sky, Raquel Rodriguez, and Kairi Sane competing for the last position.
The match included dramatic moments such as Kairi striking Raquel with an Insane Elbow from the top rope, Iyo drop-kicking Raquel through the timekeeper’s area, and a high-flying Over the Moonsault attempt. Raquel ultimately secured the win with her Tejana Bomb finisher after thwarting attempts by her opponents.
Among the night’s contests, this bout stood out as the best in-ring performance. Raquel’s victory positions her as a strong contender within the Chamber match and revives the possibility of her claiming the title. Her ongoing tensions with Liv Morgan promise to develop through WrestleMania season, and the women’s Chamber outcome remains less predictable than the men’s, with potential shifts involving Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, and other competitors.
A.J. Styles Receives Emotional Retirement Tribute on Raw
After putting his career on the line against Gunther at the Royal Rumble and losing, A.J. Styles was compelled to retire, marking the end of a decorated tenure. This week’s Raw featured a dedicated tribute, beginning with Gunther’s provocative entrance followed by his ejection at the hands of security and Dragon Lee’s surprise attack on him.
Styles’ heartfelt speech reflected on his career, expressing gratitude for the fans and emphasizing the importance of his family, especially his wife. He emotionally revealed that the biggest accomplishment was not his numerous titles but having the best wife. Styles removed his gloves for the first time since the Royal Rumble, symbolizing his retirement. His speech concluded with the full roster coming out in respect, followed by a surprise appearance from The Undertaker, who announced Styles as an inductee into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame.
This send-off was widely praised as one of the finest retirement segments in decades, perfectly honoring Styles’ legacy. His career arc beginning and ending at the Royal Rumble bookended his story fittingly, and the focus on his personal sacrifices and relationships resonated deeply with audiences and colleagues alike.
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman’s Underwhelming Segment on Raw
Brock Lesnar made his first Raw appearance since November 24, accompanied by Paul Heyman. Heyman hyped Lesnar’s dominant status after breaking The Undertaker’s iconic WrestleMania streak, claiming that no one backstage was brave enough to face him. A video displayed the upcoming dates Lesnar is scheduled to appear, and Heyman issued an open challenge to anyone willing to face Lesnar at WrestleMania.
Despite the build-up, Lesnar stood mostly idle during the segment, which concluded with Heyman dropping the mic and both leaving without further action. The segment was widely criticized as a waste of time and indicative of the monotony that has plagued Lesnar’s recent run since returning, failing to engage fans or advance storylines meaningfully.
Je’Von Evans Surprises Kofi Kingston with Celebrity Support
Je’Von Evans squared off against Kofi Kingston with hip hop artist Offset accompanying him at ringside. The match featured several dynamic moments, including Evans leaping to the outside and a distraction caused by Grayson Waller. Offset intervened by throwing Waller over the announce table, creating an opening for Evans to land his finishing OG Cutter and secure the win.
This match provided Evans with valuable momentum heading into Elimination Chamber. The celebrity involvement was minimal yet effective, allowing Evans to shine without overshadowing the bout. It also continued New Day and Waller’s current roles predominantly as comedic relief, making this victory a positive step for Evans’ career trajectory.
