The WWE returns to Saudi Arabia on Feb. 19 with the Elimination Chamber premium live event. It will be the seventh event in the controversial partnership established in 2018 between WWE and the Saudi government.
Unlike previous events in Saudi Arabia, this is the first time WWE has brought one of their standard annual events to the country. The event is built around six-person matches that take place in the gigantic Elimination Chamber structure, in which two start with four locked inside pods inside the cage but outside the ring. At regular intervals, one pod is randomly opened and that participant joins the match until one person remains, with submission and pinfall as the only two ways to eliminate a participant.
There are two Elimination Chamber matches set for the event, with Bobby Lashley defending the WWE championship against Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins, AJ Styles, Riddle and Austin Theory on the men's side. Six women will also compete in the Chamber, with a shot at the Raw women's title going to the winner. Also, Roman Reigns will defend his universal title against Goldberg in singles action.
For the first time in the history of WWE's relationship with Saudi Arabia, there are three women's matches scheduled for the card, with a tag team clash with Ronda Rousey and Naomi taking on Charlotte Flair and Sonya Deville as well as Becky Lynch defending the Raw women's championship against WWE Hall of Famer Lita.
As with all major WWE events, Elimination Chamber will stream live on Peacock. The main card will begin at 12 p.m. ET following a kickoff show one hour prior.
Let's take a look at what we know -- and what we expect -- at WWE Elimination Chamber.
WWE Elimination Chamber matches
WWE Championship -- Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles vs. Riddle vs. Austin Theory (Elimination Chamber): Lashley won the title off of Lesnar at Royal Rumble, though it took a major assist from Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman. On the following Raw, Lesnar was inserted directly into the Elimination Chamber match. Getting into the match wasn't as easy for Rollins, Styles, Theory and Riddle, all of whom had to win qualifying matches. With the field now set, and Lesnar already having won the Rumble to guarantee a title shot at WrestleMania, there are many compelling ways for the match to play out.
Universal Championship -- Roman Reigns (c) vs. Goldberg: There was no clear stay-busy opponent for Reigns ahead of his showdown with Lesnar at WrestleMania and WWE turned to a legend. After Goldberg showed up at SmackDown to deliver a typical "You're next!" promo to Reigns, WWE made the match official. Goldberg is a staple of the Saudi shows, for better or worse.
Rhea Ripley vs. Nikki A.S.H. vs. Bianca Belair vs. Doudrop vs. Liv Morgan vs. Alexa Bliss (Elimination Chamber): A shot at the Raw Women's championship -- presumably at WrestleMania -- is on the line when six women enter the Elimination Chamber. Bliss will be returning from a lengthy stint out of the ring after completing in-story "therapy sessions" after her doll Lilly had been destroyed. Belair will be the final entrant in the match, having won a gauntlet match on Raw.
Raw Women's Championship -- Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lita: WWE legend Lita returned to the ring at Royal Rumble. While her return appears to be a short-term move, WWE's trips to Saudi Arabia generally feature a legend or two and she fits the bill here. Lita confronted Lynch on the post-Rumble edition of Raw, throwing down the challenge for a title match at Elimination Chamber. Lynch was up for taking on the challenge and now will try to turn aside the efforts of the Hall of Famer.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship -- The Usos (c) vs. The Viking Raiders: The Raiders received a somewhat random shot at the tag titles. Rather than build up to the match, The Usos picked up a win over the Raiders on SmackDown in roughly 90 seconds. Still, the title fight moves ahead for the event.
Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss (Falls Count Anywhere): McIntyre returned from his neck injury much faster than expected, showing up at the Royal Rumble and going after Moss and Happy Corbin. In response, WWE has pair the two for the upcoming event, likely giving McIntyre a quick win before a WrestleMania program with Corbin.
Naomi & Ronda Rousey vs. Sonya Deville & Charlotte Flair: WWE has tied two rivalries to this tag match, the third women's match on the card. Naomi has had a long-simmering feud with Deville built around Deville's inexplicable desire to use her status as a WWE official to screw over Naomi. Meanwhile, Rousey used her Royal Rumble win to choose Flair and the SmackDown championship as her target at WrestleMania, rekindling an old feud from Rousey's first run. All that comes together at Elimination Chamber for a tag match that should advance both storylines while settling neither.
Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz: The Miz has had multiple issues with Rey and his son Dominik Mysterio in recent weeks. After a recent match between The Mysterios and Alpha Academy, Miz hit Rey with a Skull-Crushing Finale, setting up the match for the Elimination Chamber event.
