Three reasons why Cody Rhodes shouldn’t win Men’s WWE Elimination Chamber match 2026
(Courtesy : WWE)
Cody Rhodes beat Jacob Fatu and Sami Zayn to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match!
Former WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes is once again chasing redemption. After losing the gold to Drew McIntyre in a stunning upset earlier this year, The American Nightmare vowed to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his.
That mission hit a roadblock in the Royal Rumble match when Drew McIntyre claymored him while he was hung on the ropes, costing him a golden opportunity. The message from The Scottish Warrior was clear: the road back would not be easy.
Yet Rhodes has once again forced his way into contention. The latest edition of WWE SmackDown saw him qualify for the men’s Elimination Chamber match, immediately becoming one of the heavy favorites to win.
But is that the right call for WWE heading into WrestleMania 42? Here are three compelling reasons why Rhodes should not win the Chamber bout.
3. Cody Rhodes’ run around the World Title is getting boring
Cody Rhodes entered the main event championship picture when he returned from AEW in 2022 at WrestleMania 38. From that moment forward, he has rarely been absent from the title conversation.
He is already a two-time Undisputed Champion. His story has been defined by chasing, winning, losing, and reclaiming the very same prize.
Therefore, The American Nightmare winning the Chamber match and re-entering the title picture once again risks narrative redundancy. WWE thrives on cyclical storytelling, but overexposure at the summit can dilute impact.
The Chamber should elevate fresh contenders or redirect momentum, not simply reset a rivalry fans have seen evolve repeatedly over the last several years.
Also Read: All matches confirmed for WWE Elimination Chamber 2026
2. Repetitive storylines and angles
The 2026 men’s Royal Rumble winner, Roman Reigns, has already picked his WrestleMania 42 opponent. He chose World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk to headline The Showcase of the Immortals, locking in one marquee clash.
That leaves the men’s Elimination Chamber match to determine the challenger for Undisputed Champion Drew McIntyre. On paper, Rhodes appears a logical choice.
In execution, however, it would feel repetitive. The Scottish Warrior and The American Nightmare have been locked in a heated rivalry, trading victories, mind games, and decisive moments.
Another chapter immediately following their recent encounters risks creative stagnation. WrestleMania demands freshness, unpredictability, and escalation, not a recycled feud lacking new dimensions. WWE must ask whether revisiting the same dynamic enhances the card or merely fills space with familiarity.
1. Other superstars deserve some spotlight
Cody Rhodes has already headlined three consecutive WrestleManias, all within the title picture. That level of positioning cements him as a generational centerpiece.
However, WrestleMania 42 represents an opportunity to broaden the main-event landscape. Multiple stars are primed for a breakthrough moment on the grandest stage.
Another Rhodes victory inside the Chamber would likely position him once again in a marquee championship match. While deserved from a kayfabe standpoint, it limits upward mobility for emerging talent.
WrestleMania thrives when new stars are minted. Rhodes has already had his defining moments — including championship coronations and headline slots. The ecosystem benefits when that spotlight rotates.
Allowing a different superstar to seize the Chamber victory could create a fresh rivalry and a compelling narrative heading into Las Vegas.
When is WWE Elimination Chamber 2026?
The event takes place on Saturday, February 28, with a 7:00 p.m. EST start time.
Where is Elimination Chamber 2026 being held?
The show will be hosted at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
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