The road to WrestleMania continues Saturday at Chicago’s United Center for Elimination Chamber. With the “Showcase of the Immortals” weeks away, four high-stakes matches will determine who heads to Las Vegas with momentum — and who leaves their dreams behind in the Windy City.
The men’s Chamber match should clarify the Undisputed WWE Championship picture for the Grandest Stage of Them All. The Women’s Intercontinental title clash between AJ Lee and champion Becky Lynch could carry over into WrestleMania.
CM Punk, favored to retain the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Bálor, hopes to avoid joining Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed on WWE’s injured list.
But the most compelling matchup may be the women’s Elimination Chamber, where Tiffany Stratton, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, Asuka, Kiana James, and Raquel Rodriguez battle for a shot at WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill in Vegas.
Of the six competitors, fans should keep their eyes on three superstars, as what happens Saturday in Chicago could define not only their WrestleMania paths, but the year ahead.
Tiffany Stratton
Tiffany Stratton recently revealed that she’s preparing for a bodybuilding competition, which, based on her timeline, coincides with WrestleMania. It’s a surprising move for one of WWE’s top attractions, as contest prep — especially peak week — is notoriously grueling.
John Romano, a well-known name in the bodybuilding community, once described that final stretch in Muscle & Fitness:
“From a physical, social, spiritual, and emotional perspective, what happens during this home stretch shouldn’t happen to any human — let alone someone willingly doing it to themselves.”
Between mental strain, carb depletion, and strict supplementation, the process is taxing. Romano noted that while some athletes still make appearances — as Stratton likely would during Mania week — others opt out to focus solely on training.
Balancing wrestling with peak week would be a challenge, but not unprecedented. Mexico’s CMLL hosts an annual bodybuilding competition featuring its wrestlers, many of whom continue to climb into the ring days before stepping onstage.
Still, Stratton’s passion project raises eyebrows. WWE pushed her heavily in 2025, when she held the Women’s Championship for 301 days before losing it to Cargill. Based on that history, a WrestleMania rematch seems logical.
Splitting focus, though, between a bodybuilding show and a world title match at the year’s biggest event seems ambitious. How she’s booked at Elimination Chamber and in the weeks ahead may reveal whether WWE sees the pursuit as a distraction or an opportunity to tap a new audience through one of its top stars.
Raquel Rodriguez
WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash was critical of Judgment Day’s Raquel Rodriguez last year, saying she “works small. I’ll see her selling and she’ll make herself small instead of staying up and selling big.”
Rodriguez seemed to take the critique to heart, and it shows in the ring.
On Monday’s Raw, during a Chamber qualifying match against Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane, she initially sold Sky’s sunset flip with flailing arms — but then planted her feet, powered Sky off the mat, and threw her into the corner like a ragdoll.
It’s a snapshot of Rodriguez, who looks more dominant and assertive in the ring each week. Meanwhile, she’s been in a slow-burning storyline with her Judgment Day BFF Liv Morgan since Morgan returned from injury last fall.
The two had a minor spat in December when Morgan called Rodriguez out for not clearing a world title match against Stephanie Vaquer first. At the Royal Rumble, Morgan, the eventual winner, eliminated Rodriguez from the bout.
Two days later on Raw, Rodriguez questioned Morgan’s actions at the Rumble, then asked her not to get involved in her rematch with Vaquer, which Morgan did anyway.
With Morgan poised to capture the Women’s World Title from Vaquer, a breakup with Rodriguez seems imminent. A strong showing in the women’s Elimination Chamber could solidify Rodriguez as a title threat to fans ahead of a future showdown with Morgan.
Rhea Ripley
Rhea Ripley is arguably WWE’s most popular star, regularly drawing reactions rivaling Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes. At the Survivor Series Superstore in San Diego, a 20-foot section was devoted to her merchandise — the largest for any superstar — and her fame has even sparked a “showdown” and other opportunities with Art the Clown from Terrifier.
Despite opportunities last year at the Women’s World title on Raw, Ripley fell short, though her friendship with Iyo Sky only endeared them further to fans. But in wrestling, friendships rarely last.
However, turning either Ripley or Sky heel could hurt WWE’s bottom line. Instead, moving “Mami” to SmackDown to chase Women’s Champion Jade Cargill would separate the two without relying on a betrayal trope.
A move to Friday nights would also refresh WWE’s women’s division, opening opportunities for stars like Morgan, Sky, Vaquer, and Rodriguez to shine, while placing Ripley in an immediate world-title storyline where she belongs.
It also strengthens SmackDown, giving Cargill a high-stakes challenge at WrestleMania: a win validates her reign, while a loss could spark a long-running feud with Ripley that allows WWE time to rebuild the rest of SmackDown’s women’s roster.
The Bottom Line
The women’s Elimination Chamber carries immediate implications for these three superstars. A victory secures a high-profile match at WrestleMania and could shape SmackDown’s women’s division through the summer.
A loss, meanwhile, can either advance storylines or stall a star’s momentum, depending on the booking. Of all the matches at Elimination Chamber, this one carries the highest stakes — fitting as WrestleMania returns to the gambling capital of the U.S.
