CM Punk’s Elimination Chamber World Heavyweight Championship Defense Made Official During 2/9 WWE SmackDown

CM Punk is currently the World Heavyweight Champion, and he’s been on top of the world as Best In The World. He was on hand for SmackDown this week, and the Second City Saint was in his usual form. Elimination Chamber is going down on August 28 in Chicago, and CM Punk isn’t going to miss that show.

The February 9 episode of WWE RAW went down at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Roman Reigns made his choice to face CM Punk at WrestleMania, and Punk was on hand to speak about it.

However, things took a turn as Michael Cole was introducing Punk to the ring. Finn Balor jumped in the ring, and he snatched the microphone. Balor announced that Punk is hurt, and he knows he is, because Finn’s the one who hurt him. Then Finn Balor said that he’s not going to let Roman Reigns come in and steal his kill.

At that point, Finn Balor declared that he wants CM Punk at Elimination Chamber. Punk beat Balor in Ireland, and now he’s going to beat Punk in Chicago. At that point, RAW General Manager Adam Pearce came out and told Balor that it’s too late. We’re already on the road to WrestleMania.

Adam Pearce asked Finn Balor to leave, or he’ll have his security escort him out. Then CM Punk’s music hit, and he entered the picture. Punk and Pearce argued a bit outside the ring, but then Punk skirted around Pearce and got in the ring. Finn Balor jumped on the announce table, and Punk stood in the ring to face him.

Punk wanted to fight Balor in Cleveland, but the Judgment Day member said that he wanted the title. Then CM Punk said he’ll beat Balor in Chicago at Elimination Chamber. Adam Pearce didn’t like the sound of that idea, putting the WrestleMania main event in jeopardy. Then Punk demanded that Pearce book the match in Chicago.

We will have to see if CM Punk loses the World Heavyweight Championship in Chicago. Cleveland wanted to see the match, and they booed the announcement a bit, because they were hoping to see that match tonight.

The 2026 Elimination Chamber premium live event is scheduled for February 28, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.