As the Road to WrestleMania 42 officially kicks into high gear, all eyes seem to be on CM Punk. Having successfully navigated a grueling winter, including a massive victory over Finn Bálor and surviving The Vision’s Bron Breakker, The Best in the World now heads to his home turf of Chicago for Elimination Chamber 2026.
With Roman Reigns having won the Men’s Royal Rumble Match to face a champion of his choice at The Show of Shows, here are four likely opponents for CM Punk at Elimination Chamber 2026.
#4. Finn Bálor
The Prince has been operating on a different level since the start of the year. Despite a narrow loss to CM Punk in a World Heavyweight Championship match on the January 19 episode of RAW, Finn Bálor has proven he is far from finished with the world title picture.
After weeks of teasing a babyface turn, it all came crashing down when The Prince attacked The Best in the World during a title match against AJ Styles this past week. Given this incident, a rematch at Elimination Chamber will be the perfect way to settle the score before WrestleMania.
#3. Bron Breakker
Bron Breakker is no longer just a prospect; he is a force of nature. Although CM Punk defeated him to retain the World Heavyweight Championship on the RAW Netflix anniversary show, Breakker’s alliance with Paul Heyman and The Vision makes him a constant threat.
Heyman has been chirping in the ear of Adam Pearce to get The Dog of WWE back in the title hunt. With ‘Mania inching closer, there’s no better place for the young powerhouse to get a rematch than at Elimination Chamber. Punk may have the experience, but Breakker seemingly has the sheer velocity to end The Second City Saint’s reign in his own backyard.
#2. Gunther
The Ring General is currently the most hated man in WWE. After ending AJ Styles’ career at Royal Rumble, Gunther is currently on a journey to become a world champion again. He entered the Men’s Royal Rumble Match at #30 and was in the final two before being eliminated by Roman Reigns.
Gunther and Punk have a history that dates back to SummerSlam 2025, but the roles are reversed now. With The Ring General operating as the “Career Killer,” a showdown against The Best in the World at the United Center would be a marquee attraction for the Chicago crowd.
#1. Cody Rhodes could face CM Punk
Following his heartbreaking loss to Drew McIntyre in the Three Stages of Hell Match and the Scotsman costing him at Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes is currently without a clear path to The Show of Shows.
If Roman Reigns chooses Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, The American Nightmare could move to RAW, where he could pursue the World Heavyweight Championship.
A desperate, title-hungry Cody Rhodes facing a defensive CM Punk for the big one at Elimination Chamber will be nothing less than a dream match.
Edited by Pratik Singh