ATLANTA, GA – Next Monday’s WWE Raw, broadcasting live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, and now airing on Netflix, is shaping up to be a pivotal episode as the road to Elimination Chamber: Chicago continues. The show will feature a tribute to wrestling icon AJ Styles, a highly anticipated appearance by “The Beast Incarnate” Brock Lesnar, and two crucial qualifying matches for the prestigious Elimination Chamber competition.
The announcement of a tribute to AJ Styles has resonated throughout the wrestling world. While the specifics of the tribute remain undisclosed, the gesture acknowledges Styles’ significant contributions to the industry and his enduring popularity with fans. A promotional video honoring Styles aired during the February 16th Raw broadcast in Memphis, Tennessee, hinting at a celebration of his career highlights.
Adding further star power to the event, Brock Lesnar is scheduled to appear. Lesnar’s presence comes on the heels of his participation in the Royal Rumble last month, signaling his continued intent to remain a dominant force in WWE. His appearance is expected to have significant implications for the Elimination Chamber landscape, potentially setting the stage for a future championship opportunity.
The competitive stakes will be high with two Elimination Chamber qualifying matches confirmed for the broadcast. In the men’s division, Bronson Reed will clash with Jey Uso and Original El Grande Americano, all vying for a coveted spot in the Chamber. The women’s division will see Raquel Rodriguez battle IYO SKY and Kairi Sane in a similar qualifying contest. These matches represent a critical opportunity for each competitor to advance towards a potential championship showdown at Elimination Chamber.
The Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, scheduled for February 28th in Chicago, Illinois, is rapidly approaching. This year’s event, promoted as Elimination Chamber: Chicago (and known as No Escape: Chicago in Germany), will feature wrestlers from both the Raw and SmackDown brands. The Elimination Chamber match itself is a brutal and highly anticipated contest, known for its unforgiving structure and high stakes. The event marks the first Elimination Chamber to be held in the United States since 2021 and the first with live spectators in the country since 2020.
Notably, the 2026 Elimination Chamber will also be the first WWE event to livestream on the ESPN app within the United States, expanding the reach of the event to a broader audience. It will be the first televised WWE event held at the United Center in Chicago in 32 years, adding a historical element to the proceedings.
Recent events on Raw have further intensified the build-up to Elimination Chamber. On the February 16th episode, Asuka secured a spot in the women’s Chamber match, while Je’Von Evans defeated Dominik Mysterio, with assistance from Dragon Lee who took out Gunther, to earn a place in the men’s Chamber match. Penta also emerged victorious in an Intercontinental title #1 Contenders match, defeating El Grande Americano. A chaotic Six-man Tag Team match saw The Vision (Bronson Reed, Logan Paul & Austin Theory) triumph over The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) & LA Knight, only to be followed by a brutal assault on Logan Paul by a mysterious “Masked Man.”
Beyond the qualifying matches, the February 16th Raw also featured the return of JD McDonagh, adding another layer of intrigue to the Raw roster. A heated verbal exchange between CM Punk and Finn Balor further fueled their ongoing rivalry, while a confrontation between AJ Lee and Becky Lynch hinted at a potential future clash between the two decorated competitors.
The upcoming Raw promises to build on this momentum, with the tribute to AJ Styles, the appearance of Brock Lesnar, and the Elimination Chamber qualifying matches serving as key focal points. As the Elimination Chamber draws nearer, the stakes continue to rise, and the competition intensifies as WWE’s top Superstars battle for championship opportunities and bragging rights.
The shift of Raw’s broadcast to Netflix for this particular episode represents a significant development in WWE’s media strategy, signaling a growing partnership with the streaming giant. This move is likely aimed at reaching a wider demographic and capitalizing on Netflix’s extensive subscriber base. The implications of this change for future Raw broadcasts remain to be seen, but it undoubtedly marks a new chapter in WWE’s broadcasting history.
