Wrestling matches, especially those for major events, are often the result of weeks, months, or even years of preparation. The WWE Elimination Chamber match for the men’s division in 2025 is no different. With a star-studded field, including five former world champions—Damian Priest, Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins, CM Punk, and John Cena, who is on his retirement tour—the match promises to be a high-stakes event. The winner will earn a coveted spot at WrestleMania Night 2, where they’ll attempt to dethrone Cody Rhodes as the Undisputed WWE Champion, marking the conclusion of his year-long reign.
While the outcome of the Chamber match is crucial for the main event of WrestleMania 41, the storyline surrounding it is layered with intrigue and rivalries. This article provides an overview of the various angles, including rivalries and potential surprises, leading up to the big event.
The Participants: Key Rivalries and Storylines
| Wrestler | Key Rivalry | Current Angle |
| Damian Priest | Drew McIntyre, CM Punk | Priest enters his second Elimination Chamber, having defeated Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu in the qualifying match. He’s set to face McIntyre at WrestleMania after a Money in the Bank cash-in that disrupted McIntyre’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship reign. |
| Drew McIntyre | Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Damian Priest | McIntyre is looking for redemption after losing to Punk at Bad Blood and being eliminated by Priest in the Royal Rumble. He aims to win his second consecutive Chamber match and reclaim a shot at the WWE Universal Championship. |
| Seth Rollins | Drew McIntyre, CM Punk | Rollins, the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, will be a key player in this Chamber match. His alliance with McIntyre may be tested in the midst of this high-stakes battle. Rollins is out for revenge after McIntyre’s attack in January. |
| CM Punk | Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins | Punk, who has caused trouble in McIntyre’s career, remains a wildcard. After eliminating McIntyre at the 2025 Royal Rumble, Punk has his sights set on advancing to WrestleMania. Expect tense moments as he faces the Chamber’s other challengers. |
| John Cena | Unclear—Retirement Tour | Cena, on his retirement tour, returns to the spotlight in the Elimination Chamber match. Though not initially qualifying, Cena’s presence adds an emotional layer to the match, as fans wonder if this is his final opportunity to headline WrestleMania. |
The Storylines So Far: Key Events Leading to the Elimination Chamber
Damian Priest: The Dark Horse
Damian Priest is relatively new to the WWE SmackDown brand, having made his debut during the recent transfer window. Despite not having the long-standing rivalries that some of the other competitors share, Priest is a seasoned competitor and former “Señor Money in the Bank.” His path to the Elimination Chamber began after he defeated Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu in a triple threat match. Priest’s previous interactions with WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes set the stage for an exciting future.
Priest’s rival, Drew McIntyre, has history with him, especially after Priest’s interference in McIntyre’s World Heavyweight Championship pursuit. At Clash at the Castle in June 2024, McIntyre’s attempt to reclaim the title was thwarted by Priest, with the help of CM Punk. Despite their previous interactions, Priest remains focused on claiming victory in the Elimination Chamber, with an eye on a potential WrestleMania showdown against Rhodes.
Drew McIntyre: Seeking Redemption
Drew McIntyre enters the Elimination Chamber with a chip on his shoulder, eager to secure his second consecutive win in the structure. McIntyre’s previous WrestleMania experience in 2024 was marked by setbacks, including a loss to Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and the interference of Damian Priest in his title pursuits.
This year, McIntyre hopes to overcome those obstacles and enter WrestleMania with a shot at the WWE Universal Championship. His recent rivalry with CM Punk, which reached its climax at Bad Blood in 2024, may have ended in a Hell in a Cell match, but the tension between the two competitors is still palpable. McIntyre’s journey towards WrestleMania 41 could culminate in a dramatic clash with either Priest, Rollins, or Punk.
Seth Rollins: The Architect of Chaos
Seth Rollins, fresh off his feud with McIntyre, enters the Elimination Chamber with revenge on his mind. Rollins, who has been a consistent force in the WWE, lost the World Heavyweight Championship to McIntyre last year at WrestleMania, and their rivalry has only intensified since then. Rollins’s connection to the Chamber match is undeniable, but his alliance with McIntyre could be tested once more.
Rollins’s history with CM Punk, too, remains a key factor in this year’s Chamber match. The two have fought in several high-stakes battles, and their rivalry will undoubtedly add layers of drama to the match, especially with Rollins eager to regain his title and settle scores from the past.
CM Punk: The Wildcard
CM Punk has always been unpredictable, and his role in this year’s Elimination Chamber match is no different. Punk’s interference in McIntyre’s career, including his role in McIntyre’s WrestleMania loss and subsequent elimination in the 2025 Royal Rumble, adds a personal layer to the match. Punk’s desire to make a name for himself in this Chamber match will clash with his past rivals, McIntyre and Rollins, creating an unpredictable dynamic in the ring.
Punk’s involvement will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match, and his past interactions with the other participants, especially McIntyre and Rollins, are bound to escalate tensions as the match unfolds.
John Cena: One Final Shot?
John Cena’s presence in this Elimination Chamber match is emotional, as the legendary superstar is nearing the end of his career. Though Cena did not initially qualify for the match, his inclusion adds an extra layer of excitement and nostalgia. Fans are left wondering if this will be Cena’s final opportunity to headline WrestleMania one last time.
Cena’s story in the Chamber match will likely revolve around his desire to cement his legacy, especially with a potential WrestleMania showdown against Rhodes, which could be a fitting end to his illustrious career.
As we approach the 2025 WWE Elimination Chamber, the stakes are high, with each participant vying for a chance to challenge Cody Rhodes for the WWE Universal Championship. The match promises to be full of surprises, alliances, and rivalries, all leading up to the biggest event in wrestling, WrestleMania 41.
With a star-studded lineup of veterans like Cena and Rollins, rising stars like Priest, and established contenders like McIntyre and Punk, the Elimination Chamber will set the stage for an unforgettable showdown. Fans will be eagerly watching as these top competitors battle it out for a shot at immortality at WrestleMania.
