After weeks of speculation surrounding the mysterious box at WWE Elimination Chamber, the contents were finally revealed in dramatic fashion. When WWE officials Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis opened the oversized prop during the premium live event, fans were greeted with a coffin tucked inside. Moments later, the lid swung open, dancers poured out, and Danhausen made his long-awaited WWE debut in signature “very nice, very evil” style.
Now, new backstage details suggest this wasn’t a one-off appearance.
According to BodySlam+, Danhausen has signed a multi-year contract with WWE, solidifying his place with the company for the foreseeable future. Interestingly, WWE reportedly had its sights set on bringing him in as early as July 2025. However, All Elite Wrestling exercised an extension on his previous contract, preventing him from entering free agency until 2026.
That delay didn’t stop WWE from making his eventual debut feel like a major spectacle. PWI Elite reports that the company went to significant lengths to keep Danhausen hidden prior to Elimination Chamber, particularly given the event’s location in Chicago — a city known for its passionate wrestling fanbase and tendency to sniff out surprises early. The secrecy paid off, as his reveal caught many in attendance off guard.
Staying true to his established persona, Danhausen emerged wearing his trademark face paint and cape, fully leaning into the eerie-yet-comedic presentation that made him a cult favorite. He even made his way to the commentary desk to interact with Michael Cole and Wade Barrett, adding another layer of unpredictability to the segment.
As for what’s next, Danhausen is reportedly scheduled to be backstage at tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Whether that means he’ll officially land on the Raw roster remains to be seen, but WWE clearly appears to have immediate plans in mind.
Danhausen’s final run under the AEW/ROH umbrella was largely quiet, with injuries and inconsistent booking limiting his on-screen presence. His last in-ring appearance came in February 2024, when he picked up a win over Brandon Cutler on ROH on HonorClub. Since then, fans have wondered when — and where — he would resurface.
Now, the answer is clear: WWE.
With a multi-year deal in place and a memorable debut already in the books, the “very nice, very evil” star has a fresh opportunity to reinvent himself on wrestling’s biggest stage. The only question left is how WWE plans to integrate one of the industry’s most unique characters into its current landscape.
Rhea Ripley Survives the Women’s Elimination Chamber
Women’s Championship No. 1 Contender’s Elimination Chamber Match Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka vs. Kiana James vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Tiffany Stratton
Tiffany Stratton and Kiana James kicked things off, starting at a furious pace. James tried to overpower Stratton early, but Tiffany’s athleticism kept her in control—until a miscalculation sent her crashing into Raquel Rodriguez’s pod.
Asuka entered third and immediately changed the tone of the match, smashing both James and Stratton into the Chamber’s unforgiving steel and Lexan walls. Alexa Bliss followed, adding speed and creativity to the chaos, including a Twisted Bliss off the top of a pod.
Bliss looked poised to eliminate Kiana James with Sister Abigail, but Asuka sprayed mist into Bliss’ face, allowing James to steal the pinfall and score the first elimination.
Raquel Rodriguez entered last and bulldozed the field. In one of the night’s most brutal sequences, she powerslammed James through a pod and then flattened both James and Asuka to score back-to-back eliminations. Rodriguez looked unstoppable until Rhea Ripley launched herself off a pod with a cannonball that shifted the momentum.
Stratton capitalized soon after, stunning Rodriguez with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to eliminate the powerhouse.
The final two came down to Ripley and Stratton in a hard-hitting showdown. Tiffany threw everything she had at “Mami,” but Ripley absorbed the punishment and countered a moonsault attempt by launching Stratton into a pod. Moments later, Ripley delivered Riptide to secure the victory.
Winner: Rhea Ripley Ripley is now the No. 1 contender to the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania.
AJ Lee Returns to Glory, Defeats Becky Lynch
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Becky Lynch (c) vs. AJ Lee
AJ Lee stepped back into a high-stakes singles spotlight against Becky Lynch, and while ring rust showed at times, Lee’s veteran instincts kept her alive.
The match was technical early, with Becky grounding AJ and targeting her arm. Lee fired back with a tornado DDT and a Shining Wizard, but couldn’t put the champion away. Frustration set in for Lynch, who removed a turnbuckle pad and later used a steel chair when the referee was down.
Becky even appeared to tap out to the Black Widow while the official was incapacitated, buying herself time. After a chaotic stretch that included outside brawling and multiple near-falls, Lee countered the Manhandle Slam and reapplied the Black Widow in the center of the ring.
This time there was no escape.
Winner and NEW Women’s Intercontinental Champion: AJ Lee
In a feel-good moment, Lee forced Lynch to submit and captured championship gold in her return run.
CM Punk Retains After War with Finn Bálor
WWE Men’s World Heavyweight Championship CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Bálor
CM Punk and Finn Bálor delivered a clinic in counter-wrestling and resilience. The early going was tightly contested, with both men trading holds and reversals in a chess match that slowly escalated into a striking war.
Bálor targeted Punk’s ribs and nearly secured the win with 1916 and a Coup de Grace, but the champion refused to stay down. Punk answered with the Anaconda Vise and multiple Go to Sleep attempts, including one that sent Bálor tumbling to the floor.
The fight spilled outside, where Bálor blasted Punk through the timekeeper’s barricade. Back inside, Bálor connected with another Coup de Grace, but Punk shockingly countered a follow-up attempt into a Sharpshooter.
After surviving that submission, Bálor fell victim to one final Go to Sleep.
Winner: CM Punk (retains)
Post-match, Bálor offered a respectful handshake, which Punk eventually accepted. AJ Lee then joined Punk in the ring to celebrate a massive night for the couple.
Danhausen Arrives… With a Coffin
In one of the more surreal moments of the night, Raw GM Adam Pearce and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis opened a mysterious crate at ringside to reveal a coffin. After eerie laughter filled the arena, Danhausen emerged, declared the audience cursed, gifted Michael Cole a jar of teeth, and disappeared just as quickly.
Yes, really.
Randy Orton Wins Chaotic Men’s Elimination Chamber
Undisputed WWE Championship No. 1 Contender’s Elimination Chamber Match Cody Rhodes vs. Je’Von Evans vs. LA Knight vs. Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams
Cody Rhodes and Je’Von Evans started the match with a fast-paced exchange that showcased Evans’ explosiveness. Trick Williams entered next and nearly scored a double elimination with a Book End variation, but both opponents survived.
Logan Paul entered fourth and was immediately attacked by the field, even being thrown through a pod. LA Knight followed and brought the fight directly to Paul, eventually planting him with a BFT on top of a pod in a jaw-dropping spot.
Randy Orton entered last and methodically dismantled the competition with powerslams and a hanging DDT.
Evans was the first eliminated after Logan Paul connected with the Paulverizer. Paul then stole another elimination by low-blowing LA Knight and rolling him up. Trick Williams fell next after eating Cross Rhodes from Cody, with Paul stealing the pin.
Midway through the chaos, masked men attempted to interfere. One was removed by security, but another slipped in and dropped Logan Paul with a superkick and Blackout.
The attacker revealed himself as Seth Rollins, making his shocking return. Rollins and Rhodes shared a tense stare-down before Rollins exited through the crowd.
Cody eliminated Paul, setting up a final showdown with Orton—until Drew McIntyre stormed in and blasted Rhodes with the title belt. Despite sidestepping a Claymore attempt, Cody couldn’t withstand Orton’s sudden RKO.
Winner: Randy Orton
“The Viper” pinned Rhodes with the RKO and is now the No. 1 contender to the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania.
After the broadcast ended, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis announced that Drew McIntyre will now challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed Championship on this Friday’s SmackDown.
Danhausen’s time with All Elite Wrestling appears to be officially over.
After teasing his departure on social media late last week, the self-proclaimed “Very Nice, Very Evil” star has now been removed from AEW’s official roster page, seemingly confirming his exit from the company. The move comes after months of speculation regarding his contract status and long absence from television.
Danhausen’s last on-screen appearance came during a cameo at ROH Final Battle in December 2024. Since then, questions have surrounded his deal with AEW. Reports indicated that because he had been inactive for an extended stretch, his contract was extended beyond its original timeline, keeping him from hitting free agency at the end of last summer.
Despite the extension, Danhausen reportedly returned to the independent wrestling circuit in hopes of sparking renewed interest from AEW or Ring of Honor creative. However, a meaningful return to television never materialized. Now, with his profile removed from the roster page and his own social media posts hinting at a new chapter, it appears the former AEW and ROH talent is officially free to explore other opportunities.
And the timing couldn’t be more interesting.
WWE’s Elimination Chamber premium live event airs tonight from Chicago, and for weeks, a mysterious crate has been bouncing between Raw and SmackDown. The box, clearly marked with instructions reading “Do Not Open Until 2-28-2026,” has fueled rampant speculation across the wrestling world.
Many fans believe Danhausen could be the one inside.
If that turns out to be the case, it would mark a major moment for the charismatic performer, who has been searching for a spotlight since late 2024. Previous reports have suggested that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a fan of Danhausen’s character work and sees him as a potentially strong fit in WWE. Other officials are said to share that sentiment.
Whether the “Very Nice, Very Evil” star emerges from the crate tonight or not, one thing is clear: Danhausen is no longer part of AEW’s roster, and his next move could be just hours away from unfolding on a very big stage.
We’ll be watching closely as Elimination Chamber airs live tonight (2/28) from Chicago.
John Cena’s shocking heel turn at WWE Elimination Chamber 2025 has left the WWE Universe stunned—but perhaps no one is more affected than R-Truth. A longtime admirer of Cena, Truth has often parodied and mimicked the 16-time world champion, even calling him his childhood hero. Now, with Cena embracing the dark side in brutal fashion, Truth is struggling to accept the change.
Denial Runs Deep: “Say It Ain’t So, John”
Following Cena’s vicious assault on Cody Rhodes inside the Elimination Chamber, Truth took to social media to express his disbelief. In one of his posts on X (formerly Twitter), he questioned why Cena would do such a thing. He even went so far as to suggest that the brutal images of a bloodied Cody Rhodes were AI-generated, seemingly unable to process the reality of Cena’s betrayal.
Truth also made a subtle but telling change to his X profile header, which now reads: “Say it ain’t so, John.” It’s clear that Cena’s heel turn has hit Truth on a deeply personal level.
A Long and Complicated History
Truth and Cena’s history goes back nearly two decades. From their battles over the WWE Championship to their moments of friendship and rivalry, their paths have intertwined many times. Interestingly, Truth recently revealed that he and Cena recorded a rap song together, dispelling rumors that there was any real-life tension between them.
However, one fan on X reminded Truth of his own dark past, posting a throwback image of Truth smoking a cigarette during his 2011 heel run on Monday Night Raw. The implication? That Truth knows exactly what it’s like to embrace villainy, even if he refuses to accept Cena’s current transformation.
Could Truth Get Involved in Cena’s Feud with Cody Rhodes?
While Cena’s betrayal of Rhodes is set to play a major role in the ongoing Road to WrestleMania 41, Truth’s recent interactions with Cody on Raw raise an interesting question—could he somehow be pulled into this high-profile feud?
Cena and Truth last shared a ring on the Raw after WrestleMania 40, teaming with The Miz to defeat The Judgment Day. But with Cena now aligned with The Rock and seemingly embracing a darker persona, Truth may find himself at a crossroads. Will he stand against his former hero, or will he try to reason with the man who once inspired him?
One thing is certain: R-Truth isn’t ready to accept this new version of John Cena just yet.
“Just trying to stay positive,” Truth wrote on social media, sharing the music video for his new single “For Real.” The single was released on February 28, just a day before Cena joined “The Final Boss” Dwayne Johnson’s quest to take Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes’s soul.
Men’s Elimination Chamber: John Cena def. CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Damian Priest, and Seth Rollins
Cody Rhodes refuses to sell his soul to the Rock… but John Cena is more than happy to.
WWE’s Road to WrestleMania took a jaw-dropping turn at Elimination Chamber 2025, delivering brutal showdowns, a monstrous return, and one of the most shocking betrayals in recent memory. With two Chamber matches determining title challengers for The Grandest Stage of Them All, the night was already destined for fireworks—but nobody could’ve predicted the chaos that unfolded.
The Women’s Elimination Chamber match kicked off the night with six superstars vying for a chance to challenge for the WWE Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania. However, the match took a shocking turn before it could even get going.
Just as Liv Morgan and Naomi were set to start the match, Jade Cargill made her stunning return—and wasted no time making an impact. Instead of going after Morgan, Cargill viciously attacked Naomi, slamming her into the Lexan pod wall and leaving her unable to continue. As a result, Naomi was eliminated by forfeit before the action truly began.
From there, chaos reigned. Bianca Belair, furious over the attack on Naomi, tried to regain her focus while battling Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, Bayley, and Alexa Bliss. In a brutal series of eliminations, Bayley was taken out by Morgan, Perez fell to Bliss, and Morgan capitalized on an opening to eliminate Bliss.
The final two came down to Belair and Morgan, and despite Liv’s relentless offense, the EST of WWE proved why she’s one of the most dominant forces in the division. Belair planted Morgan with the KOD for the win, securing her spot at WrestleMania.
But the night wasn’t over for Belair. As she celebrated, WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY emerged on the stage, staring down the new No. 1 contender in an intense moment that signaled the battle ahead.
Tiffany Stratton & Trish Stratus Score a Huge Win Over Nia Jax & Candice LeRae
The unexpected pairing of Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus proved to be a force to be reckoned with as they took on Nia Jax and Candice LeRae in tag team action.
Jax dominated early, but Stratton and Stratus worked seamlessly together to wear down their opponents. After an intense back-and-forth, Stratton sealed the victory by hitting the Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Nia Jax for the pin. With this win, Stratton continues to prove she belongs among WWE’s elite.
Kevin Owens Survives a War with Sami Zayn, Only to Face the Viper’s Wrath
In what was nothing short of an all-out war, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn tore each other apart in an Unsanctioned Match that saw steel chairs, tables, and even barbed wire come into play.
Owens ultimately secured the win after a brutal apron powerbomb, but the violence didn’t stop there. KO continued his assault on Zayn post-match, ripping the protective mats off the floor—only to be interrupted by Randy Orton!
The Viper stormed the ring and dropped Owens with an RKO, teasing an even more vicious attack. As Orton geared up for his infamous Punt Kick, a swarm of WWE officials and security rushed in to prevent him from delivering the final blow. A frustrated Orton took out several security guards with RKOs before finally leaving the ring, setting the stage for what could be a heated rivalry in the weeks to come.
John Cena Outlasts the Men’s Elimination Chamber, But His Night Was Far From Over
The Men’s Elimination Chamber match featured some of WWE’s biggest names battling for a chance to challenge for the WWE Undisputed Championship at WrestleMania.
The match started with Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins, but as the chambers opened, Damian Priest, Logan Paul, John Cena, and finally CM Punk entered the fray.
Eliminations came fast and furious, with McIntyre and Priest both taken out early, followed by Logan Paul falling to Punk’s Go to Sleep. After an intense exchange, Rollins was eliminated by Punk, leaving Cena and Punk as the final two.
In a shocking turn of events, Cena locked Punk in the STF, forcing a referee stoppage to become the No. 1 contender. But his night wasn’t over yet.
As Cena celebrated, Cody Rhodes made his entrance, setting up a dramatic face-off for the WrestleMania main event. However, what happened next stunned the entire WWE Universe.
John Cena Shocks the World, Aligns with The Rock in Brutal Betrayal of Cody Rhodes
Just as it seemed like WrestleMania’s main event was set in stone, The Rock made his way to the ring, offering Cody Rhodes a chilling ultimatum—either embrace him as his champion, or watch his dreams die again.
Rhodes, showing his signature defiance, responded with a full-throated rejection, telling The Rock to go f* himself.** The crowd erupted, but what followed was pure chaos.
Cena—who had just earned his shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship—blindsided Rhodes with a vicious low blow. The 16-time world champion then went on a rampage, repeatedly assaulting Cody with his own wristwatch, a microphone, and finally, the championship title itself.
With The Rock watching on with a sinister smile, Cena wrapped Cody’s tie around his throat and choked him, bringing back haunting memories of his past brutality.
To add insult to injury, Travis Scott, the WWE Hardcore Champion, got in on the assault, landing stiff shots on Cody. The Rock then took Rhodes’ weight belt—engraved with the date of Dusty Rhodes’ passing—and whipped Cody mercilessly.
As Cena, Rock, and Scott stood tall on the ramp, the camera lingered on Cody—a bloody, broken mess in the ring, staring up at the championship that had just been stolen from him.
The message was clear: John Cena is no longer the hero WWE fans once knew. With WrestleMania 41 on the horizon, the biggest question now is—how will Cody Rhodes respond to this unthinkable betrayal?
Final Thoughts: The Road to WrestleMania Just Got Personal
With Elimination Chamber 2025 in the books, the Road to WrestleMania has taken a dramatic, violent turn. Bianca Belair and John Cena have secured their title shots, but the bigger story is the Cena-Rock alliance and their merciless assault on Cody Rhodes.
Raquel Rodriguez returned to in-ring competition on “WWE Raw” last week to qualify for the women’s Elimination Chamber match. However, according to Dave Meltzer on the latest “Wrestling Observer Radio,” the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion almost missed out on competing inside the steel structure in Perth, Australia.
Rodriguez, who has been open about her battle with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, unfortunately, suffered a flare-up during the flight across to Australia which put her appearance in the match in doubt. That led to it becoming touch-and-go for her being able to work the premium live event, especially since she missed the practice match that the ladies did once they were all in the country.
Fortunately, Rodriguez was able to compete on the night and she did end up being part of the match that was eventually won by Becky Lynch. Rodriguez went with a make-up-free look for that match, which was due to the flare-up she was dealing with. She took to social media to release a statement about that and admitted she was proud that she was able to go out and perform, revealing her face was the same color as her satin-pink pillow case at one point.
Rodriguez had previously shared an emotional video that recounted her journey with the condition to this point, showcasing the hives and swelling that she has been having to battle with during her time away from WWE. The “Raw” Superstar was open about the fact that her journey is still far from over, as this past weekend highlighted, but she revealed that she’s got a fantastic support system.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships:Kabuki Warriors (c) def. Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae
WWE Women’s World Championship – #1 Contender’s Elimination Chamber Match: Becky Lynch def. Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, Naomi and Raquel Rodriguez.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Match:Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor) (c) def. New Catch Republic (Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne)
Grayson Waller Effect w/ Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins – Rhodes asks if there are any Cody crybabies in the building, and the WWE Universe erupts. Rhodes says to be the People’s Champ, you have to actually be around the people. Rhodes then says he has an announcement himself. Until WrestleMania 40 he is wide open, so he says he wants to wrestle The Rock one-on-one, anytime, any place. Rollins then says he won’t be fighting that battle alone. Theory then starts doing a few of The Rock’s catchphrases, but Rollins then attacks him and launches him into one of Waller’s signs as Rhodes hits the Cody Cutter, and Rollins follows it with a Stomp.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship – #1 Contender’s Elimination Chamber Match: Drew McIntyre def. Randy Orton, Bobby Lashley, LA Knight, Kevin Owens and Logan Paul. – AJ Styles interfered in the match, unloads on Knight with a steel chair and dropping him with a Styles Clash onto the weapon, which allows McIntyre to get rid of him. – Orton eliminated Paul. Orton then hits a draped DDT to McIntyre. Orton then suffers with his back, but then he pops up and catches McIntyre with an RKO! He seemingly has it won, but Paul re-enters the match and knocks out Orton with the brass knuckles, which McIntyre takes advantage of and eliminates Orton for the win.
Triple H thanks the Australian fans on behalf of WWE, announces Elimination Chamber’s Attendance as 52,590 fans.
WWE Women’s World Championship Match: Rhea Ripley (c) def. Nia Jax.
WWE LPE Elimination Chamber – Saturday, February 24, 2024 – 4 a.m. ET (kickoff), 5 p.m. ET (main show) – Optus Stadium in Burswood, Perth, Western Australia
* Australian Western Standard Time: 6:00 PM * Eastern Standard Time: 5:00 AM * Central Standard Time: 4:00 AM * Mountain Standard Time: 3:00 AM * Pacific Standard Time: 2:00 AM * Hawaiian Standard Time: 12:00 AM
CARD
ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH FOR A WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT WRESTLEMANIA XL Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. Bobby Lashley vs. LA Knight vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul
UNDISPUTED WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate
ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH FOR A WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT WRESTLEMANIA XL: Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. Raquel Rodriguez
WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax
GRAYSON WALLER EFFECT with Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins
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