The Men’s Elimination Chamber 2026 match on February 28 in Chicago is stacked with star power, but when it comes to advantage, not all resumes are created equal.
Cody Rhodes may be viewed as the favorite, and rising names like Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans bring unpredictability.
Jey Uso (Unplanned attack putting his position in jeopardy) and LA Knight add momentum and crowd energy. Yet one competitor enters with something none of the others can claim — proven history inside the structure.
Why Randy Orton May Have The Edge Inside The Elimination Chamber 2026
Randy Orton is the only Superstar in this year’s match who has previously won an Elimination Chamber bout. He retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in 2014 on his way to WrestleMania 30, proving he can not only survive the steel but thrive in it.
This will mark Orton’s 10th Chamber appearance — an all-time record. He debuted in the match in 2003 and has competed in nearly every variation since. That level of experience matters in a structure where timing, patience, and positioning are often the difference between elimination and opportunity.
Statistically, Orton enters with eight career eliminations, second only to Chris Jericho’s 10. He needs two more to tie the record. In 2024 alone, he eliminated Kevin Owens and Logan Paul before falling to Drew McIntyre. That consistency reinforces his reputation as a big-match specialist.
There’s also legacy at stake. A 14-time world champion, Orton has openly targeted a 15th reign. Winning the Chamber guarantees a championship match at WrestleMania 42. A victory would move him closer to John Cena’s 17 and Ric Flair’s 16 recognized world titles. A loss, however, delays that pursuit — and time isn’t exactly on his side.
Others may have momentum, but Orton has muscle memory. Inside the Chamber, that experience can be the ultimate RKO — out of nowhere and right on time.
Randy Orton’s Chamber history
| Year | Event | Result | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Elimination Chamber | TBD | Qualified by defeating Solo Sikoa and Aleister Black on SmackDown. |
| 2024 | Elimination Chamber | Loss | Final man eliminated by Drew McIntyre after interference from Logan Paul. |
| 2021 | Elimination Chamber | Loss | Competed for the WWE Championship; eliminated first by Kofi Kingston. |
| 2019 | Elimination Chamber | Loss | Eliminated AJ Styles before being taken out by Kofi Kingston. |
| 2014 | Elimination Chamber | Win | Retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. |
| 2013 | Elimination Chamber | Loss | Final man eliminated by Jack Swagger in a #1 Contender match. |
| 2011 | Elimination Chamber | Loss | Competed in a #1 Contender match won by John Cena. |
| 2010 | Elimination Chamber | Loss | Eliminated by teammate Ted DiBiase Jr. |
| 2005 | New Year’s Revolution | Loss | Final man eliminated by Triple H for the vacant World Heavyweight Title. |
| 2003 | SummerSlam | Loss | Eliminated by Goldberg in the second-ever Chamber match. |
READ MORE: 3 Reasons Randy Orton Cannot Afford To Lose At Elimination Chamber 2026