The February 23 edition of Monday Night Raw delivered emotion, momentum and high stakes as WWE closed the curtain on its final stop before Elimination Chamber.
The night belonged to AJ Styles. In a heartfelt in-ring tribute, the longtime fan favorite reflected on a career that reshaped modern WWE before symbolically leaving his gloves in the center of the ring. The gesture signaled the end of an era and drew a standing ovation from the crowd. The moment grew even more significant when The Undertaker appeared to announce that Styles will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, cementing his legacy among the company’s all-time greats.
While emotions ran high, championship implications dominated the rest of the show.
The final spots inside the Elimination Chamber were claimed in two high-intensity Triple Threat matches. On the men’s side, Jey Uso outlasted tough competition to punch his ticket to the structure, securing the last available berth. On the women’s side, Raquel Rodriguez powered through her opponents to earn the final entry into the Chamber match, rounding out a stacked field heading into the premium live event.
The road to WrestleMania 42 also became clearer. Liv Morgan, fresh off her 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble victory, made her decision official by choosing Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer as her WrestleMania opponent. The announcement adds another marquee title clash to an already growing lineup for the biggest event of the year.
Elsewhere, Brock Lesnar made his presence felt with a thunderous return, issuing an open challenge for WrestleMania. The declaration immediately sparked speculation about who might step up to face the former champion on the grand stage.
World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk also addressed unfinished business, promising that he will still hold the title when Roman Reigns makes his anticipated return. The looming collision between the two megastars continues to build anticipation as WrestleMania season intensifies.
In additional action, Je’Von Evans secured a notable victory over Kofi Kingston, aided by the presence of Offset at ringside. Nattie delivered a decisive stoppage win against Maxxine Dupri, further strengthening her position in the women’s division.
By the end of the night, Raw successfully balanced nostalgia with forward momentum. AJ Styles received a fitting farewell, the Elimination Chamber lineup was finalized and WrestleMania storylines sharpened into focus. With rivalries escalating and opportunities hanging in the balance, WWE now turns its full attention to the chaos that awaits inside the Chamber.