Tomorrow night, WWE will take over the United Center in Chicago for the 2026 Elimination Chamber premium live event, which has two Chamber matches and two title bouts on its card. Not on the advertised lineup is former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, who has stood on the sidelines for months attributable to a shoulder injury. In accordance with Rollins himself, that may remain the case through Elimination Chamber weekend.
“No, I won’t give you the option to do anything this weekend [at WWE Elimination Chamber], but we’re getting close [to a return],” Rollins told “ESPN First Take.” “I mean, look, I can move it around. It isn’t in a sling anymore. It’s feeling good. It was in October is once I got surgery, so, you have a look at the timeline, we’re getting close. We’re getting close. We’re not all the best way there, but we’re getting close, guys.”
Rollins sustained his shoulder injury during a champion vs. champion bout against Cody Rhodes at WWE Crown Jewel in October. Following that, “The Visionary” revealed that doctors initially expected him to be out of motion for about six months, which meant his potential in-ring return would materialize around April 2026. Earlier this month, reports indicated that WWE anticipated Rollins to be medically cleared in time for WrestleMania 42 on April 18 and 19, with additional plans positioning him in a grand stage match against Bron Breakker.
Attributable to Breakker later undergoing hernia surgery, that match is currently up within the air. Meanwhile, Rollins’ long-time rival CM Punk will likely be in motion at Elimination Chamber as he defends the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor.
When you use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “ESPN First Take” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.