WWE Elimination Chamber is set to take over Chicago, marking a major stop on the Road to WrestleMania.
Elimination Chamber often serves as the final pivot point before WrestleMania, and in a wrestling city like Chicago, expectations will be especially high.
The location itself adds another layer.
Chicago is one of wrestling’s most passionate markets. For the first time since 1994, WWE will run the iconic United Center, a venue synonymous with Michael Jordan and sports history.
But Elimination Chamber will not be the only significant event taking place in Chicago that weekend.
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How Jesse Jackson’s Funeral Could Impact Elimination Chamber
The family of Jesse Jackson announced official funeral arrangements for the civil rights icon this week, with services scheduled across Friday and Saturday.
A public “People’s Celebration” will be held Friday, February 27 at the House of Hope on the city’s far South Side. On Saturday — the same day as Elimination Chamber — Jackson’s formal Homegoing Celebration will take place at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters, also located on the South Side, though closer in proximity to downtown.
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The Saturday service is expected to begin in the morning and conclude in the early afternoon.
From a logistical standpoint, the impact may be minimal. While thousands are expected to attend Jackson’s services — including visitors traveling from outside Chicago — the city routinely accommodates major events without significant disruption. The distance between the funeral locations and the United Center also makes widespread traffic complications unlikely.
The more intriguing factor could be who is in town.
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Over decades as a national figure, Jackson developed relationships with numerous athletes, entertainers, and political leaders. With dignitaries and celebrities traveling to Chicago to pay their respects, it would not be surprising if some extended their stay to attend Elimination Chamber.
Additionally, members of WWE’s roster — past or present — could potentially attend one of the services privately, given Jackson’s public affinity for wrestling.
There is no formal connection between the two events. But with both taking place on the same day in one of wrestling’s most historic cities, Chicago will find itself at the center of international attention.