AJ Styles was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Monday Night RAW (Feb 23, 2026), delivering a career‑spanning tribute. The show also saw Liv Morgan announce her WrestleMania opponent, decisive Elimination Chamber qualifiers for Asuka, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, and a surprise Brock Lesnar appearance, while Roman Reigns retained the Universal title and New Day Night Gold captured the Raw Tag Team belts.
AJ Styles Hall of Fame Induction
The ceremony opened with a montage of Styles’ milestones—from his early TNA days to his breakout in NJPW, his NXT transformation, and his multiple WWE championship reigns. Vince McMahon and Corey Graves presented the gold‑plated plaque, and Styles thanked fans, trainers, and fellow wrestlers for helping him “push the limits of what a wrestler can be.” His induction underscored his legacy as a benchmark for in‑ring storytelling, athleticism, and mic work.
Liv Morgan Sets WrestleMania Challenge
After the tribute, Liv Morgan stepped into the spotlight to declare that she will challenge the winner of the upcoming Women’s Elimination Chamber match for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. The announcement added a personal narrative thread to the women’s division and positioned Morgan as a top contender heading into WrestleMania 2026.
Elimination Chamber Qualifiers
Women’s Bracket: Asuka Secures Spot
In a high‑stakes triple‑threat match, Asuka out‑worked Bayley and Nattie to earn her place in the Women’s Elimination Chamber. Her victory showcased striking precision, relentless stamina, and cemented her status as a premier contender.
Men’s Bracket: Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens Advance
Sami Zayn defeated a surprise entrant to lock his spot in the men’s chamber, delivering a fast‑paced performance that highlighted his resilience. Later, Kevin Owens overcame a returning Bobby Lashley in a hard‑hitting bout, employing “Hell in a Cell”‑style maneuvers to emerge victorious. Their wins round out the men’s qualifier lineup and set new story arcs for the upcoming pay‑per‑view.
Brock Lesnar’s Surprise Return
Mid‑show, Brock Lesnar made an unexpected entrance after a backstage tease hinted at a “new challenger.” Though he did not compete in a full match, Lesnar delivered a series of ferocious suplexes, signaling a potential power shift heading into the Elimination Chamber and hinting at future high‑profile clashes.
Other Notable Results
- Roman Reigns retained the Universal Championship, reinforcing his “Head of the Table” persona.
- New Day Night Gold (Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso) captured the Raw Tag Team titles from The Usos in a fast‑paced bout.
- A backstage segment teased a future showdown between Seth Rollins and Finn Balor, adding intrigue for the next pay‑per‑view.
Context and Implications
Styles’ induction arrives at a pivotal moment, bridging the independent scene’s innovative style with WWE’s mainstream platform. By honoring him now, WWE acknowledges the shift toward a hybrid style that blends high‑flyer agility with hard‑hitting realism—an evolution embodied by rising talent like Liv Morgan and Asuka. The Elimination Chamber qualifiers illustrate WWE’s strategy to blend established stars (Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar) with emerging competitors, creating high‑stakes environments that can elevate new talent while keeping marquee names in the spotlight.
Looking Ahead
Going forward, Styles’ Hall of Fame moment will serve as a nostalgic anchor for future storylines, especially those emphasizing technical excellence and “no‑holds‑barred” storytelling. Liv Morgan’s WrestleMania challenge injects a personal mission into the women’s division, potentially culminating in a marquee showdown at WrestleMania 2026. The qualified contenders—Asuka, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and a yet‑to‑be‑revealed male entrant—will shape the men’s and women’s title pictures heading into the Elimination Chamber. Lesnar’s surprise return hints at a “monster vs. monster” clash that could involve Roman Reigns or a chamber qualifier, ensuring RAW retains the unpredictability that drives live TV ratings.
