WWE Elimination Chamber: Recap & Reactions

Last night saw the WWE hold it’s RAW-focused Elimination Chamber event, and it had a few interesting developments come out of it. Unfortunately, for the majority of the WWE Universe, those twists and turns did not come in the form of surprise results. The event was full of hard-hitting, high-octane offense, but that can only account for so much when the card is booked as predictably as some thought.

Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson def. The Miztourage via pinfall (Kick-off Show)

The only match to be on the kick-off show for the event, was a decent tag team match with the expected result coming out. The Good Brothers hit the magic killer on Curtis Axel for the pinfall, as Balor Club got off to a good start. The Revival cut a post-match promo, claiming that Gallows and Anderson are a mockery to tag team wrestling.

To me, this looks like a pre-show match at Wrestlemania in the makings. It isn’t something that would peak the interest of too many fans but it would make for a solid match to start the kick-off show. Their choice of words are interesting, considering that The Revival haven’t done much since they came up from NXT.

Grade: C-

Women’s Championship — Elimination Chamber — Alexa Bliss (c) def. Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville to retain the title

One word should be sufficient enough to describe this match. Yes! Absolution were the first two eliminated, which does not leave the group with much in terms of the future. The in-ring work was pretty from both women, but it was looking like the creative team was starting to sour on the group. Hopefully they do turn this around, because they worked well against Sasha and Bayley. The saving grace for Sonya Deville is that she was pinned following a Thesz Press from the top of the pods, which honestly could take out anyone.

The combination of the backstabber into the Bayley-to-Belly was one of the best spots in the match to take out the legend in Mickie James. As Bliss came into play here and James was eliminated, it left quite the mouth-watering situation. Fans were left salivating as we finally got the heel turn from Sasha, kicking Bayley off the pods. A crazy frog splash from Banks, a suplex from the second rope by Bayley and a surprise roll-up from Alexa Bliss saw Bayley out.

Let’s just appreciate the best spot of the night, hands down here. A Twisted Bliss from the top of the pods, almost immediately into a Banks Statement. Moment later, Bliss hits her DDT on Banks as she pulled her from the top rope to retain. Add on her fantastic post-match promo in the Chamber, and this was easily the match of the night.

Grade: A

Tag Team Championship — The Bar (c) def. Titus Worldwide to retain the titles

You can’t really envy The Bar and Titus Worldwide, having to try to follow-up after that caliber of a match. It wasn’t bad by any stretch, but the crowd was still coming down from the Women’s match.

Apollo showed that his athleticism shouldn’t go unnoticed, while Cesaro and Sheamus once again show why they are one of the best teams in the WWE with some calculated, methodical work on Apollo. Titus had a few thinking that the titles might change hands with his comeback, but the expected result came through. As I said, not a bad match, just a bad position on the card.

Grade: C

Asuka def. Nia Jax via pinfall

We do not have a triple threat match for the Women’s Championship at Wrestlemania. This was probably the easiest match on the card to predict. Realistically, Asuka is going to lose at some stage, but it won’t be on a ‘B’ grade event like the Chamber. It was a good match, but you can’t get too invested with it if you already know the result.

In saying that, Nia Jax had a great performance. There were a few times where you wouldn’t go amiss thinking that maybe, just maybe, it might happen. The roll-up pin at the end was a little intriguing at fist, but it only added to the drama as Jax went beast mode on Asuka. The running splash through the barricade after the match by Nia Jax would have been made better if Jim Ross was on commentary, but it was a brilliant piece of post-match psychology.

Grade: B (Match : B-, Post-match: B+)

Matt Hardy def. Bray Wyatt via pinfall

BallaMania is running wild! The match, while nothing to really report home on, was overshadowed by the crowds interest in balls and waves. A methodically worked match, Hardy won after a Twist of Fate. Nothing special, nothing flashy, just another filler match. Next.

Grade: D

Ronda Rousey officially signs her WWE Raw contract

The only thing more awkward than Rousey pointing to the Wrestlemania sign at the Rumble was her mic work on Sunday. It came across as very bland and incredibly scripted, a complete contrast from her time in the UFC. That was the only blight on what was a pretty good segment.

Angle had some of his best mic work since his return to the WWE, reminding Stephanie McMahon and Triple H of how Rousey embarrassed them both at WrestleMania 31. Angle also shared the comments of the RAW Commissioner and the COO to Rousey, which most certainly raised the eyebrows of the former UFC Champion. The reactions of McMahon, Hunter and Rousey were all perfect, with Angle being taken away from Hunter.

The stare down at the end just felt real, as that ended up with Triple H being sent right through the table for the pop of the night. That led to Stephanie McMahon slapping the taste out of Rousey’s mouth, trash talk to boot. The look on Rousey’s face, as well as the realization from McMahon and the crowd chanting “You f***ed up,” made this segment my favorite moment for the night. If Rousey cleans up her mic work, we could have quite the feud for Wrestlemania and beyond. If that doesn’t happen, Rousey vs Asuka at Summerslam.

Grade: B+

Elimination Chamber — Roman Reigns def. Braun Strowman, John Cena, The Miz, Elias, Seth Rollins and Finn Balor

How do you annoy a crowd, leave them with a sour taste, and ensure that the Wrestlemania main event gets booed out of the building? Have Roman Reigns go to said match against Brock Lesnar after winning the Elimination Chamber.

The crowd was not into the match from the start, potentially due to the fact that they knew exactly what was going to happen. The Miz had a great little sequence of “Yes” kicks as the ring started to fill up as a means to get the crowd into it, but he was first man out as Strowman started to run through everyone in the ring.

The crowd loved it when John Cena was eliminated, ensuring that one of the two men they did not want in the main event was out of the picture. Rollins had another fantastic workhorse performance, but Strowman took care of him too. It was down to Reigns and Strowman, with the crowd now well aware of what was going to happen. It took a few Superman Punches, and a couple of Spears, but Roman Reigns got the win.

Post-match, Strowman absolutely dismantled Reigns to get some of his steam back, but the damage had been done. It is now a waiting game to see how this all plays out from here until Wrestlemania. The only guarantee right now is that the main event of Wrestlemania won’t be one that the fans wanted to see.

Grade: C-

Overall, it was a decent pay-per-view with no real surprises. The in-ring work was that of a “B” grade event, save for the Women’s Chamber match. WWE Creative have some making up to do if they want to ensure that the fans don’t take over WrestleMania. My last thought is one that most are probably thinking; Reigns shouldn’t be in the main event.

Event Grade: C

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