Tonight's the night that WWE Presents it's Elimination Chamber PPV. I'm going to do my best to review it as it happens and update this page as often as possible so stay tuned. Oh yeah, I missed the kick off but the caught the very end of Murphy vs. Tozawa. Murphy won and retained the cruiserweight title. It's hard to care about the title and 205 Live in general when it's continuously relegated to the pre-show.
Match 1: WWE Women's Tag Team Championship
Elimination Chamber Match
The Iiconics (Peyton Royce and Billie Kay) vs. Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Absolution (Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose) vs. Nia Jax and Tamina vs. Naomi and Carmella vs. The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan)
Well, the intention was there. WWE Network decided to crash for me before the match started and still hasn't worked... 30 mins into the PPV. My stream finally starts working in time to see Mandy Rose get her leg stuck in the chamber wall! Sasha and Bayley, The Riott Squad and Absolution are tearing it up at this point. Due to missing the start of the match thanks to WWE's streaming service being sub-par this evening (Seriously. It's struggling on EVERY device in my house) I'm not quite sure who started this off but we've just hit the point where the Riott Squad and Absolution square off and start laying into each other (both Sasha and Bayley are taking a bit of a rest). Both teams are down. Bayley sneaks in and trys to eliminate Liv Morgan. Liv kicks out at 2! Bayley's cleaning house. Bayley and Banks are my picks going into this, purely based on the amount of focus the WWE has put into establishing them as a team for the last year or so. Bayley's up top! Absolution look like their going to do a double superplex on her from the top rope. The Riott Squad sneak under them! All 5 women are down! And we've got a new entrant - The Iiconics! The both waste no time in trying to pin EVERYONE following that superplex spot but all 5 women kick out! The IIconics are taking it to everyone with double teams to everyone (bar Sasha who has been down for an awfully long time, can't help but wonder if she's gotten injured). The Iiconics pin Bayley, Sasha's back and breaks up the pin! The Iiconics quickly take the advantage and get a near fall on Sasha then push Sasha and Bayley's faces into the chamber walls. Naomi and Carmella are next in and go straight at the Iiconics. Carmela hits a beautiful superkick on Sarah Logan. Naomi goes for the cover but Morgan breaks it up! We're reminded by Michael Cole, repeatedly in quick succession, that there are still 5 teams in the match and no one's been eliminated yet. We do have eyes, Cole. Some awesome work all-round in the ring at the moment including Sonya hitting a beautiful spear only to be superkicked by Naomi. It'll be interesting to see who this comes down to. I'd imagine that whoever the last four women are would have to be facing off at WrestleMania. Everyone's down apart from Mandy Rose and Naomi and Naomi is going to town on Mandy! The Iiconics take advantage and roll up Naomi! 3 Count! Naomi and Carmella are gone!!!! First Elimination: Naomi and Carmella. The Iiconics pose for a while before the other 6 women in the match surround them. Countdown! Everyone's focus shifts to Nia and Tamina! Nia and Tamina just start beating everyone. Everyone's down again, Nia and Tamina are stood alone in the ring - The Iiconics have hidden in a chamber pod! Nia and Tamina have spotted them though. Nia and Tamina rag them out and start throwing them into the chamber walls. Double samoan drops to Iiconics. 3 Count in stereo! Second Elimination: The Iiconics. The Riott Squad are in and waste no time on taking Nia and Tamina down. Tamina gets sent over the ropes so Nia gets double teamed! Tamina's back in. Double team and a cover, Nia breaks it up. Absolution jump Nia! Bayley and Banks jump Absolution then turn their attention to Tamina. Liv Morgan runs at them. Bayley and Banks double team her, then Sarah. Banks with the cover on Logan! Logan kicks out! Absolution are back in and take control. Sasha reverses a charge from Mandy. Banks and Bayley are back in control. and have them both draped across the corner. Stomp from Banks. Cover! Only a two count as Deville kicks out. Nia and Tamina take control again then see the Riott Squad on top of a pod, seemingly hiding. Absolution brawl with Nia and Tamina and the Riott Squad fly off the top rope into all four women! Logan covers Deville, Deville kicks out! Morgan's climbing the pod again but Nia grabs her and juts a top rope samoan drop. Both Riotts are down. Tamina hits the top rope. HOLY SHIT! SUPERFLY SPLASH TO BOTH OF THEM!!!! Tamina pins both and gets the elimination! Third Team Eliminated: The Riott Squad. Bayley and Banks are back in to take it to Nia and Tamina. Double team to Tamina, cover, Nia breaks it up and launches Banks over the top rope. Nia picks up Bayley and throws her out too then heads out herself and stalks her. Nia's looking for a spear into the pod! Bayley dodges it! Nia smashed through the pod and knocks herself out! Tamina looks stunned. 4 on 1! Absolution, Banks and Bayley batter Tamina then pile on her for a cover! 3 Count! Tamina and Nia Jax are gone! Fourth Eliminated: Nia Jax and Tamina. We're down to the final two teams - Rose/Deville and Banks/Bayley. Many tries for her finisher on the outside to Bayley but Bayley counters it! Banks hits the backstagger on Deville and Bayley hits the Bayley to Belly. Cover! Rose breaks it then scales the chamber. Bayley and Banks join her. They grab Mandy, bounce her against the pod and are looking to throw her but Deville's up! Bayleys kicks Deville down! Mandy kicks Bayley down! Deville spears Bayley into the joint of the chamber pod. Sasha takes Sonya down. Many grabs Sasha, gets her in the ring. Hits a finisher and gets Banks kicks out at 2! Banks locks in the Bank Statement on Deville! Deville taps! This one's over!
Your Winners and NEW WWE Women's Tag Team Champions: Bayley and Sasha Banks
Overall Thoughts: A solid match that saw everyone perform to a high level. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this match. There was constantly something going on and it was genuinely difficult to guess how this was going to go at points. A solid 9 out of 10 for this match. I predicted the outcome but that got called into question multiple times during this match. Loved every minute of it.
After the match, Charley Carouso joins them with a microphone to ask them their thoughts. Bayley gets choked up. "You deserve it chant". Sasha has a bit of a cry then says they're going to make more changes to the WWE following their title win. Bayley and Banks embrace and then pose with the titles.
We get a WWE Shop promo - you can buy one shirt and get the second for $1 for tonight only!
Match 2: WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Miz and Shane McMahon (Champions) vs. The Usos
These guys are going to have a hard time following that chamber match... Miz is out first with a microphone and congratulates Sasha and Bayley then says he wants to dedicate his match to his Dad, his daughter Monroe and wife Maryse. Out comes Maryse. The Miz says they have a huge announcement. Maryse tells the crowd that they're having another baby. Miz then dedicates the match to his unborn child. Shane-o comes out dancing then shakes hands with Miz and congratulates Maryse. I'll be honest, I wasn't a fan of the idea of Miz and Shane going for the tag team titles, but they have worked surprisingly well over the last few weeks. Out come the Usos and get straight in Miz and Shane's faces. Incredibly fast paced start to this match. A lot of false finishes from everyone at the start. Miz and Shane working really well as a team so far. Miz's wrestling in the baseball jersey too for solidarity - nice touch! I've got to say; I've not been able to get into WWE for a few months but this show has been surprisingly solid so far. Shane hits the Coast to Coast on the non-legal Uso! Goes for a second to the legal one (I've lost track of which Uso's which) and it costs Shane, big-time! Shane and an Uso are down. Miz doing his damnedest to rally Shane up. Shane gets the tag, in comes The Miz! Miz hits the ropes but eats a samoan drop! Camera thankfully pans in so I can see it's Jey Uso that's legal (they've both got the exact same gear on). Jey charges at The Miz but misses! Miz hits a beautiful DDT and gets a 2 count. Jey rolls out the ring. Miz hits the ropes and drop kicks Jey through the ropes. Miz starts clearing the announce tables! Jimmy dives out of the ring to save his brother but hits him instead! Miz kicks Jimmy in the head! Both Usos are down outside. Miz tells Shane to go up top and lays Jey on the table! Shane stands on the top rope then hits his signature elbow from the top rope to the announce table!!!!! Miz checks on Shane and Shane and Jey are both out cold! Jimmy and Miz are in the ring. Jimmy goes for a kick but Miz counters it into the set-up for the skull crushing finale and Jimmy counters that into a roll up for a 2 count but Miz counters that into a roll up of his own for 2 then goes for a SCF but Jimmy reverses and hits a beautiful superkick. Jimmy heads to the top rope! Big splash! Miz gets his knees up! Roll up! 2 count! Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale and goes for a cover! One! Two! JIMMY KICKS OUT AND CRADLES THE MIZ! Jimmy gets a 3 count! We've got new tag team champions!
Your Winners and New WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions: The Usos
Overall Thoughts: I'm pretty sure Jey was the legal man so it'll be interesting to see if that plays into things on SmackDown. Miz and Shane have really gelled but I've been hoping for Miz vs. Bryan for the title at Mania since Bryan returned last year. Here's hoping the title drop was to set this up in some way (maybe Bryan assaults Shane and Miz defends him or something, who knows). Great match 8 out of 10.
After the match, Miz tells Shane he's sorry and looks devastated. The pair then walk up the ramp together.
We then get an exclusive look at "Fighting with my Family", in cinemas Friday.
We go backstage to Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush for an interview with a new backstage interviewer who's name I don't know! Lio and Bobby aren't worried about Finn.
Match 3: 2 on 1 Handicap Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Bobby Lashley (Champion) and Lio Rush vs. Finn Balor
Lashley and Rush are out first. Finn comes out without the Demon persona to give Rush and Lashley a bit of a chance. This is a tough one as I want Balor to win the gld but don't want Lashley to lose it. I'm hoping the reason for the stipulation is so that Lio can eat the pin to keep Bobby looking strong. Finn and Lio start it off but Lio runs and tags in Bobby who immediately takes control. Finn gets the advantage though and Bobby and Lio regroup on the outside. Lashley gets back in and takes control again. These three put on a decent handicap match with Balor regaining momentum every now and again only for Lashley to cut him off. Balor eventually won with the Coup De Grace on Lio Rush to pick up the win. After the match Bobby attacked Lio, effectively ending their partnership.
Your Winner and NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion: Finn Balor
Overall Thoughts: I'm a big fan of Finn's and have been following him ever since MVP told myself and Dave to watch some Prince Devitt stuff back in our first interview with Team Venom. Likewise, Lashley is another favourite of mine and was incredibly friendly back when we interviewed him back in 2015. I genuinely didn't want to see either of these guys lose so the result was the best I could hope for. Great match, 7.5 out of 10.
Match 4: WWE Raw Women's Championship
Ronda Rousey (Champion) vs. Ruby Riott
Charlotte's at ringside for this to see who she's facing at WrestleMania, not that she needed to have bothered as this match is over. Rousey gets the armbar locking in and makes Ruby tap early.
Your Winner and STILL WWE Raw Women's Champion: Ronda Rousey
After the match, Charlotte Flair gets in the ring to stare down Ronda only for THE MAN to appear in the crowd on crutches. Becky gets in the ring and batters Charlotte with a crutch while Rousey just watches. Rousey then grabs the other crutch and goes to hit Charlotte only for Becky to attack Rousey. Becky continues to batter both of them until security come down and escort Becky out via the crowd.
Overall Thoughts: I'd give the match a Hitman-tastic 4 out of 10. The angle after the match with Becky and Charlotte was awesome and gives me a tremendous amount of hope for WrestleMania.
Match 5: No DQ Match
Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin
This was everything I expected. Braun battered Corbin for a bit until Drew McIntyre came out to turn the tables in Corbin's favour. Corbin gets the win after he and Drew put Braun through 2 tables.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Overall Thoughts: I'm really tired of seeing these two go at it. I have literally no interest whenever they face off. I'll give this a 3 out of 10 and hope that Braun doesn't decide to try and get revenge for this lost because it's getting tiring.
Match 6: WWE Championship
Elimination Chamber Match
Daniel Bryan (Champion) vs. AJ Styles vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Samoa Joe vs. Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy
Irritatingly I had more technical difficulties trying to watch this. At time of writing I can't get the damn network working at all. It's working again and Kofi gets a near fall on Bryan - it'll be interesting to see who else is left in this and how much I've missed from pissing around with the WWE Network. Waitaminute. Where the fuck is everyone?!?! We're down to just Kofi and Bryan!!!! I don't know whether it's down to the WWE Network or my ISP but either way I am gutted at how much of this match I've missed. I'll bet Jeff did some crazy shit at some point. Bryan counters Kofi and puts him into the pod! Bryan rolls Kofi into the ring and crawls after him. Man, I'd love to see a quick title change here and see them give Kofi the title for a week or something. Bryan stalks Kofi and hits the running knee plus. Cover, KOFI KICKS OUT AT TWO!!!!! It could happen! Kofi could actually win this! Bryan grabs Kofi's wrists and stomps on his face and covers for 2. Bryan goes for the Knee Plus again but Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise for a 2 count! Bryan rolls him up for another count of two then locks in the Yes Lock. Kofi gets the rope! Bryan forgets that there's no DQ in a chamber match and just breaks the hold! Bryan goes up top, Kofi kicks him in the face! Bryan climbs to the top of the pod. Kofi gives chase. Kofi drives the back of Bryan's head into the chamber wall (not cool Kofi, the guy's got a history of neck problems!!!). Kofi sets up a suplex from the top of the pod but Bryan fights out of it and turns around and starts driving Kofi's head into the chamber wall now. Bryan looks to be going for the suplex off the pod but it's Kofi's turn to fight out of it! Bryan slides down to the top rope. Kofi kicks him off. Kofi's still on top of the pod and goes for a flying body splash but Bryan moves out of the way then goes for the Knee Plus and hits it for the three count!
Your Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Daniel Bryan
After the match Bryan celebrates with Rowan as he heads to the back, Xavier Woods and Big E run down to check on Kofi and the vrowd chants "Thank you Kofi". All three members of New Day sit on the chamber steps as their music plays while Kofi regains his composure then Big E and Xavier walk him to the back as the crowd still chant for Kofi.
Overall Thoughts: Really pissed off that I missed the majority of this match. What I did see between Bryan Kofi was gold though so that alone gets a 9 out of 10.
Final Thoughts: This was a fantastic PPV. The opening three matches all delivered and the Ronda match furthered the Ronda/Charlotte/Becky storyline. Balor finally got some gold and Kofi was tremendously showcased in the main event. Brilliant PPV. 9 out of 10 for the show. The match of the night has to be a tie between what I saw of the two chamber matches
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