The WWE and Universal Championships will both be on the line as the road to WrestleMania continues at tonight’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre will put his title on the line against Sheamus, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, and Kofi Kingston in an Elimination Chamber match. As the winner of the gauntlet match that took place on this past Monday’s Raw, Sheamus will enter the Chamber last.
SmackDown’s Kevin Owens, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Jey Uso, Baron Corbin, and Sami Zayn will also face off in an Elimination Chamber match. The winner will challenge for Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship later in the night.
Two other title matches have also been announced for tonight. SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks & women’s Royal Rumble winner Bianca Belair will team up to challenge for Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler’s Women’s Tag Team titles. United States Champion Bobby Lashley will defend his title in a triple threat match against Riddle and one other wrestler. John Morrison, Mustafa Ali, Ricochet, and Elias will compete in a fatal four-way match on the pre-show to decide Lashley’s other challenger.
Keith Lee was originally set for the United States title match but is off tonight’s show. Lacey Evans had also been set to challenge Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship, but that won’t be happening due to Evans being pregnant.
Tonight’s pre-show begins at 6 p.m. Eastern time. The main card then starts at 7 p.m. Eastern.
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Pre-Show
Kick-off host Charly Caruso introduced the panel members Booker T, JBL, and Pete Rosenberg. Caruso pointed out that Rosenberg is a former 24/7 Champion.
They ran down the line up for the card tonight.
They showed a video package for the SmackDown Elimination Chamber. Caruso noted that Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against the winner immediately after the Chamber match.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Cesaro. He promised to win the Chamber and then win the Universal title from Roman Reigns.
The panel turned their attention to the U.S. title match. Caruso noted Keith Lee is injured and out of the triple threat match. They showed footage of Bobby Lashley beating down Lee a few weeks ago.
Caruso interviewed MVP and wondered if Lashley needs to worry about the winner of the four-way. MVP borrowed a line from The Great One and said it doesn’t matter.
Billie Kay interrupted MVP and believes she’ll make a great addition to The Hurt Business. MVP agreed and said that her voice is hurting his ears. He took her resume and walked off.
They recapped Lacey Evans announcing her pregnancy on Raw last Monday. Caruso asked about the identity of the father. Booker doesn’t want to count out Ric Flair as the father.
Sonya Deville joined the panel, and they discussed Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler against Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair. The Street Profits joined the panel and wondered when they’d get a tag team title shot.
Deville was furious that they’re approaching her during the panel. She told them to meet her in her office later.
Fatal-Four Way: John Morrison defeated Ricochet, Mustafa Ali (w/Retribution), and Elias
This was a good four-way and pre-show match.
Ricochet rocked Ali with a dropkick at the bell. Morrison and Elias worked together against Ricochet. He fought back and sent them to the floor. Ricochet attempted a dive, but Ali cut him off.
In a cool spot, Ali jumped in and hit a neck breaker on Morrison as he hit an inverted DDT on Elias, who hit an inverted DDT on Ricochet at the same time. Elias hit a jumping knee on Ali, but Slapjack broke up the pin attempt.
Elias attempted a powerbomb on Ricochet, but Morrison hit a springboard kick on Elias to take over. Morrison was briefly in control until he missed Starship Pain on Ricochet.
Ricochet fired up and ran wild on the three heels. He hit a German suplex on Morrison, but Elias and Ali broke up the pin. Ali hit a Tornado DDT on Elias, but Ricochet hit a 450 splash on Ali for a near fall.
Ricochet attempted a dive, but Mace and T-Bar caught him. They then power bombed him into the ring post. Ali was laughing at Ricochet from the apron when Morrison rolled him up for the win.
Morrison is added to the U.S. title triple threat match later.
The panel ran down the rest of the lineup for tonight. They took a closer look at the Raw Elimination Chamber. Caruso brought up The Miz and possibly cashing-in on the WWE Champion after the Chamber.
Main Show
SmackDown Elimination Chamber: Daniel Bryan defeated Cesaro, Jey Uso, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and King Corbin
This was a fun Chamber match and told a good story.
As Sami Zayn entered his pod, the referee forced the documentary crew to the back. Zayn was furious the referee wouldn’t let them stay.
Daniel Bryan and Cesaro were the first two to start. Bryan attempted a leapfrog, but Cesaro caught him and hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near fall.
Bryan recovered and backdropped Cesaro to ringside. He followed up with a flying knee and missile dropkick for a near fall.
Cesaro fought back and rocked Bryan with a clothesline. He worked over Bryan’s knee.
Bryan locked on an armbar, but Cesaro countered into a near fall. Cesaro rocked Bryan with uppercuts and followed up with a delayed vertical suplex for a two-count.
King Corbin was the next one in the Chamber. He slammed Cesaro into the pod and beat him down.
Corbin missed a charge in the corner, and Bryan hit the running dropkicks on both. Cesaro avoided and hit a series of running uppercuts.
Corbin recovered and hit Deep Six on both. He then drove Bryan’s knee into Zayn’s pod. Corbin continued to target Bryan’s injured knee.
Sami Zayn was the next to enter the Chamber, but he wouldn’t let the door open. Corbin tried to get in, but Bryan attacked him from behind.
Zayn didn’t realize that the other side of the pod was open. Cesaro walked in and rocked Zayn with uppercuts. Zayn attempted the helluva kick outside the ring. Bryan moved, and Zayn kicked Kevin Owens’ pod.
Corbin took over and hit a superplex on Bryan. Zayn recovered and hit a tornado DDT at ringside on Cesaro. Zayn and Cesaro ended up on top of Uso’s pod. Cesaro rocked Zayn with a series of uppercuts. Zayn poked Cesaro in the eyes and climbed across the Chamber. Cesaro chased after him and knocked Zayn down.
Corbin briefly took over, but Cesaro fought back. He hit a twisting uppercut and the giant swing. Cesaro then locked on the sharpshooter to eliminate Corbin.
Kevin Owens was the next to enter the Chamber. Zayn tried to convince Owens to work together.
Owens attacked Zayn and sent him into a pod.
Owens ran wild on Cesaro. Bryan jumped on Owens back with a sleeper. Owens hit a senton on Cesaro with Bryan on his back.
Zayn and Owens fought on the top turnbuckle. Zayn attempted a crossbody, but Owens avoided and hit a superkick.
Owens then hit a cannonball on all four guys. Everyone then hit a big move on each other. Owens took over and hit a fisherman buster on Bryan for a near fall.
Jey Uso was the final entrant in the Chamber. Owens and Uso traded shots. Owens took over and sent Uso into one of the pods.
Owens hit a moonsault from the top of a pod onto the rest of the participants. Owens then hit a stunner on Bryan and Cesaro. Zayn attempted the helluva kick, but Owens avoided and hit the stunner to eliminate Zayn.
As Zayn left the Chamber, Uso slammed the door on Owens’s arm and trapped him. Uso then hit a series of superkicks on Owens as he was trapped. He then hit the frog splash to eliminate Owens.
Uso attempted a dive, but Cesaro rocked him with an uppercut. He followed up with an elbow from the top for a near fall. Cesaro then swung Uso into the side of the Chamber.
Bryan and Cesaro traded shots in the middle of the ring. Cesaro attempted an uppercut, but Bryan countered with a backslide for a near fall.
Bryan set up for the running knee, but Cesaro reversed with the torture rack. Bryan rolled up Cesaro for a near fall. Bryan climbed to the top, but Cesaro cut him off with an uppercut. Cesaro then hit a gutbuster from the top rope.
Cesaro gave Bryan a one-leg giant swing, but Uso rocked Cesaro with a superkick. He followed up with a frog splash to eliminate Cesaro.
Uso hit the frog splash on Bryan for a near fall. Uso then attempted the frog splash from the top of the pod, but Bryan moved. He then hit the running knee on Uso to win the Elimination Chamber.
WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) defeated Daniel Bryan to retain
There wasn’t much to this match. Bryan could barely get to his feet, and Reigns dominated. The focus was more on Edge’s post-match attack and decision.
Bryan struggled to get to his feet, but he ensured the referee he’s ready. Reigns went for a spear, but Bryan countered with the Yes Lock.
Reigns powered out and slammed Bryan down to take over. Reigns continued to beat down Bryan and then locked on the guillotine for the win.
Reigns was posing with the title after the match when Edge jumped in the ring and spared Reigns. Edge whispered something to Reigns. He then pointed at the WrestleMania sign, and pyro went off.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves assumed that’s Edge’s way of choosing Reigns for the WrestleMania 37 main event.
In the back, Sonya Deville spoke with 24/7 Champion Bad Bunny. The Miz approached and noted he saw Bad Bunny on Saturday Night Live last night. He mocked Miz for not being a champion.
Miz shoved him, and Bad Bunny responded with a slap to the face. Miz turned around, and Damien Priest was standing in the way.
Triple Threat: Riddle defeated Bobby Lashley (w/MVP) and John Morrison to win the United States Championship
This was a good match but followed the typical triple threat formula.
MVP came out with a crutch due to his injury.
Lashley dominated the early part of the match. He tossed Riddle to the floor and knocked Morrison off the apron. Lashley picked up Morrison in the torture rack and ran him head-first into the ring post.
Riddle tried to jump off the steps, but Lashley caught him and gave him a huge suplex. Lashley attempted a suplex, but Morrison saved Riddle. They tried working together, but Lashley quickly took them out.
Riddle and Morrison spoke on the floor and came up with a game plan. They worked together again, but Lashley quickly recovered. Lashley beat down both Morrison and Riddle.
Lashley charged at Riddle, but he avoided and sent him to the floor. Morrison hit a dive onto Lashley. Riddle then hit a dive as well. Morrison took over and pushed Riddle into the ring post.
Riddle hit a running forearm on Morrison and followed up with a suplex. Riddle missed a standing moonsault but hit the broton.
Riddle caught Lashley with the flash knee and the floating bro. Morrison tossed Riddle to ringside and hit Starship pain for a near fall.
MVP mocked Morrison for thinking he could win. Morrison got in MVP’s face and grabbed the crutch. Lashley avoided the crutch and caught Morrison with the Hurt Lock.
Riddle jumped in the ring and broke the crutch over Lashley’s back. Riddle then hit the Bro Derek on Morrison to win the U.S. title.
Michael Cole confirmed that Edge challenges Universal Champion Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 37.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defeated SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair to retain
This was a fine match.
On commentary, Corey Graves pushed the idea that Belair can’t trust Banks.
They recapped Reginald pinning Jax on SmackDown. Before the match, Kayla Braxton interviewed Banks and Belair. Reginald interrupted and promised to get his best champagne ready.
The faces had the early advantage. Jax caught Banks and threw her, but Belair caught her. Belair then rocked Jax with Banks’ legs.
The heels took over and isolated Banks in their corner. Baszler slowed the pace down and worked over Banks’ arm.
Banks fought back and attempted a series of pin attempts on Baszler. Banks then hit a frog splash on Baszler for a close near fall.
Banks rocked Baszler with a knee, and Belair hit the KOD, but Jax broke up the pin attempt.
Belair attempted to lift Jax, but she countered with a slam. Jax then hit a Samoan Drop on Belair, but Banks made the blind tag. Banks hit the Meteora for a close near fall.
Reginald came to ringside with a bottle of champagne. Banks locked on the Bank Statement on Jax, but she broke free.
Reginald threw the bottle to Banks, but she refused to use it. Jax then jumped Banks from behind and hit the Samoan Drop for the win.
In the back, MVP spoke with The Miz.
Raw Elimination Chamber: WWE Champion Drew McIntrye defeated Sheamus, Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton, Kofi Kingston, and AJ Styles (w/Omos)
This was a good Chamber match. It started slow but picked up towards the end and had an awesome finish.
Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy were the first two to start the Chamber. They started at a slow pace. Orton had the early advantage, but Hardy fought back. Orton regained control with a poke to the eye.
Orton slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Hardy recovered and hit a second rope splash for a near fall.
Drew McIntyre was the first entrant. He ran wild on Hardy and Orton. McIntrye sent Hardy across the ring with a suplex and hit a neck breaker on Orton.
McIntrye threw Orton into the Chamber. He then sent Hardy headfirst into Kofi’s pod. McIntyre yelled at the cameraman to move, but he didn’t. Orton caught McIntrye with the draping DDT to take over.
Kingston was the next entrant in the Chamber. Kingston and Orton traded hard shots in the middle of the ring. In a surprise, Kingston rolled up Orton to eliminate him.
Orton snapped and hit an RKO on Hardy and Kingston. Styles then had Omos break the pod so Styles could get in the Chamber sooner. Styles scored near falls on Kingston and Hardy.
Adam Pearce came out and ordered Omos to the back. Styles isolated Kingston and tossed him out of the ring.
Kingston fought back and gave Styles a monkey flip into the side of the Chamber.
McIntrye took over and caught Kingston with a suplex for a near fall. They fought around ringside. McIntrye gave Kingston a suplex into the side of the Chamber. McIntrye then focused on Styles and gave him a huge back-body drop.
Sheamus was the final entrant. McIntrye and Sheamus traded hard shots in the middle of the ring. McIntryre charged at Sheamus, and they both went over the ropes. Styles and Kingston brawled on the other side of the ring.
Sheamus and McIntrye continued to trade hard shots. Styles threw Kingston, but he ran up the corner and dove onto McIntrye and Sheamus.
Sheamus and Kingston fought on the top turnbuckle. Kingston ended up on top of a pod. Sheamus tried to stop him, but McIntyre cut him off. McIntrye gave Sheamus a superplex as Styles and Hardy gave them a double powerbomb.
Kingston then dove off the top of the pod onto all four wrestlers in the ring. Kingston rocked Sheamus with a boot to the face. He attempted a dive, but Sheamus caught him. Kingston escaped out the back, but Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick to eliminate Kingston.
Hardy ran wild and hit the twist of fate on McIntrye for a near fall. He hit a twist of fate on Styles and set up for the Swanton Bomb off the pod. Styles rolled out of the way, so Hardy adjusted and hit whisper in the wind onto McIntyre and Sheamus.
Hardy then hit the Swanton Bomb on Styles, but McIntrye hit the Claymore on Hardy to eliminate him.
Sheamus then scored a close near fall on McIntyre. McIntyre hit the Glasgow Kiss on Sheamus, but he recovered and hit White Noise.
Styles attempted a springboard 450, but McIntrye might have been too close to the rope. Instead, Styles hit a Swanton Bomb type of move. Styles then hit the springboard 450 on McIntrye for a close near fall.
Sheamus turned his attention to Styles. He was frustrated that Syles didn’t eliminate McIntyre. Sheamus set up for the Brogue Kick on Styles, but McIntyre hit the Future Shock DDT.
McIntrye went for the Claymore, but Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick. Suddenly, Styles hit the Phenomenal Forearm on Sheamus to eliminate him.
In an excellent finish, Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm, but McIntrye countered with the Claymore in mid-air to retain the title in the Elimination Chamber.
After the match, Bobby Lashley jumped McIntryre as he was celebrating. Lashley viciously beat down McIntrye around ringside. He threw McIntrye in the ring and locked on the Hurt Lock.
The Miz defeated Drew McIntrye to win the WWE Championship
The Miz then ran out with a referee and cashed-in his Money In The Bank contract.
McIntrye struggled to get to his feet. Miz attacked McIntrye and hit a DDT for a near fall. He then hit the Skull Crushing finale to win the title.
Miz celebrated with the title to end Elimination Chamber.
