Tag: elimination chamber

Raquel Rodriguez competed at WWE Elimination Chamber despite MCAS flare-up

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Despite her mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) flaring up, Raquel Rodriguez competed at WWE Elimination Chamber.

Rodriguez was one of the participants in the women’s Elimination Chamber match in Australia on Saturday. Becky Lynch won the match and will challenge Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 40.

In an Instagram post after the event, Rodriguez revealed that her MCAS flared up on the flight to Perth. Rodriguez’s face turned swollen and pink, but she was still able to compete as scheduled. Rodriguez expressed her appreciation for WWE’s medical team. She also thanked her family and friends for checking in on her:

If you had told me that on the long flight to Perth Australia for the first time it was gonna blow my face up and turn me the same color as my pink satin pillow case (might have been the makeup on Monday too) I would have still jumped on that flight! Maybe my trip didn’t go as planned but I’m still learning this new body of mine. A big part of being a female Wrestler for WWE is getting to sit in that makeup chair with our amazing makeup team who I love so much and getting to get dolled up. It’s part of being a girl. It’s part of feeling fully the part. At the end of the night, I’m proud I went out there Alicia Keys style. Even if this trip didn’t go as planned I am still grateful that I was blessed to be in Elimination Chamber in Perth Australia with 5 other talented women! And I got to hug a koala bear so it was a win for me thank you so much to the lovely Vanessa of @lymphaticmassageperth for seeing me last minute 3 times to help me feel my best for the chamber. Your grace, kindness and knowledge was a Godsend

Thank you to @westozwildlife for the hugs and animal love! A big thank you to the entire WWE medical team! And so much love to my family & friends for the late and early phone calls, prayers and constantly checking on me los amo! On to a long flight home

Before returning on Raw this past Monday, Rodriguez had been out of action since December due to MCAS. Rodriguez won a battle royal on Raw to become the final participant to qualify for the women’s Elimination Chamber match.

Rodriguez noted after her return that she had finally gotten some answers about what caused the MCAS, but it’s going to be a while until she can get the condition fully under control.

MCAS “is a condition that causes mast cells to release an inappropriate amount of chemicals into your body. This causes allergy symptoms and a wide range of other symptoms.”

Lynch, Rodriguez, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Naomi, and Tiffany Stratton were the six wrestlers who took part in the women’s Elimination Chamber match.

Rhea Ripley thanks Australia after WWE Elimination Chamber homecoming

Posted on by Joseph Currier

At Elimination Chamber in Australia on Saturday, Rhea Ripley had a successful homecoming.

Ripley retained her Women’s World Championship by defeating Nia Jax in the main event of Elimination Chamber. After delivering a superplex near the end of the match, Ripley lifted up Jax and hit Riptide to get the victory.

Ripley’s family, including her mother, father, and sister, were in the front row for the main event. It was said on commentary that Ripley had 13 family members there.

After the show ended, Ripley sent out a tweet thanking Australia:

Paul “Triple H” Levesque also made a post praising Ripley, calling her a main event superstar anywhere in the world:

Ripley’s Judgment Day stablemate Dominik Mysterio wrote:

The Women’s World Championship match for WrestleMania 40 is now set following Elimination Chamber. It will be Ripley vs. Becky Lynch for the title at WrestleMania. Lynch defeated Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, Raquel Rodriguez, Tiffany Stratton, and Naomi in the women’s Elimination Chamber match on Saturday.

In an emotional post-show interview, Ripley reflected on her Elimination Chamber homecoming. Ripley also addressed her upcoming match against Lynch. Ripley called facing Lynch at WrestleMania a “bucket list moment.”

Cody Rhodes issues challenge to The Rock at WWE Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Cody Rhodes has laid out a challenge to The Rock ahead of WrestleMania 40.

During Elimination Chamber on Saturday, Rhodes and Seth Rollins appeared together on the Grayson Waller Effect. Rhodes declared that he wants to face The Rock one-on-one. Rollins said he admires Rhodes’ challenge, but there’s no such thing as one-on-one when it comes to The Bloodline. Rollins promised that he’ll have Rhodes’ back.

Rhodes: Rock, you indeed slapped me across the face. And at WrestleMania 40 I am wrestling Roman Reigns in the main event. But until then, I am wide open. So let’s make it official: Rock, I want to wrestle you one-on-one, anytime, any place.

Rollins: What do you say, Perth? I think it’s time we cut the head off the snake once and for all. Cody, I admire your challenge to The Rock. But when it comes to The Bloodline, you know, the entire world knows, there is no such thing as one-on-one. So if and when The Rock decides to take you up on that challenge, just know you won’t be fighting that battle alone.

The Rock wasn’t at Elimination Chamber. He’ll be on SmackDown next Friday (March 1) to respond to the challenge. It will be Rock’s first appearance since officially joining The Bloodline last week. Rock called himself and Roman Reigns the most dominant duo in sports and entertainment.

Rhodes and Rollins’ appearance on the Grayson Waller Effect ended with them laying out Austin Theory as Grayson Waller watched on.

During the segment, Rollins announced that he’s “just days away” from being cleared to return to the ring. Rollins suffered a torn MCL and partially torn meniscus while facing Jinder Mahal on Raw last month.

Reigns vs. Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship has been made official for WrestleMania 40. Rollins will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre.

WrestleMania 40 is a two-night event that’s taking place on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7.

CM Punk comments on missing WWE Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Joseph Currier

If it wasn’t for his triceps injury, CM Punk would have been in Australia on Saturday competing at Elimination Chamber.

Punk had been announced for Elimination Chamber and was planned to be one of the participants in the men’s Elimination Chamber match. Punk was supposed to win the match, setting him up as Seth Rollins’ World Heavyweight Championship challenger for WrestleMania 40.

But Punk suffered a torn triceps in the Royal Rumble and will likely be out of action for 6-8 months. Punk has vowed that his comeback will be the greatest of all time.

On his Instagram stories, Punk commented on having to miss Elimination Chamber. Punk said it was a rough day mentally. He wishes he was in Australia performing for the fans. Punk told the fans to enjoy the show and that he appreciates them:

Had a rough day mentally today. My heart and spirit are in Perth. Just a hard day staying positive and nobody wishes I was there performing for the fans more than me. Enjoy the show, appreciate you all.

Rollins’ WrestleMania challenger will now be Drew McIntyre. McIntyre defeated Randy Orton, Logan Paul, Kevin Owens, LA Knight, and Bobby Lashley in the men’s Elimination Chamber match on Saturday.

WWE has set up a Punk vs. McIntyre feud for when Punk is able to return to the ring. While Punk was addressing his injury last month, McIntyre attacked Punk and targeted his triceps.

Bronson Reed explains not being at WWE Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With Elimination Chamber being held in Australia, the event includes big moments for some hometown stars.

Rhea Ripley will have one of the highlights of her career as she defends the Women’s World Championship against Nia Jax in her home country. Grayson Waller is hosting a Grayson Waller Effect segment with Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins. And Indi Hartwell was involved in a Women’s Tag Team title match on the pre-show.

But Bronson Reed is one Australian wrestler not featured. Reed was left off the card after losing an Elimination Chamber qualifying match to Bobby Lashley.

In a social media post during Saturday’s event, Reed explained that he was originally supposed to be on Elimination Chamber, but plans changed. Reed revealed that his wife has given birth to their first child:

FULL DISCLOSURE:

Originally, I was set to be at #WWEChamber 

It would have been an incredible moment. Unfortunately, plans changed.

But everything happens for a reason. My wife and I have had our baby early, I was supposed to miss the PLE to make sure I’m here for my family.

Thank you for all your support. To all my friends and family who have reached out.

To @TripleH for guiding me.

Now I’m not just BIG … I AM BIG, POPPA!

Paul “Triple H” Levesque responded to Reed by congratulating him:

Congratulations @BRONSONISHERE. Family is everything and fatherhood is amazing. I am proud of you for not only your work, but for the journey you’re now embarking on. Enjoy every moment.

You’re exactly where you needed to be!

Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, Lashley, LA Knight, Kevin Owens, and Logan Paul are the competitors in Saturday’s men’s Elimination Chamber match. The winner receives a World Heavyweight Championship shot against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40.

Pirates impacted WWE’s travel plans for Elimination Chamber cage

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE’s travel plans for Elimination Chamber were impacted by real-life pirates.

While speaking at WWE’s Elimination Chamber press event, Michael Cole revealed that it took more than a month for the Elimination Chamber cage to get to Perth, Australia. The structure was supposed to be shipped through the Suez Canal in Egypt, but that couldn’t happen due to pirates. The cage was instead sent to Miami, shipped by truck to Los Angeles, sent to Sydney, Australia on a ship, and arrived in Perth on a train from Sydney.

Cole: A structure which took over a month to get here. Originally, it was supposed to ship through the Suez Canal, but pirates made sure that didn’t happen. So it was sent to Miami. It was then shipped by truck to Los Angeles, put on a ship to Sydney, sent on a train over here to Perth. And now the Elimination Chamber is being constructed as we speak right behind us in the stadium here in Perth.

Corey Graves: Did you say pirates, Cole?

Cole: Yes, pirates in the Suez Canal.

Graves: We had to endure actual piracy to get here to Perth.

Two Elimination Chamber matches are taking place at Saturday’s premium live event. The men’s winner earns a WrestleMania 40 title shot against World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. The women’s winner will challenge for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania.

Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, Bobby Lashley, LA Knight, Kevin Owens, and Logan Paul are the men’s Chamber participants.

Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, Naomi, and Raquel Rodriguez are the women’s participants.

Rhea Ripley currently holds the Women’s World Championship and is defending the title against Nia Jax at Elimination Chamber.

Elimination Chamber streams live on Peacock starting at 5 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday (February 24). The event is taking place from Optus Stadium in Perth.

Wrestling Observer Radio: Steve McMichael, Oku vs. Ospreay, RAW with Mania and Chamber build

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including great Steve McMichael news, a major anniversary in Japanese wrestling history, Michael Oku vs. Will Ospreay, FantasticaMania, line-ups for the next few days, the RAW Report with a lot of build towards Chamber and Mania, and more. A packed show, so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: A big weekend ahead

2:54: Steve McMichael update

5:20: 70th anniversary of Rikidozan & Kimura vs. Sharpe Brothers, a question on which promoter would be the the best leader of their country

11:40: WWE’s house show in Fresno does big business

17:04: Dave’s thoughts on Will Ospreay vs. Michael Oku from RevPro High Stakes

28:36: Dave’s NJPW/CMLL Fantasticamania thoughts

31:15: NXT & AEW Dynamite lineups

37:05: WWE Raw recap

1:01:18: Q&A question on Funks vs. Pirata Morgan and El Egipcio from AJPW, Dave’s thoughts on Friday’s WOR

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WWE Elimination Chamber update: Men’s lineup set, one spot left in women’s match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

– We now know the full lineup for this year’s men’s Elimination Chamber match.

Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, Bobby Lashley, LA Knight, Kevin Owens, and Logan Paul will face off in the men’s Elimination Chamber match in Perth, Australia on Saturday, February 24. The winner earns a title shot against World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40.

Owens and Paul were the last two wrestlers to qualify, defeating Dominik Mysterio and The Miz in their respective matches on SmackDown tonight.

– Tiffany Stratton and Naomi also qualified for Elimination Chamber tonight. Stratton defeated Zelina Vega in her qualifying match, while Naomi won a qualifier against Alba Fyre.

Naomi was originally supposed to face Shotzi in the qualifier, but Shotzi had to be pulled after suffering a knee injury during an NXT taping earlier this week.

Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Stratton, and Naomi have qualified for the women’s Elimination Chamber match. There’s only one spot remaining. A last-chance battle royal on Raw this coming Monday is set to determine the final participant.

The women’s Chamber winner will challenge for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 40. Rhea Ripley, who currently holds the title, is defending against Nia Jax at Elimination Chamber.

Elimination Chamber takes place from Optus Stadium in Perth on February 24 and will stream live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at 5 a.m. Eastern time.

Here’s the updated card for the event:

  • Elimination Chamber match to determine World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins’ WrestleMania 40 challenger (Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. Bobby Lashley vs. LA Knight vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul)
  • Elimination Chamber match to determine Women’s World Championship challenger for WrestleMania 40 (Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. one wrestler to be determined)
  • Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Nia Jax
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor) defend against Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate
  • The Grayson Waller Effect with Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins

Tag Team title match official for WWE Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate are heading to Australia for a clash against The Judgment Day.

Damian Priest & Finn Balor will defend their Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles against Dunne & Bate at Elimination Chamber in Perth on Saturday, February 24. Dunne & Bate earned the title shot with a victory over DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) on SmackDown tonight.

WWE began a mini-tournament last week to determine Judgment Day’s Elimination Chamber challengers. Dunne & Bate and DIY both won fatal four-way matches to advance to tonight’s number one contender’s bout. 

After Bate took out Ciampa with a dive to the outside, Dunne hit the Bitter End on Gargano and pinned him to get the victory.

Dunne & Bate reunited when Bate was called up to the SmackDown roster last month. Shortly after that, Dunne had his name changed from Butch back to Pete Dunne.

The updated Elimination Chamber card is listed below:

  • Elimination Chamber match to determine World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins’ WrestleMania 40 challenger (Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. four wrestlers to be determined)
  • Elimination Chamber match to determine Women’s World Championship challenger for WrestleMania 40 (Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. four wrestlers to be determined)
  • Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Nia Jax
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor) defend against Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate

Elimination Chamber qualifying match set for WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Ethan Renner

An Elimination Chamber qualifying match has been added to the Friday, February 9 WWE SmackDown lineup. 

WWE revealed during Thursday’s WrestleMania Kickoff event that Bianca Belair will face Michin on SmackDown in an Elimination Chamber qualifier. The Elimination Chamber event takes place on Saturday, February 24, with a women’s Chamber match announced for the show. The Chamber match winner will challenge the Women’s World Champion at WrestleMania 40. 

Becky Lynch became the first to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match on this week’s Raw with a win over Shayna Baszler. Liv Morgan vs. Zoey Stark will square off in a qualifying match on the Monday, February 12 Raw. 

Another match with Elimination Chamber implications is already set for SmackDown, with Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne facing DIY’s Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa for the right to challenge Finn Balor & Damian Priest for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles at Elimination Chamber. 

Additionally, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis will announce Logan Paul’s United States Championship challenger for Elimination Chamber on Friday’s show. 

The updated lineup for the Friday, February 9 WWE SmackDown: 

  • Number one contenders match, winners challenge for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship at Elimination Chamber: Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne vs. DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa)
  • Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Bianca Belair vs. Michin
  • SmackDown GM Nick Aldis chooses Logan Paul’s United States Championship challenger for Elimination Chamber

Judgment Day to defend Tag Team titles at WWE Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE’s Elimination Chamber premium live event will include a Tag Team title defense by The Judgment Day.

On SmackDown tonight, WWE started a mini-tournament to decide Judgment Day’s next challengers. The team that wins the tournament will challenge Damian Priest & Finn Balor for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles at Elimination Chamber in Perth, Australia on Saturday, February 24.

Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate advanced in the tournament by defeating Pretty Deadly, Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro, and Angel & Humberto in a fatal four-way match on SmackDown.

Another four-way match will take place on Raw this Monday (February 5). The team that wins that match will advance to face Dunne & Bate on SmackDown next Friday (February 9) to determine Judgment Day’s challengers for Elimination Chamber.

WWE hasn’t announced the teams that will be competing in Monday’s four-way bout.

Priest & Balor have held the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles since October. They retained against Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa on Raw earlier this week.

Optus Stadium in Perth is hosting Elimination Chamber. It will stream live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at 5 a.m. Eastern time/2 a.m. Pacific on February 24.

Cody Rhodes appearance confirmed for WWE Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Cody Rhodes will be making the trip when WWE travels to Australia for Elimination Chamber.

WWE Elimination Chamber is being held at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia on Saturday, February 24. While sharing his schedule for February today, Rhodes confirmed that he’ll be appearing at the Chamber event.

Elimination Chamber is WWE’s last premium live event before WrestleMania 40. After going back-to-back with Royal Rumble wins, Rhodes is set to headline his second straight WrestleMania.

Following his Rumble win, Rhodes indicated that he’ll again challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania. But WWE hasn’t made that official yet. There was a segment on Raw this week where World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins stated his case for Rhodes to challenge him at WrestleMania. Rhodes told Rollins that he respects him and will think about it.

Rollins vs. CM Punk was originally scheduled for WrestleMania, but that won’t be happening due to Punk’s torn triceps.

Rhodes and Reigns are both set to appear on SmackDown this Friday.

No matches have been announced for Elimination Chamber yet. The show will air live on Peacock starting at 5 a.m. Eastern time/2 a.m. Pacific on February 24.

WWE confirms early morning start time for Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Elimination Chamber 2024 will officially have an early start time for viewers in the United States.

On Friday, Paul “Triple H” Levesque revealed the poster for Elimination Chamber. It lists that the premium live event will air live on Peacock starting at 5 a.m. Eastern time/2 a.m. Pacific on Saturday, February 24.

Elimination Chamber is taking place from Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia. Australia native Rhea Ripley is featured on the poster.

Dave Meltzer first reported last September that Elimination Chamber would have an early morning start time.

No matches have been announced for Elimination Chamber yet. WWE has confirmed that CM Punk and Logan Paul will be appearing at the show.

It doesn’t look like Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns will be appearing at Elimination Chamber. Meltzer wrote last week that Reigns has never been advertised for Elimination Chamber and there are no plans for him to be added to the show right now.

Elimination Chamber is WWE’s last PLE before WrestleMania 40. It follows the Royal Rumble which is being held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida on Saturday, January 27.

Roman Reigns not scheduled for WWE Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Joseph Currier

It doesn’t look like Australia will be the venue for Roman Reigns vs. The Rock.

While there has been speculation that the Reigns vs. Rock match could take place at Elimination Chamber, Dave Meltzer reports in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Reigns isn’t scheduled for the event and there are no plans for him to be added right now. The show is being held at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia on Saturday, February 24.

Meltzer wrote:

Regarding the Reigns vs. Rock match, while I presume it’s WrestleMania (and could possibly be a three-way with Rhodes but I don’t think that will come out until many weeks from now), what we did have confirmed is the Australia rumors aren’t accurate. Reigns is not even scheduled for the show. He’s never been advertised and there are no plans for him for that date right now.

The Rock made a surprise return to WWE on the Day 1 edition of Raw. At the end of his appearance, Rock teased that he wants to face Reigns and take his spot at the Head of the Table.

Paul Heyman cut a promo on SmackDown last week responding to The Rock’s comments. Heyman said Rock hasn’t been invited to the table, nor will he be.

A Reigns vs. Rock match was planned for WrestleMania 39 last year at one point but didn’t end up happening. Instead, Reigns retained his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Cody Rhodes.

Rhodes told Sports Illustrated earlier this week that, despite the returns of The Rock and CM Punk, he isn’t flinching on his goal of headlining WrestleMania 40 against Reigns.

“The Rock is The Great One–he’s still electrifying,” Rhodes said. “CM Punk is one of the greatest stars in the history of wrestling. I know what I’m up against. Look at the roster–it’s loaded with stars. But that doesn’t bother me. I’m not flinching. I’m not rooting against anyone else, I’m just working to make it happen.”

WrestleMania 40 is taking place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7.

Reigns’ next Undisputed WWE Universal Championship defense will be at the Royal Rumble later this month. He’s defending against Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles in a fatal four-way match.

Logan Paul announced for WWE Elimination Chamber 2024

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Logan Paul will be in action when WWE comes to Perth, Western Australia in February 2024.

WWE has announced that Paul will be appearing at Elimination Chamber 2024, which is taking place from Optus Stadium in Perth. The premium live event is set for Saturday, February 24.

“Australia I’m coming back,” Paul wrote on X.

Elimination Chamber is the first major WWE show to be held in Australia since Melbourne hosted Super Show-Down in 2018. The Elimination Chamber event is in partnership with the Western Australian Government through Tourism Western Australia.

In what was his eighth-ever pro wrestling match, Paul captured his first championship gold at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia earlier this month. Paul defeated Rey Mysterio to win the United States Championship.

Paul vs. Mysterio happened just three weeks after Paul defeated Dillon Danis in a boxing match.

Crown Jewel was Paul’s fifth WWE match of 2023. He also competed at the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, Money in the Bank, and SummerSlam.

Dave Meltzer has reported that, with the show taking place in Australia, Elimination Chamber is expected to have an early start time on Peacock for those in the United States.

Tickets for Elimination Chamber went on sale to the general public on November 10.