Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including more on the Cody Rhodes situation, Buddy Matthews and AEW, WWE in Saudi this weekend, plus New Japan and AAA shows, AEW and NXT 2.0 reviews, ratings and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: More questions on Cody Rhodes
19:30: Buddy Matthews reportedly heading to AEW
21:32: Elimination Chamber card rundown
25:46: NJPW, AAA, UFC card rundowns
35:26: MMA notes on Bellator heading to San Jose, Mike Swick battling cancer
A tag team match has been added to next Saturday’s WWE Elimination Chamber event.
Ronda Rousey will team up with Naomi to take on the team of Charlotte Flair and Sonya Deville. This follows what happened at the end of tonight’s SmackDown, where Rousey made the save for Naomi after Charlotte and Sonya took her out.
Tonight’s SmackDown had Charlotte defeat Naomi in a match for the SmackDown Women’s title. After the match, Sonya Deville taunted Naomi about the loss. After Naomi slapped Deville, Charlotte attacked Naomi as she and Deville continued to beat down Naomi until Rousey made the save.
After the show, WWE’s social media confirmed the new match.
Deville had attempted to suspend Rousey at the start of SmackDown after Rousey put Deville in an armbar on last week’s show. Adam Pearce came out and read a letter from Vince McMahon, saying that Deville had abused her power and threatened her job if she interfered in the Women’s title match.
In an interview with Ring The Belle, WWE Hall of Famer Lita explained why she’s wrestling in Saudi Arabia despite previously criticizing WWE’s relationship with the country.
Lita will challenge Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship at WWE’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 19. Lita told Ring the Belle that women now being able to wrestle in Saudi Arabia, along with positive experiences she’s heard from other talent, made wrestling there an opportunity she wanted to take.
So I will say I was outspoken on the early relationship between WWE and Saudi. ‘Oh, they say they want women to wrestle over there, but like, I don’t know if I believe it. There’s no women on this card.’ There’s women on the card [now] — and I’ve talked to the women personally that have been over there. And they’re like, ‘It’s unbelievable. There are women crying, never thinking they would get to see two women be so strong in the ring.’ They’re like, ‘It’s really powerful. You’re gonna enjoy that.’ And so, sure, do they have a long way to go? Do we as a society have a long way to go? Absolutely, but you’ve got to take the opportunities when they’re there.
Lita had said in a 2018 interview with WrestleZone that she thought WWE’s relationship with the Saudi government was a “direct conflict of interest” with the promotion’s efforts to push forward women’s wrestling.
“I understand that they are a business, a global business and they are always looking to expand their global presence. However, I do feel this was a direct conflict of interest with them maintaining any integrity or truth to the fact that they say they would like to push forward women, their roles and their reputations in this business as anything resembling equal to a male,” Lita said in the May 2018 interview.
“Make the money, that’s fine, but don’t try to cover it up. Don’t say, ‘No, we are doing this because in the future we would like to help progress their culture forward!’ No, you want the money, you’re a business and businesses make money. That’s okay. From my perspective over here, I don’t own your business so that’s your call. From a PR perspective don’t say you are doing it because, ‘We want to help progress that culture forward.’ No, it’s a direct conflict of interest, in my opinion.”
This year’s Elimination Chamber will be WWE’s seventh event in Saudi Arabia since the company’s 10-year deal with the Saudi government began in 2018. WWE’s first women’s match in Saudi Arabia took place in October 2019.
Lynch vs. Lita was set up for the Elimination Chamber when Lita confronted Lynch on the post-Royal Rumble episode of Raw. Lita was also an entrant in this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match.
Lita told Ring The Belle that she was initially supposed to go home after the Royal Rumble, but WWE asked her if she wanted to wrestle Lynch.
Lita was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014.
Lita’s full interview with Ring The Belle can be seen below:
A second Elimination Chamber match has been added to this month’s pay-per-view.
WWE has announced that Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Doudrop, and Nikki A.S.H. will compete in an Elimination Chamber match at the Saturday, February 19 Elimination Chamber PPV. There’s also a silhouetted sixth participant included on the graphic for the match whose identity has yet to be revealed.
The winner of the Chamber match will challenge for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 38 this April. Becky Lynch currently holds the title and is defending it against Lita at the Elimination Chamber.
Morgan and Doudrop have both unsuccessfully challenged for Lynch’s title in recent weeks. Doudrop got her title shot at the Royal Rumble by defeating Morgan and Belair in a number one contender’s match. During that triple threat match, Lynch interfered to prevent Belair from winning.
This year’s Elimination Chamber PPV is taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Here’s the updated card for the show:
Elimination Chamber match: WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins, Austin Theory, Riddle, and AJ Styles
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Goldberg
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Lita
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) defend against The Viking Raiders (Ivar & Erik)
Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss
Elimination Chamber match: Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Doudrop vs. Nikki A.S.H. vs. ? (winner will challenge for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania)
Andrew Zarian, Denise Salcedo and I are back to talk about the fallout of the Royal Rumble, including the reporting on the backstage chaos during the show.
We look at the booking for the Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania, especially surrounding Ronda Rousey.
We then preview AEW Dynamite.
This is the last episode with Denise as a regular, but she’ll be back as a guest in the future.
Enjoy the latest We’re Live, Pal in podcast form or on YouTube.
Ronda Rousey returned to the show, teasing that she would reveal her WrestleMania opponent after winning Saturday’s women’s Royal Rumble match. Instead, Rousey hit Lynch with a judo thrown and told her that she will reveal whether she will challenge Lynch or SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair on Friday’s SmackDown episode.
After Rousey left Lynch laying, Lita’s music hit, and the WWE Hall of Famer entered, wearing Becky Lynch merchandise.
She said that while Rousey may not be ready to challenge Lynch, Lita was always up for a challenge, then challenged Lynch. After initially begging off, Lynch agreed to the match for Saudi Arabia.
An elimination chamber match for the WWE Championship was also announced on tonight’s show. Here is the lineup so far:
WWE Elimination Chamber, Saturday, February 12, 12 p.m. Eastern time —
WWE Championship elimination chamber match: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. AJ Styles vs. Riddle vs. Austin Theory
WWE Raw Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lita
Brock Lesnar will challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 38 this April. The two-night event is being held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3.
WWE hasn’t announced which night Reigns vs. Lesnar will be taking place on, but Dave Meltzer has reported that it’s scheduled to headline night two.
Lesnar was the winner of Saturday’s men’s Royal Rumble match. He entered the Rumble after Reigns cost him the WWE Championship earlier in the show. Bobby Lashley pinned Lesnar to win the title after involvement by Reigns and Paul Heyman. Heyman betrayed Lesnar by giving Reigns the WWE title belt to use as a weapon.
In the opening segment of tonight’s Raw, Lesnar made his WrestleMania decision official. But Lesnar still wanted his rematch for the WWE Championship. After Lashley refused to face Lesnar tonight, it was announced that Lesnar will be part of the Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship at February’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. Lashley will defend his title against Lesnar and four other challengers.
Lesnar vowed that he would win the WWE Championship and that it would be title vs. title when he faces Reigns at WrestleMania.
The Elimination Chamber is taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 19.
New WWE Champion Bobby Lashley’s first title defense will take place inside of the Elimination Chamber.
An Elimination Chamber match with Lashley defending his WWE Championship has been made official for WWE’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 19. WWE has yet to confirm any of Lashley’s five challengers for the match.
Lashley became WWE Champion by defeating Brock Lesnar at Saturday’s Royal Rumble. Lashley defeated Lesnar after interference by Roman Reigns.
When there was a referee bump during the Lesnar vs. Lashley match, Reigns ran into the ring and speared Lesnar. Paul Heyman then betrayed Lesnar by giving Reigns the WWE Championship belt to use as a weapon. After Reigns laid out Lesnar with the title belt, Lashley pinned him to win the championship.
This is the second WWE Championship reign of Lashley’s career. He previously held the title from March 2021 to September 2021.
The Elimination Chamber PPV will begin at noon Eastern time on February 19. It’s the final WWE PPV before WrestleMania 38.
The build to Elimination Chamber will kick off on tonight’s Royal Rumble fallout edition of Raw. Lesnar, who won the men’s Royal Rumble match on Saturday, will be on the show to reveal which title he’s going to challenge for at WrestleMania. Lesnar is expected to face Reigns for the Universal Championship.
WWE has officially confirmed next month’s return to Saudi Arabia.
This year’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 19. The show will be held at the Jeddah Super Dome, which is “the world’s largest pillarless superdome.”
“The General Entertainment Authority, in cooperation with WWE, has announced that the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event will be held at the world’s largest pillarless superdome in Jeddah, on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. More details of the event will be announced in the coming weeks,” WWE wrote.
“The Elimination Chamber show complements the commitment of the General Entertainment Authority to provide the most famous international events and entertainment shows. This show was preceded by several previous partnerships with WWE to present international shows in the kingdom, which achieved remarkable local and international success, including the recent WWE Crown Jewel show in Riyadh Season 2021 and WWE Super ShowDown in the previous Riyadh Season in early 2020.”
Elimination Chamber will be WWE’s only PPV between the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania 38. There will be no WWE PPV in March.
The show taking place on a Saturday is a departure from recent Saudi events, which have been held on Thursdays.
This will be the seventh WWE event to be held in Saudi Arabia since the company’s 10-year deal with the Saudi government began in 2018. It’s the second time WWE has been back to Saudi Arabia since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Here’s WWE’s updated PPV schedule for the rest of the year:
Saturday, January 29: Royal Rumble at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri
Saturday, February 19: Elimination Chamber at Jeddah Super Dome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3: WrestleMania 38 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas
Sunday, May 8: Pay-per-view at Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island
Sunday, June 5: Pay-per-view at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois
Saturday, July 2: Money In The Bank at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday, July 30: SummerSlam at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee
Sunday, September 4: Pay-per-view at TBD location
October: TBA Saudi PPV
Saturday, November 26: Survivor Series at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
Garrett Gonzalez and I will be talking about the Observer Hall of Fame voting and the latest news for Wrestling Observer Radio later today. Bryan and I will be talking about UFC and the weekend wrestling shows tomorrow night.
The Hall of Fame issue of the Observer, one of the biggest of the year, is now out. We have a huge story on the balloting, including how many votes everyone got this year and last, all the first ballot Hall of Famers in history, the highest voting percentages in history, as well as how the candidates did with historians, reporters, wrestlers and retired wrestlers and industry professionals. We also have the most detailed look at the MLW lawsuit against WWE against WWE. We also look at the plans for WrestleMania and how they have changed, New Japan vs. NOAH, lots of AEW contract updates, the most four-star matches in 2021 and of all-time, a feature on Shozo “Strong” Kobayashi, one of the biggest stars in Japan of the 70s, Is there a WWE succession plan, injury updates and ticket sales.
The 2/19 PPV from Saudi Arabia will be the Elimination Chamber. They have been batting around ideas regarding changing the name. Elimination Chamber and Saudi Arabia kind of opens things up to potential ridicule and at one point today the plan was to call the match WrestleMania Chamber. At this point the name is “The Annual Elimination Chamber.”
Pro Wrestling NOAH announced Kaito Kiyomiya, Yoshinari Ogawa, Junta Miyawaki, Yoshiki Inamura, Kinya Okada, Yasutaka Yano, Super Crazy, Tadasuke, Daiki Inaba and Masato Tanaka are off Sunday’s show in Sendai. The reasons are either having tested positive or being in close contact with someone who did. Kiyomiya said that he tested positive. Tanaka didn’t test positive but was feeling very sick. The Sunday show airs on Wrestle Universe at 1 a.m. Eastern headlined by Katsuhiko Nakajima defending the GHC title against Masa Kitamiya
Smackdown tonight is from Omaha. They have better ticket sales than most shows in recent weeks. Announced is Sami Zayn doing his own stunt show to prove he can do things better than Johnny Knoxville. There will be a Seth Rollins-Roman Reigns face-to-face. Aliyah returns to face Natalya. Lita also returns to television on tonight’s show.
AEW Rampage tonight has Adam Cole vs. Trent Barreta, Andrew Everett vs . Shawn Spears, Leyla Hirsch & Red Velvet & Kris Statlander vs Penelope Ford & The Bunny & Nyla Rose, and Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy defend the tag titles against John Silver & Alex Reynolds. We were told this was great, better than anything on Dynamite.
The state of Yucatan in Mexico announced new restrictions including no massive public events until 2/15. Not sure what that means for the 1/30 tapings in Merida which was to feature FTR defending the AAA tag titles against somebody. It was originally Penta & Fenix but Fenix is injured. The local promoters has said they’ve been told they can still run the show saying the restrictions don’t apply to pro sports events. Penta tabbed it as 99 percent that Fenix won’t be able to wrestle by 1/30. All those in attendance have to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test. A KDNA promotion show in Monterrey tonight was canceled.(thanks to TheCubsFan)
We’re looking for reports this weekend from tonight’s Smackdown tapings in Omaha, tomorrow’s show in Fargo, ND and Sunday in Sioux Falls,SD to [email protected]
Demonic Flamita in his social media indicated he tested positive for COVID.
WWE
WWE will open Raw on Monday with a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. set to John Legend’s “Never Break.”
The Houston Chronicle has a story on independent wrestler Ninja Mack.
A story on J Robinson, the famed University of Minnesota wrestling coach who had Brock Lesnar, Shelton Benjamin and others on his teams over the years. He was also a college roommate of future pro wrestling star Gerald Brisco.
ISPW tonight in Totowa, NJ at the Totowa PAL with Danny Morrison, managed by Maven, against Bull James, plus Jimmy Hart, Matt Sydal, Crowbar, LSG and Cheeseburger appear.
IWA from Saturday night at the Sawtell, Australia RSL Club: Donnie Mako b Kai Drake, Party Juan b Jude London, Kingsley b Jessica Troy, Tree Hugger Luchi & Sam Osborne & Will Kiedis b Larry Kelly & Matt Call way & Phil Woods in an elimination match (thanks to Kirk Beat tie)
NFC on Saturday at 7 p.m. at The District in Atlanta with Shamel Findley vs. Romondo Scott.
Biff Busick, the former Oney Lorcan, returns to Beyond Wrestling on 2/4 at Fete Music in Providence, RI.
Matt Cardona appears for AIW Wrestling on 2/11 at the Odeon Concert Club in Cleveland, OH.
West Coast Pro streams live tonight on IWTV at 10 p.m. Eastern from South San Francisco:
Homicide vs. Jacob Fatu
Nicole Savoy vs. Masha Slamovich
Mike Bailey vs. Aramis vs. Rey Horus
Davey Richards vs.;Kevin Blackwood
AJ Gray vs. Juicy Finau
Bryan Keith vs. Vinnie Massaro
Titus Alexander vs. Adrian Quest vs. Kenny King vs. TJP
WWE is reportedly looking at bringing the Elimination Chamber to Saudi Arabia for their Saturday, February 19th event.
The news was reported by Fightful on Thursday and previously discussed by Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston last Sunday.
It’s unknown if the event will be branded as Elimination Chamber as has been the case since 2010 for those specific WWE pay-per-views.
The report stated there have been plans for the massive structure to be part of the February show since WWE’s return to Saudi Arabia last November.
News of the February show broke last week — the first-such Saturday show WWE will hold in the country since their partnership began.
First created in 2002, the Elimination Chamber match was part of that year’s Survivor Series and eventually was part of other PPVs until it got its own named PPV in 2010.
Since then, the event has been a yearly tradition held in February or March, save for 2016. When WWE released its PPV slate for 2022, the event wasn’t listed on the schedule but there was a TBA placeholder for February.
There has been 28 Chamber matches in WWE history with the first such-women’s match happening in February 2018.
The Miz cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Drew McIntyre, who had both taken a pounding in winning the Elimination Chamber and taken a second beating from Bobby Lashley to win the WWE title.
Miz’s second WWE title win, meaning he has held every major WWE men’s title at least twice, ended the 2/21 Elimination Chamber PPV and seems to shake up the scene.
Miz feels like a transitional champion, and they are doing everything possible to make you believe he’s going to lose the title on the 3/1 Raw to Lashley. Lashley has been booked like a monster, and one would come out of the PPV feeling that the title match for WrestleMania would be Lashley vs. McIntyre, particularly since Miz is still earmarked for the Miz & Morrison vs. Big Bunny & Damien Priest angle. There are many different ways to go, and a 3/21 PPV show, just three weeks before WrestleMania to shake things up.
Keith Lee is off tonight’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event.
WWE confirmed this afternoon on social media that Keith Lee would be unable to compete tonight, citing injuries sustained by Bobby Lashley’s attack two weeks ago on Raw. A fatal four way match will take place tonight on the pre-show prior to Elimination Chamber, with the winner facing Riddle and Lashley in a triple threat match for Lashley’s United States title. PWInsider originally reported this afternoon that Lee was off the event.
The participants for the fatal four way match include Mustafa Ali, Ricochet, Elias, and John Morrison.
The United States title match was set up two weeks ago on Raw when Keith Lee defeated Riddle. Lashley then came out and attacked both men, laying out Lee with steel stairs and putting Riddle in The Hurt Lock submission. It was later announced that both men would face Lashley in a triple threat match. On this past Monday’s Raw, it was mentioned on commentary that Lee may have been injured as a result of Lashley’s attack.
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.
**********
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.
