Tag: wwe elimination chamber

WWE Elimination Chamber live results: Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn

Posted on by Parker Klyn

Montreal hosts its first WWE pay-per-view since 2009 as Elimination Chamber takes place at the Bell Centre.

Hometown hero Sami Zayn will wrestle the biggest match of his career when he challenges Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in tonight’s main event. Zayn split from The Bloodline when he struck Reigns with a steel chair at the Royal Rumble last month.

Reigns has ordered The Usos not to show up in Montreal this weekend.

Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair will find out her WrestleMania challenger tonight. Asuka, Raquel Rodriguez, Liv Morgan, Nikki Cross, Natalya, and Carmella are competing in an Elimination Chamber match for the right to challenge Belair at WrestleMania.

The United States Championship will be on the line in tonight’s other Elimination Chamber match. Austin Theory defends against Seth Rollins, Johnny Gargano, Bronson Reed, Montez Ford, and Damian Priest.

Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley will look to settle their rivalry as they face off one-on-one for the third time ever. Plus, Edge & Beth Phoenix will be out for revenge as they take on Finn Balor & Rhea Ripley.

Elimination Chamber streams live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time. The pre-show begins at 7 p.m.

**********

Show Report —

Kayla Braxton, Wade Barrett, Kevin Patrick, and Peter Rosenberg were the pre-show panelists. It was the usual assortment of video packages and talking-head segments. Ariel Helwani joined for the final few minutes to talk about Montreal.

RAW Women’s Championship #1 Contender Elimination Chamber match: Asuka defeated Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya, Carmella, & Nikki Cross [19:25]

This was not good. The final four eliminations all happened within two minutes and there were, like, two high spots. Felt more like a slow-paced six-pack challenge than a brutal Elimination Chamber. Maybe Nikki was supposed to be in the final two but got injured? At least Asuka was the correct winner.

The winner faces Bianca Belair for the RAW Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 39.

Natalya and Liv Morgan were the first two competitors. Liv got the advantage early on, sending Natalya into the chamber wall, but Natalya avoided a running attack as Liv ran face-first into a pod. Raquel was next in, taking down Natalya with a clothesline. She stacked both opponents up in the corner and splashed them.

There was a spot where Raquel had both opponents caught, but Natalya maneuvered out with a sunset bomb into the fence. An inadvertent double-team facebuster on Raquel allowed Natalya to cover for two.

Next in was Nikki, and she got her customary run-wild sequence. She eventually climbed a pod and dove onto all three opponents with a crossbody. Carmella followed but immediately locked herself back in her pod. Raquel took care of that problem by busting Nikki through the plexiglass wall, then covering to eliminate Nikki.

Liv hit a sunset bomb off the top of a pod (out of nowhere) and Carmella covered for a good near fall. Asuka was the final entrant and she went right after Carmella before facing off with Raquel. She locked Raquel in an octopus hold, but Liv flew in with a missile dropkick for two.

Carmella stopped Liv from hitting Oblivion on Natalya, allowing the latter to lock on the Sharpshooter. She wouldn’t tap, so Asuka barred Liv’s arm and she passed out for the elimination. Natalya went for the Sharpshooter on Raquel, but Carmella cut her off with a superkick for the three count. A series of kicks allowed both Asuka and Carmella to eliminate Raquel — three eliminations in about a minute.

Asuka and Carmella were the final two and they traded cradles before Asuka applied an arm submission for the win.

**********

Bobby Lashley defeated Brock Lesnar via disqualification [4:38]

This was awesome until the laughably bad finish.

Lesnar immediately drove Lashley into the corner and tossed him with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Lashley fired back with two Spears and went for the Hurt Lock, which Brock blocked and turned into an F5 for a close near fall. A second F5 got two more. Lashley escaped a third F5 attempt and Speared Lesnar a third time. 

Lashley applied the Hurt Lock. The crowd was completely behind Lesnar as he fought to escape. Lesnar then just kicked his foot back for the low blow disqualification.

– After the match, Lesnar hit the official with an F5 and smashed Lashley with another one. He put a stamp on things by F5ing Lashley through the announcer’s table. He then put the referee through the carnage with a final F5.

**********

Ariel Helwani and Georges St-Pierre were shown in the crowd. Michael Cole referred to Helwani as “unbiased.”

**********

Edge & Beth Phoenix defeated Judgment Day (Finn Bálor & Rhea Ripley) (w/ Dominik Mysterio) [13:47]

I enjoyed this a lot. Both acts are hot, and Edge is a pro at sports entertainment drama-style matches. Beth was really good considering it’s been over a decade since she’s been a regular active wrestler.

This was typical mixed-tag rules — men vs. men, women vs. women. Beth had some sweet Bull Nakano makeup on. Edge out-maneuvered Bálor at the start. Beth and Rhea tagged in and had a nice power battle. Out on the floor, Beth whipped Rhea into the steel steps. Interference from Dominik allowed Rhea to trip Beth up on the top turnbuckle. Edge chased Dominik up the ramp but he quickly returned.

Beth started a comeback with a DDT, but just as she was about to make a tag, Bálor pulled Edge off the apron and hit a Final Cut on the floor. Beth came back with a superplex and finally reached Edge for the tag. Edge ran wild on Bálor, locking on an Edgecator as Beth did the same on Rhea. Dominik tossed Rhea brass knuckles and she subsequently struck Edge. Bálor covered, and Beth was supposed to break up the pin, but she came in a little late for an awkward near fall.

Bálor climbed the ropes, but Beth tossed Dominik into the ropes, knocking Bálor down. Both women got involved, powerbombing their male opponents. After a double clothesline, everyone was down. Rhea set Beth up for another con-chair-to, referencing their match last year, but Beth escaped and hit the Glam Slam. Back in the ring, Edge hit Edgecution and took out Dominik with a suicide dive. Bálor countered a Spear attempt into a sling blade.

Edge fired up with a Spear, then a Shatter Machine gave Edge and Beth the win.

**********

Roman Reigns was backstage with Paul Heyman drinking some C4 energy. Heyman put him over before the main event, encouraging him not to worry about the Montreal crowd.

**********

WWE United States Championship Elimination Chamber match: Austin Theory (c) defeated Seth “FREAKIN” Rollins, Johnny Gargano, Damian Priest, Bronson Reed, & Montez Ford [31:59]

Great chamber. Tons of hard-hitting action and violent spots — and everyone got to shine. The added bonus of Logan Paul, who’s just a natural at pro wrestling, made this really memorable too.

Rollins and Gargano kicked things off with a technical exchange. Rollins teased an early Pedigree, but Gargano escaped and landed a spear through the ropes. Theory was the next man in, and he used the chamber to beat down both opponents. Rollins and Gargano recovered and ping-ponged Theory back and forth with strikes. Theory tried to rekindle an alliance with his former compatriot in The Way, but Gargano wasn’t having it. Theory tried to lock himself in his pod, but Rollins and Gargano trapped him inside and beat him up.

Priest came in next, running wild on everyone. A raised flatliner on Gargano got two, then a Killswitch on Rollins got two more. Priest hit his step-up “dive” on Theory, which looked like it really hurt, then kicks on all opponents concluded a nice run of offense. Rollins cut Priest off with a superplex into a falcon arrow for two. 

Reed entered the match and of course took out everyone. He hit a double Samoan Drop on both Rollins and Gargano, then bounced Priest off the pod — it looked like it was supposed to break. Reed then landed a diving shoulder tackle on Theory. The last man in was Ford, who stopped Reed’s run of offense and planted Theory with a spinebuster. He went for a People’s Elbow, but Reed leveled him with a lariat.

There was a crazy spot where Gargano was on Reed’s shoulders. Rollins landed a diving clothesline, which turned Gargano into a reverse hurricanrana on Reed, to which Ford covered for two. Ford climbed the wall to escape Priest, then continued to climb until he was hanging upside down until falling onto the rest of the competitors — quite similar to what Lince Dorado did a few years ago.

Ford, Rollins, and Gargano all hit their finishers on Reed to pin him for the first elimination. Rollins countered a slingshot by climbing the chamber, and he and Gargano ended up on top of a pod together. Rollins beat Gargano down, then put him in powerbomb position, leading to a wild moment where Gargano countered into a hurricanrana, sending Rollins flying off the pod into the pile.

Gargano landed superkicks on everyone, then hit a One Final Beat on Theory on the outside. Priest cut him off and hit the Razor’s Edge for the elimination. Rollins and Ford cut Priest off with a doomsday blockbuster (just like the Street Profits would hit) for another elimination. 

Rollins and Ford traded strikes in the center of the ring. Ford wiped out both opponents with dives. He went for the frog splash, but Theory got his knees up, Rollins hit the stomp, and Theory covered to eliminate Ford.

They called officials in to check on Ford after the stomp. He was helped out of the chamber, but it was a work — Rollins hit Theory with the Pedigree, but the opening allowed Logan Paul to run in and hit Rollins with a Buckshot lariat and a stomp. Theory hit A-Town Down for the win.

**********

WWE Undisputed World Championship: Roman Reigns (w/ Paul Heyman) defeated Sami Zayn [32:10]

Positives: Incredible environment and atmosphere. Everyone played their parts perfectly for what they were going for. Post-match was great too. Negatives: The match just wasn’t that good. It was every Roman match you’ve seen over the past three years, with the exact same ending we’ve come to expect. Until they do something different and interesting, nothing will change. We’ll see at WrestleMania.

Crowd was absolutely electric for the entrances and ring introductions. After about four minutes, they finally locked up. Roman got the better of a couple early exchanges before Sami baited Roman to the floor and landed a tope con giro. Sami rained down strikes in the corner and landed a diving elbow, but he only got one. Roman cut Sami off with a right hand.

Roman dominated for a long heat segment. He jawed with Sami’s family at ringside. Eventually, 14 minutes in, Sami avoided a clothesline and hit one of his own. He took the fight to Roman on the outside. Back in, Sami climbed the ropes, but Roman popped up and cut him off. Sami fought back and hit a sunset bomb for two.

Sami went for the Blue Thunder Bomb, but Roman blocked it and hit a Rock Bottom for two. Sami countered a Superman Punch into an exploder into the corner. He went for the Helluva Kick, but Roman popped up into a Superman Punch for a good near fall.

Roman went for the Spear, but Sami cradled for two and hit another corner exploder. Sami cocked the fist and hit a Superman Punch followed by the Helluva Kick for an awesome near fall. Roman ducked out of the ring to avoid another Helluva Kick. On the outside, Roman stopped a Sami dive with a punch.

Sami avoided a Spear, sending Roman through the barricade. He then hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for another close near fall. Roman drove Sami into the official, so when Sami came back and nailed another Helluva Kick, the referee couldn’t count. 

Jimmy Uso ran out and hit Sami with repeated superkicks plus an Uso splash. A second official ran out and counted a pin, but Sami kicked out at the last second. Sami took out Jimmy, but Roman landed a Spear for yet another great near fall. 

Roman talked down to Sami, baiting him into a hard slap. Sami avoided a Superman Punch which hit an official for a second ref bump. Heyman handed Roman a chair, but Jey Uso appeared and stood in between Roman and Sami. Roman demanded that Jey use the chair on Sami, but he wouldn’t do it. Sami popped up and went for a Spear, but Roman moved out of the way and Sami inadvertently Speared Jey. Roman repeatedly whacked Sami with the chair and Speared him for the win.

– After the match, Kevin Owens ran out and attacked the Bloodline. He Pop-up Powerbombed Jimmy through the announce table and grabbed a chair. Owens moved toward Roman, but Heyman annoyed him with punches, so Owens sent him packing with a Stunner. Sami hit a Helluva Kick on Roman. 

WWE Elimination Chamber preview & predictions: The Sami Zayn conundrum

Posted on by Ian Carey

Saturday’s WWE Elimination Chamber in Montreal has the potential to be one of the most talked about stops on any Road to WrestleMania in history.

The build to WrestleMania 39 has been as unique as anything WWE has ever produced. It shares similarities with Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 30 and Kofimania at WrestleMania 35, but this is definitely its own thing.

Fans (and the TV ratings they bring) are strongly behind both Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes. So the question is how do you handle one getting the title shot at Elimination Chamber and the other at WrestleMania? What series of events is going to be the most enjoyable for fans and lead best into post-Mania creative plans?

This is also a landmark show for the Montreal market. WWE and many Canadian cities have had something of a shaky relationship for the last 25 years, but things have improved considerably as of late. Ever since Paul “Triple H” Levesque took over creative control, WWE has put more emphasis on pleasing local markets, as was evident at shows in Montreal and Toronto last year. 

The days of WWE embarrassing local legends and beating hometown heroes appear to be over (for now, anyway). This change of approach could factor into what happens on Saturday as well.

Here’s some predictions.

WWE undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Sami Zayn

Despite how hot Zayn is right now, despite the match taking place in his hometown, very few are giving him much of a chance.

Montreal has been waiting a long time to crown a champion inside the Bell Center, but oddsmakers certainly don’t see that happening anytime soon. As of this writing, Zayn is listed as a +700 underdog. It just wouldn’t make sense for Reigns’ two-year title reign to end so close to Mania, right? Right?

Then again, what if the strong ratings and fan response to his angle with The Bloodline cause WWE to alter course? How willing is Triple H to change plans in response to a hot angle? Is there a way to have Zayn win without impacting what is planned for Rhodes at WrestleMania? Zayn winning is not likely, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility either. 

It certainly wouldn’t be the first time a hometown hero pulled off a huge upset in that building either. 

Zayn facing Reigns Saturday shares some similarities with Jacques Rougeau’s match against Hollywood Hogan from what was then known as the Molson Centre on April 11, 1997. At the time, Hogan was WCW Champion while Rougeau and PCO were somewhere in the middle of WCW’s tag division as The Amazing French Canadians.

Had betting sites put odds on the match back then, Rougeau would have been much more than a +700 underdog. However, he closed the show that night by pinning Hogan cleanly with a small package in what was a non-title match. 

Can Zayn achieve the same level of upset that Rougeau did that night? Will Saturday’s show conclude with a newly-crowned champion as the Bell Center explodes in celebration? It would be an amazing spectacle and a moment forever entrenched in WWE history. However, smart money says it’s not going to happen. 

In all likelihood, the finish will lead to a Usos vs. Zayn & Kevin Owens title match at Mania. How they get there should be interesting, though.

Recently, Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio that both Jimmy and Jey Uso have been cleared to enter Canada. While Paul Heyman instructed them to watch at home, it’s very possible they show up and  cost Zayn the match somehow. So long as nobody puts anybody in a sharpshooter, it should all go fine. Owens will then come to Zayn’s rescue and the two hometown heroes will stand tall to end the show.

Then again, maybe, just maybe, Sami Zayn wins the title in front of his hometown fans in what would be one of the most significant title changes in WWE history.

Prediction: Roman Reigns

Asuka vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Nikki Cross vs. Liv Morgan vs. Carmella vs. Natalya in the women’s Elimination Chamber match

As of this writing, Asuka is the clear betting favorite at -1250.

When you think about it, she’s really the only one in a position to face Bianca Belair at WrestleMania. Asuka just returned from a month off, has new music, new face paint, and came away from Raw this week looking very strong. Granted, going into a PPV after looking strong on television is not always a recipe for winning.

Still, we know from how she was booked in NXT that Triple H is a big fan of hers. That she has been repackaged a little and given a bunch of wins upon her return makes me think he wants her to play an important role at the very top of the Raw women’s division.

This would lead to Asuka vs. Belair at WrestleMania. Barring an Asuka heel turn to close that match, I expect Belair would win for the third WrestleMania in a row. It would also mean Belair would complete the increasingly rare Mania-to-Mania title run.

Prediction: Asuka

U.S. Champion Austin Theory vs. Bronson Reed vs. Seth Rollins vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Damian Priest vs. Montez Ford in the men’s Elimination Chamber match

The only real story here is between Rollins and Theory, but with Rollins looking like he’s going to be facing Logan Paul at WrestleMania, their rivalry likely won’t continue past Saturday.

It’s tough to know how WWE plans to use Theory moving forward. When the regime change happened, Theory blew his Money in the Bank cash-in shortly after and it appeared as though he would not be getting the push he did with Vince McMahon in charge. Then he started to be built back up, leading to his current run with the U.S. belt. Where he ranks on Triple H’s roster remains somewhat unclear, however.

A possible scenario exists of a babyface winning the title here and then defending it against Theory at WrestleMania. Gargano strikes me as someone who Triple H could give the belt to if that’s where he wants to go.

The safe money here says Theory retains while the rest of the participants build up stories for their respective “paths to WrestleMania.” Theory will do what he always does: win by fluke or cheating and whichever opponent bears the brunt of that the most will face him in Los Angeles.

Prediction: Austin Theory

Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley III

Heading into Lesnar vs. Lashley III, the series is tied at one win a piece.

Lesnar means more to the company than his opponent here, but the story they are telling might be leading to a Lashley win. It all depends on what is going on with MVP and a possible reformation of The Hurt Business. It seems as though the faction will be open for business again soon, but the rocky relationship played up on WWE programming between MVP and Lashley makes it unclear who exactly will be in the group.

Lashley is either going to be in The Hurt Business or he is going to feud against them. If it’s the latter, expect MVP to somehow cost Lashley this match. On the other hand, if Lashley is to be part of a reformed Hurt Business, I would expect MVP and company to help him pick up the win.

While I’m not completely certain, I think the most likely scenario here is that a reformed Hurt Business helps Lashley come away with the win.

Prediction: Bobby Lashley

Edge & Beth Phoenix vs. Finn Balor & Rhea Ripley

The betting odds have WWE’s Grit Couple as -400 favorites, but I don’t think they are going to win.

As with many of the matches on this show, everything that happens will be to build to Mania. With Ripley already set to face Charlotte Flair after winning the Royal Rumble, I’m expecting her to pin Phoenix on Saturday. She’s the wrestler the company wants to keep the strongest right now, so it makes sense that she will be the one who gets the victory for her team.

It would have to be Edge pinning Balor for the Grit Couple to win as they are not going to have Phoenix beat Mami. With Edge and Balor most likely working a singles match at Mania, I don’t know if WWE wants either one pinning the other so close to the bigger event. 

Although, if Edge pins Balor and it somehow wakes up “The Demon” that could possibly lead to the rumored Brood Edge vs. Demon Balor Hell in a Cell match, Balor pinning Edge could potentially lead to the same destination.

Prediction: Finn Balor & Rhea Ripley

Fight Game: Jerry Jarrett memories, NJPW Battle in the Valley preview

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I are back with a brand new Fight Game Podcast.

John discussed his experience booking with the late Jerry Jarrett through MySpace of all places. 

We also do our usual thumbs up/thumbs down segment.

Then, we looked at the current AEW Revolution card and recapped Wednesday’s edition of AEW Dynamite. 

Finally, we previewed Saturday’s double-shot of NJPW Battle in the Valley and WWE Elimination Chamber.

You can subscribe to The Fight Game Podcast on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Spotify or click below to listen.

Click Here To Listen for free

We’re Live, Pal: The Sami Zayn & Cody Rhodes babyface dynamic

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

It’s a brand new We’re Live, Pal! as Andrew Zarian and I talk the latest news in wrestling, joined by Pro Wrestling Torch’s Zack Heydorn. 

We talked about the interesting babyface dynamic in WWE with Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn both being hot at the same time. We also wondered what Becky Lynch and Bayley were going to do at WrestleMania.

Then, we previewed Saturday’s Elimination Chamber and gave our predictions on how the finish to Zayn vs. Roman Reigns will go down.

You can watch the show above or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts in addition to the link below.

Click Here To Listen for free

Natalya qualifies for WWE Elimination Chamber match

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Natalya has qualified for the WWE Elimination Chamber match set to determine Bianca Belair’s WrestleMania 39 challenger. 

Natalya defeated Zelina Vega, Shotzi, and Shayna Baszler in a four-way match on Friday’s SmackDown to earn a spot in the women’s Elimination Chamber match set for Saturday, February 18 in Montreal. Natalya used a Sharpshooter to submit Vega to claim victory. 

Asuka, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Nikki Cross have already qualified for the Chamber match by virtue of being the final four eliminations in last Saturday’s Royal Rumble match. A qualifying match to determine the final participant is set for Monday’s Raw, with Candice LeRae, “Michin” Mia Yim, Piper Niven, and Carmella squaring off in a four-way. 

Here is the updated Elimination Chamber card: 

WWE Elimination Chamber, Saturday, February 18, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Sami Zayn
  • Elimination Chamber match for the United States Championship: Austin Theory (c) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed vs. Johnny Gargano vs. TBD vs. TBD
  • Elimination Chamber match, winner challenges Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania: Asuka vs. Liv Morgan vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Nikki Cross vs. Natalya vs. TBD

WWE announces United States title Elimination Chamber match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has started to reveal its plans for February’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

It was announced today that a United States Championship match will take place inside of the Elimination Chamber at the Chamber PPV, which is being held in Montreal on Saturday, February 18. Austin Theory is the current United States Champion.

Qualifying matches for the Elimination Chamber bout will begin on Raw tonight. Seth Rollins vs. Chad Gable and Baron Corbin vs. Johnny Gargano are the qualifiers that are taking place on tonight’s show. The winners will become the first confirmed participants to join Theory in the US title Elimination Chamber match.

Theory won the United States title at Survivor Series last November, defeating Rollins and Bobby Lashley in a triple threat match.

This is the first match that’s been made official for the Elimination Chamber PPV. There’s also expected to be a women’s Elimination Chamber bout.

In Sunday’s Daily Update, Dave Meltzer reported that Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn is “now as confirmed as it can be” for the Elimination Chamber PPV. Reigns retained his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble. Following the match, there was a significant angle where Zayn split from The Bloodline.

Daily Update: WWE Elimination Chamber, Jay Briscoe, Royal Rumble notes

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • What records has the Royal Rumble 2023 already set and what records have a good chance to be set
  • Amazing advance for the show
  • The debate about the men’s winner and prior year comparisons
  • The Steve Austin question
  • The business of Peacock
  • Original Austin approach
  • Cody Rhodes return
  • Full rundown of Raw 30 and the giant ratings and how each segment did
  • Complaints by the Bellas about the show
  • Why certain segments of the show changed
  • The story behind WBD clearing Mark Briscoe and the reason that hasn’t come out why there were previous issues
  • Different ways AEW paid tribute to Briscoe
  • Update on family and fundraisers
  • A look at the Okada-Kiyomiya angle and the keys to it
  • The Muto retirement at the Tokyo Dome show
  • What the New Japan vs. NOAH show and other New Japan shows have shown about recovery of the business
  • UFC 283 coverage with the retirements of Shogun Rua and Glover Teixeira
  • What is next for Jamahal Hill and Brandon Moreno
  • Business notes on the show
  • A look at the life and career of Jose Aldo and his biggest fights including how one of his fights changed the entire direction of MMA for lighter weight fighters and was so successful the company closed up, as weird as that is to say
  • A look at more Japanese awards voting
  • The life of Benny Galant, a 60s star who passed away this week who was a major rival of the biggest names in the history of Mexican wrestling, including El Santo and Mil Mascaras, and twice set EMLL’s company gate records. This is a major history piece covering one of the biggest eras of wrestling in any country.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week
  • Streaming numbers, international numbers
  • Ticket advances for all AEW & WWE shows through WrestleMania
  • What could be CMLL’s best match of this year
  • The story behind Negro Casas jumping to AAA, how long has this been in the works, how long has Konnan wanted this and his duties outside the ring
  • A look at upcoming AAA major shows
  • Update on a number of upcoming major New Japan shows
  • What former WWE star is mad at Dwayne Johnson over his portrayal in Young Rock
  • 80s star arrested for a number of things
  • WBD head talks AEW and Slap Fighting
  • Behind the AEW new deal with DAZN
  • Lawsuit filed against AEW
  • Update on Kenny Omega
  • San Francisco records for wrestling
  • Conor McGregor investigation reported
  • Lots of big UFC fights announced
  • More on Luke Rockhold coming out of retirement
  • Famous MMA trainer will no longer corner fighters
  • Former pro wrestler talks about Slap Fighting and what he was offered
  • Update on Vince McMahon in the office
  • Another lawsuit filed against WWE regarding McMahon’s return and how two other suits were basically nullified
  • Notes on new NIL signings by WWE
  • WWE getting major mainstream pub
  • WWE injury updates
  • Weekend NXT & WWE house show notes

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

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Sunday Update

Our Royal Rumble post-show is up on the site tonight. I also did a show with Garret Gonzales talking about the news of the past week and the latest business stuff. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night with another show after Raw.

Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn is now as confirmed as it can be for the 2/18 Elimination Chamber show main event in Montreal. I’m not sure what the men’s chamber match would be for since you’ve got Cody Rhodes already for the main event at WrestleMania. Of course this is WWE and everything is subject to change, but major changes to planned PPV shows have been less with Paul Levesque in charge.

The funeral for Jamin Pugh aka Jay Briscoe took place earlier today at Laurel High School. A lot of major names in wrestling came in. Tony Khan got a jet to bring in a lot of AEW wrestlers with him. Mark spoke at length, as did his parents. They have very strong beliefs of an afterlife and Mark noted that this was the test of his beliefs. He told some funny stories including how they were kids and loved to wrestle on their trampoline as kids and pretend to be Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels and others from that era. He was thankful for the people who came. (thanks to Luis Santos)

The full service is here:

There were around 1,200 people who showed up but only a few hundred were allowed in because of the size of the venue. Among those who attended with Tony Khan, Chris Jericho, Adam Cole, Adam Page, AJ Styles, Britt Baker, Jay Lethal, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Sonjay Dutt, Dalton Castle, Cash Wheeler, Colt Cabana Trent Baretta, Christopher Daniels, Mike Bennett, Maria Kanellis, Jonathan Gresham, Caprice Coleman, Cheeseburger, James Ellsworth, BJ Whitmer, Bobby Cruise, Ian Riccaboni, Matt Sydal, Matt Taven, Rhett Titus, Silas Young, Ivar, Kenny King, Bobby Fish, Marty Scurll, Beer City Bruiser, Vincent and Mike Bailey.

The Royal Rumble had 500,000 Google searches over the weekend. That’s the expected number It was the same as the UFC PPV show a week prior. With no UFC event over the weekend, nothing from MMA or boxing all week cracked the top 20 on any day. The announcement of John Cena as the cover person of the WWE video game had 50,000 searches which was No. 13 on Monday.

Not a lot of major notes from last night’s show. If you didn’t see it, the angle at the end was one of the better angles in years. Aside from the Jey Uso walk out, it was pretty much what you would have expected, but the way it was done and more important, the crowd reaction showed how hot it was. 

Rey Mysterio was injured in his match with Karrion Kross on Friday so they used his injury to further the storyline with Dominik.

On last night’s show we mentioned that Sheamus had done an interview regarding his tag team with Drew McIntyre breaking up. According to those in the company, either he was misinterpreted or was joking as the team is not breaking up as far as anyone knows.

Cody Rhodes called last night the biggest moment of his career, above The All In show, the return at last year’s WrestleMania, the Hell in a Cell with Rollins and the match with Dustin. Rhodes will be on Logan Paul’s podcast on Tuesday.

MLW has closed a TV deal in France for Ch. 197 (free) and Ch. 208 on Bouygues. It covers virtually every home in the country. It starts this coming week and will start with a marathon of Fusion shows.

We’re looking for your thoughts on the Rumble, so you can leave a thumbs up, down or middle, along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

Not a lot happened over the weekend aside from the Rumble. The match we heard from several people a the top match of the weekend was Yuji Hino’s win over the KO-D title (DDT Promotion) from Kazusada Higuchi from earlier today at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

Other Notes

Luke Rockhold is really pushing for a boxing match with Jake Paul, claiming that Paul’s current next opponent, Tommy Fury, is as much of a boxer as he is a cricket player.

Several MMA sites went with this clip from Friday’s LVL Up where Lola Vice, who is former Bellator fighter Valerie Loureda, made her debut.

The LFA announced a 3/24 show in Niagara Falls,NY at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. The show will air live on UFC Fight Pass. Rafael Do Nascimento (8-1) faces Jerrell Hodge (9-3) for the interim bantamweight title in the main event.

St. Louis Anarchy from Friday night in St. Louis: Jacques Kennedy & Scott Tyler b Tommy Davis & Jay Marson, Davey Vega b Thomas Shier, Craig Mitchell b Anakin Murphy, Aaron Williams b Adrian Surge, Moonshine Mantell & KC Karrington & Nick King & Sage Phillips b Camaro Jackson & Billy McNeil & Austin Blackburn & Nikki Victory, Manders b Gary Jay, Billie Starkz b Evan Gelistico, Jeremy Wyatt b Mad Dog Connelly, Christian Rose b Kenny Alfonso, Derek Neal b Warhorse (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)

Montreal to host WWE Elimination Chamber 2023

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE is bringing the Elimination Chamber to Montreal in 2023.

It was announced today that next year’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view will take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on Saturday, February 18, 2023. The Bell Centre will also host SmackDown the night before the PPV.

Combo tickets for Elimination Chamber and SmackDown will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Eastern time on Friday, November 18. Individual tickets are set to go on sale on Friday, December 2 at 10 a.m. Eastern.

WWE has opened a mailing list for ticket pre-sale information.

This will be the first WWE PPV to be held in Montreal since Breaking Point 2009. It’s the first PPV to take place in Canada since SummerSlam 2019, which was held in Toronto.

Elimination Chamber 2022 also took place outside of the United States. That PPV was held in Jeddah as one of WWE’s two Saudi Arabia events for this year.

As has become an annual tradition, Elimination Chamber will help set the stage for WrestleMania 39.

Bryan & Vinny Show: Elimination Chamber, Rampage, Hawaiian vacation update

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

The Bryan & Vinny Show is back with tons to talk about including an update on our Hawaiian vacation, a full recap of WWE Elimination Chamber which was actually spent a portion of our vacation watching, and AEW Rampage from Friday night! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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New stipulation added to Ronda Rousey tag match at WWE Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Ronda Rousey will only have one arm available in tomorrow’s Elimination Chamber tag match.

The opening of tonight’s SmackDown featured a contract signing between the two teams facing off in Jeddah tomorrow, Ronda Rousey & Naomi and Sonya Deville & Charlotte Flair. Deville mentioned that she had talked to the higher-ups in WWE and added a stipulation to the contract where Rousey would have one arm tied behind her back. Rousey took little time in accepting the stipulation, saying that one arm was plenty.

The four have been feuding for the last couple of weeks after Rousey chose Flair as her WrestleMania opponent. Deville got into Rousey’s face after she went after Flair during her decision, which ended with Rousey putting Deville in an armbar.

The card for Elimination Chamber, which takes place at the Jeddah Super Dome on Saturday, includes:

  • Elimination Chamber WWE Championship match: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles vs. Riddle vs. Austin Theory
  • Elimination Chamber match for a Raw Women’s title shot at WrestleMania 38: Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan vs. Doudrop vs. Nikki A.S.H. vs. Alexa Bliss
  • WWE Universal Championship match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Goldberg
  • WWE Raw Women’s Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lita
  • WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship match: The Usos (c) vs. The Viking Raiders
  • Falls count anywhere match: Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss
  • Ronda Rousey & Naomi vs. Charlotte Flair & Sonya Deville where Rousey has one arm tied behind her back
  • Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz

Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz announced for WWE Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz has been added to Saturday’s WWE Elimination Chamber event. 

The match was made official during tonight’s WWE Raw episode. After trading wins with Dominik Mysterio in recent weeks, The Miz used a distraction to allow Alpha Academy’s Chad Gable to pin Dominik on Raw in a Alpha Academy vs. The Mysterios tag team bout. 

After the match, The Miz left Rey laying with his Skull-crushing Finale finisher. 

Eight matches have been announced for Saturday’s event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

The lineup: 

WWE Elimination Chamber, Saturday, February 19, 12 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —

  • Elimination Chamber WWE Championship match: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. AJ Styles vs. Riddle vs. Austin Theory
  • Elimination Chamber match for a Raw Women’s title shot at WrestleMania 38: Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan vs. Doudrop vs. Nikki A.S.H. vs. Alexa Bliss
  • WWE Universal Championship match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Goldberg
  • WWE Raw Women’s Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lita
  • WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship match: The Usos (c) vs. The Viking Raiders
  • Falls count anywhere match: Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss
  • Ronda Rousey & Naomi vs. Charlotte Flair & Sonya Deville
  • Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz

Alexa Bliss set for women’s WWE Elimination Chamber match

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The final entrant has been announced for the women’s Elimination Chamber match at Saturday’s WWE Elimination Chamber event. 

Alexa Bliss was revealed as the sixth entrant during tonight’s episode of WWE Raw. 

Following a series of vignettes that began airing on the January 10 Raw, Bliss was deemed cured by her therapist on tonight’s show, then declared herself as the final participant in the women’s Elimination Chamber bout in a voiceover.

Bliss last wrestled at Extreme Rules 2021 in September, losing a Raw Women’s Championship match to Charlotte Flair on that show. 

Also on tonight’s Raw, Bianca Belair won a gauntlet match to determine which competitor will enter the Chamber match last. Rhea Ripley defeated Nikki A.S.H., Liv Morgan, then Doudrop, but ultimately lost the gauntlet to Belair. 

A Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz match was also added to Elimination Chamber on Raw. 

Here is the lineup for Saturday’s show: 

WWE Elimination Chamber, Saturday, February 19, 12 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —

  • Elimination Chamber WWE Championship match: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. AJ Styles vs. Riddle vs. Austin Theory
  • Elimination Chamber match for a Raw Women’s title shot at WrestleMania 38: Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan vs. Doudrop vs. Nikki A.S.H. vs. Alexa Bliss
  • WWE Universal Championship match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Goldberg
  • WWE Raw Women’s Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lita
  • WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship match: The Usos (c) vs. The Viking Raiders
  • Falls count anywhere match: Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss
  • Ronda Rousey & Naomi vs. Charlotte Flair & Sonya Deville
  • Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz

WWE Elimination Chamber match reportedly part of February Saudi Arabia event

Posted on by Josh Nason

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 cashes in to win WWE title at Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Miz cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to defeat Drew McIntyre tonight at WWE Elimination Chamber to win the WWE Championship.

McIntyre had just won tonight’s Elimination Chamber, last eliminating AJ Styles after countering the Phenomenal forearm with his claymore kick. After the match, Lashley came in and attacked McIntyre, putting him in the Hurt Lock. It was at that moment the Miz came out and cashed his Money in the Bank briefcase. He won the title in under 30 seconds following the skull crushing finale.

This marks the end of Drew McIntyre’s second reign with the championship, which he won back on the November 15, 2020 edition of Raw, defeating Randy Orton. This is the second WWE title reign for The Miz, who won his first championship back in 2010.

The Miz had originally cashed in his Money in the Bank contract at WWE TLC back in December, turning the McIntyre-Styles TLC match into a triple threat match. McIntyre ended up winning that match. However, WWE officials later determined that the Money in the Bank briefcase has to be cashed in by the person who won it. Since John Morrison cashed the briefcase on behalf of the Miz, the cash-in was ruled invalid and Miz was able to keep the briefcase.

Daily Update: Elimination Chamber, Becky Lynch, Jessica Penne

Posted on by Bryan Rose

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News

Latest Audio

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Kenny Omega signs with AEW

While it had become expected leading into the announcement, that doesn’t make Kenny Omega joining All Elite Wrestling any less of a vital move for the start-up company.

Omega signing with AEW was confirmed at last week’s Double or Nothing ticket announcement party in Las Vegas. Omega signed a four-year deal that allows him to still wrestle for New Japan Pro Wrestling if he wants to (and if NJPW will have him). And in addition to his in-ring role, Omega will serve alongside Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks as an executive vice president of the promotion.

WON NEWSLETTER: February 18, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Death of Pedro Morales

I don’t expect more than a few more weeks of this format of Observers.

WWE grossed $930,160,000 and turned a $98,719,000 profit in 2018, both company records. Last year the company set a revenue record of $800,959,000 and turned a $32,116,000 profit.

Pedro Morales, best known for his three-year run as WWWF champion from 1971-73, passed away on 2/12 at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, NJ, where he had been hospitalized for two weeks. He was 78 and had been battling Parkinson’s Disease for several years.

NJPW New Beginnings: As a legit shoot, while NJPW almost always sells out Edion Arena for big shows, they comped less and opened up more seats so this number was the highest since the 2015 show headlined by Hiroshi Tanhashi vs. A.J. Styles.

UFC 234 – Chaos erupted the day of UFC 234, the first UFC pay-per-view offering of 2019, at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, causing dramatic change unheard of when it comes to UFC pay-per-view events.

It is now official that Kenny has signed with AEW.

Mustafa Ali’s eyeball got busted open and really messed up after a Garvin stomp by Randy Orton on SD Tuesday night.

Dwayne Johnson said he was the first choice to host the Oscars this year. But he said he couldn’t make it work due to the timing of shooting the Jumanji sequel.

Roman Reigns (Joe Anoa’i) will be making an appearance on a Nickelodeon series next month.

ORDERING INFO:  Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered  via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

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If you order by  mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell,CA  95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • WWE Elimination Chamber takes place tonight at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The card is as follows:
    Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe vs. Randy Orton vs. Kofi Kingston in a Elimination Chamber match for the WWE title
    Nia Jax & Tamina vs. Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville, The IIconics, Bayley & Sasha Banks and Naomi and Carmella in an Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Women’s tag team titles.
    Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush vs. Finn Balor in a handicap match for the WWE Intercontinental title
    Ronda Rousey vs. Ruby Riott for the Raw women’s title
    Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin in a No DQ match
    Buddy Murphy vs. Akira Tozawa for the WWE Cruiserweight title (pre-show)
  • Becky Lynch on Twitter went after the McMahons, writing “The McMahons are killing everything I’ve built, and they’re doing it week by week, and show by show. And even though I have NEVER ENDING knee issues, I will figure out a way to stay alive in all of this.”
  • A Mark Henry documentary will be streaming following WWE Elimination Chamber.
  • Mustafa Ali talked about his feelings about being removed from Elimination Chamber due to injury.
  • Cain Velasquez continues to talk up WWE, saying there is a 70% percent chance he’s going.
  • Daniel Bryan is the subject of this week’s Canvas 2 Canvas.
  • Carmella plays Wheel of Fortune with Xavier Woods on UpUpDownDown’s Superstar Savepoint.
  • Shooting has wrapped for The Rock’s next movie, Hobbs & Shaw.

Pro Wrestling

  • Impact will wrap up tapings in Las Vegas tonight. According to PWInsider, former NXT star Sawyer Fulton was backstage during the last two days of taping. Luchasaurus also made his debut during the tapings.
  • This week’s MLW Fusion episode is now available on YouTube. It features Teddy Hart vs. MJF for the Middleweight title, Alexander Hammerstone vs. Ariel Dominguez, and Rich Swann vs. Ace Austin.
  • GCW will run two shows in Japan on 8/22 and 8/23.
  • CZW has been adding names to their Best of the Best tournament on 3/2, which now include Anthony Greene and Gary Jay. 

UFC/MMA

  • Jessica Penne, who was scheduled to fight Jodie Esquibel on tonight’s UFC show in Phoenix, is off the card following an injury. According to Ariel Helwani, she severely sprained her ankle this morning while warming up, and there will be no replacement fight.
  • This would make the 5,000th match in UFC history, barring any other change, Cynthia Calvillo vs. Courtney Casey.
  • If Kron Gracie were to get a win tonight, it would be the first Gracie win in the UFC since Royce defeated Dan Severn in 1994.
  • John Anik and Dominick Cruz will be commentating tonight’s UFC event.
  • Maurice Greene will replace Daniel Spitz, taking on Jeff Hughes at UFC Wichita on 3/9.
  • Jonathan Brookins talks to VICE Sports about his experiences with yoga.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Triple H wins 2008 Elimination Chamber

Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Events (more to be added):

  • Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
  • Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!

CONTACT INFORMATION