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WWE: Elimination Chamber Recap

Posted on Author Jeremy Laracuente Comment(1)

WWE is in the midst of the “Road to Wrestlemania,” and with that, we come to an annual stop known as the Elimination Chamber. This event was comprised of two chambers matches itself. One in which the first ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions would be crowned. So let’s not waste any more time and begin reviewing the Elimination Chamber. And be sure to catch today’s corresponding Laracuente Ledger Podcast Episode

Kickoff Show

WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match: Akira Tozawa vs. Buddy Murphy

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 5/5
Predicted Winner: Buddy Murphy
Actual Winner: Buddy Murphy

The most underrated superstar in WWE, Buddy Murphy put on another display. In a match that was disrespected by being relegated to the kickoff show. Both Tozawa and Murphy put on an incredible show. The mix of highspots, submissions, and near falls took this match to a “show-stealing” level.

Main Card

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Elimination Chamber Match: Sasha Banks & Bayley vs. The IIconics vs. Nia Jax & Tamina vs. Carmella & Naomi vs. Riott Squad vs. Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 5.50/5
Predicted Winner: Sasha Banks & Bayley
Actual Winner: Sasha Banks & Bayley

Based on the triple threat tag team matches from Monday Night Raw and Smackdown Live we knew that Sasha Banks & Bayley would start the Elimination Chamber. This type of match is challenging to book. Especially given how many people are locked inside the chamber. I think that WWE was smart to start the chamber match with these teams. Sonya and Mandy would gain control and show off a high level of talent. The next team in was the Riott Squad. The Riott Squad would come in and bring the chaos. Then in an excellent exchange between the Riott Squad and Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose. The fourth team in was the IIconics. And in a perfectly suited spot for the IIconics, they would go on a covering spree lol. Peyton Royce would deliver a very nice somersault onto Banks and Bayley on the outside grate of the chamber. Naomi and Carmella would be the next team to enter the chamber. Then right in the middle of the five teams would be a phenomenal spot fest. Then the IIconics would roll up Naomi in a unique double pin spot. A double Samoan Drop by Nia and Tamina would eliminate the IIconics. The Women’s Division is the best division in WWE. After an Avalanche Samoan Drop and Superfly Splash combo, Nai and Tamina would eliminate the Riott Squad. After Nia Jax ran through a pod, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville would team up against Tamina. The first two teams are the last two teams. In a beautiful ending, the booking used the injury story correctly.

Smackdown Live Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos vs. Shane McMahon & The Miz

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 2.5/5
Predicted Winner: Shane McMahon & The Miz
Actual Winner: The Usos

This match for me was always a means to an end type of match. And the prematch announcement of Miz and Maryse having another child felt odd. The Usos would work a very heel style in the matchup, and the pacing was quite slow. The crowd was very quiet. I think it was a combination of the emotional roller coaster of the Women’s Tag Team Elimination Chamber and the slow start to this match. And after the expected highspots from Shane McMahon, the Usos would take advantage and walk away winners.

WWE Intercontinental Championship Handicap Match: Finn Balor vs. Bobby Lashley & Lio Rush

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 2.75/5
Predicted Winner: Finn Balor
Actual Winner: Finn Balor

Much of this matchup was Bobby Lashley dominating Finn Balor. The other central aspect was the fact that Lio Rush would start trouble and then tag out again. Finn Balor would try to isolate Lio, and it was a constant point of discussion that Lio Rush was the weak link. And as soon as Finn had Rush isolated, he would hit a Coup de Grace and won the Intercontinental Championship. Following the match, Bobby Lashley would turn on the “Man of the Hour” Lio Rush and powerslam him to the mat.

Raw Women’s Championship Match: Ruby Riott vs. Ronda Rousey

Laracuente Ledger Rating: .5/5
Predicted Winner: Ronda Rousey
Actual Winner: Ronda Rousey

Just a side note I love the homage to Sonya Blade, as Ronda voices Sonya Blade in Mortal Kombat 11. Ruby would start fast but Ronda would quickly counter. This matchup sadly was nothing more than a glorified squash match. I wish WWE would have allowed Ruby Riott a chance to show off her talent. The Man Becky Lynch would show up, and the assault on Charlotte would pop the crowd. Ronda would attempt to attack Charlotte. But Becky would assault Ronda Rousey as well. The crowd was totally behind Becky Lynch.

No DQ Match: Baron Corbin vs. Braun Strowman

Laracuente Ledger Rating: .5/5
Predicted Winner: Braun Strowman
Actual Winner: Baron Corbin

This match to me was filler. A feud that no one can honestly say they care about is Braun Strowman versus Baron Corbin. The added stipulation of No Disqualification will hopefully signal the end of this feud. However, sadly that’s not the case. Baron Corbin would take the early control. But Strowman would turn the tables. And as soon as Braun had the offensive, Drew McIntyre’s music would hit. Drew would come out with a chair and Strowman would be attacked from behind by Bobby Lashley also with a chair. The three men would work together to attack Braun. And after a triple powerbomb through two tables.

WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match: Jeff Hardy vs. Kofi Kingston vs. AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton vs. Samoa Joe vs. The “NEW” Daniel Bryan

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 6.5/5
Predicted Winner: The “NEW” Daniel Bryan
Actual Winner: The “NEW” Daniel Bryan

The “NEW” Daniel Bryan is such a wonderful character. And starting this match with Samoa Joe was a spectacle. The two men would exchange a level of strikes that would drop a normal man. But Daniel Bryan and Samoa Joe would devastate one another. Kofi Kingston would be the next man into the contest. Kofi Kingston would get a big pop. And Kofi would hit some big highspots early. AJ Styles would be the next man into the match. AJ Styles would deliver a Phenomenal Forearm to the back of the head of Daniel Bryan who was climbing up the chamber. After Kofi Kingston escapes the Coquina Clutch with a jawbreaker. AJ Styles would hit a phenomenal forearm and eliminate Samoa Joe. Jeff Hardy would enter next and hit an incredible Swanton Bomb. Only to be hit with the running knee by Daniel Bryan. Bryan would pin and eliminate Jeff Hardy. Randy Orton by way on his victory in the gauntlet match on Smackdown Live enters last. AJ Styles would begin to attempt a Phenomenal Forearm to Kofi Kingston. Randy Orton would then grab hold of Styles and bring him down with an RKO. After a beautiful powerslam spot onto Daniel Bryan by Randy Orton. Orton would get hit with a Trouble in Paradise by Kofi Kingston. This left Kofi Kingston versus The “NEW” Daniel Bryan as the final two. The crowd was firmly behind Kofi Kingston. The chemistry between Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston was excellent inside the Elimination Chamber. Both Bryan and Kingston would put on an incredible ending to a fantastic match.

https://twitter.com/briantheguppie/status/1097328972252225536?s=19

Overall Elimination Chamber Rating: 3/5

The Elimination Chamber was bookend perfectly with two amazing Elimination Chamber matches. In the middle, there were some quality moments. But also some things I could have gone without as well. Overall, for a PPV that had very little to do with shaping the “Road to Wrestlemania,” it wasn’t a bad show.

Jeremy Laracuente

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