WWE Elimination Chamber 2019 Results and Review

Tonight we look at Elimination Chamber, a PPV on WWE’s Road to Wrestlemania. The show had two matches that took place in the Elimination Chamber itself. The first one crowned the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and in the main event, a match that had the WWE Championship on the line. Let’s take a look at the show.

Akira Tozawa vs. Buddy Murphy (WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match)

The Youtube pre-show match was Akira Tozawa versus Buddy Murphy. It feels sort of odd that the one feud that took place exclusively on the Network is having it’s match on the pre-show. Some people who don’t watch 205 Live just wouldn’t care, right? Anyways, Tozawa did a dive to the outside early on, but was caught an given a suplex. Tozawa landed a Shining Wizard for a two count. Shortly after, Tozawa reversed a Powerbomb off the second rope into a Huricanrana for another two count. He did an Inverted Huricanarana off the corner, and then two dives to the outside head first. Murphy was dragged back into the ring but got up to avoid being landed on. Murphy got hurt on the ropes, and was given a Back Senton from Tozawa which looked painful. Coming off the ropes, Tozawa was hit with a running knee. Murphy escaped a submission move and landed Murphy’s Law to retain his belt. This was a spectacular match. I don’t know much about 205 Live currently, but when I see their matches on PPV’s then tend to deliver.

Carmella & Naomi vs. Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan vs. The Iiconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay) vs. Tamina & Nia Jax vs. Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose vs. Sasha Banks & Bayley (Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Match)

The first match on the PPV was the Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Match. The two tag teams that started this match were Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose and Sasha Banks & Bayley. Mandy Rose was given a good neckbreaker outside the ring from Bayley because she got her boot stuck on the cage. The first group to enter from a pod was Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan from the Riott Squad. The second team that entered was The Iiconics. They immediately tried pinning everyone in the ring since everyone was on the ground tired. After the Iiconics came Naomi and Carmella. Sidenote, but their names together work well as a team name since they’re both one-word names. Also they’re pretty good at mocking each other’s movements. Carmella was picked up by Billie Kay and almost Powerbombed off the cage and to the floor, but she reversed it into a Huricanrana. Naomi fought Mandy during this match because of their rivalry. Naomi was surprised by a roll-up pin from The Iiconics, who both pinned her. Naomi and Carmella became the first eliminations of the match. Right after, The Iiconics were surrounded by all of their opponents. Of course the final entrants were Nia Jax and Tamina.

Out of fear of the chaos, The Iiconics went back into their pod. Once Tamina and Jax realized this, they focused on The Iiconics. They were given duel Samoan Drops to be eliminated. They’re a seriously good comedy tag team. Morgan and Logan did duel Crossbodys off the top of a pod. Morgan was given a Samoan Drop off the second rope by Jax, and then Tamina did a Frogsplash onto both Riott Squad members to eliminate the team. Nia tried spearing Bayley but missed her and went through a pod. While Jax was out, Tamina was given an Elbow Drop off the top rope from Bayley. Everyone pinned and eliminated her. The final two teams were Deville & Rose, and Bayley and Banks. Banks did a Backstabber, and then Bayley did a Bayley-to-Belly onto Deville for a pin attempt. Rose came in to break up the pin. All four wrestlers went to the top of a pod. Deville was kicked off the pod, so was Bayley right after. Deville speared Bayley into a pod, but a metal bar in it, so it didn’t break. Rose drove Banks into a pod, and then did a move in the ring for a two count. Rose tried Spearing Banks, who was being held by Rose, but Sasha escaped, making Deville attack her own teammate. Banks put Deville in a Boss Statement to become the inaugural tag team champions with Bayley.

This match was pretty good. Up until the first pinfall it did feel a little slow, with a few minutes where it felt like nothing was happening at all. Also I don’t completely understand the gimmick of Banks doing nothing in tag matches on RAW the weeks before. Banks did a lot of the work in this match, so it didn’t make much sense to me. Banks and Bayley had an emotional speech afterwards.

The Miz & Shane McMahon vs. The Usos (WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match)

Before the first match, The Miz came out. He brought out Maryse, who announced that they’re having another baby. To be honest this surprised me because I was expecting him to announce another episode of their reality TV show. Pretty sure this was the sole reason why the champions entered first. Like true best friends, The Miz and Shane wore matching shirts for this match. Early on in the match Shane was hit with a Superkick while trying for a Coast-to-Coast, and then a Frogsplash for a pin that The Miz broke up. He landed a Coast-to-Coast before his second one was countered. Shane did an elbow drop off the top rope and through a commentary table later. Miz did a Skull Crush Finale but it was reversed into a roll-up to end the match. The crowd loved this but it felt weird. The finish felt a little rushed. I was surprised that they were able to get the crowd back by the end of the match since they seemed tired from the match before. The Miz helped Shane McMahon to the back.

Bobby Lashley & Lio Rush vs. Finn Balor (WWE Intercontinental Championship Match)

This next match was an interesting one was Bobby Lashley’s belt was put on the line but defended by him and Lio Rush. Balor did a dive over the top rope to both Rush and Lashley. Balor gave Rush a Coup de Grace to win the match and become the new IC Champion. Out of pure anger, Lashley gave Rush a Chokeslam afterwards.

Ruby Riott vs. Ronda Rousey (WWE RAW Women’s Championship Match)

We were shown a clip from a house show last night where Becky Lynch came from the audience to attack Charlotte Flair. Flair then came out and was interviewed by Charly Caruso. She cut a promo and then took a seat at ringside for the next match. Ronda Rousey won her championship match in short time with an Armbar. Becky Lynch came from the crowd in crutches afterwards, coming to the ring with no security stopping her. After a long time of pretending she was hurt, she took her crutches and beat Charlotte with them. After a long build she beat Rousey with her crutches too. It didn’t feel believable how long Becky had until security arrived.

Baron Corbin vs. Braun Stroman (No DQ Match)

Baron Corbin and Braun Stroman fought each other in a No DQ match next. Corbin did a Running Powerslam through a table during this match. Right after, Drew McIntyre’s music hit and he came out with a chair. When he was focused on Corbin, Lashley came from behind and attacked with a chair. McIntyre and Lashley both picked on Stroman. The three guys gave Stroman a Triple Powerbomb through two tables to win the match.

Kofi Kingston vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Daniel Bryan (WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match)

The main event of the evening was the Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship. Samoa Joe and Daniel Bryan started the match. During Bryan’s pre-match promo he got mad at the fact that Erick Rowan wasn’t allowed at ringside. Early on in this match, Bryan was cautious about Joe. He was waiting for another person to come into the match. Bryan fought with Joe until Kofi Kingston came in. Bryan climbed to the top of a pod and just sat down. Kofi hopped onto the pod and then chased Bryan onto the cage. Joe threw off Bryan, but Kofi avoided being taken down. Kofi jumped off the cage, landing back first onto Bryan and Joe. AJ Styles was the next person to enter the match. Joe was eliminated when AJ gave him a Phenomenal Forearm. Jeff Hardy came in next. Hardy did a unique Swanton Bomb off a pod and onto Styles, who was on the top turnbuckle. Bryan then gave Hardy a running knee strike to eliminate him. Randy Orton was the final person to enter. Orton landed an RKO on Styles to eliminate him. Kofi gave Orton a Trouble in Paradise to eliminate him.

The final two were Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan. Bryan and Kingston exchanged kicks. Kofi landed an SOS for a two count. The crowd was completely behind Kofi. Later on Bryan landed a running knee strike, but Kofi kicked out. Bryan tried for another but was hit with a Trouble in Paradise. Bryan turned a pin attempt into one of his own which Kofi escaped. Bryan put in the Labell Lock but Kofi made it to the ropes. They went onto a pod, where after exchanging blows, Bryan got knocked down. Kingston tried for a Frogsplash but Bryan dodged it. Bryan landed a his running knee strike to end the match. The crowd fell silent. I think this is a good example of how when you play up a fanbases dream but have no intention of actually fulfilling it, you make people feel unsatisifed. The crowd did a “thank you Kofi” chant after the match.

Smackdown Live 2/12/19 Results and Review

The show started with a rest in peace graphic for Pedro Morales, who passed away this week. After that we saw a recap of last night, where Vince McMahon announced that Becky Lynch would be replaced at Wrestlemania by Charlotte Flair. Charlotte came out right after and cut a promo. Nothing special happened. She isn’t the best in her division for promo work and it shows.

Carmella & Naomi vs Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville vs. The Iiconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay)

Similarly to what happened last night on RAW, three tag teams that will be in the Elimination Chamber Match for the Women’s Tag Team Championship faced off. Naomi won the match for her team by doing a Split Legged Moonsault on Mandy Rose. During the whole match Peyton Royce and Billie Kay didn’t get in the ring. They jumped Carmella and Naomi after the bell. Since Rose was pinned, her team will start the Elimination Chamber match against Bayley and Sasha Banks.

McMiz TV With The Usos

The next segment was Shane McMahon and The Miz’s talk show segment. Their guests on this episode were The Usos. The Usos did a “tag team test,” which is the questions of favourite food, colour and sports team. Shane and Miz got a pop when saying that their favourite minor league baseball team is the Toledo Mud Hens. The Usos started to act sour once Mandy Rose was brought up. It really struck a nerve. The segment ended with The Usos giving their opponents Superkicks.

Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton (Gauntlet Match)

New Day have been given an opportunity to have the last Elimination Chamber slot after Mustafa Ali lost his due to injury. The group selected Kofi Kingston as the entrant into the match. Kingston faced Daniel Bryan as part of a gauntlet match including all Elimination Chamber members. The winner of the match gets to enter last in the Chamber match. This went for a very long time. Big E and Xavier Woods fought Erick Rowan at ringside late into it. They were kicked out from ringside, yet Rowan got to stay. Rowan threw Kofi into the timekeepers area when the referee wasn’t looking. Instead of the match ending in DQ, Rowan was thrown out from ringside. Kofi gave Bryan a Trouble in Paradise for the pinfall. Jeff Hardy came out next. Kofi eliminated Hardy with an SOS. Kofi escaped a Kokena Clutch and turned it into a roll-up to eliminated Joe. Joe attacked Kofi right after, putting him in a Rear Naked Choke. AJ Styles came out next and attacked Samoa Joe. Styles waited until Kofi Kingston recovered before they started. Kofi was working very hard in this match for what is a very small prize. Styles put in a Calf Crusher, which made Kofi Kingston tap out. The final entrant was Randy Orton, who of course came out of nowhere and did an RKO.

This match had some good wrestling but was half of the show. This just felt like a night off for the writers. NOTHING moved forward on this show. All we had was previews which gave us the same information we already knew.

Smackdown Live 2/5/19 Results and Review

This week’s Smackdown Live started with Charlotte Flair heading to the ring. Charlotte talked about how Becky Lynch’s attitude is what got her suspended last night. Charlotte said she was healthy and wanted to face Ronda Rousey, and then pointed at the Wrestlemania sign. As she pointed at the sign, a spotlight got on Becky Lynch as she was entering through the crowd. No more limping from Lynch. Lynch got in the ring, and security got around her but refused to do anything. They both shouted at each other until Triple H’s music hit. HHH told Becky to go home and told Charlotte to leave the ring. As HHH was leaving the ring, Becky asked him if Stephanie was medically cleared after she got punched in the face. HHH essentially said that Becky acts tough but is actually scared. He claims that she might actually not be hurt and is scared that the doctor will clear her for the Ronda fight. After he finished his lengthy promo, Lynch slapped him. They had a staredown, and then Lynch left through the crowd. I thought HHH’s promo was a little too long, but was good.

Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev

This next match was Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev versus Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The team of Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura were enemies a couple of weeks ago, but have to co-exist now. After a break Shinsuke tried for a Kinshasa but was given a Spinebuster by Anderson instead. Gallows and Rusev were given hot tags. Anderson and Gallows tried for a Magic Killer but Nakamura came in to stop it. Rusev landed a Matchka Kick to end the match after a great exchange from everyone in the match. Using the logic of the wrestling match last night, the match should have been DQ’d when Nakamura came in. But besides that, the finishing sequence of this match was actually pretty good.

Mustafa Ali vs. Randy Orton

It was announced that next week on Smackdown there will be an episode of McMizTV (Shane and The Miz’s show), with the guests being The Usos. We saw a promo backstage from The Usos. The next match was Mustafa Ali versus Randy Orton. Orton landed a Superplex for a two count. After the break, they were fighting outside the ring, with Ali diving over the commentary table, onto Orton. When Orton got in the ring he was given two Superkicks. Orton tried for a draping DDT but Ali got out of it and landed a move of his own. Ali faked out Orton, making him try for an RKO, and then hit a Tornado DDT off the second rope. Orton took Ali off the top rope when he was trying for a reverse 450 and did an RKO. Great match by both of these guys. After the match, Samoa Joe attack Mustafa Ali.

Daniel Bryan Talks About The Elimination Chamber

Daniel Bryan was in the ring with Erick Rowan to talk to the crowd. Bryan was sporting his new WWE Championship. The crowd was 1000% behind Bryan and he seemed to milk that. Now to be fair this was his home state. Rowan actually talked this time, which I don’t think has happened before. After a video package played, Bryan finished his promo. Wow, a whole segment with no interruptions. That feels like a rarity.

Carmella & Naomi vs. The Iiconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay) vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville

We got a triple threat tag team match to preview the Women’s Tag Team Championship match at Elimination Chamber. Deep into the match, Naomi went wild on everyone, nearly kicking Deville’s head off at one point. She got lots of punches in on Mandy because of their recent rivalry. Rose hit Naomi with a move due to Naomi being distracted from dealing with Royce.

Jeff Hardy vs. Daniel Bryan w/ Erick Rowan

The main event of Smackdown was Hardy versus Bryan. Late into this match, Hardy landed a Swanton Bomb. When going for a pin, Rowan dragged Hardy out of the ring, and then attacked him, making the match end via DQ. Bryan put in a Yes Lock after the bell. Samoa Joe came in and attacked Bryan. Mustafa Ali also did a run-in, and took a great Chokeslam from Rowan onto the commentary table. AJ Styles did a run in and got his entrance music. He fought with Orton, who also appeared. This is a rivlary between Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles, with four other guys being background noise. I’m not saying it’s never been like this for a Chamber match, it just shouldn’t be this way.

Smackdown Live 1/15/19 Results and Review

Smackdown started with Becky Lynch arriving at the arena in a car. She is heading to the ring to address her Asuka match at the Rumble. Nearby we see Heavy Machinery blending eggs, pancakes and other random foods with the New Day, who were disgusted at their drink mix. Otis Dozovic was doing his same crazy character that was seen on Monday. Lynch took a sip of the drink after Otis tried it, and said it was a little weak. Lynch went to the ring and talked about how she isn’t worried about her match with Asuka. Asuka came out and said that after the Rumble, Lynch won’t be in Charlotte’s shadow, but hers. The Iiconics came out to chime in on this segment. They proclaim that they will win the women’s Royal Rumble, and then become Women’s Tag Team Champions. Lynch challenges either of them to face her in a match.

Becky Lynch vs. Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay

After the break, we saw Peyton Royce fight Lynch. Asuka watched at ringside, as well as the other half of the Iiconics. During the match, we saw Lacey Evans watching the match from backstage. Royce eventually tapped out to Lynch via the Disarmer. Asuka came storming into the ring shouting in Japanese afterwards. Asuka dragged Billie Kay into the ring for a match to intimidate Lynch, I guess. In this match, Lynch felt like a good competitor for Royce, which isn’t what you want. The match went like 15 minutes, with Royce even having a submission move in when coming back from a break. How can Lynch be a good competitor for Asuka when she’s struggling against Royce?

Asuka vs. Billie Kay

Asuka defeated Billie Kay in a couple of minutes. This sort of reinforced the point on Lynch’s match even more. Asuka and Lynch had a face-off after the match.

Numerous Backstage Segments

AJ Styles came out to the ring and headed up the stairs through the crowd before the broadcast went to commercials. The commentary team kept asking “where is he going?” until Corey Graves straight up spoiled it and said, “he’s going to the concourse!” After the break Styles was at the concourse with hot dogs, drinks and merch. This was to He threw merch into the nearby crowd, but then got jumped by a hooded man who was, of course, Daniel Bryan. The brawl didn’t last too long, but they sure made a mess as mustard got all over Bryan.

We saw The Usos backstage doing a photoshoot. Jimmy Uso was given a box, to which he presumed was a early anniversary gift. He was given a note from Mandy Rose, and a hotel key. Samoa Joe headed to the ring but stopped walking to see EC3 backstage posing in front of a mirror. I like some of the people being called up, but, you look at how they are showing them in these segments and I can’t see any of them being cared about or taken seriously. One thing I did like here was how we had three separate segments that just flew by within a few minutes.

Samoa Joe vs. Mustafa Ali

Well, Samoa Joe was supposed to face Mustafa Ali, but the match was thrown away after he jumped Ali before the bell. Backstage we saw Sonya Deville trying to talk down Mandy Rose from meeting Jimmy Uso at her hotel room. As Rey Mysterio was walking to the ring, he saw Nikki Cross shaking a fence backstage while laughing.

Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas

The next match on the show was Rey Mysterio versus Andrade Almas. Heading to the commercials, Almas Powerbombed Mysterio on the floor. After the break, Mysterio did an impressive Huricanrana off the top rope to the outside. After another break, Mysterio hit a Canadian Destroyer. Mysterio tried for a 619 but it got caught, he turned into a Crucifix Powerbomb. The crowd was going absolutely wild at this point. He landed a 619 but couldn’t hit the follow-up Frogsplash because Zelina Vega got on the apron to distract. Almas ended the match with a Draping DDT off the top rope. These two were amazing, and deserve a longer match sometime in the future. This makes both guys look very strong.

After the match, we saw Jimmy Uso head to Mandy Rose’s hotel. Wait, is this not during work hours? Smackdown is still shooting. When Jimmy entered the room there was a paparazzi member taking photos to expose him. Mandy says that his wife, Naomi, will not like when she sees the photos. Naomi was outside the room and came in to brawl. Naomi brawled in the hotel room and lost the fight. This is dumb, I don’t know what else to say. It feels like a joke to have this on the same card as the Becky Lynch versus Asuka rivalry.

Shane McMahon’s Birthday Bash / The Miz w/ Shane McMahon vs. Sheamus w/ Cesaro

The Miz hosted a birthday party for Shane McMahon’s birthday in the next segment. Corey Grave’s talked about The Miz’s parties in the past like he is Jay Gatsby. The Miz had big cakes in the ring and numerous wrapped presents. The Miz gave Shane McMahon a pair of Jordan shoes and then showed him a video package. Their opponents at the Rumble, The Bar, interrupted. Shane challenges one of them to fight The Miz, but The Miz didn’t want this. Shane eventually made him fight by encouraging him. During the match Cesaro got on the apron to interfere, but then Shane pushed him off, and through a nearby table with the cake. The Miz got a roll-up to win the match. I’m sorry but, am I supposed to cheer for The Miz? After the match Shane hit a Coast To Coast on Sheamus, landing on a cake instead of a garbage can. RAW was better than Smackdown this week but wasn’t that bad anyways.