The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA hosted this year’s Elimination Chamber PPV on 3/8/20, one of the best shows over the last few months.
The pre-show saw The Viking Raiders get a victory over the team of Hawkins and Ryder, disposing of them with the Viking Experience.
Daniel Bryan vs. Drew Gulak
We opened the main broadcast with a very entertaining bout between the great Daniel Bryan and the underutilized Drew Gulak. Not only was it great to see Gulak on a pay per view broadcast, but he and Bryan had a quality interaction.
Some great chain wrestling opened the show for a Philly crowd that appreciates solid wrestling and just as Gulak looked like he’d come away with a victory after a dragon sleeper, a counter into the Yes Lock saw Bryan garner a victory on the road to Wrestlemania. This story would be one that I’m sure many would like to see continue, but what the fed has in store for Bryan on the big show is anyone’s guess.
US Title Match: Andrade (c) vs. Humberto Carrillo
Andrade successfully defended the United States title against Humberto Carrillo, who far all his talent, just can’t get over the hump. Carrillo is a very talented hand in the ring, but we have yet to invest in his character, as similar to stars like Ali or Cedric Alexander, he’s strictly known as a great in-ring performer and little more.
The United States Champion got a handful of tights to get himself to the pay window after a series of pinning predicaments and counters. Carrillo was visibly distraught after the bell rang and tried to plead his case, but to no avail. We might see a multi-man ladder match at ‘Mania, but the good money would see Zelina Vega turn on Andrade, and we could see a face Andrade defending against the rising star that is Angel Garza. I’d tune in for that action yesterday.
Smackdown Tag Team Title Elimination Chamber
The Smackdown Elimination Chamber for the tag team titles was up next and boy, was this something special. Stories continued and we saw unexpected show-stealers here in the form of the Lucha House Party. The team of Lince Dorado and Gran Metallik were the first two men ousted, but they showed off some impressive high flying, including a spot where Dorado came off the top of the chamber with a shooting star press onto the talent below.
As everyone was in a heap on the mat, Otis and Tucker of Heavy Machinery put away Metallik with their Compactor finish to secure the first elimination.
Otis and Ziggler had the crowd behind them as they furthered their feud and we saw an amazing spot after Otis charged Ziggler, but not only went through the pod, but out of the chamber entirely. Tucker fired off a comeback, but he succumbed to the Glorious DDT and Heavy Machinery was ousted next.
The Usos wasted little time in capitalizing on the distraction as Ziggler ate a Trouble In Paradise from Kofi Kingston, a Big Ending from Big E. and then splashed from atop the chamber pods did him in for the next elimination.
The New Day was the next team out after Kofi Kingston came off the pod with a high risk maneuver, but failed to land and both Miz and Morrison covered him for the elimination.
It came down to the Usos and the current champions, and after some back and forth, Jey Usos was caught with a double team rollup by Miz and Morrison and the champions retained their titles in the chamber. We could see a three way dance between the New Day, The Usos and Miz and Morrison at ‘Mania, that seems like it has all the trappings for a solid contest.
AJ Styles vs. Aleister Black (No DQ Match)
AJ Styles and Aleister Black beat the holy heck out of one another in a no disqualification match for a good piece of time. Chairshots rang true, legs were worked over and just as Black looked to take charge, the numbers game became too much, at least for a moment.
Gallows and Anderson hit a Magic Killer, and Styles went up to hit his Phenomenol Forearm, but the infamous gong rang and the lights went out. The Deadman Rises once again! The Undertaker made his presence felt, clearing the ring of Gallows and Anderson before raising Styles into the heavens and chokeslamming him straight to hell.
The lights went off once again and when they returned, Styles ate the Black Mass and Aleister Black secured the victory. AJ Styles and The Undertaker are headed to Wrestlemania to do business, but what Black does in anyone’s guess. Either way, this was a great rub for the rising star.
IC Title Match: Braun Strowman (c) vs. Sami Zayn/Shinsuke Nakamura/Cesaro (3-on-1)
A shocking title place took place next and sent many fans home happy even before the main event. Braun Strowman defended his IC Title against three very sound talents in Shinsuke Nakamura, the former champ, Cesaro, and Sami Zayn.
Strowman had his way with all three men for a while until the numbers game became too much. Strowman missed a charge on Cesaro and he went shoulder first into the post. Nakamura would then deliver the dreaded Kinshasa and after a double suplex, Sami Zayn hit the Helluva Kick and secured his first singles title in WWE!
It’s amazing to even type that, because this should have happened years ago. Zayn pinned Strowman and looks to be heading into Wrestlemania to defend the strap. The feud with Strowman seems sure to continue, but this was awesome.
Raw Tag Team Title Match: The Street Profits (c) vs. Seth Rollins/Murphy
The Street Profits retained their Raw tag team titles against Murphy and the “Monday Night Messiah”, Seth Rollins after a grueling bout.
The Viking Raiders brawled with the AoP, taking them out of the match as Kevin Owens made his way through the crowd, munching on some popcorn. He tossed some popcorn at a furious Rollins who then got leveled by Angelo Dawkins, who shoulder-blocked him into the barricade.
Murphy fell victim to a spinning splash, a spinebuster and then the top rope frogsplash from Ford as the Profits retained the straps and move towards ‘Mania themselves. Kevin Owens delivered a stunner free of charge to Rollins before dumping the popcorn on Murphy as he left up the ramp. Owens and Rollins at ‘Mania should be great.
Raw Women’s Elimination Chamber Number One Contender’s Match
Shayna Baszler absolutely dominated in the main event and the “Queen Of Spades” is headed to Wrestlemania to compete against Becky Lynch for the Raw women’s title. Lynch was watching backstage, and when Baszler finally left her pod, she made short work of everyone.
Natalya had been roughed up by members of the former Riott Squad in Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan which left her prone and Baszler feasted, tapping her out with the Kirafuda Clutch.
Seconds later, Sarah Logan and Ruby Riott would meet the same fate.
Liv Morgan entered the ring with a head of steam, but was quickly thwarted. Morgan literally passed out as Baszler applied the clutch atop the ropes and she did it in front of Asuka.
“The Empress of Tomorrow” finally entered and the two mixed it up for a time, and it looked like Asuka might have it for a moment, applying the Asuka Lock. Baszler rolled through the ropes, breaking out of the hold and she eventually caught Asuka with her submission, tapping her out.
Shayna eliminated everyone in the chamber and while the pacing of the match was off, this was complete and utter domination, which is what should have happened Monday. “The Man” will take on the “Queen Of Spades” and the time is right for a title change. Lynch needs to chase for a while, but we shall see what happens at the big show. This was a solid show and a great way to build stories for the granddaddy of them all.
