As we continue on the Road to WrestleMania, Raw has its final PPV before the big event. The big news coming into the event was Ronda Rousey signing her WWE contract. In the main event, we got to see who would headline WrestleMania Against Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship. In a history making event, the ladies had their chance in the Elimination Chamber as Alexa Bliss defended her title. Nia Jax battled the undefeated Asuka with WrestleMania implications. Let’s get started to see how everything turned out at the Elimination Chamber PPV.
We started things off with the Women’s Elimination Chamber match. Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville tried to capture the Women’s title from Alexa Bliss. With this being the first time, the ladies being in the Chamber, they didn’t disappoint. Bayley and Sonya Deville kicked off the match. They battled until they were joined by Deville’s Absolution teammate, Mandy Rose. They pummel Bayley and even had her tied up in the chamber until Sasha Banks evened the odds. Banks and Bayley fought off Deville & Rose until Banks made Rose tap with the Banks Statement.
Mickie James was the next competitor and she came in on fire. James cleaned house and eventually eliminated Deville by hitting the Thesz Press from the top of the pod. Sasha hit the backstabber on Mickie and Bayley hit the Bayley-to-Belly to eliminate Mickie James. Sasha Banks and Bayley wait for the pod of Alexa Bliss to open. Bliss closes it, but Banks & Bayley try to pry it open. Bliss eventually climbs to the top of the pod. Banks & Bayley follow, and Banks eventually got a hold of Bliss and slammed her into the pod. Bayley is climbing the pod and it seemed like Banks was about to help her, but she kicks Bayley in the head. Bliss climbs off the pod and Banks cornered her, but Bayley attacks Banks from behind.
They all continue to fight until Bayley hit the Bayley-to-Belly, but Bliss rolls up Bayley from behind to pin her. Banks and Bliss battled, then it seemed like Bliss was about to win. The champ went for Twisted Bliss from the top of the pod, but Banks got her knees up. Sasha locks in the Banks Statement, but Bliss escapes. Sasha tried to climb on to the top of the pod, but Bliss made her go face first into the pod. Bliss hits her patented DDT from that position to pick up the win and retain her championship. Winner and Still Raw Women’s Champ: Alexa Bliss
Match Rating: 4/5- This was damn good match and wonderful way to kick off the PPV. Afterwards, Bliss cut a promo about where it seemed like she was turning face, but that changed quick.
We have the matchup for the Raw tag team titles. The Bar defended their titles against Titus Worldwide. Titus and Apollo have got the best of the tag champs a couple of times on Raw, which earned them a shot at the titles. Honestly, the only two things I like about this matchup was seeing Apollo on a PPV and showcasing his skills. Apollo is one of the better wrestlers in the world, but he hasn’t really been given a chance in the WWE. As far as Titus, he’s a great dude and his work outside of the WWE is exactly what the company need. In the end, The Bar retained the titles by pinning Apollo. Winners and Still Tag Champs: The Bar
Match Rating: 2/5
We have the matchup between the undefeated Asuka and the powerful Nia Jax. If Jax were to beat Asuka, the Women’s title match at WrestleMania would become a triple threat match. Throughout this match, it was all about Asuka trying to find a way to counter the power of Nia Jax. For Nia Jax, she dominated the match because her size and strength were just too much. In the end, Jax was about to powerbomb Asuka as she yelled, she going to WrestleMania. Out of nowhere, Asuka reversed the hold and rolled Jax up for the win. Winner: Asuka
Match Rating: 3.5/5- Added an extra half point because Jax attacked Asuka after the match. Nia tossed her out of the ring and speared Asuka through the barricade.
We have the match between Bray Wyatt and “Woken” Matt Hardy. These two have been feuding for about a couple of months now. For the wrestling fans that don’t know, “Broken” Matt Hardy was one of the most popular characters in TNA this time last year. For Bray Wyatt, ever since he won the world title at this event last year, he’s been on a free fall. In the end, Hardy reversed Sister Abigail and hit the Twist of Fate for the win. Winner: “Woken” Matt Hardy
Match Rating: 2/5
We finally have the much-anticipated contract signing of Ronda Rousey. Kurt Angle, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon were all in the ring. Stephanie talked about it being a historic moment and Triple H talked about searching the world for talent. After Triple H continued to put Rousey over, they finally introduced her. The crowd went nuts as she entered the ring and talked about this being a dream come true. Triple H told her that once she signs the contract, she’ll have a match at WrestleMania, but not a title match. Stephanie gave Rousey the pen to sign as Angle and Triple H conversed, then Rousey asked Angle if he had something to say. Angle says he is amazed by Triple H and Stephanie. He has been hearing them talk about getting back at her for years since she made them look foolish at WrestleMania. Angle says backstage Triple H said, “three years in the making and now we own the bitch”. Triple H tells Angle to shut up. Rousey is staring down Triple H; Triple H tries to say Angle is sick and that’s why he is talking crazy. Triple H and Angle leave the ring. Stephanie says they have been talking about Rousey since that WrestleMania. Rousey embarrassed them, but she also impressed them even more so. As Angle is walking up the ramp he adds that Stephanie said that Rousey is a has-been and even Stephanie could take her. Rousey gets in Stephanie’s face. Triple H runs to the ring and steps between them. Rousey gets in Triple H’s face. Triple H leads Stephanie to the other side of the ring. Triple H walks back over to Rousey. Rousey lifts Triple H up and puts him through the table in the ring. Stephanie slaps Rousey. Rousey stares at Stephanie as Stephanie backs away. Rousey signs the contract and leaves.
Segment Rating: 4/5- Everything started off a little awkward, but things quickly picked up. Overall a great segment and I’m figuring we’ll have Angle/Rousey battling Triple H/Stephanie.
We have the main event with the winner earning a title shot against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Finn Balor, Seth Rollins and The Miz started the match out. Miz tried to get Rollins to help beat up Balor, Rollins said no and then Miz went to Balor and done the Too Sweet sign, Balor laughed. Balor and Rollins beat on Miz, but they all continued to battle until John Cena came out next. Cena and Rollins had a stare down, then Rollins pushed Cena and they went at it. All four men in the ring continued to battle as Roman Reigns was next to enter the match. There were no eliminations and Braun Strowman were the next to enter the match.
All men were down except Strowman and Miz, then Miz runs and climb the pod. Strowman catches him, slams his head into the pod repeatedly and tossed him off it into everyone else. Strowman eventually hit the powerslam on Miz to pin and eliminate him. Elias enters the match, but he closed the pod while all the others jumped Strowman. They all powerbomb him and hit their finisher maneuvers on him, but he rolled out of the ring. The other four guys beat on each other, which brought Elias in to try and pin everyone in the process. Elias tries to powerbomb Strowman, but his legs give out and Strowman powerslams him to eliminate Elias. Everyone ganged up on Strowman and Cena dives off the top onto Strowman, but he was caught, powerslammed, pinned and eliminated.
Once again everyone worked together to try and eliminate Strowman, but he fought back. Balor hit the Coup De Grace on Reigns, but Strowman grabs Balor and eliminated him with a powerslam. Reigns and Rollins worked together to try and take out Strowman. Braun absorbed clotheslines, Superman Punch and a Frog Splash from the top of the pod by Rollins. Rollins and Reigns set Strowman up for a powerbomb, but Reigns break it up and send Reigns out of the ring. Rollins hit multiple superkicks to Strowman, but he ran into a powerslam from Strowman to be eliminated. It came down to Reigns and Strowman to see who will face Lesnar at WrestleMania. They fought until Strowman went head first into the pod, met a Superman Punch and a pair of spears for the win. Winner: Roman Reigns
Match Rating: 4/5: This was another great Elimination Chamber match, and many will hate it, but the right man won the match. After the match, Strowman attacked Reigns by hitting a powerslam and tossing him through one of the pods.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10- Overall this was a terrific PPV and I’m amped about WrestleMania. The Ronda Rousey segment was a success and below are my top 3 matches of the PPV.
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Match
- Men’s Elimination Chamber Match
- Asuka vs. Nia Jax
Did you check out the Elimination Chamber PPV? What did you think about the PPV? What was your favorite match of the night? What did you think about the Ronda Rousey segment? Leave a comment below.
