Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
It was a fun enough but predictable night at Elimination Chamber, but it is time now for things to get serious. WrestleMania 34 is less than six weeks away, and most of the card is hardly set at this point.
Few fans are completely sold on the only match guaranteed for 'Mania right now: Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns. After that, Ronda Rousey's mixed tag match looks more or less certain, and Alexa Bliss is likely facing Asuka (or Nia Jax or both). There's so many stars in need of direction.
Raw MVPs Braun Strowman, The Miz, and Elias are floating. John Cena has not even mentioned The Undertaker yet to set up his expected clash with the legend. Sasha Banks needs to eventually turn fully heel, right? This show had serious stories to get moving.
WWE Elimination Chamber 2018 Review
Few fans are completely sold on the only match guaranteed for 'Mania right now: Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns. After that, Ronda Rousey's mixed tag match looks more or less certain, and Alexa Bliss is likely facing Asuka (or Nia Jax or both). There's so many stars in need of direction.
Raw MVPs Braun Strowman, The Miz, and Elias are floating. John Cena has not even mentioned The Undertaker yet to set up his expected clash with the legend. Sasha Banks needs to eventually turn fully heel, right? This show had serious stories to get moving.
WWE Elimination Chamber 2018 Review
Good on WWE for their first concussion storyline with Mickie who clearly hit her head in the Chamber and thought she was still in early 2017.
Asuka, Bayley, and Sasha Banks def. Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, and Nia Jax
Overview: Alexa Bliss flanked by Mickie James came out to brag over her win at Elimination Chamber before promising she would continue to dominate by defeating Asuka which brought out the Empress. Nia Jax came out to assault Asuka again with the three teaming up on Asuka before Bayley and Sasha Banks made the save.
The faces struggled early in this match as the heels used isolating tactics on Bayley then Sasha Banks. However, after Bayley refused to help Banks, she made sure Asuka could take the win, catching Mickie in a new submission, a combination armbar and kneebar.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a long segment in total, but it was well done for the most part. Bliss held together a segment that did a poor job of explaining why Mickie was now a full-on heel with even Mickie's face showing the confusion. The match was solid if unspectacular only showing Bayley is finally wising up to Banks' tactics.
The faces struggled early in this match as the heels used isolating tactics on Bayley then Sasha Banks. However, after Bayley refused to help Banks, she made sure Asuka could take the win, catching Mickie in a new submission, a combination armbar and kneebar.
Highlights:
- Banks forced Bliss into the corner and hit the hanging double knees then caught Mickie and Bliss with a swinging dropkick before taking a shoulder tackle from Jax right into the floor.
- Bayley jumped off the apron to avoid a tag from Banks then Asuka got the hot tag, taking a boot from Mickie before kicking her repeatedly into the mat.
Analysis: This was a long segment in total, but it was well done for the most part. Bliss held together a segment that did a poor job of explaining why Mickie was now a full-on heel with even Mickie's face showing the confusion. The match was solid if unspectacular only showing Bayley is finally wising up to Banks' tactics.
John Cena Heads to SmackDown Live to Find His WrestleMania Match
Overview: John Cena clarified his demoralized comments on Sunday after his loss, acknowledging he failed in the Elimination Chamber but had not given up. He made clear he wanted to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania (as he has every year), but he was told it cannot happen. Thus, he is headed to SmackDown to get his 'Mania spot.
Analysis: This was perfect storytelling. While we all know the end goal is Cena vs. Taker, it is better to make Cena work for it, make him truly desperate. Cena has always wanted to face The Deadman at 'Mania, but something always gets in the way. When he fails on SmackDown, he will do anything to get that match.
What he does on SmackDown is less clear. He will have some spot on the Fastlane card. If SmackDown's booking holds, they'll just add him to the WWE Championship match, but the better idea would be to have him challenge Shinsuke Nakamura like Nia Jax challenged Asuka, setting up a huge rematch for the SmackDown PPV.
Analysis: This was perfect storytelling. While we all know the end goal is Cena vs. Taker, it is better to make Cena work for it, make him truly desperate. Cena has always wanted to face The Deadman at 'Mania, but something always gets in the way. When he fails on SmackDown, he will do anything to get that match.
What he does on SmackDown is less clear. He will have some spot on the Fastlane card. If SmackDown's booking holds, they'll just add him to the WWE Championship match, but the better idea would be to have him challenge Shinsuke Nakamura like Nia Jax challenged Asuka, setting up a huge rematch for the SmackDown PPV.
Why do we keep getting Bray Wyatt vs. Matt Hardy when we could get Wyatt vs. Heath Slater?
Bray Wyatt vs. Heath Slater Never Happens as Wyatt Destroys Everyone
Overview: Bray Wyatt destroyed Heath Slater and Rhyno with his signature moveset, hitting Slater then Rhyno with Sister Abigails. Afterward, he blamed Matt Hardy for this destruction, saying their punishment was on Matt's head, before challenging Matt to another fight to finally destroy the leader of the Woken Warriors.
Analysis: This would have been a strong segment in an interesting feud. It was nice to see Wyatt finally affected by a loss and lashing out. The problem here is that it did nothing to make it worth watching the next Wyatt vs. Hardy match.
Analysis: This would have been a strong segment in an interesting feud. It was nice to see Wyatt finally affected by a loss and lashing out. The problem here is that it did nothing to make it worth watching the next Wyatt vs. Hardy match.
Seth Rollins def. The Miz; Finn Balor def. The Miz
Overview: The Miz ran down General Manager Kurt Angle and his plan for the Intercontinental Championship with the only promise from Angle that his opponent tonight could be involved with his WrestleMania plans. That man was Seth Rollins who ended up defeating Miz with the Revolution Knee into a frog splash across the ring.
Finn Balor interrupted Rollins' celebration and was scheduled to fight Miz, but, at the bell, The Miztourage assaulted Balor and got disqualified. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson made the save for Balor with Angle appearing on the titantron and ejecting everyone else from ringside and restarting the match.
While both men were clearly hurting throughout the match, Balor got rolling more consistently and took out Miz with the Coup De Grace. Afterward, Rolling watching backstage was interviewed and demanded a match against Miz for the title at 'Mania.
Highlights:
Analysis: The Rollins match was top notch as would be expected of these two. Rollins is working at the highest level I have ever seen him work. I finally buy him as a face, and his moveset is pure excitement. Miz has less chemistry with Balor, but they also had a strong match with both fighting hurt.
It was surprising to see Miz pulling double duty, but he deserves serious credit for making both matches the best matches on Raw tonight. They could have waited a week to set up this eventually official triple threat for 'Mania which was fantastic last year and should be even better on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Finn Balor interrupted Rollins' celebration and was scheduled to fight Miz, but, at the bell, The Miztourage assaulted Balor and got disqualified. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson made the save for Balor with Angle appearing on the titantron and ejecting everyone else from ringside and restarting the match.
While both men were clearly hurting throughout the match, Balor got rolling more consistently and took out Miz with the Coup De Grace. Afterward, Rolling watching backstage was interviewed and demanded a match against Miz for the title at 'Mania.
Highlights:
- Rollins clotheslined Miz outside then went for a suicide dive, but Miztourage ushered Miz to safety then distracted Rollins on the apron to allow Miz to knock him into the barricade.
- Rollins reversed the final roundhouse of the It Kicks into a roll up then chopped Miz repeatedly only to be launched by Miz over the top rope to the floor.
- Rollins planted Miz with a blockbuster then went for a frog splash only for Miz to roll away then throw Rollins face-first into the ropes followed by a low DDT.
- Rollins ran at Miz to hit a quick superplex into a Falcon Arrow then went for a Curb Stomp only to have Miztourage catch his leg with Miz nearly hitting the Skull Crushing Finale before The Architect turned it into a roll up.
- Miz kicked Balor off him then suplexed Balor before a low DDT and running knee.
- Balor caught Miz on the top rope with a step-up enzuigiri then hit an inverted DDT.
- Balor took out Miz before he could hit the It Kicks then hit him with his own shoot kicks followed by a running low dropkick.
Analysis: The Rollins match was top notch as would be expected of these two. Rollins is working at the highest level I have ever seen him work. I finally buy him as a face, and his moveset is pure excitement. Miz has less chemistry with Balor, but they also had a strong match with both fighting hurt.
It was surprising to see Miz pulling double duty, but he deserves serious credit for making both matches the best matches on Raw tonight. They could have waited a week to set up this eventually official triple threat for 'Mania which was fantastic last year and should be even better on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Brock Lesnar may be a terrible employee, but he's great at forcing WWE to not script Roman Reigns, making The Big Dog actually likable.
Roman Reigns Runs Down Brock Lesnar for No-Showing Raw
Overview: Roman Reigns admitted that Brock Lesnar was not here tonight, and it just proved once again that The Beast does not care about WWE. He admitted these words would get him in trouble backstage, but he was not afraid to shoot on Lesnar. He was proud of how hard he and the others in the locker room worked every night unlike The Beast.
Analysis: This is Reigns at his best, completely natural and speaking from the heart. I don't know the full story with Lesnar. It is possible this is just a story to make this story feel more real, but I would not be surprised to hear Lesnar bailed on a scheduled appearance with his contract running out. Regardless, this was perfect to build this story.
Analysis: This is Reigns at his best, completely natural and speaking from the heart. I don't know the full story with Lesnar. It is possible this is just a story to make this story feel more real, but I would not be surprised to hear Lesnar bailed on a scheduled appearance with his contract running out. Regardless, this was perfect to build this story.
Sheamus and Cesaro def. Titus Worldwide in a Two-Out-of-Three Falls Match 2-0 to Retain the Raw Tag Team Championships
Overview: Cesaro distracted Sheamus by diving past Titus O'Neil to the outside to allow Sheamus to Brogue Kick Titus for the first fall almost right after the bell rang. Sheamus tripped Apollo on the top rope to allow the tag team champions to hit the diving neckbreaker/White Noise for the win.
Sheamus and Cesaro made clear they're too dominant in an interview afterward, expecting they would soon miss WrestleMania because there were no worthy challengers left.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was an unnecessary match, but it was fun and far more interesting than at Elimination Chamber. Now the opening is available for The Revival to step up to The Bar perhaps alongside the Balor Club. WWE is not showing its hand yet in the tag team division.
Sheamus and Cesaro made clear they're too dominant in an interview afterward, expecting they would soon miss WrestleMania because there were no worthy challengers left.
Highlights:
- Apollo dropkicked Sheamus then Titus set up Sheamus to chop him in the corner only for Cesaro to sneak away and let Cesaro take a shoulder tackle and chop.
- Titus threw Apollo's shoulder into Cesaro in the corner followed by a body slam from Titus into a running elbow drop from Apollo.
- Apollo hit Cesaro with a standing shooting star press then took Sheamus off the apron with an enzuigiri then moonsaulted off the apron onto both men.
- Titus got the hot tag and hit the Clash of Titus on Sheamus for a nearfall before tagging in Apollo for a diving splash with Cesaro saving the pinfall.
- Apollo planted Sheamus with an enzuigiri into a standing moonsault for a nearfall.
Analysis: This was an unnecessary match, but it was fun and far more interesting than at Elimination Chamber. Now the opening is available for The Revival to step up to The Bar perhaps alongside the Balor Club. WWE is not showing its hand yet in the tag team division.
Elias and Strowman should just find common ground and have a concert at WrestleMania instead of some random musician this year.
Braun Strowman def. Elias By Disqualification
Overview: Elias talked a big game before the match, but he was wiped out by Braun Strowman in their match. Elias tried to crawl under the ring, but he was pulled out and immediately blinded Strowman with a surprise fire extinguisher for the DQ. Elias tried to keep up the attack, but The Monster recovered and Elias barely escaped taking a powerslam through the announce table.
Highlights:
Analysis: I like Strowman and Elias, but I don't see them as fighting at the same level. This feud could be fun, but it is not 'Mania worthy. Last year, Strowman was getting rolling then basically missed WM when he was quietly ushered off early in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. This year, he has to have a bigger role.
Highlights:
- Strowman threw Elias across the ring then splashed him with a body avalanche.
- Elias caught Strowman with a diving axe handle but was quickly knocked outside then thrown into the barricade.
Analysis: I like Strowman and Elias, but I don't see them as fighting at the same level. This feud could be fun, but it is not 'Mania worthy. Last year, Strowman was getting rolling then basically missed WM when he was quietly ushered off early in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. This year, he has to have a bigger role.
Stephanie McMahon and Triple H Find Some Common Ground With Ronda Rousey But Less With Kurt Angle
Overview: Triple H and Stephanie McMahon came out, demanding an apology from Ronda Rousey for last night. Rousey responded by marching down to the ring and sending two scurrying before Kurt Angle admitted he lied about what the two had said about Rousey.
Just as it looked like things were settled, Rousey demanded an apology for the slap from Stephanie, promising to rip her arm out of its socket with Stephanie quick to apologize. As he left the ring, Hunter quickly knocked down Angle with a punch to the face.
Analysis: This segment was lesser to the one on Sunday without feeling necessary. The only positive, and it was a big positive, is that Rousey felt far more natural speaking tonight. She still is not a great actor, but she had a much more confident cadence. Obviously, this more or less confirms Kurt Angle will team with Rousey at 'Mania. It is weird they didn't just announce it tonight to add more to this segment.
Just as it looked like things were settled, Rousey demanded an apology for the slap from Stephanie, promising to rip her arm out of its socket with Stephanie quick to apologize. As he left the ring, Hunter quickly knocked down Angle with a punch to the face.
Analysis: This segment was lesser to the one on Sunday without feeling necessary. The only positive, and it was a big positive, is that Rousey felt far more natural speaking tonight. She still is not a great actor, but she had a much more confident cadence. Obviously, this more or less confirms Kurt Angle will team with Rousey at 'Mania. It is weird they didn't just announce it tonight to add more to this segment.
Sure, Seth Rollins went 70 minutes last week, but The Miz went 35 and cut a promo, the true mark of an MVP.
Backstage Notes: Strowman turned his attention away from his loss at Elimination Chamber to once again shutting up Elias tonight. A Hall of Fame video was shown for the fourth recipient of the Warrior Award, Jarrius "JJ" Robertson.
Conclusion: This felt like a more standard good episode of Raw rather than the wrestling overload shows that dominated February. There was some quality wrestling particularly with The Miz, but the focus was more heavily on promos building to WrestleMania.
I was expecting bigger moments, but the show certainly had no real weak points. Shuffle up this card a bit, and you have a real winner of a show. The main event was just placed wrong on this show as it had the least interesting payoff of the whole night.
Overall, this was another week where Raw felt like it had great focus even if this was a show with less wrestling than the growing expectation. I am worried about some of the 'Mania direction leaving this event, but that's more of a wait-and-see situation than a knock on this Raw.
Conclusion: This felt like a more standard good episode of Raw rather than the wrestling overload shows that dominated February. There was some quality wrestling particularly with The Miz, but the focus was more heavily on promos building to WrestleMania.
I was expecting bigger moments, but the show certainly had no real weak points. Shuffle up this card a bit, and you have a real winner of a show. The main event was just placed wrong on this show as it had the least interesting payoff of the whole night.
Overall, this was another week where Raw felt like it had great focus even if this was a show with less wrestling than the growing expectation. I am worried about some of the 'Mania direction leaving this event, but that's more of a wait-and-see situation than a knock on this Raw.
