Rhea Ripley makes babyface case as WWE hits right WrestleMania notes at Elimination Chamber
[ad_1]
Elimination Chamber safely delivered everything you would have expected and maybe a touch more.
WWE got the two chamber match winners right as Drew McIntyre and Becky Lynch are heading to WrestleMania. Finn Balor and Damian Priest had a strong defense of their Undisputed tag team championship and Women’s World champion Rhea Ripley had one of the best matches of her title reign against Nia Jax as she potentially moves more toward being a babyface.
WWE gave us that why also laying the foundation for a few more matches at WrestleMania 40 during a bright and early show on the East Coast from Perth Australia on Saturday morning.
Here are five takeaways from WWE Elimination Chamber
Assisted Living
While the women’s chamber match was better in-ring, the men’s outing delivered some excellent story notes. As McIntrye one in about as fitting a way possible.
Randy Orton, who had just eliminated Logan Paul via RKO, could not get up off the mat for McIntyre to deliver a Claymore. But when he did try, Orton connected on an RKO. But Paul, who had not exited the ring, hit Orton with brass knuckles, allowing McIntyre to steal a win.
McIntyre, who has complained of getting screwed in the past, getting more help on his road to WrestleMania is some sold storytelling and a great way for a heel to win. And it feels like WWE left the door open for Orton, Kevin Owens or both to face Paul for the United States championship at WrestleMania.
McIntyre also got more assistance during the match.
As L.A. Knight was gaining momentum, hitting his Blunt Force Trauma finisher on Orton and McIntyr, he appeared to have the Scottish Warrior beaten. But AJ Styles snuck in as an “injured” Bobby Lashley was taken out and repeatedly beat Knight with a chair. McIntyre took advantage and crawled onto Knight to get his second elimination as it appears Knight will not be in the United States championship picture.
Shortly after entering, Orton appeared to hurt his back delivering his middle rope DDT to Ownes on the apron area. While still looking like he was in pain, Orton got back into the match slowly, enough to hit Owens with an RKO to eliminate him. Commentary sold it like a potential real injury but it become a story for Owen in the match.
The match picked up once Paul entered as its final competitor. He and Owens went after each other. Paul sent Owens through a pod before getting speared through one by Lashley. Lashley then took a Claymore from McIntyre on the apron area and then again in the ring to become the first person pinned.
Tiffy’s Time in Lynch’s Moment
On the women’s side, Becky Lynch correctly won this match but it was Tiffany Stratton who shined brightest. Stratton, who got some very positive crowd reactions, dominated against Lynch and Naomi after being the first person released from a pod. Then a trend of eliminations after big moves or moments began.
Naomi hit a sunset flip powerbomb from the top of a pod only for Stratton to swoop in and make her the first person eliminated and gave the former SmackDown women’s champion a sarcastic “sorry” after doing so. Naomi shot off a tweet at Stratton afterward in what could be the start of the NXT Women’s champion’s first feud on the main roster.
Rodriguez came in next and swung Stratton into the cage before the three other women focused their attention on her.
Morgan would deliver a seated senton from the top of the pod on Rodriguez, which Stattron, who was shortly after eliminated by Morgan, followed with a Swanton Bomb onto Lynch and Belair to bring her time in the chamber to a crescendo. Rodriguez after a double Tejada bomb caught a KOD from Belair to be eliminated.
This match was completed with a frantic finish. Lynch would slip out of a KOD attempt from Belair and Morgan used the moment to surprise the EST and stack her for pin. It felt like a weak way to eliminate Belair, but protected her in a sense because she could use being surprised as an excuse.
Right after the pin, Lynch immediately pounced on Morgan for a Manhandle slam to punch her ticket to face Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania. This was a very solid and fun match that raised up Morgan and Stratton’s stock while giving Lynch the moment and opportunity she learned.
Perfect Homecoming
The Man will face Ripley coming off the best match of her championship run in front of Ripley’s hometown fans and her family. It was a rare chance to see Mami work from underneath as a babyface and the effectiveness of it the main event makes you wonder if it’s the best course for her after WrestleMania.
Jax, who looks greatly improved dominated Ripley early in a way we rarely see as the champ managed a few big counters along the way. In the end, Ripley was able to kick out after taking a Samoan Drop and Jax’s Annihilator drop in the corner. It was then Ripley’s turn to unload, delivering a super-plex from the top rope and then lifting Jax up for a Riptide that brought the fans to their feet for the win.
Final Judgment
The Undisputed tag team championship match deliverer what you you have hoped. Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne had two believable changes to win this match. The first was thwarted by Domink Mysterio from the outside as he pulled Dunne off a pin before the ref tossed him from ringside. Despite another close call that Damian Priest kicked out of, Mysterio’s absence allowed The Judgement Day to look strong in the finish. Priest hit a double South of Heaven on both Dunne and Bate before Balor delivered a Coup de Grace to seal the win and likely a date with DIY at WrestleMania.
Ripple Effect
While entertaining on it’s own, The Grayson Waller Effect segment was a bit of a dud as far as any big new or interaction as there was no appearance by anyone from The Bloodline. Rhodes simply laid out a challenge to wrestle The Rock anytime, anywhere after he got slapped at the WrestleMania press conference. Rollins, who said he is close to being medically cleared, affirmed his commitment to be by his side so a tag match is still possible before they both beat up Austin Theory as Waller stood by and watched.
Notes
- The overhead camera shots and mic in the pods were a nice touch and, probably weren’t used enough in the brought cast. We did get Kevin Owens cheering on Drew McIntyre slamming Paul’s head into the pod.
- Asuka and Kairi Sane retained their women’s tag team championship against Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae on the kickoff show.
Biggest Winners: Rhea Ripley, Tiffany Stratton
Biggest Loser: Naomi
Best Match: Women’s Elimination Chamber
Predictions: 4-0
Grade: B+
[ad_2]
Source link
