The inaugural Women’s Tag Team Championships were decided and other titles also changed hands at Sunday’s Elimination Chamber in a pay per view that was okay as the road to WrestleMania 35 continues. Here’s a report on each match from the Elimination Chamber with a grade attached. Don’t agree with a grade, then feel free to score the show. If you missed the pay per view, be sure to check our Elimination Chamber results.
Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey vs. Ruby Riott
Charlotte Flair’s promo lasted longer than the actual match, which means that Ruby Riott was buried for the sole purpose of elevating a WrestleMania bout. After the match, Rousey and Charlotte exchanged words inside the ring. Then Becky Lynch came through the crowd to save the fans from rioting. She took out both ladies before security escorted Becky from the arena. If Ruby was allowed to mount some offense, it would have helped. Ruby was fed to the wolves for a storyline and she deserved better as the Riott Squad has been impressive since they debuted over a year ago. Grade: D
Handicap Match for the Intercontinental Championship: Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush vs. Finn Bálor
This was more of a singles match as Bobby Lashley did all the hard work while Lio Rush sat on the apron. There was nothing special during the match, besides Lio getting too involved and costing Lashley the title. Post-match was where things got interesting. Lashley seemed to calm down, but then went after Lio. So, I am not sure if Lio becomes a face since Lashley returned later in the evening to prove that he is still a heel. Grade: C+
SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The Miz & Shane McMahon vs. The Usos (Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso)
Before the match began, Maryse let us know that she is pregnant and The Miz dedicated the match to their unborn child. That should be a clue that the titles are not going anywhere. Or the fact that Jimmy Uso got a DUI a few days ago; plus, there is talk of The Usos leaving WWE for All Elite Wrestling. Both teams were over and I am not sure if there were any heels involved in the match. In a bit of a shock, The Usos proved they are best by regaining the titles. Not the most memorable match from The Usos, but the title change was shocking. No heel turn from Shane or The Miz, which was also surprising. Grade: B-
No DQ Match: Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin
This match had been building since Crown Jewel. Baron Corbin got more offense than I imagined before Braun Strowman took control. Out came Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley who acted like The Shield as they powerbombed Strowman through a stack of tables. I am so tired of Strowman vs. Corbin and we have not seen the end of their feud. It is rare Strowman loses and it should not have happened with WrestleMania 35 less than two months away. Grade: B-
Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE Championship: Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton vs. Samoa Joe vs. Kofi Kingston
In the end, the match really only focused on Kofi Kingston trying to fulfill an 11 year dream while Daniel Bryan tried to retain his title. Samoa Joe was first eliminated, which seems to be a pattern for the Samoan. Jeff Hardy hit that awesome swanton bomb before quickly being pinned. Same could be said for Orton, whose highlight was the RKO to AJ Styles. When the match came down to Kofi and Bryan, you knew the title was not changing hands. Kofi is over, but he will never be WWE Champion. That ship sailed many years ago. Even though most figured Bryan would win, fans would pop for any moment that saw Kofi mount some offense. I think if the other four participants did more inside the Chamber, the match would have been better. Everyone did their job; it just felt like this could have been a singles match between Bryan and Kofi. Grade: B+
Cruiserweight Championship: Buddy Murphy vs. Akira Tozawa
We might as well rename the pre-show to reflect the 205 Live brand because that is where they always land. Like in the past, Buddy Murphy and Akira Tozawa set the bar for the rest of the show. Murphy used his size and eventually got the pin. Good effort by Tozawa, but Murphy is just too big for the cruiserweight division. It might be time for Murphy to join RAW or SmackDown (like Mustafa Ali) and allow the other 205 Live superstars to battle over the belt. Grade: A-
Tag Team Elimination Chamber Match for the Inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Nia Jax & Tamina vs. The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan) vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville vs. The IIconics (Billie Kay & Peyton Royce) vs. Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Naomi & Carmella
The main card opened with the first ever Women’s Tag Team Champions being crowned. The match was decent, with the brutality level not being what fans usually see inside the Chamber. After the week Naomi & Carmella had outside of wrestling, it is no surprise they were the first gone. The IIconics make for a great team that will probably never become major stars. Nia Jax & Tamina really upped the intensity. The spot of the match went to Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan for flying off the pods. In the end, the fairytale concluded with Sasha Banks & Bayley winning the titles. It was a little tough to not shed a tear as Banks & Bayley were almost speechless wearing the gold. Grade: A-
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