Last night, the Elimination Chamber event changed the direction that the Road to WrestleMania seemed to be heading in.
For the better? It is too early to tell, but it is clear that this show has many fans eagerly awaiting their next move.
Let’s keep the theory train rolling and discuss the six biggest takeaways from WWE Elimination Chamber 2021.
6. Daniel Bryan Wins Elimination Chamber Match
The main show ignited with a promising Elimination Chamber bout. This opening match justifies how strongly SmackDown has built its main event and upper mid-card scene as any of these guys could have faced Roman Reigns afterwards.
Even men like King Corbin, who has overused the King gimmick now, got his decent moveset on display here.
The match started with Daniel Bryan and Cesaro fighting like old times. It has been speculated that Bryan is to thank for the Cesaro Section being loud and proud the last few weeks and that just makes this starter even more wholesome to watch. The best wrestlers doing what they do best.
Afterwards, Corbin came out and ran the show until Sami Zayn was released from the pod. Or should’ve been. He closed the door that had Corbin looming and was instead attacked by Cesaro and Bryan at the opposite side.
Zayn got lots of in-ring display during this match which fuels the desperation to see a babyface Sami Zayn once again. He is an incredible athlete!
One Zayn spot that didn’t go to plan for him was when he went for a Helluva kick on the outside and rather than hitting anyone he crashed into the pod, bending his foot in a sore looking spot.
Furthermore, he took one of the big, unique Chamber spots last night which saw Cesaro send him crashing from the top. Meanwhile, Cesaro started showing off by doing mind-blowing pull-ups from the ceiling’s chains. Oh god, I absolutely love Cesaro.
Owens was the fifth entrant and he proved why he is one of SmackDown’s biggest stars. Instantly, Zayn tried to renew their friendship but Owens fooled him and eliminated him further into the match.
If these two need something to do at WrestleMania, another Owens vs Zayn match would be intriguing, especially with the roles being reversed with Owens as the face and Zayn as the heel.
Finally, Jey Uso came out last; was this special treatment by the Head of the Table? Nevertheless, like a missile he targeted Owens. This led to one of my favorite spots of the match, which saw Owens get his arm trapped in the Chamber door, resulting in Uso superkicking him again and again to then hit the frog splash to eliminate the former #1 contender.
The match was very impressive and effective in conveying SmackDown’s talent. Daniel Bryan eventually picked up the win, but before he could celebrate…
5. Roman Reigns vs. Edge At WrestleMania 37 Confirmed
The Head of the Table cockily swaggered to the ring.
This was always the Tribal Chief’s plan. He knew that coming out immediately after the gruelling Chamber match would result in a quick victory for him. However, the title retention wasn’t the main story to unfold here.
As soon as the bell rang, Reigns sped into a spear, ready to end this there and then. Instead, Bryan managed to lock in the ‘Yes’ lock and get closer to becoming Universal Champion. However, Bryan was fatigued while Reigns was not. He powerfully broke the submission hold and managed to make Bryan pass out in the guillotine.
This wasn’t the main spot of this match though as right after, Edge hit the spear on Reigns, getting revenge for last week’s SmackDown ending. The Royal Rumble winner then whispered into the Universal Champion’s ear and with an eager guess and a point at the WrestleMania sign, it is easy to believe he challenged Reigns to a match on the ‘Grandest Stage of Them All’.
This was then confirmed later in the show.
Reigns passing out Bryan over the more exciting Cesaro win is probably because Reigns needs a story before he moves onto the ‘Rated-R Superstar’. Therefore, we will most likely see the full match between Reigns and Bryan at Fastlane next month.
4. Riddle Wins United States Championship
Earlier in the day, WWE announced that Keith Lee was pulled from the United States Championship three-way due to an ‘undisclosed injury’. This meant the pre-show saw a four-way created to find a wrestler to replace him.
This saw John Morrison roll up Mustafa Ali due to RETRIBUTION distracting their leader with a beatdown on Ricochet outside the ring. Are they going down a RETRIBUTION breakup route already?!
Then later in the show, Lashley defended his precious title against Riddle and the newly confirmed John Morrison. Additionally, MVP was at ringside supporting his Hurt Business executive with a crutch in hand.
Lashley was really dominant here. This was the ‘Walking Armageddon’ we have been crying for since he signed his new WWE contract. Riddle or Morrison couldn’t beat Lashley on their own whatsoever. Lucky for them that this was a three-way then.
The ending angle saw Morrison get up in MVP’s face, who was trash-talking like he does best. Morrison stole his crutch and went to use it on Lashley.
Riddle then got involved in this scuffle which saw Lashley go hurdling to the outside and Riddle pin Morrison to become United States Champion.
If you pay attention to WWE enough, they will show you what they are planning. Riddle may not be the greatest booked guy on Raw but he does have plenty of screen time a week.
It is a sweet moment to see him win his first singles title. A huge Riddle WrestleMania match against either Keith Lee or AJ Styles would be great.
3. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler Retains Women’s Tag Team Title
Sasha Banks’ face explains it all…
This match was so pointless. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defended their newly won Women’s Tag Team Championship against Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair. One of them being on top of her game as the SmackDown Women’s Champion, and the other is a rising star winning the Royal Rumble last month.
So, what does WWE do? They have Jax & Belair beat them.
This was so meaningless. Jax & Baszler didn’t need the win – they literally defeated Raw Women’s Champion Asuka last month.
Furthermore, it devalues Banks and Belair, who are most likely going to be fighting each other in one of WrestleMania’s marquee matches. Plus, Reginald is strangely getting so much screen time at the moment. Why does his flirtatious storyline with Banks even exist?
If this match wasn’t furthering the Banks vs Belair feud – which it wasn’t – then it shouldn’t have been put on the show. It would’ve been more engaging to have Jax & Belair just beat Lana & Naomi if they wanted the title defended on the show.
2. Drew McIntyre Retains WWE Championship Inside Elimination Chamber
The main event saw Drew McIntyre defend his WWE Championship against Randy Orton, AJ Styles, Kofi Kingston, Jeff Hardy & Sheamus inside the vicious Elimination Chamber structure.
The match started with Orton & Hardy locking horns, before McIntyre entered the fray and defended his title like a warrior. The first elimination came when the fourth entrant, Kofi Kingston, continued to have Orton’s number by rolling him up for the shocking pin.
WWE continues to forget about the Fiend storyline on any other day than Mondays. The Fiend has to come back before the anticipation runs dry, so his reincarnation must happen tonight on Raw. Nevertheless, Kofi eliminating the ‘Apex Predator’ was exciting to see!
On the other hand, Styles’ entry into the match wasn’t exciting. Randomly, Omos ripped the back of Styles’ Chamber pod for Styles to walk around and try and gain the upper-hand. Preferably, Omos should have used this opening to enter the match and help Styles gain the advantage before being escorted backstage by Adam Pearce.
Then a heavily-focused Sheamus lastly entered the fight and progressed his slow-hitting feud with McIntyre. After that, the competitors dropped like flies.
Kofi Kingston got eliminated, then Hardy took the advantage reminding everyone he is actually decent – before being knocked out of the match himself. This left McIntyre, Sheamus and Styles in a mouth-watering final three.
Styles eliminated Sheamus, then when he set up his Phenomenal Forearm for the victory, McIntyre hit a mind-blowing Claymore in mid-air for the WWE Championship retention.
This was a good match that got really intense near the end, but it won’t be remembered because WWE Elimination Chamber 2021 will be recognised for one sole reason…
1. The Miz Cashes In Successfully To Close The Show As WWE Champion
Before the main event, The Miz was seen having a conversation with Hurt Business CEO MVP backstage. This was a bewildering moment.
Is MVP going to help take care of Bad Bunny? Or perhaps MVP wants to buy the Money In The Bank contract because John Morrison cost Lashley his US Championship.
Another noteworthy mention is this segment guaranteed that Miz shenanigans were on their way to the Thunderdome. Immediately after the Chamber win, McIntyre got attacked by the frustrated Lashley.
He placed him in the Hurt Lock and once he finally released the hold, Miz ran out to cash-in, and cash-in is what he actually managed to do.
The Miz ended the show as our WWE Champion for the first time in a decade! This has had mixed reactions but is definitely intriguing if nothing else.
No need to get angry that the Miz is WWE Champion as he likely won’t be by WrestleMania 37. He may not even be champion by tomorrow!
Some have speculate that Lashley could get a WWE Title shot on Raw tonight, and win.
Then we either build to Lashley vs McIntyre, Keith Lee, or Brock Lesnar. These three matches have the most intrigue and could justify Lashley potentially walking into the ‘Showcase of the Immortals’ with the most prestigious title.
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