U.S. Title Qualifier
John Morrison defeated Mustafa Ali (w/ Retribution), Elias and Ricochet
6/10
I hate that Keith Lee is out of action, but I'm glad that in replacing them they added a qualifier with a bunch of people that should get to be highlighted. This was a really fun sprint with good, hungry talent and a lot of wild spots. As FightfulSelect.com reported earlier this evening, John Morrison was the primary named discussed to replace Keith Lee. He'll be moving on to the United States Title match tonight. Ali and Retribution are not happy about the loss at the end of the match.
Top Contender Qualifier
Elimination Chamber
Daniel Bryan defeated Jey Uso, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, King Corbin & Sami Zayn
8/10
Cesaro wearing some cage trunks. We get five solid minutes of Cesaro and Bryan. This is good, of course. Corbin is in next and kicking ass. He's got a lot of great offense and a great pace, which is where he works best. Some abysmal camera work when Sami Zayn joins the match and gets beaten up by Cesaro. They miss a big Zayn and Cesaro spot, go figure. Cesaro taps out Corbin with a Sharpshooter and Kevin Owens is out next. Zayn tries to get Owens to help him, but he's not doing it. Lots of signatures and finishers hit and lay everyone out. Kevin Owens always jumps off of something crazy, and always looks safe when he's doing it. It never looks like someone is about to miss a month of action just because they're taking the spot. Owens eliminates Zayn, then Uso beat the crap out of Owens and slams him in the door. Uso pins Owens. Cesaro does a crazy Swing on Uso into the cage.
Cesaro does a super gutbuster and a half crab Swing, but gets put out by Jey Uso. Uso tries to get the win with the Uso Splash, but Bryan kicks out. Uso tries a splash off the top rope, but eats knees. Bryan wins with a flying knee.
WWE Universal Championship
Roman Reigns (c) (w/ Paul Heyman) defeated Roman Reigns
SQUASH
Bryan applies the Yes Lock, but Reigns gets out and quickly puts Bryan to sleep. Edge comes out and Spears Roman Reigns and points at the sign.
Other Stuff
Bad Bunny is talking to Sonya Deville, when Miz gets in his face. Bad Bunny slaps him. When Miz turns around, Damian Priest is standing there.
WWE United States Championship
Riddle defeated John Morrison and Bobby Lashley (c) (w/ MVP) to become champion
7/10
Bobby Lashley is dominant and wants non of John Morrison's help. Riddle and Morrison realize doubling up on Lashley is their only hope, but Lashley stops that, too. Riddle causes Morrison to accidentally dive on Lashley and does an Floating Asai (haw haw Asai never did that move) on Lashley. Spot after great spot, and Morrison talks trash to MVP. Lashley puts him in the Hurt Lock, but Riddle cracks him over the back with a crutch. Bro Derek on Morrison, and Riddle is the new U.S. Champion! ANOTHER really great match. Lashley kept really, really strong and has been one of the better protected wrestlers in the last six months in WWE.
WWE Tag Team Championship
Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler (c) defeated Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair
5/10
I want them to add Sasha Banks' laugh to the beginning of her theme song like Ted Dibiase's. Bianca and Sasha work well together, and Bianca knocked the shit out of Shayna with a kick. Per usual, Shayna Baszler has kickass gear. Banks, Basler and Bianca are all flying around the place, and Nia is serving as a base for them. Reginald comes out with champagne and throws a bottle Sasha Banks to use. Instead, she eats a Samoan drop. My idea of building someone for a WrestleMania main event would probably never include them getting distracted and pinned in a midcard tag match
WWE Championship
Drew McIntyre (c) defeated AJ Styles, Sheamus, Randy Orton, Kofi Kingston and Jeff Hardy
6.5/10
WWE running Drew's "people who deserve title shots will get one" promo is wild considering they went with Big Show out of nowhere, Rollins after a Mania loss, Ziggler for showing up, Orton 82 times, Goldberg for being there, then a bunch of people who have barely won since Fall.
We start with Orton and Jeff Hardy, a safe first two. Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston are the next two out. Kofi Kingston completely having Randy Orton's number is GREAT! He pins Orton. Orton RKOs everyone. AJ Styles has Omos rip off the back of the pod so he can run in and capitalize. Omos may never wrestle as far as I know, but they've used him GREAT. WWE just created a way for someone else to sneak into the Chamber later in the match if need be.
Drew McIntyre hosses AJ, Hardy and Kofi all around. Sheamus is finally in, and Kofi does a Trust Fall onto everyone. Sheamus pins him with a Brogue Kick. Jeff hits Whisper in the Wind off the Pod on Drew and Sheamus, then a Swanton on AJ. Drew Claymores Jeff to pin him. AJ Styles changes from a springboard 450 to a springboard Swanton, then does another 450. AJ Styles hits Sheamus with a Phenomenal Forearm and wins. Then Drew catches AJ with a Claymore for the win.
WWE Championship
The Miz defeated Drew McIntyre (c) to become WWE Champion
Bobby Lashley comes out and attacks Drew McIntyre. Miz is cashing in! Drew McIntyre kicks out of a DDT, but gets pinned with a Skull Crushing Finale!
Rating Guide
10- Perfect, 9- MOTY Territory, 8- Excellent, 7- Great, 6- Good, 5- Average to above average, 4- Slightly below average, 3 or below: Poor
Each match starts at a 5 and slides up and down based on entertainment, execution, time, environment, reaction and stakes. The ratings are in no way an indication of a "star rating," which is a completely different system. A standard, non-offensive "TV match" lands at a 5. The gap between 5.75-6 is generally the largest, with anything reaching 6 being recommended viewing.
These are opinions, and incredibly inconsistent ones that may change upon a second viewing, or sitting on the match for a period of time. Don't take them too seriously, and have (and share) your own!
