WWE Elimination Chamber 2018: Live Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades

Photo Source: WWE.com

Follow along with our live review of WWE Elimination Chamber 2018. It’s the final Raw-exclusive pay per view for the foreseeable future.

After what seems like a crazy long build, WWE Elimination Chamber 2018 is finally here. The top superstars of the Raw brand are gathered in Las Vegas for the big show. The card seems somewhat light on quantity, but the quality should be among the best WWE has to offer. And since it’s the last major show for the flagship show on the Road to WrestleMania, there will be major implications for the Mania card.

First and foremost, the Men’s Elimination Chamber Match will answer a major question: Who will face Brock Lesnar in New Orleans? Seven men are vying for the opportunity to challenge for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania, making this the biggest Chamber match to date in WWE. The Miz will enter the match first, along with (likely) two other superstars. Elias is set to be the last man in, and Seth Rollins, John Cena, Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, and Roman Reigns will be somewhere in the middle.

For the first time ever, WWE is presenting a Women’s Elimination Chamber Match. This one is for the Raw Women’s Championship, meaning Alexa Bliss will finally defend the title. Her challengers are Bayley, Sasha Banks, Mickie James, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville. With another chance to make history – and the title on the line – things are bound to get intense.

Conspicuous by their absences from the Chamber, Nia Jax and Asuka will instead face each other. Asuka’s undefeated streak is well reported at this point, but the other focus of this matchup seems to be lost in the shuffle. If Jax is victorious and breaks the streak, she gets “added to” the Raw Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania.

Three other matches are on the card – another showdown between Bray Wyatt and “Woken” Matt Hardy, a Raw Tag Team Championship opportunity against The Bar for Titus Worldwide, and Gallows and Anderson facing Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel on the Kickoff Show. Plus, Ronda Rousey officially signs her Raw contract.

Related Story: Elimination Chamber Staff Predictions

Join us right here at 7 p.m. ET as WWE Elimination Chamber 2018 gets underway with the Kickoff Show. We’ll be updating throughout the night!

Photo Source: WWE.com

Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel

Result: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson defeated Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel via pinfall

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Maybe it’s from being away on vacation for a week, but this match seems very out of left field. Like, the Miztourage really hasn’t done much of anything in forever. And The Balor Club are kinda sorta maybe still in a feud with The Revival. Dash and Dawson, though, only show up for a (poor) backstage interview post match.

Honestly, this was a pretty by-the-numbers tag match. Babyface team builds up the advantage, the smaller of the two guys falls victim to heel rule bending, and the big dude comes in for a hot tag. Here, Gallows built most of the advantage, Anderson got blindsided and tossed from the top rope to the floor, and Gallows had to wait patiently for the hot tag.

By-the-numbers isn’t necessarily bad, especially when it’s the first thing the crowd is getting outside video packages. You want your crowd to be wild and loud when the main show starts, give them something simple to follow along. Everyone pretty much knew there would be a victory by The Balor Club, because the Miztourage aren’t doing anything. With The Revival waiting in the wings, claiming to be the superior tag team, it makes sense to keep the Good Brothers looking goodski.

Just a quick word about the rest of the Kickoff Show – good video packages, Charly Caruso is one of the best at her job in all of WWE, and please stop having Rosenberg on these shows.

Photo Source: WWE.com

Raw Women’s Championship Elimination Chamber Match

Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Sasha Banks vs. Mickie James vs. Mandy Rose vs. Sonya Deville vs. Bayley

Result: Alexa Bliss eliminated Sasha Banks via pinfall

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

Brilliant decision right off the bat to have Bayley – ultimate underdog, even if that hasn’t translated well on the main roster yet – be one of the two superstars to start the match. I had this fear after Bliss, Banks, and James were locked in the pods that Bayley would be next out, and Rose and Deville would start the match against each other. It would have most likely been a glorified exhibition and a crowd killer. So kudos to whichever producer decided against that.

But Bayley and Deville put on a solid five-ish minutes before the first pod opened. I don’t know how I feel about the weird “neither woman could actually smash the other’s face into the cage” spot. But overall, I liked how things were set up. Bayley’s elbow drop to the outside was a thing of beauty – if ill-advised with her kayfabe/shoot shoulder injuries.

Of course, the first pod to open – “randomly” – was Rose, putting Bayley at an immediate disadvantage. It’s like someone sat down with “Booking for Dummies” and realized hey, this is pretty easy! Absolution spending the next segment just wearing down Bayley was perfect. That‘s how you build up an underdog babyface.

You don’t have to be Nostradamus to figure out that Sasha would be next in to even the odds. The Boss cleaned house, even though the crowd wasn’t totally into it at first (probably expecting a turn). In truth, the only thing that took me out of the match a bit was that the six participants were split into three pairs of allies. Only Absolution is really a strong unit at this moment, but Sasha/Bayley and Mickie/Alexa didn’t really all need to be done.

Rose taking the first elimination was just another great decision. First out of the first Women’s Royal Rumble, first out of the first Women’s Elimination Chamber – it fits, giving her a possible chance to develop her character because of the dubious accomplishments. Plus, it leaves the superstar with the least experience – Sonya Deville – as the only participant at the moment without a partner.

That, of course, came into play once Mickie entered the match, as her daredevil spot led to Deville’s elimination. I wouldn’t have expected Mickie to be the one to climb to the top of the pod, but here we are. Bayley following up with an immediate elimination of Mickie was a bit jarring – we couldn’t give Mickie more than five minutes? Or at least play off the alliance between Mickie and Alexa? It took nearly twenty minutes into the match for the first miscue, but to me that was a big one.

When Bliss finally entered the match, things continued to take a turn. The game of keep away along the cage wall was kind of silly, especially because the end game was so blatantly obvious. Still, Sasha’s inevitable betrayal of Bayley – again – injected some life back into the crowd and match. Any time the focus of the match was on that broken friendship, it was the best part of the later stages of the match.

So of course, Bayley was the next to be eliminated, and by Bliss – after a super Bayley to Belly to Sasha. Alright, then. Bliss and Banks had a decent enough mini-match in their 1-on-1 segment. But the super Twisted Bliss into a super-contrived Banks Statement was kind of overkill. I know everything is about “moments” in WWE today, but that was a bit much. The elevated DDT to close it out for a successful Bliss defense was pretty, though. Alexa’s post-match promo was unnecessary and awkward, but I’ll let it slide.

In general, the first twenty minutes were on fire for this one, but the last ten were a bit uneven. Still, it was a great match and a hell of a way to open the main show.

Photo Source: WWE.com

Raw Tag Team Championship Match

The Bar (Cesaro & Sheamus) (c) vs. Titus Worldwide (Titus O’Neil & Apollo, w/ Dana Brooke)

Result: The Bar defeated Titus Worldwide via pinfall

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Someone probably should have consulted with the wardrobe department before this one – how do you send both teams out in red and black gear? Get either Yolanda from Gimicks (who has made Cesaro’s gear for YEARS) or Kate and Ophidian from Closet Champion (who made the lucha mask for Andrade Almas at TakeOver: Philly) on the line for some new threads!

Clearly, despite the costuming snafu, neither team wanted this to be seen as the “cool down” spot after the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match. Even before the bell, this one was off the hook, with Apollo flying around like the rockets that once bore his name. But it immediately cooled off into a regular old tag team match, nothing much special.

There were some good things throughout – Titus as the hot tag is a sight, isn’t it? He’s just so believable as a major brawler. Another tope suicida from Apollo sent Coach into a fit, but who cares what he thinks?

The chemistry between Cesaro and Sheamus is still among the best in WWE. Sheamus, in addition, is such a great entertainer and performer in general. His little slip going up the ropes didn’t faze him at all – and not only did he play into it, but it led to a near victory for the challengers (Clash of the Titus!)

I think it was a missed opportunity to not put the titles on Titus Worldwide, but there’s no shame in The Bar hanging on to the gold a bit longer. If this is the end of the rivalry between these two teams, something needs to happen with both to keep them relevant – especially Titus Worldwide.

Photo Source: WWE.com

Nia Jax vs. Asuka

Result: Asuka defeated Nia Jax via pinfall

Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars

One thing is for certain: Nia Jax ain’t playing around.

But it’s one thing to do that before the match, when your opponent is nowhere in sight. It’s quite another to do it to an actual, living, breathing wrestling machine, and not an inanimate object.

Once things got under way, it was a very simple story being told – and Corey Graves alluded to it early on in the commentary. Nia Jax was competing to win, while Asuka may have been competing to not lose. It sounds like the same thing, but it’s an important distinction.

Think of a football team with a comfortable lead in the second half. They’ll run a prevent defense, to try and “prevent” the other team from making a big play and getting closer in score. But in doing so, the defense is vulnerable to a lot of short plays, that could be even worse. Asuka, in trying to keep the streak intact, allowed Jax to control the pace of the match while just (mostly) avoiding the “big play.”

But despite eating a ton of punishment, Asuka won in the end. Lots of attempted submissions throughout the match, but it was a pinfall that ended it. The finish was a bit sloppy – Asuka couldn’t really get a good cover on the pin attempt after the hurricanrana – but it’s the right call. Asuka’s streak shouldn’t end on a B-show, and I don’t think Nia should be the one to end it.

What was even better than the match itself was the post-match beatdown. Nia clearly wouldn’t be happy in failing to get into the title match at WrestleMania, so she took out her frustrations on Asuka. Watching Asuka sell the beating was impressive, since you don’t often see her in that light. It really makes Nia look like the biggest bad on the entire show.

Photo Source: WWE.com

Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt

Result: Matt Hardy defeated Bray Wyatt via pinfall

Rating: 2.25 out of 5 stars

Sometimes, I hate minimum word counts. Without going too far behind the curtain here at FanSided and Daily DDT, all contributors are required to write at least 200-250 words per section of our pieces. Normally, me and my big mouth hit that easily, because I don’t know when to shut up. But for this mess, all I wanted to write was, “uuuuuuuuuugggggggggghhhhhhhhhh” and be done with it.

I will say this, though: Matt Hardy figured out how to get the crowd to respond positively to this garbage. Sarcastic show of applause for your opponent? That gets the crowd to clap, too!

But having to sit through a disappearing act, listening to the non-musical of the Woken Hardys sing, and the general lack of engagement in this feud had the Vegas crowd chanting for beach balls. There was nothing in this match that progressed the rivalry at all. And the crowd was quick to let everyone know that.

Perhaps serendipitously, my Network stream went wonky during this match. I didn’t end up missing anything, but hearing “Rusev Day” chants when I caught back up, I wouldn’t have known. Normally I hate when the crowd goes into business for themselves in situations like this, but if you’re not being presented with anything compelling, it’s asking a lot to still pay attention.

https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/967953334123425792

Of course, Coach went on the whole match about how Hardy “had the crowd on his side.” No, Jonathan, I think that was the plan, but that’s not how it played out. Maybe the stint at ESPN took away his ad lib ability?

In the end, Matt won via Twist of Fate. Tune in tomorrow when this subpar rivalry continues for six more weeks, like an evil Groundhog Day!

Photo Source: WWE.com

Ronda Rousey Signs Her Raw Contract

Oh boy, a WWE contract signing. And this one is on pay per view! Man, there is no possible way this can go badly!

As if the producers are reading my mind, mere seconds after Kurt Angle enters the ring to preside over Rousey’s contract signing, there’s Motorhead through the PA. And out comes Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, because the biggest star ever joining WWE needs the most important people in the company in the ring at the same time.

When Papa H gets on the mic, he drops subtle references to The Elite while simultaneously deflecting the “What” chants from the crowd. He puts Rousey over as possibly the best WWE talent acquisition since Angle himself, in terms of sheer star power and prior accomplishments outside the wrestling world.

When Rousey comes down to the ring, she immediately grabs a mic, and demonstrates that she could stand a few classes at the Performance Center. It’s no “sufferin’ succotash, son,” but it wasn’t great.

After a big show of telling the world that Rousey won’t get any special treatment per her request, Triple H tells Stephanie to make things official while Angle looks uncomfortable. Turns out, Angle is spilling the beans H and Steph have a master plan to manipulate Rousey! See, it’s all payback for WrestleMania 31.

Rousey is clearly perturbed at being referred to as a “has-been” by Stephanie – allegedly. Triple H tries to defuse the situation, but he gets thrown through the table by Rousey. Stephanie slapped Rousey in retaliation, but immediately backed down once she saw the look in Ronda’s eyes. Rousey signed the contract – which also guarantees a match for her at WrestleMania.

I know this may not be a popular sentiment in all circles, but this needs to be a legit intergender tag match if they’re building to Triple H and Stephanie facing Rousey and Angle at WrestleMania. Stop this mixed tag nonsense, and just go all out. It’s fine, please. If any four could pull that off, it’s this group. DO IT, WWE.

I did enjoy actually seeing some character development for Rousey, even within this segment. Her mic skills are weak, but that can be explained by being a starstruck “fan” living out a dream. But mess with her – and look what she turns into. Ask Stephanie, she was right there! And believe it or not, this sort of pays off the whole Kurt Angle/Triple H thing from Survivor Series that never got addressed again. Kurt, much like Pepperidge Farm, remembers – and he picked a hell of a spot for payback.

Photo Source: WWE.com

Men’s Elimination Chamber Match, Winner Faces Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania

Elias vs. Braun Strowman vs. John Cena vs. Roman Reigns vs. The Miz vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor

Result: Roman Reigns eliminated Braun Strowman via pinfall

Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars

Whoever told Elias not to bring his guitar into the pod for this match deserves to be fired. How do you pass that opportunity up? Put me in a sour mood before the match even started.

Also putting me in a sour mood: Seeing that three guys still had to make their entrances and it was already 10:34 p.m. ET. It takes twenty minutes just to get all the pods open, so clearly this show was running late. And probably really late, too. Is it a dry run for the four hour pay per views we’re getting after WrestleMania?

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The opening triple threat portion of the match was, honestly, a bit lackluster. The Miz, Balor, and Rollins had a terrific match last May on Raw, so maybe I’m unfairly comparing. The fact that Balor refused to Too Sweet Miz was a bit disappointing – I thought the rule was if you threw it up, you got one back.

Cena’s entrance was, as most things Cena lately, weird and awkward. I don’t know exactly what Cena’s character is right now, but I can’t believe “frat bro who graduated years ago but still hangs around the house because he’s cool and does what he wants because no one wants to confront him” is it. The shove fest with Rollins was dumb, and I never thought I’d be so happy as when Reigns entered the match.

Reigns just slowing everything down was excellent. A series of big strikes to everyone – except Rollins – just helped to sell the brutality of the match. But the best participant in the match – in a walk – was Braun Strowman. The only thing that could have been better for Braun would be if he didn’t wait for the pod to be unlocked, and just smashed his way out during the countdown.

The Miz was the perfect foil for Braun – he took the beating like a champ, even if I worried for his cognition as he went head first into the plexiglass. Reminded me of Thor in every one of his movies. But Strowman getting the first elimination – of The Miz, which sad face emoji – after annihilating everyone puts him over as the monster he needs to be. The fact that it took four guys to get him down was impressive – as was the kick out after a four man powerbomb and four man pin.

Elias had a sound game plan – wait in the pod as long as possible, and pick your spot. It worked fairly well, as he had Reigns on the ropes for a bit. Strowman came back for elimination number two, hitting Elias with a powerslam. Elimination number three for Braun was John Cena, who gets to whine about not going to WrestleMania again because of it.

Getting down to a final four of Braun, Reigns, Rollins, and Balor wasn’t particularly surprising. What was a bit surprising was how well protected the Coup de Grace is. Rather than let Reigns kick out, Strowman instead caught Balor before he could go for the pin, eliminating him with a powerslam. So Reigns takes a finisher, doesn’t weaken it by kicking out, and actually sold the damage (even though a 185 pounder stepped on a guy wearing a flak jacket).

Rollins “turning” on Reigns was a nice touch – much like the other way around at the Royal Rumble, it’s every man for himself. The sequence between them was some of the best work of the match. I really thought after Braun got involved again and Rollins climbed onto the pod that they were going to do a tandem Blackout or something. Thankfully, it was just a frog splash from the pod – and of course Braun kicked out again.

Strowman getting the pin on Rollins – on the biggest hot streak of his career – was very poetic. Once again, Braun just wasn’t finished with Roman yet. He literally went through every other competitor in the match just to finally finish things with Reigns. No ambulances, no production trucks, no allies – just two guys who can’t move on until they beat the other one. Zayn and Owens are the ones we usually think of when we say “we are destined to do this forever.” But maybe Reigns and Strowman are taking that crown.

Reigns finally caught an advantage when he put Strowman through one of the pods. But Braun can’t be put down like a normal superstar, so it took several Superman punches and a pair of spears to get him down for the three count. So Reigns wins, as was expected, but Braun got the last word – putting Roman through a pod and hitting a pair of powerslams following the match.

Say what you want about Reigns, but at WrestleMania he and Lesnar will put on a great match. It won’t be a 30-minute psychological battle. It’ll be 10-15 minutes of pure carnage. But it will be better than their Mania match three years ago (which wasn’t that bad, but needed Rollins to save it).

Next: WWE WrestleMania 34: Predicting the Card

Overall, WWE Elimination Chamber 2018 was a solid card. Both Chamber matches delivered, Nia and Asuka was solid, and the Rousey contract signing was no worse than anticipated. What did you think?