WWE: The Calm Before Alexa Bliss’ Elimination Chamber Storm

Now seemingly bigger than ever, Alexa Bliss is fresh off a relative calm before this most recent storm at WWE Elimination Chamber 2018.

Three months ago, Alexa Bliss was fresh off arguably the best match of her relatively short career. Though she lost, Bliss shined in her “Champion vs. Champion” clash with Charlotte Flair at WWE Survivor Series 2018, and in the minds of many, solidified her spot as one of the division’s most valuable players.

She followed it up with a pretty neat promo, too, but to the surprise of many, the focus soon shifted. Why? Well in the segment that followed her aforementioned post-match promo, Absolution debuted, and within 10 minutes, they laid out the whole division…Bliss included.

Some suspected that a babyface turn was on the cards for Alexa. With a returning Paige, Bliss’ spot as top heel suddenly seemed rather stagnant. In the weeks that followed, Bliss maintained distance, refusing to help any of her peers opposite Absolution, and instead made only brief appearances on RAW.

It seemed we were headed to some kind of triumphant moment – one in which Alexa would finally snap into motion as a heroic champion. That moment never came, though. Instead our ‘pay-off’ was a group attack that Bliss simply took part in, standing in the middle of the pack like any other woman.

What I just wrote may sound like a critique of creative, but in reality, it’s far from it. If you consider everything Alexa had done up to that point, she acted exactly as you’d expect. She waited, put herself at minimal risk and instead played nice with enemies all whilst doing almost none of the actual work. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m aware that much of the decision-making here is influenced by other factors – none more so than last month’s women’s Royal Rumble, of course.

That match’s booking certainly altered things, and it led to a lack of title defences for both female champions. But as far as Bliss is concerned, she handled the whole history-making event exactly as she should have.

The week after Stephanie’s announcement, Alexa logically came out to remind people of her own part in all this history. That then brought out Asuka for a segment that may well have foreshadowed what’s to come at WrestleMania. Those two would wrestle the week after, too, much to Alexa’s chagrin.

After losing to Asuka, Bliss spent her time rebuilding the topsy-turvy friendship with Nia Jax, purely to hurt ‘The Empress of Tomorrow’s Royal Rumble chances. She did this, of course, all without wrestling another match, instead meddling backstage for any possible advantage or alliance. As we now all know, Asuka did indeed win the rumble match and the following night, a women’s Elimination Chamber was announced. Within that match Alexa’s title would be defended for the first time since October.

Bliss’ response to this completely logical match-making? Very simple: verbally assault Kurt Angle and use company policy to question the man’s whole moral compass. Once that doesn’t work? Attempt to befriend rival Mickie James, all within a couple of hours. From there Bliss spent multiple weeks trying to get James on her side and in the end seemingly succeeded, even if it didn’t impact the Elimination Chamber match in the end. Nonetheless, Bliss came out the legitimate winner and – within a few short minutes – quickly reminded the wrestling world of what she can bring to any women’s division.

With a sincere babyface promo that had many instantly fooled, Alexa pulled the people in before stabbing them in the heart with a vindictive grin etched across her face. This promo worked not only because Bliss is genuinely brilliant, but also due to the fact that  (champ or not) the audience has almost gotten a break from her in recent months. As of late, Alexa has logically remained in the background, and whilst she’s continued to have a belt over her shoulder, that’s almost made her whole act fresh again…or it has to me at least.

I understand the gripe surrounding Alexa’s lack of title defences prior to Sunday, but I can’t lie, I do appreciate it from a heel point of view. The idea that she’d turn up to RAW and meddle backstage whilst quietly extending her reign feels genuinely fitting to me. Her recent in-ring segment with Angle suggests there’s some credence to that aspect, too. As she said, Kurt makes the matches, so if he doesn’t want her to defend it, why in the world would she ask to?

Next: Rousey's Impact At The Elimination Chamber

Regardless of how you spin it, Alexa Bliss heads into another WrestleMania as champion, and after Sunday, feels revitalised once again. I’ve seen the word “stale” thrown around a lot but based on everything Bliss did inside the chamber, I couldn’t disagree more. I’d say the crowd’s response to her supports my case too. Like it or not, Bliss brings something rather unique to the women’s division. That’s not to say its ground-breaking or even innovative; it’s really just excellent heel work. After a brief absence, it feels fresher than ever.