Credit: WWE.com
While it won’t soon draw comparisons to Wrestlemania X-7, this year’s Elimination Chamber was a solid pay per view from WWE.
The event had a number of good matches, and perhaps most importantly, it showed that the women’s division could more than carry their end of things. As you will see, four of the entries on this list come from the two women’s matches on the show.
Here now are the 5 best moments from Elimination Chamber 2018.
#5 – Sasha Shows Some Edge
Credit: WWE.com
As Sasha pivots the back of her foot and inches closer to a heel turn, wrestling fans who have followed her since her NXT debut rejoice. Though the Boss has done a great job as a face, her ability to be an effective heel is perhaps unparalleled by any woman in WWE.
Sunday, in an epic moment, Sasha moved yet one step closer to once again becoming that effective heel. As Bayley was ascending the chamber, looking to join her supposed best friend for a double-team aerial move, Sasha showed that winning titles trumped friendship. She kicked Bayley down to the Chamber floor, eliciting a huge response from the live crowd.
The Women’s chamber eventually boiled down to Banks vs Bliss, with Alexa coming out on top. Given the edge and intensity that Sasha showed throughout the contest, Sasha won a victory of another sort. A newfound attitude, combined with a subsequent heel turn, could completely revitalize the Boss, and would provide fresh match-ups and new angles. A heel Sasha vs Bayley at WrestleMania would be a logical next step.
It will be interesting to see where Banks goes from here. But if she does turn heel, it will not be long before she wears gold again–bank on it.
#4 – Mickie Takes Charge
Credit: WWE.com
Anybody who has ever listened to or read Jim Ross’s “Ross Report” over the years has heard the phrase “maximize your minutes”. It’s advice that the legendary commentator frequently gives to wrestlers. It means, simply put, to make the most of whatever role, and whatever time, you are given on TV. Sunday night, Mickie James took Good Ol’ JR’s advice, and did just that.
Though the former six-time women’s champion was in the match for a limited amount of time, she could arguably be called the MVP of the bout. Mickie brought the intensity, and also displayed great ring-generalship during the early stages of the match. Her offensive flurry looked great, and ensured the live crowd would continue to be into the first ever women’s chamber match.
The apex of her performance came when she climbed the chamber and perched herself on one of the structure’s pods. James took a moment to ensure her timing and placement were perfect (and maybe to soak in the moment), and from there leapt from the pod, delivering a gigantic Lou Thesz Press to Sonya Deville, and eliminating the former MMA star.
The impressive dive got the fans completely behind James. In fact, her elimination shortly thereafter drew some of the largest heel heat of the night.
#3 – Alexa Swerves The Fans
Credit: WWE.com
I bought it hook, line, and sinker. So did the folks I watched the show with live. And, judging from Twitter, so did many of the fans watching. We were all subject to a good, old-fashioned professional wrestling swerve from the Raw Women’s Champion.
Bliss, in her post match promo, seemed to be showing a new, more positive side. She exhibited modesty in discussing her victory, and with tears in her eyes delivered an inspiring message about anything being possible. It seemed that we were set to see a face turn from the Goddess, and with an edgier and upset Sasha banks still at ringside (and thus poised to maybe do a sneak attack) it all certainly made sense.
Then, the swerve. “To all you little girls out there, I just want to say…Give up on your dreams! You’ll never turn your dreams into reality so stop trying, losers.” There was the Bliss we had come to know and love (to hate). Suddenly, the fans, who just seconds prior were loudly cheering Bliss, were back to booing her.
It was some awesome character work. It was an awesome display of mic skills. And it showed why WWE has such confidence in bliss as the top-star of the division.
#2 – Nia and Asuka Steal The Show
Photo Source: WWE.com
Though the Women’s Chamber Match may have created more buzz, in terms of wrestling quality, Asuka vs Nia Banks was the best match of Elimination Chamber 2018
The bout had a simple, yet extremely effective story. Asuka, in the two-and-half-years since debuting, had yet to be defeated. Nia Jax, given her own dominance, looked poised to hand the Empress of Tomorrow her first loss. As an added layer of intrigue, a stipulation was added to the match whereby a Nia Jax victory would allow her to be involved in Asuka’s WrestleMania title shot, making it a triple-threat match.
The match went just over eight minutes, but had non-stop action throughout. Jax was allowed to control a sizeable portion of the bout, which ended when Asuka reversed a powerbomb into roll-up, pinning the Irresistible Force. Losing to a sudden pinfall (as opposed to tapping out) allowed Jax to retain credibility and heat, as did a brutal post match beatdown, which saw Jax tackle Asuka through the ringside barrier.
It was a great contest that gave Asuka a serious win heading into WrestleMania, while at the same time showing a rarely-seen vulnerable side of the Empress of Tomorrow. At the same time the match, and its aftermath, continued the work of building Jax as a monster heel. That’s a lot accomplished for one match, and it’s why it was the match of the night.
#1 – Angle Saves The Segment
WWE.com
While we continue to not know if Angle still has it when it comes to in-ring wrestling skills, after Sunday, we know that he definitely still has it when it comes to sports-entertainment.
Kurt, along with Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, was involved in the Ronda Rousey contract signing, which early on seemed like it was headed for train wreck territory. Rousey, doing her first live-speaking since joining WWE was understandably nervous. The hostile crowd seemed poised to completely derail things. Thanks to the comedy work of Angle, however, that derailing never happened.
Angle, showing his goofy side for the first time in many years, hilariously played the part of an aloof GM, who was oblivious to the fact that he was spoiling Triple H and Stephanie’s secret plans. His timing and delivery were perfect (Didn’t you say you had the…). And for his part, Triple H played the foil very well. Kurt’s hilarious antics kept the crowd engaged and on-board with the segment, which was important for moments later, when it ended with Rousey laying out the COO.
Next: The Latest WWE Raw Power Rankings
If Kurt can keep this entertainment up, and get back in his vintage wrestling form, us fans will be in for a real treat–oh it’s true.