I am writing this sentence two-and-a-half weeks after Elimination Chamber 2022, which in WWE Universe Time can feel like an eternity or nothing at all and sometimes (usually) is somehow both. It was the 12th edition of Elimination Chamber the show and 30th edition of Elimination Chamber the match. Where was it? A little country known as—
0. Rey Mysterio w/ Dominik Mysterio vs. The Miz
WWE is still capable of greatness by virtue of just employing Rey Mysterio, neck-and-neck with Liger and a few Luchadores in possessing an ability to not only endure but be superior to the business around them deep into their career. Miz played a proper dipshit and was in place for every Rey spot at just the right time time, though the obscenely excited opening match crowd probably helped a little more. ***1/2
1. WWE Title: Roman Reigns [c] w/ Paul Heyman vs. Goldberg
Uninspired setup, unremarkable delivery… and yet, it happened. We can question why WWE is in a place where Roman/Goldberg is one of the few last spectacle matches available to them while at the same time enjoying this stupid yet perfectly laid out 6-minute pro wrestling match. Staredowns and Spears, smoke and mirrors. ***1/4
2. Elimination Chamber – Winner Faces Becky Lynch for the RAW Women’s Title at WrestleMania: Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Liv Morgan vs. Nikki ASH vs. Doudrop
Bemoaning the state of the Elimination Chamber match in 2022 lacks more imagination than the Elimination Chamber match in 2022 itself, but here we were. It was laid out well enough to always have something going on, including a big run by Belair at the end and the shocking aptitude displayed by WWE when they referenced Alexa Bliss and Nikki A.S.H.’s partnership from two years ago. Nevertheless, it was still a match where you had a person named “Doudrop” entering a thing called the Elimination Chamber. ***
3. Ronda Rousey & Naomi vs. Charlotte Flair & Sonya Deville
Nobody was asking for much from this other than the basics, and they kept it basic. It was so basic that it almost delivered, but too basic to actually. All in a day’s work. **1/2
4. Falls Count Anywhere: Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss w/ Happy Corbin
There was a moment during this where I remember thinking it seemed like a fun WWE house show romp, but all I recall now is that moment and Riddick Moss getting dumped right on the top of his head with a move gone wrong, which for a second felt like it was a career-ended but thankfully ended up just being something WWE could replay over and over the next night on RAW. Hahahaha! ***
5. RAW Women’s Title: Becky Lynch [c] vs. Lita
Another belated passing of the torch dream match (ish) like Roman Reigns vs. Goldberg, and like that match we can ask why this is here or we can just appreciate the effort if not the delivery. When Lita went to clap hands with those little girls in the front row… man, you know — for a brief moment, I felt OK about every terrible thing any country or person has ever done. ***1/4
The planned The Usos RAW Tag Team Titles defense against the Viking Raiders didn’t happen when The Usos attacked The Vikings before the bell. Some people just want to see the world.
6. Elimination Chamber – WWE Title: Bobby Lashley [c] vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles vs. Riddle vs. Austin Theory
Bemoaning the state of the Elimination Chamber match in 2022 lacks more imagination than the Elimination Chamber match in 2022 itself, but here we were. It was laid out well enough to always have something going on, including a big run by Brock at the end and Theory getting tossed off the Pod. Nevertheless, it was still a match where you had this Brock Lesnar character once again waltzing his way to a WWE Championship. ***
Happy Thoughts: There was a consistency to the wrestling here, even if you’ll be perfectly fine not ever watching any of it and it’s actually very possible you’ve already seen similar if not identical matches before. The Road to WrestleMania… it rolls. 2.0 / 5.0
