All’s well that ends well, so they say. A show that did not begin with a bang ultimately did end with one. In hindsight, WWE got more things right with this pay-per-view, than they got wrong. At the same time, this show was not without its faults as shall be discussed here.
So what went down in Talking Stick Resort Arena this week? Let’s go live to Phoenix, Arizona for our ‘Best and Worst’ recap of Elimination Chamber.
#1 Worst: A barrage of non-stop botches
The botches just wouldn't stop in this episode of Smackdown Live. They began even before the show, on the pre-show itself!
JBL repeated his most magnificent performance as an announcer, by tripping and falling again. Yes, believe it or not, JBL fell one more time before a packed audience. David Otunga was sure to bring it up later at the commentary desk. We guffawed wholeheartedly!
Moreover, Mauro Ranallo, the shining beacon of commentary on the overpopulated Smackdown desk, repeated a botch he made on Smackdown yet again. He kept forgetting that Elimination Chamber and Hell in a Cell are two different events!
Please be careful, Mr. Ranallo. We love your commentary and do not want you to be replaced, as the rumours indicate!
There was an awkward moment at the German announce desk when the camera panned to them at the start of the actual show. There was utter silence as the men looked confused about how to proceed. JBL saved the moment by making an awful joke.
Ultimately JBL called a ‘tope suicida’ a ‘Boeing Airbus’. Ummm, they're two different companies, sir.
Despite the botches, the commentary was fun, lively and honestly, quite good!
#1 Best: A brilliant Elimination Chamber match
The Elimination Chamber brought out the best in every single performer. The pacing of the match was great, and everybody (John Cena included) tried death-defying spots that got the crowd pumped up.
By the very nature of the match, The Elimination Chamber is a very exciting event. The unpredictability of who will enter first and who will come out next makes it an engrossing affair.
This match delivered on all fronts, including in terms of the eventual winner. All six men here looked like credible top tier Superstars.
#2 Worst: Tag teams or job squad?
In a lot of ways, the only team that benefited from the Tag Team Turmoil match this week was American Alpha.
Everyone else feels too far down the rung to ever take the titles from them. Unless The Revival is called up or some team from Raw is traded to Smackdown, there is absolutely no credible threat to them at all.
The Ascension could not take the titles from American Alpha, even though they had been beaten to an absolute pulp. We hope WWE recognises the problem at hand and helps build credible contenders for the two men.
#2 Best: Long awaited title wins
We always knew that Naomi and Bray Wyatt were destined to become WWE Champions some day, but we are glad that it has finally happened on this night. Both of them are filled with potential, and this significantly changes the dynamics of their respective divisions.
Both Cena and Styles have contractual rematches against Wyatt now. Naomi has a rematch with Alexa Bliss too. One presumes that she can even face the heels of her division in Mickie James, Natalya and Carmella.
Congratulations to both talented superstars and we hope they reign long and mighty!
#3 Worst: Mickie James losing her steam
Mickie James made a much-anticipated return on NXT, only to put Asuka over in a scintillating, hard-hitting contest. She then made a huge debut on Smackdown, only to lose in front of 60000 people at the Alamodome in a 6-woman tag in the 30th Royal Rumble.
This week, she lost again in singles action against the Irish Lass Kicker. Does McMahon hate TNA so much that he cannot let veterans from the company win ever? Sure, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles are in high profile roles, but somehow Mickie’s run seems tainted by her losses.
#3 Best: A new star is born
We’ve seen Randy Orton in many matches over the years. How often have we seen him get a ‘this is awesome’ chant? Luke Harper brought out the best in Orton and gave him his best match in ages. Orton pushed himself too and made Harper look like a Superstar in every sense.
We hope that the company now puts their faith in Harper and pushes him properly as a singles star.
Rating: B (Solid show)
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