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WWE Elimination Chamber 2021 proved to be a fun pay-per-view that progressed several stories, culminating with a massive title change that will make WWE RAW must-see television. The card featured six matches, including one on the pre-show that saw four Superstars competing to find their way into the Triple Threat match for US Championship. This came after Keith Lee was not featured on the PPV due to injury.
In the first Elimination Chamber match, Daniel Bryan, Kevin Owens, Cesaro, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, and Jey Uso competed to win an opportunity to face Universal Champion Roman Reigns for the title. The championship match took place immediately after the Chamber match ended.
Next up was the aforementioned US Championship match that ended with a surprising title change. The WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match was arguably the weakest bout of the night.
In the main event, Drew McIntyre defended his WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber against five former world champions. However, it is the post-match developments that have gotten the fans buzzing.
In this article we will be rating all the matches on the Elimination Chamber card. Do share your opinions and thoughts in the comments section below.
#6 John Morrison vs Mustafa Ali vs Elias vs Ricochet - Elimination Chamber 2021
After Keith Lee withdrew from the Triple Threat US Championship match at Elimination Chamber, a fatal-four-way to determine his replacement took place on the pre-show of the PPV. While the usual pre-show matches are mostly skippable, the four competitors in this bout - Mustafa Ali, Ricochet, John Morrison and Elias - had a pretty fun and entertaining clash.
The four Superstars worked very hard, with Morrison standing out thanks to his high-flying offense. Since his return to the company, many fans have questioned the booking of Morrison, but the company wisely handed him the win here. Ensuring that he finally got to showcase his skills in a prominent match on the card.
Even in a loss, Ricochet was protected as he was taken out by RETRIBUTION, while Elias had his moments in the early stages of the match. As for Mustafa Ali, it made sense for him not to win here, as he's heading towards a possible WrestleMania clash against Kofi Kingston.
Star Rating - ***1/2
#5 Daniel Bryan vs Cesaro vs Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn vs Baron Corbin vs Jey Uso inside the Elimination Chamber
In the first match of the Elimination Chamber main card, six Superstars from WWE SmackDown clashed inside the chamber for a shot at Roman Reigns' Universal Championship later in the night. After a hard-fought battle, it was Daniel Bryan who came out on top. Baron Corbin was the first one to be eliminated after Cesaro caught him in a Sharpshooter.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn had some fun interactions, while Jey Uso proved to be the key player of the match, as he scored two vital eliminations in the form of Owens and Cesaro. Bryan and Jey Uso were the final two competitors in the bout, and there was more than one moment when it looked like the Uso might come out with the win.
However, The Yes Man blocked a Splash from the top of the pod by the former Tag Team Champion, which resulted in him hitting a running knee to get the win. As great as Bryan's performance in this Elimination Chamber match was, it was overshadowed by what happened next.
Star Rating: ****
#4 Roman Reigns vs Daniel Bryan for the Universal Championship - Elimination Chamber 2021
As soon as the Elimination Chamber structure was lifted, Universal Champion Roman Reigns' music hit, and he walked out accompanied by Paul Heyman. The worn-out Daniel Bryan hardly looked in condition to be able to compete, but the former five-time WWE Champion put up a valiant effort nonetheless.
Despite the match running for hardly two minutes, the two Superstars filled the proceedings with lots of drama. Just when Reigns got into the ring, Bryan took him down with a Yes Lock. It honestly seemed for a moment that we might witness a monumental title change. But Reigns quickly turned it into a powerbomb and then applied the Guillotine Choke for the win at Elimination Chamber.
However, it was the post-match attack by Edge on the Tribal Chief that has gotten the fans talking. It's now official that the Rated-R Superstar will challenge Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 37. But before that match comes to fruition, Reigns may have to face Bryan at WWE Fastlane 2021, as the latter didn't get a fair shot at the title.
Star Rating: ***
#3 Bobby Lashley vs Riddle vs John Morrison for the United States Championship - Elimination Chamber 2021
Riddle finally captured the United States Championship at Elimination Chamber in this Triple Threat match after chasing the title for several weeks. While it was The Original Bro who came out on top with the victory, Bobby Lashley had a dominating performance in the bout. He unleashed brutal offense on both the new champion and John Morrison. It was only quite later in the match that Lashley was taken out of the equation for the time being.
Riddle and Morrison had some fun exchanges while The All Mighty was down and out. Once Lashley came back into the mix, the match became even better, as the three Superstars performed some fantastic spots. However, Riddle smartly used MVP's crutch to attack Lashley and then rolled up Morrison for the win at Elimination Chamber.
While there has been some criticism about how Riddle won the match, the finish ensured Morrison looked strong in the loss. Lashley was wisely kept on the side, only for him to make his presence felt later in the show.
Star Rating - ***1/2
#2 WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler vs Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair - Elimination Chamber 2021
In arguably the most disappointing match of Elimination Chamber, WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler defeated SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair.
While nobody was expecting the match to be a classic, it could have been a little better. Despite having fantastic in-ring workers on display, the bout put the focus on Reginald.
While the intrigue of Reginald's association with Banks has kept the fans guessing, the tag champs were an afterthought here, and so was the Royal Rumble 2021 winner Bianca Belair. Instead, the creative could have focussed on giving The EST of WWE momentum ahead of WrestleMania 37.
Having said that, it's good to see the champions retain their titles at Elimination Chamber, as it gives them a chance to have a lengthy title run. It seems like there is another Banks vs Carmella bout in the pipeline, possibly at WWE Fastlane 2021.
Star Rating: **
#1 WWE Champion Drew McIntyre vs Sheamus vs AJ Styles vs Jeff Hardy vs Kofi Kingston vs Randy Orton inside the Elimination Chamber
In the main event of Elimination Chamber, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre retained his title against five former world champions. One of the more surprising booking decisions of the match was Randy Orton being the first to be eliminated, despite The Fiend or Alexa Bliss not making an appearance to cause any distraction.
As for the quality of the match, it was more action-packed and entertaining than the first. Sheamus, who scored a victory over Drew McIntyre on WWE RAW's go-home episode, was surprisingly eliminated by AJ Styles. But it has kept the doors open for another Sheamus vs McIntyre clash in the future.
The closing stretch between The Scottish Warrior and The Phenomenal One was great and culminated with McIntyre executing a Claymore Kick for the win. Post-match, Bobby Lashley showed up and brutally took down the champion. This allowed The Miz to cash-in his MITB contract and become the new WWE Champion at Elimination Chamber.
The WWE Championship picture has become quite exciting now, and the fans are eagerly waiting to see how things transpire on WWE RAW. Is Lashley secretly working with Miz, as evidenced by a backstage segment with MVP? Or was it simply a case of The All Mighty venting his frustration for his loss earlier at Elimination Chamber? Fans can expect the answers to most of these questions come Monday night.
Star Rating: ****1/4
