We’re live from Phoenix, Arizona as Renee Young welcomes us to Elimination Chamber. She’s joined by Sam Roberts, Booker T and Carmella. They talk about tonight’s show and send us backstage to Dasha Fuentes in the Social Media Lounge. She will be with Becky Lynch later on. We go back to the panel for discussion on Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss.
Carmella was acting bored that the panel was talking about women other than her, which was pretty damn funny. Booker and Sam predicted a new champion would be crowd. Roberts said that Naomi would win but only if she’s not thinking too forward about Wrestlemania. Carmella said she didn’t really care because she wasn’t in the matc but if she had to pick, she would say Alexa.
They aired a video feature on Luke Harper vs. Randy Orton. The panel gave predictions: Carmella picked Randy Orton because Harper looks like he’s never cleaned his shirt. Roberts called a Luke Harper upset. Booker said Randy is going to be inside Harper’s mind and that is too much to overcome. Renee agreed it will be Orton.
They next discussed the Tag Team Turmoil and from a storyline perspective, how hard it is to make it through the entire bout if you are starting out first. They noted that American Alpha was even willing to start. Carmella took over the segment. Renee predicted The Usos. Booker agreed. Sam said it was The Ascension. Carmella said it would be “the sexy cops”, Breezango.
They then moved on to talking about Nikki Bella vs. Natalya. They aired a video on their feud. Carmella took credit for exposing Natalya for she really was. She said Nikki was too distracted by everything else she is doing and Natalya just picked up where Carmella left off. Booker saod there are times in your career, you have to stake your claim and make your name. James Ellsworth showed up and said he bought Carmella tickets so they could go watch the show in a Skybox, so she left. The remaining members of the Panel discussed predictions. Booker said John Cena won’t be able to help Nikki here and Natalya is going to win. Renee went the other way.
The panel moved on to the handicap match. Roberts said that the WWE Universe have been waiting for years to see this version of Dolph Ziggler. He said you can’t be a nice guy if you claim to be a “Showoff.”
They went to the Social Media Lounge where Dasha Fuentes presented Becky Lynch with social media questions. Lynch was looking forward to Disarm Mickie James. Lynch was. She was asked if she could team with anyone past or present, who would it be. Lynch said it would be Shawn Michaels because she could be the “Armbreak Kid” and because Michaels retired Charlotte’s dad, Ric Flair. She was asked if she watched old James footage to prepare tonight. Lynch said that she won’t take away what an important talent Mickie is but she took away Lynch’s chance at the championship tonight. Tonight, she starts her journey back to the championship.
They noted JBL slipped while doing “The Texas Two Step” during his entrance as the broadcast was airing a commercial. Booker called for a replay and they showed it in slow motion. That was pretty funny.
Curt Hawkins vs. Mojo Rawley
We go to JBL, Tom Phillips, David Otunga and Mauro Ranallo as Curt Hawkins makes his way out. Mojo Rawley is out next.
Hawkins tried to stall a lot early on, ducking between the ropes. He was able to catch Rawley with a right hand but that only psyched Hawkins up. Hawkins was whipped into the corner and nailed with a three point stance into a tackle. Hawkins went to the floor but Mojo caught him and slammed him chest-first on the apron.
Hawkins kicked Mojo in the chest as he returned to the ring. Hawkins went to toss him into the barricade but a production person was in their way, so Hawkins turned him and ran him into the apron instead. Mojo made it back to the ring right before he was going to be counted out. Hawkins caught him and stomped him in the corner as they went to a commercial for Wrestlemana.
When they returned, Hawkins tripped up Mojo as he rebounded off the ropes and cinched in a side chinlock. Rawley used a jawbreaker to free himself but was nailed with a nice lariat for a pair of near falls. Hawkins drilled him with rights but Mojo fired up and made a big comeback. He nailed a series of shoulderblocks and a lariat. Mojo nailed a Stinger Splash and nailed a big slam but Hawkins got his shoulder up at the last second.
Hawkins nailed the Downward Spiral but Mojo kicked up. Rawley missed a clothesline and was hit with an enziguiri for another two count. Rawley nailed a big right hand and caught Hawkins with a tiltowhirl into an over the shoulder powerslam.
Winner: Mojo Rawley
We go back to the panel for discussion on tonight’s main event and that’s it for the pre-show.
