REVIEW: Elimination Chamber 2017: Which Way To Orlando?

Welcome to KB’s Old School (and New School) Reviews. I’ve been reviewing wrestling displays for over ten years now and feature reviewed over 5,000 displays. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I’ll be posting a brand new assessment right here on Wrestlingrumors.internet, beginning as of late. It might be the rest from fashionable WWE to old-fashioned to indies to the rest in between. Note that I price the use of letters as a substitute of stars and I don’t price suits beneath 3 mins as actually, how just right or unhealthy can one thing that brief be?

Elimination Chamber 2017
Date: February 12, 2017
Location: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, John Bradshaw Layfield, Tom Phillips, David Otunga

We’re two weeks got rid of from the Royal Rumble and that suggests it’s time for some other pay in step with view. This time it’s Smackdown best with the large namesake fit putting in place the Wrestlemania World Title fit for the blue logo. The winner turns out beautiful glaring however that’s by no means stopped WWE ahead of. Let’s get to it.

Pre-Show: Curt Hawkins vs. Mojo Rawley

They’ve been arguing on-line in recent times. Hawkins does his same old excessive pre-recorded front, which was once actually beginning to develop on me ahead of he disappeared. A proper hand staggers Curt although and a 3 level take on sends him out of doors. Hawkins sends him into the barricade and we take a smash. Back with Hawkins running at the knee and getting two off a clothesline. Rawley hits his personal and vegetation him with an enormous slam, best to get poked within the eye. A Downward Spiral provides Hawkins two however Mojo helps to keep it easy with a operating proper hand within the nook. Mojo grabs a tilt-a-whirl slam for the pin at 8:01.

Rating: D+. Nothing particular right here however that is what a pre-show is meant to be: a warmup that doesn’t remove from the pay in step with view. No one goes to keep in mind this fit in about twenty mins nevertheless it nonetheless will provide you with somewhat one thing to get going. Rawley is numerous a laugh and that’s why he was once put into this spot.

The opening video is all concerning the Chamber, which is actually all it might be about.

Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James

Lynch was once chasing the Women’s Title when a masked girl price her the name fit. Of path it was once James, who didn’t suppose Lynch deserved to mention she was once a part of the Women’s Revolution. They lock up the entire option to the ground first of all the smash best coming when they’ve to dive again within. Becky can’t get the arm so she sends James face first into the buckle as a substitute.

Back in and James takes her down through the arm because the limb paintings starts. Thankfully JBL mentions that Mickie has been wrestling around the globe with out being in WWE, thereby chopping off the hoop rust dialogue. An armbar helps to keep issues sluggish and Becky’s comeback is bring to an end through a pleasant takedown. A center rope Thesz press will get two and Becky’s heart rope dropkick provides her the similar. The Mick Kick knocks Becky foolish for 2 and she will be able to’t get the Disarm-Her. Instead she will be able to seize a rollup for pin on James at 11:36.

Rating: C-. The arm stuff was once somewhat uninteresting however a minimum of they’d the arm play into the end somewhat bit. The fit was once not anything all that particular however it sort of feels that there’s going to be one thing extra from those two going ahead. James remains to be younger sufficient that she will be able to do greater than put other people over so that is high quality from a reserving standpoint. It’s no longer precisely fascinating although and infrequently your best choice for an opener.

James Ellsworth and Carmella are in a skybox and she or he’s no longer pleased with Lynch profitable. Sounds like one thing begins quickly.

Apollo Crews/Kalisto vs. Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler jumps Kalisto all over the entrances so let’s trade issues as much as what this will have to were within the first position.

Apollo Crews vs. Dolph Ziggler

Crews takes him into the nook to begin however will get stuck in a couple or neckbreakers. It’s too early for a superkick so Ziggler elbows him within the jaw as a substitute. We hit the chinlock as this exhibit hasn’t precisely been exciting to this point. There’s Ziggler’s 3rd neckbreaker however Kalisto comes limping all the way down to the hoop. With Ziggler distracted, Crews will get in an overly loud enziguri to arrange the tag to Kalisto. The again is all at once high quality sufficient for the handspring enziguri and it’s again to Crews for the toss powerbomb and the pin at 7:19.

Rating: D. I will most often spin this stuff a method or some other however I in truth do not know how this advantages someone. So Ziggler makes sense sufficient to assault certainly one of them however will get crushed anyway? Crews and Kalisto will have to have a good time profitable with a bonus? That’s the common sense to this entire factor? I don’t get it and I see no want to have Kalisto or Crews in there on the identical time.

Post fit Ziggler beats them up once more and Pillmanizes Crews’ ankle. The enthusiasts cheer for Ziggler as Crews is taken out.

Tag Team Titles: Tag Team Turmoil

American Alpha is protecting and that is mainly a gauntlet fit. Heath Slater/Rhyno and Breezango get started issues off with best the winners shifting on. That procedure will proceed till all six groups have entered. Slater and Breezango get started issues off as we pay attention about kids in Bermuda having selfie sticks. It’s briefly off to Rhyno to paintings on Breeze’s shoulder because the ECW chants get started up. Slater will get labored over within the nook for slightly and a rollup will get two. A blind tag brings in Rhyno although and a handy guide a rough Gore eliminates Breezango at 4:38.

The Vaudevillains are in subsequent with Slater diving off the highest to take each guys down. That’s about it for the offense for now although as Slater will get taken down into the nook, best to keep away from a Swanton Bomb. An inverted DDT is sufficient to put English away at 7:45 overall. The Usos are in fourth and simply take over at the winded Slater. As Mauro refers back to the Chamber because the Cell once more (Mauro: “DID I DO IT AGAIN???), a pop up Samoan drop will get two on Slater. Not that it issues although as a superkick eliminates Slater and Rhyno at 9:55.

American Alpha are available 5th and it’s already time for the German suplexes. Gable will get two off a top crossbody however Jey dropkicks him down (Chad appears out of it) to take over. The sluggish beating continues with Gable being despatched out of doors however a double clothesline permits the new tag to Jordan. The Steiner Bulldog doesn’t paintings so Chad rolls Jey up for the pin at 15:19.

That’s no longer sufficient for the Usos although as they beat the heck out of the champs because the Ascension comes out closing. For some explanation why Ascension takes without end to hit Fall of Man and Viktor doesn’t hassle to take Gable out, which means a save can also be made. A knee to the face will get two on Jason however Viktor is shipped shoulder first into the submit. The sizzling tag brings Gable in and an overly fast Grand Amplitude keeps the titles at 21:08.

Rating: D+. Dang this exhibit has been lame to this point. This was once actually lengthy (clearly) and crammed in numerous time however that doesn’t imply it was once just right. The Usos vs. Alpha phase was once high quality however the falls had been best about 5 mins every, making this extra a number of TV suits than anything. I wouldn’t thoughts seeing New Day come over to respire some existence into the department as a result of this factor is simply demise presently.

We recap Nikki Bella vs. Natalya, which is over Nikki taking without end to appreciate Natalya attacked her at Survivor Series. Natalya then went all evil on Nikki, who it seems that received her reputation as a result of she’s relationship John Cena, which after all were given into the entire wrestler vs. diva factor that has been occurring for years now.

Natalya vs. Nikki Bella

Nikki tries a pass armbreaker to begin however Natalya simply wins the wrestling portion. A kneebar is going about as smartly so Nikki hits a clothesline off the apron. Natalya asks for day trip ahead of riding Nikki again first (shut sufficient) into the submit. Nikki fights up once more however her double clothesline doesn’t do a lot just right. We hit a protracted leglock on Nikki, adopted through a Michinoku Driver for 2.

Natalya helps to keep up the shouting however a forearm breaks up the Sharpshooter strive. The Rack Attack 2.Zero is damaged up so Nikki will get in a spinebuster for 2 (no longer .0). Natalya will get in a superplex to place either one of them down once more and it’s Sharpshooter time. Since Nikki is now a technical wrestler, she slips out and grabs an STF, best to have Natalya make it to the ropes. They struggle out of doors and that suggests a double countout at 13:26.

Rating: C-. Somehow this was once probably the most higher suits of the evening however I will’t deal with Natalya’s consistent yelling. It doesn’t assist that I nonetheless to find her to be the face on this complete factor as I purchase what she’s mentioned about Nikki. The double countout was once a beautiful unhealthy concept right here and I’m positive we’ll see a gimmick rematch of a few sort.

Natalya punches her submit fit however will get speared at the ramp.

Carmella says the ones two are out of keep an eye on and Ellsworth repeats her.

Bray says the Family will reunite.

We recap Randy Orton vs. Luke Harper. Luke were given jealous of Orton getting Bray’s consideration and left the Family in consequence. Of path that suggests a fit.

Luke Harper vs. Randy Orton

No Bray in sight after all. They yell at every different to begin and do a protracted lockup with Harper hitting an early shoulder. That method a shuttle to the ground (manner too commonplace this night) with Luke getting the simpler of it, best to get knocked off the highest for a large crash. Harper will get dropped over the announcers’ desk and it’s time to hit the chinlock.

The development of sluggish paced suits proceed as Orton stops to do his pose within the nook. That’s sufficient for Harper to begin his comeback, together with a slingshot hilo of all issues, adopted through a large boot for 2. Orton is shipped out of doors for the suicide shove and a drop onto the announcers’ desk to make up for previous.

Back in and Orton will get in his superplex (appears as cool as ever) for 2 extra and it’s time for a slugout. The RKO doesn’t paintings so Orton makes use of a complete nelson slam of all issues for 2 extra. Another RKO strive is damaged up with a superkick and a 2nd provides Harper his best possible close to fall but. There’s a Batista Bomb for some other two and it’s time for the slugout from their knees. Back up and the discus lariat is countered into the RKO for the pin at 17:13.

Rating: B. Good fit right here with the obvious end at the complete exhibit. This simply wasn’t going to occur two weeks after the Royal Rumble so there wasn’t precisely an alternative choice for this finishing. Harper were given a pleasant rub right here however in the future he must win one thing ahead of he turns into the brand new Cesaro.

Nikki and Natalya brawl much more with Nikki operating into Maryse to ship some powder flying. I’m guessing that units up Nikki/Cena vs. Miz/Maryse.

Women’s Title: Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss

Naomi is difficult after pinning Bliss in a couple of tag suits. Bliss has a Wonder Woman motif for her equipment. Alexa spits gum at Naomi to begin however will get armdragged down. That earns Naomi a difficult whip into the nook with a noisy crack in opposition to the turnbuckle. They business some rollups till simultaneous kicks to the top put either one of them down.

The Rear View will get two at the champ however she forearms Naomi down. Insult to Injury will get two and Alexa’s snap DDT will get the similar. Alexa is beginning to get annoyed and that’s no longer a just right signal. Twisted Bliss hits knees although and Naomi will get within the cut up legged moonsault for the pin and the name in slightly of an disenchanted at 8:13.

Rating: D+. Eh high quality, although Bliss can have held the name for a very long time. This appears like one thing extra about giving the exhibit some pleasure however Naomi isn’t precisely the most productive on the planet at connecting with the enthusiasts. Hopefully Bliss remains within the name image as a result of she’s probably the most higher performers within the department. Naomi profitable is okay however actually simply there, which isn’t nice.

Naomi thank you the enthusiasts and is happy the enthusiasts really feel the glow.

Carmella is bored with being requested questions so Ellsworth throws the interviewer out.

The Chamber (now principally sq. with a large WWE brand on most sensible) is decreased.

We recap the primary tournament, which was once actually simply introduced one week on Smackdown with the intention to have Cena shield his newly received name.

Smackdown World Title: John Cena vs. AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz vs. Baron Corbin vs. Bray Wyatt

There are 5 minute durations right here and Cena is protecting. Cena and Styles get started and I don’t suppose someone goes to be complaining. They take their time first of all Cena shouldering him down however Styles comes again together with his torture rack into the spinning powerbomb. A Code Red will get two on AJ and Cena grabs the ProtoBomb however Dean Ambrose is available in 3rd.

Ambrose is going proper for AJ and offers him a liberate suplex at the cage ground out of doors the hoop. Dean is going to the highest of his pod for the elbow drop on Cena to place all 3 down. Cena can have none of this although and German suplexes either one of them immediately (Mauro: “Not a fowl or a aircraft. It’s Super Cena!”). Wyatt is available in (manner ahead of 5 mins have handed) and straight away runs Cena over.

Bray throws AJ into the cage so AJ sends him into the submit. Now it’s Styles and Cena hiking the cage wall with John crashing down (onto the padded ground), leaving AJ to climb onto the highest of the pod for a slugout with Ambrose. Bray pulls Dean down and hammers away, best to have AJ reduce him off. That earns Styles a choke throw off the highest of the pod however Dean powerbombs Bray down on the identical time for a Tower of Doom.

Corbin is available in 5th and cleans area (as you possibly can be expecting), together with countering Sister Abigail through sending Bray into the pod. AJ takes the End of Days, leaving Cena to seize the STF on Baron. That’s countered as smartly and Cena eats End of Days however rolls out of doors. Corbin and Ambrose throw every different into the cage wall over and over again with Baron getting the simpler of it.

Miz is available in 6th (probably the most few occasions, if no longer the one time, that everybody is criminal on the identical time however remains within the pod, permitting Dean to roll Corbin up for the pin at 18:42. Corbin throws Ambrose during the pod, adopted through End of Days. As quickly as Corbin is long past, Miz runs in and pins Ambrose at 20:46.

Miz begins doing the YES Kicks to Cena and Wyatt and hits the operating nook dropkicks for just right measure. Wyatt will get the Skull Crushing Finale at the ground, leaving Cena to AA Miz out at 24:33. AJ and Wyatt (up WAY too rapid) double staff Cena, who after all fights again and AA’s Wyatt. He can’t hit one on AJ although and the Styles Clash will get two. The AA will get the similar on Styles so Cena is going to the highest of the pod, issues to the signal (required) and dives onto each guys. Bray is up first and Sister Abigail gets rid of Cena at 29:15.

That makes Wyatt the large face within the fit now (no longer that gigantic of a leap) and he runs AJ over, best to consume a forearm for 2. The Phenomenal Blitz is bring to an end through a clothesline however Styles will get within the Pele and a springboard 450 for some other close to fall. AJ quite a bit up the Phenomenal Forearm however will get stuck in Sister Abigail for the pin to provide Bray the name at 34:31.

Rating: A. Well that was once smartly deserved and you’ll be able to’t say they didn’t put him over VERY robust with again to again pins over Cena and Styles. It’s an excellent fit and the type of option to put the name on Bray, however I actually hope they don’t sizzling shot it over to Orton within the first name protection. Wyatt must shake off the choker concept and that is going to assist so much however dropping at Wrestlemania would carry him proper backtrack. Still although, he received right here and that’s what issues maximum.

Orton comes out for the staredown to finish the exhibit. JBL: “Does this mean Randy Orton is going to face Bray Wyatt at Wrestlemania?” Dang it JBL move communicate to some other legend and let Saxton deal with the silly questions.

Overall Rating: C. The major tournament REALLY bails this terrible exhibit out nevertheless it definitely doesn’t put it aside. Simply put, this exhibit didn’t want to exist out of doors of the Chamber and they’d were having a large fit on Smackdown or simply converting the name on the Rumble as a substitute of doing the 2 week Cena run (nonetheless longer than Flair’s 16th run however take into account: Flair’s robotically method extra as a result of he’s Ric Flair and we will be able to’t criticize him).

The remainder of the exhibit was once actually tedious (with the exception of Orton vs. Harper) although and displays how vulnerable Smackdown can also be every now and then. The major tournament and Orton’s fit helped so much although and that’s what this exhibit wanted. It’s a protracted option to Wrestlemania and I’m no longer positive how robust Smackdown’s contributions are going to be. At least Wyatt received although and that’s the vital factor.

Thomas Hall has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has observed over 50,000 wrestling suits. He has additionally been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 5,000 complete displays lined. You can to find his paintings at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or take a look at his- Amazon writer web page with 30 wrestling books. Get the most recent and biggest in skilled wrestling information through signing up for our day-to-day electronic mail publication. Just glance under for “GET EXCLUSIVE UPDATES” to enroll. Thank you for studying!

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