Now that the weekend is over and we’ve had 24 hours to process the finale to Elimination Chamber, we can look back at what was a stellar PLE in its entirety. It feels like Wrestlemania season now and Toronto was delivered moments that will be etched in history.
There’s a ton to celebrate (or mourn) post Elimination Chamber, and with this series I’d like to highlight are winners and losers on a night that shifted the landscape in professional wrestling.
WINNER: Women’s Wrestling
What a great showing for the women at Elimination Chamber, the ladies opened the show and set the tone. Jade Cargill is finally back and her targeting of Naomi was a shock to many in attendance. While Jade turned off the Glow, what made this moment so great was Bianca’s emotion of feeling helpless in the pod. This was the perfect time to execute this angle that was starting to lose desire.
Every woman showed out in the Chamber, though the MVP has to be Liv Morgan, who is still on tour showcasing she is the future and now of the division. So many stories were continued and begun in the structure which is exactly what the division needs. Bianca punched her ticket, but the rest of the field will be busy Wrestlemania weekend.
The crowd could have been hotter for the hometown hero, Trish Stratus, in the following tag match. But I understand having to catch your breath after that opener. Trishy Time is the duo we never knew we needed, and they handled business against Jax and LeRae. For the first time it weeks the women’s champion was seen victorious and standing tall, which is important when you have Charlotte Flair waiting.
LOSER: Naomi
For months Naomi defended herself in the court of public opinion, proclaiming she was not the one to attack Jade. Not only is the glow looked at as a possible liar, but she also didn’t even get a chance to compete in the Chamber she qualified for and is likely out of action indefinitely. More details will certainly emerge as we finally hear from Jade and get an interaction with Jade with Bianca. However, something stands out about the beat down of Naomi. She never defended herself. Plus when Jade’s music hit, Naomi looked back at Bianca who swiftly removed her jacket as if she was ready to fight. Time will tell if Naomi was a victim all along.
WINNER: Unsanctioned matches and everything in between
Critiques about what an “unsanctioned” match was filled the build up to the latest entry of Sami vs Kevin. If you can’t sanction the match, why are hosting and promoting said match comes to mind. What’s different from this and a no holds barred, hardcore or many other iterations of WWE matches, why does the match have to finish in the ring? With all of the confusion, the match still delivered in a big way.
With so many chapters in the rivalry, there was curiosity in how these two would up the ante. These two fought throughout the arena and used every weapon each could get their hands on. This was beautiful violence and the callbacks of the brutal moves both performers rarely pull out was perfect. Zayn showcased his ultimate underdog persona while constantly reminding us of the neck which wasn’t 100%. Owens pushing himself to a dark place to get past Zayn shows how far gone he actually is, even if you may feel he’s right. The return of Randy Orton before Kevin could do further damage was properly placed and should setup a fun match at Mania. Package piledriver vs punt kick will rule the next few weeks.
LOSER: Sami Zayn
Sami has been in a bit of a limbo for a while now. He peaked again during the Bloodline Civil War and regained family but lost direction. This was the latest lost in a series of losses over the past few months. Zayn is still winless against Drew Mcintyre and took losses to CM Punk and Seth Rollins. Though Punk refuted the claim Zayn wasn’t on his level after their match, one has to wonder if it’s true. It has been a bit of a fall from grace for the Wrestlemania Main eventer and man to dethrone Gunther’s IC title run. Zayn will be sidelined to heal from the unsanctioned match, hopefully when he returns, he can get back on the trajectory of success.
WINNER: The Final Boss & and Toronto
Similar to the Mountie, the Final Boss always gets his man. It was peculiar why the show ended with a segment instead of an Elimination Chamber match in a traditional sense, but the right call was made. There was a very small percentage of the population that could have foreseen the events that ended the PLE. Triple H said fans were getting a shift in the landscape and Toronto witnessed easily a top 3 moment in wrestling ever.
John Cena aligning with The Rock has shaken the industry to its core. I like many others assumed Cena would take the gentle farewell tour like we’ve seen with athletes in other sports like Kobe Bryant or Dwyane Wade. This curveball rivals Hogan to the NWO levels, cause John has always been the golden boy. The man literally did Make-a-Wish meet and greets before the PLE. There are questions that need answers, but history was made and Toronto got to be part of that. Wrestlemania was being ripped a part before Elimination Chamber, and since The Rock confirmed he wouldn’t be performing. Now options are endless, and Toronto had a night that delivered Jade Cargill and Randy Orton’s returns, Trish Stratus performing in year 25, and John Cena turning heel in his final year performing. AMAZING!
LOSER: CM Punk
This was a challenging one to pick and many may think Cody Rhodes due to the odds being further stacked against him. Though with Punk the dream has slipped away once again, and through no fault of his own. Last year a torn triceps kept him from competing at Mania, this year Punk failed to win the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber. Punk has few friends on the roster, and many that would love to spoil his dreams. Hence Rollins practically costing Punk the Chamber match. Even the display of respect and admiration with Cena during the match can now be thrown out the window, as Cena is aligned with The Rock. We all know Punk is owed a favor from Paul Heyman and all eyes will be on how that is used. For now, Punk will not be in the Wrestlemania main event for a consecutive year.
What are your thoughts post-PLE and what do you think is next for your favorite wrestlers? Let me know in the comments!