The John Report: WWE Elimination Chamber 2025 Review

It’s WWE Elimination Chamber featuring two huge Chamber matches, The Rock wanting an answer from Cody Rhodes, and more.

I was at WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto and I had a great time. We sat nine rows off the floor by the Blue Jays dugout on the third base side. We were straight across the ring. There was a giant screen showing the action above the ring and there was a giant Jumbotron in the stadium outfield. Getting out of the dome with 35,000 people took a while and getting to the highway took over an hour due to all the traffic. I live about two hours west of Toronto. I got home at about 2 AM after getting out of the building at 10:35 pm so it was a long trek home. That’s why sometimes I stay overnight in Toronto. I didn’t drive so that’s okay.

At the end of the countdown show, they had a singer perform the United States of America’s national anthem and the Canadian national anthem. I’m sure there was chatter about the crowd booing the US national anthem. I couldn’t hear the singer during the US anthem. I didn’t boo and I was standing out of respect. That’s how I was raised. I don’t think it’s right to boo a national anthem or a flag. Do I disagree with the old orange man running the US? Sure. I think he says stupid stuff about Canada especially and not necessarily factual either. Are we booing the US or one person? You decide. Remember that Canadians didn’t boo the US before the last few months. Truthfully, I don’t care about politics that much in the US or Canada. The singing of the Canadian national anthem by 35,000+ people was wonderful. Just saying.

Anyway, I’m writing this on Sunday afternoon. I’m going to fast-forward through entrances and some of the stuff in between matches. I’ll just get to the main parts of the show. Let’s get to it.

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WWE Elimination Chamber
From Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Saturday, March 1, 2025

There was some backstage walking as the show began featuring WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens looking for weapons, Sami Zayn, Damian Priest, Seth Rollins in a puffy shirt, Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre, and CM Punk.

The Elimination Chamber structure was lowered as a video package aired to set up the show.

The commentary team was Raw’s Michael Cole and Pat McAfee along with Wade Barrett from SmackDown. I like this trio together. Pat ranted a bit about the crowd booing the US national anthem.

Women’s Elimination Chamber Match: Liv Morgan vs. Naomi vs. Bayley vs. Bianca Belair vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez

It was supposed to be Naomi starting the match with Liv Morgan while the other four women were starting the match in pods. After the bell rang, Jade Cargill’s music hit and Jade made her way to the ring for her return since she was taken out last November. Liv was freaking out, Jade went up to Liv and instead Jade attacked Naomi with a forearm. Jade threw Naomi into a turnbuckle. Jade sent Naomi into the cage. Belair was freaking out in her pod. Jade threw Naomi into two pods. The announcers said that this likely means Jade thinks that Naomi was the one who attacked her. Jade did a pump kick sending Naomi into a pod. Blair was freaking out in the pod she was in. Referees tried to stop Jade. When Naomi tried to crawl out of the Chamber, Jade slammed the cage door into Naomi’s ribs. Jade walked to the back while referees called for help on Naomi. The EMT’s brought a stretcher out for Naomi while Belair was sad in her pod. Liv was laughing at Belair and saying “I told you so” saying she didn’t attack Jade.

It was announced that Naomi is no longer is able to compete in the Elimination Chamber match, so she has been eliminated.

Naomi eliminated due to injury

Analysis: I thought it was possible that Jade was going to show up here and it always made sense to me that Naomi would be the attacker in the storyline. That’s because Jade being taken out meant that Naomi was able to step up to be Belair’s tag team partner and they went on to be the champions together. It likely sets up Naomi as a heel feuding with Jade in the future. What a great start to the match.

The third entrant was an emotional Bianca Belair, who tried to talk to Naomi, but Naomi was on a stretcher outside the cage. Liv tossed Belair into two pods. Belair fought back with a forearm along with punches. Belair rammed Liv face first into the cage a few times. Belair went for a handspring moonsault, but Liv hit a running kick to the back of the head. Liv hit a running forearm. Belair came back with a kick to the head and Belair sent Liv into the turnbuckle. Belair hit a spinebuster along with a standing moonsault for two.

The fourth woman to enter the match was Roxanne Perez, who was the Women’s Royal Rumble runner up. Perez hit a headscissors on Belair along with multiple running uppercuts on both women. Liv came back with a forearm on Perez. Perez hit a top rope hurricanrana on Belair. Perez countered Liv leading to a slam into the mat for two. Perez went for a headscissors on Belair, who blocked it and Perez hit a side Russian legsweep into the cage. Liv came back with a dropkick on Perez on the padding outside the ring. Liv hit a running splash on Perez along with a running knee. Liv jumped off the turnbuckle, Perez avoided that and Liv/Perez did a double clothesline to knock both women down.

It was Bayley as the fifth woman in the match. Bayley was attacked by Perez in Bayley’s pod, but Bayley managed to overpower Perez with punches and slamming Perez into the pod. Bayley sent Liv into the cage followed by Bayley hitting a running knee. Bayley hit a Bayley to Belly on Perez into the cage. Bayley nailed Belair with a forearm. Bayley hit a knee to knock Belair down. Bayley did a sunset flip into the turnbuckle for two. Bayley sent Liv out of the ring to the padding outside the ring. Bayley went up top and hit an elbow drop on Belair for two. Perez gave Bayley a Powerbomb off the turnbuckle onto the padding on the outside of the ring. Perez hit a top rope Frog Splash on Bayley for two. Liv hit a Codebreaker on Perez for two.

The sixth and final woman in the match was Alexa Bliss. Bliss had a creepy stare on her face as she faced off with Liv. Bliss worked over Liv with punches. Bliss elbowed Perez along with an STO trip and some punches. Bliss hit a jawbreaker on Liv and Bliss hit a dropkick. Bayley got a rollup on Bliss, who came back with a punch on Bayley. Bliss hit double knees to the back of Bayley’s neck and Bliss hit a neckbreaker for two. Bliss hit a double knee drop on Bayley. Perez sent Bliss out of the ring leading to Perez sending Bliss into the chain. Bliss avoided Perez’s kick and Bliss hit a backbreaker onto the knee. Bliss jumped off the top, so Bayley & Belair caught her and they slammed Bliss to the mat. Bayley hit a neckbreaker on Belair on the middle turnbuckle. Bayley hit a diving cross body block on Belair and Bliss. Liv sent Bayley into the pod two times. Bayley slammed Liv into the padding on the floor. Perez jumped around Bayley’s back and slammed her face first into the mat. Perez applied a Crossface, Bayley managed to break free and Perez rammed Bayley’s head into the chain. Perez wrenched Bayley’s ribs into the ropes. Bayley sent Perez out of the ring and Liv capitalized with the Oblivion slam off the ropes for the pinfall win.

Bayley has been eliminated

Liv climbed up to the top of a pod and Belair followed her there. Liv pulled on Belair’s hair, so Belair used her hair whip to hit Liv’s lower back. There was a loud smack sound caused by the hair whip. Belair jumped off the top of the pod taking out the three opponents with a cross body block. Belair got multiple two counts. Belair put Bliss on the top rope going for a move, so Liv and Perez got involved leading to the Tower of Doom spot with a superplex and a Powerbomb. Liv’s ribs were shown and we could see the red marks caused by the hair whip. Perez hit a superkick on Liv and sent Belair into the turnbuckle. Liv hit a Codebreaker on Perez and Bliss jumped off the top with a Twisted Bliss splash on Perez for the pinfall.

Roxanne Perez has been eliminated

That meant it was down to Belair, Liv and Bliss. Belair went for a KOD, but Bliss countered it by giving a hurricanrana to Liv. Bliss tripped up Belair along with some head stomping. Liv got back into it with the Three Amigos vertical suplexes. Liv dropkicked Belair into the ropes. Bliss teased her finish on Liv, but Liv got out of it. Belair got a rollup pin attempt on Liv. Bliss hit her Sister Abigail DDT on Belair. Liv hit a jackknife pin on Bliss while Liv was holding Belair’s hair and Liv pinned Bliss to win.

Alexa Bliss has been eliminated

The final two became with Liv pinning Belair for two. Liv used Belair’s hair to send Belair into the chain five times and that got a two count. Bliss jumped off the top with a Codebreaker off the ropes, but Belair was back up with a Spear. They left the ring where Belair swung Liv into the pod glass and the chain. Belair gave Liv a Powerbomb into the ring. Belair jumped off the top with a 450 Splash, but Liv got her knees up. Liv charged, Belair caught her and went for KOD, but liv countered with double knees. Liv went for Oblivion, Belair avoided that and Belair hit the Kiss Of Death (KOD) for the pinfall.

Liv Morgan has been eliminated

Winner: Bianca Belair

That win by Bianca Belair means she will challenge Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Title at WrestleMania 41.

Analysis: ***3/4 I liked the match and thought it was pretty good most of the way. Belair was my pick to win the match and I was happy that she got the win. Belair was the start of the match for sure while Liv did a nice job working the whole way as the heel who made some eliminations and was crafty throughout the match. I think this match was hurt by some women being in it who didn’t really have a shot to win. That spot where Belair whipped Liv with her hair was brutal and it sounded loud in person, as well as on the broadcast. It was the Belair-Liv show for this match as the major players while the others had their roles but weren’t threats to win.

Bianca Belair was celebrating the win by the entrance area when Rhea Ripley arrived with the Women’s World Title. Iyo Sky walked up to stare at Ripley since they have a title match on Raw.

Analysis: That’s going to be an incredible match at WrestleMania between Belair and Ripley, who I expect to beat Sky. It’s a match between two babyfaces, but also two women who are incredible athletes and should match up together well.

They showed rapper Nav sitting at ringside. There is Trish Stratus’ husband and kids a few rows behind.

A video package aired to set up the Stratton/Stratus vs. Jax/LeRae tag team match.

Tiffany Stratton & Trish Stratus vs. Nia Jax & Candice LeRae

Good ovation for Trish in her hometown and Stratton was beloved as well. Trish tackled LeRae with a Thesz Press. Jax went in illegally, so Trish and Stratton dropkicks to knock her out of the ring. Stratton got the tag as Jax pulled Trish out of the ring and knocked her down. Stratton hit Jax with forearms. LeRae hit a sliding kick along with a whip into the steel steps. LeRae was legal as she sent Jax into the turnbuckle. Jax was back in with a seated splash onto Stratton’s chest. Jax grabbed a chinlock, Stratton broke free and Jax hit a running splash against the turnbuckle. Jax teased a splash, but Stratton pulled the leg to stop that. Stratus got the tag with punches on Jax along with chops. Trish hit a Trish Kick to the head. Trish spun around Jax’s body and hit a Tornado DDT. LeRae went into the ring illegally so Trish hit her with a spinebuster. Jax blocked a Stratusfaction attempt and hit a belly-to-back suplex. Jax briefly applied a Stretch Muffler submission and sent Trish into the turnbuckle. LeRae was back in with a running dropkick while Jax was holding Trish. The crowd barely reacted to LeRae as she hit a suplex on the face-in-peril Trish. Jax was back in with a running hip attack and Jax’s version of a Stinkface. LeRae was back in to stand on Trish’s chest. LeRae punched Stratton off the apron, which led to Trish and LeRae each hitting head slams into the mat.

It’s Tiffy Time as Stratton got the tag leading to two clotheslines and a shoulder tackle. Stratton hit an impressive handspring back elbow and a forearm to Jax. Stratton nailed an Alabama Slam on Lerae and a spinebuster on Jax. Stratton hit a double stomp on both opponents for two. Stratton went for a top rope move, but LeRae tripped her up. Jax was back in with a running leg drop for two. Stratton fought out of the heel corner and hit a belly-to-back suplex on Jax. Trish was back with a handspring hurricanrana on LeRae, but Jax was in illegally with clotheslines. Jax went to the middle turnbuckle, Trish kicked Jax and Trish hit a bulldog off the top rope. Trish tried a cover, LeRae hit a moonsault, Trish moved and LeRae hit Jax. Stratton back in and she sent LeRae over the top to the floor. Jax had to roll into the right position, so Stratton did the triple jump Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the pinfall win at 11:40.

Winners by pinfall: Tiffany Stratton & Trish Stratus

Analysis: **3/4 It was an average tag team match. Stratton was very impressive throughout the match. Trish looked sharp for most of it. The heel side didn’t seem that impressive. Jax is better in singles and LeRae doesn’t get much of a reaction. The result didn’t surprise me, but I thought Stratton would pin LeRae, so at least Stratton beating Jax might put an end to that rivalry. The ending was a bit sloppy in terms of the positioning of Jax, so they messed that up a bit. Stratton winning for her team was the right call.

The talented musician Travis Scott was shown walking backstage.

They showed actors Andrew Phung and Robbie Amell were at ringside. Actress Italia Ricci was at ringside and she’s married to Robbie.

There were backstage shots of Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest and Seth “Freakin” Rollins getting ready for the Men’s Elimination Chamber Match. The WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was shown on his bus thinking about his decision.

A video package aired about The Rock’s impact on WWE as a business.

The announced attendance was 38,493 people.

There was a video package about the Kevin Owens-Sami Zayn match up next.

Unsanctioned Match: Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn

It was announced by the ring announcer Alicia Taylor that an Unsanctioned Match means that WWE absolves all responsibility for anything that you see happen in this match. There are no countouts, no disqualifications and there are no rules. The referee is only here to count pinfalls or accept submissions. Referee Rod Zapata was in a black shirt and wearing gloves since it was an unsanctioned match.

Zayn and Owens exchanged punches to start the match. The lighting was different for the match with a spotlight on the ring kind of like how they do it at live events. Zayn knocked Owens down with a clothesline. Owens suplexed Zayn ribs-first across the top rope followed by Owens hitting a senton splash to the ribs. They left the ring as Zayn sent Owens into the ring post. Zayn put chairs into the ring, so Owens got a chair and Owens hit Zayn in the back with multiple chair shots to the back. Owens swung the chair, Zayn moved and Owens hit the top rope so the chair bounced back into KO’s face. Zayn took over with multiple chair shots to the back. Owens left the ring, so Zayn brought him back into the ring. Zayn stacked chairs onto KO’s body. Zayn left the ring and grabbed a hockey stick from under the ring. Zayn used the hockey stick to hit the steel chairs that were on Owens. Zayn pulled out a table from under the ring and set it up on the floor. Owens was back up to send Zayn’s head into the ring post. Owens used the hockey to hit Zayn in the ribs and put the stick across Zayn’s face. Owens even bit Zayn’s face. Owens stacked a second table onto the table that was set up on the floor already. Zayn was back up with a hockey stick shot to the ribs and Zayn sent Owens over the barricade. Owens and Zayn went fighting into the crowd. They made their way to a section where the baseball seats were. I was one section to the left, so I wasn’t too far away. Zayn hit Owens with a trash can while they were on the stairs and Zayn hit him with another trash can shot. They went back down the stairs and fought by a table on the floor. Zayn gave Owens a Blue Thunder Bomb through the table on the floor. There was another table full of drinks on it and Zayn hit a Blue Thunder Bomb through that table as well. The fans started the “This is awesome” chant. Zayn hit Owens with a trash can lid and they made their way back to the ringside area. Owens got the ring bell and hit Zayn with it. Owens grabbed a trash can lid and hit Zayn with it a few times. Owens hit Zayn with a small monitor to the head.

They were back in the ring where Owens went up top. Zayn fought Owens on the top rope, Owens slipped under Zayn and Owens shoved Zayn off the top turnbuckle leading to Zayn doing a somersault through the two tables that were stacked on the floor. Crazy bump! That was awesome and the fans popped big for it. There was a chair open in the ring and Owens gave Zayn a brainbuster right through the chair. Zayn avoided a move by Owens leading to Zayn hitting a reverse Exploder Suplex on the floor. Zayn did another reverse Exploder Suplex through the chair in the ring. There were shocked reactions by the fans at ringside. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick, so Owens pulled the referee in front of him and Owens hit the referee. Owens hit a Stunner on Zayn. Charles Robinson went into the ring to count a two count because Zayn kicked out. Owens decked Charles with a lariat. Ouch. Referee Ryan Tran ran into the ring to check on Charles. Zayn was putting his hand on his neck to sell the injury he had going into the match. Owens threw a chair at Zayn’s head. Owens headbutted Zayn onto a table that was set up on the table. Zayn was back up and threw a chair at KO’s head. I think KO got his hand up to block it as best he could. Zayn tried a move off the turnbuckle, but we know you can’t superplex Owens so Owens hit a Fisherman’s Buster off the turnbuckle through the table for a two count. The announcers were saying Zayn should just stay down and end the match.

Owens held up Zayn against the turnbuckle and told Zayn it was all his fault. Owens ran across the ring, so Zayn ran at him to hit a Helluva Kick for a two count. Zayn brought more chairs into the ring. Zayn also brought in a steel chair that was wrapped in barbed wire. Zayn kicked Owens in the gut and Zayn hit Owens in the back with the barbed wire steel chair. Zayn hit Owen in the back again so Owens was writhing in pain. Owens hit a knee lift to the ribs. Zayn opened the chair up, so Zayn did a drop toe hold into the edge of the barbed wire steel chair. Owens was writhing in pain. Sayn stacked a few chairs up including the barbed wire chair and Zayn hit a Blue Thunder Bomb through the chairs! It only got a two count for Zayn. The fans were going crazy chanting “This is awesome” while Cole said this is sickening. Zayn charged at Owens, but Owens came back with a Popup Powerbomb. Zayn bounced out of the ring selling his neck injury again. Owens put a steel chair around Zayn’s neck and Owens sent Zayn into the ring post. Owens sent Zayn into another ring post. The announcers were shouting about how the match should stop. Owens gave Zayn a Powerbomb onto the ring apron. Cole: “Oh my God, you sick bastard!” There were WWE Producers at ringside like Petey Williams, Kenny Dykstra, Jason Jordan and Hurricane Helms to try to tell the guys that they had gone far enough. Owens gave Zayn another Powerbomb on the apron, but it wasn’t a stiff one since Zayn was fighting back. Owens hit another hard Powerbomb on the apron. Owens rolled Zayn into the ring and covered Zayn for the pinfall win. It went 27:35.

Winner by pinfall: Kevin Owens

Analysis: ****1/2 This was an outstanding match that felt like a fight. Kevin and Sami knew what kind of fight this needed to be. They are two of the best wrestlers in WWE that were given nearly 30 minutes to have a classic match and that’s what they delivered in front of a rabid crowd that loved every second of it. What I like is how slow-paced it was in the second half because it put over how physical of a match this was. Selling is so important in a match like this. Owens and Zayn both did a great job of selling throughout the match. Zayn in particular was excellent at making us believe his neck was brutalized in the match. It put over Owens in a big way as a savage heel that showed no remorse. I don’t think it reached the level of a five-star match, but if somebody were to rate it that high I completely understand. It’s still an incredible 4.5* level match, which means it will be one of the best WWE matches of the year. Amazing performance from Owens and Zayn. The best friends are incredible together whether they are allies or opponents. They delivered again.

After the match, security guys tried to get Owens to leave, but Owens beat up the security guys with punches. Owens pulled up a mat on the floor to expose the concrete on the floor. Owens grabbed Zayn and pulled him out of the ring. “I hear voices in my head” and it’s the return of Randy Orton!

Randy Orton got a huge ovation as he slowly made his way down to the ring. What I remember about this is that a lot of us were singing Orton’s song. I was certainly singing it. Orton went into the ring, punched Owens a few times, Orton tried a kick, Orton blocked it and Orton hit an RKO. Huge pop! There were “Randy” chants. Orton teased a steel chair attack, but then he tossed the chair out of the ring. Orton backed up setting up the punt and as he charged, the officials/security guys went into the ring to stop Orton from doing it. Owens walked to the back at that point. Orton hit a security guy with an RKO guy, there was a second RKO, a third RKO, Orton shook a guy’s hand and Orton hit a fourth RKO! Orton stared at the WrestleMania sign but he didn’t point at it. Orton did his posing on the apron to end it.

Analysis: That was a fun return from Orton. I mentioned in the preview that it felt like the right time for Orton to make his comeback because he has been out since November and with Elimination Chamber as the last major show before WrestleMania 41, it was the right time to have him get his revenge. They are going to do Owens against Orton at WrestleMania. I’m all for it. That should be an incredible match.

http://www.wwe.com/videos/randy-orton-returns-and-hits-a-jaw-breaking-rko-on-kevin-owens-elimination-chamber-2025-highlights

There was a reminder letting us know that WrestleMania 41 is 49 days away as of Saturday.

The commentary team was shown at ringside and you could see rapper Drake there along with Lil Yachty. They didn’t acknowledge Drake being there, so he likely didn’t want to be shown.

A clip was shown of Stephanie McMahon interviewing Pat McAfee for her Stephanie’s Places show on ESPN+.

They showed Dion Dawkins of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills at ringside with a Bills WWE Title.

There was some backstage walking shown of Logan Paul and CM Punk getting ready for the Men’s Elimination Chamber match.

A video package aired setting up the Men’s Elimination Chamber match.

Men’s Elimination Chamber Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Damian Priest vs. Logan Paul vs. CM Punk vs. John Cena

The winner of the Men’s Elimination Chamber match will face Cody Rhodes for the WWE Title at WrestleMania 41.

It was Drew McIntyre and Seth “Freakin” Rollins starting the match. Drew went for a Claymore Kick and Rollins went for The Stomp, but neither man connected. Rollins jumped onto Drew, who caught him and Drew slammed Rollins over the top rope onto the mat that was outside out of the ring. Drew sent Rollins back-first into the chain. Drew pushed Seth’s face against the chain link and Drew sent Rollins into the chain. Rollins sent Drew into the pod that Punk was in and a light in the pod fell down. Rollins clotheslined Drew into the ring. Rollins jumped off the top with a knee smash along with a running knee for two. Drew hit a backbreaker for a two count. Drew suplexed Rollins on the mat outside the ring. Rollins tried to leap over Drew, but Drew kicked him in the ribs. Drew gave Rollins a catapult that sent Rollins throat-first into the steel bar by the turnbuckle.

The third man in the match was Damian Priest. Drew and Priest exchanged punches. Priest hit some kicks along with a punch. Priest hit a running elbow on Rollins. Priest hit a flatliner on Drew and a clothesline on Rollins. Priest launched Rollins with a Razor’s Edge over the top rope onto Drew. When Priest charged by the ropes, Drew hit a neckbreaker along with a kip up back to his feet. Rollins was back in to hit a superkick on Drew. Rollins kicked Priest, but Drew was back up with a spinebuster on Rollins. Drew gave Rollins a Powerbomb onto Priest’s back for two. They did a unique Tower of Doom spot where Rollins delivered a superplex to Priest while Drew hit a suplex on Rollins at the same time.

It was Logan Paul as the fourth man in the match with the crowd booing him. Logan hit a springboard cross body block on Drew. Logan hit a standing moonsault on Priest for two. Paul hit a twisting neckbreaker on Rollins for two. Priest was back up for an ear clap on Paul and Priest clotheslined Paul out of the ring. Priest slammed Paul into the pod a few times. Priest put his knee on Paul’s head against the chain. Drew went after Priest and Priest sent Drew into the chain. The fans were chanting “f**k you Logan” as Priest hit a rope walk hurricanrana on Drew. Paul punched Priest and hit a gutwrench suplex on Priest. Rollins hit a superkick on Paul.

The fifth man in the match was John Cena in his final Elimination Chamber match. Cena hit two shoulder tackles on Rollins and an Attitude Adjustment on Priest. Cena hit a spinning suplex on Paul and an Attitude Adjustment on Rollins. Cena hit his “You can’t see me” gesture to Paul and the Five Knuckle Shuffle fist drop. Cena hit an Attitude Adjustment on Paul. When Cena turned around, Drew nailed him with a Claymore Kick. Priest did a ROLLUP OF DEATH! while hooking Drew’s arms for the pinfall win. Drew kicked out right after the three count.

Drew McIntyre has been eliminated

Analysis: There was a spoiler reported that claimed Drew was going to win. It spread like wildfire and people thought it was real. Nope. We didn’t post it on TJRWrestling because that kind of thing can be wrong and it was wrong. Don’t believe everything you read.

After being eliminated, Drew hit a Claymore Kick on Priest. Paul took advantage with a Frog Splash off the top of a pod onto Priest for the pinfall.

Damian Priest has been eliminated

Analysis: That should lead to McIntyre facing Priest at WrestleMania. I don’t mind it as a WrestleMania match, but I’d rather see McIntyre in a bigger match since I think he’s arguably the best overall performer in WWE right now.

It was CM Punk as the final man in the match. Punk went after Paul with punches and Punk hit a suplex on Paul on the mats outside the ring. Punk hit a running knee. Punk sent Paul back-first into the pod a few times. Punk rammed Paul into the chain link fence. Punk pointed at the WrestleMania sign. Punk stared at his former rival CM Punk across the ring. Cena said he missed Punk and Punk said he missed Cena too. Rollins went into the ring to go after Rollins and deliver punches. Rollins told Cena to stay out of it because Rollins wanted to take out Punk. Cena and Rollins did the “yay-boo” punch exchange with Cena getting cheered and Rollins being booed. Paul hit a double clothesline on Cena and Rollins. Paul went for his leaping clothesline, Punk avoided it and hit a slap to the face. Punk hit the Go To Sleep (GTS) on Paul for the pinfall.

Logan Paul has been eliminated

That meant the final three were Rollins, Cena and Punk. Cole said that they have held 26 World Championships among them. The fans were chanting for Cena and Punk. Rollins tried to fight both guys at the same time, but Cena and Punk worked together to punk Rollins repeatedly. Cena held Rollins leading to Punk hitting a Hart Attack clothesline like the Hart Foundation. Cena extended his hand for a shake, but Punk said no and Punk hugged Cena. Punk and Cena exchanged punches. Cena ran the ropes leading to two shoulder tackles. Punk got a side headlock takeover and a running knee. Cena hit the spinning sidewalk slam. Punk went for a kick, Cena caught the leg, Punk kicked him away, Punk went for a GTS and Cena trapped Punk in the STF. Punk countered that and applied the Anaconda Vice submission, but Ceena was able to get a pin attempt. Punk hit a swinging neckbreaker. Punk went up top and jumped on Rollins with a double axhandle to knock Rollins down on the padding outside the ring. Punk jumped off the top, Cena caught him and Cena rolled through leading to an Attitude Adjustment because Punk got his left arm up at two. Great nearfall there. Cena went up top, Rollins was back up and Rollins gave Cena a Buckle Bomb into the chain fence. Rollins whipped Cena hard into the pod. Rollins went back into the ring where Punk rolled up Rollins for two. Rollins and Punk exchanged moves, Rollins raked the eyes and Rollins hit a Pedigree for two. Punk and Rollins were battling outside the ring where Punk hit a back body drop on Rollins into the ring. Punk went up top, Rollins went after him and Punk gave Rollins a front suplex off the top. Punk jumped off the top onto Rollins with an elbow drop. Rollins was able to get back into it with a Buckle Bomb on Punk into the turnbuckle. Rollins hit The Stomp on Punk and Punk kicked out of that too. Punk kicked out of the finishers of Cena and Rollins so far. Rollins went to the middle turnbuckle, Cena was back up to put Rollins on his shoulders, Rollins fought out of it and Punk hit a GTS on Rollins, which led to Cena hitting the Attitude Adjustment on Rollins. Punk covered Rollins for the pinfall to eliminate him.

Seth Rollins has been eliminated

Cena wanted a handshake, Punk shook the hand and Punk lifted up Cena leading to a GTS for two. Cena picked Punk up leading to the Attitude Adjustment for two. Cena went for the STF, Punk kicked Cena away and Rollins gave Punk The Stomp on the padded area outside the ring. Cena gave Punk the STF and Punk passed out in the hold so Cena won by submission. The referee called for the bell to end the match. It went 32:40.

CM Punk has been eliminated

Winner: John Cena

Analysis: ****1/4 It was an excellent Chamber match. I thought the final three with Cena-Punk-Rollins really elevated the match to that next level. It was also great with just Cena and Punk as well. The other three guys did fine in their roles, but it was really built around the Cena-Punk-Rollins story. Cena and Punk weren’t able to put eachother way, yet there was Rollins to screw Punk out of the win by hitting The Stomp and Cena was smart enough to take advantage to win the match. There were two eliminations that likely set up WrestleMania matches with Drew screwing Priest and Rollins costing Punk. The Rollins-Punk story could involve Roman Reigns too. I like how the match was booked. I picked Cena to win, so I’m glad he did and obviously, the fans were happy about it at that point in the night.

John Cena celebrated as the winner of the Men’s Elimination Chamber match. There was an impressive pyro display going on behind him while Cena looked at the WrestleMania sign.

Cody Rhodes made his entrance as the Undisputed WWE Championship. Cody was in dress clothes as usual. Loud pop for Cody and we were singing his song a lot. When Cody got into the ring, Cena said it was the two of them for the WWE Championship and they shook hands.

The Rock Wants Cody Rhodes To Give Him An Answer

The Rock’s music hit and he was joined by popular rapper Travis Scott, who had his custom WWE Championship with him. The Rock put out his arms to show the goosebumps as usual and he did a slow walk toward the ring where Rhodes and Cena waited for him.

When The Rock got into the ring, he stared at Cody Rhodes and walked around him. Travis Scott joined Rock in the ring as well. Cena mainly stood in the background.

The Rock put his hand on the side of Cody’s face. The Rock didn’t do his “finally” line. It was right down to business. Rock told Cody that the moment had arrived. Rock told Cody to come to him and embrace him as his brother and Rock will embrace Cody as his champion. Rock said he wants Cody’s mind, soul and God have mercy he needs Cody’s soul. There were some “What” chants. Rock said if the answer is yes then the American Nightmare will live forever. Rock told Cody to look him in the eyes. Rock said if Cody’s answer is no then the dream dies again. Rock stuck out his arms for Cody to hug him.

Cody Rhodes looked around at Cena and looked at the crowd. Cody: “I want it all, Rock. My soul no longer belongs to me. And you know why? Because I gave my soul to this ring and these people a long time ago.” The fans cheered for that. Cody: “Hey Rock, go f**k yourself!” They didn’t bleep it on the broadcast. The fans cheered loudly and chanted “holy s**t” after that. McAfee: “What!” Cena was celebrating in the background. Travis Scott was doing some sage burning in the corner. Thanks to Pat for explaining what that was.

John Cena walked over to Cody Rhodes, shook his hand and hugged him. Cena stared at The Rock, the crowd was like “oooohhhh” and The Rock did a throat slash gesture. Cena let go of Cody and delivered a low blow kick to the groin! It’s a heel turn for John Cena! After 20 years of being the noble babyface, John Cena has gone heel. Cean picked up a watch off the ground with it and knocked Cody down. Cole thought it was brass knuckles, but then Pat realized it was a watch. Cena punched Cody with the watch. Cody punched Cena a few times. Cody hit Cena in the head with the microphone. When Cody got up from that (Cody did a great of staggering to his feet), Cean hit Cody with the WWE Title to the head. The fans booed loudly. Cole: “Why does he need to sell out?” Cena posed with the WWE Title as the fans continued to make noise and boo a lot. Cody was bleeding from the forehead because he did a blade job when the camera wasn’t on him. Cena hit Cody with the WWE Title to the head again. Cena ripped off Cody’s shirt and choked Cody with his tie. Cole: “After everything he has done in his career, he has to stoop to this shit! You’ve gotta be kidding me. This is absolutely ridiculous.” Barrett said it was Cody’s choice.

Cena held Cody by the legs and The Rock took off his leather belt that said “Cody’s Soul” on it. The belt has Dusty Rhodes’ death date on it. Rock hit Cody in the back with the leather strap. Scott did his sage thing on Cody’s lifeless body. Cena put his left foot on Cody’s head and Cena stood side by side with The Rock. Cole put it over as a disgusting display. The fans chanted “You sold out” at Cena. Rock got some of Cody’s blood from his forehead and wiped it on the leather strap. Rock whipped Cody with the leather strap again. Cena tossed the WWE Title onto Cody’s back while Cody was face down on the mat.

John Cena, Travis Scott and The Rock left the ring while Cody was down on the mat a bloody mess selling the attack. Michael Cole went into the ring to check on his friend Cody. The Rock, Cena and Scott stood together in the aisle. Cody was down selling. The Rock had a smirk on his face. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: What a moment. Wow. John Cena is a heel now. I was in awe of being there and being a part of history like that. Being there for the John Cena heel turn was amazing. After Cody said “Go f**k yourself” I thought the Cena turn might happen. What a moment. I felt bad for the sad kids around us and others I saw on the way out. Pro wrestling brings out the emotions, kids. Life is full of happiness and disappointment. You’ll be okay. It was such a monumental moment. I think a lot of people think about Hulk Hogan’s heel turn in 1996 to form the NWO in WCW and that’s obviously a big one too. This one is massive when you think about how hot the WWE product is right now, Cena has been a babyface for over 20 years and he finally turned heel. Some people might call it the biggest heel turn of all time. I think it’s a case of WWE knowing they wanted to do Cody-Cena at WM, but they wanted to have Cena as the heel to keep Cody going strong as the babyface.

I think Cena will be a babyface again before his last match of the year, but I think turning him heel is going to be a massive news story and get a lot of attention for WWE. It was a huge moment that I won’t forget any time soon. The Travis Scott presence was a bit weird although I admit it doesn’t bother me either. It is probably something that younger fans like, so that’s cool with me. I look forward to the build to WrestleMania over the next seven weeks.

At the post-show press conference, The Rock took a shot at critics of the story by saying this was all part of a long-term story going back to when he was at Bad Blood last October and also when he was at the Raw Netflix premiere to start the year. Do I believe it? Yes, I do, but I also think some fans will think it’s a lie and that they made changes on the floor. I don’t know how long the plan was for John Cena to go heel on the road to WrestleMania, but I wouldn’t be that surprised if it has been in the works for several months. It’s smart of WWE’s top people to not share it with others because they might ruin the plan and spoil it. I think Triple H, The Rock, John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and whoever else was in on the plan deserve a lot of praise for how well they executed this angle. It was a legendary moment that we won’t soon forget.

Does John Cena beat Cody Rhodes for the WWE Title at WrestleMania 41? I say yes. I think it would make for a good story to have Cena be a heel WWE Champion for a few months and later in the year they can have Cody get the title back or find somebody else to beat Cena. Maybe that’s an old rival like Randy Orton, CM Punk, or somebody else who is the right guy at the right time. Let’s see how it plays out. I’m excited to see what happens.

WWE Elimination Chamber had a runtime of 3:31:03.

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Five Stars of the Show

1. John Cena
2. Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn
3. Bianca Belair
4. CM Punk
5. Liv Morgan

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Final Thoughts

I’m going 9 out of 10 for this show.

It was an excellent show. I think if I was just basing this score off the matches it might be an 8/10 or something below that, but the ending angle with John Cena attacking Cody Rhodes to align with The Rock was so brilliant that it boosts the score. An angle like that to end the show isn’t the kind of thing you can do very often. I think it felt like a big deal and a historic moment. As I said in the review, everybody involved in it did a great job.

The match quality was strong throughout the show. I rated the Owens/Zayn match the highest because it was the kind of chaotic brawl I expected it to be. There were a few dangerous bumps. They are also best friends who trust eachother and I think they should be proud of the match they had. The Men’s Chamber match was better than the Women’s Chamber match in my eyes especially when it got down to that Cena-Punk-Rollins showdown. Rollins screwing Punk sets them up for WrestleMania while Cena capitalized to win. The women’s match was really about Belair and Morgan. Belair winning was the right call. Good stuff with Jade Cargill coming back to go after Naomi too. As for that women’s tag, it was just an average in this era of WWE although I thought Tiffany Stratton definitely stood out.

I loved being at this show. It was one of my favorite experiences at a WWE show after going to dozens of events for over 35 years. I’m not going to WrestleMania this year, so this was my WrestleMania in a lot of ways, and it delivered the kind of entertaining show I want to see from WWE.

I got the four match predictions right, so that’s a good thing for me having a smart mind for this business. However, I admit I didn’t see the Cena heel turn coming. I’m sure some people will say they predicted it and that’s cool if you did, but I think it was a shock for most people watching. That’s why it was such a great moment.

Here are my rankings of WWE PLE’s in 2025:

Elimination Chamber (March 1) – 9 (out of 10)

Royal Rumble (February 1) – 8.5

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As a reminder, I have a listing of every WWE PPV that I reviewed in order by year. Thank you for supporting us at TJRWrestling. We appreciate you.

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Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

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