Will the winds of change blow through the Windy City?

CM Punk returns home to Chicago as he defends his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor! Will WrestleMania’s main event change?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Women’s Elimination Chamber: Tiffany Stratton VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Rhea Ripley VS Alexa Bliss VS Asuka VS Kiana James; Rhea wins and will challenge for the WWE Women’s Championship.
• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch VS AJ Lee; AJ wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
• WWE World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk VS Finn Balor; Punk wins and retains the title.
• Men’s Elimination Chamber: Cody Rhodes VS Logan Paul VS Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Je’Von Evans VS Trick Williams; Orton wins and will challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the Elimination Chamber Countdown Show!

Join Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett & Big E to discuss, analyze and predict all the action in the Windy City!

Chicago’s own Hannah Heavin sings the Star-Spangled Banner.

CM Punk returns home to Chicago.

“People ask me, ‘Does pressure bother you?’ Pressure feels like this city I grew up in. Like the walls that shake when the trains go by. The wind that hits you head on. Growing up here, you learn how to stay calm when it’s loud. To think straight when everything’s closing in. That’s why the Chamber never rattled me. Whether it’s one-on-one on the outside, or a battle on the inside, when that door slams shut and the world goes quiet, everyone feels that weight. Getting through it isn’t a win, it’s the price for chasing what matters most. So all this pressure? It feels like home.” Chicago Made Punk, but will it break him? Welcome to Elimination Chamber!

Women’s Elimination Chamber: Tiffany Stratton VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Rhea Ripley VS Alexa Bliss VS Asuka VS Kiana James!

With Liv Morgan choosing Stephanie Vaquer, this match now sends the winner after Jade Cargill and her WWE Women’s Championship. Someone will be chasing The Storm into Las Vegas, but will we be back on Tiffy Time? Will Judgment Day look to reign over all of WWE? Will Mami be on top? Will Lil’ Miss Bliss get twisted? Is no one ready for Asuka? Or is everyone overlooking Miss Management?

After warning everyone just last night on SmackDown, Jade Cargill is here watching this match from up in her own private skybox. Alexa Bliss makes her entrance first, followed by Asuka, Raquel, and Rhea. That leaves Kiana and Tiff to start the match. The bell rings and the fans fire up already. There’s five minutes on the clock before someone else gets to join in, so Kiana and Tiff tie up. They go around along the ropes, then Kiana powers Tiff to the other side. Tiff powers Kiana back, wrenches, but Kiana gets free. The fans rally as the two reset. They tie up, Kiana waistlocks, but Tiff switches to headlock.

Kiana powers up and out but Tiff hits a tornado takeover! Tiff grinds Kiana down for a cover, TWO! Kiana fights up to her feet, powers up and out of teh hold, but Tiff handsprings over the dropdown. Tiff asks what time is it, and the fans cheer, ‘TIFFY TIME!” Kiana ignores that to call for a Test of Strength. Tiff obliges, but Kiana keeps changing hands. Kiana then kicks low! The fans boo but Kiana bumps Tiff off buckles. Kiana RAMS Tiff, handsprings back, then RAMS Tiff again! Kiana brings Tiff around to run and BOOT her down! Cover, ONE! Tiff is tougher than that but Kiana whips her to ropes.

Tiff grabs ropes, then drop toeholds Kiana onto them! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Tiff keeps moving, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Kiana is tougher than that, and she avoids the standing moonsault! Kiana STANDING MOONSAULTS in return! Cover, TWO! Kiana is frustrated but she kicks Tiff low. Kiana bumps Tiff off buckles, then runs her corner to corner. Kiana CLUBS Tiff, kicks her low, then she TOSSES Tiff to the outside. Kiana goes for the chains but Tiff ELBOWS back! Kiana kicks low again, then reels Tiff in. Tiff fights the suplex! The fans rally as the two fight for control, and Tiff snapmares Kiana to the grate! Kiana writhes while Tiff stands up.

Tiff lines up a shot, handsprings in, but Kiana dodges! Tiff crashes into Raquel’s pod and Raquel laughs at her. The fans rally for Tiff as the countdown is here! All four women are ready, but the one released is… ASUKA! The Empress of Tomorrow is out but Kiana SPEARES her back inside! Kiana then fights off Tiff, TOSSES her, but Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Kiana! And she throws Kiana into Raquel’s pod! Asuka dribbles Kiana off the Plexiglas, then off the chains! Tiff storms up but Asuka sobats! And then she sends Tiff into Alexa’s pod! Asuka dribbles Tiff off Plexiglas, then BOOTS Kiana! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO!

The fans fire up for Asuka as she sets both Tiff and Kiana against the chains and GRINDS them in! The fans rally while Kiana and Tiff suffer! Asuka stops to push both women in the ring, then she kicks at Alexa just because. Asuka goes up to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover on Kiana, TWO! Cover on Tiff, TWO! Asuka stays cool as she has both opponents at her mercy. Asuka KICKS Tiff, KICKS Kiana, and repeat! Then SUPERKICK for Kiana! But Tiff blocks a kick, ducks another, and ROCKS Asuka! Tiff SMACKS Kiana off buckles, then handsprings to BACK ELBOW Asuka! Tiff goes again, handspring and BACK ELBOW for Kiana!

Tiff keeps moving, but Asuka hits the POP-UP KNEE! Cover, TWO! Asuka rains down fists on Tiff but the countdown is back! The next one released is… ALEXA BLISS! The fans cheer and Alexa has her own sinister smile. She stares down Asuka, then RUNS her over! And SHOTGUNS Kiana! Alexa dodges Asuka to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Then she tilt-o-whirl DDTS Kiana! The fans fire up, but now Tiff is back. Alexa and Tiff smile as they stare down, then Alexa runs. Tiff catches the crossbody to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON, and PRETTIEST- NO, Alexa trips her up! Then Alexa puts Tiff in the Tree of Woe!

Asuka runs up, HIP ATTACK on Tiff! Alexa dodges Asuka to DROPKICK Tiff outta the Tree! Asuka waistlocks but Alexa ELBOWS free! Alexa clinches Asuka, but Kiana runs up! Alexa dodges, the KNEE hits Asuka! Alexa rolls Kiana, TWO! TIFFY STOMPS on Alexa! But Kiana fires off on Tiff with knees! The fans cheer Kiana’s aggression while she paces. Kiana drags Tiff up to throw her into the chains! And then again! Kiana trips Tiff, then CATAPULTS her into the pod! Tiff flops down in the corner but Kiana has to catch her breath. The countdown is back, and next released is… RHEA RIPLEY!

The fans fire up as Mami DROPKICKS Kiana, then THROWS her to chains! HEADBUTT fort Alexa! Short arm LARIAT for Asuka! And another LARIAT! And the ripcord to HOOK KICK, and ATOMIC FACEBUSTER! HEADBUTT for Tiff! Rhea reels Tiff in, Canadian Racks, and RAZOR’S EDGE into Asuka! The fans fire up as Rhea wrecks everyone! Alexa is back up, though, and she runs to tilt-o-whirl, but Rhea blocks it! Rhea powers up to suplex, but Alexa slips free! Clinch and- NO, Rhea slips athrough to pump handle! RIP- NO, Alexa fights free! Rhea ROCKS Alexa and hurries out after her. Pump handle and RIP- NO! Alexa grabs the chains!

Alexa climbs up and over Rhea, kicks her away, but then Rhea has to BOOT Kiana! Kiana rebounds to TACKLE Rhea! Kiana avoids Asuka, Tiff SHOTGUNS Asuka, but Kiana DRAGS Tiff out to join them all! The brawling continues while Alexa climbs higher! Alexa’s on a pod, and she hits a SUPER TWISTED BLISS! Down goes everyone except Kiana! The fans are thunderous, “This is Awesome!” as Kiana CLUBS Alexa! Kiana dribbles Alexa off chains, then she TOSSES Alexa back in. SUPERKICK! Kiana talks trash, then runs, but Alexa catches her into the clinch! But Asuka uses BLUE MIST!! Kiana rolls Alexa, AND ELIMINATES HER!!

The fans can’t believe it, but the inaugural Women’s Elimination Chamber winner is the first one out! the FINAL COUNTDOWN~ is here! And naturally, RAQUEL is released! Big Mami Sexy catches Tiff to THROW her into chains! She BOOTS Kiana, she BOOTS Asuka, then swings on Kiana! Kiana ducks the first, but not the SOUTHPAW! Rhea runs up but Raquel kicks low and reels her in! Raquel lifts Rhea to OVERBOMB HOTSHOT! The fans are torn, but now the other three surround Raquel. She dares them to bring it, so they do! They mug Raquel 3v1, but she explodes free! Rhea SUPERKICKS Raquel outta the ring!

Rhea goes out after Raquel, but Raquel THROWS Rhea around! Asuka is back but Raquel THRWOS Her, too! And she THROWS Kiana! Raquel wrecks everyone, but Rhea ROCKS her back! Then knuckle lock and FLYING- NO!! Raquel stops the Rhea rana to bring her up, BOMB into the chains! Then BOMB into the ring! The fans fire up as Raquel scoops Tiff, and LAWN DARTS her into chains! Asuka RAMS Raquel into steel, fires off fast strikes, then KICKS away against the chains! But Raquel blocks one and picks Asuka up! FALL AWAY SLAM into the ring! But Kiana shoves Raquel into chains, then into a pod!

Kiana beats up on Raquel, Raquel hits back, and then Raquel scoops Kiana! RUNNING POWERSLAM through Plexiglas!! The fans are thunderous again, and Raquel TOSSES Kiana into the ring. Asuka runs up, but Raquel gets under! TEXANA BOMB into Kiana!! DOUBLE COVER, DOUBLE ELIMINATION!! La Ruda just cut the field in half! It’s Raquel, Rhea, or Tiff! The fans fire up as Raquel eggs everyone on! They all throw forearms, then Raquel BOOTS Rhea! Rhea ROUNDHOUSES Raquel! Tiff handsprings to DOUBLE STUNNER! Tiff fires up, fireman’s carries, but Raquel fights free!

Raquel scoops Tiff and SPINNING POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Rhea grabs Raquel and drags her outside! Rhea THROWS Raquel into chains, but Raquel returns the favor! Raquel hauls Rhea up, and puts her legs through chains so she’s in a Tree of Woe! Raquel HEADBUTTS Rhea, but Tiff goes up like Spider-Gwen! FLYING RAN- NO!! Raquel stops another rana, and she brings Tiff up, only for Tiff to SPIKE-RANA Raquel in the ring! Tiff hurries, but she runs into a BOOT! Raquel drags Tiff up to THROW her into a corner, then she fires those back elbows! Raquel then scoops for the FALL AWAY SLAM! Tiff flounders away while fans rally up.

Raquel storms over, steps up the corner, and TWISTING VADER on Tiff! Raquel isn’t done, she hoists Tiff up for the TEXA- NO, Tiff pops free! But Raquel SPLASHES in the corner! Raquel hoists Tiff up the corner now, then climbs up to join her! But wait, now REHA is on a pod! SUPER CANNONBALL!! Down goes Raquel but Rhea writhes, too! Tiff adjusts for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER on Raquel! Tiff ELIMINATES Raquel!! The fans are torn, it is now either #TiffyTime or MamiMania! The fans rally as both women rise up, and even Jade is enjoying what she’s seeing.

Tiff and Rhea stare down, then they run up! Tiff dodges a boot to KNEE Rhea! Then Tiff fireman’s carries! But Rhea slips free! Rhea kicks low, KNEE SMASHES, then LARIATS Tiff down! Rhea snarls, hauls Tiff up, and Canadian Rack for the RAZOR’S- NO! Tiff pops free, cartwheels, and Alabama Lifts! ALABAMA SLAM! High stack, TWO! Rhea survives and Tiff is stunned, but the fans continue to rally up. Tiff drags Rhea to a drop zone and goes back up! Tiff aims, SWANTON BOMB, but Rhea moves! Rhea hurries to Electric Chair Lift! ELECTRIC CHAIR SLAM! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives and now Rhea grows frustrated!

The fans rally as hard as they can, and Rhea pump handles Tiff! RIP- NO, Tiff slips free! Rhea runs back in, but Tiff POSTS her! Tiff goes up, up, and SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives and the fans fire up! Tiff has a bloody nose but she’s not letting that slow her down! Fireman’s carry and ROLLING SENTON! Tiff goes up, up, and PRETTIEST- NO, Rhea SHOVES Tiff into a pod! Then Rhea drags Tiff in, pump handles, and RIPTIDE!!! Cover, RHEA WINS!!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall (advances to WrestleMania)

Mami loses the tag titles, but now she’s going for a world title! Jade applauds, Rhea points to the WrestleMania sign, and we even get pyro for this moment! But while Jade holds up the title now, will Mami be back on top? Or will she fail to weather The Storm in Las Vegas?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch VS AJ Lee!

The Man claims the Black Widow has been ruining everything ever since she came back to help her husband, CM Punk. But history shows that there would be no Becky Lynch breaking the glass ceiling without AJ Lee changing the game first. Will the former Diva’s Champion show everyone, especially Becky, that she’s still got it? Or will The Man find a way to hold AJ down?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really ready for The Big Time!

The bell rings and the fans fire up for AJ already as she stares down with Becky. They circle, tie up, and Becky powers AJ to a corner. The ref counts, Becky backs off, and Becky talks trash while she swaggers around. The fans boo, but AJ and Becky reset. They feel things out, tie up, and Becky headlocks. Becky grinds AJ down but AJ powers up and out. Becky RUNS AJ over and the fans boo again. Becky flexes, then she mocks AJ’s way of sitting in the ropes. AJ shrugs that off as she resets with Becky again. They tie up, Becky waistlocks, headlocks, then slips around to waistlock again. Becky talks more trash as she has the headlock, but AJ fires body shots!

AJ powers up and out, drops down, but Becky rolls over. AJ comes back, trips Becky, and covers, ONE! Becky gets up, AJ slips around, crucifix to sunset flip, high stack! TWO! Becky wrenches an arm, steps over, but AJ trips her up! Becky scrambles away while the fans cheer. Becky frowns and seethes, especially as the fans are so strongly behind AJ. Becky runs up, AJ dodges, then AJ tilt-o-whirls, wrenches, and HOOK KICKS! AJ turns Becky over to then hammerlock the arm, for a BRIDGING WRISTLOCK! Becky endures, reaches out, but AJ moves around. Becky rolls, hammerlocks in return, but AJ endures.

AJ runs around and around to then FLING Becky out of the ring! Becky throws a little tantrum while AJ skips around. The fans cheer while Becky paces and seethes. The ring count climbs, but Becky tells Jessica Karr to back off! Becky storms in, then uses Karr as a shield so she can sucker punch AJ! The fans boo but Becky whips AJ to a corner. AJ goes up, but Becky catches her to an Electric Chair! But AJ makes it a MYSTERIO RANA, then a SHOTGUN DROPKICK! AJ puts Becky on ropes but Becky bucks the O’Conner, and she BOOTS AJ down! The fans boo as Becky HAMMERS away on AJ! Becky SMACKS AJ off the mat!

Becky talks trash to the fans, then she talks trash to AJ. Becky stomps AJ in the corner, but she stops as the ref counts. Karr and Becky argue the count, but then Becky mocks the fan favorite. The fans boo Becky harder but Becky soaks it up. Becky pulls AJ’s hair, THROWS her down, then covers, TWO! Becky is annoyed and mutters to herself while AJ crawls away to ropes. Becky talks trash, then CHOKES AJ on the ropes! The ref counts, Becky stops at 4, and Becky stomps away on AJ! The fans boo, the ref counts, and Becky backs off. Becky drags AJ up, bumps her off buckles, then takes her time going corner to corner.

Becky runs back in and she FOREARMS AJ, then JUMP KICKS! AJ flounders but Becky clinches, BECKSPLODER! Cover, TWO! AJ survives and the fans rally up but Becky just shakes her head. Becky pushes AJ around, pie faces her, but the fans rally up even harder. Becky sits AJ up, but AJ UPPERCUTS! Becky DECKS AJ for it! The fans boo, but AJ fires back! Becky fires back, and repeat! The fans cheer AJ and boo Becky as the shots go back and forth! AJ gets the edge and the fans fire up! AJ windmills shots, but Becky kicks low! Becky kicks, UPPERCUTS, then SOBATS! Becky runs, but AJ follows to then BULLDOG!

The fans fire up while both women are down! AJ goes to ropes while Becky staggers around, and AJ LARIATS first! Then she ELBOWS Becky down! AJ runs at the corner but Becky dodges the splash! AJ blocks the jump kick, BOOTS in return, then goes up to TORNADO DDT! Becky flounders but AJ SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! Becky survives but the fans rally harder for AJ! “You Still Got It!” AJ drags Becky up, cravats, but Becky powers out! AJ comes back, Becky clinches! MANHAN- NO, Victory roll! TWO and Becky has it, TWO! Both women stand, and AJ tilt-o-whirls, but Becky turns it into an ELBOW DROP DDT! Cover, TWO!

Becky is furious as she dribbles AJ off the mat! The fans boo but Becky has the ref check AJ. But that’s all so Becky can untie a buckle pad! The fans boo again but Becky whips AJ in! AJ stops herself, ELBOWS Becky away, then runs up. AJ blocks a kick to KNEE Becky, then she runs to slide and trip Becky up! Becky flounders while AJ climbs the corner! AJ reaches the top, but Becky trips her up! Becky climbs up to throw hands on AJ, then brings her to the very top! SUPERPLEX! Roll through and ARMBAR! The fans rally as AJ endures! AJ fights to clasp her hands, then high stack Becky! TWO, and AJ ROUNDHOUSES Becky!

The fans fire up as both women are down again! AJ crawls to a cover, TWO! Only now does the ref notice the exposed buckle! She works to put it back on, but Becky SHOVES AJ into her! Becky rolls AJ, TWO!! Becky winds up, AJ ducks, the ROUNDHOSUE hits Karr!! The fans fire up as AJ wraps Becky in the BLACK WIDOW!! BECKY TAPS, BUT THE REF CAN’T CALL IT!! Becky HAMMERS away on AJ’s back to finally get free! The fans boo but Becky’s tricks paid off! And she CLOBBERS AJ onto Karr! Becky drags AJ up, THROWS her to ropes, and the fans call BS! Becky stomps AJ out of the ring while they chant, “You Tapped Out!”

Becky THROWS AJ into barriers, and THROWS her into them again! The fans boo but Becky grins as she brings AJ over. Becky makes AJ look at the belt, then THROWS her into more barriers! Becky then goes looking under the ring! She brings out a chair, puts that in the ring, then brings AJ up. But AJ fights back with forearms! The fans rally as AJ THROWS Becky into barriers! And into more barriers! The fans fire up as AJ SMACKS Becky off the apron, then THROWS her into more barriers! Becky staggers around but AJ keeps after her, pushing her into the ring. AJ then lines up a shot, ELBOWS Becky away, then goes up top!

AJ reels Becky in, TORNADO- NO, Becky SLAMS AJ on the chair! Then DDTS her on the chair! Becky gets away with it all, and she shouts at the ref to get up! Becky drags AJ up, clinches, and MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, Karr counts, TWO?!?! AJ survives and the fans are loving it! Becky is beside herself! Becky snarls, she drags AJ up, and goes for the bare steel! But Karr won’t let her! The fans cheer as Karr stands up to Becky, and then AJ rolls Becky up! TWO!! Becky is up again, clinches, MAN- NO, AJ arm-drags free! Becky DECKS AJ in return! Both women stand, Becky runs up, but AJ sends her into bare steel!!

Then the BLACK WIDOW STRETCH!! BECKY TAPS, THE REF CALLS IT! AJ WINS!!!

Winner: AJ Lee, by submission (NEW WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)

Chicago loves it! AJ’s first championship in 11 YEARS, and it was by serving justice to Big Time Becks! What is Becky going to do now that she has to eat her words? Will AJ take this win and make it back to WrestleMania?

The crate has arrived.

Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce shake hands as they say hello, and then R-Truth joins them. Aldis says Truth said he’s got info on what’s in the box. That he does! Truth smelled it, and it smelled good! What? Inside this pizza box is Papa John’s Pan Pizza! A golden brown crispy crust, and soft and chewy center! Truth takes a bite out of a slice, and says he’ll handle this box from here. Well, aside from an appetite for pizza, will we learn what’s inside THE box before the night is over?

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk VS Finn Balor!

Speaking of WrestleMania, the Second City Saint has said himself that others think this is “jeopardizing” the dream match main event of CM Punk VS Roman Reigns. However, Punk says he would jeopardize his legacy as a fighting champion if he didn’t give the people, HIS people, a title fight! Punk won against The Prince in Belfast, but will he do it again now that he has homefield advantage? Or will nothing stop Finn Balor from changing the narrative in WWE?

The introductions are made, with Punk getting Chicago Bulls’ announcer, Ray Clay, to do his! The belt is raised, and it is time to see who is truly the Best in the World!

The bell rings and naturally, the fans are all cheering Punk. Punk and Finn circle, feel things out, and tie up. Punk wrenches and wristlocks, but Finn moves around to roll, wrench, and wristlock back. Punk wrenches through to wristlock then hammerlock, but Finn reaches back. Punk shrugs the headlock but Finn switches the hammerlock. The fans rally as Punk switches back, then full nelsons. Finn breaks that, then wrenches to full nelson in return. The fans rally again as Punk breaks free, drops down, and victory rolls, TWO! Finn storms up but into a headlock. Finn endures the grind, and he powers up and out, to then ELBOW Punk down! Cover, ONE!

Finn stays on Punk, he hits a headlock takeover, and he has the cover, ONE! Punk tries a chinbar but Finn grinds the headlock. Another cover, ONE! Punk fights up but Finn just throws him back down. A third cover, ONE! Punk still fights, he rolls Finn to a cover, ONE! Finn grinds the hold again but the fans continue to rally. Punk rises up, powers up and out, then drops down to CALF KICK! Finn sputters but Punk is on him. Punk scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans cheer while Punk stands Finn up, snapmares, then CHOPS him on the back! Punk KICKS Finn down, then runs to KNEE DROP! Cover, ONE!

Finn toughs it out but Punk stays close. Punk ROCKS Finn in the back, then shoves and ROCKS him again! Punk wrenches and wristlocks, then he reels Finn in for the suplex. Finn slips free, BODY BLOWS, then ROCKS Punk. Punk ROCKS and CHOPS Finn, and the two throw hands! The fans cheer, Punk KNEES low, then he whips Finn into a corner. Punk CHOPS Finn again and the fans “WOO~!” Finn goes to another corner, but he turns things around to CHOP Punk! Punk turns things around to CHOP again! Punk then kicks low, ELBOWS Finn in the head, then climbs up the corner. The fans cheer as Punk rains down fists!

The fans count along, but Finn slips out at 6 to YANK Punk down! Finn whips, then KITCHEN SINK KNEES! Punk sputters while the fans boo, but Finn just paces around Punk. Finn stomps Punk to the ropes, then jump stomps away! Finn drags Punk onto the ropes to CHOKE him, but the ref counts. Finn traps Punk’s arms in the ropes so he can fire BODY BLOW after BODY BLOW! The ref counts again, but Finn stops to run and BOOT Punk in the side! Punk slumps down in a corner but Finn throws up the Too Sweet. The fans boo, but Finn drags Punk up for another BODY BLOW! Finn RAMS into Punk again and again, then CHOPS!

Finn stalks Punk, brings him around, and whips corner to corner. Finn runs in and CHOPS Punk down! The fans are torn but Finn shakes his head. Finn drags Punk up, fires more body shots, then whips corner to corner. Punk reverses to SHINING WIZARD! And then BULL- NO, Finn slips free, BODY BLOWS, and he reels Punk into a COBRA TWIST! The fans rally as Punk endures! Finn digs his elbow and forearm into Punk’s ribs, but Punk still endures! The fans rally harder as Punk fights the hold. Punk pops free to HIP TOSS Finn down! And then a trip to a step-through! Finn BOOTS free, then DOUBLE LARIATS collide!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Finn rises first, he ROCKS Punk, then ROCKS him again! And again! But Punk Mongolian Chops! Finn fires a haymaker, Punk fires back, and repeat! Punk gets the edge, but Finn kicks low! Finn swings but Punk counter punches! And counter punches again! Finn staggers, Punk fires more shots, then whips. Punk ELBOWS Finn down, LARIATS him, then SHINING WIZARDS in the corner! BULLDOG! The fans fire up with Punk as he stands back up. Punk fireman’s carries, but Finn slips free! Finn shoves Punk, runs up, but Punk DUMPS Finn out! Punk then DIVES and Finn hits desk!

The fans fire up as Punk drags Finn up and into the ring. Punk climbs up the corner, aims as Finn stands, and FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Finn survives but Punk says night-night! The fans fire up as Punk fireman’s carries, but Finn slips free! EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! Punk survives but Finn stalks him to a corner. Finn stomps away, climbs up, and he slips a bit but Finn turns that into a stomp! Finn whips, Punk reverses, but Finn goes up! Only for Punk to catch him going over! Fireman’s carry and GO TO- NO! CRADLE! TWO! Punk escapes, then wrenches Finn, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Finn survives and Punk grits his teeth. The fans rally while Finn goes to a corner, but Punk drags him up. Punk trips Finn to step through, but Finn UP KICKS free! Finn and Punk back away to corners, then Finn storms up on Punk. Finn brings Punk around, but Punk fights the suplex! Punk ROCKS Finn, puts him up top, then Mongolian Chops! Then backhand CHOPS! Punk goes up to join Finn, and the fans fire up. Finn fights the suplex with body shots, then CLUBS away on Punk! Finn DECKS Punk, then takes aim! COUP DE GRACE misses as Punk moves! Punk runs in, SHINING WIZARD, short arm LARIAT!

Finn is down, Punk hurries up a corner, and Punk says hail to the king! MACHO ELBOW! But Punk can’t make the cover! All that damage Finn’s down to the ribs is piling up! Punk crawls to cover, TWO! Finn has the ghost pin! TWO!! SLINGBLADE! The fans boo as Finn goes to a corner! Finn aims as Punk slowly drags himself up. Finn runs in, but into a LARIAT! Punk drags Finn around, steps through, but Finn again fights the leglock! Punk drops down to go for the arms! ANACONDA VICE!! Finn endures while the fans rally behind Punk! Finn reaches out, he pushes Punk, then rolls through to LA MAGISTROL! TWO!!

Finn rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The fans boo but Finn just rains down more HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Finn then drags Punk up for the 1916! Finn hurries back up the corner, and COUP DE GRACE!! Finn hurries to cover, TWO!! Punk survives and Finn is furious! The fans continue to cheer Punk on while Finn throws off his elbow pads. Finn thinks on what he must do, and he shakes his head. Finn vowed to do this on his own, so he isn’t going to call for help. Finn dragon sleepers Punk, but Punk spins that around! Inverted suplex into the fireman’s carry! GO TO SLEEP!! But Finn FLOPS outta the ring!!

The fans can’t believe it, and Punk is beside himself! The ring count starts, and Punk considers his options. He could let Finn lose this way, but decides against it. Punk goes outside, then runs up on Finn, only for Finn to SLINGBLADE to the floor! Finn snarls as he goes to the far end. Finn aims now, runs back in, and SHOTGUNS Punk through barriers! The fans are going nuts as Finn is feeling it, just like SummerSlam 2016! Finn gets Punk in the ring, then hurries after, but Punk fireman’s carries! Finn slips free, and SLINGBLADES! Then he reloads, for the SHOTGUN! Punk is down, Finn climbs up, and fans are freaking out!

Finn aims again, COUP DE GRACE but Punk catches him! SHARPSHOOTER!! The fans go nuts again as Finn flails! Punk sits as deep as he can on the hold but Finn reaches for ropes! Finn claws at the mat, powers his way forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! Punk lets go in frustration, then drags Finn back to center. Punk steps through again, but Finn kicks and kicks and kicks! Punk stomps Finn down in return! “This is Awesome!” as Punk then STOMPS Finn down! Punk kicks at Finn but Finn just glares at him defiantly! Punk YANKS Finn up, clinches, and fireman’s carries! GO TO SLEEP!! Punk covers, PUNK WINS!

Winner: CM Punk, by pinfall (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)

The Prince fought as hard as he ever has, but he still couldn’t win the crown. Punk keeps the WrestleMania card as planned, but Finn gets in his face. Punk showed Finn respect in Ireland, so Finn shows Punk respect in Chicago. Punk accepts the handshake and the fans cheer the sportsmanship. Finn may have failed here, but will there come a day when he fights for this title again?

As for Punk, AJ joins him in the ring so that the Best Power Couple in the World can celebrate together! Will they paint the town red now that they both have gold?

The General Managers open the crate!

Using crowbars and all their might, they pop it open! And there’s… a coffin inside? Okay, they’re gonna hold back on this… Because the coffin opens on its own! And from inside the coffin emerges… D A N H A U S E N! Chicago is torn as The Overlord has his very nice, very evil vampire dancers with him as he goes to the ring! And don’t forget his jaw of human teeth! He leaves that with Michael Cole before he steps into the ring with his dancers. Then one poof of pyro and the lights go out. Danhausen is in the WWE, does that mean we’re all CURSED?

Men’s Elimination Chamber: Cody Rhodes VS Logan Paul VS Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Je’Von Evans VS Trick Williams!

Roman Reigns gets CM Punk at WrestleMania, so this match is all about challenging Drew McIntyre. And if you asked the American Nightmare, he wouldn’t have it any other way! Will Cody get his hands on the Scottish Terminator that’s been more like a giant chicken? Will the last-minute addition of The Maverick shake things up? Will the Viper strike and go for number 15? Will The Megastar get his Mania moment? Or will one of the NXT call-ups go straight from first-time Chamber main event, to first-time WrestleMania main event?

Trick Williams makes his entrance first, with a rotating platform that lights up. He’s followed by LA Knight, Logan Paul, and Randy Orton. That leaves the very fired up Young OG to start against #QB1. Evans is climbing the outside, then even the inside, all as he makes his way inside the Chamber. Fans then sing along with Kingdom and join in on “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, then steps into the Chamber. The bell rings and there’s five minutes on the clock. The fans rally as Cody and Evans circle, then feel things out. They tie up, Cody powers Evans to a corner, but Evans powers his way out. Cody headlocks but Evans powers out.

Cody slips under Evans, kicks low, then RHODES UPPERCUTS! Cody wrenches Evans, reels him in, and suplexes, to then hold Evans up! The fans cheer as Cody holds until TEN for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Cody stays on Evans and clamps onto an arm. Cody wrenches but Evans rolls Cody up, ONE! Cody KNEES low, then CLUBS Evans. Evans goes to a corner but Cody stalks him. Cody whips, Evans slides to a stop, then he goes up and over Cody! Then up and over again! Evans keeps moving and he RANAS Cody! Cody stagger sup, into the BOUNCY~ RANA! Cody tumbles again, and Evans dodges, to JUMP KNEE! Cover, TWO!

Evans goes out after Cody, but Cody sends him into chains! Evans falls in a heap, clutching his arm, and the fans cuss out Logan. Logan says he hasn’t even done anything! Cody SMACKS Evans off Logan’s pod, then TOSSES him into the ring. Cody stomps Evans around, then jump stomps him down. Cody whips and LARIATS Evans, then covers, TWO! Evans is tougher than that but Cody drags Evans up. Cody suplexes but Evans blocks! The fans rally, Cody fires body shots, and Cody suplexes, but Evans knees free! Cody wobbles, Evans reels him in, and Evans suplexes! Evans kips up while the fans cheer, but the countdown is here!

Cody fires hands on Evans, but we get… TRICK WILLIAMS! The fans cheer as Trick dodges Cody to then FLAPJACK him on the floor! Trick stares down old rival, Je’Von Evans. Trick storms into the ring, the two circle, and Evans avoids the leg lariat! Evans wrenches, whips, but Trick blocks! Trick whips Evans, Evans jumps around and rolls Trick up, TWO! Things keep moving, Trick whips Evans, but Evans handsprings for the RED DOT GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up as Evans goes up, up, and O G- NO! Trick stops the cutter to send Evans to ropes! Evans BLASTS Cody, but Trick SMACKS Evans down!

Trick is fired up, he talks trash on Evans, but Cody hits a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, ONE! Cody goes after Evans to ROCK him with right hands! Cody CLUBS Evans, but Trick hits the HEEL KICK! Trick then cartwheels to ripcord Cody up into the clinch! Evans goes up, but he leaps into Trick’s arm! DOUBLE BOOKENDS! Cover on Cody, TWO! Cover on Evans, TWO! Trick stays on Evans and TOSSES him to the outside! Evans writhes but Trick storms out after him. Trick drags Evans up, CHOPS him against chains, and he tells Evans to mind his business while grown folks is talking! Cody CHOPS Evans, so Trick CHOPS Cody!

Cody CHOPS Trick, CHOPS again and again, then SMACKS him off chains! Evans SUPERKICKS Cody! Evans CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS away on Trick! The fans fire up with Evans, but the countdown is back! Evans hurries after Cody, but now we add… LOGAN PAUL! The fans boo but things are about to get ImPAULsive! Until all three men mug Logan! The fans fire up as they beat him down, and Logan scurries to the outside. Cody goes after Logan, Trick joins in, and they THROW Logan back into his own pod, and out the other side! The fans cheer while Logan writhes. Austin Theory coaches his guy through the chains, and Evans FLIES onto Trick & Cody!

The fans rally up again and Evans steadies himself. Evans puts Trick in the ring, goes up a corner, and he hits the LION’S BARRAGE! Cover, TWO! Cody returns, he brings Trick up, and he TOSSES Trick out. Cody then ROCKS Evans, bumps him off buckles, and puts him in the corner for body shots! Cody looks to the WrestleMania sign, then he CLUBS Evans. Evans staggers around, but he BODY SHOTS in return! And ROCKS Cody! Cody ROCKS Evans! Cody whips Evans but Evans reverses, only for Cody to stop himself. Cody DUMPS Evans out hard, but Logan slingshots for the BUCKSHOT! The fans boo, he ain’t no cowboy!

Logan SPITS at Cody, then he HAMMERS away on Evans! Logan goes around the way to taunt Knight, then he stomps away on Trick! Theory & Heyman like what they see, and Logan goes back to Cody. But Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop, and fly! But Logan throat chops! The fans boo Logan, but the countdown is back! Logan waits on the clock, and we add… L A KNIGHT! “YEAH!” Knight stares down Logan, and he fires hands on his old enemy! Knight fires off haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” And stomps! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight LARIATS Cody for good measure before he KNEES Logan in the corner!

Trick runs up, but he’s sent into Logan! JUMP NECKBREAKER! Knight stomps Logan to the outside, then sends him into chains! “YEAH!” And then into the pod! “YEAH!” And then another pod! “YEAH!” Logan flops down while the fans cheer Knight. But then Logan YANKS Knight into the pod! And THROWS him into chains! Logan climbs the chains, goes onto the pod, but Evans sneaks up to join him! Logan CLUBS Evans, Evans hits back, and now Knight joins them!? The fans fire up as Knight & Evans dribble Logan off Plexiglas! Then they agree, they ROCKET LAUNCH Logan onto Cody and Trick!

The fans cheer as Knight and Evans stand tall, but then Evans SUPERKICKS Knight! Both men are on the edge, but Knight kicks back! B F T on the pod! A bit double-edged for Knight, and all five men are down somewhere in the Chamber! And the FINAL COUNTDOWN~ is here! The fans already know that last but certainly not least, we add RANDY ORTON! The Apex Predator goes right up and LARIATS Trick! And LARIATS again! Then he LARIATS Logan! And he dodges Trick to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Orton, and he SNAP POWERSLAMS Logan! Orton then runs up to LARIAT Trick up and out!

Logan returns but Orton TOSSES him out into Trick! Orton then has Logan through the ropes! And he adds Trick! The fans cheer as Orton gives them DOUBLE DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches all his potential targets, but Knight sneaks up on him! R K- NO! Knight kicks low and DDTS! Now Orton is down, and wait, Evans is still on top of the pod! The Young OG sees everyone else down below, and he stands back up. Trick is in a drop zone! Evans fires up for a SUPER DUPER FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH!! Direct hit, but then Logan gets Evans with a PAULVERIZER!! Cover, LOGAN ELIMINATES EVANS!

The fans boo but Logan grins as he ruins the fun again. But then Cody fires off on Logan! Cody wrenches but Logan fights the armlock. Cody fires forearms, whips again, but Logan reverses! Cody KICKS, then springboards, but Knight catches him to a torture rack! BURNING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives, if only by so much! Orton UPPERCUTS Knight, Knight kicks Orton, but Orton body blows! Orton bumps Knight off buckles, then he rains down fists! The fans count along, and Orton goes to nine, using an UPPERCUT for TEN! Orton then whips Knight into the corner, runs up, but into a BOOT!

Orton wobbles, falls, and Knight goes up! He spells it out, “L A KNIGHT, YEAH!” BOX JUMP- NO, Knight slips on the ropes! Knight still hits a normal ELBOW DROP, but then Trick rolls him up! TWO, and Trick clinches! BOOK- NO, Knight arm-drags free! Clinch and B F T!! But Trick flounders away! Logan is up, and he LOW BLOWS Knight! No disqualifications but still BS! Logan rolls Knight up with tights! Logan ELIMINATES Knight!! The fans boo as The Maverick has checked off two fan favorites! Logan then goes for Cody on the outside, and he CHOKES Cody on the ropes! Cody can only suffer, but then Logan ROCKS Cody!

Logan THROWS Cody into chains, then he storms over to go after Orton! Knight KNEES Orton against the chains, but Orton pokes Logan in the eyes! Orton storms up on Logan, but Logan BOOTS him into chains! Orton snarls, but then Logan JABS away on Trick! But Trick ducks the One Lucky Right to BACKHAND and LEG LARIAT! Trick then brings the kneepads down! TRICK- NO, Logan dodges the shot to PAULVER- NO, Trick slips free, but Cody has him for a CROSS RHODES! Logan POSTS Cody to then snipe the cover, LOGAN ELIMINATES TRICK!! Logan grins another obnoxious grin, but he’s clearing house all the same!

Logan soaks up heat, but wait! THE MASKED MAN! Is it that guy from last night? Security drags whoever this is away, perhaps saving Logan from the grudge! Adam Pearce unmasks this guy, but who is that? It’s not the same one from Louisville, so what does this even mean? The refs help Trick out of the ring while Logan soaks up heat. But now ANOTHER masked man gets inside the Chamber! The fans go nuts and Logan is shocked! Logan is ready to square up, but this guy SUPERKICKS him! And CURB STOMPS him! The signs keep pointing towards Seth Rollins, and Cody covers Logan to ELIMINATE him!!

This masked man reveals himself, and YES! IT’S SETH ROLLINS!! Heyman has seen a ghost, because now all his sins are coming back to haunt him!! The fans sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary leaves his former faction behind. But this all means we have only Cody and Orton left. The fans fire up as both men stand, but DREW MCINTYRE CLOBBERS CODY!! The door wasn’t closed and this snake slithered in! CLAY- NO, Cody dodges the Claymore to fire hands! the fans fir eup as Cody fires off, but Drew hits a GLASGOW KISS! Drew HAMMERS away on Cody, but Orton goes after Drew! R K O!!! Then a CROSS RHODES!!

Drew is now out of the equation, and R K O!!! Cover, ORTON WINS?!?

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to WrestleMania)

The Viper told his former friend that if it came down to this, there would be no hesitation. And now Cody knows, Orton was a man of his word! The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator were wild cards that changed the odds, and now WrestleMania sees Orton get his chance at number 15! Will the Legend Killer continue to chase his true rival in John Cena? Or will Drew find a way to stack the deck in his favor?

My Thoughts:

A great Elimination Chamber, though they really milked entrances for the Chamber matches to help reach three hours, especially with the men’s. And in both Chamber matches, they went with winners I did NOT see coming. The Women’s Chamber felt like Tiffany’s to win to set up a rematch with Jade Cargill, but perhaps with how Tiff and Chelsea have been feuding throughout all this Chamber build, Tiff VS Chelsea is the real WrestleMania story. Jade VS Rhea is great just on star power, but also on how Jade makes Rhea the physical underdog since Jade is taller and more muscular. Now, the question would be, is Rhea moving to SmackDown full time as part of this? That could be an interesting story beat with Iyo having to be happy for Rhea but unsure what her own future will be.

The Men’s Chamber was a great main event, and a wild one at that. Logan eliminating three names in a row was a bit booty, but at least he gets his comeuppance via Seth Rollins’ appearance. They had one more decoy “masked man” to then set things up for Rollins, and him sticking it to Logan and scaring the life out of Heyman was all great. Whether or not Theory is still Rollins’ mole, Rollins might need an ally trying to take The Vision on, even with it just being Logan and Theory. Maybe we still get Grayson Waller joining this story after he was the body double for Rollins week in and week out, which works logically because Waller is still upset with Theory up and ditching him. Then either Rollins’ new Vision wins straight up, or Theory turns on Logan to join Rollins after all.

R-Truth and the General Managers had a fun promo with the crate to plug Papa John’s, and the crate reveal… Well, I don’t think Chicago expected Danhausen, and I’m not sure they wanted Danhausen. Perhaps foolishly, fans either wanted Chris Jericho or Seth Rollins or some other return, but those were not realistic expectations. Jericho is still All Elite after some “missed time” extension, and Rollins did the main event bit. I personally love that it’s Danhausen, that gag is exactly the kind of thing he’d do. Though, I will say he should’ve done more. Danhausen should have at least talked so that fans who don’t understand could understand, and perhaps they’d be more accepting.

And naturally, the title matches went Chicago’s way. Great match from Becky Lynch VS AJ Lee with Jessica Karr also getting in on the act, and AJ winning the title wasn’t just for the pop from the audience but also because it was the fitting story. AJ humbles Becky, if just for tonight, and we can build towards an even bigger match at WrestleMania. But I wonder if they’ll give Jessica Karr a chance to wrestle Becky. Karr was on Evolve for like two or three episodes, but I’m pretty sure she’s still been training behind the scenes, and it’d fit story of Becky blames Karr for everything. Plus, WrestleMania is two nights, let Becky get cocky with a win on Night One to then lose to AJ again on Night Two.

Then CM Punk VS Finn Balor was a great match, and just a straight up match at that. Finn even had that moment where he chose not to call Judgment Day to the ring, so there are no excuses as to what happened. Plus, he showed respect to Punk for real tonight, I think this smooths things over for them for now. Punk VS Roman is going to finally kick into gear as we’re 49 days away from Mania, and Finn can focus on the Judgment Day dysfunction to possibly get an Intercontinental Championship match with Dominik Mysterio.

My Score: 9/10