Brock Lesnar expressed regret to several WWE wrestlers after a disorganized Elimination Chamber match in February 2022, where he captured the WWE Championship. The match took place during the Elimination Chamber event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and was centered around the WWE Championship, held at the time by Bobby Lashley.
The February event has been a fixture in WWE for over two decades, often featuring Elimination Chamber matches either for titles or opportunities to challenge for them. This 2022 edition ended in a controversial finish involving Lesnar entering the match prematurely and disrupting the originally planned sequence.
Match Details Reveal Erratic Behavior Inside the Chamber
During the match, Seth Rollins delivered a Powerbomb to Austin Theory, driving him into the pod where Lashley was stationed, which served to write Lashley out of the contest due to a scripted concussion requiring shoulder surgery. Though Lashley was expected as the fifth entrant, the actual sequence stalled as his removal left a void.
Originally, Lesnar was the final entrant, supposed to join last, but he unexpectedly forced open his pod early and entered ahead of schedule. This unplanned move led him to eliminate Seth Rollins, Matt Riddle, AJ Styles, and Austin Theory, ultimately securing the WWE Championship. However, the match lacked smooth execution and failed to provide an engaging contest.
Matt Riddle Details Issues Behind the Scenes in Elimination Chamber
Former WWE superstar Matt Riddle spoke candidly about the confusion, explaining that Lesnar’s early involvement disrupted everyone’s timing and planned spots.
“We’re in the Elimination Chamber in Saudi [Arabia], and Brock Lesnar was supposed to get out last. You know, so you got myself, Seth Rollins, AJ Styles, Austin Theory, Bobby Lashley. Seth Rollins buckle bombs Austin Theory into the pod. This is all played to concuss Bobby, and the medical takes him out. So, now everybody is out, but technically, the next entry was supposed to be Bob, but Bobby is not there. Even though when the bell goes off, his pod lights up, but Brock still has to wait like another five minutes. Now, in that [sic] five minutes, there’s multiple spots, multiple moves that everybody wanted to do to showcase their character work, and everyone was like supposed to get a pin.”
Riddle’s remarks highlighted the complications caused by Lashley’s removal and Lesnar’s premature entry, which led to a loss of planned moments that showcased the wrestlers’ skills and personas.
Lesnar’s Lack of Coordination Sparks Tension Among Wrestlers
According to Riddle, Lesnar acted recklessly and disregarded directions from WWE officials and fellow competitors, creating frustration backstage and inside the ring. His aggressive actions, such as punching and kicking his pod to break free, deviated from the established plan, leading to animosity from other wrestlers.
“Well, that happens, Brock Lesnar not listening to anybody but himself and maybe Paul Heyman. Honestly, that guy’s kind of in it to win it for himself. Basically starts flipping up, punches the pod. (…) He punches through it and then, of course, starts kicking it, bust it down. I’m like he is escaping. I guess everybody feed in for a Clothesline or whatever. That’s what we all did. He doesn’t know what he was doing. He is going in there reckless. Clothesline, F5, Clothsline F5. And AJ Styles was furious, I was furious, Seth, everybody was furious, then he eliminated all of us, and then eliminated Theory, then after the match he’s laughing, and he goes ‘Oh sorry, I forgot.’”
These comments reveal the widespread frustration shared by many participants including AJ Styles, Seth Rollins, and Matt Riddle himself, emphasizing the discord Lesnar caused during this pivotal event.
Lesnar Set to Return as Storylines Develop Toward WrestleMania
Brock Lesnar is scheduled to return to WWE television on Monday, February 23, during the Raw broadcast in Atlanta. This comeback is expected to build momentum for his role at WrestleMania 42, taking place on April 18 and 19, though WWE has yet to confirm the precise details of his storyline or opponents.
Lesnar’s apology and the match incident underscore the pressures and complexities within WWE’s highly choreographed environment. The fallout from the Elimination Chamber event may prompt tighter coordination efforts to prevent similar breakdowns in future high-profile matches.
Recent WWE Headlines Reflect Ongoing Shifts in the Wrestling Landscape
Other developments in the wrestling world include the unexpected last-minute removal of a WWE Champion from a SmackDown event, and AEW’s Britt Baker announcing the conclusion of a major career phase.
Seth Rollins recently confirmed the retirement of a notable WWE Grand Slam Champion, while AJ Styles shared a heartfelt backstage moment with a leading female WWE star, highlighting the bonds formed among wrestlers beyond the ring.
On SmackDown, Trick Williams earned recognition by overcoming a former World Champion, whereas another ex-United States Champion faced a difficult night, suffering injury during the show.
Rumors continue around a controversial former WWE star potentially moving to AEW, and Saraya has opened up about a troubling experience she faced involving inappropriate advances.
These ongoing storylines and events demonstrate the dynamic nature of professional wrestling, where athletes’ careers, personal challenges, and fan engagement continuously intersect.
