This week’s WWE RAW set the stage for the upcoming Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event, advancing several key storylines. Among the highlights, World Heavyweight Champion C.M. Punk and Roman Reigns have their WrestleMania showdown confirmed, yet Punk’s unresolved conflict with Finn Balor continues to intensify. Following his loss to Punk in Ireland three weeks ago, Balor aggressively sought another title opportunity, hijacking Punk’s planned interview segment this week. Adam Pearce initially denied Balor’s request, but Punk’s insistence as champion led to Pearce scheduling their match for the Elimination Chamber event.
Additional developments included confrontations between AJ Lee and Becky Lynch, Liv Morgan targeting Stephanie Vaquer, as well as qualifications for both men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches underway.
Renewed Rivalry Between Becky Lynch and AJ Lee
The long-simmering animosity between Becky Lynch and AJ Lee reignited on RAW. AJ Lee returned to WWE on the September 5 SmackDown after a decade-long absence and immediately targeted Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch. Their previous battles culminated with AJ and her husband CM Punk winning a Mixed Tag Team match at Wrestlepalooza, and AJ playing a pivotal role in Lynch losing her Intercontinental title to Maxxine Dupri.
During this week’s RAW, Becky was interrupted during a promo segment by AJ, who demanded another shot at the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Initially reluctant, Becky finally agreed to defend the title against AJ at the Elimination Chamber. Before the segment ended, Becky warned AJ that the challenges ahead would be unlike anything she faced in her previous tenure.
This early match announcement was unexpected given their feud had seemed destined for a WrestleMania climax after months of build-up. The decision to have their first one-on-one clash in Chicago, where AJ initially returned and confronted Becky, adds significance due to the city’s reputation as a premier wrestling hub. This rivalry is poised to be a major highlight of the Elimination Chamber card, and the match results could determine whether their conflict extends to WrestleMania.
Liv Morgan and Stephanie Vaquer’s Tension Grows
Following Liv Morgan’s victorious Royal Rumble, where she last eliminated Tiffany Stratton, Morgan set her sights on Stephanie Vaquer, the Women’s World Champion. In recent weeks, tensions flared, including a sequence where Liv unintentionally caused Raquel Rodriguez, Vaquer’s challenger, to be taken out during a title bout. Vaquer retained her championship by countering Raquel’s offense and following up with a Corkscrew maneuver. Afterward, Liv assaulted Vaquer and proudly showcased the title.
This week, a heated verbal exchange unfolded in the ring when Vaquer interrupted Liv and Dominik Mysterio’s promo. The brawl simmered as Vaquer slapped Dominik then exited. The segment primarily served as a filler, featuring provocative insults but lacking significant storyline progression, especially regarding Liv’s interference with Raquel in the prior match. Despite this, the story involving these three women remains promising if future episodes avoid similarly ineffective segments.
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Ripley, Valkyria, and Nile Battle
Last Royal Rumble participants Rhea Ripley, Lyra Valkyria, and Ivy Nile clashed in a Triple Threat match to qualify for the Women’s Elimination Chamber. Ripley ultimately secured the victory after a contested sequence involving superplexes, German suplexes, and near pins. This win solidifies Ripley as one of the top contenders heading into the Chamber.
The match had some technical errors, such as a missed high-impact spot involving a Bulldog from the top rope, which slightly disrupted the flow. Nonetheless, Ripley’s qualification intensifies the field, which is expected to include names like Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Asuka. Liv Morgan’s choice of championship opponent at WrestleMania remains pending, and the Chamber winner will earn a title shot at the opposing champion. The possibility of Bianca Belair returning before the event could further shake up the women’s division.
Ongoing Clash Between C.M. Punk and Finn Balor
Three weeks after defending his World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor in Ireland, C.M. Punk faced renewed hostility from Balor, who continues to demand another title opportunity. After being blocked from entering the Royal Rumble due to filled slots, Balor’s frustration was evident when he attacked Punk during a match against AJ Styles, causing a disqualification. Balor’s aggressive challenge culminated in an in-ring confrontation this week during a scheduled interview with Michael Cole. Despite Adam Pearce initially resisting the idea of an immediate title defense, Punk insisted Pearce sanction the match for Elimination Chamber or risk ongoing chaos.
This feud exemplifies an effective bridging storyline to sustain audience interest ahead of WrestleMania, particularly as Roman Reigns remains absent from regular programming until after Elimination Chamber. The upcoming Chicago-hosted match, Punk’s home turf, promises a highly charged atmosphere. The ongoing conflict could serve as a prelude to a future character shift for Balor, potentially solidifying his babyface status post-Chamber. Additionally, backstage tensions between Balor and Dominik Mysterio hint at new narrative directions.
Men’s Triple Threat Qualifier Delivers Excitement
The main event featured L.A. Knight, Austin Theory, and Penta competing to qualify for the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match. The contest escalated with interference from Bronson Reed and Logan Paul; a pivotal moment saw Penta disrupt Theory’s pin attempt, followed by a surprise Curb Stomp administered to Theory by a mysterious hooded figure. Capitalizing on the chaos, Knight secured the victory and advanced to the Chamber.
This qualifier was widely regarded as the most entertaining so far, with crowd reactions notably strong during Penta’s interference and the hooded assailant’s arrival. Knight was considered the logical winner, setting up a compelling Chamber participant. Upcoming qualifiers, including a Triple Threat featuring Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, and Sami Zayn, promise unpredictability with each having personal stakes related to Drew McIntyre. The men’s Championship Chamber match lineup could solidify with Cody, Jacob, Sami, Randy Orton, L.A. Knight, and Trick Williams, especially with Bron Breakker sidelined due to injury.
Tag Team Title Match Demonstrates Usos’ Dominance
World Tag Team Champions The Usos defended their titles successfully against Number One Contender duo Otis & Akira Tozawa. Despite a strong offensive effort—including multiple Suicide Dives and a Senton splash by Tozawa—the challengers were thwarted by a double Spear and the One Day finishing move.
This marked Jimmy Uso’s first appearance in over a month, and the competitive match demonstrated the champions’ intent to maintain their momentum. Tozawa’s notably energetic performance suggested potential for further prominent opportunities, whether alongside Otis or as a singles competitor.
Rising Feud Involving Maxxine Dupri and Nattie Gets Physical
Maxxine Dupri’s match against Nattie featured several aggressive exchanges, including Nattie kicking Maxxine into the steps to break free from an Ankle Lock. The bout ended in a double count-out after extended attacks outside the ring, with Nattie applying the Sharpshooter atop the announce table before withdrawing due to A.J. Lee’s intervention. The segment concluded with Becky Lynch attacking A.J. Lee, intensifying this multipart storyline.
Although brief, the encounter effectively reinforced Nattie’s menacing new persona and advanced the ongoing narrative. With Maxxine positioned opposite a veteran like Nattie, and the involvement of A.J. and Becky, this feud has promising potential to develop into a tag or multi-person match before Elimination Chamber.
Dynamic Tag Match Showcases Je’von Evans and Original El Grande Americano
In a highly action-packed match, Je’von Evans and Original El Grande Americano teamed up to defeat Los Americanos. After an unnoticed tag, Original El Grande delivered a top-rope clothesline taking down both opponents. Later, interference saw Americano pushed off the top rope, but Evans countered with a mid-air OG Cutter on Bravo, securing the win with a Diving Headbutt delivered by Original El Grande.
This contest was praised as the most thrilling of the night, highlighted by Evans’ impressive athleticism and Original Grande Americano’s strong return to RAW after almost a year. Their evident chemistry suggests these performers can anchor further high-energy tag team bouts in the weeks ahead.
