With less than two weeks remaining before the Elimination Chamber event, this week’s WWE Raw continued intensifying the rivalries for the upcoming matches. World Heavyweight Champion C.M. Punk, preparing to defend his title against Finn Balor, delivered another intense promo that was interrupted by Balor and his Judgment Day allies, setting the stage for their high-stakes showdown. In addition to this clash, several other qualifying matches and heated confrontations unfolded, increasing the momentum ahead of WrestleMania.
Tag Team Clash: Usos and L.A. Knight Face Off Against The Vision
The show opened with the World Tag Team Champions, the Usos, stepping into the arena, only to be interrupted by Paul Heyman accompanied by Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory. Adam Pearce’s intervention led to Heyman demanding Reed’s inclusion in the Elimination Chamber. Pearce confirmed Reed’s involvement through a qualifying match next week. As tensions escalated, L.A. Knight joined the fray, challenging his presence alongside the Usos against Reed, Paul, and Theory, an official match accepted by Pearce.
During the intense six-man tag encounter, Reed stood out by executing a Suicide Dive that incapacitated both Jimmy and Jey Uso. After a swift combination of punches from Logan Paul and Reed’s Tsunami attack, Reed’s team secured the victory. The segment took a surprising turn when a mysterious figure in a black hoodie incapacitated Logan Paul with a Curb Stomp on the announce table before fleeing, adding suspense to the ongoing storyline.
Reed’s performance highlighted his resurgence as a formidable force, reminiscent of his previous feud with Roman Reigns. With Bron Breakker sidelined due to injury, Reed appears poised to fill the void within their faction, The Vision. The identity of the hooded figure, widely speculated to be Seth Rollins, adds complexity to the narrative, as the unknown assailant has targeted members of The Vision selectively, setting up potential intrigue in the weeks leading to WrestleMania.
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Bayley, Asuka, and Nattie Battle
Several qualifying matches have been held to determine the women contenders for the Elimination Chamber event. Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, and Alexa Bliss have already secured spots following winning their respective triple threat matches. The latest contest featured Bayley, Asuka, and Nattie competing for another entry.
The intense triple threat saw Nattie deliver a German Suplex to Bayley on the apron. Asuka attempted to lock Nattie in her signature Asuka Lock, but Nattie reversed it into a pin attempt. The match escalated with near falls, including Bayley’s Bayley-to-Belly suplex on Asuka. Ultimately, Asuka trapped Bayley in the Asuka Lock, forcing her to tap and earning her qualification for the Chamber. After the match, Maxxine Dupri attacked Nattie in the backstage area until officials intervened.
This bout has been regarded as the strongest among the women’s qualifying matches, especially because of Asuka’s decisive submission finish. Asuka’s entrance into the Chamber introduces much-needed heel presence, with potential to further a storyline involving Kairi Sane, hinted through backstage confrontations suggesting a future split. Meanwhile, ongoing tensions between Nattie and Maxxine persist, though Nattie’s continued losing streak dampens the impact of their feud. Bayley’s recent lack of direction and losses raise concerns about her future in WWE as her contract nears expiration later this year.
C.M. Punk and Finn Balor Clash on Raw Ahead of Championship Rematch
Following C.M. Punk’s title defense over Finn Balor in Ireland on January 19, their rivalry has intensified. After Balor interrupted Punk’s match against AJ Styles the next week and demanded a rematch, Adam Pearce eventually sanctioned their Elimination Chamber showdown. This week, Punk delivered a promo interrupted by Balor alongside Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh, igniting their ongoing conflict.
Balor asserted that true greatness requires experiences like surviving harsh training in Japan and defeating Roman Reigns immediately upon arriving on Raw. Punk retorted that Balor, since joining Judgment Day, has become a diminished version of himself. Punk then dared Balor and his allies to attack, but instead, Balor restrained Dominik and McDonagh from attacking, highlighting internal group tensions. Punk left the ring after throwing the microphone at Balor’s chest, escalating their animosity.
This segment stood as a key highlight, effectively building anticipation for their upcoming match. The exchanges underscored Punk’s confidence and Balor’s desperation to reclaim prominence. The storyline also subtly hinted at a possible breakup between Balor and Judgment Day, as mounting discord with Dominik Mysterio suggests an impending conflict. It is anticipated that Dominik might inadvertently cost Balor the championship at Elimination Chamber, fueling a potential rivalry culminating at WrestleMania.
Becky Lynch and AJ Lee Renew Their Rivalry
The rivalry between Becky Lynch and AJ Lee has been a focal point since Wrestlepalooza, where AJ and her husband C.M. Punk defeated Becky and Seth Rollins. Their conflict continued at Survivor Series with AJ’s team winning under similar circumstances. Last week, after Becky was ambushed by AJ, the latter challenged Becky for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at the Elimination Chamber, a match Becky reluctantly accepted. The match was teased for weeks leading up to their confrontation on Raw this week.
During the segment, AJ called Becky out, but Becky chose to confront her from the aisle rather than entering the ring immediately. Becky framed their upcoming match as a send-off, dismissing AJ’s past contributions to the women’s division by suggesting that her real gift was leaving. The tension mounted as Becky refused to physically engage with AJ, accusing her of wanting an excuse to avoid the match. The segment ended with Becky walking away, refusing to fight in Memphis, leaving the rivalry feeling unresolved.
Despite the potential of this feud, the current storyline lacks the intensity and freshness expected from such high-profile competitors. The repetitive nature of their interactions and the subdued energy surrounding their buildup contrast with the anticipation typically seen for WrestleMania matches. With the Elimination Chamber approaching, WWE must elevate this feud to match the event’s stature and fan expectations.
Main Event Qualifying Match: Gunther, Je’Von Evans, and Dominik Mysterio Collide
As Roman Reigns has set his sights on challenging C.M. Punk’s World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania, several Superstars have been battling for the coveted WWE Championship Elimination Chamber spots. Following recent victories by Randy Orton, L.A. Knight, and Cody Rhodes in qualifying matches, this week’s main event featured Gunther, Je’Von Evans, and Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio.
The match was dynamic, featuring Evans executing a leap over the ring post onto Gunther outside the ring. Evans attempted an OG Cutter, reversed by Gunther into a Sleeper hold, which Dominik interrupted with a Frog Splash. Gunther then secured a timekeeper’s hammer but was thwarted by Dragon Lee, who struck him with the ring bell. Dominik executed a 619 on Evans but missed a key splash, allowing Evans to capitalize with the OG Cutter for the decisive pin, securing his place in the Elimination Chamber.
The surprising victory for Evans is a strategic booking decision, as neither Gunther nor Dominik’s inclusion in the Chamber aligns with ongoing storylines. Gunther’s presence would require him to be pinned, diminishing his standing, while Dominik’s dual title pursuits make a Chamber match redundant. Evans, a rising talent known for high-risk maneuvers, offers fresh energy to the match and could solidify his status as a future main-event star if managed well. Additionally, with Trick Williams expected to win a qualifying match on Smackdown, and Bronson Reed’s status pending, the final Chamber spot remains open, especially with Brock Lesnar’s impending return possibly altering the participant list.
Stephanie Vaquer Interrupts Liv Morgan’s Interview to Challenge Her Resolve
In a pre-recorded interview with Michael Cole, Liv Morgan was questioned about which champion she intends to challenge at WrestleMania. Morgan avoided answering directly, expressing frustration over her long career efforts. The segment escalated when Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer interrupted, delivering a scathing monologue in Spanish, later translated by Dominik Mysterio. Vaquer accused Morgan of receiving unearned opportunities and hiding behind the Judgment Day faction. Vaquer declared she endured hardships to claim her position and vowed to demonstrate true championship caliber if Morgan chooses to face her at WrestleMania.
The confrontation left Morgan visibly emotional, marking a significant moment where her confident exterior cracked. This segment, an improvement over previous encounters between the two, introduced a new psychological dimension to their feud. As time remains before WrestleMania, the implications of Vaquer’s challenge and Morgan’s reaction could steer future storyline developments.
El Grande Americano Battles Penta in Number One Contender Match
El Grande Americano’s request for an Intercontinental Championship shot was answered with a Number One Contenders match against Penta this week. During the match, referee distractions led to interference from both Bravo Americano and the Original El Grande Americano, culminating with Original El Grande striking Bravo with a German Suplex and throwing him onto the announce table. The chaos distracted El Grande Americano, allowing Penta to capitalize with a Springboard Mexican Destroyer and secure victory, earning a future title opportunity against Dominik Mysterio.
While the match was solid, the focus remained on the escalating feud between El Grande Americano and the Original Americano. Their unresolved rivalry continues to create off-ring drama that overshadows the in-ring contest. Penta’s victory sets up another clash for the Intercontinental Championship, although with Dominik’s planned storyline involving Finn Balor, the outcome is predictable. This match replenishes storylines ahead of WrestleMania but lacks freshness due to repeated matchups.
