Sami Zayn takes it to Roman Reigns in the main event of WWE Elimination Chamber

Welcome to another PPV, where the story is not what happens in the Elimination Chamber, but will Sami Zayn be able to overtake the Tribal Chief Roman Reigns and get the Undisputed WWE championship, but what’re the odds that can happen in Montreal? I mean, this is the place where Bret Hart lost the WWE Championship to Shawn Michaels in the infamous “Montreal Screwjob.”

Hey…wait a sec. You don’t think…?

Nahhh, that’s impossible.

But we’ll talk about to possibilities later.  The only interesting part of the pre-show is Ariel Helwani with this montage of what Montreal means to professional wrestling other than “that dark chapter.”

The first thing I ever loved, as a young boy in Montréal, was wrestling.

So to do this means more than I can express. I truly hope I did the moment justice.

Let’s go @samizayn. You have a whole country, and more importantly a whole province, behind you. pic.twitter.com/7dLEdHNpy6

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 17, 2023

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We come to you from The Centre Bell in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, mes amis. Michael Cole and Corey Graves have the call, and the Chamber lowers in anticipation of the First Match of the night, which is a…

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Women’s Elimination Chamber match for a WWE Raw Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania 39: Asuka vs. Liv Morgan vs. Nikki Cross vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Natalya vs. Carmella

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Of all the entrants, there is a big pop for Canada’s own Natalya, and the other women step into their respective pods. 

Morgan and Natalya start, and it’s a technical process with the Hart family member.  Morgan comes back and slams Natalya to the steel of the Elimination Chamber, but she bounces Morgan’s head off one pod, and then another. And another. And once again to give Montreal what they want.

The first pod to open is Rodriguez, and she and Natalya throw bombs at each other.  Rodriguez gets a corner splash onto Morgan and Natalya, and then Rodriguez slams “The Anvil’s” daughter into the steel chains of the chamber.  Cross is out next from her pod and runs roughshod over everybody.  She then goes on top of Carmella’s pod and nails a crossbody to wipe everyone out.

She also spears Rodriguez into a pod for a big pop, but she gets eliminated afterward.  Asuka is out, as is Carmella.  But really the Morgan with a sunset to Rodriguez in another wild spot and Carmella covers for two.  Then Natalya gets a sharpshooter to Morgan and she tries to get to the bottom ropes to break the hold but Asuka comes over and gets an armbreaker dead center of the ring and she passes out.  Now Asuka and Natalya mix it up and this is the match we want. She locks in another sharpshooter, but Carmella nails a thrust kick and pins her, and there are massive boos when that happens.  Asuka and Carmella team up to nail kicks Rodriguez and pin her to eliminate her from the chamber.  Carmella and Asuka are left, and she manages a powerbomb to The Empress of Tomorrow for only a two count, but Asuka cinches in a disarmer submission to Carmella and she taps.  Therefore…

Your Winner of the Women’s Elimination Chamber:  Asuka

Not a bad match to start.  Wasn’t great, either, but…not bad.

Next up is…

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Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar

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This is an impressive showdown…if this was held in the mid-2000s.  The story is Lesnar is upset because he was eliminated from the Royal Rumble by Lashley and I just do not care.

Okay, I’m getting bored with this, so I think it’s time for a Haiku in Review for a PPV™:

*ahem*

Blow for blow by big

Men. Lashley cannot get Hurt

Lock. Lesnar Low Blow.

Your Winner via Disqualification:  Bobby Lashley

Your Losers:  The Montreal fans and the rest of us watching this on Peacock

Lesnar is upset by the ruling and  F5’s the ref and Lashley, then goes to the commentary desk and delivers an F5 through the table to Lashley.

This was probably the only exciting thing to come from that match.

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We turn to promos for WrestleMania Goes to Hollywood, and Seth “Freaking” Rollins is dressed up as The Joker.  The Oscar-winning one, not the Jared Leto one.  Also, can we all agree Leto’s Joker is the worst overall and has no business in the DC Universe?  I mean…

Huh?  Oh, right!  The PPV.

Anywhoo-sles, Becky Lynch comes out with a Christian Bale growl in her voice and tells Rollins it’s time to go to the Man Cave, because… yeah, she is The Man, after all.

#WrestleMania Goes Hollywood!@WWERollins & @BeckyLynchWWE are ready! Are you?! pic.twitter.com/ZgTCoL5sYF

— WWE (@WWE) February 19, 2023

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There is an ad for the new WWE 2K23, and you can play as Bud Bunny. 

Plus five points for not including Logan Paul as a playable character, but otherwise…pass.

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Ariel Helwani and George’s St. Pierre are in the building at The Belle Centre, but we turn ringside for the next match…

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Edge and Beth Phoenix vs. The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Rhea Ripley, with Dominik Mysterio)

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This is a mixed tag team match, and Priest is absent from The Judgment Day as he will be in the Elimination Chamber next. 

Also, is it me, or is The Judgment Day a PG-13 version of AEW’s The House of Black?

What?  Just me?

*sigh!*  Fine.

The crowd explodes for Edge and Phoenix’s entrance, and Cole notes it’s been seventeen years since he last wrestled in The Centre. Graves observes that Phoenix has Bull Nakano-style makeup on.  Warpaint, perhaps?

Balor and Edge start, and the Rated R Superstar is fired up and mounts in the corner with ten punches.  He tags in Phoenix and there is a corner splash to Balor.  Ripley enters, and neither woman gives an inch.  Clotheslines by both women don’t move the meter, and Dominik gets on the apron to give advice to “Mami,” all while the Montreal fans chant, “F*** you, Dominik (heh…nice)!”  Ripley kicks her in the midsection and then gets a back elbow to Phoenix.  Dominik goads her, and she takes Ripley to the outside and slams her into the steel steps.  Phoenix climbs back in and Dominik trips her up, but Edge runs him off to the back (Graves notes Montreal has a curfew for underage kids.  Not sure if that’s true, but…ha!).

Dominik comes back out as Ripley continues the beatdown of Phoenix, but she gets planted with a desperation DDT. “Mami got spiked!” says Graves, and somehow that sounds worse in my head.  Phoenix reaches for a tag, and Balor takes Edge out from the other side of the ring.  Ripley goes for the Riptide, but Phoenix reverses and sends her into the corner.  Ripley drags her up to the top turnbuckle, they jockey for position and Phoenix is in prime position and nails a superplex.  She gets the hot tag to Edge and he is a Rated R Superstar en Fuego.  He lands an Edgeucator to Balor as well as to Ripley.  Now he and Phoenix get stereo submissions, and Dominik tries to run interference with the ref.  Phoenix releases and Ripley knocks her out alongside Edge and the ref gets a (bad) two count.  Balor goes up top for a double stomp position, but Dominik gets flung to the ropes to crotch him, and Edge climbs up top to battle. Edge and Phoenix connect on The Judgment Day with stereo powerbombs but they kick out.

Now, double clotheslines by both women knock them both to the mat.  The steel chairs come out, and they take Phoenix and set her head on the steps for a full Con-chair-to, while Balor makes Edge watch in horror.  Ripley swings and misses and Phoenix delivers a Glamslam to “Mami” on the floor. An Edgeucution connects on  Balor and Edge follows with a tope suicida to Dominik on the outside of the ring.  Edge goes back in the ring, and a sling blade by Balor finds its mark. He goes up top and measures for a double stomp.  Edge gets out of the way and nails a spear to Balor.  Then he and Phoenix deliver the Shatter Machine double team finisher for the pin and win.

Your Winners via Pinfall:  Edge and Beth Phoenix

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There’s a quick segment showing the “Wise Man” Paul Heyman with Roman Reigns as he pumps up the Tribal Chief ahead of the main event, and he’s already feeling at ease.

But next up, the Chamber lowers again because now we get the…

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Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE United States Championship: Austin Theory (c) vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Bronson Reed vs. Damian Priest vs. Montez Ford

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Gargano and Rollins with a wrestling clinic and neither can put the other away.  Gargano spears Rollins through the ropes and then the first chamber open is Theory’s.  He attacks Rollins and then pushes Gargano’s face through chains.  Theory is firmly in control until Rollins and Gargano take turns punching the champ.  He goes back into his pod to block Gargano, but Rollins opens on the other side, and now it’s a “fistfight in a phone booth,” says Graves.

Priest’s pod opens and he works over on Gargano and Rollins. He nails a Broken Arrow to Gargano, and then a face-first frontal DDT, but he can’t put away anyone.  He clocks Theory and lands a slingshot senton on to the champ.  As all four men are picking up the pace, Rollins lands with a superplex and a falcon arrow to Priest to cover for a two count.  The next pod to open up is Reed, and he does a double impact on Gargano to Rollins. Then gets both men in a Samoan drop to cover, but gets only a two count.

No eliminations yet, as the final pod to open is Ford’s and he goes on the attack. He attempts a People’s Elbow but Reed knocks him out before he can get the move.  Theory goes behind and picks up the over 300-pound Reed, but he reverses and he gives the champ a powerslam.  He gets Gargano in an electric chair, and he nails a poison ‘rana to Reed after Rollins clotheslines Gargano from the top turnbuckle.

Meanwhile, Priest attempts with a powerbomb to Ford, but he escapes and manages to climb the chains and hang from the roof of the Chamber.  He gets into position and then freefall drops on all four men for your first “Holy S***!” moment of the night.

As everyone tries to collect themselves from that high spot, Gargano, Rollins, and Ford are up, as is Reed.  Then they each respectively give Reed a pendulum DDT, a curb stomp, and a frog splash to eliminate Reed from the chamber.  Then Gargano and Rollins climb and perch on top of one of the pods, and then they eye each other and battle on top. Rollins slams his head into the plexiglass.  He sets him up for a powerbomb, but Gargano reverses into a huracanrana to the remaining men on the mat for the second “Holy S***!” moment of this Chamber match.

Johnny Wrestling is taking on all comers, but Priests finally stop his momentum and delivers the Razors Edge to eliminate him from the Chamber.  Now he catches Ford and battles up the top turnbuckle, but then Rollins sneaks from behind in a powerbomb position and Ford nails a blockbuster for the pin, and so long Priest.

Three men are left and Ford taunts Rollins. They go back and forth but Ford nails Rollins with a leaping enzugiri and dives into Theory and gets another dive to both men.  Now Ford hits a uranage and goes up the top turnbuckle for another frog splash but Theory gets his knees up at the last second to drive into his sternum.  Ford is halfway between the ropes and Rollins gets a stomp by Rollins to the hard portion of the Chamber, and Ford is knocked clean out.  He goes to Theory and nails a Liger bomb and gets just a two count.  All three men are gassed out, but Ford is the only one not moving.

The action is halted until other refs and doctors get in to observe.  Ford manages to come to and get up with some help, but he clearly looks like his bell was rung. The Montreal fans chant “Mon-tez!” and clap for his efforts.

Back to the ring, Rollins measures and goes for a stomp.  Theory reverses but Rollins is back and nails the Pedigree. He goes to the other side and lines him up for the finish, but Logan Paul comes out, and he delivers buckshot lariat to Rollins, and Montreal makes their feelings known for this (ugh!) “YouTube star” as he is clearly pleased as a turd in a punchbowl for what he did.  Theory takes advantage and delivers the A-Town and that means…

Your Winner via Pinfall, and Still WWE United States Champion:  Austin Theory

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There’s a nice montage of how Zayn got into The Bloodline, and what led to this moment, but really e need to head to the ring because your Main Event is for the…

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Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) (with Paul Heyman) vs. Sami Zayn

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The boisterous Montreal crowd chants “Ole!”, while Reigns mutters under his breath that this is wrong. When the music hits, the fans become unglued. Also, ska music is life. Please know this:  I’m not wrong.

Best sign of the night in the crowd says, “Sami is the Tribal Chief!”  I say, “Oui!”  Zayn comes out wearing a T-shirt that says “Honorary HAB” for the Canadiens in the crowd.  As we get boxing-style intros, the fans chant, “F*** you, Roman!  *ClapClap!*ClapClapClap!*”

May you never change, you crazy Quebecians!

The bell rings and they stare down each other as the wrestler formerly known as El Generico basks in the fans coming up from their chairs to alternately chant, “Ole!” and “Sam-mi!”. This goes on for about a good ten minutes as Reigns just stews.  

Now they lock up and this is a clear underdog matchup, as Reigns just toys with Zayn early on.  Zayn sends the champ out of the ring and gets a diving somersault senton to the outside.  He sends Reigns back in and rams his head into the top turnbuckle and mounts with punches and then a leaping elbow to cover for a one count.  Zayn stays on offense and goes for another elbow, but Reigns uppercuts and he is rocked.  Now Reigns sends Zayn out of the ring and he is in control, as he rams his head onto the apron edge and follows with his signature Drive-by leaping kick onto the apron edge.

Back in the ring, Zayn chops but Reigns isn’t fazed, as he knocks him down hard to the mat.  He takes his time with this unworthy challenger, but Zayn comes back with more chops but Reigns uppercuts again to stop his momentum.  He drives Zayn into the corner and starts taunting his wife at ringside.  He pulls Zayn to the outside and brutalizes him in front of his family taunting him and saying it’s his fault, all while Zayn’s kids are crying.  Jerk.

Back in the ring and Reigns toys with him. Reigns sends him to the ropes and Zayn leapfrogs over The Tribal Chief and hits a desperation clothesline that creates an opening and then hits another to send him over the top rope.  Now Zayn unloads in front of his family.  He sends Reigns back in but not before he kisses his wife. He climbs the top rope, but Reigns cuts him off at the pass.  They battle up top, and Zayn uncorks and gets in position for a sunset flip powerbomb and he covers for a close two count.  He goes to pick up Reigns for the blue thunder bomb, but he elbows Zayn and nails his signature uranage to cover for two.

Reigns goes to the corner and he measures Zayn for his Superman punch.  He rushes and Zayn catches him and nails an exploder suplex into the corner turnbuckles. He goes for his Helluva kick, but Reigns now finds the mark with his Superman punch and covers with one arm for one, two…ooh, so close.  Reigns rears back for his spear and launches.  He misses, and Zayn rolls up for a two count, and he gets another exploder in the corner to the champ.  Zayn mocks Reigns, nails a Superman punch, and follows with the Helluva kick for one, two…oh, come on ref!

Zayn measures him and goes again, but Reigns rolls out of the ring for a breather. Zayn gives chase and attempts his suicide dive between the ropes and Reigns catches him in midair. He runs around the ring to build speed and attempts to tackle Zayn, but he moves in the nick of time and The Tribal Chief goes through the barricade.  Zayn sends him back into the ring and now hits his blue thunder bomb for another close two count.  Zayn and Reigns continue to battle, and the ref is caught in the corner and gets knocked out in the process.  Zayn whips him into the other corner and delivers the Helluva kick and covers, but the ref is down and there’s no one to count.

All of a sudden Jimmy Uso comes in the ring and he gets in a couple of superkicks, followed by a Uso splash.  He rolls Reigns over and another ref slides in the ring and starts to count one, two…kick out just in the nick of time.  Now both men are leaving it out in the ring, and the crowd is on their feet.  Zayn stomps away and kicks Jimmy off the ring apron. when he turns around Reigns delivers a spear and that is enough for one, two…Reigns is starting to wonder how did he get up?!

He goes for another Superman punch, but Zayn dodges and Reigns clips the other ref.  Both Reigns and Zayn are spent and now Heyman goes under the ring and procures a steel chair.  As he gets ready to use it, Jey Uso steps in and gets between his Chief and Zayn. Reigns is questioning his loyalties and then gives the chair to Jey.  He takes it and as Reigns taunts Zayn, Jey stares right at his cousin.  Reigns orders him to use the chair, and then starts to pie faces Jey.  That’s enough time for Zayn to get to his feet, and he goes for a spear.  He connects with  Jey instead and then Reigns drives the chair onto Zayn’s back over and over again.  He delivers a spear and covers and the original ref crawls back in and gets into position to count the one, two, and three.

Your Winner, and Still The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion:  Roman Reigns

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After the match, Reigns is beside himself as a quiet Centre looks on in disbelief. Jimmy is back in the ring and he continues to beat down until Kevin Owens’ music hits and Maryville, QC’s own comes to a massive pop. He knocks out Jimmy and punches the Tribal Chief and gives a pop-up powerbomb to Jimmy on the commentary table. Heyman tries to stop Owens’ assault and pleads but gets a stunner for his troubles.

Owens stares and then Zayn is on his feet finally. Owens steps back, and Zayn gets a Helluva kick for the moral victory. Owens walks off and looks on at his friend, as Zayn looks back in disappointment, but still basks in the adulation of the Montreal fans as the show fades to black.

TOP PHOTO: Roman Reigns attacks Sami Zayn. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis, www.photography514.com

RELATED LINKS

WWE Elimination Chamber photo gallery

Notes from the Elimination Chamber post-event press conference

Crowd report from Elimination Chamber: Montréal goes in-Zayn