WWE Elimination Chamber review: What we learned, takeaways, future projections
By Luke Norris
What we took away, what we learned and what the future holds for the superstars of SmackDown Live following the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view on Sunday night.
The road to WrestleMania is all clear for the superstars of SmackDown Live as their final brand-exclusive pay-per-view before the biggest show of the year took place on Sunday night in Phoenix with the resurrection of Elimination Chamber. Now I know how much you want me to break down the epic Mojo Rawley vs. Curt Hawkins match from the kickoff show, but let’s go ahead and jump right in to the action on the main show instead.
Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James
What we learned: We learned that 37-year-old Mickie James can still bring it on the big stage.
Okay, maybe jerking the curtain at an average pay-per-view isn’t necessarily the big stage, but I think most of us can agree that Mickie and Becky was a decent opener. The two were given a decent amount of time to work, going nearly 12 minutes, and both were able to show why they deserve to be in the title picture moving forward. I liked how the collar and elbow tie-up went all the way to the floor, clearly symbolizing that this was going to be a very even matchup and it was. Mickie turning the tide and working on Becky’s arm was a nice touch, and the veteran showed off some of her aerial maneuvers as well. We also got to see some of that crazy Mickie that we all knew and loved from all those years ago, and I’m hoping that she’s just just here to put over some of these younger talents, which she did on this night as Becky more or less stole a win there at the end. Good match, something we wouldn’t get again for quite a while.
What’s next: If Mickie’s appearance on Talking Smack following the pay-per-view is any indication, then it looks as if this feud might continue on. I thought maybe they were trying to build something with Carmella and Becky following the segment there in the skybox, but that simply turned out to be the first of three dreadful interviews with her and James Ellsworth. Moving on.