WWE Elimination Chamber live results: CM Punk vs. Finn Balor, AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch
WWE presents Elimination Chamber tonight at the United Center in Chicago.
Four matches are scheduled for the show, including both the men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches.
In the women’s Elimination Chamber match, Tiffany Stratton faces Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Kiana James, and Raquel Rodriguez. The winner will challenge Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42.
The men’s Elimination Chamber match features Randy Orton, LA Knight, Cody Rhodes, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, and Logan Paul. Paul replaces Jey Uso, who was written out of the match via an injury angle on SmackDown. The winner of this match will go on to challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42.
Elsewhere on the show, Becky Lynch defends the women’s Intercontinental Championship against AJ Lee, while CM Punk defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor in his hometown of Chicago.
A mystery crate is also scheduled to be opened.
Our live coverage begins at 7 p.m. Eastern, with the pre-show at 5 p.m.
Show Recap —
COUNTDOWN SHOW
Joe Tessitore, Big E, and Wade Barrett hosted the pre-show surrounded by fans outside the United Center in Chicago, where the temperature was just below freezing.
Peter Rosenberg talked about the men’s Chamber match and referred to Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans as rookies.
They showed footage from the first Elimination Chamber match in 2002, including new and old interviews from those who were in the match. Notably, the only person they did not show was Chris Jericho, even in the old interviews.
Rosenberg interviewed Paul Levesque about the 2002 match and the matches tonight.
Cathy Kelly interviewed Alexa Bliss about the match. She enjoyed the Chamber match, hoped to win tonight, and knew Charlotte Flair would be cheering her on.
AJ Lee sit-down interview
AJ Lee sat down with Michael Cole for an interview. She didn’t think she would be back because she tends to move on from things once she is done with them. But one day she woke up, and the idea of returning became a “maybe,” and once it was “maybe,” it became a “yes.” She retired because she was injured and didn’t have time to take care of it. The physical aspect took a toll on her mental health, and she wasn’t taking care of either.
Becky Lynch was Mount Everest for her. Lee wanted to prove that she could exist and dominate in two different generations. She could have gone home after beating Lynch at Wrestlepalooza, but she saw Lynch continue to be a bully. Seeing her face made Lee want to beat her face in. It would be great to win the IC title in front of her friends and family, take the belt home and sleep with it.
Evolution meant fighting to make the world better, but you didn’t necessarily get to enjoy the seeds and sit under the trees. She felt like she built this house and never got to live in it. She knew what she did for the division, and maybe they got here in small part because of her. She wanted to prove to herself more than anyone else that she was championship material in this generation and even the next.
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They showed wrestlers arriving when the pre-show started, including CM Punk and AJ Lee. They showed a few more here, including the same footage of Punk and Lee, even though it’s been less than an hour.
Big E said Je’Von Evans will be the first Chamber participant who is younger than the match itself.
Finn Bálor sit-down interview
Finn Bálor sat down with Corey Graves for an interview. Graves asked about critics who claim Bálor peaked ten years ago. Bálor said he didn’t do this for the critics. He did this for himself, his family and his supporters. He had more supporters than detractors. You can put him in the main event any night, and he’d show he belongs, because he does.
Bálor has proven himself time and time again in this business, and he was taken for granted. Good ol’ reliable Finn. He might be guilty, too. He was raised to show up, stay quiet and not ask any questions. But the more time he spent around here, the more he realized the squeaky wheel got the grease. Maybe it was time for Bálor to get some grease.
Belfast was Punk’s night, but it could have been his. He’s proven time and time again that he can stand toe-to-toe with the so-called best in the world. Bálor respected Punk. He respected almost everyone he stepped in the ring with. But Punk wanted to face the real Finn Bálor alone, and that’s what he’s got.
One match did not define a legacy. That was based on a career. But his career had a stain on it (the SummerSlam shoulder injury). Bálor didn’t need to finish his story—he needed to rewrite the entire narrative and prove that he can be champion.
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There was footage of Kevin Owens and Logan Paul arguing on some show (Paul joined via video). It started as bickering over their video game ratings until Paul gave Owens a hard time for being out. Owens said he took time off because he couldn’t feel his legs, but he was still better than Paul.
Trick Williams and Kiana James did quick interviews on their Chamber matches.
WWE Raw and PLE recapper/reviewer. Contributed to WrestlingObserver.com as the SmackDown reviewer in the 2000s before turning to WONF4W in 2015.