Powell’s WWE Elimination Chamber 2019 live review: Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton vs. Samoa Joe in an Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship, new WWE Women’s Tag Champions, Ronda Rousey vs. Ruby Riott for the Raw Women’s Championship

By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

WWE Elimination Chamber 2019
Aired live February 17, 2019 live on WWE Network and pay-per-view
Houston, Texas at Toyota Center

A video package opened the show… The event was sponsored by the Fighting With My Family film… Michael Cole welcomed viewers to the show. The Chamber was already lowered around the ring and they went to introductions for the women’s match… The Spanish and German broadcast teams also checked in…

1. Nia Jax and Tamina vs. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan vs. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville vs. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay vs. Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Naomi and Carmella in an Elimination Chamber match for the new WWE Women’s Tag Titles. Cole, Corey Graves, Renee Young, and guest Beth Phoenix were on the call for the match. The teams of Banks & Bayley and Rose and Deville started the match while the other four teams were in the pods.

Graves gushed over Rose’s beauty, so nothing has changed in that regard for those keeping score at home. Deville performed a wicked slam on Banks and covered her, but Bayley broke it up. Cole noted that it was only the second time in WWE history that a tag team match has been held inside the Chamber structure. Beth Phoenix mentioned the Jumping Bomb Angels and Glamour Girls, who held the old WWF Women’s Tag Titles.

The third entrants in the match were Morgan & Logan, who entered about 20 seconds earlier than the listed five-minute intervals. There was an exchange between the two heel teams punching and kicking in the middle of the ring. Morgan dropped Deville with a slap, then did the matrix to avoid a shot from Deville once she stood up. All six women were down briefly at 7:00.

The fourth entrants were Royce & Kay, entered the match at 8:20 and worked over their weary opponents for a stretch. They had Bayley pinned, but Banks broke up their double cover. Royce threw a nice spin kick at Banks, who was covered by Kay for a near fall. Royce and Kay shoved the faces of Banks and Bayley into the chains while yapping at them. The Iiconics brought Banks and Bayley back inside the ring and simultaneously covered them for a two count.

The fifth entrants were Naomi and Carmella at 13:20. They got the better of Royce and Kay briefly, then Carmella caught Logan with a couple of superkicks. There was a rapid fire big spot sequence that left everyone down at 15:50. Jax and Tamina pounded on the glass of their pods. Carmella caught Deville in a Code of Silence, but Deville broke it up. Naomi and Rose met face to face. Naomi hit her with several punches and then performed a Rearview. The Iiconcis pounced on Naomi, who was pinned. Naomi & Carmella were eliminated at 17:10.

The final entrants were Jax & Tamina at 18:10. “Welcome to the Samoa Slaughterhouse,” Graves said as the duo worked over their opponents. The Iiconics entered a pod and closed the door. Jax and Tamina got the pod opened and then swung Royce and Kay back and forth into the chains. Jax and Tamina performed stereo Samoan Drops on The Iiconics and pinned them. Royce & Kay were eliminated at 20:15.

At 22:50, Banks and Bayley stacked up Rose and Deville on the ropes, and Banks performed a double knee driver onto both of them, which led to a two count. Logan and Morgan climbed to the top of the pod. Young said it was a brilliant move in that it gives them a chance to catch their breath. The duo then performed cross body blocks onto opponents from the top of the pods. Morgan tried to go back to the top of a pod, but Jax caught her on the ropes and performed a Samoan Drop. Tamina performed a top rope splash onto both Riott Squad members and pinned them both. Logan & Morgan were eliminated at 25:05.

Jax charged at Bayley outside the ring. Bayley moved and Jax crashed through the plexiglass of one of the pods. Banks, Bayley, Rose, and Deville all teamed up on Tamina. Bayley performed a top rope move onto Tamina, then all four women piled on and pinned her while Jax was still selling in the broken pod. The fans sang the goodbye song briefly. Jax and Tamina were eliminated at 27:05.

The final teams were Banks & Bayley and Rose & Deville. Banks performed a Backstabber on Deville and Bayley followed up with the Bayley To Belly and had her pinned, but Rose broke it up at the last moment. Rose went to the top of a pod. Banks and Bayley followed her. Banks got to the top of the pod and then pulled Bayley up while the broadcast team played up what happened between them in the Chamber last year. Deville tried to climb onto the pod, but Bayley kicked her fingers and knocked her down. Bayley was also knocked down. Deville drove Bayley into the side of a pod.

Banks dropped down to check on Bayley. Rose ran Banks into the side of a pod. Rose performed her finisher on Banks for a good near fall. She covered her again and Banks kicked out. A short time later, Deville accidentally speared Rose when Banks stepped aside. Banks tried to put Deville in the Bank Statement, but played up a shoulder injury. Banks performed a modified version of it and Deville tapped out to eliminate her and Rose.

Sasha Banks and Bayley became the first WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions by winning an Elimination Chamber match in 33:00.

Banks and Bayley sat in the ring with the titles and hugged one another. Charly Caruso entered the ring and interviewed the new champions, who received the “you deserve it” treatment. Banks got emotional as she said no one knows how hard they fought for the belts. Banks said it’s just the beginning in terms of more changes to come. Phoenix was emotional on commentary as she spoke about the first women’s tag champions…

Powell’s POV: An enjoyable match. The women worked really hard and everyone had a moment to shine. You had to know Jax and Tamina weren’t going to win when they performed their big finishing sequence on the Riott Squad. I like the story told with four women ganging up on Tamina while Jax was down to eliminate them. I also liked seeing the Iiconics work more aggressively, and I love Rose and Deville being among the final two teams. This was well done and Phoenix sounded sincerely emotional afterward.

The Smackdown broadcast team of Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton checked in and thanked the musical performers who provided the show’s theme music, then set up a video package to set up the Smackdown Tag Title match…

Ring entrances for the tag title math took place. Miz was the first man to enter and he came out with a mic. Miz congratulated Sasha and Bayley, then dedicated the match to his father, his daughter, and his wife. Maryse’s music played and she walked onto the stage and kissed Miz. Miz recalled saying they would make any big announcements they had in front of the fans. Miz handed the mic to Maryse, who said, “We’re having another baby!” Miz called for Shane, who then made his entrance. Maryse headed backstage, then the Usos made their entrance…

2. The Miz and Shane McMahon vs. Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso for the Smackdown Tag Titles. Miz worked in a Miz & Mac jersey, while Shane wore his own Shane-O-Mac jersey (what a horrible teammate!). Miz avoided a double superkick from the Usos early on. A short time later, Miz and Shane worked over the Usos and cleared them from the ring with double clotheslines. The Usos came back and isolated Miz.

At 7:05, Miz caught Jimmy charging at him with a clothesline, then tagged in Super Shane, who worked over both Usos and put them both down with his bad DDTs. Shane performed a Coast 2 Coast on Jimmy Uso, then went up top and went for the same move on Jey, who stood up and superkicked Shane. Jey went up top and splashed Shane, but Miz broke up the pin.

Shane tagged in Miz, who performed a springboard double ax-handle. Jey performed a Samoan Drop on Miz. Miz kicked Jimmy through the ropes and then cleared off the English broadcast team. Jey tried to take out Miz, but Miz moved and Jey hit his brother instead. Miz set up Jey on the table, then Shane performed a top rope elbow drop that put Jey through the table at 12:50.

In the ring, Jimmy Uso stuffed a Skull Crushing Finale from Miz and followed up with a splash, but Miz put his knees up. Miz went for an inside cradle and got a two count. Miz performed a Skull Crushing Finale for a two count, then Jimmy countered into a pin for the win.

The Usos defeated Shane McMahon and The Miz in 14:10 to win the Smackdown Tag Titles.

After the match, Miz looked down at Shane, who was at ringside, and said, “I’m sorry.” Miz helped Shane to his feet and they walked up the stage with their arms around one another…

Powell’s POV: A surprise outcome given the recent arrest of Jimmy Uso. Putting that aside, we’re now back to the Usos as tag champion and the familiar challengers of New Day and The Bar. And as well as those teams work together, we’ve been there and done that, meaning none of those pairings feel fresh. I still assume Miz and Shane are working toward a WrestleMania match against one another.

Paige set up a Fighting With My Family clip…

Dasha Fuentes interviewed Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush and pointed out that there had already been two title changes on the show. Rush said no one is more dominant than Lashley and Rush. Lashley gave him a look and Rush tried to sell him on what he was saying. Their music played and Lashley ushered Rush away from the interview…

3. Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush vs. Finn Balor in a handicap match for the Intercontinental Championship. The international broadcast teams were introduced in between the entrances. Graves downplayed Rush being the weak link due to his work on 205 Live. The heel duo worked over Balor for a good stretch. Balor started to tease a comeback on Rush, who flipped over him and tagged in Lashley around 7:00.

Lashley set up for a spear in the corner when Rush tagged himself into the match. Lashley wasn’t happy. Rush went for a frogsplash, but Balor rolled out of the way. Balor ended up taking out both opponents with a flip dive at ringside, then rolled Rush back inside. Balor hit the Coup de Grace on Rush and pinned him…

Finn Balor defeated Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush in a handicap match in 9:30 to win the Intercontinental Championship.

After the match, Rush tried to apologize to Lashley, who grabbed. Fans cheered. Lashley released Rush and was booed. Lashley grabbed Rush and slammed him down, then stormed backstage…

Powell’s POV: Well, no one can say this is a predictable show after the last two outcomes, but I can’t say that I’m a big fan of the way Balor won the match. Obviously, it sets up the need for a rematch between Balor and Lashley, but Balor pinning the weak link and then rushing away from Lashley afterward didn’t make him look strong in any way. I wonder if they are splitting up Lashley and Rush so they can follow through on the recent teases of Lashley facing Brock Lesnar. It would be too many turns for Lashley too quickly, but I can’t rule out that it’s happening.

An ad aired for the Mark Henry documentary that follows the pay-per-view on WWE Network… Cole spoke about the documentary and said he saw a sneak peak and there’s some great footage of Vince telling Henry he better win the World’s Strongest Man contest because he didn’t want the second strongest man in WWE. Cole set up footage of Vince replacing Becky Lynch with Charlotte Flair in the Raw Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania. They also ran the footage of Flair aggravating Lynch’s storyline knee injury at Saturday’s live event…

Charlotte Flair made her entrance and was interviewed by Charly Caruso in the ring. Flair boasted about injuring Lynch at the house show, and accused Lynch of pandering to the fans and using them for their attention. Flair said Lynch needs the approval of the fans, whereas her own reflection in a mirror gives her the only approval she needs. Flair said she is the very best in all of WWE. A loud “Becky” chant broke out. Flair said she would sit at ringside to see whether Ronda Rousey or Ruby Riott would main event against her at WrestleMania.

Riott made her entrance. Cole said it was a golden opportunity for Riott because Rousey seemed to be looking past her. Rousey made her entrance dressed like the Sonya Blade video game character she is doing the voice work for.

4. Ronda Rousey vs. Ruby Riott for the Raw Women’s Championship. Ring announcer Mike Rome delivered in-ring entrances for the title match. Riott went right at Rousey and threw punches, but Rousey came right back and Riott headed to ringside. Flair was seated in a folding chair on the floor near the broadcast tables. Once Riott was back inside the ring, Riott performed the Piper’s Pit. Rousey pointed at the WrestleMania sign and then applied the armbar and got the quick submission win.

Ronda Rousey defeated Ruby Riott in 1:40 to retain the Raw Women’s Championship.

Rousey jawed at Flair, who slowly entered the ring. As they went face to face, the fans started to cheer and then Becky Lynch was shown using crutches to get to ringside. She limped right past a security guard and entered via the timekeepers area. Lynch threw her crutches inside the ring and then used them to get to her feet while the fans chanted her name and Cole spoke about how she was supposed to be suspended for 60 days.

Lynch threw one of her crutches to Flair, who caught it, then Lynch beat her with the other crutch. Lynch worked over Flair with repeated crutch shots while Rousey stood by and watched with the Raw Women’s Championship belt over her shoulder. Lynch looked at Rousey, who dropped the title belt and picked up one of the crutches.

Rousey backed Flair into a corner, then Lynch hit Rousey from behind with the second crutch. Lynch hit Rousey repeatedly. Security eventually showed up. Lynch took a crutch away from Rousey and hit her a few more times. Lynch looked at the crowd, which roared in approval. Lynch left the ring and limped as security escorted her away. Rousey leaned against the ring and had a cut on the right side of her head. Cole went on and on about how Lynch was supposed to be suspended.

Powell’s POV: Poor Ruby. I wish WWE took better care of Riott Squad. Anyway, the angle got over well with the live crowd and I’m happy they didn’t make Lynch and Rousey seem friendly. This heated things up between Lynch and both women. Flair and Rousey took crazy beatings and hopefully the cut on Rousey’s head isn’t too severe.

With the women still at ringside, Baron Corbin made his entrance for his match. The women were gone by the time Braun Strowman made his entrance…

5. Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin in a No DQ match. Corbin used a kendo stick on Strowman during the opening minute. Corbin wedged the stick on the top turnbuckle so that it was pointing outward and tried to run Strowman into it. Strowman reversed it and Corbin slid under the stick. Corbin backed Strowman into the corner with the stick, then told him he didn’t need a kendo stick to whip Corbin’s ass. Strowman broke the stick over his knee.

The wrestlers went to ringside and Corbin tossed an office chair at Strowman, who caught it at 2:30. Corbin came back and worked over Strowman with the top piece of the ring steps. At 5:30, Strowman pulled a table out from underneath the ring and set it up in the corner of the ring. Strowman ended up powerslamming Corbin through the table.

Drew McIntyre’s music played and he headed to the ring with a chair in hand. Strowman motioned for McIntyre to bring it, but then Lashley showed up behind him in the ring and hit him with a chair. Lashley and McIntyre took turns hitting Strowman with a chair. They tended to Corbin for a moment, then Strowman punched Lashley, who cut him off moments later with a spear.

Corbin had McIntyre and Lashley bring the ring steps inside the ring. McIntyre grabbed Strowman by the beard and jawed at him. Strowman grabbed McIntyre and Lashley by the throat, but Corbin hit him from behind with a chair. The heels set up two tables on top of one another in front of the ring steps that were set up inside the ring, then performed a triple powerbomb that drove Strowman through the tables. Corbin covered Strowman and pinned him.

Baron Corbin beat Braun Strowman in 10:50 in a No DQ match.

Powell’s POV: So Braun Strowman is a dope who didn’t see this coming and apparently has no friends. Great. Next.

Cole hyped the 2019 Special Olympics World Games for March 14-21 in Abu Dhabi, then a video played. Cole wished all the athletes good luck, and then some of the Team USA athletes were shown in the crowd…

Backstage, Shane McMahon was being tended to by a trainer while Miz paced and apologized. Shane said it was okay. Miz said it’s not okay and threw a fit. Shane told him to calm down, go home, and he would see him on Tuesday…

Lacey Evans made her entrance. She simply walked onto the stage and to the bottom of the small ramp and then turned around and walked to the back again…

A WrestleMania video aired. We are 49 days away… The Smackdown broadcast team hyped Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE Universal Championship, and Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair for the Smackdown Women’s Championship for WrestleMania… An ad aired for WWE Fastlane on March 10…

Ring announcer Greg Hamilton announced the rules for the Elimination Chamber match, then ring entrances for the main event took place in the following order: Kofi Kingston, Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Daniel Bryan, who was accompanied by Rowan.

Bryan came out with a mic and called for his music to be cut. Bryan said he and Rowan are being punished and pointed to being first in the gauntlet and in the Elimination Chamber match. Two referees ordered Rowan to the back while Bryan protested. Bryan said he doesn’t want people to call him a martyr, but he is suffering for the greater good. He said the small minded people repeat one stupid phrase (what?) over and over again. He said the people need him and it gives him hope that he will raise his championship belt and still be WWE Champion. Bryan entered the cage while the broadcast team said it wasn’t looking good for Bryan as the first entrant in the match. Hey, has anyone looked under the ring?…

6. Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy in an Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship. Orton won the right to be the final entrant. The first two entrants were Bryan and Joe. Bryan avoided Joe and called for the clock to start for the next entrant. Bryan threw a couple of kicks at Joe’s legs, which Joe smiled at. Joe caught Bryan’s third kick and then delivered a kick of his own. Joe took Bryan down and put him in a kneebar, which Bryan escaped.

Bryan chopped Joe in the corner and then begged off. Bryan went to the area outside the ring and Joe cornered him and chopped him against the chains. Joe brought Bryan back inside the ring powerbombed him for a two count, then rolled him over and into a Boston Crab. Joe released that hold and applied an STF. Joe hooked Bryan’s loose arm, but Bryan rolled onto him for a two count. As they stood up, Bryan kicked Joe’s knee. Bryan tossed Joe to the outer area and ran him into the edge of one of the pods. Back inside the ring, Joe fired back with punches, kicks, and a big chop. Bryan performed a drop toe hold that sent Joe crashing into the corner.

The third entrant was Kofi Kingston at 5:20. Kofi was roughed up early by Joe and Bryan, then fought back. Kingston climbed up the chains and performed a trust fall drop onto both men. Kofi landed hard on the apron and held his back for a bit. A short time later, Joe performed a senton on Bryan and then snap suplexed Kingston and covered him for two. Joe worked over Bryan with chops against the chains.

The fourth entrant was AJ Styles around 10:30. Styles worked over Joe while Bryan climbed the chains. Styles spotted him and performed a leaping elbow off the top rope that knocked Bryan off the chains. Styles went for a Styles Clash on Kingston, who kicked himself free. Styles came right back with a backbreaker and got a two count. Styles tried to run Joe’s head into the chains, but Joe blocked it and ended up shoving Styles into the chains and then backdropped him over the top rope and back inside the ring. Joe applied the Coquina Clutch on Kingston, who pushed off the ropes into a pin, but Joe kicked out and maintained the hold until Kingston gave him a jaw jacker. Styles performed a Phenomenal Forearm on Joe and pinned him. Samoa Joe was eliminated at 14:35.

The fifth entrant was Jeff Hardy at 15:15. Hardy went right after Styles. Hardy used Kingston’s back to springboard over the top rope and onto Bryan, who came up holding his knee. Hardy went for a Twist of Fate on Styles in the ring, but Styles hit him with a Pele Kick. Bryan worked over Kingston and ran him into the chains. Hardy went up top and Styles followed, and they both ended up tumbling down. Moments later, Styles was lying across the top rope. Hardy went up top and performed a Swanton onto Styles as he was lying on the top rope. Great spot. Hardy stood up and Bryan blasted him with a running knee and pinned him. Jeff Hardy was eliminated at 18:00.

The final entrant was Randy Orton at 20:00. Orton entered the ring at a time when his opponents were all down from a tower of doom spot. Kingston hit Orton from behind, then Orton ran Kington into Styles, who was hung upside down in the corner from the suplex spot. Styles recovered and performed a cool backbreaker on Kingston. Styles set up for a Phenomenal Forearm on Kingston, but Orton caught him with an RKO and pinned him. AJ Styles was eliminated at 22:25.

Kingston rolled up Orton for a two count. Orton caught Kingston on the top rope and performed a draping DDT at 23:35. Orton played to the crowd. Orton struck the Viper’s Pose. Bryan went after Orton, who saw him coming and powerslammed him. Kingston caught Orton with Trouble in Paradise and pinned him. Randy Orton was eliminated at 24:05.

The final two were Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston. The fans popped and chanted for Kofi. Graves said they were all starting to believe in Kingston. Bryan threw kicks and Kingston called for more, then threw a kick of his own. Bryan ducked Trouble in Paradise and kicked Kingston’s knee out from under him. Bryan threw a series of kicks and the fans chanted no each time. Kingston ducked the grand finale kick. Kingston performed the SOS for a great near fall.

Kingston charged Bryan, who moved, and Kingston crashed into the corner. Fans chanted “New Day Rocks”. Bryan barked at Kingston that he wasn’t even supposed to be in the match. Bryan threw kicks at Kingston and then performed four running dropkicks in the corner. Bryan went for a fifth, but Kingston caught him with a double stomp for another good near fall.

Bryan rolled outside the ropes. Kingston followed and rammed hm into the chains several times. Kingston went for a bulldog, but Bryan ended up shoving him into the side of one of the pods. Inside the ring, Bryan performed a running knee to the head of Kingston for a two count. Bryan acted shocked and the fans popped big for Kingston kicking out. Bryan held the arms of Kingston as he stomped his face repeatedly, then covered him again for another two count at 31:50.

Bryan set up for a running knee, but Kingston caught him with Trouble in Paradise for a near fall. Bryan countered into a pin and as they inexplicably showed fans at ringside (we could hear the two count). Bryan applied a modified version of his LeBell Lock. Kingston reached out and grabbed the bottom rope to break it.

Bryan went up top and Kingston caught him with a kick. Kingston followed Bryan onto the ropes. Bryan climbed to the top of the pod behind them, and Kingston followed. Kingston slammed the back of Bryan’s head into the plexiglass behind the pod a few times. Kingston set up for a superplex from the top of the pod. Bryan blocked it, then reversed their positioning and slammed Kingston’s head into the glass. Bryan went for a superplex of his own and was blocked by Kingston.

Bryan ended up back on the top rope and Kingston delivered kicks that knocked Bryan into the ring. Kingston stood and leapt from the top of the pod, but Bryan avoided his splash attempt. Bryan performed a running knee out of the corner and pinned Kingston to win the match…

Daniel Bryan defeated Kofi Kingston in 36:40 to win the Elimination Chamber match and retain the WWE Championship.

After the match, Bryan left the ring and then Xavier Woods and Big E ran out and checked on Kingston. The fans chanted, “Thank you, Kofi.” Big E said it’s been 11 years and Kingston deserved it. Kofi got to his feet and was cheered. The New Day theme played as Woods and E held the ropes open for Kingston, who took a set on the steps of the Chamber. New Day walked to the stage and the fans chanted “Kofi” one more time to end the night…

Powell’s POV: How fun was that? The crowd was totally behind Kingston and the wrestlers took them on one hell of a ride. I actually wish they would have given Kingston the feel good win even if it meant Bryan regaining the belt quickly. The building would have exploded and there would have been a ton of buzz about this show, but it was really fun for what it was and I guess there’s nothing saying they can’t go back to this even at WrestleMania. I actually thought they might have Luke Harper tear through the ring to save Bryan, but they played it straight and I applaud them for it. Overall, the main event made the show and both Chamber matches were a lot of fun. Update: The audio review of tonight’s WWE Elimination Chamber event is now available exclusively for Dot Net Members. For membership info regarding our ad-free website with over a decade of audio archives, visit PWMembership.net.

Check below for the new Pro Wrestling Boom with Jason Powell and guest Mick Karch discussing the AWA Appreciation event on February 23, Paul Heyman’s role in helping Mick land a longtime hosting position, his friendship with Nick Bockwinkel, Billy Robinson slapping a fan on live television, and much more.

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