[intro theme music playing]
[narrator] Every year they come,
filled with hope,
awaiting their destiny.
And every year,
those dreams bring them to me.
Tonight, these women...
[Corey] We will crown the very first-ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
[narrator] And these men...
[Cole] Six superstars, one WWE Championship.
[narrator] ...will risk it all.
[Cole] Locked inside the destructive Elimination Chamber.
[narrator] I will challenge their courage.
[Cole] Wild action here tonight. High stakes. High pressure!
[narrator] Test their resilience.
[Renee] Everybody wants a shot at immortality.
[Cole] You want a WrestleMania moment, you gotta win this match.
[narrator] And of all those who succeed.
[Cole] Oh, I like this.
It's WrestleMania season.
Tensions are running high.
♪ Hey, you, baby blue ♪
[Corey] That look in Ronda's eyes is never good.
[Ronda] Any ring I step into is mine, I own the ground under my feet.
[Corey] There's a lot at stake,
Ruby is never one to back down from an opportunity.
[Ruby] There's no doubt in my mind
that I can and I will beat Ronda Rousey.
[narrator] Tonight, the Road to WrestleMania
runs through me,
The Elimination Chamber.
♪ I like the games we play ♪
♪ When you're inside my veins ♪
[Corey] Daniel Bryan's WWE Championship is in dire jeopardy.
[Cole] Who will step out of the Elimination Chamber
with the WWE title?
♪ 'Cause a little good Don't stop the Devil ♪
[Cole] Tonight, we take the next step in the Women's Evolution.
[Renee] These women are gonna be making history.
[Cole] The last team standing become the first-ever
WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
♪ A little good don't stop the Devil ♪
[announcer] And now, the new film Fighting With My Family
presents WWE Elimination Chamber.
-["Don't Stop the Devil" playing] -[audience cheering]
[Cole] History will be made tonight on the Road to WrestleMania.
You are looking live at the Toyota Center at Houston, Texas,
as we welcome you to Elimination Chamber.
And for the 23rd time in WWE history,
a match will take place inside this dangerous,
devastating Elimination Chamber.
Tonight, tag teams will be involved
to determine the first-ever Women's Tag Team Champions.
[bell dings]
[Rome] The following is the Elimination Chamber Match
for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.
[audience cheering]
The match begins with two teams in the ring
and four other teams enclosed in their respective pods.
After regularly scheduled intervals,
a pod door will open, allowing another team to join the match.
This process will continue until all the pods are empty.
If at any time a team is pinned or submits,
they are eliminated and must exit the Chamber.
The last team remaining
will be the first-ever
WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
[audience cheering]
[Carmella's theme song playing]
♪ F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S, yes ♪
♪ Diamonds on my neck, yes, I'm fabulous ♪
♪ They keep hatin' on me, I don't stress ♪
♪ Don't get time for this ♪
[Cole] And the team that is known as Fabulous Glow
will kick things off tonight.
-[Fabulous Glow theme song playing] -[audience cheering]
[Renee] Yes! This is the team that says that they have the advantage
of not being able to be scouted first day by the other team.
thinking that they have the X Factor, heading into Elimination Chamber tonight.
[Rome] Introducing first, the team of Carmella and Naomi!
[Cole] Carmella and Naomi winning the Triple Threat Match
this past Tuesday night on SmackDown LIVE
which ensures that they will not start the Elimination Chamber.
They will be locked in pods to begin this matchup.
And it is all about that,
the Women's Tag Team Championship.
Will Naomi and Carmella be crowned the first-ever Tag Team Champions
as they enter the Elimination Chamber?
[Corey] I'm gonna tell you no, based on what we just saw,
you never touch the trophy before you win the actual event.
They just cursed themselves.
You can count Carmella and Naomi right out of the Chamber.
-[Renee] That's a little aggressive. -[Corey] You're a hockey fan.
[Cole] And Carmella and Naomi, ready to go.
Both will be locked inside the pod to start off the Elimination Chamber.
Hello again, everybody, and welcome to ringside.
I'm Michael Cole, I'm joined by Renee Young and Corey Graves
for Monday Night RAW,
and the Hall of Famer, Beth Phoenix,
joining us tonight for an historic evening.
Thank you, guys. It's been so amazing
to be a part of these historic women's moments,
and this is no different.
On the Kickoff Show, I got to be this close
to those women's Tag Team Championships, they're incredible.
[Cole] It's gonna be an incredible night.
[Riott Squad's theme music playing]
[Rome] Next, representing the Riott Squad,
Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan.
[Cole] And Renee, what's the story for the Riott Squad?
They began their career in WWE right here in Houston.
[Renee] Yeah, Liv Morgan said, one year and three months ago,
the Riott Squad debuted at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Today, everything comes full circle
and we all leave the same building as champions.
[Phoenix] Renee, you know what it's like
to be with your girls, your posse, your squad.
What do you think it feels like to be able to be in an opportunity,
a moment like this, an historic moment?
[Renee] For all of these women, you can feel that tension.
You can feel the gravity of what tonight holds for the future.
This being the next step in the Women's Evolution.
This is massive.
[Cole] And we are also joined at ringside here tonight
by our international announcers, including our Spanish team,
Marcelo Rodriguez and Carlos Cabrera.
[speaking in Spanish]
[The IIconics' theme song playing]
[Rome] And from Sydney, Australia, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce,
the IIconics.
[Cole] This is the team who, moments ago,
on the Elimination Chamber Kickoff Show,
Mark Henry predicted would win this event tonight.
[Phoenix] When you've got somebody like WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry
giving you a pat on the back,
that's got to feel good heading into the Chamber.
[Corey] I don't know if anything about the Chamber feels good.
You mentioned the tension a few moments ago, Michael.
It's palpable inside this arena.
The entire WWE Universe is pumped up.
We are moments away from history.
The IIconics would love to etch their name in the history books
as the first-ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
[Cole] What's interesting, the six women who are in the ring now
have never competed in an Elimination Chamber Match before,
as the IIconics mock not only Carmella and Naomi,
but also the Riott Squad.
[Renee] They might not know what pain awaits them in the future.
[Cole] The IIconics will be locked in the pod
as we are joined as well at ringside tonight
by our German announce team,
Calvin Knie, Carsten Schaefer, and Tim Haber.
[speaking in German]
-[Corey] You know that, Renee? -[Renee] Yep.
[Tamina and Nia Jax's theme song playing]
[audience cheering]
[Rome] Next, the team of Tamina and Nia Jax.
[Corey] Based on their performance in winning a Triple Threat Match on RAW,
this team here of Nia, Tamina, many consider their favorite.
[Phoenix] There is no doubt that they are the most dominant force,
physically, powerful, imposing.
What these two women bring to the ring should strike fear in everyone's faces.
[Corey] That's undeniable.
Nia Jax and Tamina have to be considered the odds-on favorite
to escape the Chamber with the championship.
Just the physicality these two women are capable of
is on a completely different level.
You lock them in a Chamber,
it's like locking yourself in a cage with a couple of tigers.
Bad news for everyone.
[Cole] Nia extremely confident. As is Tamina.
[Corey] Nia no stranger to the intimidation factor.
Making sure everybody realizes what they're up against tonight.
[Phoenix] The confidence of Nia Jax must be having
all of these women shaking in their pods.
[Corey] You're someone who made a career out of intimidating her opponents.
That's what Nia does as The Irresistible Force.
[Phoenix] Absolutely. I've had the fortune of being
toe-to-toe, face-to-face with Nia Jax,
and let me tell you, it is something else.
[Cole] Nia and Tamina will be locked in the pod.
All four pods are now filled,
so the next two teams will be the teams which start the Elimination Chamber Match,
virtue of losing Triple Threat Matches this past week on RAW and SmackDown.
[Corey] With both teams at a mathematical disadvantage.
[Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville's theme song playing]
[Rome] Making their way to the ring,
the team of Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville.
[Cole] They call themselves Fire and Desire,
and Renee, both Sonya and Mandy
have been in an Elimination Chamber Match before.
[Renee] They have certainly, yes, the advantage and disadvantage
for both Mandy and Sonya.
Looking forward to Sasha and Bayley, that's what we're getting into.
They have this experience. They know what it feels like.
-[Corey] Enough. -[Renee] What?
[Corey] You're ruining this for me.
Listen, they might be at a mathematical disadvantage,
but on the bright side,
Mandy Rose doesn't need to be locked in one of those disgusting pods.
Who knows the last time those things were sanitized?
[Phoenix] I think Renee had a great point.
Knowing the pain and the impact that this steel has on your body,
I mean, that might make you tentative to get in there and do it again.
[Cole] To your point, the teams that are locked in the pods,
they've never felt that.
They've never been in this atmosphere before,
in this environment. They don't know what to expect.
I'd argue that they're gonna have a rude awakening.
[Corey] Mandy and Sonya both were part of the first-ever
Women's Elimination Chamber Match.
They've got to come into this extra confident, more so than usual.
And why wouldn't they be? That's what champions look like.
[Renee] Let's keep in mind that your girl, Mandy
was the first woman eliminated in last year's Elimination Chamber.
[Corey] I don't know why you dwell on old stuff.
[Phoenix] Wasn't she the first eliminated
-from the Royal Rumble, too? -[Corey] Don't start.
-Nonetheless, it's Boss time. -[Phoenix] Just saying.
[Banks' theme song playing]
[Bayley's theme song playing]
[Cole] They call themselves The Boss 'n' Hug Connection.
[Rome] And their opponents, the team of Sasha Banks and Bayley!
[Corey] Bayley ought to start calling herself "Left at the altar,"
because that's what she's got to be feeling like
after what Sasha Banks has put her through.
[Cole] Nonetheless, here's the situation. You guys can debate it however you want.
Is Sasha Banks 100%?
She was injured last week, re-aggravating her shoulder injury.
She is medically cleared to compete tonight,
but will the shoulder hold up
since she and Bayley start this match in the number one position?
[Phoenix] Sasha Banks, all she had to say on the matter to me was,
“Whatever it takes, I am ready.”
[Cole] Beth, you know Sasha and Bayley very well.
You understand how important this night is to both of these individuals,
real trailblazers in the Women's Evolution.
[Phoenix] You know, Sasha and Bayley were two of the competitors
that really fought for this movement,
and to bring the Women's Championship into fruition.
They are friends behind the scenes as well,
they're tight, they travel together, they work hard together.
And I think this is an opportunity where they want to bring
the women's tag division to the forefront and make history together.
[Cole] Let's not forget what happened when Sasha and Bayley, as friends,
entered the Elimination Chamber last year.
[Phoenix] Oh, here we go!
[Corey] The only day last year that Sasha Banks was honest
about who she truly is was when she stabbed Bayley in the heart,
forcing Bayley to be eliminated from the first-ever
Women's Elimination Chamber matchup.
[Cole] Moments ago, you saw the officials lock the door.
The Chamber match is about to get underway.
Sasha, Bayley start against Sonya and Mandy.
History is about to be made.
One of these teams will be crowned the first-ever
WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
[Corey] Both of these teams right now
ought to be looking for a quick elimination.
You don't want to let the Chamber fill up.
[Cole] Remember, because of the way the Chamber is,
there are no count-outs, no disqualifications.
If you pin or submit one member of a team,
that entire team goes back to the locker room.
[Renee] You were talking about that on the Kickoff Show,
talking about how dangerous it is having to look out for your partner,
keep your head on a swivel in there.
-[Corey] Look at this team-- -[Cole] Oh!
[Renee] There's so many layers to preparing for a match like this,
protecting yourself but also watching your partner.
[Cole] Sasha with a dropkick to Sonya Deville.
[Corey] I'll tell you what served Bayley well, to not pay any attention
because she's been competing without her, served Bayley very well.
[Cole] Bayley and Sasha no doubt about it. Here's the cover by Sasha and Bayley
and kick-out by Rose and Sonya Deville.
[Renee] I think it just goes to show how important Sasha and Bayley are
to every woman that's Inside the Elimination Chamber.
People keep trying to take out Sasha, take out Bayley.
They know that them at 100% is dangerous
for what the future of the Women's Tag Team Champions look like.
[Cole] Bayley and Sasha best friends for a long, long time now.
Their lifelong goal to become Tag Team Champions one day in WWE,
-they could realize that-- -[Corey] Whoa.
[Cole] There's the double knee
and Sasha knocking down both members of Fire and Desire.
Sonya back into the ring, cover by Bayley and a kick-out at two.
[Phoenix] I also know how hard Sasha and Bayley been working,
doing their homework, studying these beautiful tag team maneuvers
Sasha with a beautiful splash on Rose and Deville.
[Cole] But again, let's talk about what is outside beyond those ropes.
That steel area, some slight protective padding here inside the Chamber,
but still does a number on the body.
[Corey] Absolutely unforgiving.
The entire Chamber structure was designed for agony.
All six of these teams, should I say,
will know that very, very well by the end of the night.
And Sasha now.
-[all exclaiming] -[Corey] Goodnight.
[Cole] This could be it, Sonya looking to eliminate Banks.
At two, Banks is able to kick out.
[Renee] Good on Bayley for keeping an eye on her partner.
[Cole] Again, in this type of matchup, there are no tags per se
in and out of the match.
And Bayley-- and Mandy with a shot to the spine.
[Corey] Check out the power of Mandy Rose.
[Cole] There's no doubt despite the way Corey talks about her--
Here's the cover, hook to the leg of Bayley and a kick-out.
One of the most improved Superstars in all of WWE.
[Phoenix] Absolutely, and I think the tandem, the synchronicity,
of being in a tag team,
you gotta be with the right person, you gotta work together.
Her and Deville surely have found a groove with each other.
[Corey] "Despite the way I talk about her?"
I tell the truth, Cole, it's what I get paid for.
[Phoenix] It's a little uncomfortable for everybody.
[Cole] And now, as they sent Bayley outside the ring,
Sonya and Mandy Rose dominating The Boss 'n' Hug Connection.
[groaning]
[Cole] Sasha suffering a knee to the midsection, as does Bayley.
Again, at regularly scheduled intervals throughout this matchup,
a pod will open and another team will enter the Elimination Chamber.
[Renee] You see Sasha and Bayley crashing into that steel on the grates.
[Phoenix] Mandy's soaking it in.
[Cole] Remember, this is only the second time
in the history of WWE that we've had a tag team match
in the Elimination Chamber.
The first were tag team titles back in 2015.
[groaning, grunting]
[Phoenix] We've seen the groundwork laid for these tag team championships.
[Cole] Here's Mandy, cover on Sasha, almost had a near fall.
Former women's champions like The Glamour Girls,
The Jumping Bomb Angels,
generations of women working to see this come to fruition.
[Renee] That must be pretty surreal for you to be out here, right?
[Phoenix] Absolutely, I got the best seat in the house
for all of these incredible women's moments.
[Corey] Listen, I'm enjoying Mandy and Sonya,
admire their handiwork.
The key is the name of the game,
you have to get one member of the other team,
to submit or pin them, thus eliminating both members of that tag team.
-Look at this-- -[Renee] Mandy Rose is stuck.
[Cole] Mandy Rose is stuck in the Chamber,
Sonya Deville perhaps suffering a leg injury
-When you see someone favoring-- -[Corey] Oh, my God!
[Cole] A neckbreaker by Bayley to Mandy Rose
-and Sonya down as well. -[Corey] Might've broken Mandy's ankle.
[Cole] Again to your point, Corey,
you've got to get them in here and make a tag.
And now the Chamber will open, the next pod is going to open.
Who will be the next team to enter the Chamber match?
[Renee] We can see all the other teams getting riled up.
-[buzzer blaring] -[audience cheering]
[Renee] Oh, ho, ho!.
[Cole] Time to raise some hell.
Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan of the Riott Squad
and Sasha and Bayley went right after the Riott Squad
-as they enter the ring, -[Phoenix] Time to let the chaos loose.
[Corey] I glanced up at Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan
when their pod was being opened,
and I don't think I've ever seen Logan smile that big.
Pure elation on the face of the Riott Squad.
They are ready to make history.
[Cole] The Riott Squad says, "Time flies when you're wreaking havoc.
We're wolves, we're not sheep."
[Renee] They also said, "Some people are opposed to violence,
we're not those people."
[Cole] Now, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan looking to dominate Bayley and Sasha.
-They would love-- -[all exclaiming]
-[Cole] Man, right into the pod. -[grunting]
[Corey] Great strategy by Logan.
[Cole] Realizing Sasha Banks has got an already injured--
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] And head-butt to Bayley drives her down.
[Renee] the Riott Squad is clearly pleased with themselves after that.
[Corey] Why wouldn't they be?
They're the only women standing at the moment.
[Renee] Now, you got a...
[indistinct conversation]
[Renee] ...some jaw jacking.
[Cole] Yeah, two of the bright young teams in WWE today, Sonya and Mandy,
and Morgan and Logan of The Riott Squad.
[Corey] I've been technical about this one, just throwing hands.
[Cole] Riott Squad has called themselves different, strange, abnormal,
yet ground breakers. I agree with all those points.
[Renee] Can't deny that The Riott Squad has got that family vibe about them.
There's not a single crack in anything that the Riott Squad does.
[Cole] Sonya and Mandy best friends as well.
Oh! And Liv caught Mandy right on the side of the face.
[Phoenix] Renee, imagine what it would mean to bring--
[Cole] A running knee by Deville.
[Phoenix] What if the Riott Squad was victorious in the Chamber tonight?
[Renee] That would be unbelievable, then we got to see Ruby Riott,
she's got a match against Ronda Rousey for the RAW Women's Championship,
could change the game heading into WrestleMania.
[Corey] I think Liv's about to find out you don't--
Just dropped Sonya Deville, I almost ate my words.
-[Cole] And Liv was smiling about it. -[all exclaiming]
[Corey] Returned the favor.
[Cole] Roll up Deville, shoulders, kick-out at one.
[Renee] It could happen that fast.
[Cole] No eliminations yet in the Elimination Chamber.
[Renee] Oh! Liv is down.
[Cole] They have one there though, Deville is down as well.
[Corey] It could've been the last bit of gas Sonya had in the tank.
[Cole] All six women involved in this matchup are now down.
Bayley into the ring, looking to take advantage.
Cover on Liv Morgan, hooks the inside leg, and a kick-out.
-Near fall for Bayley. -[Corey] Great ring awareness.
[Renee] Bayley is one of the only women inside that has the opportunity
of having been in an Elimination Chamber Match before.
[Corey] Bayley, again, like a one-woman army.
[Cole] Bayley, a former Women's Champion, back suplex to Logan.
And Bayley's fired up!
[audience cheering]
[Renee] Yes!
[Corey] Bayley's done nothing but defy odds for the past few weeks
despite Sasha Banks.
[Cole] Mandy Rose not allowing Bayley to continue the momentum.
Deville and Rose, Fire and Desire, working together as a team.
Random offense on the horizon.
[Renee] Clearly, everybody's been doing their tag team homework.
[Corey] Whoa! Riott Squad looking to play spoiler.
-[Renee] It's about to get ugly! -[Cole] Oh, my God!
Everybody down!
Meanwhile, Sasha Banks, over by one of the pods,
has not moved since having her arm driven
into the pod moments ago as the next team will enter.
And what an advantage for the next team.
[Phoenix] Could eliminate a team real quick here.
[Renee] Who can take advantage of the carnage left in the ring?
-Choose wisely. -[Cole] Get in, pick the bones.
It'll be the IIconics.
Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, wisely out of the pod quickly.
Looking to try to win this match
or at least eliminate one of these teams right here.
[Renee] They're pinning everybody.
[Cole] Smart move by the IIconics.
And now to Bayley.
Bayley able to kick-out.
This is the chaotic nature of the Elimination Chamber Match.
[Renee] Come on, ladies, keep working.
[Corey] Now is no time for frustration despite a well-laid plan by the IIconics.
[Renee] Some wasted time.
Arguing is not going to win you guys the tag team championships.
[Cole] Oh, Billie and Peyton say their bond is unbreakable.
That's the reason they'll be crowned tag champs tonight.
Morgan driven into the post shoulder-first.
[Renee] I got to believe that, based on their performances,
what we saw in the Royal Rumble,
they do have a bond. They're very loyal to each other.
[Cole] Deville runs right into Peyton. Again, the double team continues.
Mandy Rose, the next target for the IIconics.
[Renee] Nice double-arm wringer.
[Corey] Got to be impressed with the tandem offense
from Peyton and Billie. Face-first goes Sonya.
No time to enjoy your handiwork, ladies.
[Phoenix] These are two women that have known each other-- Oh!
Dreaming of bringing women's tag team championship to fruition.
Tonight's their night.
[Cole] Still no team has been eliminated yet
in the Elimination Chamber Match.
The IIconics, the only team standing in the ring.
[Renee] We've heard with the Elimination Chamber,
it's not just about winning, it's about surviving.
[Cole] That's what Bayley's trying to do here, is just survive.
[Corey] It's all about winning.
I mean, it is about survival. You have to survive to win.
But why put yourself and your body through this torture?
Through this torment?
[Cole] Right to the side of the face of Bayley.
Bayley down and out. To eliminate The Boss 'n' Hug Connection,
Sasha Banks!
Breaking things up at two.
[Renee] Sasha stays alive.
She'll do whatever it takes to walk away victorious tonight.
And for the third time in this match,
Sasha and Bayley have been looking out for each other.
Stepping up and stepping in when they needed help.
[Corey] Mandy still has not been eliminated,
-nor has Sonya Deville. -Nobody asked, Graves.
[Cole] IIconics back to look for a double team.
This time, on Sasha Banks and The Boss fighting back.
A lot of questions about the shoulder injury
coming into this match tonight.
And you see Sasha favoring her left arm.
Banks right off the knee of Billie Kay.
And there's the big boot by Peyton.
Cover to eliminate The Boss 'n' Hug Connection.
And Sasha Banks kicks out at two.
[screams]
[Cole] And the IIconics have been doing everything they can,
but they still have not been able to eliminate anyone.
[Corey] They need to stay the course. Peyton and Billie
obviously did their homework.
[Renee] Remaining pretty vocal about being disappointed as well.
I don't think so!
[Cole] Extremely vocal as they now drag Sasha Banks out to where Bayley is.
[Renee] A dangerous place to be.
Punishing. Punishing both Bayley and Sasha.
[Phoenix] Look at the way Bayley's face is pressed against the steel.
Twisted around.
[Cole] And then trash-talking as they do it.
IIconics just mangling the faces of Sasha and Bayley
against the chain link.
Banks, once again,
getting a little too familiar with the outside of the Chamber.
[Phoenix] Billie Kay picking apart Bayley right now.
[Cole] It's been complete domination by the IIconics since they entered
the Elimination Chamber Match.
[Phoenix] I'd like to see a little more urgency from the IIconics.
[Corey] I never expected this to happen. This much dominance.
[Renee] Right to the head.
[Corey] Caution to the wind from Peyton Royce.
[Cole] Now, dragging Bayley back into the ring.
-[Corey] About sacrificing your own body. -[Cole] Sasha as well.
The IIconics gonna cover both Sasha and Bayley,
and a kick-out by both members of the team.
[Renee] The IIconics are clearly starting to get frustrated here.
They've been waiting for this opportunity. Take a look at this.
[Cole] Right on the side of the face of Bayley.
-[Corey] The heels of Peyton Royce. -[Cole] Corey, the question now is,
will frustration begin to set in for the IIconics?
[Corey] It's already beginning to set in,
but that could be the biggest downfall of the IIconics.
-They need to stay the course. -[Cole] Oh, my God!
[Phoenix] Looks like they're staying the course now, Graves.
[Cole] This has been an all-out vicious assault by the IIconics.
[Renee] This has been their goal all along,
ever since they both came to WWE signed at the same time together.
-[Phoenix] Oh! -[Renee] Who is to win this?
[Cole] Who is the next team to enter the Elimination Chamber?
[Corey] The tension in this arena is palpable.
-Everyone wondering who's next. -[buzzer blaring]
[Cole] Fabulous Glow. Naomi and Carmella.
Both former Women's Champions from SmackDown LIVE.
[Corey] Naomi's athleticism on display.
I'm curious to see what she's capable of inside the Chamber.
[Cole] They went right after the IIconics
to try to quell the momentum of Billie Kay and Peyton Royce.
[Renee] Both Carmella and Naomi know what it takes to hold gold in the WWE.
Uh-oh, here we go. Mandy Rose is gonna get some of hers.
[Phoenix] Uh-oh.
[Corey] What do you have against Mandy, Renee?
[Renee] I'm looking out for everybody, World Champion of Love.
[Cole] Oh! And Naomi and Carmella!
[Corey] Now is no time for fancy footwork.
Moonwalking is not gonna win the tag team titles.
[Phoenix] I gotta agree with you, Graves.
[Renee] I appreciate some pageantry, but come on.
[Phoenix] They've got an opportunity here, and a huge one.
Think about what these teams went through just to get to this point.
[Cole] And again, this is an historic night in Houston, Texas.
[Corey] Where are Billie and Carmella going?
Carmella's had enough. She's already afraid of the Chamber.
-[Cole] Naomi fighting back with Liv. -[Corey] Uh-oh.
And Carmella trying to hang on to the side of the Chamber.
[Renee] It's a dangerous spot.
[Cole] Billie came with nasty thoughts in mind.
Carmella sends Billie Kay to the side of the Chamber.
[Corey] It could've been disastrous for Carmella,
but it worked out in her favor.
But here comes the powerhouse of the Riott Squad.
[Cole] Carmella fighting back with a kick right to the face of Sarah Logan.
And now, Carmella and Naomi working together as a team
as Logan's taken down.
Split leg moonsault by Naomi. Is it enough to eliminate the Riott Squad?
And Liv Morgan breaking things up.
[Renee] If people were concerned about the X-Factor of Naomi and Carmella,
I mean, I think they're shutting up a lot of haters.
[Cole] There are five teams. Carmella cross body.
Five teams in this match. No one's been eliminated yet.
Back suplex from Bayley.
And there's Billie Kay with a boot to the face.
-Sasha Banks with a boot of her own. -[Renee] Oh, did you hear that?
This is the kind of chaos we were talking about.
Oh, beautiful Gory Special.
[Cole] Liv Morgan.
And now Mandy Rose getting involved.
And Sarah Logan with a fisherman's suplex.
[Corey] Oh, my God! Planted Mandy.
[Phoenix] Oh, ho, ho!
[Corey] Sonya.
-[Renee] There's bodies flying everywhere. -[Cole] Carmella with a superkick.
Everybody's down.
[Cole] It is a massacre inside the Elimination Chamber.
-[Cole] Still no eliminations. -[Renee] Full of carnage.
[Corey] All of these women with one goal in mind.
Becoming the first-ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
[Renee] And one key team that still hasn't even entered
inside the Elimination Chamber in Nia Jax and Tamina.
[Corey] It's like Nia and Tamina are looming over the entire matchup.
See them pounding on their pods?
[Phoenix] Might as well finish this.
As soon as they get out here, these bodies are done for.
[Corey] It's gonna be a feast for Nia and Tamina.
[Cole] Nia and Tamina realizing the opportunity they have
whenever they get into this matchup. Look at this.
Carmella, though, rolls through. Looks for the Cone of Silence
submission on Sonya Deville. And Mandy Rose breaking it up.
[Phoenix] Smart move by Mandy Rose.
-[Corey] Mandy's a fantastic teammate. -[Phoenix] Slow down.
[Corey] Remember, the issues between Naomi and Mandy.
Naomi's husband and Mandy Rose.
[Phoenix] Match her.
[Cole] About to serve a little payback by Naomi.
-And here goes Naomi. -[Corey] This is uncalled for.
[Renee] This is necessary.
Mandy Rose stepped into Naomi's personal life.
She deserves every beatdown she gets from Naomi.
[Cole] Naomi off the second rope.
Rear view! Billie came from behind.
Rolling up Naomi. Peyton gets involved as well.
-Shoulders down. -[Corey] Oh, ho, ho!
[Rome] Carmella and Naomi have been eliminated.
[Corey] What an incredible pinning combination
from Peyton and Billie.
[Renee] That was a thing of beauty. That was stunning.
[Corey] It's time for me to make a bold prediction.
The IIconics are gonna win this entire thing.
[Cole] Naomi and Carmella have to go back to the locker.
First team eliminated here tonight in the Elimination Chamber Match
to crown the Women's Tag Team champions.
[Corey] Mark Henry was correct. He knew what was about to come.
[Renee] Uh-oh. Things looking bad here for the IIconics.
[Phoenix] Spoke too soon, Graves.
[Cole] Each team back to their feet.
And they have the IIconics in their sights.
-[Renee] There's blood in the water. -[Corey] I'm gonna make a bold prediction.
There is no way the IIconics escaped this situation.
[Cole] Meanwhile, the final team.
Nia and Tamina...
[Renee] A welcome distraction at this point.
...are about to enter the Elimination Chamber Match.
Final team is coming in.
And here comes The Irresistible Force.
[Corey] Welcome to the Samoan slaughterhouse.
[Cole] And Tamina as well.
Tamina and Nia trying to take everybody out.
[Renee] Nia and Tamina are like two wrecking balls.
[Cole] The heavy favorites in this Elimination Chamber Match,
and there's a reason why.
[Renee] Nia Jax said it best. This isn't just about dreams coming true.
This is about physics. Look at these two specimens.
[Phoenix] She tossed Mandy in the ring with one hand, Graves.
Did you see that part?
[Cole] Mandy has nowhere to hide.
And Nia and Tamina already making their presence felt.
-And look at the IIconics. -[women laugh]
-[Renee] Smart strategy. -[Cole] They're hiding in a pod.
[Corey] It's not like Nia is like a T-Rex. Like her vision is movement-based.
They know this is not gonna work out well.
[Phoenix] They've basically trapped themselves
in the worst possible place. This is like an actual horror movie.
[Renee] Don't run upstairs. They ran into the pod.
Same theory.
-[Corey] Nia trying to pry. -[Renee] You can't outpower them.
Nia trying... And Tamina trying to pry the pod apart.
Now they've opened the pod.
[Renee] Oh, boy, guys. This is not gonna be good.
Hang on to your weaves, ladies.
[Cole] The IIconics have been separated.
Oh, my God. Nia just slinging Peyton Royce around.
Tamina slinging Billie Kay into the Chamber.
[Renee] Human pendulum.
How much damage did they take getting slung against that steel?
[Corey] Look at the smile on Nia's face.
[Renee] Nia Jax is in her happy place right now.
[Corey] Savoring every second.
[Cole] Tamina as well.
[Renee] She's been in complete and utter control.
[Phoenix] Oh, Billie Kay was just saying, "I'm sorry to..." That's so sad.
[Cole] And look at this! Double Samoan drop to the IIconics.
Covers by Naomi and Tamina.
[Rome] The IIconics have been eliminated.
[Cole] Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan go right after Nia Jax and Tamina.
Two teams now eliminated from the Elimination Chamber.
The Fabulous Glow and the IIconics.
[Corey] The herd is beginning to thin for the moment.
Smart move by the Riott Squad.
Wasting no time trying to take down The Irresistible Force.
[Cole] Uh-oh, uh-oh.
Liv Morgan sending Nia Jax into the turnbuckle.
And now, Logan from behind.
And you gotta give the Riott Squad credit here.
[Phoenix] Trying to separate Nia and Tamina.
It's the smartest thing that they can do right now.
-[Renee] Working together. -[Cole] Whoa!
-[Renee] Beautiful. -[Corey] Assisted diamond dust!
-by Liv and Sarah. -[Cole] Both legs hooked.
Nia Jax, though, running right through Logan
and breaking up the possible pinfall.
And now Deville back into this.
[Renee] Laying in those kicks.
-[Cole] Mandy Rose with a running knee. -[Corey] Down goes Jax.
[Cole] Nia is off her feet. Here's the cover. Is it enough?
Hooks the leg, and Nia powers out.
[Renee] Both teams targeting Nia Jax and Tamina.
Smart move.
[Corey] You know what the biggest threat right now.
Sasha and Bayley, who both take down Mandy and Sonya Deville.
[Cole] Bayley measuring Tamina in the corner with a high running knee.
Sasha Banks as well. The double knees.
And now, Liv Morgan in trouble.
-And... -[Phoenix] Oh!
[Cole] Sasha working well as a team.
[Phoenix] Knocked the lungs right out of Liv Morgan.
[Cole] And Sarah Logan caught. Just planted.
Cover by Banks and Bayley.
And a kick-out by Logan.
[Renee] Viking training won't save you from that.
[Cole] Tell you what, you have got to give the Riott Squad credit.
Thought they were eliminated there.
[Renee] The Riott Squad thrives in these situations of chaos.
They bide their time, they wait for their opportunities.
[Phoenix] I feel like the Riott Squad was one of the absolute favorites
walking into Elimination Chamber.
And Deville and Rose beginning to dominate Banks and Bayley.
[Renee] That family mentality definitely keeps the Riott Squad looking strong.
[Cole] Sasha reversal. Mandy sent into the corner.
Hung up top rope by Bayley.
Here's the double team now on Deville.
And Bayley gonna...
[Corey] Oh, no. No, no, no.
[Cole] ...launch Deville into Mandy-- Oh!
Did Mandy slip out of the way?
[Corey] Just in time.
[Corey] Look at Sasha Banks. Bossing Bayley around.
[Cole] Or directing traffic, depending on how you look at it.
As Deville is hung up on the second rope.
Sasha Banks.
[Corey] Oh, no, no, no. This... Oh, no.
[Renee] Bayley and Sasha see an opportunity.
[Cole] This isn't gonna be pretty!
[Corey] Double stack. Double knees.
[Cole] Cover! Banks!
Oh! And a kick-out by Deville at two.
[Renee] Bayley going after Mandy Rose.
[Corey] Here comes Nia.
[Cole] Don't forget about Nia and Tamina.
[Renee] Might need a spatula to scrape them off the mat.
[Cole] Nia Jax turning her attention to Bayley.
And she would love to eliminate Banks and Bayley.
[Corey] Where do the Riott Squad think they're going?
[Renee] Going to higher ground.
[Cole] Morgan and Logan now on top of a pod trying to--
It's smart. Catch a breath. Evaluate the scene.
I think it's a brilliant move by the Riott Squad.
[Corey] Surveying the damage in the scenery. Oh, my God!
[Cole] Riot Jax's just slamming Mandy into the Chamber.
-[Cole] And they're off! -[Renee] Oh!
[Cole] On the top of the pod!
[Renee] High risk.
[Corey] Will it be high reward?
-It's Logan there with the cover! -[Renee] This could be it!
[Cole] The cover, and a kick-out.
A pretty incredible match here tonight
to crown the first-ever Women's Tag Team Champions.
[Corey] Look at this. You mentioned high risk.
It doesn't get much higher than this.
Sacrificing their own safety and well-being to topple their opponents.
[Phoenix] I think that shows you what the Riott Squad means
when they said that, "We are not the sheep, we are the wolves."
[Corey] Goes to show you what--
[Cole] Look at Nia. Nia trying to climb up now.
She's on the second rope
trying to prevent Morgan from getting back to the top.
This is the way Nia Jax won the Women's Championship
from the second rope.
Massive Samoan drop.
-[Renee] Liv's done. -[Corey] Thanks for coming, Liv.
[Cole] And now, Tamina.
[Corey] From the top.
[Cole] A splash to both members of the Riott Squad.
Nia and Tamina eliminated the Riott Squad.
[Rome] The Riott Squad has been eliminated.
[Phoenix] Nia and Tamina out here doing work tonight in Houston, Texas.
[Cole] And now, it's Sasha and Bayley. Right to work on Nia Jax.
Three teams remain.
Nia, Tamina, Sasha, Bayley, and Mandy and Sonya.
[Renee] Very smart move by Sasha and Bayley.
Not giving anyone an opportunity to breathe.
[Cole] Drop, toehold, and Sasha caught Tamina.
Is it enough to eliminate Tamina here?
And Nia Jax breaking it up before the three-count.
[Corey] Nia just almost effortlessly picking up Banks.
And just dropping Sasha on Sonya.
[Renee] Sasha landed hard on that hip.
[Cole] My Lord, Nia Jax The Irresistible Force.
[Corey] The odds on favor to win this matchup.
Nia and Tamina displaying exactly why.
[Renee] You've got that size, power, the confidence of a woman like Nia Jax.
Every single other woman here and in the back of the locker room
better watch any time you cross her path.
[Renee] Everything Nia Jax does is deliberate.
Every step she takes. Every move she makes.
[Cole] This is gonna be deliberate right here.
Nia Jax just waiting for Bayley to make it to her feet.
Nia Jax is stalking Bayley, and look at that.
To the pod goes Nia!
[Renee] She's out.
[Cole] Bayley sidestepped and Nia went right through the side of the pod.
[Corey] Listen to this impact.
Jax has not moved.
This has totally changed the complexion of the matchup.
[Phoenix] Tamina's left on her own if these teams know what's good for them.
[Corey] An unfamiliar sight on the face of Tamina.
A look of concern. Look at that.
-[Cole] Oh! -[Phoenix] Oh, my God!
[Corey] Bayley just saved the opportunity for her and her partner.
[Renee] She had enough wherewithal to get out of the way at the last second.
[Corey] Vicious Muay Thai knees from Deville.
Everyone focusing on Tamina.
Smart strategy.
[Cole] Meteora by Banks off the top rope, and now Bayley going up top.
[Renee] If they can pin Tamina, Jax is eliminated too.
[Cole] The elbow from Bayley! Here's the cover.
Everybody's stacking up on Tamina, and eliminated!
[Rome] Tamina and Nia Jax have been eliminated.
[Cole] That is huge.
[Corey] I still don't know that I believe it.
[Cole] And we are down to two teams.
Mandy and Sonya and Sasha and Bayley.
One of these two teams will become the first-ever Women's Tag Team champions.
[Corey] The Toyota Center is on its feet.
Everyone at home watching.
I know my daughters are glued to the TV
knowing we're gonna witness history any second now.
[Cole] As Nia and Tamina leave the Chamber,
everyone is beginning to show the wounds and the scars
of what can happen inside the Chamber.
Mandy Rose's back is cut up by what she's gone through here tonight.
And now, we're down to these two teams.
[Renee] The two teams that started the Elimination Chamber.
The two teams that had all odds stacked against them
as soon as the bell rang for this match.
[Phoenix] And the deja vu from last Elimination Chamber.
-The same four women. -[Cole] And here we go.
[Phoenix] With different stakes, like a hockey fight.
[Cole] And now, Mandy Rose with knees to the midsection of Bayley.
Sonya Deville trying to dominate Sasha Banks here.
Bayley now. Mandy with a knee.
[Corey] Great counter by Mandy.
[Cole] And you have to wonder how much Sasha has left.
Suffering from the shoulder injury over the past number of weeks.
Bayley has been punished a lot on her own.
Now Mandy Rose outside the ring.
Bayley able to block.
Oh, and Mandy runs right into a knee from The Boss.
[Renee] When the stakes are this high--
[Cole] From behind to win the championship. To win the titles.
Bayley with a knee.
-[Cole] A glancing blow, but-- -[Corey] Banks.
-Sasha got over that. -[Renee] Oh, my God.
[Cole] Here's the cover by Bayley!
Breaking it up is Mandy Rose at two.
Sasha and Bayley thought they won the titles.
[Corey] Divine intervention from God's greatest creation.
[Cole] Sasha with a look of disbelief. She hit the backstabber.
Bayley hit the Bayley-to-belly.
And nonetheless...
[Renee] What do they have left after that?
[Cole] Deville and Mandy are able to survive.
[Corey] Look at this. Great teamwork by both Banks and Bayley.
They thought they could feel the titles around their waist.
But at the last possible second, Mandy Rose saves the situation.
And now, Mandy Rose climbing the Chamber.
Sasha Banks trying to play defense.
But what does Mandy Rose have in mind here?
[Phoenix] Bayley's going up the other side to stop her.
[Renee] Mandy possibly trying to get some leverage.
[Cole] And trying to keep Bayley from getting up on top of the pod as well.
Meanwhile, Sasha Banks up to the other side.
[Corey] Trying to knot up the thigh of Mandy Rose.
I want to remind people what happened when Sasha and Bayley
were up on top of the pod in last year's Chamber.
[Corey] I'd love to remind people.
Sasha Banks kicked Bayley in this same situation.
It's exactly-- We're gonna do it again.
She's gonna do it again.
[Cole] And look at now. Sasha and Bayley face to face.
Is it gonna be deja vu from last year?
Or is The Boss 'n' Hug Connection gonna work as a team?
[Corey] She's gonna destroy Mandy. Oh, no.
[Cole] Mandy bounced off the pod.
[Phoenix] Are they gonna toss Mandy from the top?
[Renee] There's bigger things at stake, guys.
[Cole] What do Sasha and Bayley have in mind?
Meanwhile, here comes Sonya Deville climbing the Chamber.
Sonya trying to help out her partner Mandy.
[Phoenix] Sonya better come up with a plan quick.
[Cole] And Bayley kicked right to the fingers
as Deville crawls off the side of the Chamber.
[Corey] Heavy right hand to Mandy.
[Cole] Knocked down as well.
And now it's Mandy and Banks left on top of the pod.
And Bayley driven right into the support beam on the pod.
Spine-first into the support beam of that pod.
Bayley's hurt.
And Sasha Banks coming down to check on her friend and her partner.
[Corey] Her meal ticket.
[Renee] Bayley hasn't moved a muscle.
[Cole] Now Sasha Banks trying to take out Sonya here
to buy her team some time.
Mandy rolls from behind and what could quickly--
And Banks is driven into the pod on the other side.
Mandy, quickly.
With Banks in the ring.
-[Corey] Here it comes. -[Cole] Looking to put Sasha away
to win the Women's Tag Team titles.
[Corey] Spilled it.
[Cole] Mandy's gonna do it. Here's the cover.
Hook of the leg!
Banks kicks out at two! A near fall! Mandy can't believe it.
Mandy again into the cover.
Hooks the leg again, and Sasha fights back.
[Renee] A less-than-100% Sasha Banks proves in a situation like this
why she's considered one of the best.
[Cole] This is all about heart. This is all about desire.
This is all about survival.
This is all about winning the women's championship.
Mandy Rose had the titles won and Sasha Banks,
meanwhile, driven shoulder-first into the post
on the top part of your screen as we return to live action.
[Corey] You see the disappointment on the face of everyone.
They thought Mandy and Sonya were about to become the champions.
[Cole] And remember the injured shoulder? She's down!
Meanwhile, spears her partner Mandy.
[Renee] A miscommunication may have created an opening for Sasha.
[Phoenix] Sasha, capitalize on this.
[Cole] What does Sasha have left? She went shoulder-first into the post.
The injured shoulder of Banks as she wrestles Deville down.
Trying to lock in the Banks Statement. Middle of the ring. Sasha Banks.
-[Renee] She's struggling. -[Cole] But she can't use the shoulder.
Banks can't use the shoulder to lock in the Banks Statement.
[Corey] Sasha better figure out a way, quick.
And that's what she did.
-[Cole] Deville. -[Renee] Oh, my God!
[Cole] Sasha Banks, The Innovative Banks.
and The Boss!
Tap out! Banks and Bayley make history!
Banks and Bally win the tag team titles!
[Rome] Here are your winners by submission,
and the first-ever WWE Women's Tag Team champions,
Bayley and Sasha Banks!
[Cole] Corey, I know you've said a lot about Sasha Banks in the past,
but we learned a lot about The Boss tonight.
The guts, the heart, the desire of Banks.
To fight through injury, to fight through pain,
to help her and Bayley win the tag team title.
[Corey] I'm never one to admit my mistakes 'cause I rarely make them,
but I will give credit where it's due tonight.
Sasha Banks with an unbelievable, honorable,
different way to apply her submission hold
and did the work to capture
the first-ever Women's Tag Team Championship.
[Renee] What a way to reinvent yourself on the fly.
[Cole] The culmination of a lifelong dream.
Bayley driven into the support beam on the pod
would allow Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville to really take over this match.
[Corey] And here's where the mistake would cost Mandy and Sonya.
A miscommunication.
Banks out of the way just in time.
Sonya flattens Mandy.
And look at this application of the Bank Statement.
This is a thing of beauty for everyone not named Sonya Deville.
[Renee] I know I am not alone.
All of these people here feeling in their hearts
what I'm feeling right now. These two women earned it.
Sasha, Bayley, congratulations.
What an incredible victory. Tonight, you make history.
[crowd cheering]
I don't know what to say.
I don't even know what to say. Do you want to say anything?
[crowd chanting] You deserve it!
You want to say anything?
I am so lost for words.
Nobody knows how hard we fought to get these.
If you guys legit only knew.
We don't just do this for us.
We don't just do this for you. We do this for everybody that backed
this woman's division.
[audience cheering]
And this is the only... just the beginning of more change to come.
Because we're here for a purpose.
And we are going to continue to do what we love and do what we do best.
And that's why we are The Boss 'n' Hug Connection.
Your new WWE
Tag Team Women's Champions.
[Corey] I don't know what's wrong with me. I got a lump in my own throat.
[Phoenix] Are those tears, Graves?
-[Corey] I'm not crying, you're crying. -[Phoenix] I am crying.
I knew you were human.
Such a beautiful moment. These women have worked so hard.
I've been able to see them, what they've accomplished. Amazing.
[Cole] So, Beth, for someone like you who's been through everything here at WWE,
you're a Hall of Famer, you're a true trailblazer.
What does this moment mean to you?
[Phoenix] This means so much to me
because this is what we demanded for so many years.
We wanted and we knew the WWE Universe felt the same way.
And so this is such a victory in all of our hearts.
And it just means the world to me,
like I know it does to those two women in the ring.
I'm so proud of them.
I'm proud of everybody in this moment. And they just-- They did it.
[Cole] Congratulations to Bayley and Sasha Banks.
Your first-ever
WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
[Tom] We knew tonight in Houston that we would see history
at the 9th Elimination Chamber event.
Congratulations to the first-ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
I got chills. I got goosebumps.
How lucky are we to have been part of history here tonight?
-We're just getting started. -Such an incredible moment right now.
We want to send a special shout-out.
[Corey] We want to send a special thank you
to Dead Posey for Don't Stop the Devil.
It's an official theme song of WWE Elimination Chamber
from the Freak Show EP.
Available now on iTunes and Spotify.
[Tom] Our night is just getting rolling. SmackDown LIVE's first opportunity.
The Miz and Shane McMahon set to defend their tag team titles against the Usos.
Can one of the best tandems of all time knock off the unlikeliest of champions?
I was never considered best in the world until you came along.
This could be something.
Shane McMahon, The Miz, co-besties.
Think about it, Shane.
Best team in the world.
-I don't know if... -Shane, my dad goes to me,
"Wow, that Shane McMahon, he is something else.
This guy is a man without fear.
He will jump from coast to coast.
He fights for what he believes in, Mike.
Could you imagine if you and him tagged? You'd be the best tag team in the world."
Now that, that is something to be proud of.
So I knew what I had to do. I had to set out to make us a tag team.
We could be so good together if you just give us a chance.
Miz, what you just said really resonated with me.
Ever since I was a kid, I always dreamt about being Tag Team champions.
But I have to say that I am so very, very proud
to be walking into the Royal Rumble with you as my partner.
Let's try this.
[Rome] The following contest is
for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.
[Cole] Oh, boy, look at Shane right out of the gate.
Just leveled Sheamus.
-[Corey] Shane from the top! -[Cole] Oh, my God!
[Cole] Oh, my gosh.
[Corey] Sheamus and Cesaro,
you can't just topple them in your first night as a team.
[Cole] Oh!
Shane is going up-top!
Shane and Miz are the best tag team in the world!
Welcome to
McMiz TV!
Hey, Miz, won't you do us all a favor and shut the hell up?
[Cole] The number one contenders, the Usos.
[Corey] You are looking at blood.
Twin brothers. A tag team since day one.
You calling yourself the best tag team in the world?
That's disrespectful.
Standing in front of you right now is a true tag team.
We about to get real. Six times are coming soon.
Shane.
Miz.
Welcome to the Usos.
Men of the Century.
The only thing that is real are these right here.
You dig, Us?
[Corey] Oh, no!
The Usos absolutely mean business.
And the quote-unquote "best tag team in the world"
had better be prepared for a fight in Houston.
[woman] Quiet on the set.
Can we please have quiet on the set?
[audience] Awesome!
[Miz] Awesome!
[The Miz's theme song playing]
Before we get started
first and foremost, congratulations, Sasha and Bayley.
The new Women's Tag Team champ.
We created history here tonight.
Secondly, I want to dedicate this match to my dad.
To my daughter, Monroe Skye.
And to my wife, Maryse.
[Maryse's theme music playing]
[Corey] Oh, my God.
[Saxton] Maryse is here.
We always said when we had a huge announcement,
that we would announce it right here in the WWE
in front of all of you.
And tonight
we got a really big announcement.
So, without further ado,
Maryse...
-We're having another baby! -Yes!
-[Corey] It just keeps getting better. -[Saxton] That is huge news.
-A new addition for the family. -[Miz] Yes, I do still got it.
So let's dedicate this to my unborn child.
Bring on Shane! Let's get this started.
♪ Here comes the money ♪
Here we go.
[Tom] Well, what a way to set the tone for their SmackDown tag team title match.
One big happy family.
[Corey] As if The Miz and Shane McMahon needed any more motivation.
[Saxton] And Miz dedicating this match to his unborn child.
[Tom] Another It-baby is on the way.
But can they successfully defend their titles tonight?
[bell dings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
is for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions,
The Miz and Shane McMahon!
[Saxton] Miz and Shane McMahon have shocked the world before.
Can lightning strike twice tonight?
We'll find out tonight at WWE Elimination Chamber.
[Tom] Which is presented by the new film Fighting with My Family.
Based on the true story about WWE Superstar Paige.
Produced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Available everywhere February 22nd.
[Corey] Available? It's in theaters, Phillips.
[Tom] But nonetheless, tonight, Shane and Miz,
a tall task to Byron's point.
One of the best teams ever was assembled at the Royal Rumble.
Miz and Shane got the job done there.
Can they do it again against the true tag team?
[Rome] And their opponents, making their way to the ring
at a combined weight of 479 pounds,
Jimmy and Jey,
The Usos!
[Corey] The feel-good part of the evening is about to come to an end.
Congratulations, Miz and Maryse,
but we're about to see a throwdown.
A true tag team.
[Tom] I want to let you know that you can watch
your favorite TV shows and movies Online with Hulu
and get next-day unlimited instant streaming access
to all of WWE's weekly programs
including RAW, SmackDown, Main Event, and NXT.
Visit Hulu.com for a free trial
and start watching your favorite WWE shows today.
[Corey] Jimmy and Jey with some strong roots here in the Houston area
where they were training with WWE Hall of Famer, Booker T.
Seems like a million years ago
with all the accomplishments they've accrued since.
Talked to Jimmy Uso earlier, he said,
"Once Miz and Shane step into the Uso Penitentiary,
they're gonna wish they were in witness protection like 6ix9ine."
[Saxton] Nine years strong for the Usos.
The longest-tenured tag team in WWE history.
[Tom] They also can become the fifth team in history
to have won six tag team titles or more.
That would join the New Age Outlaws, the Hardy Boys,
the Hall of Famer Edge, and "The Legend" Christian.
And, of course, the Hall of Fame Tandem, the Dudley Boyz.
[bell dings]
And the question is, can Miz and Shane O'Mac
get the job done once again tonight at Elimination Chamber.
Graves, if you're Miz and Shane,
are you overconfident coming into this match?
[Corey] From the looks of what we just saw,
the fantastic announcement as it was,
it's clear that Miz and Shane have other things on their mind.
Which could be their downfall
because they can only afford to focus on one thing,
The Usos. I guess that's two things.
[Tom] Absolutely. One team.
This is Jimmy Uso on the run and in control right now of The Miz.
[Corey] Miz getting out of dodge quickly, but...
[Tom] Oh!
Went for the back-breaker-neck-breaker we've seen so many times
from the A-Lister over the years.
Caught Jimmy Uso in midair.
Could be going for the Figure Four very early on here in this match.
-And Jimmy tags out the Jey. -[Corey] Uh-oh!
Oh, close call.
[Tom] Almost a flashback to McMizTV.
[Saxton] Miz just avoided disaster.
[Corey] Shane's trying to temper The Miz a little bit.
[Tom] Such a bond that Shane and Miz have formed
in a short amount of time.
You saw the lengths that Shane went through at Royal Rumble event
to help his friend Miz achieve his dream to impress his father and his family.
[Saxton] As good as that story has been,
I mean, the Uso's look at this as a slap in the face.
[Tom] What an elbow. Right to the face.
[Saxton] Personally insulted that Shane and The Miz
believe they truly are the best tag team in the world.
[Tom] They got the titles right now to prove it, Byron.
[Corey] Am I the only one who found it funny that Miz's dad
wasn't proud of him despite headlining at WrestleMania?
Being a world champion?
[Tom] He's hard to please.
And a tag is made. In comes Shane McMahon.
[Corey] Uh-oh. Shane looking to seal this deal quick.
-[Tom] Already? -[Saxton] Miz holding Jey in place.
Jimmy trying to run interference, and a big back elbow.
[Tom] And Shane takes down Jimmy.
And Jey came in strong and ate a forearm smash.
[Corey] Little nurse training paying off for Shane.
[Tom] Cover. Two legal men and a kick-out.
[Corey] I think Shane and Miz are aware of how dangerous the Usos are.
It's a smart strategy. Trying to end this quick.
[Tom] Back elbow there by Shane.
Miz is legal.
And Miz and Shane are working so well together early on here in this match.
[Corey] The Miz and Shane McMahon have had about a month
to improve their tag team chemistry.
-[Tom] And there goes Jey over the top. -[Corey] Apparently, they have.
Jimmy Uso joining the fun.
[Tom] And Miz stepping in front of that one for Shane.
And sending Jimmy to the outside opposite side of his brother.
How about this?
The champions controlling the tempo early on.
Oh!
[Saxton] I don't know if Miz is wise to be mocking Jimmy and Jey.
Look at the eyes of the Uso's right now. Like a couple of caged animals.
[Tom] I gotta say, Graves, I'm surprised that Shane and Miz
come this strong out of the gate
against such a well-oiled machine as Jimmy and Jey.
[Corey] I have no doubt Shane and Miz have been putting in work.
They want to live up to the name as the best tag team in the world.
They are the reigning SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
But they're in there with one of the best tag teams of an entire generation.
[Tom] And here come the It Kicks to Jey Uso.
[Corey] Remember when you used to yell at me for saying that?
[Tom] Yeah. Yeah, that was fun.
Now Jimmy springs out of the corner trying to slow down Miz
-and gives himself some time. -[Corey] Uh-oh.
-[Saxton] Oh, my! -[Tom] Into the top rope.
[Corey] Throat first goes The Miz.
[Saxton] That's where the experience comes into play
with the Usos.
[Tom] Brilliant job by the Usos.
And now, it's Jimmy who can tee off on The Miz.
One, two, three!
[Corey] Look at the aggression from Jimmy Uso.
[Tom] Oh, and Jey! Cheap shot on the outside.
The official was dealing with Jimmy.
[Corey] Miz flailed wildly. Didn't catch anything.
[Tom] Massive shot right to the jaw. It's Jey back into the matchup.
[Corey] What we're seeing now is just flawless teamwork.
No one does it better.
The Usos got rocked earlier.
Ready to take away any momentum that Shane McMahon and the Miz had.
[Tom] Graves, if you're the Usos, what lessons do you learn at the bar--
Pardon, at the Royal Rumble event?
[Corey] I don't know. Why don't you ask the Usos?
You're a journalist, Phillips.
[Saxton] Some would say the bar maybe didn't take
Shane McMahon and The Miz as seriously as they should have.
And now the secret's out.
Look, Miz and Shane are the tag team champions.
The Usos, I don't think, are gonna make that same mistake.
They're well aware of the shock factor of the champions.
[Corey] The Usos are also unimpressed by that shock factor.
The Usos have been to the top of the mountain five times.
They want to make a little history of their own tonight.
[Tom] Now Miz trying to create a bit of separation between himself and-- Oh!
Clothesline!
[Corey] That was just all sorts of nasty.
[Tom] Now, Jimmy makes a tag to his brother
and this is how this team can operate.
Systematic slow dissection of an opponent.
[Corey] Truly the trademark of a great tag team.
You see it from the revival on Monday Night RAW.
You cut the ring in half, you isolate one of your opponents
and you destroy them.
[Saxton] You get a sense of the Usos.
Not only do they want to beat Shane and The Miz,
but they want to send a message.
They want to prove a point that this fairy tale is over.
[Corey] Walking to the ring with the Tag Team Championships
is a statement in and of itself. That's the goal of the entire business.
[Tom] Miz trying to reach out, trying to make a tag to Shane.
Was very close, but Jimmy wouldn't allow it to happen.
[Saxton] Walking out with those same titles is a different statement.
[Corey] Yeah, we won, as opposed to we're trying to win.
[Tom] It's Jimmy Uso who's now legal.
Oh! Right in the face of Shane.
[Corey] It's not a bad decision. We know what a hothead Shane can be.
[Tom] Oh!
[Corey] You can get Shane's emotions to get the better of him.
It could pay big dividends for the Usos.
Jimmy Uso with one of The Miz's own moves.
Oh!
[Tom] Maybe it's the Usos getting overconfident here late in this match.
[Corey] It's not something the Usos can afford to do.
[Tom] Jimmy Uso making this personal.
[Saxton] Oh!
[Tom] And Miz out of the corner.
[Saxton] Jimmy took too much time.
[Tom] Both Superstars down here in this SmackDown tag team title match
at Elimination Chamber.
[Corey] Could prove to be the moment of truth.
Who can make the tag first?
[Tom] Jimmy trying to make it to his corner.
Makes the tag to Jey. And in comes Shane McMahon.
And Shane all over the non-legal man in the corner.
[Saxton] Shane in the House of Fire.
My God!
[Tom] Big pump kick there by Shane all over the legal man now.
Shane is an X-Factor, you don't know what he's ever gonna bring.
[Corey] An homage to Sheamus.
[Tom] And Shane to the Royal Rumble event.
And now Shane O'Mac starting to feel it.
Oh!
Clubbing blow right to the face.
And now Shane twists around and hits the DDT.
And Shane-- Caught up by McMahon.
Now Shane into the cover to retain the titles, kick-out.
[Corey] Shane McMahon not wasting any time.
Very smart. Very wise.
[Corey] I would ask what Shane's got in mind,
but after all these years, you never know.
[Tom] It can be a little unpredictable, And now, it's Shane McMahon.
The Usos are set up in opposite corners.
Shane going to the top, Byron.
[Saxton] Oh, boy.
Shane heading coast to coast.
About to take off!
[Tom] Oh! Connects with the coast to coast.
[Corey] But at what cost to his own health?
To his own well-being?
[Tom] That's been the MO, Corey, of Shane McMahon.
He thinks about his health second. Attack first.
But that just obliterated Jimmy Uso. Jey is still on the other corner.
Can Shane connect with the second one?
[Corey] Does Shane have enough power left in his legs
to make that same flight again to the opposite side?
[Tom] Shane trying to will himself on.
Had a crazed look in his eyes.
Can Shane make it?
A two-for-one special.
Wobbling legs.
-[Corey] Oh! -[Tom] Super kick!
Super kick by Jey!
Popped out of the corner!
Going to the top! Splash!
[Corey] They got him! New champions!
[Tom] Cover! Broken up by Miz!
[Saxton] Just in time.
The Miz just saved the tag team titles for himself and Shane.
[Corey] Unbelievable.
Here's another look at the first coast-to-coast that Shane executed.
Twenty feet all the way across the ring.
Dropkick connects.
But this is where Shane got greedy, and it cost him.
[Tom] First, he took out the non-legal Uso.
Then he went after Jey, and he eats a super kick.
Jey was legal
and he nearly closed out the match right there.
[Corey] In the meantime, we've got a stalemate. Shane still tasting.
[Tom] But now, it's Miz who finds himself
as the relatively fresh competitor here in this match.
[Saxton] He's trying to will on Shane McMahon. Jey Uso.
[Tom] Know when to tag for the time being.
And Miz wants in on this matchup
fighting for his family here tonight in Houston.
Look at Jey trying to prevent Shane McMahon
from even reaching to the corner.
Shane trying to drag himself and makes the tag.
Miz is legal.
-Whoa! -From the top!
Not too often you see that from The Miz.
[Saxton] Not at all.
Miz, breaking out all the stops.
[Tom] And now it's Miz hoeing a boot right to the face of Jey.
-Ho-ho! -[Corey] Samoan drop!
[Saxton] Just like that, Jey Uso snuffs out the offense of The Miz.
[Corey] The Usos might be seconds away from snuffing out the title reign
of the best tag team in the world.
[Tom] Oh! Miz to the corner. Here comes Miz.
Takes out the knee.
DDT!
Spiked into the canvas! Cover!
Oh! And Miz nearly closing out right there.
[Saxton] They had the wherewithal to pop that right shoulder up.
[Tom] So close to retaining the titles, but the Usos are still alive.
-[Corey] Uh-oh. -[Tom] Look at Miz!
Miz through the ropes!
-[Corey] Right here in front of us. -[Tom] I know.
[Corey] I mean, it's early in the night. I need this in the workspace.
-Miz... -What are you thinking?
I don't think Miz cares what you're thinking, Corey.
Miz is tearing apart the announce desk.
Get out of dodge.
[Saxton] Miz trying to do whatever it takes to end this thing.
[Corey] Well, Flying Uso!
[Tom] And Jimmy accidentally took out Jey.
Miz with the kick!
[Saxton] A rare miscue by Jimmy and Jey.
[Tom] You're absolutely right, Byron. And now Miz and Shane
have a golden opportunity.
[Corey] Shane still hasn't recovered from the massive super kick
a few minutes ago.
All these heathens in Houston chanting for a table.
[Tom] Oh, wait a minute.
Shane and Miz trying to communicate here.
Miz trying to direct Shane McMahon, who's back in the ring.
And Miz just pummeling Jey Uso on our table.
[Corey] Shane. He's going up again.
[Tom] Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
Another high-risk attempt from Shane McMahon in this match.
[Corey] This is unnecessary.
[Tom] Shane McMahon trying to shake it off.
-Oh! -[Saxton] Leap of faith!
[Tom] My God!
My goodness!
[Corey] I honestly don't know who got the worst of that.
-Shane? -Shane, you okay?
You good?
[Tom] Shane McMahon absolutely annihilates Jey Uso.
And now it's Miz who tosses Jimmy back inside.
[Saxton] Sacrifice your body at all costs.
[Tom] Back inside the ring. Went for the super kick.
Now it's Jimmy trying to get a pinning situation.
Shoulders down and turned it around. And Miz trying to get it.
[Corey] Looking for the skull-crushing finale.
[Tom] Can he put this thing away? Jimmy Uso fends off Miz.
Super kick!
Down goes Miz.
[Saxton] This may be the prelude to the end, gentlemen.
[Tom] And Miz is in perfect position for Jimmy Uso.
Jimmy Uso going up to the top.
Splash! Oh, and Miz!
-[Corey] Knees up! -[Tom] Cover!
[Saxton] And a kick-out by Jimmy!
[Corey] Wow!
[Tom] Oh!
Skull-crushing finale!
[Saxton] Is that it?
[Tom] Can he do it for his team?
Miz! Into the cover!
One, two--
-[Saxton] Oh, and a kick-out! -[Tom] Wait a minute!
We got new champions!
[Rome] Here are your winners
and the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions!
The Usos!
[Tom] In the blink of an eye,
the best tag team in the world is now the Usos!
[Corey] So much for the dedication to his father,
to his wife, to his daughter, to his unborn child.
What a catastrophic night for The Miz,
but what a victory for The Usos!
[Saxton] There is no replacement for battle-hardened experience.
[Tom] Oh, Byron, battle-hardened?
Give the credit to the Usos, what they went through here tonight.
Shane put it all on the line for his friend, his partner, The Miz.
Took out Jey on our announce table. Watch this again.
This leap of faith elbow here from the top turnbuckle.
[Saxton] I'll never take anything away from Shane McMahon.
[Tom] Take nothing away from the effort.
[Corey] That's a 250-pound man flying through the air,
crashing through another human being.
I mean, it doesn't get much more risky than that.
But unfortunately for the team, it didn't pay off.
[Tom] Meanwhile, back inside the ring, it was Jimmy Uso and Miz who were legal.
A skull-crushing finale. But watch this.
It took a second here for Miz to try and roll Jimmy Uso over.
Watch Miz's face here as Jimmy Uso kicks out
and then turns it into a cover.
And The Usos win.
The stun, the shock, the heartbreak on the face of The Miz.
[Saxton] Obviously, an emotional night for The Miz,
as was Shane McMahon.
But the reality must now set in.
We have new tag team champions.
[Corey] Once again, the SmackDown tag team division is on lockdown.
[Tom] And you have to wonder,
where does this leave Shane McMahon and The Miz?
[Saxton] This is an incredible story. An unexpected story.
[Corey] You've got to give respect to the effort of both Shane and Miz.
Both men fought their hearts out. It didn't work out for them tonight.
Miz just mouths to Shane McMahon, "I'm sorry."
[audience cheering]
[Saxton] Understandably, Miz disappointed with himself.
When the chips are down, you learn who your true friends are.
♪ Blood, sweat, tears, pain Full throttle, high octane ♪
♪ Making moves, taking names Cruising down that fast lane ♪
♪ Fear-facing, dream-chasing Now or never, no dream-wasting ♪
♪ Fueled up and my heart's racing Time's up, no second-placing ♪
♪ It's WWE Fastlane, baby ♪
♪ The final stop On the Road to WrestleMania ♪
[narrator] WWE Fastlane Pay-Per-View.
Streaming live on WWE Network.
Sunday, March 10th, 7E/4P.
Easy money. Easy money.
Listen, two versus one.
He's done. He's done for.
-He doesn't stand a chance. -Excuse me, Bobby, Lio.
We've already seen two new champions crowned tonight.
Could we see a third?
I mean, Lio, are you the weak link in this team?
What are you trying to do? You trying to stir things up?
Meanwhile, on one hand, you two have the advantage
because you can work together tonight. You can wear down Finn Bálor.
But on the other hand, Bobby, if for some reason,
you were to be taken out of the picture, if you got hurt or distracted,
Finn could isolate Lio
and become the new Intercontinental Champion
without technically beating you.
Dasha, I realize that. I realize that.
But you don't actually think that Finn is gonna capitalize
on an opportunity and beat me tonight.
Do you? Listen.
We have the advantage.
Finn is stepping into the ring with the top of the food chain.
There is nobody that is stronger and more dominant
than Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush.
You're the steak and I'm the sizzle.
Right, big man? Right?
Finn doesn't stand a chance.
Finn can't win.
Tell him. Tell him, big man.
So, Lio, you're not at all worried even though Finn pinned you two weeks ago?
No. Not at all.
Listen, the interview is done.
[Corey] Imagine that. Dasha trying to stir things up.
[Cole] It was a great question, however,
because Finn did pin Lio Rush a couple of weeks ago.
[bell dings]
[Rome] The following is a one-on-two Handicap Match
for the Intercontinental Championship.
If Finn Bálor can pin or submit either Lio Rush or Bobby Lashley,
then he will become the new Intercontinental Champion.
Introducing first, from Washington, D.C.,
weighing in at 160 pounds, Lio Rush.
[Cole] Again, the Intercontinental Championship
from Monday Night RAW.
Monday Night RAW team back at ringside as we look at the disaster
that was the SmackDown LIVE Tag Team Championship match.
Tough run for Miz and Shane McMahon.
You can thank Shane carcass for this damage here from the top rope.
Well, let's talk about the damage perhaps that Lio Rush could cause
for Bobby Lashley tonight, Corey.
[Corey] Why are you such a pessimist, Cole?
This is an added advantage. A bonus.
[Bobby Lashley's theme song playing]
And his tag team partner from Denver, Colorado,
weighing 260 pounds.
The All Mighty Intercontinental Champion,
Bobby Lashley!
[Corey] You have to look at the circumstances.
Sure, Finn Bálor holds the victory over Lio Rush.
Bobby Lashley was the legal competitor in that match.
[Cole] Elimination Chamber, of course, streaming live tonight on the WWE Network
and being broadcast around the world in 25 different languages.
Including, as Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush get set for action,
Portuguese with Marco Alvaro and Roberto Figueroa.
[speaking in Portuguese]
[Cole] Our Russian team of Moti Margolin and Zhan Pomerantsev.
[speaking in Russian]
Our Japanese team of Shun Yamaguchi and Funaki.
[speaking in Japanese]
Our Hindi team of Obaid Kadwani and Akshay Kapoor.
[speaking in Hindi]
Our French team of Ray Rougeau and Jean Brassard.
[speaking in French]
And our Mandarin team of Meng Ai and Sean Deng.
[speaking in Mandarin]
[Corey] Last night, Meng Ai invited me to an adults-only rodeo.
I still wish I would've gone.
[Renee] That's why you're walking like that?
-[Corey] I didn't go, Renee. -[Renee] Oh.
[Finn Bálor's theme music playing]
[Cole] Bálor club!
[Rome] From Grey County, Wicklow, Ireland...
Finn Bálor!
[Cole] Again, ladies and gentlemen,
it is an Handicap Match tonight for Finn Bálor. It's two-on-one.
However, Bálor does not have to pin Bobby Lashley
to win the Intercontinental Championship.
If he can pin or tap Lio Rush, he'll win the title.
[Cole] It's going to be a lot easier said than done.
Lio Rush is an incredible competitor in his own right.
But you're talking about Lio Rush
and the All Mighty, the Intercontinental Champion.
Finn Bálor is gonna have to be a bit more than extraordinary tonight.
[Renee] I keep wearing these guys down.
We've got to take a look at Finn Bálor here.
We've seen him go through it.
This is a man that took Brock Lesnar to the distance
at the Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View. Look at what he could do tonight.
If he's able to separate Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush,
-this could be his night. -[Corey] That's gonna be the key.
Will Finn Bálor be able to separate and destroy?
I have all the faith in the world in what Finn Bálor is capable of.
Everything you just said is true. He is an unbelievable competitor.
But he's also a human being.
And there isn't a human being on Earth that stands a chance
against both The All Mighty and The Hype Man.
[Renee] But we can both agree that he's an extraordinary man
that can do extraordinary things, right?
[Cole] We're gonna find out how extraordinary Finn Bálor is tonight
for the Intercontinental Championship.
Remember, on Monday Night RAW this past week,
Finn Bálor pinned Bobby Lashley in a six-man tag team match.
He pinned Lio Rush a couple of weeks ago.
The momentum goes to Finn Bálor.
[Renee] Things are looking good for Finn Bálor right now.
I can see that fire in his eyes as we're on the Road to WrestleMania.
Every single victory, especially when you've got
championship gold on the line, matters immensely.
[Corey] It's a Handicap Match.
This in no way, shape or form, benefits Finn Bálor.
The odds were stacked against him already.
[Renee] I think there's a little magic in the air tonight.
[Cole] Perhaps there's a little concern with Bobby Lashley.
You saw the interview moments ago. Is Lio Rush the weak link for this team?
[Renee] Uh, yeah.
-[Cole] Thank you, Renee. -[Renee] Yep.
And here we go now.
Bálor and, uh, it'll be Bobby Lashley starting things off.
Lio Rush with the decoy here.
[Corey] Your earlier point, Renee, there is magic in the air.
Anything is possible.
You've got a brand new baby gonna join the world in the It family.
I've seen two sets of new tag team champions.
Stranger things have happened. We are on the Road to WrestleMania.
[Cole] 6'3", 273 pounds.
The All Mighty Bobby Lashley.
[Renee] You gotta look at the tape that was posted earlier Online
of Bobby Lashley, Finn Bálor, and Lio Rush.
I mean, you gotta look at how much the odds are stacked
against Finn Bálor here tonight.
Just when it comes down to size between himself and Lashley.
[Cole] You notice Lashley driving a knee to the midsection,
and now, stomping away at the ribs of Finn Bálor.
Corey, that has been a story all the way back at the Royal Rumble match
when Finn battled Brock Lesnar. The rib injury.
[Corey] That's a smart strategy by Bobby, targeting what Brock Lesnar began.
And Bobby Lashley's gone on the record as saying he can beat Brock Lesnar.
He can beat him in an octagon. He can beat him in MMA.
He can beat him in WWE.
Now is an opportunity for Bobby Lashley to step up his game.
[Cole] It'll get by Finn Bálor tonight.
And now Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush regrouping.
The Hype Man perhaps with some strategy for the Intercontinental Champion.
Lio Rush asked, "Why am I in this match?"
He said, "Because we make the rules."
[Renee] Do you think that Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush
are for sure on the same page here?
It seemed like Lio Rush might've been rubbing Bobby Lashley the wrong way.
[Corey] I think Lio put it very eloquently.
Bobby Lashley is the steak and Lio is the sizzle.
We're talking about a fillet mignon. A human fillet mignon.
Look at the physique of Bobby Lashley.
[Renee] Sounds like a catchphrase for TGI Fridays.
[Cole] And Lashley continues to pound away at Finn Bálor.
Again, Bálor has taken so much punishment over the past number of weeks.
Bobby Lashley continues that here tonight.
Say what you want about Bobby Lashley.
There's no doubt that he is a dominant Intercontinental Champion.
[Renee] They said it best themselves, Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush
said that he is a RAW champion that we can be proud of.
He's out here fighting every single night.
[Corey] I just can't disagree with that. It's a real statement.
Bobby Lashley absolutely is a worthy Intercontinental Champion.
Never afraid to defend his championship.
If you look at it from your perspective, even at a disadvantage.
[Cole] The speed and quickness of Finn Bálor.
[Renee] Gonna have a little repeat from Monday Night RAW.
He heads up to the top rope.
[Cole] He used the coup de grace to Renee's point this past Monday night.
Finn did knock off Bobby Lashley in the tag team match.
Sunset flip up over the top.
Lashley using his power to retain his balance
and deliver the stomp to Bálor.
[Renee] Smart move on Bobby Lashley's part to be the one starting off this match
here tonight, instead of Lio Rush.
[Corey] Bobby is not afraid to do the work, Renee.
[Renee] He might be afraid of what Finn Bálor would do to Lio Rush
and lose his Intercontinental Championship.
[Cole] And Lio Rush, thumbs up on the apron.
Uh-oh.
Lashley launched over the top rope and to the floor.
-Remember, Bálor needs to pin or submit. -[Renee] Oh, I think Finn's gonna fly.
Either Lashley or Rush tonight. Lio Rush gets involved.
[Corey] Talk about incredible closing speed.
Lio made his way around the ring in the blink of an eye.
[Cole] And The Hype Man then taunting and inciting Bálor,
which allows Lashley to intercept Finn Bálor
and drive him into the barricade.
[Renee] Game of cat and mouse out here.
[Corey] This is why it's an absolutely unwinnable situation for Finn Bálor.
The minute you focus,
the minute you have any success with one member of this duo,
the other one's right there to even the odds.
[Renee] Unless that success comes in the form of a tap out or submission.
He's in some trouble here tonight.
[Cole] Spine-first into the apron.
Lashley driving Bálor back into the ring.
Lashley and Bálor have had issues for months now here in WWE.
Elbow to the chest. Cover by the champion.
Is it enough here? Near-fall, as Bálor stays in it.
And now Lio Rush wants some. Tag made.
And here comes The Hype Man.
The big mouth. Lio Rush.
[Corey] The man of the hour, Michael Cole.
[Renee] This could be exactly where this matchup changes.
What do you got, huh?
[Corey] Why are you discounting Lio Rush, Renee?
[Renee] Right now, I shouldn't. Finn Bálor's down and out.
But if Finn's able to regain his composure.
[Cole] That's a big if at this juncture. Look at Lio Rush go.
And take nothing away from Lio Rush.
He is a tremendous competitor in his own right,
as we learned on 205 Live.
[Corey] I've been saying that all night. Everyone thinks he's the weak link.
He may not be the physical specimen that Bobby Lashley is,
but he's an incredibly talented-- -[Cole] Lashley!
Wiping out Bálor.
Not quite sure what the official was doing there.
But nonetheless, the tag was made. Cover by Lashley.
Hook to the leg. and a kick-out by Bálor at two.
Now, Bobby Lashley continues to punish Finn Bálor.
[Corey] Lashley can really take his time
and just inflict damage on Finn Bálor, wearing the Irishman down.
This is a great strategy.
Because Finn Bálor is at his most dangerous
when he can pick up the pace, when he can speed things up.
[Renee] Absolutely. Bobby must have that in mind as soon as he stepped in here.
If he can keep Finn grounded, that could lead to this victory for Bobby.
[Corey] The other side of the coin, if things do get picked up,
if the pace does quicken, you've got Lio Rush. You can tag in.
Face-first goes Bálor. Cover here by the champion.
[Cole] Oh! Did he have-- No. Two-count. Kick out by Bálor.
Bobby Lashley upset
with what I think he perceives as a slow count by the official.
Tag. Here comes Rush.
Do you think that Rush and Lashley
believe that Bálor would last this long in this match?
[Corey] I'm sure part of them takes a bit of an insult by this exact situation.
But great move. Once again, working on the ribs.
The abdomen of Finn Bálor.
[Renee] Right now is not a time to showboat for Lio Rush.
Stick to the task at hand.
[Corey] Why not? Lio Rush is in control. He's got Bobby Lashley.
[Cole] This is a great way for him.
The abdominal stretch on the injured midsection of Bálor.
[Corey] There actually is no better time to showboat than right now.
-[Renee] All right. -[Cole] Oh! And Rush.
[Renee] Suck on that.
[Cole] Sent into the corner by Bálor. But has the damage been done?
And can Lio Rush somehow make a tag to his partner,
the Intercontinental Champion, Lashley?
[Corey] And Finn Bálor has to concentrate on preventing Lio
-from making the tag right now. -[Cole] And Lio fighting back.
[Corey] Lio can tag in Bobby and change everything.
[Cole] Once again. Look at this. Roll-through tag.
Here comes the Intercontinental Champion, Bobby Lashley.
[Corey] Boom!
Lashley's gonna tear Bálor in half.
[Renee] I think he's having fun taking his time here with Finn Bálor.
[Cole] Lashley loves being Intercontinental Champion.
There is no doubt about that.
Boom! And again to the midsection.
Shoulder from Lashley to Bálor,
and Bálor sucking wind.
[Renee] When you think that this is the first time this man right here
has held a championship here in WWE in over ten years,
of course he's gonna be relishing this moment.
[Cole] And driving Bálor back into the corner.
Full head of speed for the 273-pounder
burying the shoulder and the ribs again of Finn Bálor.
And now, slamming Bálor, and Lashley dominating.
[Corey] Thanks for coming, Finn.
-Yep. -[Renee] Oh!
I got it. I'mma finish it for the three-count.
[Corey] Lashley was thinking about delivering a spear.
Certainly would've finished off Bálor.
[Cole] Nonetheless, Lio Rush to the top rope is now the legal man.
Rush off the tag. Looking for the splash.
Bálor rolls out of the way and Finn Bálor finds some life.
[Renee] Oh, Rush just ate the mat.
[Cole] And now, can Finn Bálor capitalize? That's the question.
How much does Bálor have left?
[Corey] Finn Bálor not only has to recover enough to get back into the fight,
he has to somehow neutralize Bobby Lashley.
[Renee] We got the Bálor Club coming to life here, boys.
[Corey] A slick punishment on Lio Rush.
In theory, great, but--
[Cole] What does Bálor do here? He's trying to corner Lio Rush.
He understands the quickness Rush has.
And he's caught Rush middle of the ring.
Lio trying to make it to Lashley.
Fingertips away!
Bálor with a right hand.
And now knocks Lashley off the apron.
Smart move by Bálor.
Stomp to Rush.
-[Corey] Here comes the champion. -[Cole] Lashley misses wildly.
Sling blade now by Bálor.
Bálor sends Lashley over the top rope.
Lio Rush sent through as well!
-[Corey] Uh-oh. -[Renee] Now we're talking.
[Cole] Bálor flies!
And he goes right up to Rush. Smart move by Finn.
Smart move by Bálor because he can pin Rush and win the title.
[Corey] Bálor dropkicks Rush almost through the turnbuckle.
Headed up top. Lio's in the drop zone.
[Cole] Coup de grace!
Here's the cover to win the Intercontinental Championship!
Finn Bálor!
[Rome] Here's your winner
and the new Intercontinental Champion,
Finn Bálor!
[Cole] For the first time in his career,
Finn Bálor wins the Intercontinental title!
[Renee] I told you guys, there is magic in the air here tonight in Houston.
Nobody deserves this more than Finn Bálor.
[Corey] Starting to feel like Disneyland around here.
What's not gonna happen tonight?
Congratulations to Finn Bálor overcoming the odds
and capturing the Intercontinental Championship.
[Cole] Bálor Club has the gold.
And this was so smart, Corey.
When he took out Lashley and Rush here, what did he do?
He went after Rush.
He put Rush, the more vulnerable man in the ring,
setting him up for the pinfall victory.
[Corey] It's obvious Finn had a game plan.
It took a while to implement, but once he did,
he did the exact thing you want to do when you're Finn Bálor.
Coup de grace.
New champion.
[Renee] That sizzle's been put out.
[Cole] And the Bálor Club celebrates here tonight in Houston, Texas.
Finn Bálor wins his first-ever Intercontinental Championship.
[Corey] Renee, 20 bucks says he doesn't wear the title around his waist
because he doesn't want to cover up those abs.
[Renee] I don't blame him. If you haven't eaten carbs for 20 years,
he can do whatever he wants.
[Cole] Bobby Lashley is not happy.
[Corey] Beside himself, with good reason. He just lost his most prized possession.
I mean, it could be considered something of a tainted victory.
-Finn Bálor didn't... -[Renee] Come on. Those are the rules.
Rules are rules.
Finn Bálor didn't beat the actual Intercontinental Champion.
He beat his hype man.
[Renee] He walked away here with the Intercontinental title, didn't he?
[Corey] Oh, no, no.
No, Bobby.
I said I'm sorry. I said I'm sorry.
[Cole] Cooler heads prevailing.
[Corey] Lio Rush has led Bobby Lashley to the promised land once.
There's no reason Lashley can't get it again.
[Cole] Well, it cost him the promised land tonight.
-[Corey] Oh! -[Cole] Oh, no!
So much for the hype.
[Corey] The sizzle's left laying like more of a sad whimper.
[Renee] It seems like time has run out here for the man of the hour.
[Cole] We talked earlier about how much the Intercontinental Championship
means to Bobby Lashley.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, we're in Houston tonight, and guess what?
The 2020 Royal Rumble event, in fact, the entire Royal Rumble weekend,
is coming right here to Houston, Texas, next January.
The news broken by the Houston Chronicle.
The Road to WrestleMania will begin at Minute Maid Park.
The home of Major League Baseball's Houston Astros.
For the first time since 1989,
there'll be a Royal Rumble in the Bayou City.
Kick off the Road to WrestleMania at Royal Rumble weekend
in Houston next January.
I've always been Mark Henry.
I was the strongest man in the world,
and I got to portray the strongest man in the world.
Ray wants to be entertaining character. It's fun to play.
But eventually, you want to be a Main Event guy.
Mark, all of a sudden, that light switch went on.
[Mark] I just feel under-appreciated.
And then, finally, I just snapped.
I think Mark, after he figured out just how tough and just how strong he was,
there was no stopping him.
It's a hard life, but it's worth it.
[Cole] The world's strongest man, Mark Henry.
[audience cheering]
[Cole] And here tonight in Houston, Texas, the Bayou City,
is the home to the 2019 Elimination Chamber.
And ladies and gentlemen,
as WWE continues to celebrate Black History Month,
we bring you a very special presentation, a great documentary tonight.
The World's Strongest Man: The Mark Henry Story,
only on the WWE Network,
immediately following the Elimination Chamber Pay-Per-View event.
Now, I had the opportunity to get a sneak peek at this,
and it is absolutely incredible.
There are some tremendous stories, never-before-seen footage.
There's a story of Mr. McMahon telling Mark Henry,
"Hey, if you want to compete in the World's Strongest Man tournament,
go do it, but you better win.
Because I can't take the second world's most strongest man here in WWE."
Sounds about right.
As much as we love Mark Henry inside the ring,
he's a better human being outside. I can't wait to check this out.
Immediately following the Elimination Chamber,
only on the WWE Network.
Coming up in moments, Ronda Rousey will defend her RAW Women's Championship
right here at Elimination Chamber against Ruby Riott.
But we want to take you back to Monday Night RAW last week
and show you what happened, how Mr. McMahon changed the complexion.
We thought it was gonna be Rousey and Becky Lynch
for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania
after Becky won the Royal Rumble match.
The chairman had other things in mind.
So, before you actually do something silly out there,
let me get this off my chest.
I think that Stephanie's right.
That could be one of the greatest Main Events of all time.
It could be.
But Becky, I think you think you're bigger than WWE.
You've got an attitude, you've got a bad attitude.
You're not The Man, I'm The Man.
Becky, you're suspended for 60 days.
Let's see, that suspension runs out, oh, five days after this WrestleMania.
We need someone to take your place, someone with charisma, someone with charm,
someone who knows their lane and they stay in it.
We need someone who's gonna take Ronda to the limit.
We need Charlotte Flair.
[Cole] Becky Lynch suspended and Becky was irate after the decision
made by Mr. McMahon.
Now, Becky's supposed to be suspended for 60 days,
but she's not taking that suspension to heart.
We want to take you to exclusive footage from last night
at a SmackDown LIVE event in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Charlotte Flair in a match against Asuka.
When Becky Lynch, in violation of her suspension,
rushed the ring.
[Corey] Becky Lynch making a beeline for The Queen.
The Man, once again, rears her head. I don't know what's wrong with Lynch.
She's already been suspended. She's gonna get herself fired.
[Cole] Let's not forget, Becky has a knee injury.
And right there, Charlotte Flair again
goes after the injured knee of Becky Lynch.
That was the knee in question that Becky had to go to medical personnel
to get cleared to even be a part of WrestleMania.
Charlotte Flair, what does she do? She attacks the already injured knee
of Becky Lynch.
If you're Becky and you're suspended, you should expect this.
[Renee] You look at that killer instinct of Charlotte Flair,
you know that she is out for blood right now.
She knows that she's got that moment set for her at WrestleMania.
[Cole] Rumor has it, as Charlotte continued the assault on Becky Lynch,
rumors have it now that Becky Lynch
actually left the building last night in Louisiana on crutches
after this assault by Charlotte Flair.
And here is the woman who will be going to WrestleMania,
to battle for the RAW Women's Championship.
[Charlotte Flair's theme music playing]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the challenger
for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania,
Charlotte Flair!
[Cole] Corey, remember,
Charlotte Flair said she was gonna watch this match from ringside tonight
between Ronda and Ruby.
[Corey] Charlotte Flair, we know her past with Ronda Rousey.
We know Charlotte Flair and Ronda have unsettled business.
Charlotte Flair has been very supportive of Ruby Riott's opportunity.
Let's make no mistake about it.
If you're Charlotte Flair, wouldn't you rather face Ruby Riott at WrestleMania?
[Renee] Of course she would. But Charlotte Flair has said Ruby Riott
is one of the most dangerous women back in that locker room.
So, I'm expecting a hell of a showing tonight from Ruby.
[Cole] Charly Caruso is in the ring with Charlotte Flair.
Charlotte, we all saw the footage.
It will be you going to WrestleMania because Becky Lynch is suspended.
Any context you can provide?
When did you find out about this?
Was it your idea? Was it Mr. McMahon's idea?
What can you tell us?
Charly, life is good when you're Charlotte Flair.
Whoo!
Because I'm going to WrestleMania.
And last night, I got to do what I love.
And that's humiliate and decimate
The Man.
You know, I'd really think that Becky Lynch would've learned by now
that Becky Lynch got herself suspended from the WWE.
I mean, she just can't let it go.
She just can't.
Because Becky panders for your attention.
She needs your attention.
She needs your cheers.
Becky Lynch needs your approval.
[audience booing]
No, no, no, no. You see, you listen right now.
When I look in the mirror,
my reflection gives me all the love and approval
that I need.
Because I know in my heart and my soul
that I am the very best on RAW,
on SmackDown, and in the WWE.
[audience] Becky! Becky! Becky!
Yep.
Because I'm gonna sit ringside tonight
and watch Ruby Riott vs. Rowdy Ronda Rousey.
To see who's going to Main Event WrestleMania
against The Queen.
Whoo!
[Cole] And I think to Charlotte's point, that's what tonight is about.
It's about Ronda and Ruby Riott. Becky Lynch is a non-factor.
She's been suspended.
So this is about who will Charlotte face at WrestleMania.
[Renee] This woman right here, Ruby Riott,
she could be a made woman after a good showing tonight.
[Cole] Tremendous opportunity for Ruby Riott.
And Corey, you and I and Renee talked about this last week.
This is a golden opportunity for Ruby
because Ronda seems to be looking past Ruby Riott
and toward WrestleMania.
And you call this almost like a trap game.
[Corey] A trap game is the analogy I use
because if Ronda is so focused on WrestleMania, and now Charlotte Flair.
Understandably, it's gonna be one of the biggest matches ever in WrestleMania.
If you don't keep your eyes open for Ruby Riott,
Ruby could end up headlining WrestleMania with The Queen.
[Renee] We know the change that The Riott Squad wants to inflict
on the women's division here in WWE.
So, Ruby Riott heading on to Main Event WrestleMania
would be unbelievable.
[Cole] She's got a chip on her shoulder. She said that she's underrated.
She's not even being thought about. She's being overlooked.
[Renee] The champion makes Riott wait.
I feel a little nervous energy building here in Houston.
[Ronda Rousey's theme music playing]
[Renee] Oh, looks like Sonya Blade is in the building!
Ronda Rousey paying homage to Sonya Blade as she does a voice for in MK11.
[Cole] Yeah, the video game,
as Ronda Rousey makes her way to the ring to take on Ruby Riott.
For Ronda tonight, it's all about how focused is she on Ruby Riott.
[Corey] I can assure you, if Ronda isn't laser-focused on Ruby,
this could be the last time we see
the Women's Championship in Ronda's hand.
That said, if Ronda is focused, it could be a long night for Ruby.
[Renee] Ronda is in fight mode.
[bell dings]
[Rome] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the RAW Women's Championship!
Introducing the challenger, representing The Riott Squad,
Ruby Riott!
And her opponent,
she is the RAW Women's Champion,
the baddest woman on the planet,
Rowdy Ronda Rousey!
[Cole] Rousey, Riott, for the RAW Women's Championship.
Charlotte Flair looks on.
Odds are, one of these two women,
she will face for the RAW Women's title at WrestleMania.
Let's not forget, Ronda and Charlotte, you guys mentioned before,
had some unfinished business with Charlotte Flair
after what happened back at Survivor Series.
Ronda would love to meet Charlotte one-on-one.
So here we go, match underway.
Rousey, Riott, what does Ruby have to do, Corey?
I guess this! Come out of the box quickly!
[Corey] Right out of the gate, catch Ronda off guard.
Stick and move.
You don't want to get in close quarters with Ronda Rousey,
because she can do this! Look at these!
[Renee] As soon as Ronda is able to grab an arm,
you're in some dangerous, treacherous territory.
[Corey] And at this point, since the bell has rang,
Ronda hasn't so much as looked at Charlotte Flair,
which is wise, because Ronda cannot acknowledge
that The Queen is sitting ringside, because Ruby will capitalize.
[Renee] While everyone's worrying about the focus of Ronda Rousey,
yeah, she's got her sights set on Ruby Riott here tonight.
[Cole] Charlotte Flair looks on.
Ronda Rousey, as you guys mentioned, in fight mode,
and Ruby Riott gonna take a breather.
[Renee] This is almost reminiscent of what we saw Ronda Rousey do
to the members of The Riott Squad on Monday Night RAW,
taking out Liv Morgan, taking out Sarah Logan.
One by one, picking them off.
[Corey] Ruby Riott's obviously trying to frustrate Rousey.
Frustrate Ronda into making a mistake.
Ruby has been around the world as a competitor.
She's got a few tricks up her sleeve. She's very, very capable.
The slightest opening will be capitalized on.
[Renee] It seems like she might have had to rework her game plan here.
-She came out the gates hot. -[Corey] Ooh, what a right hand.
Ruby now bringing the fight to the champion.
[Cole] Oh! And look at Ronda.
Ronda Rousey, the RAW Women's Champion.
Looking to put her away with Piper's Pit!
[Corey] Uh-oh, uh-oh.
And Ronda pointing to WrestleMania. She says, "That's where she's going!"
[Cole] R-Bar locked in. Riott taps out.
[Rome] Here's your winner by submission, and still the RAW Women's Champion,
Rowdy Ronda Rousey!
[Cole] Ronda Rousey looks down at Charlotte Flair,
the woman she will defend that title against at WrestleMania.
[Corey] The grandest stage of them all.
The Main Event at WrestleMania.
Two capable warriors.
It's about box office.
A match that will be remembered for generations.
[Renee] Charlotte Flair calls herself the backbone of the division.
She's gonna have to take on the rowdiest woman here in WWE
at the Main Event of WrestleMania.
[Cole] Remember what happened between these two Superstars in Survivor Series.
The all-out brutal assault with a kendo stick from Charlotte to Ronda.
[Corey] Charlotte welcomes the challenge.
[Cole] Charlotte mouthed the words, "It's mine."
Talking about the championship that is held by Ronda Rousey.
This is what Charlotte Flair lives for, the spotlight.
[Corey] Wait a minute, wait a minute!
[Cole] Becky Lynch, The Man on crutches,
driving her way into the Toyota Center here in Houston.
She's supposed to be suspended.
[Corey] She is suspended. Did she buy a ticket?
[Renee] No matter what you do, The Man's coming around.
You can't stop her.
[Cole] She bought a ticket. You gotta stop her from coming in here.
[Corey] You can't come through here.
[Renee] Security's not getting in her way. This is her moment.
Nobody's gonna step to The Man right now.
[Corey] This is egregious. Somebody, stop her.
She has no business here.
[Cole] Becky marched into the arena and is now trying to get on the ring.
She can barely stand.
She's not supposed to be here. She was suspended for 60 days.
[Renee] This is sad to watch. Becky Lynch is hobbling her way around the ring.
[audience chanting] Becky, Becky! Becky!
[Cole] Now Charlotte's face says it all. Almost pathetic.
This is hard to watch.
[audience chanting] She's okay! She's okay!
You're obviously a glutton for punishment. This has gotta be eating her up inside.
To feel the cheers, to hear the noise from the WWE Universe
-and not be able to do anything! -[Renee] Whoa! Yeah!
[Cole] Becky attacking Charlotte with a crutch!
-Becky going right after Charlotte! -[Corey] Get security out here!
[Renee] Becky Lynch is taking back what's hers!
She was ripped from her WrestleMania moment!
But Charlotte didn't take it away, Mr. McMahon did!
[Cole] Becky going after Charlotte after the assault by Charlotte last night
at that live event in Louisiana.
And Becky continues to take out all her frustration!
[Renee] And Ronda Rousey-- Ronda Rousey's just soaking it all in,
watching her future opponent be tenderized.
[Corey] Somebody get Houston PD out here! This is out of hand!
[Cole] You're exactly right.
Somebody needs to come down here and drag Becky Lynch out of here.
She's not supposed to be here.
And whether the WWE fans want her here or not, she's suspended.
Bottom line, and she continues to assault Charlotte!
[indistinct conversation]
Well, Becky now offering Charlotte up to Ronda Rousey.
We talked earlier about the payback Ronda has on her mind
for what Charlotte did to her a number of months ago.
[Cole] Becky from behind!
And now, Becky assaulting Rousey with a crunch!
Somebody get some security out here!
[Corey] For God's sake, this is outrageous!
The freakin' Main Event at WrestleMania is being compromised
because of Becky Lynch!
[Cole] Because Becky's bitter, upset, and she's jealous and she's frustrated!
[Renee] As she should be! These are all warranted emotions!
But it doesn't matter! She's suspended! She's not supposed to be here!
[Corey] Send a freakin' mean tweet or something!
This is not how you deal with things!
[Cole] Charlotte and Rousey have been decimated!
[Corey] Where'd they dig these guys up from?
I'm sure they're gonna stop things!
[Cole] And now with Becky with a crutch and she continues to assault the champion!
[audience cheering]
I mean, whether you love Becky or you don't,
whether you agree-- You know, the bottom line is, she's suspended.
She's not supposed to be here. The woman can barely stand.
She limped into the ring on crutches, then assaulted the RAW Women's Champion
and the challenger for the title at WrestleMania.
[Corey] She jeopardized the Main Event at WrestleMania.
Do you realize what that means? The magnitude of that situation?
What gall does Becky Lynch have?
That was classless. That was jealousy.
That is wrong on so many levels.
-[Cole] Well, she should be arrested. -[Corey] I completely agree.
[Cole] I mean, listen, I understand what Becky's going through
and she's standing up for herself, and I get that.
But there's other ways to handle the situation. Not like this.
[Corey] Rousey's gonna need some stitches thanks to The Man and her crutch attack.
Becky Lynch has a look on her face
like she's quite pleased with the work she just put in.
[Corey] Why, because she's not gonna have to answer for it.
She's not gonna have to face the consequences.
Ronda Rousey is gonna battle Charlotte at WrestleMania.
And what? Becky Lynch is gonna sit back and smile.
[Cole] The point is, guys, whether it's fair or it's not, it doesn't matter.
The owner of the company, the chairman of the company,
made the decision to suspend Becky Lynch.
Bottom line,
it doesn't matter if Becky wants to complain or not.
[Baron Corbin's theme music playing]
[Cole] Meanwhile, as Ronda and Charlotte try to regroup,
Becky Lynch led out of the arena.
Again, stay tuned to social media, digital platforms for WWE
for an update on what's gonna happen to The Man, Becky Lynch
as Baron Corbin comes into the arena
as the Elimination Chamber Pay-Per-View rolls on.
[Corey] I can't say when this man was running Monday Night RAW,
we never would've had disastrous results like we just did.
-[Renee] Oh, get real. -[bell dings]
[Rome] The following contest is a no-disqualification match
where anything goes.
Introducing first, from Kansas City,
weighing in at 285 pounds, Baron Corbin.
[Cole] So, everything you just saw happen
could conceivably happen legally in this match
because it's no-disqualification between Corbin and Strowman.
But nonetheless, as we try to regroup and focus
on this match tonight, you gotta wonder, guys,
what is going to happen to Becky Lynch?
[Renee] There's just so much up in the air right now.
I mean, what's Mr. McMahon gonna say about this?
[Corey] If Becky Lynch isn't in handcuffs, that's already a miscarriage of justice.
[audience booing]
[Braun Strowman's theme music playing]
[Rome] And his opponent, weighing in at 385 pounds,
Braun Strowman!
[Cole] Guys, remember, this goes all the way back to WWE Crown Jewel.
The night that Baron Corbin cost Braun Strowman
the Universal Championship.
[Renee] I feel like Baron Corbin
has absolutely ruined Braun Strowman's entire year.
From having a heavy hand in shattering the elbow of Braun Strowman
with Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre,
to taking away Braun Strowman's Universal Championship match
against Brock Lesnar at Royal Rumble.
[Corey] Listen, Braun has the opportunity to make everything right in his own mind.
If he feels that Corbin has wronged him,
now's the time to do something about it.
That said, Corbin is not gonna go down without a big-time fight.
[Cole] Can you imagine what Strowman's gonna be capable of in this match?
No disqualification?
[Renee] Yeah, you're talking no-disqualification match.
Graves, you might as well Amazon Prime your boy Corbin a tombstone right now.
[Corey] Do they sell those on Amazon Prime?
I mean, they sell everything else.
[Renee] Yeah, you can put on an "I Ruined RAW."
[Cole] Renee, of course, referring to Corbin's time
as the acting RAW General Manager.
-General Manager-elect. -[indistinct conversation]
He lost at the TLC match.
[Corey] I still like to think of it that way.
You know how you find a happy time in your life
and you go back there when times aren't great?
And the "Get these hands" chants ring out from the WWE fans
here tonight at the Toyota Center in Houston.
[Cole] Look at Baron Corbin.
-[Renee] He threw a vest? -A little distraction.
It worked for a moment as Strowman follows up with a right hand.
[Renee] I hope he's got more in his back pocket than that.
[Cole] It has been such an intense night here in Houston.
We're on the Road to WrestleMania. Pressure's building.
And now, Corbin, completely legal kendo stick.
[Renee] Right out the gate. Getting to it.
[Cole] Right to the nose of Braun Strowman.
And now, Corbin with the equalizer, so to speak.
Working on the legs of Braun. Trying to bring The Monster off his feet.
[Corey] All perfectly legal.
[Cole] Baron Corbin has to enjoy this. He loved--
He loved being in charge of Monday Night RAW.
-He lived for that. -[Corey] Of course he did.
Seeing that sort of joy on a man's face because he loves his job that much.
If that doesn't lift your spirits, I don't know what will.
[Cole] And Corbin again!
Royal Rumble, of course, next year, we mention in Houston.
Home of the Houston Astros. Minute Maid Park down the street.
Corbin looking like he's trying out for the team.
-A little home run derby. -[Renee] Good. Go play there.
[Cole] And Braun Strowman favoring his leg.
-Reversal. Corbin! -[Corey] Oh!
-Just underneath the kendo stick. -[Corey] Calm down, guys.
[Cole] Misses wildly. Braun follows it up with the right hand.
And Strowman taking out Corbin in the corner.
Braun teasing Corbin,
allowing him to grab the kendo stick momentarily.
[grunts]
I don't need a kendo stick to whip your ass!
[Renee] Hell, yeah!
-[Corey] Strowman going all Bo Jackson. -[Cole] Oh!
[Corey] That primal concrete sledge to the heart of Corbin.
[Cole] And now Corbin trying to regroup outside the ring.
Not quite sure that's where he wants to be.
[Corey] Uh-oh. It's like a runaway locomotive.
[Cole] A lot of crashes in the Daytona 500 earlier today,
and Braun Strowman brings one to Elimination Chamber.
Yeah, this is my favorite part of WWE! Go for it!
[Cole] Strowman again, this time, going to get a full head of speed.
About to make a complete circle around the ring.
With Corbin in his sights.
And Corbin launches a chair at Strowman, who basically walks right through it.
[Renee] Good hand-eye coordination on Braun Strowman.
[Cole] And Corbin sidestepping and driving Strowman into the steel steps.
And now, Baron has created an opening.
[man] What's up, Corbin?
[Corey] No disqualifications, no count-outs, anything, it goes.
Including the stairs that Corbin is about to imprint on Braun Strowman.
[Cole] Oh, the stairs driving Strowman.
Right off the Spanish announce table,
and Strowman is stunned by Corbin.
Again, Baron to the shoulder of Braun Strowman.
[Corey] Oh, look at this. Baron Corbin now mocking Braun Strowman.
Turnabout's fair play.
[Cole] Oh, off the face!
[roars]
And now, Corbin mocking The Monster Among Men.
Now, Corbin has got to be enjoying this.
[Renee] I would love to talk trash about how he had to use the stairs
to take down Strowman,
but everything's legal here tonight in this no-disqualification match.
[Cole] Strowman, I'm not quite sure he knows where he is, Corey.
He knows he got hit with something heavy multiple times.
Oh, what a right hand!
[Corey] If anyone's gonna get these hands,
it looks like it's gonna be Braun Strowman tonight.
Huh? You want another one? Come on.
[Cole] The former Golden Gloves boxer, heavy-handed as the day is long.
Ask Braun Strowman.
[Corey] Oh, man! That's how you turn a monster's lights out.
[Cole] And again, this is amazing.
Corbin is dominating this no-disqualification match
against Braun Strowman.
[Renee] I did not see this going down this way.
I figured Braun Strowman would just let loose on Corbin.
This would be done real quick.
[Corey] Look at everything Corbin's used to get to this point.
His vest, the office chair, the steel stairs, and now his hands.
Hey, it threw The Monster off a little bit.
[Renee] Gonna throw a pen at him next.
[Cole] Oh, it's Strowman! Oh!
Just swatting Corbin away.
And now Strowman's starting to build some momentum.
Splash in the corner. Big blow right to the face!
Renee, you're supposed to be impartial.
[Renee] I know, I'm sorry. I felt that. That was wrong. My bad.
I am rooting for Braun Strowman, however.
I want him start using this no-disqualification match advantage.
Let's go. Let's get dirty.
[Cole] Okay. You asked for it.
-[Renee] Good! -You asked for it, Renee.
[Renee] Tick-tock. Let's go.
[Corey] Oh, no.
[Renee] Yes!
[Corey] Baron, if you can hear me, run.
[Cole] I don't think he can hear you, Corey.
Strowman with a table.
Completely legal. No disqualification.
[Corey] Strowman's taking his good old time setting up this table.
Baron's had an ample amount of time to at least get his wits back about him.
[Renee] I don't think Baron knows where he is right now.
I know where he's going.
[Cole] Look at the pay window.
Uh-oh. With Corbin. Looking to launch him through the table.
[Corey] Corbin went to the eyes.
[Cole] I believe a thumb to the eye-- It allows Corbin to take over.
[Corey] Totally legal tonight.
[Cole] Baron Corbin caught by Strowman.
-[Corey] Uh-oh. -[Cole] Corbin driven through that table.
[Drew McIntyre's theme music playing]
[Corey chuckles]
[Renee] Come on!
[Corey] No disqualification. I cannot say I'm surprised.
Anything goes, including a Scottish Psychopath.
[Renee] A Scottish Psychopath with a steel chair in his hand.
[Cole] Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin have forged this alliance.
McIntyre and Strowman, of course,
once had an alliance that completely fell apart.
And McIntyre with a steel chair in hand.
-Meanwhile-- -[Renee] Hey!
[Cole] From behind, Bobby Lashley!
And the trio is together again.
McIntyre, Lashley, Corbin.
[Corey] The same trio that shattered the elbow of Strowman
is back to finish the job.
[Cole] And Lashley, of course, earlier tonight,
losing his Intercontinental title to Finn Bálor.
[Renee] Taking out his frustrations on Braun Strowman.
[Cole] And McIntyre as well.
Strowman is left in a heap in the middle of the ring
as the assault continues.
[Corey] Lashley has gotta be in a rotten mood after Lio Rush
lost his Intercontinental Championship earlier tonight.
It's just nice to see loyalty though.
[Renee] Yeah, what a beautiful-- Oh!
[Cole] And Braun Strowman back to his feet.
How is Strowman standing-- A spear by Lashley!
[Corbin] Hey, hey.
Get the base. Get the bottom of the steps.
[Cole] Corbin, we've seen this in the past.
[Renee] Corbin's orchestrating something right now.
[Corey] This is going to be bad night for Braun Strowman.
[Renee] These three men are sadistic when they're together.
[Cole] And McIntyre and Lashley with steel steps in hand.
You can only imagine what they have planned
for The Monster Among Men who is now motionless in the ring.
[Corey] They're sadistic when they're individual, Renee.
When the trio gets together, they change the world.
[Cole] This whole night has been incredible
and things are about to get terribly worse here for Braun Strowman.
[Renee] Can't blame these men. I mean, it's WrestleMania season.
Everybody wants their shot.
[Cole] You can't use that excuse, Renee. Not for this.
Not for the three-on-one assault they're about to put on Strowman.
[Corey] It's not their fault Braun doesn't have friends.
[Cole] I get it's no disqualification, but this is absolutely ridiculous.
You have to believe Corbin had this planned, right?
[Renee] Of course he did. This guy tries to orchestrate.
He tries to make friends with whoever he can.
[Corey] Corbin didn't make this match.
[Cole] Uh-oh, McIntyre trash-talking.
Strowman trying to make him pay.
Lashley caught as well.
Corbin with a chair!
[Renee] Corbin as the ringleader here
getting all the glory on top of Braun Strowman.
[Cole] Squashing the final rally, perhaps, of Braun Strowman.
[Corey] Everything's bigger in Texas, including the beat-downs tonight.
-Another table. -[Renee] Two.
[Corey] There's no shortage of tables under the ring
for nefarious usage.
[Cole] Braun Strowman just, again, at--
-[Renee] At the mercy. -[Cole] And defenseless.
Trying to get back up as you see Corbin and Lashley setting up a table.
McIntyre. McIntyre measuring a Claymore Kick!
[Corey] The Monster has been hunted and put down
by the Scottish Psychopath, Bobby Lashley, and Baron Corbin.
[Cole] And I don't believe the damage is done.
[Corey] What on earth are they gonna do now?
[Cole] And Strowman, he's defenseless. He's helpless.
Yes!
[Cole] God, what on earth? What-- How--
They're not thinking--
[Renee] Do you think they meticulously--
[Cole] Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
-[Corey] McIntyre and Corbin-- -[Cole] Oh, my God.
And Lashley as well.
No way. You gotta be kidding me.
-[Renee] Come on. -[Cole] No way.
[Corey] Look at the power.
[Cole] Another trio did this,
but not the trio of Corbin, McIntyre, and Lashley.
[Corey] Through two tables.
One, two, three!
[Cole] And Baron Corbin wins.
I think we all got caught up in the destruction.
We forgot this no-disqualification match...
[Rome] Here's you winner, Baron Corbin.
...was continuing.
And Baron Corbin gets what he wanted.
Sweet, sweet revenge
over The Monster Among Men, thanks to his buddies,
McIntyre and Lashley.
[Renee] Three men just standing over the carcass of The Monster.
What a scene.
[Cole] The Monster has been decimated.
[Corey] Boom! A wicked chair shot from Corbin.
A Claymore would follow,
and they were just getting started.
But this was the exclamation point.
A triple powerbomb through two stacked tables,
allowing Baron Corbin to pick up a victory over The Monster.
One more look at that colossal powerbomb
that would finally keep Strowman down for three.
To the victor go the spoils.
[Cole] And then the shots taken at the former Shield.
Smile on Baron Corbin's face right now says it all.
One of the things we've been talking about all night long
is WrestleMania.
All these emotions boiling over because of what comes in seven weeks
at MetLife Stadium in New York City.
At the same time the WWE Superstars are getting ready for WrestleMania,
more than 7,000 Special Olympic athletes
are getting ready for a month of their own.
It takes place in Abu Dhabi next month.
It is the Special Olympic World Games.
These games will be the largest humanitarian event
ever held in the Middle East.
It will showcase the incredible abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
Absolute incredible athletes who will take place
in the Special Olympic World Games next month in Abu Dhabi.
And some of those athletes from the state of Texas
are joining us here tonight at the Toyota Center in Houston
as we prepare for the Special Olympics World Games 2019.
Good luck to all the athletes who will compete in Abu Dhabi.
Well, it's been quite the night here tonight at Elimination Chamber.
Earlier tonight, The Miz and Shane McMahon
defending the Tag Team titles against The Usos.
Of course, from SmackDown LIVE.
[Corey] Shane McMahon knew it was gonna take some high risks
to topple the then five-time champions, Usos,
including diving all the way from the top rope,
plummeting through our announce table.
But at what cost?
The cost of the Tag Team titles.
The Miz fought valiantly trying to secure the win
and retain the championships for his team.
But a momentary lapse in reason would cost the A-lister and Shane McMahon.
The Usos are your brand-new SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
And the look on the Miz's face said it all.
[Cole] Complete loss, frustration, disbelief,
as The Usos win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.
And then this show of camaraderie and teamwork
after the match.
[Corey] A disheartening night for Shane and Miz
who have worked very hard to become a tag team.
Tonight just wasn't their night.
Ah, that's good.
That's-- That's shooting up.
Shane...
-I am so sorry. -Relax.
No, it's not about rel-- It's...
-He just-- I just-- -Just chill.
You know, it's really hard to just chill right now.
No, it's not okay! It's not okay, Shane!
I'm better than that! I made you a promise!
My dad a promise! My wife! My daughter!
-My... -Hey!
Hey!
Calm down!
Calm down! Mike!
Go home.
Seriously. Chill out.
I'll see you Tuesday. Go home, man.
Go home.
[Lacey Evans' theme song playing]
[Corey] Miz's understandably upset.
What is this about?
Lacey Evans?
[Tom] Lacey was meant to arrive recently on RAW SmackDown LIVE.
[Corey] What's she doing here? We know who she is,
but she's not scheduled to be out here right now.
I'm glad she is, she's classing up the joint, to be honest, but...
♪ Yeah, nah ♪
♪ Yeah, I got the power ♪
♪ I know the powers that be Yeah ♪
♪ For these unbelievable dreams Had to do more than it seems ♪
♪ I speak of these things Now I got trophies and rings ♪
♪ This is the victory theme I got this ♪
♪ I'm ready for the bright lights Yeah ♪
♪ I'm ready for the highlights Come on ♪
♪ I'm ready when the date is ♪
♪ Ready for the nay-sayers Ready, baby, this is my life ♪
♪ Whatchu know about that work? ♪
♪ Hey, you want this? ♪
♪ Whatchu know about that work? ♪
♪ Hey, you want this? ♪
♪ Whatchu know about that work? ♪
♪ I know you do, I got this... ♪
Less than two months remain on the Road to WrestleMania.
Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Corey Graves
representing SmackDown LIVE back out here at ringside.
So much has already happened here tonight at the Elimination Chamber event,
but we do know two matches that are certain
on the Road to WrestleMania.
Of course, for Monday Night RAW, the Universal Championship
will be defended as "The Beast" Brock Lesnar
battles "The Architect" Seth Rollins.
Can Rollins burn it down at WrestleMania? We'll find out.
And after defeating Ruby Riott earlier on tonight, guys, it is official.
Rowdy Ronda Rousey will defend the RAW Women's Championship
against Charlotte Flair.
That all happens in 49 days at WrestleMania at MetLife Stadium.
♪ Blood, sweat, tears, pain Full throttle, high octane ♪
♪ Making moves, taking names Cruising down that fast lane ♪
♪ Fear-facing, dream-chasing Now or never, no dream-wasting ♪
♪ Fueled up and my heart's racing Time's up, no second-placing ♪
♪ It's WWE Fastlane, baby ♪
♪ The final stop On the Road to WrestleMania ♪
[narrator] WWE Fastlane Pay-Per-View.
Streaming live on WWE Network.
Sunday, March 10th, 7E/4P.
It happens three weeks from tonight at The Q in Cleveland, Ohio.
Our final Pay-Per-View on the Road to WrestleMania.
WWE Fastlane,
streaming live right here on the WWE Network.
[bell dings]
[Rome] The following is the Elimination Chamber Match,
and it is for the WWE Championship!
The match begins with two Superstars in the ring
and four other competitors enclosed in their respective pods.
After regularly scheduled intervals, a pod door will open,
allowing another competitor to join the match.
This process will continue until all pods are empty.
If at any time a Superstar is pinned or submits,
he is eliminated and must exit the Chamber.
The last Superstar remaining will be the WWE Champion!
[audience cheering]
Oh, Houston!
Don't you dare be sour,
clap for your world-famous five-time champs,
and feel the power!
It's a new day, yes, it is!
[Saxton] Guys, I'm gonna tell you what,
I am so excited about the opportunity at hand.
[Rome] Introducing first, accompanied by The New Day,
Kofi Kingston!
[Tom] To your point, Byron, there's no doubt
who the sentimental favorite is of the WWE Universe tonight,
Kofi Kingston!
What a performance he put on this past Tuesday night on SmackDown LIVE!
[Corey] Not often I like to admit fault, but when it comes to Kofi Kingston,
he's my pick to win this thing tonight, and I'll tell you why.
After all these years, we somehow have forgotten...
[audience] Kofi! Kofi!
[Corey] I'd rather listen to that.
We've somehow almost forgotten who Kofi Kingston is!
How good he is, because we get lost in booty-os and pancakes.
[Tom] Well, we got a great reminder this past Tuesday night.
It was a gauntlet match
to determine who would enter this Elimination Chamber Match last
in competition for the WWE title.
And Byron, the first two Superstars were Kofi Kingston
and the WWE Champion, Daniel Bryan,
but Rowan was at play at ringside.
An uphill battle for Kofi Kingston, but the official making a great decision,
having Rowan removed from the ringside area.
And that opened up a tremendous opportunity for Kofi right here.
[Tom] How about a way to kick off the gauntlet match?
The very first pinfall, Kofi Kingston pinned the reigning champion.
[Corey] You talk about momentum heading into a big match,
into a major event like the Elimination Chamber.
Kofi Kingston, undeniably, has the most momentum
of anybody in this match,
based off that incredible one-night performance.
[Jeff Hardy's theme music playing]
[Rome] From Cameron, North Carolina,
weighing in at 225 pounds,
Jeff Hardy!
[Tom] There's a man who knows what it means
to change his entire life in one night. We talked about it this past week.
Armageddon 2008, he won his lone WWE Championship.
He's fighting for the legacy of that title here tonight.
But Byron, it was all six of the Elimination Chamber Match competitors
who were involved in the gauntlet match this past Tuesday.
Daniel Bryan went down first, then it was Hardy and Kingston.
[Saxton] Jeff Hardy thought this was his prime opportunity against Kofi.
but I'll tell you what, just an incredible--
You can't say it enough,
how incredible this performance was from Kofi,
who would defeat Jeff Hardy and continue an incredible MVP-like run
in that gauntlet match.
[Tom] And now, it is Jeff Hardy, The Charismatic Enigma,
who steps inside a pod here tonight in Houston.
The deep breath before the plunge.
[Randy Orton's theme music playing]
[Rome] From St. Louis, Missouri,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
he is The Apex Predator.
Randy Orton!
[Corey] We spent a great deal of time talking about Kofi Kingston's
incredible performance last week on SmackDown LIVE.
But it's almost lost in the shuffle that this was the last man standing,
The Viper.
Randy Orton was the winner of the gauntlet match
and comes into this match with a massive advantage
being the last pod opened for battle.
[Tom] You can see the trepidation even on the face of Randy Orton.
This is a man who competed in the second-ever Elimination Chamber Match.
He enters his seventh Chamber matchup here tonight.
We want to take you back again to the gauntlet match
this past Tuesday night.
It came down to AJ Styles, the second-to-last entry,
and Kofi Kingston.
[Corey] AJ did not want to compete.
[Saxton] Did not want to compete against Kofi,
but, listen, you're talking about a WWE title opportunity.
AJ would take advantage, and Kofi Kingston,
despite the incredible performance in this gauntlet match,
would have no choice but to tap out.
[Tom] A one-hour performance in the gauntlet match.
[Rome] Kofi Kingston has been eliminated.
[Tom] Again, all credit went to Kingston.
But it came down to AJ Styles and Randy Orton,
who were the last two opponents in this gauntlet match.
[Corey] And a RKO out of nowhere.
The three most destructive letters in sports entertainment
would lead Randy Orton to victory
and a massive opportunity with a big advantage tonight.
[Tom] And history is on the side of Orton.
It was in 2014, he entered in the final spot
in the Elimination Chamber Match as WWE World Heavyweight Champion
and walked out with his title in hand.
But tonight, it's about capturing his 14th WWE title.
[AJ Styles' theme music playing]
[Rome] From Gainesville, Georgia,
weighing in at 218 pounds,
The Phenomenal AJ Styles.
[Tom] It's been a little over three months since AJ Styles lost the WWE Championship
to the new Daniel Bryan.
And the opportunity that slipped through his fingers on Tuesday
thanks to Randy Orton. Byron, you spoke to AJ Styles yesterday.
You know how much it's stinging AJ.
[Saxton] AJ Styles is a very proud man. A proud Superstar. We know that.
But AJ Styles surprisingly had a more business-like approach to this match.
He said, "Look, I've got to bide my time. I've got to pick my spot."
But there was no lack of confidence.
AJ Styles truly believes he is going to leave the Elimination Chamber
as the new WWE Champion.
[Corey] There you see AJ Styles certainly hasn't forgotten
what Randy Orton did to him last week.
Styles, the unwilling victim of an RKO from out of nowhere.
You have to imagine AJ's anxious to get his hands on Randy Orton.
Here we go!
[Tom] Styles enters his second Elimination Chamber matchup here tonight.
That means we're about to find out
the two men that will start this matchup here tonight.
[Samoa Joe's theme music playing]
[Rome] From Huntington Beach, California,
weighing at 282 pounds.
Samoa Joe!
[Tom] I'll say it right now.
I don't think there's a Superstar who is more tailor-made
for an Elimination Chamber Match than Samoa Joe.
[Corey] I could not agree with you anymore, Phillips.
Samoa Joe has been anxious for tonight. He's excited.
He is downright giddy for the opportunity at hand
and to have five other bodies to torture inside the Chamber.
[Saxton] Yeah, but keep in mind, this is the first time Samoa Joe
has been inside the Chamber.
I don't care how tough you are.
This Chamber has a way of shocking the most legendary,
the most dominant Superstars we've seen.
[Corey] Joe letting Kofi know that he's going to put him to sleep.
The Coquina Clutch.
[Tom] Just like he did Tuesday night
after Kofi's incredible matchup with him in the gauntlet.
[Daniel Bryan's theme music playing]
[Rome] And accompanied by Rowan, from Aberdeen, Washington,
weighing in at 210 pounds.
he is the WWE Champion,
the new Daniel Bryan!
[Corey] The Planet's Champion has arrived.
Cut the music!
[audience booing]
Do you know what happens when a genius like myself, like Rowan,
tries to enlighten the masses?
Do you know what happens?
We get punished.
You see, the WWE management has given you the WWE Universe.
They've made you the authority.
And what happens now?
I come out and I'm first in the Elimination Chamber.
Fickle!
First in the gauntlet.
Fickle!
What are you doing? What are you doing?
[referee] You've gotta go.
-No, no, no! -He's gotta go.
No!
I don't want you people to call me a martyr,
but I am suffering for the greater good.
While all of the small-minded people
just repeat one stupid phrase over and over again.
It reminds me that there is still hope.
Because you people need me.
And the planet needs me.
And there is still hope that the new Daniel Bryan
will raise this beautiful championship
and still be the WWE Champion!
[Corey] There is hope. But mathematically speaking, not much.
I appreciate the self-talk,
but the hourglass is starting to drain on the title reign of Daniel Bryan.
Still question the reasoning behind the referees
removing Rowan from ringside.
-[Tom] It's a preemptive decision. -It's the Elimination Chamber.
It's not like he's gonna climb inside of it.
This structure is designed to keep everybody else out.
[Tom] What's the purpose of Rowan being on ringside?
[Corey] Because Rowan is the intellectual equal of Daniel Bryan.
[Tom] Oh, come on.
Rowan has become known as the insurance policy
of our WWE Champion.
Helped him retain the title at the Royal Rumble event last month.
But tonight, there is no help. Tonight, there is no going back.
Daniel Bryan steps inside the Elimination Chamber
to defend his eco-friendly WWE Championship.
[Saxton] Daniel Bryan justifiably upset. He's gotta start this thing.
-So, good luck, champ. -[Corey] Bad enough to have to start,
it's even worse to have to start with Samoa Joe.
A man Daniel Bryan very familiar with.
Traveled the world prior to WWE.
Competing against each other many, many times.
Long-time rivals, but never inside the Chamber.
Just think about the mental momentum it would create for Samoa Joe
if he were able to eliminate Daniel Bryan from this match early.
We didn't see it put into play
in the Women's Tag Team Elimination Chamber Match early,
but you're gonna wanna try to cause any elimination you can
as early as possible.
You don't want to let the Chamber fill up.
Daniel Bryan asking if the clock's running.
He's waiting for another pod to open.
[Tom] He's waiting for another Superstar to get in the path of Samoa Joe.
As opposed to potentially those two Superstars with Joe
and whomever's out next are ganging up on the champion.
[Corey] Daniel Bryan knows how dangerous Samoa Joe is.
I actually understand his actions right now.
It might not be a popular decision, but it's wise.
[Tom] Oh!
Inside of the leg early, and Daniel Bryan, the exploratory kicks.
-Joe just laughs it off. -That's gotta be a little unnerving.
Remember, all the eliminations have to happen
inside the ring, inside the ropes.
-Oh! -[Corey] Oh, man!
[Tom] Joe right to the hamstring of Daniel Bryan.
[Corey] Joe turns the leg.
[Tom] Joe's trying to cinch in a knee bar,
maybe an ankle lock, but it's Daniel Bryan.
Oh, he could tap out here.
Remember, there's no disqualifications here in this matchup.
He gets himself to the bottom rope. It's only leverage at this point.
There it is.
Come on, get him.
-[Corey] Oh! Big mistake. -[Saxton] Joe was unfazed.
[Tom] And now, Bryan-- Bryan trying to escape for a moment
amongst the pods and amongst the ropes.
[Corey] Look at this. Joe just cut him off at the pass.
[Tom] Nowhere to run, Daniel.
Oh, it's Samoa Joe!
Oh, my gosh!
[Corey] Good God all mighty, that hurts!
[Tom] The ridiculous thud reverberated through the chest of Daniel Bryan.
Now Bryan able to land on his feet. Goes right after Samoa Joe.
Oh! Powerbombed into the canvas. Joe wants a cover.
And out at two, but Joe turns it into a Boston crab.
[Corey] The position of Daniel Bryan's spine being bent in half backwards
by the Samoan Submission Machine.
[Saxton] Bryan could only evade Joe for so long.
Joe having his way with the champion.
[Tom] Turns it around into an STF.
And Samoa Joe, complete control of the WWE Champion.
[Corey] Into the crossface.
Just seamless transitions from one submission to the next.
[Saxton] Bryan may not make it very far in this match at all at this rate.
[Corey] Oh, look at this.
We're gonna tear Daniel Bryan's shoulder out of the socket.
[Tom] And Samoa Joe inflicting heavy damage.
Oh! Cover! Cover on Joe! And a kick-out. Nearly an elimination.
Oh! Shot to the knee of Samoa Joe.
Now, Graves, we have seen over the last few months here at WWE
the problems Joe has had with his knees.
[Corey] If there's any weakness on a built-for-combat athlete like Samoa Joe,
you have to exploit it.
That's exactly what Daniel Bryan is attempting to do with the knee.
[Tom] Now Bryan utilizing the space of the Chamber.
-[Corey] Oh! -[Tom] Into the edge of the pod.
[Corey] Samoa Joe getting his first taste
at what kind of damage this structure is capable of.
[Tom] Now, Bryan has managed to turn the complexion around here
early on here in the Elimination Chamber Match.
But again, there's a cover. Cover. Joe out at one.
There's still four more Superstars to enter here in the Elimination Chamber.
[all] Oh!
[Tom] I mean, how do you stand here and absorb shots like this from Joe?
[Corey] I have no earthly idea.
[Saxton] Oh! Big headbutt.
[Tom] That's Samoa Joe happy to punish the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan.
-Oh! -[Saxton] God!
[Corey] Daniel Bryan, you are not going to match blows with that man, Samoa Joe.
[Tom] Leveled by the big man.
[Corey] It's not like there's no physical effect.
I mean, look at Samoa Joe's chest.
He's got Daniel Bryan's handprints all over it.
A normal person would've dropped by now.
Joe just keeps moving forward.
[Saxton] The more physical the match, it seems the better Samoa Joe gets.
Although, Bryan's at least found himself a minor opening here.
[Tom] Drop toehold into the middle turnbuckle
and Samoa Joe smarting after that one.
Bryan buys himself a little bit of time.
Not all that much time we're about to learn,
entrant number three.
Who's it gonna be?
[buzzer blaring]
[Tom] It's Kofi Kingston!
And Kingston coming in strong, right out of the pod,
to both Joe and Bryan.
[Corey] Kobe looking to ride the wave of momentum from Tuesday night.
-Look at this agility! -[Saxton] Think about it.
[Tom] Was trying to set up for DDT, Samoa Joe just too strong.
Up onto the shoulders, and it's Kofi outside,
kick right across the face, Glancing Blow.
[Corey] Kingston climbing back up to the top rope.
[Tom] And Kofi! Oh!
-Splash to the back! -[Saxton] Cover!
[Tom] Could this eliminate Samoa Joe? And a kick-out!
[Corey] I'm feeling delirious right out of the gates here.
Kofi's got 11 years of motivation.
[Tom] I am amazed to see how Kofi Kingston came into this match.
There's no way he's 100% after Tuesday.
[Saxton] I agree with you, Tom,
but I feel, mentally, Kofi is as strong as he's ever been.
He understands how rare it is to get a WWE Championship opportunity.
[Corey] Something Kofi's longed for for many, many years, many moons.
But now Daniel Bryan perched on the top rope.
[Tom] Got Kofi right across the back of the neck with the knee.
Bryan for an elimination, kick-out by Kingston.
Kingston's made believers out of so many in the WWE Universe.
[Corey] And again, it sounds amazing to have to say,
-but Kofi-- -[Saxton] Uh-oh, wait a minute.
[Tom] Oh, God!
These two could exchange chops all night.
-[Corey] I'll tell you who's gonna win. -[Tom] Well, maybe Joe is.
Bryan, again, trying to create space.
I think he's trying to climb to the top of the pod.
[Corey] Trying to get out of the way.
He's sick and tired of Samoa Joe trying to cave his chest in.
[Tom] Gonna have a sit-in. Are you serious right now?
You have got to be kidding.
Kingston going after the only man that's on the ground at the moment.
-It being Samoa Joe. -Oh-ho.
We saw how, in the gauntlet match,
how Kofi Kingston had a great counter for the Coquina Clutch.
Turned it into a pin, but it was Samoa Joe who dismantled Kofi after the fact.
[Corey] Wait a minute, Kofi!
[Saxton] So much for your sit-in, Daniel.
No, no, no.
[Tom] Kofi Kingston on top of his evacuated pod.
[Saxton] Kofi unleashing.
[Tom] And he's beaten the heck out of Daniel Bryan.
And now, Bryan, again, is trying to scamper away.
[Corey] Bryan's walking along one of the cross beams.
-[Tom] Kofi's going after him. -[Corey] Way up there.
Uh-oh. Uh-oh.
[Tom] And now an exchange of kicks, and Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan
have Samoa Joe in pursuit.
Oh! Yanks down Daniel Bryan.
[Corey] Got a 300-pounder climbing vertically up the Chamber.
[Tom] Oh!
Kick right to the hand of Kofi Kingston. Puts Joe down with Bryan.
[Saxton] I know Kofi's one of the most offensively creative.
[all exclaim]
[Corey] And who got the worst of it?
Kofi crashed and burned after making the initial impact.
[audience chanting] Kofi! Kofi! Kofi!
[Corey] Kofi Kingston understands he's got to have the performance
of a lifetime here tonight.
[Saxton] Willing to risk it all. Just a free fall from Kingston.
Crashing down onto Daniel Bryan.
[Tom] Cover! And Bryan able to kick-out.
[Saxton] Kofi has said it himself. "I've worked too long for too hard
to turn back now."
[Corey] Too hard for too long, but we know what you're trying to say.
[Saxton] I'm just excited.
[Tom] And now Kingston.
Kingston trying to fight his way into a cover.
Pulling on the leg, and a kick-out by Samoa Joe.
Oh!
Got to go for eliminations. Very smart by Kingston.
But now, three Superstars in the ring thus far.
Now Bryan.
Bryan picking up the pace. Kofi Kingston.
Oh! So mobile.
Off the back elbow. Trying to get an elimination.
And a kick-out by the champion.
[Saxton] Again, I go back to the earlier point.
If any one of these superstars can eliminate Daniel Bryan
from this match early, that would bode incredibly well.
-[Corey] Whoa! Whoa! -[Tom] Oh, man! The senton!
It would guarantee a new champion, Byron,
as we embark on the Road to WrestleMania further.
[Corey] Samoa Joe once again displaying complete disregard for Daniel Bryan.
Using his 300 pounds as a weapon.
And now driving Kofi down.
[Tom] Suplex cover by Joe-- Kingston able to kick out.
[Corey] Take another look at this massive senton.
Look at the height. And boom!
[Saxton] The impact.
[Corey] Samoa Joe, 300 pounds, crashing down onto the WWE champion.
[Tom] Crushing the ribs of Bryan.
And now it's Samoa Joe who can lay into the WWE champion.
And as Joe continues to light up Bryan, here comes number four.
[Corey] Who's it gonna be?
[buzzer blaring]
[Corey] Uh-oh!
[Tom] And it's AJ Styles out of the pod.
And he goes right after Daniel Bryan,
the man that took the title from him months ago.
And AJ Styles going after anything in his sight.
[Saxton] AJ Styles driving Samoa Joe down to the mat with a big clothesline.
You mentioned how supremely confident Styles was
in his game plan heading into this match.
[Corey] The cagey Daniel Bryan, picking his opportunity.
[Tom] Now look at Bryan and Styles,
so many classic battles over the last few months.
Now battling it out inside the Chamber.
Bryan meets the elbow hard from Styles.
-[Saxton] Here comes Styles! -[Tom] Up to a moonsault.
-[Corey] Getting grounded in there. -[Tom] Wait a minute!
Oh, two DDTs!
Now Styles trying to eliminate the champion, and a kick-out.
[Corey] Styles wasting no time.
[Tom] Shoots a half here on Kingston. Cover, kick-out by Kofi.
[Corey] A man who is encouraged by the chairman of this company
to embrace his animal instinct.
His killer instinct.
[Tom] Are we seeing the black hole in the heart of AJ Styles
here tonight in Houston?
[audience chanting] AJ Styles!
[Tom] Said he didn't want to go to war with Kofi Kingston this past Tuesday.
He wanted to show mercy, show some leniency for a man
who'd been fighting for nearly an hour at that point,
but he did it anyway.
[Corey] It's absolutely different now. There is no tomorrow.
It is now. You are locked inside the cage.
[Tom] Styles with a forearm smash to Joe!
[Corey] So much history between Styles and Joe.
[Tom] Look at Daniel Bryan off to the back of your screen.
The WWE champion is climbing up the chain.
[Corey] Daniel Bryan is trying to get out of harm's way.
Looking for a moment of respite. Maybe another sit-in.
[Tom] Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Styles with a phenomenal forearm, it looked like.
To the back of the neck of Daniel Bryan.
[Saxton] A change of plans for the champion.
[Tom] AJ Styles paid for it on the outside of the ring.
[Corey] Take another look at this. Styles soaring through the Chamber.
Right to the middle of Daniel Bryan's spine.
The Phenomenal forearm connects.
And if you are Randy Orton or Jeff Hardy, you are watching on right now,
enjoying every second of this.
[Tom] Sunset flip, trying to eliminate Kofi Kingston.
-[Corey] Wait a minute. -[Tom] Turns it around.
Wanted the Styles Clash.
[Saxton] Well scouted by Kofi.
Avoiding danger.
[Tom] A great defense by Kingston.
Wait a minute. Now it's AJ Styles.
Knee to the back of the neck.
Cover to eliminate Kingston,
and a kick-out.
[Corey] Samoa Joe now.
Looks like he's regaining his wits for the moment.
[Tom] Four Superstars thus far have entered.
[Corey] We know there's a long brutal history
between Samoa Joe and AJ Styles.
Two men who just simply cannot stand one another.
[Saxton] Joe causing emotional turmoil
in the personal life of AJ Styles.
[Tom] Trying to drive Samoa Joe into the chain.
Oh!
And it's Styles. Rebounds and tossed into the ring.
Samoa Joe using the environment wisely.
Now Samoa Joe going after anything with a heartbeat in front of him.
Oh! And Kofi Kingston with a forearm smash.
And Kingston trying to fight back.
Much like we saw in the gauntlet match, Kofi Kingston won't quit.
-[Corey] Uh-oh! -[Tom] Oh! He caught--
[Corey] Kofi might not have a choice. The Coquina Clutch is cinched in.
Kofi could be in jeopardy.
[Saxton] Kofi desperate for some sort of escape here.
Wait a minute. Shades of the gauntlet.
Nearly had Joe.
And Joe now turns it around in the Coquina Clutch.
[Corey] I think the shift in Kofi's body weight
may have actually cinched in the submission deeper.
[Saxton] Oh!
Oh! AJ Styles!
-Phenomenal forearm! Cover! -One, two, three!
[Saxton] Samoa Joe's gone!
[Rome] Samoa Joe has been eliminated.
[Saxton] That is huge.
[Tom] Crucial elimination coming from The Phenomenal One.
And now it's Samoa Joe who must exit the Chamber
and head back to the locker room area.
[Saxton] As the countdown is on one more time.
[Tom] And we know who this is.
Randy Orton was just pointing across the ring.
[buzzer blaring]
[Tom] And it's Jeff Hardy. Multi-time world champion.
Fighting for the legacy of the title he fought so long for.
[Saxton] It's been ten years since Jeff Hardy
has competed inside the Elimination Chamber.
[Corey] Talking about how there's magic in the air tonight in Houston.
If anyone knows about magic in the air, it's Jeff Hardy.
[Tom] Right to the midsection.
And now Jeff Hardy, kick right underneath the jaw to eliminate Styles.
And a kick-out.
[Saxton] Jeff Hardy, one of the Superstars who expressed their displeasure
with how they felt Daniel Bryan desecrated the legacy of the WWE title.
[Tom] Kick right to the shoulder sends Bryan to the outside.
And now it's Jeff Hardy who is on a roll since exiting his pod.
[Corey] Jeff Hardy, the freshest Superstar in the matchup.
Face-first goes Kingston.
[Saxton] Jeff on the move.
[Tom] Hardy tosses himself at Bryan.
[Corey] Kofi playing the role of Jeff's brother, Matt.
But Daniel Bryan's knee appeared to suffer some serious damage upon impact.
[Tom] And it's only gonna get worse for Bryan
considering he started the Elimination Chamber Match.
Still one more man to exit his pod. What's the twist of fate?
Pele kick!
[Saxton] Quick strike counter by The Phenomenal One.
[Tom] Hardy, Styles, Kingston, and Bryan all within the Chamber at this point.
Oh!
[Corey] Unbelievably, Samoa Joe already eliminated.
[Tom] Started off the Elimination Chamber alongside Bryan,
and now it's Kofi Kingston who was the third--
Oh, my God, near-side, I believe Styles is going after Hardy.
Hardy just got tossed into the pod.
Opposite side, Kingston rammed into the walls of the Chamber.
[Corey] Hear the scream of agony that Kofi just let out.
Frightening bit of talent here between Styles and Hardy.
[Tom] And Hardy-- Hardy trying to kick out the leg there of AJ Styles.
Oh, man! Nasty fall!
And somehow, it was Hardy who lands on his feet.
[Saxton] Hardy's made a career out of defying death.
[Corey] Look what's happening in the top of your screen.
Daniel Bryan trying to destroy the arm of Kofi Kingston.
As we take another look at the nasty landing for AJ Styles.
Hardy perched on top of his pod.
[Tom] Hardy Swanton Bomb to the back of Styles!
[Corey] Oh, my God!
[Tom] Oh, Bryan with the knee!
-Right to the face! -One, two, three!
[Tom] And Bryan gets rid of Hardy!
[Rome] Jeff Hardy has been eliminated!
[Corey] What a breathtaking sequence of events.
Jeff Hardy risking everything.
The initial move paid off, but Daniel Bryan so resourceful.
Look at this! Hardy, from the top of the pod,
onto AJ Styles laid across the top rope.
But AJ didn't know what was coming next.
[Saxton] Boom! Bryan striking with the knee.
No room for Hardy to even digest what he had just accomplished.
Daniel Bryan was right there to score the pinfall.
[Tom] We already know who the last man to enter
the Elimination Chamber Match will be.
That'll be Randy Orton, who, right now,
is watching from his pod as Bryan destroys Styles.
[Tom] Oh! And a low drop kick right to the face!
[Corey] Kofi Kingston still trying to get the feeling back in his left arm
after Daniel Bryan weaved it through the chain link.
[Saxton] Jeff Hardy and Samoa Joe out of the equation,
Bryan's gotta be feeling a lot more confident
about his chances in this match.
[Corey] The torque on the knee of AJ Styles.
Stay down, AJ! Stay down!
[Saxton] What is Daniel Bryan doing?
Styles is strapped. Bryan is...
Got Kofi hooked for something.
[Tom] Bryan is in complete control of the situation, it appears.
-Wait a minute! Wait a minute! -[Corey] No!
[Tom] AJ Styles! Oh!
[Corey] AJ Styles delivering a German suplex.
Kingston and Bryan crashing into the mat.
What damage has been done to the knees of The Phenomenal One?
Who's still hung up?
[Saxton] Styles trying to pull himself up somehow.
He knows this is a prime opportunity.
A prime opening in this match.
[Tom] Trying to pry himself out, Byron, to your point.
Bryan and Kingston are both down.
Could gain an elimination, but here comes The Viper at number six.
[Corey] The countdown to extinction.
[buzzer blaring]
[Saxton] And a welcome sight for The Viper,
who can pick and choose his victim.
[Tom] Randy Orton taking his time entering the ropes.
Styles is ripe for the picking.
Bryan and Kingston have absorbed so much punishment.
[Corey] Not only is Randy physically the freshest,
he's had the opportunity to watch every movement his opponents have made
throughout this matchup.
To plot. To plan. To alter his strategy.
[Tom] Oh!
[Tom] And as though coming out of nowhere
like it was on Tuesday night in the gauntlet match.
Now it's Orton who can have his way with Styles hung up in the corner.
Well, now Kingston.
Long history between Kingston and Orton from their singles days--
Oh, man! Right to the midsection.
-And Styles and Kingston both down hard. -Look out!
Whoa! Running an RKO.
Backslide. Backslide.
Kick-out.
Talk about long history between these two in the last five years.
Oh, man!
[Saxton] Last time, Randy Orton won the Elimination Chamber matchup.
Daniel Bryan was also in that match.
[Corey] Oh! Kofi.
Full speed ahead.
That was The Viper for the moment.
[Tom] Kingston not quitting here tonight at Elimination Chamber.
And now Kingston comes in strong.
[Saxton] Oh! A nasty backbreaker.
All these men. All these competitors just spent.
[Tom] Now it's AJ Styles trying to control Kingston.
It's about the WWE Championship.
It's about getting one step closer to WrestleMania.
[Corey] You have to imagine whoever walks out with the WWE Championship
will more than likely have an opportunity to defend it at WrestleMania.
-Uh-oh. -[Tom] Forearm smash from AJ Styles.
Out on the apron. He's calling for it.
Has Kingston in his sights.
-[Corey] What? -[Tom] Oh, my God!
RKO!
Orton was lying in wait, and he eliminates Styles!
[Rome] AJ Styles has been eliminated.
[Corey] Unbelievable.
And the smirk on The Viper's face says it all.
Lying in wait. Coiled, ready to strike.
A phenomenal RKO.
AJ Styles, thanks for coming.
[Tom] Think about this. That is twice in one week.
And Randy Orton has spoiled the opportunity for AJ Styles.
[Corey] Oh! Kingston from behind.
[Tom] Kingston trying to surprise Orton. Nearly had him.
Out of the way for Trouble in Paradise.
Now Randy Orton in pursuit.
Kick right between the eyes.
Now Kingston trying to will himself on. Entered at number three in the Chamber.
Oh! And Orton takes out the legs of Kofi.
[Corey] Great veteran instincts by Orton.
Just knowing where he's at inside the ring at all times.
Even inside the Chamber, which would throw a lot of Superstars off.
Randy's so confident. So familiar with all of his surroundings.
[Tom] Down to three Superstars, who will exit the Chamber as WWE Champion?
Kofi in the clutches of The Apex Predator.
Face-first into the canvas.
That sick smile on the face of Orton.
This may be the beginning of the end for Kofi.
Orton starting to make some travel plans.
[Saxton] Heading to that place.
[Tom] It could just be a matter of time for Kofi Kingston.
-Oh! -[Corey] Wow!
[Tom] Went for the powerslam. Bryan came out of nowhere.
[Corey] Talk about the ability to adapt out of nowhere.
-Daniel Bryan trying-- -[Tom] To make the RKO.
Oh! Trouble in Paradise!
Orton's down! Orton's down!
Kingston! Kingston eliminated The Viper!
[Rome] Randy Orton has been eliminated!
[Saxton] Gentlemen, do you believe?
[audience cheering]
[Corey] The Toyota Center is rocking.
We've all got goosebumps.
Kofi Kingston continues to defy logic,
to defy time,
and is one step closer to becoming WWE Champion.
[Rome] Randy Orton has been eliminated!
[Saxton] Less than a week ago,
Kofi wasn't even supposed to be inside the Elimination Chamber.
And you're right, Corey, now. One more obstacle left.
[Corey] You asked if we believed? Yeah, Byron.
I think we're all starting to believe.
[Saxton] It's been too long. Eleven long years!
Is tonight Kofi's night?
[audience chanting] Kofi! Kofi! Kofi!
[Tom] And the only man standing in his way is the new Daniel Bryan!
And now it's Kofi and Bryan exchanging kicks!
Two incredible veterans of WWE!
Come on! Come on!
[Saxton] Kofi wants more! Kofi says, "Bring it!"
Kingston's not gonna back down!
[Tom] Went for Trouble in Paradise! Bryan able to escape!
Takes out the leg of Kingston!
Kingston was already hobbled on the left leg here in this matchup!
And now, Bryan!
[audience exclaiming]
[Tom] Oh, Kofi ducked it! Kofi ducked it!
[Corey] He wants it! He's gonna do it!
[Tom] SOS! Kofi!
[Corey] Oh! Kick-out by Bryan! Oh!
Wow!
[Saxton] How close was that moment for Kofi Kingston?
He could taste it!
[audience chanting] Kofi! Kofi! Kofi!
[Tom] He gets all on the SOS!
But Bryan is still alive!
[Corey] It is deafening in here right now.
[Tom] And Kofi kicks it! Face-first into the post!
[Saxton] Bryan also knows how close he just came to losing the WWE championship.
[Corey] As we recall a lot of matches for a lot of Superstars,
but the feeling and the energy in this arena right now
is something I've only experienced
a handful of times in my entire career.
You don't deserve to be here with me!
[audience booing]
[Corey] You can feel the world changing around you right now.
The world is believing in Kofi Kingston.
[Saxton] Daniel Bryan doing whatever he can to take that belief away.
[Tom] And Bryan right to the face of Kingston!
Kingston down to a knee! Bryan back in on Kofi!
Bryan is not stopping! And again, another kick right to the face!
Kingston keeps getting back up!
And Bryan again collides with Kingston in the corner!
[Corey] Daniel Bryan relentless!
-Oh! -[Tom] Shot right to the chest!
Kofi! Cover! Cover!
-Bryan popped out at two! -[Saxton] Good God!
Daniel Bryan came so-- I don't know where that came from!
[Tom] A last-gasp effort out of the corner!
A barrage from Bryan and Kingston nearly took his title!
[Corey] You can see the reaction to the WWE Universe.
We did the same thing here at the table.
This place is rocking right now for Kofi Kingston.
[Saxton] Kofi knows he can do this. He pinned Daniel Bryan five nights ago.
Now he's got to do it again to make it count.
[Tom] And now Kofi trying to put the finishing touches on this moment.
Can he finally capture the WWE Championship?
Oh, and it's Bryan who puts the ropes between he and Kingston.
Cannot be eliminated outside of the ropes.
[Corey] Not a popular move, but a smart one.
[Tom] Oh, now it's Bryan. Bryan using the Chamber to his advantage!
But it's Kingston who finds his way back!
[Corey] Kingston has had an answer for everything Daniel Bryan has tried!
[Tom] And look at this emotion pouring out of Kofi Kingston
inside of the Chamber!
[Saxton] An unrestrained determination from Kofi Kingston!
The man who said, "I need this!
I need to win!"
[Tom] Oh! Off of the pod!
Kofi was trying to go big!
Bryan countered, and heavy impact into the pod!
[Corey] Guys, I have a bad feeling, Kofi Kingston's storybook match
just came to a halt.
[Tom] Watch this again.
I think he was going for the bulldog, and-- Oh, my gosh!
Watch this. Another angle here.
[Corey] This is a very similar situation to what Nia Jax endured earlier tonight
in the Women's Tag Team Elimination Chamber Match.
Kept her out of action altogether.
And now, The Planet's Champion
stalking Kofi Kingston.
Is this where it all ends for Kofi?
[Tom] And now Bryan, the running knee! Right to the face of Kingston!
Bryan! The cover on Kofi!
Oh!
Kofi kicked out! Kofi kicked out!
Kofi still has life!
[Corey] A look of doubt.
A look of disbelief painting the face of the new Daniel Bryan.
[audience chanting] Kofi! Kofi! Kofi!
[Corey] And once again, Houston is on its feet!
[Tom] There is still hope for Kofi Kingston.
Bryan trying to snuff out the dreams of Kofi Kingston's WWE title bid.
[Saxton] Oh, no.
-Daniel Bryan gonna... -[Tom] Oh!
[Corey] ...try to stomp Kofi Kingston into submission.
[Tom] And now, Bryan, as Kofi Kingston in a helpless position.
Right to the face. Bryan not halting.
-A ruthless, relentless-- Cover! -[Saxton] Cover on Kingston!
Kick-out by Kofi!
[Corey] A ruthless Daniel Bryan who intends on being WWE Champion forever.
[Tom] Now Bryan wants Kingston back up to his feet.
Bryan-- Oh!
[all exclaiming]
One, two--
[Tom] Oh, no! By Bryan!
Oh! Kick-out by Kofi!
And now a shot to the gut and Kofi Kingston--
Kingston trying to find an opportunity to go!
[Corey] Bryan looking for a bell lock. Can Kofi fight through it?
Can Kofi hang on?
[Tom] Kofi doing everything he can.
And Daniel Bryan has secured the right arm!
Can he lock in the crossface portion of it?
-Yes! -[Corey] Bryan prying at Kingston.
[Tom] Kofi Kingston! Can he hang on?
[Saxton] Kofi swarming, reaching, trying to do whatever is possible
to get out of this.
[Corey] And Kingston! Kofi is living off the WWE Universe.
Pure adrenaline! And he is still in this fight!
[Tom] An exhausted Daniel Bryan releases the submission.
[Corey] Well, this past Tuesday, it was Kofi Kingston who was the Ironman.
Boom! Tonight, Daniel Bryan.
Two worthy competitors.
Both within a half a second of escaping the Chamber as WWE Champion.
[Saxton] That is the key.
The most prized possession in our industry.
WWE Championship.
[Tom] And now Bryan is thinking high risk, high reward.
Needs to find a way to close out Kingston.
And Kingston, yet again, on top of the champion.
But how much damage has been done to the right arm of Kofi?
[Saxton] How bad do you want to sit atop the WWE mountain?
[Tom] And now it's Daniel Bryan who is trying to evade,
trying to get to the top of the pod just to get away from Kingston.
[Corey] How long has Kofi been waiting for this opportunity?
Years, a lifetime, a career.
Kofi Kingston intends on leaving here with his first WWE Championship.
By any means necessary. At whatever cost.
[Tom] Kingston using the Chamber.
Smashing the champion off its walls.
[Saxton] If you're Kofi, you gotta leave no stone unturned at this point.
Every idea, every form of attack,
you've gotta utilize it now.
[Tom] Both Kingston and Bryan on top of the pod.
What is Kofi thinking?
[Corey] Kofi looking for a suplex.
This could destroy Daniel Bryan. This could destroy Kofi Kingston.
[Tom] That WWE Champion trying to prevent this.
[Saxton] Kofi just thinking, "I'll risk whatever health I have
just for this moment to call myself champion."
[Corey] Oh, no. But Daniel Bryan reverses.
Kofi now being ricocheted off the bulletproof glass.
[Saxton] And now it's Bryan.
Perhaps looking to utilize the same strategy.
[Tom] Oh, and again. It's Kofi Kingston now on the block.
And trying to hook the leg and trying to prevent the superplex by Bryan
off the top of the pod.
And Kofi and Bryan teetering on the edge.
[Corey] Kingston, once again, gaining the upper hand.
He's got the higher ground. This doesn't bode well for Daniel Bryan.
[Tom] Oh.
And Kingston. A big kick to the face.
And Bryan is down.
[Saxton] Kofi has a clear target to strike.
[Tom] Kofi Kingston from the top of the pod.
[all] Oh!
[Saxton] Nobody home for Kofi Kingston. Bryan rolled out of the way.
[Tom] And now the WWE Champion loading up in the corner.
[Saxton] Kofi went for the home run.
[Tom] Kofi went for it all. Bryan back up, knee to the face.
-Cover. -One, two, three!
[Tom] And Bryan retains his title.
[Rome] Here is the winner and still the WWE Champion,
"The New" Daniel Bryan.
[Corey] Daniel Bryan survived this match.
The air has been completely sucked out of the Toyota Center.
The WWE Universe,
despite witnessing an incredible matchup.
From start to finish, the world was behind Kofi Kingston,
who gave it everything he had and then some.
[Saxton] Kofi thought he was one splash away
from winning his first WWE Championship.
But that would not be the case.
[Tom] And it was Daniel Bryan who would find the opening he needed
to retain his WWE Championship,
It is only the fourth time in history
where the reigning champion has started an Elimination Chamber Match
and retained.
Daniel Bryan, for all intents and purposes tonight,
has accomplished the impossible.
[Corey] He walked into the Elimination Chamber as champion,
and walked out as WWE Champion.
[audience chanting] Kofi! Kofi! Kofi!
It's all right, baby.
Hey. Get your flag, baby. Get your flag.
You deserve that, baby. You deserve that.
Let me hear it, baby. You deserve that.
[audience chanting] Thank you, Kofi!
[audience cheering]
[The New Day's theme music playing]
[Tom] It is indeed one of those rare and special moments
that in WWE, are few but lasting.
[Corey] Even in defeat,
Kofi Kingston has the respect
of the entire WWE Universe.
[audience cheering]
[audience chanting] Kofi! Kofi! Kofi!
It's for you.
You did that. ting] Kofi! Kofi! Kofi!