On the last stop on the road to WrestleMania, WWE took a detour in Montreal, Canada. Who came out on top, and do we have a clearer picture of the WrestleMania 39 card? It was the whole city of Montreal vs. The Bloodline. Did Sami Zayn defy the odds and finally dethrone the Tribal Chief? Here’s some of my thoughts and reactions to the show:
Roman Reigns defeats Sami Zayn in a WWE Classic
We all want Sami Zayn to become a world champion. Tonight, was just not the night. I don’t know if this is a five-star match, but there is a debate to be had for sure.
What an entrance for Montreal's own @SamiZayn at #WWEChamber!#UndisputedTitle pic.twitter.com/6SEmlqnoUo
— WWE (@WWE) February 19, 2023
We all know Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens will be taking on the Usos for the Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania and WWE planted those seeds in Montreal. Roman Reigns will go on to face to Cody Rhodes, and while it may not be the outcome we wanted, the ride WWE took us on to get there was incredible.
Montreal's own @SamiZayn recognizes the importance of making moments in WWE that will last a lifetime.#WWEChamber pic.twitter.com/Zy82OpHpVb
— WWE (@WWE) February 19, 2023
Sami Zayn will be world champion one day. We all believe that, and one day it will be true. It was just not his time yet.
That main event was beautiful. You may not like the ending but I'm so glad we got this moment tonight. Sami Zayn deserves every bit of this spotlight.
— Humble Wrestling (@WrestlingHumble) February 19, 2023
Elimination Chamber Matches
Asuka defeats Nikki Kross, Carmella, Natalya, Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan
As a lot of fans were predicting, Asuka will go on to challenge Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship. This was one of the better WWE Women’s Elimination Chamber matches they have ever put on.
READY FOR ASUKA?!@WWEAsuka is going to #WrestleMania to challenge #WWERaw Women's Champion @BiancaBelairWWE! pic.twitter.com/y7l0GjxPBN
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) February 19, 2023
Bianca Belair vs. Asuka will be a great match on what will be a loaded WrestleMania card. I don’t expect Asuka to dethrone Belair, but it should be a fantastic match between two of the best performers on the WWE roster.
Austin Theory defeated Seth Rollins, Bronson Reed, Montez Ford, Johnny Gargano, & Damian Preist
This match was very predictable to most fans, but it nonetheless delivered. Austin Theory entered third in this match and laid low most of the match to pull it out in the end.
Austin Theory wins.
Outstanding match.
Everyone shined. Everyone looked like a million dollars.
Outstanding. #WWEChamber
— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) February 19, 2023
More than likely, Austin Theory will face John Cena at WrestleMania 39. While you can argue it doesn’t need to be for the United States Championship, it is still a match fans will be excited for.
As for the other performers, a lot of stars shined. Gargano had another great performance, just like he did at the Royal Rumble. Damian Preist and Bronson Reed looked like dominant heels that will look to do great things in the future. Montez Ford, well what can we even say. He is phenomenal, and I would say is a future world champion in WWE.
Montez Ford es oro puro. #WWEChamber pic.twitter.com/SENVZQLLg9
— Luigi (@LuigiWrestling) February 19, 2023
What Else Went Down?
Bobby Lashley defeated Brock Lesnar via DQ
The challenge Bray Wyatt made to both of these men on Smackdown now just seems confusing. I think fans were expecting to see Wyat in some compacity tonight, but he was not on the show.
In terms of Lesnar & Lashley, it was another impressive clash between the two. I really liked the ending to this match, with Lesnar unable to escape the “hurt lock,” so he had to go low to escape the submission.
NOBODY is safe from a @BrockLesnar F-5 at #WWEChamber! pic.twitter.com/eKwweYSN46
— WWE (@WWE) February 19, 2023
Lesnar and Lashley’s feud will likely end at WrestleMania. I would expect a “No Holds Barred” match or maybe a fight pit match.
Edge & Beth Phoenix defeated Finn Balor & Rhea Ripley
This match probably had the least fan excitement going into it, but still had WrestleMania implications. Edge and Beth Phoenix came out on top and after the match Edge signaled that he was done with the Judgement Day. Edge has been rumored to face Finn Balor at WrestleMania, so I don’t think this feud is over.
Austin Theory vs Edge for the US Title is set for #WWERaw tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/p4DPO1RxFU
— CrispyWrestling 🎮 (@DakotaKaiEra) February 19, 2023
Edge vs. Austin Theory is set for Raw tomorrow. So, I would expect to see Balor and The Judgment Day rear their ugly heads in this match to build towards Edge and Balor at WrestleMania.
Final Thoughts
Another great Premium Live Event in 2023 for WWE. The Elimination Chamber should feel like a major WWE show and I’m glad to say it did in 2023. It is a great time to be a Wrestling fan and if you have not checked out WWE lately, I would recommend this show to anyone who may have interest in getting back into the product. WrestleMania is almost here and I’m happy to say WWE is firing on all cylinders right now.