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While, there is no cage structure quite unique like WWE's Elimination Chamber, most of the PPV matches featuring it, hasn't been really that good. In my opinion, I only like one match; the debut at the 2002's Survivor Series. Still, regardless of what I thought of previous matches; I still look forward to seeing its return to pay-per-view after a nearly two-year absence, as part of the SmackDown brand-exclusive pay-per-view. Sadly, most of the show held at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, was not in the high standards that it could had been. Without spoiling the card, too much, I found most of the matches on the show to be, mediocre, at best or forgettable at its worst like the pre-show between Mojo Rawley and Curt Hawkins; which had little to no build up. Even the opening match between Becky Lynch and Mickie James was a bit awkward. It was a bit slow and somewhat clunky with the wrestling commentaries getting everything wrong about James. Also, I really don't get where they're going with the returning star, not winning. It was just weird & makes even less sense in retrospect. However, that match wasn't as bad, as the other women match, Natalya Vs Nikki Bella. The decision for that bout ending, made the match seem really pointless. Hate that it didn't have much of an ending. Honestly, if there is any ladies match that save the night for me, it has to be Alexa Bliss defended the SmackDown Women's Championship against challenger, Naomi. It was nice to see, Naomi get the credit that she deserve, but WWE could had, a bigger fan reaction at Wrestlemania if the hometown girl was chasing and winning the belt, rather than defending it. Also it was a questionable decision and, furthermore, creates a scenario where the title has changed hands three times in the five months since its inception. Just saying. Book better, WWE!! Anyways, that brings us to the other mid card title bout; which was the champions, 'American Alpha' (Chad Gable & Jason Jordan) defend their 'Smackdown' tag team championship in a Tag team turmoil match against five other teams; including Heath Slater and Rhyno, 'The Usos' (Jey & Jimmy Uso), 'Breezango' (Tyler Breeze & Fandango), 'The Vaudevillains' (Aiden English & Simon Gotch), & 'The Ascension' (Viktor & Konner). It was a fine match, but we seem it, all before, in other 'Smackdown' shows. Like the James/Lynch match, I really don't understand, where they will be going from here; seeing how one tag team was able to beat every tag team on the roster. It made the rest of the tag teams look like incapable buffoons. I can only hope, this win, would mean, a new tag team debuting on the 'Smackdown' main roster, very soon. It would be a win/win. One match that wasn't close to being a win, was 2-on-1 Handicap match that pit the babyfaces; Apollo Crews & Kallisto versus heel, Dolph Ziggler. I really didn't like, the booking for this match, as it makes everybody look weak. WWE, why do you have the heroes outnumber the villain!? How does that make, this match, a compelling watch!? Its makes me, want to root for the villain, over the two dry cardboard characters. It was not good. Talking about not good. Luke Harper Vs Randy Orton was next. Once again, it wasn't that bad, but it was a television match, that we saw, million times before. It didn't try to do anything new like make Orton's number 1 contender at Wrestlemania 33 be on the line or anything. Because of that, I found the match to be very generic. This brings us to the main event of the evening, where champion, John Cena defend his WWE Championship in a Elimination Chamber match against five other men; including Bray Wyatt, the Miz, Baron Corbin, AJ Styles, and Dean Ambrose. This match proved to be a crowd pleasing match with everybody putting it all out there. Great wrestling from everybody there. It was very surprising to see how fantastic, this match was, seeing how many of the other matches in the cage kinda do suck. It was highlighted by a deserving, longtime superstars finally catching a big break, even if it was a bit predictable & the fact that the old Elimination Chamber had a facelift; making more room for the wrestlers to do, more move-sets such as jumping off the pods thanks to a less horrendous landing on steel grates that is now cove with black mats. It made the match amazing, even if the match is far less dangerous than before. I also, love the roof converges into a circular perspex window with the WWE logo on it. It means that you can see the match inside the cage, better & the ring of lights, choosing the pods, when at the arena or at home. Because of this, the old Elimination Chamber really does looks really plain by comparison. Overall: While, the undercard was below average. The main event really did make up for it. In the end, the show was watchable, but not highly enjoyable. I just wish, WWE could had done, better.
score 7/10
ironhorse_iv 17 February 2017
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3641194/ |
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15-3-2021 04:45:02