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WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW TV REPORT
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. AT TROPICANA FIELD (THE “THUNDERDOME”)
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY BRUCE LEE HAZELWOOD, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Samoa Joe
Ring Announcer: Mike Rome
Tonight after the show, join Wade Keller live with guest cohost Robert Vallejos from PWTorch Dailycast’s “MMA Talk for Pro Wrestling Fans” to break down the show with live callers and emails.
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[HOUR ONE]
-They began with the intro video, followed by Tom Phillips welcoming viewers from the “award winning and critically acclaimed WWE Thunderdome” (I wrote that sentence before the show even aired). Byron Saxton hyped the gauntlet match to determine the participant who enters the Chamber match last. The Miz (sans John Morrison) then made their entrance for “Miz TV.”
Phillips reminded viewers The Miz has won a Chamber match in the past as a tag team. The Miz then welcomed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre with his usual flair. McIntyre entered (no Claymore, probably coming out for the gauntlet match). The Miz air drummed to McIntyre’s music and then hyped the virtual crowd to cheer for McIntyre.
The Miz called McIntyre “Andrew” and asked if he could call him Andy. He said Morrison was off with a producer making a Bad Bunny diss track. The Miz ran down some of McIntyre’s conquered foes before saying McIntyre’s reign could end this Sunday. He also interrupted McIntyre as the latter was preparing to speak.
The Miz discussed Sheamus, saying, “He wasn’t really your best friend now, was he, Andy?” He asked why and said that was the mystery that was solved once Sheamus challenged McIntyre for the WWE Championship. However, The Miz said WWE management had different plans. Again, before McIntyre could speak, The Miz said he would be angry and furious (redundant, yeah?) that he would have to defend in the Chamber.
McIntyre yelled, “Would you shut the hell up?!” The Miz said he meant no disrespect, but McIntyre said if The Miz interrupts him one time, he’s going to regret it. He said he was sick and tired and The Miz interrupted right away. McIntyre responded with a Glasgow Kiss and launched the Money in the Bank briefcase towards the ramp area. He left the ring as they replayed the Glasgow Kiss.
The Miz slowly recovered in the ring and grabbed the mic to say that a little bit of the Elimination Chamber pressure and the cracks started to show with McIntyre. He said you can’t blame “Andy,” but that he doesn’t have any of that pressure because he’s bringing the pressure in the form of the Money in the Bank contract. He said he was going to explain to “An-Dy” that there are so many things that can go wrong, but he only needs one thing to go right to cash in.
He said just because he said he could cash in doesn’t mean he will, calling himself a master strategist. He said he’s putting everyone competing for the WWE or Universal Championship on notice. He said he’s in control and when he cashes in, he will stand in the ring as Champion, content on being “awesome.” He then removed himself from the Chamber match and walked off. Samoa Joe exclaimed, calling it a brilliant plan. Phillips agreed, then hyped a 6-man tag match between Riddle & Lucha House Party vs. The Hurt Business as they cut to break. [c]
(Hazelwood’s Take: Say what you want about The Miz, but he plays his role very well; you wanted McIntyre to give him that Glasgow Kiss, but also kind of have to admit The Miz made some good points in his post-attack promo. Removing himself from the match presents an interesting wrinkle: will they keep it a surprise entry, announce a replacement tonight, or perhaps have a match on the PPV pre-show to determine the replacement?)
They returned with the entrance for The Hurt Business after replaying an Xfinity-sponsored package on Bobby Lashley’s dominance over Riddle and Keith Lee last week. They showed a graphic for this Sunday’s United States Championship match, also informing viewers that Lee sustained injuries that put his status in jeopardy.
They showed the opponents in Gorilla as Riddle approached and asked about their favorite President. He brought up Abraham Lincoln, “vampire hunter,” Teddy “Broosevelt,” and “Harrison Ford” when he saved Chewbaca. Dorado said something about being “lucha lit” as they made their entrance.
(1) THE HURT BUSINESS (M.V.P & Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin) vs. LUCHA HOUSE PARTY (Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado) & RIDDLE – 6-man tag team match
Saxton asked about Riddle’s health after being dominated by Lashley the past few weeks. Benjamin and Dorado started, with Benjamin using his power to gain the advantage with a shoulder tackle. He pinned him in their corner and reigned down blows, then tagged in Alexander. Alexander hit a few strikes and a snapping suplex for a one-count. He landed a few shots, scored a two-count, then locked in a hammerlock. Dorado escapes, hit a springboard moonsault that Alexander had to readjust for, then tagged in Metalik who rode his partner’s shoulders and hit a splash. He hit a handspring back elbow, sent Alexander outside, but Benjamin took out Riddle on the apron and Dorado, who he caught and threw into the barrier after catching him on a tope. Alexander kicked Metalik in the head as they cut to break. [c]
They returned with Alexander attempting a pin for a two-count on Metalik, then locked in a modified octopus. He shifted to a crucifix for a two-count, then tagged in Benjamin. Benjamin hit a huge, I mean HUGE shoulder tackle that sent Metalik flying. M.V.P. tagged in and attempted three pin attempts, two two-counts and a one-count. He tagged in Alexander, who hit a snapmare and tagged in Benjamin. They kept Metalik in their corner, tagging in-and-out with a flurry of strikes. Benjamin hit a suplex for a two-count, but Metalik countered with a kick and tornado DDT.
Riddle and Alexander tagged in, but Riddle gained the advantage with strikes, and exploder, broton, and running PK to the chest. He hit a head kick, but didn’t see M.V.P. tag in. M.V.P. clotheslined Riddle and hit the Ballin’ Elbow, but a pin attempt was broken up by LHP. Alexander hit the Lumbar Check on Metalik. Benjamin got caught with the Final Flash from Riddle. Riddle hit the move on M.V.P. and hit the Floating Bro for the victory. Saxton said this was the kind of win Riddle needed.
As they celebrated on the ramp, Lashley attacked and took out the three men, throwing Metalik onto his partner. He then put Riddle in The Hurt Lock again, yelling out in rage. Riddle passed out in the lock. Alexander & Benjamin were helping M.V.P., who appeared to have injured his knee during the match.
WINNER: Riddle & Lucha House Party at 10:07 (Floating Bro)
-They cut to The Miz in the back talking to Adam Pearce, thanking him for giving him the opportunity to be in the Chamber match. He said there’s no one quite like him, but he wanted to give his spot to someone ready to “grab the brass ring,” and he named Morrison. Pearce laughed, said it was a compelling argument, and promised him he would take it into consideration. The Miz shook his hand, thanked him, and left. They cut to break. [c]
(Hazelwood’s Take: At least they had the lowest member on the rung (in-ring wise) take the loss for Riddle. I get that you want to give him some momentum heading into Sunday, especially if it becomes a singles match, but a more compelling story could have been Riddle trying to overcome his previous losses on the big stage of a PPV. Regardless, I hope he doesn’t win on Sunday. Keep Lashley and The Hurt Business strong.)
-They returned with Phillips recapping the interaction between The Miz and Pearce before the break. He then showed replays of last week’s Damian Priest-Angel Garza match. Garza had The Miz & Morrison in his corner, but they were outsmarted by Bad Bunny, which led to their dismissal from ringside and a victory for Priest.
They showed Bunny in the back as Mandy Rose was wearing his shirt, asked if he had one for her partner, then wished him luck. Priest approached, then they were approached by Sarah Schreiber who asked about their past few weeks. Priest said he’s had a great time, especially being paired with Bunny. As Bunny was about to speak, there was a commotion as Akira Tozawa pinned R-Truth for the 24/7 Championship. He bumped into Priest, who threw him into the supply crates, then had Bunny pin him for the title. So yeah, Bad Bunny is the 24/7 Champion.
-Pearce was shown in the back on the phone being approached by The New Day, Kofi Kingston upset that as a former WWE Champion, he wasn’t announced for the match. Xavier Woods claimed Pearce knows nothing since he won’t give Woods his match against Reckoning. Kingston said he is inserting himself into the pod, forcefully, as The Miz approached.
Kingston said he was planning his spot in the Chamber match. The Miz said he and Pearce have an understanding. They argued more until Pearce yelled them down. He said The Miz will face Kingston; if The Miz wins, then Morrison is in, but if Kingston wins, he takes The Miz’s spot. Kingston said once again, he has to fight his way into the match. Woods said this could be “KofiMania Part Deux.” The Miz said sequels suck, and they said they know because they watched The Marine 4…The Marine 5…and The Marine 6. The Miz walked off furiously. They cut to break. [c]
(Hazelwood’s Take: They just couldn’t help themselves with Bad Bunny, huh? Making him 24/7 Champion is just…it takes a lot of the cool factor away. Kingston showed more passion and intensity here than he did at any time as WWE Champion or after his quick squash to Lesnar. More of this from Kingston can only be a positive.)
-They returned with a graphic about having ten million followers on TikTok. Phillips then introduced a video package on the Elimination Chamber structure, the same one they played last week I believe. This time, they showed Kingston towards the end, so maybe he will be in the match.
Charlotte Flair made her entrance as they showed a replay of the events of last week with the continuing strife between Flair and her father. It led to Flair being disqualified for laying her hands on the referee. Asuka made her entrance next as Phillips reminded viewers of her Women’s Championship defense against Lacey Evans on Sunday. Evans & Royce made their entrance (with Papa Flair) to Evans’ music.
Papa Flair danced a bit as Evans took the mic and kindly thanked Flair for being disqualified so she could have her Women’s Championship match. She called Flair “sweetheart” and said she’s really “been taking it all in” from Papa Flair. She called Royce “Pey-Pey” and said they brought Flair a little Sweetheart candy that said “Bite Me.” She said she should have brought Asuka a gift since Asuka is going to give her a gift of her own, something she’s wanted for a long, long, long time. They cut to break. [c]
(2) CHARLOTTE FLAIR & ASUKA vs. LACEY EVANS & PEYTON ROYCE (w/Ric Flair)
They returned as Asuka and Royce began the match with some grappling and reversals between the two. They locked up, then broke as Royce tried a shoulder tackle. Asuka then hit her own on a misdirection, worked the left arm, then tagged in Flair. Flair threw Royce chest-first into her corner’s turnbuckle so Evans could tag in. Evans backed away as Flair demanded to face her.
[HOUR TWO]
Royce tried taking advantage and succeeded until Flair caught her and hit a fallaway slam. She kipped up and glared at Evans, then tagged in Asuka. They do a chest kick/chop combo three times to floor Royce. Royce tried a drop-toe hold, but Asuka maintained her balance. She sent Royce into the ropes, but Royce hit a high knee and a head kick to drop Asuka. She mounted Asuka for some strikes and a two-count.
Royce kept on Asuka with strikes, then some more in a neutral corner. She hit suplex and floated over into a pin for a two-count. She mushed Asuka in the face, only enraging Asuka. They hit a few reversals on each other only to hit a double clothesline. Asuka made the tag, but Evans backed away from being tagged by Royce.
Flair hit another fallaway slam that sent Royce outside. She slammed her head into the announce desk, then rolled her back in. Royce crawled over and tagged in Evans. Evans, surprised, backed down the steps and retreated. The ref held her back for some reason as Evans grabbed the mic and said she’s pregnant (the hell?). Papa Flair reacted excitedly, saying, “Call me daddy!” They played her music, so I guess the match ended?
WINNER: No contest at 6:15 (Evans announced pregnancy)
-The announcers said it has been an eventful night before shifting to a recap of last week’s McIntyre vs. Randy Orton match that ended with Sheamus hitting a Brogue Kick on Orton, though he aimed for McIntyre, who responded by hitting Sheamus with the Claymore. They cut to the back as Charly Caruso welcomed Sheamus.
She asked about the gauntlet match, and Sheamus said he shouldn’t have to fight against the odds since McIntyre accepted his one-on-one challenge. He said where he comes from, a fella’s word is his bond. He said he’s going to win the gauntlet match, chill out in his pod on Sunday, and watch the other knock the holy hell out of each other. He said whoever is left standing will be broken and ripe for the picking. He said he’s going to Brogue Kick everyone and eliminate the lot. He said the outcome remains: Sheamus will be the new WWE Champion.
-The New Day made their entrance next for Kingston’s match against The Miz. Phillips reminded viewers of the circumstances and stipulation for the match as they cut to break. [c]
(Hazelwood’s Take: The hell was that segment with Evans? Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t this go against the character they had her embodying as a face and publicize so much out of the ring? She’s legitimately pregnant it seems, so it will be interesting to see how they pivot.)
-They returned with replays of the Evans-Flair angle, including Flair’s perplexed reaction. They then cut back to Kingston, who was dancing in the ring. The Miz made his entrance next.
(3) KOFI KINGSTON (w/Xavier Woods) vs. The Miz – if Kingston wins, he is added to the Chamber match; if The Miz wins, Morrison is added instead
They began trading arm wrenches and holds with Kingston gaining the early advantage. The Miz hit a shoulder tackle, but Kingston leap frogged him twice only to be caught by The Miz in a Skull Crushing Finale attempt that he escaped only to attempt Trouble in Paradise. The Miz kicked Kingston in the gut and whipped him into the corner, but Kingston hit him with a boot.
He climbed the top and hit a leaping forearm strike for a two-count. The Miz rolled outside, so Kingston climbed the ropes again, only for The Miz to scamper away. Kingston chased The Miz, who tried to use the ring to his advantage, but Kingston caught him with kicks and hit a second-rope double axe handle to The Miz on the outside. He rolled him in for a two-count.
The Miz hit a knee to the gut off an Irish whip to gain a breather and the advantage. He went for his running kick, but Kingston rolled him up for a two-count. Kingston leapt off the second rope with a dropkick for a two-count, then kicked a sitting adversary for a two-count. Kingston bounced off the ropes, hit The Miz with a dropkick, but was caught by The Miz on the apron with a neckbreaker on the second rope and a neckbreaker from the apron to the floor. They cut to break. [c]
They returned with The Miz in control, methodically striking Kingston. He went for a kick, but Kingston caught his leg and hit a jackknife cover for a two-count. The Miz kicked the knee and a DDT for a two-count, then mounted Kingston with a flurry of punches. He sent Kingston outside and slammed him into the table. He did the same along the barricade, then rolled him back in.
He climbed the top and hit a double axe handle of his own for a two-count. The Miz employed a cavate (I love a nice cavate), adding some knees to the face. Kingston rolled The Miz out of the hold, then hit him with some strikes in the corner. He went for a splash, but The Miz moved as Kingston hit the post for only a two-count. The Miz punched Kingston, posed, then was hit a series of strikes from Kingston, including his elevated double-stomp to the chest.
He hit The Miz with a series of chops and dropkicks, then setup for The New Day Boom Drop, which he hit. He went to the corner and did their signature clap as he readied for Trouble in Paradise. The Miz ducked, rolled up Kingston for a two-count, then was hit by an S.O.S. for a two-count.
Kingston hit his step-up crossbody off the top, but The Miz rolled through for a two-count. The Miz caught Kingston in the corner ropes as he went for a kick, wrenching the leg in the ropes. The Miz applied the Figure-4, but Kingston reached the bottom rope to break the hold. The Miz looked for his finisher, but Kingston rolled him up for a two-count, then hit the Trouble in Paradise for the victory.
WINNER: Kofi Kingston at 14:09 (Trouble in Paradise) to qualify for WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match
-After the match, they shifted to recapping the tables match last week between Lana and Nia Jax (“MY HOLE!”) and Lana’s surprise victory. The shifted to Schreiber asking Lana (with Naomi) about her ordeals. Lana said she just gives it her all and if she wins, it’s just a cherry on top. She called Naomi her lucky charm. Naomi said Nia Jax deserved to go through that table. They then made some “hole” puns before heading off for Lana’s match against Shayna Baszler as they cut to break. [c]
(Hazelwood’s Take: Well, we didn’t have to wait until Sunday to find The Miz’s replacement, and I’m very happy to see it’s Kingston. I mentioned last week the lineup for the Chamber match was very White, but beyond Kingston adding a BIPOC person to the match, they justified it with his previous reign and his fiery promo with Pearce and The Miz prior to the match. Hopefully, Kingston has a good run on Sunday. Also, does this mean Kofi in the gauntlet match, too?)
-They returned by playing another video package on the Elimination Chamber structure/match, then showed the graphic for the Chamber match that determines the challenger to Roman Reigns for the same night. They showed the updated graphic for the WWE Championship Chamber match with Kingston. They cut to Orton in the back.
He said after last week the business between McIntyre and himself remains unfinished thanks to Sheamus. He said it was OK because he will win the gauntlet match and be the last entrant. He said he’s proven over and over that he’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants. He said The Fiend was a problem he had to solve so he lit him on fire and The Fiend is no more. He said his sights are now set on the WWE Championship and main eventing WrestleMania. He said he won’t be in the ring with five opponents, but five victims of the “three most deadly words in sports-entertainment, RK-.”
It suddenly cut to Alexa Bliss in some kind of Playhouse structure with a door behind her. She said, “Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” and blew away dust from her hand. He said in the fire he was destroyed as she held a candle. She then said in the future, he will be reborn. They panned out and showed her sitting in a pentagram with candles at each point on the star along the circle. She laughed maniacally before it cut to black. They cut to break as Lana & Naomi made their entrance.
(Hazelwood’s Take: We knew The Fiend was coming back; we just didn’t know when and in what form. From Bliss’ comments, it suggests there will be something different about him. Will it be something simple like his gear, or will it be more about his disposition and character as a whole? The Fiend changed everyone he faced, so is it now time for The Fiend to change The Fiend?)
-They returned hyping the debut of the series Young Rock and shifted to a package with highlights of the show and The Rock’s voiceover. The announcers congratulated him as Lana’s music was still playing in the arena. Her opponent and her partner made their entrance next.
(4) LANA (w/Naomi) vs. SHAYNA BASZLER (w/Nia Jax)
They began with Baszler gaining the advantage using her mat wrestling and grappling skills to immediately target the arm. She extended the arm and fell with it backward to hyperextend it. She then put her knee on the back of Lana’s neck and wrenched on her leg like a half-crab before stomping her. Lana responded with a slap to Baszler’s face.
Baszler hit a lariat for a two-count, then some 12-6 elbows before tying up Lana into a modified neck crank. Lana fought to her feet and rolled up Baszler for a two-count. She tried some kicks, but Baszler grabbed her leg and drove her into the mat. Lana countered Baszler by sending her into the turnbuckle, but was caught and driven into the corner. Baszler lifted her to the top, climbed, and looked for an avalanche gutwrench.
Lana fought her off and hit a crossbody for a two-count as Naomi yelled out encouragement. She hit a head kick, but Baszler responded with one of her own as both women wen to the mat. Jax then attacked Naomi on the outside, sending her into the barrier. She was thrown into the steps, then Naomi kicked her into the post. Baszler looked to grab Naomi, but Lana rolled her up for a two-count. Baszler hit a huge knee for a two-count, but went right into the Kirifuda Clutch for the tapout.
WINNER: Shayna Baszler at 4:20 by submission (Kirifuda Clutch)
-They cut to Pearce in the back as Braun Strowman approached breathing heavily, He said Pearce better have a damn good reason why he isn’t in the Chamber match. Pearce said he’s not who Strowman should be talking to about this, and Strowman asked who he should talk to then since Shane McMahon said Pearce is running things. Strowman said he’s a former Universal Champion, but Pearce said that’s not WWE Champion technically. Strowman told Pearce to tell McMahon to make it right or things won’t be pretty around here. A.J. Styles made his entrance (with Omos) as the first entrant in the gauntlet match as they cut to break. [c]
[HOUR THREE]
-They returned with Styles & Omos in the ring having a discussion. Styles grabbed the mic and asked what they were just talking about, and it was Kingston. He asked if they were trying to recreate “KofiMania” again. He said Kingston found, sorry, he corrected himself and said fought his way into the match almost like it’s his destiny. He said it isn’t because he would be the one to destroy Kingston’s dream of becoming WWE Champion again. He said Kingston should just be positive about the experience of the gauntlet match because Styles considers it a warmup. He said it makes him feel more (he put the mic to Omos, who said) phenomenal. Styles said he was going to mow through everyone in the gauntlet match and ride the momentum to the WWE Championship. He said he can’t lose, it’s a fact, it’s not just good, it’s phenomenal. Kingston’s music hit as he entered next with Woods.
(5) A.J. STYLES (w/Omos) vs. KOFI KINGSTON (w/Xavier Woods) vs. JEFF HARDY vs. SHEAMUS vs RANDY ORTON vs. DREW MCINTYRE – gauntlet match to determine who enters the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match last
Kingston’s already competed once. They began with Styles eating a high knee, but then responding with strikes of his own. He laid in more strikes to Kingston in the corner, then whipped him hard into a corner. Kingston moved as Styles leapt at him, then hit a few kicks and punches of his own. He cornered Styles, hit a headbutt, then a running boot to a seated Styles. Phillips reminded viewers of the left knee injury from the earlier match to Kingston. Styles gained the advantage with strikes and a belly-to-back suplex.
Styles sent Kingston to the apron, then gave a stiff leg kick to the compromised leg. He rushed Kingston, but went over the top as Kingston pulled the rope down. He hit his springboard trust fall on Styles. Woods played his trombone on the table only for Omos to grab him by the throat and carry him one-handed for a few seconds before he chokeslammed Woods over the barrier. Kingston approached angrily. The ref ejected Omos from ringside, who took his time walking backwards as he glared at the ref. Styles used the distraction to hit a chop block on Kingston’s injured leg as they cut to break. [c]
They returned with Styles working the leg on Kingston, who was trying to fight back. Styles caught him into a half-crab and really wrenched on the left leg. Kingston rolled up Styles for a two-count, but Styles immediately hit a leg kick to drop Kingston. He went for a punch, but Kingston caught him with the S.O.S. Kingston was unable to pin Styles because of the leg injury. Styles gave a front-facing chop block to Kingston to regain the advantage.
He put Kingston in the corner, kicked his leg, then put him on the top rope. He looked for a superplex, but Kinsgton fought it off with a gourdbuster from the top. He hit a splash to a bent over Styles, then finally made a pin for a two-count. Kingston started hitting chops on Styles while walking gingerly on his leg. Styles caught him on a dropkick attempt and hit a leg DDT.
Styles crawled to the apron for his finisher and hit the Phenomenal 4-arm for the pin.
Kofi Kingston eliminated
McIntyre made his entrance next as the third participant with Styles looking shocked. McIntyre immediately hit a clothesline and then some chops in the corner. He hit a huge biel to Styles, tossing all the way across the ring from one corner to the other. He then hit a gourdbuster on Styles across the top rope, then kicked Styles to the apron. He charged and hit another as they cut to break. [c]
They returned with McIntyre punching Styles in a corner, but Styles grabbed McIntyre and sent him into the turnbuckle. He tried whipping McIntyre across the ring, but McIntyre reversed it so hard Styles nearly hit the ring post for a two-count. Styles rolled to the outside, tried to whip McIntyre into the steps, but again McIntyre reversed and sent Styles into and over the steps.
Back in the ring, McIntyre hit a gutbuster and side slam combo for a two-count. He followed up with a modified arm and chinlock to a prone Styles. Styles worked his way to the bottom rope to break the hold, then hit a throat chop to McIntyre on the feet. Styles struck McIntyre a few times and hit a few shoulder thrusts in the corner. McIntyre reversed his Irish whip attempt again and hit a corner avalanche, then a reverse Alabama Slam. He setup for the Claymore, but Styles hit a dropkick instead.
He hit another one that sent McIntyre to the outside. Styles hit a springboard forearm to McIntyre on the outside as both men crashed to the floor. Styles regained his footing first and rolled into the ring. He then went to the apron and hit a running sliding knee to McIntyre, who was leaning on the apron. Styles readjusts and hit a flying forearm on McIntyre, sending him into the post as they cut to break. [c]
They returned with Styles holding a rear chinlock and McIntyre fighting his way to his feet only for Styles to drag him back down to the mat. They hyped Raw Talk during the match with Jax, Baszler, Lashley, & M.V.P. McIntyre made it to his feet and gained the advantage with strikes, then hit a huge belly-to-belly to Styles. He went to the top rope, but Styles hit an enziguri as McIntyre leapt from the top. As they both made it to a seated-ish position, Styles kicked McIntyre in the face for a two-count.
Styles looked for a Styles Clash, but McIntyre hit a backbody drop instead. He chopped Styles in the corner so hard it sent him to the mat. McIntyre looked for a sidewalk slam, but Styles rolled into a Calf Crusher that took a bit of fight to apply (well done between both men there). McIntyre broke out by headbutting Styles, but sold the left knee damage. Both men were slow to their feet with McIntyre even falling to the mat to sell the damage. Styles went for his finisher, McIntyre ducked, then launched Styles into the ropes. He hit the Claymore for the pin.
A.J. Styles eliminated
Hardy made his entrance next, the fourth participant in the gauntlet match. He took his time as they played a pre-recorded promo alonside his entrance. He attacked McIntyre before the ref called to start, then kept applying the pressure and strikes to McIntyre upon the reset. McIntyre tried fighting back, but was hit with Whisper in the Wind for a two-count. He hit a basement dropkick to send McIntyre outside, then hit a flying clothesline from the apron to McIntyre on the outside. He chanted, “HARDY!” a few times as they cut to break. [c]
They returned with Hardy taking McIntyre to each corner and bashing his head into the top turnbuckles. He hit a mule kick for a two-count, then kicked a prone McIntyre to the apron. He brought McIntyre’s throat down against the top rope, but hit a knee as he went for his leaping jawbreaker. McIntyre hit his over-the-head belly-to-belly suplex, then another from the corner. He then hit a neckbreaker and kipped up, slapping himself awake.
He went to a knee to recover while waiting for Hardy to get to his feet, then setup for the Future Shock only for Hardy to hit his patented combo ending with a standing splash for a two-count. Hardy signaled for the Twist of Fate, but McIntyre countered with the Future Shock for a believable two-count. Hardy stumbled to the outside as he tried to gain his footing; McIntyre followed. He hit a vertical suplex on the floor. Both men landed hard. He rolled Hardy back in for a two-count (about 15 minutes left in the show).
Slowly, McIntyre rose to his feet and rammed Hardy’s head into a turnbuckle before placing him on the top rope. He gave Hardy a chop to the chest before climbing himself. Hardy fought off with strikes, but McIntyre repeatedly struck Hardy. He hit a big superplex from the top rope for another two-count. McIntyre had an anguished look on his face after the near-fall. McIntyre crawled to a corner to setup for a Claymore attempt.
Hardy crawled around and slowly rose, ducking the Claymore and hitting a Twist of Fate. He removed his shirt, climbed to the top, but hit McIntyre’s knees on the Swanton Bomb attempt. McIntyre then hit the Claymore on a compromised Hardy for the pin. That was a nice bump by Hardy on the Claymore. They replayed the closing sequences as McIntyre recovered in the ring. Orton’s music hit as he slowly, methodically made his way to the ring with a sadistic look of hunger on his face as they cut to break; this means Sheamus is the final entrant tonight. [c]
Jeff Hardy eliminated
They returned with the ref just starting the tiff between the two; McIntyre was resting the whole time, huh? Orton and McIntyre took it to each other on the outside, but almost immediately, The Fiend’s shenanigans began. This time, Bliss’ creepy laughter played throughout the crowd and every screen had her laughing face (it was EERIE). Orton was counted out as he prepared for The Fiend’s attack. He tried reentering the ring only to be hit with a Claymore.
Randy Orton eliminated
Sheamus made his entrance, no, he attacked McIntyre from behind. On the outside, he sent McIntyre into and over the barrier. He sent McIntyre back over and into the ring post (the ref never officially started the match, so no count). He rolled McIntyre back in and stomped away as the ref pleaded with him to back off so he could check on McIntyre to start the match.
He asked McIntyre if he still wanted to continue, and he eventually, exasperatedly said yes, then another time forcefully. The ref told Sheamus to wait. Sheamus attacked as soon as the ref gave the OK. He stomped on McIntyre and hit a short-arm clothesline for a two-count. He hit two knee drops to McIntyre, then ground his knee into McIntyre’s chin. He then used the ropes for leverage as he stood on McIntyre’s jaw.
Sheamus then whipped McIntyre hard into the corner for a two-count, then hit basically his Ten Beats of the Bodhran to a seated McIntyre before locking in an arm hold. Phillips reminded viewers it’s been six years since Sheamus was WWE Champion. McIntyre fought back to his feet, but Sheamus caught him and hit a running powerslam, British Bulldog style for a two-count. McIntyre tried fighting back with chops and finally created space with a Glasgow Kiss and Future Shock, but he was unable to cover his foe.
As they slowly rose to their feet, Sheamus much more easily than McIntyre, Sheamus rushed McIntyre only to be dumped outside. McIntyre slammed Sheamus’ head into the post once, twice, then rolled him back into the ring. McIntyre slowly made his way to the apron and was caught with a kick as he reentered, but he responded with an overhead belly-to-belly. After some more back-and-forth, McIntyre missed a Claymore attempt that allowed Sheamus to hit the Brogue Kick and pin McIntyre to win the gauntlet match.
WINNER: Sheamus at 55:55 (Brogue Kick) to enter the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match last
-They showed replays after the match. Sheamus took the mic and said he did it, he just beat the WWE Champion. He said that makes him the final entrant, which makes him the odds on favorite to win the match. He said McIntyre can’t beat him, he never could, and he will prove this victory wasn’t a fluke when he becomes the next WWE Champion. The show ended.
(Hazelwood’s Take: A decent gauntlet match, though all the commercial breaks really hurt the momentum of these kinds of matches. It may have been better to have McIntyre start, make it to the end, and have the same finish. It would really put over McIntyre as a fighting, resilient champion, but having him third was the next best thing. Sheamus winning here means he’s probably not winning Sunday. McIntyre should retain as none of the other five participants, as painful as it is to say about Kingston, have as much gravitas as McIntyre as WWE Champion.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: You could tell they were really focusing all of their efforts on the nearly hour-long gauntlet match because the first two hours were suspect at best. Unfortunately for WWE, the biggest talking point from tonight will probably be the atrocious Evans-Flair angle from tonight instead of the build for any of the top championship matches Sunday. It’s also going to be interesting to see if Lee is injured, kayfabe injured, or still in some kind of COVID protocol that puts his status for the triple threat match Sunday up in the air. Regardless, it looks like we might have a lot to discuss next week after the PPV.
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