Date: February 10, 2025
Location: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN
**********
The Big Takeaway —
Jey Uso will wrestle Gunther at WrestleMania 41 for the
World Heavyweight Championship, meaning the winner of the
Men’s Elimination Chamber will face Cody Rhodes for the WWE
Championship. Logan Paul beat Rey Mysterio to qualify for
the match, joining John Cena, Drew McIntyre and CM Punk.
Bayley beat Lyra Valkyria to qualify for the Women’s
Chamber, joining Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan and Alexa Bliss.
Rhea Ripley will defend her Women’s World title against IYO
SKY on the Raw after Elimination Chamber. SKY pinned Morgan
in a tag match tonight.
**********
Show Recap —
Rey Mysterio, Logan Paul (and his cronies), Lyra Valkyria,
Bayley, and AJ Styles were shown arriving.
Jey Uso/Gunther segment
Jey entered to his usual big reaction as Michael Cole told
erectile dysfunction jokes. As with last week’s shows, the
crowd chanted “One more time” after his music cut, so they
played the music again, and he Yeeted along with the crowd.
(Cole looks like such a goof doing it along with everyone
else.)
As Jey posed on top of the announce desk, Cole suddenly
warned him because he was about to be attacked by Gunther.
Gunther tossed Jey around ringside and laid him out with a
powerbomb in the ring. He urged Jey not to choose him for
WrestleMania. He shoved aside some security and hit another
powerbomb.
As Gunther left, Jey grabbed a mic and slowly got to his
feet while announcing, “Me and you at WrestleMania.” Gunther
was pissed, so he marched back down to ringside. Jey knocked
him off the ring and wiped out Gunther and security with a
dive.
This was a good, simple setup. Having Gunther cut off Jey’s
long entrance was clever.
********
Cathy Kelley interviewed Rhea Ripley backstage. She thought
Charlotte Flair was wasting everyone’s time by not making
her Mania selection. Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai interrupted. Sky
told Ripley that she cost her a spot at WrestleMania and
stated, “I’m coming for you.” Ripley looked forward to it.
********
Morgan cut a promo during a break, stating her intention to
win the Elimination Chamber.
A video package aired plugging The War Raiders vs. The Creed
Brothers for the tag titles, happening later tonight.
IYO SKY & Dakota Kai defeated Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez
(14:57)
Cole mentioned that Kai was returning from injury, but he
didn’t say what the injury was.
Rodriguez dropped Sky and Kai awkwardly in separate spots
early in the match. The heels worked over Sky until Kai made
a tag. Kai hit Morgan with a PK but missed a running boot on
Rodriguez, which led to Rodriguez posting her. They worked
over Kai during a break, and Morgan hit her with three
amigos.
Sky made a hot tag after the break and wiped out both
opponents with a suicide dive. Sky hit Morgan with a great
missile dropkick and a Meteora in the corner for two. Sky
went for a Meteora again, but Rodriguez pulled Morgan to
safety.
Rodriguez and Morgan hit a combo elevated Codebreaker for a
nearfall. (Morgan’s knees must’ve nailed Sky right in the
face because she kept grabbing at her face/nose. Hopefully,
she’s ok. The ref quickly checked on her, and the match
continued.)
Kai tagged in and hit Morgan with a Kai-ropractor for two.
Morgan hit Kai with an Oblivion, but Sky broke up the cover
with a running knee. Morgan was busted open. Kai hit
Rodriguez with a running boot, and Morgan took out Kai with
a Codebreaker. Sky rolled up Morgan, and Morgan kicked out
at two. (It was supposed to be a nearfall, but Morgan kicked
out early.)
Morgan and Sky had an exchange, which led to Sky hitting a
double foot stomp, kick to the head, and moonsault for the
pinfall win.
This was pretty good. The crowd was quiet when it started
but they got really into it and popped big for Sky getting
the win.
*******
Cole announced that Sami Zayn suffered spinal compression
and extreme nerve damage thanks to Kevin Owens’ attack.
New Day cut a promo in the crowd during a break. Kofi
Kingston didn’t understand why Rey Mysterio was in the
Elimination Chamber over either of them, and he reminded us
of this performance in the 2019 Chamber. The crowd booed,
and they were eventually cut off by Bayley’s entrance for
the next segment.
*********
They mentioned that Bayley would be playing in the NBA
Celebrity All-Star Game.
Roxanne Perez and George Kittle were shown in the crowd.
Elimination Chamber qualifier: Bayley defeated Women’s
Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria (12:16)
This was a first-time-ever match. There were duelling chants
early on.
Bayley hit a sunset flip bomb into the bottom turnbuckle,
but Valkyria got her knees up on a flying elbow attempt.
Valkyria went for a tornado DDT, but Bayley hit a Bayley-to-
belly for a nearfall. Bayley hit a running knee strike and a
suplex of some sort that didn’t look good for a two-count.
They fought to the apron, and Valkyria hit a tornado DDT and
fisherman’s suplex on the outside. Valkyria hit another
fisherman’s suplex in the ring for two. Valkyria headbutted
Bayley off the top and followed with a leg drop as Bayley
was draped over the middle rope.
Valkyria went for a cradle, but Bayley drove her into the
bottom rope. Valkyria tried another cradle, but Bayley
caught her in a cradle of her own for the pinfall win.
— Bayley helped Valkyria to her feet after the match, and
they posed together as the crowd applauded.
(They played this up as the veteran Bayley against Valkyria,
who grew up idolizing her. They put over Valkyria’s
performance despite the loss and spoke about her strong year
on Raw. They didn’t really address the fact that Bayley just
pinned the IC champion.)
********
There was a Penta video package where he spoke about Pete
Dunne and Ludwig Kaiser.
Jackie Redmond interviewed Kaiser, but they were interrupted
by Dunne. He was pissed at Kaiser for getting involved last
week. Dunne said he would destroy Penta next week and told
Kaiser to stay out of his business. Dunne left.
AJ Styles walked past Kaiser as they went to break.
********
During a break, McAfee kept the crowd warm, then had them
all wish Michael Cole a happy birthday. Cole sheepishly hid
his face when McAfee mentioned his birthday. (Odd, because
Wikipedia says his birthday is December 8th.)
Hardy (musician) was shown in the crowd.
Alpha Academy consoled Valkyria backstage when they were
interrupted by American Made. Ivy Nile mocked Valkyria for
losing and being coached by losers. Valkyria told her to
back off or else. Nile said they would do it on her time,
but first, the Creed Brothers would win the tag titles.
********
AJ Styles segment
Styles entered, and the crowd chanted his name. He spoke
about returning in Nashville four months ago, but he
suffered what should have been a career-threatening injury
(against Carmelo Hayes). But he woke up the next day and
knew he still had gas in the tank and still had something to
prove.
It was hard coming back, but anything worth doing was
difficult. He announced that he was back and had a long to-
do list. He also wanted to remind the locker room that he
was still the Phenomenal AJ Styles.
Dominik Mysterio and Carlito interrupted. They got a lot of
heat. Dom wanted to inform Styles that Judgment Day still
ran Raw. Styles said a lot had changed while he was gone. He
wondered where Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley and Finn Bálor
were. Styles said no matter how much has changed, Dom would
always be Rey’s punk-ass kid.
Dom tried a cheap shot, but Styles blocked it. Styles fought
off Carlito, which allowed Dom to drop Styles on the middle
rope. Dom went for a 619, but Styles chased him out of the
ring. Styles gave Carlito a Phenomenal Forearm.
********
Gunther vs. Jey Uso for the world title was made official
for WrestleMania.
Redmond interviewed Seth Rollins in the crowd. Rollins said
Jey made his choice for Mania, which meant all eyes were on
Cody Rhodes, the WWE Championship, and on the Chamber. All
eyes were also on the winner of the Chamber—Seth freakin’
Rollins.
Bálor interrupted. He said all eyes were on Rollins, but all
they were seeing was his downfall. We all saw the cracks. We
all saw Rollins lose to CM Punk. We all saw Rollins lose his
mind at the Royal Rumble. The only thing standing in Bálor’s
way from a title shot at Mania was a guy who was falling
apart.
Rollins said they had a long history, and any time they
stepped in the ring, they put on a show. But Rollins had
unfinished business with Punk and Rhodes. Bálor was standing
in his way, but after next week, he wouldn’t be standing at
all. Bálor smiled and left.
********
Kelley interviewed Austin Theory and Grayson Waller during a
break. They plugged NXT and said there would be a new NXT
Champion soon. They mocked Sami Zayn by confusing him for an
unhoused man and mocked Sheamus for losing his shot at the
IC title again. Kelley was unamused and cut them off.
Adam Pearce granted Styles his wish and gave him a match
against Dom next week. Bron Breakker (in a cowboy hat) got
in Styles’ face and said, “See you around.”
Golden Tate and Bailey Zimmerman were shown in the crowd.
********
Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders defeated The Creed
Brothers (w/Ivy Nile) via disqualification (12:22)
Erik slammed Ivar on top of Julius before Ivar smushed
Brutus into the side of the ring with a crossbody. Erik hit
Julius with a sit-out powerbomb and running knee ahead of a
break. The Creeds used a simple distraction to take control
of Erik during the break, which led to a somewhat boring
heat segment.
Ivar made a hot tag after the break. He beat up both
opponents before the Raiders gave Brutus a combo powerslam
for two. Julius yanked Erik off the apron while Brutus gave
Ivar an Angle Slam. (Kurt Angle was mentioned a bunch during
this match.) Ivar knocked down the Creeds with a double
handspring elbow.
Ivar went to the top but stopped what he was doing because
of a distraction by Nile. Julius popped up to the top rope
and hit a superplex. Brutus followed with a moonsault, but
Erik broke up the cover.
The Raiders set up for their finisher, but Julius hit Erik
with a title belt for the DQ. Brutus hit Ivar with a belt as
well. They held the belts up as the crowd booed.
********
Bálor joined the Judgment Day in their clubhouse. They were
all beat up, except for Dom (who ran away from Styles
earlier). Morgan had a huge gash above her eye.
Dom told Bálor that things were going to turn around for
them soon. Bálor said Styles made Dom look like a fool. Dom
said they could’ve used his help, but he would take care of
Styles next week. Dom suggested they find a new member.
They’ve been shorthanded, especially with JD McDonagh out.
Morgan seconded the idea.
Bálor refused. He did not want a new member. He would fix
things by beating Rollins, winning the Chamber and becoming
champion at Mania.
********
Ripley approached Sky and Kai as they were leaving. Ripley
said she didn’t owe Sky anything. She wasn’t giving Sky a
match because she felt she needed to but because she wanted
to. She spoke to Pearce and had a title match made official
for the Raw after Chamber. Sky was pleased.
********
Next week on Raw:
Men’s Elimination Chamber qualifier: Seth Rollins vs. Finn
Bálor
Women’s Elimination Chamber qualifier: Roxanne Perez vs.
Raquel Rodriguez
Penta vs. Pete Dunne
AJ Styles vs. Dominik Mysterio
********
CM Punk segment
Punk said he was confident he was going to win the Rumble.
He talked a lot, and maybe sometimes he talked too much
because he didn’t win the Rumble. He wasn’t mad at Jey Uso.
He liked watching his peers accomplish their goals. Punk’s
goals were still there. He issued a warning to Rhodes.
Punk noted that one guy in the Chamber didn’t even qualify—
he just declared himself. Punk took a shot at John Cena but
did say he was a legend who deserved to call his shot. The
bad news for Cena was that he would see Punk in the Chamber.
Punk planned on beating the living crap out of Cena to win
the match.
The only other person who has qualified so far was that
piece of crap Drew McIntyre. McIntyre wasn’t on Raw anymore
because he ran away so fast to the other show. Punk
destroyed McIntyre inside Hell in a Cell and would do the
same in the Chamber. (Punk also mentioned the possibility of
Rollins or Bálor qualifying.)
Punk has never been more confident in his life, and
WrestleMania 41 belonged to him.
Logan Paul interrupted. Paul understood why they called him
“Punk.” He had a lot of names for Punk, but none you could
say on TV. Paul wondered why the fans would boo him but
cheer Punk. Paul said he eliminated Punk from the Rumble,
and that was the best 15 minutes of fame in Punk’s career.
Paul had his number in the Rumble and would have it again in
the Chamber. Paul would give Rey his 15 minutes of fame
tonight.
Punk congratulated Paul on eliminating him from the Rumble.
Punk would’ve mentioned him earlier, but he forgot Paul even
had a match tonight. Paul may have had his number at the
Rumble, but the number he pulled tonight was 619. Punk
advised him to worry about the legend Rey Mysterio. If he
was lucky enough to get past Rey, Punk would see him in
Toronto and put him to sleep.
********
Cole announced a crowd of 13,009. He did not call it a sell-
out.
Elimination Chamber qualifier: Logan Paul defeated Rey
Mysterio (17:15)
They got off to a rough start, but the match got much better
as it went. Paul hit a nice fallaway slam moonsault ahead of
a break and an impressive-looking press slam to the smaller
man during the break.
Paul slid Rey out of the ring, but Rey rolled through and
popped to his feet. He hammered away at Paul and drove him
into the barricade, but Paul responded by dropping him onto
the top of the barricade. Paul was going to drive him into
the ring post, but Rey countered and drove him into the
steel steps. Rey followed with a sliding splash to the
outside.
Rey hit a seated senton and springboard moonsault for two.
Paul responded with a Finlay roll and a springboard
moonsault of his own for two. Rey came back with a tornado
DDT for two. Rey went for a 619, but Paul booted him. Paul
was standing on the middle rope, so Rey got under him and
actually hit a sit-out powerbomb for two.
Rey hit a 619, but Paul got his knees up on a frog splash.
Paul followed with a right hand and a cool new finisher (a
lifting DDT variation) for the clean pinfall win. (McAfee
called it the Paulverizer.)
Paul joins Cena, Punk, and McIntyre in the Chamber.
— As the show was ending, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods
attacked Rey from behind. Their attack lasted about two
seconds before the show went off the air.
