Date: February 3, 2025
Location: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH
**********
The Big Takeaway —
CM Punk will join John Cena in the men’s Elimination Chamber
match in Toronto after beating Sami Zayn in a qualifying
match. Kevin Owens laid out Zayn with a package piledriver
after the match.
The main event match and post-match were both really good
but tainted by a significant amount of glitching of the
Netflix feed (which hadn’t really happened before tonight).
Jey Uso and Charlotte Flair both appeared, but neither
announced which champion they would face at WrestleMania.
Jey will be on Friday’s Smackdown to address Cody Rhodes,
while Charlotte will be on NXT and Smackdown to address
Giulia and Tiffany Stratton, respectively.
Drew McIntyre was not on the show.
**********
Show Recap —
Sami Zayn, CM Punk, Judgment Day, Iyo Sky, and Charlotte
Flair were shown arriving. There was a long video package
highlighting the Royal Rumble.
Michael Cole announced a crowd tonight of 13,432.
Jey Uso segment
Jey Uso entered to a huge reaction. He really kept the crowd
going, and his entrance lasted a good five minutes. His
music cut and fans chanted, “One more time.” So they played
his music again, and he Yeeted along with them again. They
followed with loud “You deserve it” chants.
An emotional Jey Uso caught his breath and removed his
shades to address the fans. He took an additional moment to
gather himself as the fans chanted, “Yeet.” He thanked the
fans. Jey said, “To be honest, I don’t even know what to
say.” Everyone yelled, “Yeet,” and he responded, “Man,
besides that!”
He said he came into the game about 15 years ago. He and
Jimmy tried to make a good living and carry on their family
legacy. They did that. He went through the pandemic era and
the Bloodline. They were cool chapters of his career. But,
after that, he was scared because he didn’t have the
confidence to be a singles star. But after coming out here
tonight, he realized: “I got it now.”
Jey said, “I worked really hard to get to this spot, man. I
worked hard to get to this position.” He began tearing up as
he thanked the fans. He even struggled to get the words out
because he was so emotional. He thanked the fans because,
thanks to them, he was the 2025 Royal Rumble winner, and he
was going to the Mania main event.
Gunther entered. He wanted to offer his congratulations, but
really, he was disappointed. This possible matchup didn’t
appeal to him. Jey couldn’t even lace his boots. Gunther
learned box office and learned how to make the fans think he
was barely holding onto the title. But the reality was he
was always in control.
Gunther refused to do this with Jey again. Beating him at
Mania would add nothing to his legacy, unlike beating John
Cena, Roman Reigns or CM Punk. Jey had everything to gain,
while Gunther had everything to lose. Gunther said, “If you
choose me, Jey, every week is going to be hell, with
WrestleMania being the most horrible display of violence
this business has ever seen. I’m going to hurt you, Jey. I’m
going to put you down like a diseased dog.” Gunther said Jey
had options, and he would be wise to consider them.
Jey asked if Gunther wasn’t tired yet. Jey was tired. He was
tired of everyone telling him what he can and cannot be. Jey
said he would go to Smackdown and holler at Cody Rhodes. But
no matter who he chose, he would go into Mania as the Rumble
winner, and he would walk out of Mania as the champion.
(It’s always nice seeing guys show genuine emotion, and I
thought Jey came across great here.)
********
There will be an update on Roman Reigns tonight after
getting stomped repeatedly by Seth Rollins on Saturday.
They aired a clip of John Cena declaring for the Elimination
Chamber in Toronto. (The reporters in the room clapped for
him when he left.)
********
Kaiser entered during a break and cut a quick promo on
Penta. This was a first-time-ever match.
Penta defeated Ludwig Kaiser (9:58)
Kaiser hit a rolling DVD onto the apron, which led to a
break two minutes into the match. Kaiser maintained control
through the break, but Penta fired up with chops and a
clunky backstabber for two. They exchanged chops before
Penta wiped out Kaiser with a flip dive, followed by a
flying crossbody for two.
Penta hit consecutive superkicks, but Kaiser came back with
a Finlay roll for two. Penta snapped the arm of Kaiser and
hit Penta Driver for the pinfall win. This was fine.
— Jackie Redmond went to interview Penta in the ring, but
they were interrupted by Pete Dunne as he entered to his
music. Kaiser took the opportunity and laid out Penta from
behind. Dunne looked surprised but not upset.
*********
They showed pictures but not video of JD McDonagh’s dive
last week that resulted in broken ribs and a punctured lung.
Cole said this is why you don’t try this at home.
An annoyed Finn Bálor approached Judgment Day. He said he’s
been gone for two weeks, and everything has fallen apart.
Dominik stole his tag title match and got his partner
injured. Bálor thought they might need a babysitter for Dom.
Liv Morgan interjected to stick up for Dom. She informed
Bálor that Adam Pearce would have given their tag title
match to another team if Dom hadn’t stepped in. She blamed
the War Raiders for McDonagh’s injury.
Morgan had good news. She had a qualifying match for the
Chamber, and Dom got her and Raquel Rodriguez a tag title
shot. On top of that, Dom got Bálor a qualifying match in
the Chamber.
Bálor was surprised to learn it was Dom. Dom said they were
family. An excited Carlito (with an apple) asked Dom what he
got for him. Dom shrugged and said, “I got you that apple.”
********
Charlotte Flair segment
Charlotte entered to a mixed reaction. There were people
booing as she began speaking, although it wasn’t that loud.
She said that booing would have bothered her a year ago. But
she missed them. She’s been gone over a year and missed the
fans booing and cheering her.
She said last year sucked. She thought she was unbreakable,
but last year broke her mentally and physically. People
booed. There was a point where she didn’t think her knee
would get better. People booed. She said she would embrace
the booing because she loved the fans. Their reaction didn’t
change the fact that she was the greatest superstar in the
history of this business. People booed. Last year broke her,
but she fought because this ring was her passion. This was
the thing she wanted to be the very best at.
Rhea Ripley interrupted. The crowd chanted, “Mami.” Ripley
said this was her show, and they had the opportunity to go
to war again. Ripley respected Charlotte and hoped she
picked her because the last time they fought at Mania, “I
beat you.” Charlotte reminded Ripley that she won the first
time they wrestled at Mania. Ripley said she was just a kid
back then.
Charlotte said she had plenty of time to make her decision.
She planned to attend NXT tomorrow to see if Giulia inspired
her and planned to attend Smackdown to see if Tiffany
Stratton inspired her. Charlotte said Ripley jumped the gun
by coming out here, which just showed her that Ripley was
still just a kid.
Ripley said Charlotte didn’t respect her and told Charlotte
to pick her so she could beat the respect into her.
(This wasn’t good. Charlotte didn’t come across well in any
fashion. She was booed but didn’t get a ton of heat, and she
played it off poorly.)
********
Redmond interviewed Sami Zayn backstage about facing CM Punk
for the first time ever tonight. Zayn said it was tough
losing the Rumble because he thought this was his year. He
didn’t have time to think about that because he could have
another shot at the Chamber, and Punk was all he had on his
mind.
Redmond asked about Kevin Owens but Zayn ended the interview
upon seeing Jey Uso offscreen. Jey tried to tell him that he
wasn’t trying to eliminate him from the Rumble. Zayn didn’t
want to hear that. He hugged Jey and told him this moment
was his. Zayn said, “You did this, you got here, now go all
the way.” Jey wished him luck against Punk.
Karrion Kross approached Zayn and asked what it was like to
see everyone else live out his dream. Zayn was tired of
seeing him and said they would have a problem soon if this
didn’t stop. Kross issued a warning.
********
New Day entered to new music. They cut a promo during a
break. Kofi Kingston said a crime was committed when they
were excluded from the Rumble. Kingston has given them more
memorable Rumble moments than anyone. Xavier Woods said the
fans were booing the truth, which made them liars. Kingston
said they couldn’t wait to get out of Cleveland, just like
Myles Garrett.
********
Ripley bumped into Iyo Sky backstage. Sky said she might see
her at Mania. After Ripley left, Morgan attacked Sky until
Ripley ran back in to chase her away, but Rodriguez tackled
Ripley over some equipment boxes.
********
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defeated Rey Mysterio & Dragon
Lee (11:18)
Logan Paul entered to his music about three and a half
minutes into the match. He was booed in his hometown and
later received loud “F*ck you, Logan” chants. They did their
best to censor it. Cole said Paul has a Chamber qualifying
match against Rey next week.
Paul’s entrance distracted the good guys. Kingston used
Dragon Lee’s mask to yank him off the top rope. Rey, who has
been wrestling for 36 years, turned his back completely to
the ring to watch Paul walk out, so Woods shoved him off the
steps and into the barricade.
Rey made a hot tag after a break, but Woods saved Kingston
from a 619. Rey hit Kingston with a seated senton outside
the ring. Paul got in Rey’s face, so Rey shoved Paul on his
ass. He also posted Kingston, while Dragon Lee gave Woods a
hurricanrana off the apron.
As Kingston distracted the referee, Paul yanked Rey out of
the ring onto the black mats. Kingston followed with Trouble
in Paradise for the pinfall win.
(Cole reminded us that Paul will face Rey in a qualifying
match next week. Perhaps Kingston should be in that match
now, too?)
********
Cole gave us a non-update on Reigns. He said they could only
share what Reigns would allow them to share, and that was
that he’ll be out “for the foreseeable future.”
********
Cathy Kelley interviewed CM Punk. Punk said the silver
lining from last night was that Rollins and Reigns did not
win the Rumble. Punk apologized to the Zayn fans because
Punk was going to the Chamber. He set a goal to go to Mania,
and the pressure was on everyone else.
********
During a break, there was a confrontation between Alpha
Academy and A-Town Down.
McAfee put over Cleveland but said their teams all stink.
Cole reminded him that the Cavaliers are good this year.
They aired a Rumble clip of IShowSpeed assisting in Otis’
elimination before getting killed by Bron Breakker. They
claimed this clip had more than 300 million views in less
than 24 hours on social media.
There was a video package for Lyra Valkyria vs. Bayley next
week. They were both shown in the audience.
********
Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Liv Morgan (w/Raquel
Rodriguez) defeated IYO SKY via disqualification (12:12)
Morgan has a higher rating (91) than Sky (89) in WWE 2K25.
They were having a really good match until the finish.
Sky hit a suicide dive ahead of a break, but Morgan took
control after knocking her off the top rope. Morgan hit
three amigos after the break, but Sky came back with a knee
strike. Sky hit a great-looking missile dropkick and double-
foot stomp for two. Morgan hit a backstabber (Cole said she
learned the move from Carlito, but she’s been doing it a
long time.)
Sky went to the top but a distraction by Rodriguez allowed
Morgan to knock her off. Sky fought her off and hit a
springboard moonsault. Sky tried something off the top but
Morgan countered into a Codebreaker for a nearfall. Sky came
back with a Frankensteiner and double knee strike in the
corner.
Sky went for a moonsault, but Rodriguez distracted her
again, allowing Morgan to get her knees up on the moonsault.
Morgan went for Oblivion, but Sky countered into a German
suplex.
Ripley ran out to take out Rodriguez. Morgan grabbed at
Ripley’s hair, so Ripley turned around and punched her. The
referee called for a DQ, and they announced Morgan as the
winner. This was so stupid.
Ripley tried reasoning with Sky, but Sky left.
********
Kelley interviewed the War Raiders. They said JD McDonagh
earned their respect. Chad Gable and American Made
interrupted. Gable called them pathetic for injuring a stud
like McDonagh and running away just barely clinging to their
belts. He said they weren’t championship material, unlike
his boys, the Creed Brothers. Ivar told them to be prepared
to go to war if they wanted the titles. The War Raiders
left.
Gable told his team, “Guys, I have to leave you for a bit.
I’m going on a quest on my own to conquer the dark arts of
Lucha libre.” When he got back, he wanted to see Ivy Nile
with the IC title and the Creeds with the tag titles.
********
There was a video package for AJ Styles. Pearce said he made
one more move before the transfer portal closed and
announced that Styles was now a member of Raw. He’ll be on
next week.
Bron Breakker entered and advised Pearce to keep Styles away
from him. Bron also wanted to know what was next for him and
didn’t think Pearce was showing him much respect. They left
to discuss it.
*********
Seth Rollins/Sami Zayn segment
Rollins entered wearing his newest ridiculous outfit. He
said it stung that he didn’t win the Rumble, but he was
happy and proud of Jey Uso. He loved seeing good people get
what they deserve. He also loved that Punk lost. He loved
seeing a scumbag and a piece of trash get dumped by that
idiot Logan Paul.
Rollins said Roman Reigns also lost and may not make it to
Mania at all. Reigns was hurt, but Reigns and Paul Heyman
wouldn’t admit it. WWE wouldn’t tell them the truth but
Rollins knew that he hurt Reigns. Rollins wasn’t in the
wrong because, for the past four years, Reigns has done
nothing but hurt those closest to him. Reigns had a limited
schedule, so if anything, Rollins did him a favour.
Rollins said his path to Mania now went to the Chamber, and
he had a qualifier in a couple of weeks against Finn Bálor.
Rollins wanted to talk to Zayn and called him out.
Zayn entered. Rollins led the crowd in a chant for Sami.
Rollins admitted they haven’t seen eye-to-eye lately, but
that was in the past. Their future could be the Chamber or
Mania, but Zayn’s immediate future was Punk. Everyone knew
Rollins hated Punk, but Rollins knew how much Zayn hated
Punk, too.
Rollins said Zayn put on a brave face at War Games, but
tonight was not the night for that. Rollins reminded Zayn
that Punk said he wasn’t on his level. Punk was delusional
if he thought that. Zayn main-event Mania. Zayn was also a
good person, something Punk has never been. Punk wasn’t on
Zayn’s level because Zayn was levels above.
Rollins wanted Zayn to keep Punk out of the Chamber. People
like Zayn belonged in the match, not Punk. “Put his
WrestleMania dream in the dirt for good, and come fight me
in that Chamber.”
As Rollins was leaving, Punk’s music hit, and they met in
the aisle. They tried to exchange fists, but referees
quickly got between them. Rollins continued to the back
while Punk went to the ring.
(Rollins gave the fans so many reasons to boo him here, but
they never really did. He may not necessarily be turning,
though.)
********
Elimination Chamber qualifying match: CM Punk defeated Sami
Zayn (14:57)
(The Netflix feed glitched a few times earlier tonight,
mostly in backstage segments, but it happened a lot during
this match, particularly toward the end.)
Zayn hit a superplex ahead of a break. He came off the top
rope, but Punk caught him mid-air with a dropkick. There
were duelling chants, which led to both men colliding with
simultaneous crossbody attempts. After a break, Zayn hit a
tornado DDT. Zayn wasn’t able to make a cover because of an
injury to his elbow, which Punk worked on earlier.
Punk avoided a Blue Thunder Bomb and hit a kick to the head,
followed by a shoulder tackle and running knee. Zayn
countered a bulldog into a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Zayn
avoided another tackle, and Punk went shoulder-first into
the post. Punk kicked out of a cradle and applied an
Anaconda Vice, but Zayn got a rope break.
Punk hit a knee strike and taunted Zayn, telling him to look
at the Mania sign. Zayn tried to catch him off guard with a
Helluva Kick, but Punk saw it coming and dodged it. Punk
went for a GTS but Zayn countered into a small package for a
nearfall. (This was one of those nearfalls where Punk may
not have kicked out in time, but it wasn’t the planned
finish.)
Zayn avoided the GTS again and hit an exploder into the
corner. Zayn set up for Helluva Kick, but Punk caught him
with the GTS for the pinfall win.
The screen glitched like crazy as Punk looked up at the
Mania sign. The glitching was so bad post-match that I
would’ve turned it off if I wasn’t writing this report.
This match was really good, glitching aside.
— Punk shook Zayn’s hand after the match.
Kevin Owens showed up out of nowhere and attacked Zayn from
behind. (Zayn bumped into Punk, who fell out of the ring.)
Owens gave Zayn a package piledriver as the crowd booed. The
show ended with a shot of Owens wearing a “Sami Zayn
Forever” t-shirt.
