WWE Raw live results: The Elimination Chamber go-home show

The Big Takeaway: The go-home show for Elimination Chamber had, technically, the longest match in Raw history. It was a gauntlet match with Braun Strowman winning over the Miz. The match was aimed at reigniting Seth Rollins, who pinned Roman Reigns and John Cena, working well over an hour before losing to Elias. The main event featured Mickie James and Alexa Bliss once again workng together, this time with James saving Bliss from an attack by Absolution. 

Show Recap: 

Braun Strowman pinned the Miz to win a Gauntlet Match that also included Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Elias, Finn Balor and John Cena (1:53:32) 

Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns (21:07)  

Reigns hit a spinning slam for a two count. Rollins came back with a blockbuster and a sling blade, but started selling his left knee. Rollins caught a springboard clothesline and followed with a clothesline over the top rope to send Reigns to the floor. Rollins attempted a tope, but Reigns crossed up the spot with a right hand and drilled Rollins with the Drive-By. Rollins called for the Superman Punch, but Rollins kicked him in the midsection and used the Buckle Bomb, but Reigns bounced off the turnbuckle and landed the Superman Punch.

After a commercial, Rollins missed a Frog Splash. Regins fired a few uppercuts, but Rollins threw him over the top rope, soared through the second rope with a tope, and came back with another. Rollins did a springboard, but Reigns greeted him with a Superman Punch for a good false finish. Reigns attempted the spear, but Rollins caught him with a kick, then attempted a Curb Stomp, but Reigns countered that into a schoolboy cradle, only to have Rollins reverse that into a cradle for the clean pin. After initial disbelief, Reigns just smirked and wanted to shake Rollins’ hand. Before they could, John Cena came out for the next part of the gauntlet match. 

Seth Rollins pinned John Cena (28:25) 

After that well-paced match with Reigns and Rollins, Cena started immediately with rest holds. Cena tried to get a countout victory but Rollins rolled back into the ring. Cena used three consecutive belly-to-belly suplexes for a two count. Cena went for the AA, but Rollins escaped and dropped a DDT. Cena ducked a punch, picked up Rollins for a slam and teased a power clean into the AA, but instead dropped Rollins into a stunner for a two count. Cena kept telling Rollins to stay down, I suppose to save himself up for the Elimination Chamber. Rollins teased that he was on the verge of being knocked out after selling some of Cena’s right hands. Cena was almost a subtle heel, telling Rollins there were lots of guys waiting to enter the match, Rollins was nearly out and Cena felt great.

Rollins fired up and made a brief comeback, but Cena hit an elbow. Cena bumped Rollins off the apron to send Rollins to the floor, and again Cena was content with a countout victory, but Rollins got back into the ring at nine. Cena backdropped Rollins over the top rope, but Rollins landed on the apron and attempted a springboard, but Cena caught Rollins bad left leg and clamped on the STF. Rollins escaped to hit the Sling Blade. Rollins attempted the vertical suplex into a Falcoln Arrow, but Cena countered that into a Blue Thunder driver. Cena teased the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Rollins kicked Cena to the ropes and landed a Superkick for two. They fought on the apron, where Cena dodged a charge by Rollins, who ran into the post. But Cena missed a charge and plowed into the ring steps. They teased a double countout finish but both men got back in the ring. Cena landed the side slam, the Five Knuckle Shuffle and went for the AA, but Rollins turned it into a sunset flip for two. Then Rollins clamped on the crossface in the center of the ring. Cena powered out with Rollins on his shoulders and tried the AA, but Rollins landed on his feet and caught an enzuigiri.

Rollins raced to the ropes for a Frog Splash, but Cena kicked out for a near fall. Cena went for the Ripcord, but Cena hit the AA, and Rollins kicked out for a great near fall. Rollins had been in the ring for over 50 minutes and the fans chanted “Burn it Down” in appreciation of the effort. Cena went to the top rope, but Rollins hit the vertical superlex/Falcon Arrow combination for another great near fall. Rollins attempted the curb stomp, but Cena moved and put on the STF again. Rollins got to the ropes, then missed an enzuigiri. Cena put the STF on again and Rollins got to the ropes again. Rollins rolled out of the ring. Cena set up Rollins for the Super AA, but Rollins got out. Cena jumped off the second rope, but Rollins caught Cena, rolled through and scored the AA. Cena kicked out of his own finisher. Crowd was loving this and they were 57 minutes into the match at this point. Cena & Rollins had been in there for over 35 minutes. Rollins missed the Phoenix Splash and Cena hit the AA, then tried to roll through and hit another, but Rollins came back with the Ripcord and followed with the Curb Stomp for the pin. 

Elias next in. 

As Elias held Rollins in a half crab, Renee Young interviewed Cena in the back. Cena did an UFC-style interview where he said Rollins is trying to be “Mr. Monday Night,” but he had a bigger goal of trying to get to WrestleMania. Cena gave Rollins credit that he made a mistake, and he has some distractions to deal with right now. For now, Cena said he has six days to figure out a path to WrestleMania.

Elias defeated Rollins (8:26)

Elias won clean after Drift Away. There was a groan from the crowd after Elias got the three count. Crowd chanted “Thank you, Seth” as he limped to the back with the help of several officials. 

Balor came in next. Rollins did an interview with Young. Rollins looked disappointed saying he guesses pinning two of the all time greats tonight means something, but it won’t mean anything if he can’t win the Elimination Chamber. 

Finn Balor defeated Elias (17:03) 

Crowd started chanting for Strowman as Elias worked on Balor’s left arm. Balor made his comeback with a series of forearms, but the crowd just wasn’t hot for him. Elias went to the top rope, but Balor kicked him across the head and punted Elias with the Woo Dropkick on the floor. Balor hit the Sling Blade, but Elias countered with a clothesline and a Liger Bomb for a two count. After a commercial, Balor popped the crowd with a kick to Elias’ face on the apron. Elias kicked out and immediately moved into a Fujiwara armbar. Balor got to his feet and hit a double stomp for a two count. Balor ducked a clothesline and scored with the Sling Blade, followed by the Woo Dropkick and the Coup de Grace for the pin. 

Elias did an interview with Young said he would have the advantage since he’s entering last. He said he’ll pick the bones from five other men, apparently forgetting that it’s six men now. Michael Cole had to correct him afterwards. 

The Miz defeated Finn Balor (11:31) 

Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas came out of the regular entrance. As Balor had his back turned, Miz ran through the crowd and jumped Balor from behind to score two Pimp Juice DDTs, each for two counts. Miz clamped on an armbar and dropped it across the ropes. Balor sold it like George St. Pierre had him in an armbar. Miz continued with the armbar before Balor pulled off the Final Cut. Balor escaped the Skull Crushing Finale and used a victory roll for a two count. With the referee’s back turned, Dallas grabbed at Balor’s bad arm. Miz followed with an O’Connor Roll for a two count. Balor wiped out Axel and Dallas with a somersault tope. In the ring, Balor hit the Woo Dropkick on Mix. Axel and Dallas jumped on the apron as Balor went for the Coup de Grace. Miz got up and crotched Balor, and got the pin with the Skull Crushing Finale. 

Miz seemed happy to win, but then remembered that Strowman was the final man in the gauntlet match. Strowman got a good top babyface reaction. 

Young interviewed Balor, who said on Sunday, the MizTourage will be locked out of the chamber and the Miz will be locked in the Chamber with six other guys. He vowed to beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. 

Braun Strowman pinned the Miz (11:00) to win the Gauntlet Match

Miz rolled out of the ring and tried to run away, but Strowman chased him down near the commentator’s table and dragged Miz back to the ring. Strowman tossed Miz around, doing several beal throws. Miz came out of the corner but Strowman hit a dropkick, then clubbed Miz across the chest while he was draped over his knee. Strowman took a bump over the top rope. Miz ran after him on the floor, but Strowman plowed Miz to the floor. As Strowman was distracted by Dallas and Axel, Miz ran up from behind and hit the Skull Crushing Finale. Strowman kicked out and Miz took a bump out of the ring and fell onto Axel and Dallas. Strowman got the pin with a running powerslam. 

Charly Caruso did an interview with Strowman, who said he doesn’t fear the unknown, the unknown fears me. Strowman called Miz “Beastie Boy” and said he wasn’t finished with him. Strowman said Miz was going to get these hands. Strowman went after Dallas and Axel, pulled them both back in the ring and gave both of them running powerslams. Strowman chased Miz to the back and threw him back on the ramp. Strowman threw Miz down the ramp and back in the ring to deliver another running powerslam. Strowman started to leave, but the crowd wanted more and gave Miz another powerslam. 

They showed a Jeff Jarrett Hall of Fame video package, starting with his original WWE vignettes and the Road Dogg Jesse James as his manager. They also showed his run as a main eventer in the downward spiral known as 2000 WCW. They showed his angle with Ben Stiller in 1999 where Jarrett put Stiller in the Figure Four Leglock. The segment ended with “With my Baby Tonight” palying over the PA system. Jarrett will be the fourth man to enter the WWE and TNA Halls of Fame, joining the Dudley Boyz, Sting and Kurt Angle. Probably the only other person who will join that group will be Gail Kim someday. 

Young did an in-ring interview with Asuka about Nia Jax potentially beating her. Asuka said she controls her own destiny and her destiny is to win the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. Asuka got lost with her script here. She froze and had to endure some catcalls. Jax tried to jump Asuka from behind, but Asuka met her with a kick and some punched. Jax overpowered Asuka with a Samoan Drop and several legdrops. 

Cole introduced a package of Ronda Rousey to play up her Raw Contract Signing at Elimination Chamber. They showed Rousey appearing on Jimmy Kimmell, Conan O’Brien and Jimm Fallon with Charlotte, Naomi and Stephanie McMahon putting her over. They showed her working out in a “Bo Lieve” t-shirt, of all things. It was a great piece. 

Titus O’Neil and Apollo defeated Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Sheamus in a nontitle match (4:30) 

A fan at ringside had a sign that read “Push Apollo Crews” that got a rise out of the crowd after Cesaro had some byplay with him. Titus O’Neil pinned Cesaro with a schoolboy cradle after Cesaro missed a shoulder charge into the corner. Crowd was dead until the surprise finish. 

Matt Hardy will face Bray Wyatt at Elimination Chamber. This led to a Wyatt promo. He said some say the end in near. He hopes they’re right, not just because of the fans but because of Hardy. His end with be at the Elimination Chamber. Hardy popped up on the screen and said he and Wyatt have been battling since the beginning of time and their battle is just beginning. Hardy said Wyatt must be rendered obsolete. Hardy said with the Woken Warriors by his side, Wyatt will surrender to being obsolete and become deleted. 

Absolution did a promo in the back with what appeared to be an iPhone. Rose said since she and DeVille are partners, they can team up against the other four women in the Elimination Chamber and win the Raw Women’s Championship. 

Sasha Banks, Mickie James and Bayley defeated Mandy Rose, Sonya DeVille and Alexa Bliss via tapout (15:53)  

 Rose got the heat on Bayley, including dropping Bayley face first when Bayley attempted a kick over. Bliss only tagged in when Bayley was down, much to the dismay of DeVille. They did the old “referee didn’t see the tag” spot when Banks tried to tag in. That led to Banks and Rose somehow colliding head-to-head. James got the hot tag instead. James came off the top rope with the Thesz Press on Rose and a Mick Kick on DeVille. Later, DeVille grabbed James’ leg and Rose hit her from behind. Rose used an abdominal stretch and an inverted gut wrench suplex. James hit the flying head scissors on DeVille, but DeVille recovered to take down James with a double leg. James gave both Rose and DeVille a neckbreaker to make the tag to Banks. Sasha used the double knees to take down Rose as all six women got in the ring. Banks tried to pin Bliss with a schoolgirl cradle, but Bliss reversed it. Bliss violently sent Banks into the corner, but Banks got a schoolgirl cradle into the Bank Statement for the tapout. 

DeVille and Rose laid out Banks and Bayley postmatch. Bliss was standing alone with DeVille and Rose, who backed Bliss into a corner. Then James came to the aid of Bliss, and the two teamed together to rid the ring of Rose. Together, they took out DeVille with a double team DDT. Rose and Bliss left together and appeared to be a unified tandem.