Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss now knows the five opponents she will be facing at Elimination Chamber on Feb. 25.
Raw General Manager Kurt Angle ran down Bliss’ five adversaries: Bayley, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Sonya Deville and Sasha Banks.
Last week, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon announced the first Women’s Elimination Chamber bout with Bliss defending the Raw Women’s title. If Bliss wins the match, she will go on to defend the Raw Women’s title at Wrestlemania – making it the second consecutive year she has defended a championship at the Showcase of the Immortals. Last year Bliss defended the Smackdown Women’s Championship in a six-pack challenge, which was won by Naomi.
It’s not a surprise to the particular five aforementioned wrestlers added to the Elimination Chamber match. Bliss has been in notable programs – good or bad depending how a fan looks at it – with Bayley, James and Banks. All three wrestlers are capable of putting on a good match with Bliss, as well as each other, and this match could be a good stop on the road to Wrestlemania.
It makes sense to add Deville and Rose to boost up Absolution’s profile before Wrestlemania. This will be the second big match for Deville and Rose on the main roster, the first being the Royal Rumble.
However, unlike the Royal Rumble both Deville and Rose will have more time in the ring with their opponents. This gives them the opportunity to showcase how they have progressed since being called up from NXT.
There are different stories to be told in this match. Everyone will be gunning for Bliss, but fans could see Deville and Rose working together – or turn on each other during the match.
There’s also a chance Banks could come full circle with her heel turn and cost Bayley the match, or blame her if she loses, setting up their feud for Wrestlemania.
As for the Chamber itself, fans shouldn’t expect the women’s match to be as brutal as the men’s. It’s unlikely any of the pods will break like previous Elimination Chamber matches.
That said, the wrestlers could use the structure to pull off some impressive moves. Bliss could land a Twisted Bliss from the top of one of the pods.
The Raw Women’s title match isn’t the only bout for the women’s division scheduled at the event.
On Raw, Angle added another match to Elimination Chamber. Nia Jax will face 2018 Women’s Royal Rumble winner Asuka. If Jax wins the match, she will be added to the Raw Women’s title bout at Wrestlemania 34 – making it a triple threat match.
Speaking of Elimination Chamber, Roman Reigns qualified for the Elimination Chamber after he defeated Bray Wyatt on Raw. Reigns now joins John Cena, Elias and Braun Strowman. Cena, Elias and Strowman earned the opportunity to enter the match after winning their respective qualifying matches. There are still two open spots left in the men’s Elimination Chamber bout.
The winner of the men’s Elimination Chamber match will challenge WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 34.
