WWE Elimination Chamber 2025: Review and Reactions

Women's Elimination Chamber Match—Bianca Belair Punches Her Ticket to WrestleMania

The Elimination Chamber match for a shot at the Women’s World Championship featured Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Alexa Bliss, Bayley, Naomi, and Roxanne Perez. 

The opening match set a bar high. The crowd erupted into “This is awesome!” chants, and for good reason—this was one of the best matches of the night. Just as the match was about to begin, Jade Cargill’s surprise return instantly shifted the energy in the arena. I wasn’t surprised that she attacked Naomi instead of Morgan. The tag team Belair/Cargill had run its course before Cargill’s time away. Moreover, her attack also set up Bianca as the distraught underdog. As expected, she triumphed and earned her WrestleMania title shot.

With Rhea Ripley set to defend her championship against Iyo Sky on RAW, there’s a strong chance this will lead to a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania. Potentially, a Fatal Four if they involve Cargill.

Trish Stratus & Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax & Candice LeRae—A Filler Match at Best

This match had no real stakes and felt unnecessary. WWE clearly booked Trish Stratus, the Canadian hero, for a home crowd pop, but the action itself was forgettable. Tiffany Stratton pinned Nia Jax, but beyond that, it did little to add excitement to the show.

Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn—A Brutal, Unsanctioned War

Anytime Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn face-off, it’s a guaranteed spectacle. But given their long history, it's a matchup many consider overdone. The commentator’s prediction, “This is a fight, not a match”, was right on the mark. They used anything they could find: chairs, tables, a hockey stick, a chair wrapped in barbed wire!

After Owens secured the victory, Randy Orton made his return. The Viper stormed the ring, confronted Owens, and hit a lightning-fast RKO on a weakened KO. The expression on Owens’ face afterward was priceless.

Men’s Elimination Chamber Match—John Cena Shocks the World

The Men’s Elimination Chamber featured John Cena, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Damian Priest, and Seth Rollins, but the match itself was disappointing. Pretty good action, but nothing unexpected happened. Until the post-match segment, that is. Everything changed then. 

The night built toward Cody Rhodes’ showdown with The Rock. As expected, Rhodes declined The Final Boss’ offer to join him. Though, his blunt “Hey Rock, go f** yourself”, surprised me.

And then WWE changed the landscape of professional wrestling again. After over two decades as WWE’s ultimate babyface, Cena turned heel and attacked Cody Rhodes. The Road to WrestleMania is now a must-see. Hopefully, they have a clear storyline for Rhodes, Cena, and The Rock.

Finishing move

WWE Elimination Chamber 2025 Elimination Chamber set up this year's WrestleMania’s title matches, but beyond that, it also laid the groundwork for new feuds. That Elimination Chamber PPV was as brutal as advertised, although the women’s tag match was disappointing. The women’s chamber match provided great moments, while Owens vs. Zayn delivered insane violence. 

Ironically, CM Punk was once denied a WrestleMania main event in 2012-2013 because of the Rock vs. Cena feud. It was a major reason for his so-called ‘pipe bomb’ and subsequent ‘retirement’. Now, he lost out again in 2025 for the same reason. I expect some verbal confrontations, probably fights. Or they’ll put him into the first night’s main event. Probably with Seth Rollins or Roman Reigns. Or maybe both.

Of course, Cena’s betrayal all stood out. Fans have begged for a Cena heel turn for years, and he delivered in his last run. The moment was powerful, shocking, and created pure chaos in the crowd. 

Cena’s heel turn is arguably the biggest since “Stone Cold” Steve Austin joined forces with Vince McMahon and Triple H in 2001. It could have been as big a deal as Hulk Hogan joining the nWo in 1996 if it had happened during Cena’s prime. Still, Cena’s partnership with The Rock could mirror Austin and Triple H’s infamous Two-Man Power Trip. With two of the best talkers in the business now facing off, WWE seems ready to let them go off the leash in promos.

Cena's over-the-top hyping of Cody during the Rock vs. Rhodes segment, only to low-blow him, was brilliant. Love it or hate it, this segment proved WWE’s top spot in sports entertainment. It’s the one everyone is talking about today. And that’s the most important thing because for WWE, entertaining their fans is “Best for Business.”

Nonetheless, I doubt Cena will stay heel for long. I expect the story will eventually lead to Cena turning on The Rock for another match. Probably his retirement match.