WWE Elimination Chamber: JBL takes a tumble; Luke Harper stars
Are Dean Ambrose and Baron Corbin on a collision course?
Last Updated: 14/02/17 12:12pm
WWE's Elimination Chamber pay-per-view was a hoot from beginning to end - but Smackdown announcer JBL became overwhelmed before a match had even begun!
The former WWE Champion took a tumble as he attempted a Texas Two Step dance down the ramp on the way to his commentary position, with a cameraman even caught in the carnage.
Thankfully, JBL suffered no damage - if some mild embarrassment - as he went on to call a host of cracking contests, including the Elimination Chamber Match won by Bray Wyatt.
Here are the take homes from Sunday's big event in Phoenix…
JBL recovers from stumble
The blue-brand broadcaster did not let his faux pas affect him and produced a few of his usual on-the-money liners while he analysed the action. "I just wish they'd use the Spanish announce table," he wailed during Randy Orton versus Luke Harper, pleased that he was watching a frenetic fight but displeased that it was happening so close to his place of work!
JBL also remarked that "Natalya's boot is almost in her ear" as the Canadian had her body contorted by a Nikki Bella submission move. However good he was on commentary, though, WWE legend "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan just could not forget JBL's opening contribution of the evening…
Corbin and Ambrose have unfinished business
Wyatt's triumph in the Elimination Chamber, a result that earned him his first WWE Title, means he should now go on to face Royal Rumble winner Orton at WrestleMania 33, but what his fellow Chamber combatants - John Cena, Baron Corbin, Dean Ambrose, AJ Styles and The Miz - do at The Show of Shows in Orlando on April 2 remains unclear.
A possible scenario now, though, could be Ambrose battling Corbin after real animosity brewed between the pair in the Chamber. Ambrose profited from Corbin being distracted by The Miz to eliminate The Lone Wolf, who, in turn, pummelled Ambrose through a pod and nailed him with End of Days to end The Lunatic Fringe's chances of main-eventing 'Mania.
Will Wyatt face friend or foe?
Orton's affiliation with The Wyatt Family seemed an odd one to begin with and many fans expected him to come to blows with Wyatt early on. Yet, it was Wyatt's long-time accomplice Harper who went rogue, with Orton and The Eater of Worlds dovetailing to great effect - they even held the Smackdown Tag Team Titles for a period in late 2016.
Things could now change with it all-but certain that they go one-on-one for Smackdown's top prize at WrestleMania. Will Orton and Wyatt still be stablemates come April or will this initially-bizarre kinship descend into full blown hatred? Whatever the answer, 'Mania will represent the biggest night of Wyatt's career. Triple H could not be prouder of the new champ, while Wyatt has also been congratulated by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Speaking to ESPN about his huge victory, Wyatt said: "To me it was an up-yours to the authority, because when I walked into this, I don't think anyone ever looked at me and said, 'One day you're going to be WWE champion'. I had to cut my teeth for years just to be recognised. No one looked at my direction. I had to grab them by the throat and make them look [at me]."
Harper wows with agile display
"He's got a good touch for a big man" is a phrase that has followed Stoke's former England striker Peter Crouch around throughout his career. It's one that can also be used to describe 6ft 5in, 275lb Harper, who showed his nimble footwork by cracking Orton with two picture-perfect Superkicks as well as a flying dropkick at Elimination Chamber.
Harper also connected with a suicide dive through the ropes but his greatest feat of athleticism was undoubtedly his Senton Atomico over them. With charisma - albeit not of the traditional kind - as well as a unique look and stellar in-ring skill, JBL's assertion that the New Yorker could be a future WWE Champion does not seem too far-fetched.
Smackdown's women shine
Elimination Chamber featured a trio of women's matches - with all three offering something different. Naomi and Alexa Bliss' Women's Title bout contained a host of high-impact, high-flying moves, including Naomi's two split-legged moonsaults, the second of which earned her a first championship on WWE's main roster.
Becky Lynch and Mickie James, meanwhile, competed in a slick and technically-sound match, plus Nikki Bella and Natalya's hard-hitting battle descended into an all-out brawl and a double count-out. Their beef did not end in the ring, though, with the two also coming to blows backstage. The Miz's wife Maryse even caught in the crossfire!
WWE Elimination Chamber booking details
WWE Elimination Chamber will repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) BUT NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 492) between 10am on Monday, February 13 and 10pm on Thursday, February 16.
The pay-per-view will cost £14.95 for viewers in the United Kingdom and €21.95 for customers in the Republic of Ireland.
You can order the show online by visiting this link: https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/?DCMP=WWEEliminationChamber
You can also book the event over the phone: UK viewers should call 03442 410 888, while customers in the Republic of Ireland should call 0818 220 225. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).
You can also order the show via your Sky remote:
Sky+: Press the box office button on your remote, then click the sports tab followed by WWE Elimination Chamber.
Sky Q: Press Home on your Sky Q remote, select TV guide, then Box Office and then WWE Elimination Chamber. Enter your TV Pin if prompted. (Only bookings via Sky TV remote are recordable using Sky Plus).
Sky TV residential customers only. Commercial customers contact Sky for price and to order. Sky Box Office terms apply. Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.
