7 Match Star Ratings For WWE Elimination Chamber 2021

6. Universal Championship #1 Contender Elimination Chamber Match

Randy Orton Drew McIntyre
WWE.com

Excellent at its various peaks, some structural issues prevented this very, very good match from reaching the very best genre masterclasses. That might have something to do with the normalised vibe of a stipulation that hasn't felt like a violent attraction for several years.

But it also has something to do with King Corbin working from underneath in a two-on-one handicap scenario early. The excitement generated by Daniel Bryan and Cesaro's effortless chemistry was halted, but not even in a drab heel-has-to-cut-off-because-that's-what-heels-do obligation. The transparent need to do Good Wrestling at the jump - which itself muddied the emerging babyface breaks your heart subplot, since there were two, and the one that won is a serial TV loser - submerged the match under a wave of questionable psychology. Corbin's subsequent elimination allowed the match to unfold quite beautifully.

Cesaro doing pull-ups on the roof was a great spot; Kevin Owens' performance bordered on the incendiary, it was that hot; Jey Uso's superb late peak created a real sense of drama beyond the thrill of great wrestling fused with wild stunts, in that his eliminations of Owens and Cesaro formed the emotional core of the finish. But to what end, ultimately?

So that Edge could thank Bryan for coming and point at the sign?

Star Rating: ★★★¾

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!