8 Match Star Ratings For WWE Elimination Chamber 2020

6. Andrade Vs. Humberto Carrillo - United States Championship Match

Asuka Shayna Baszler
WWE.com

Loose in layout but snug and snappy in execution, this was the best version of a match over-exposed into crushingly normal territory.

This didn't do an awful lot for Carrillo. He lost, yet again, as Jerry Lawler spent the entire match questioning his talent in a way that wasn't in the entertaining, heels-always-hate-the-faces mode. His criticisms were reasonable and ultimately founded. In a strange moment that betrayed babyface psychology for the sake of getting a spot in, Carrillo twice ate the turnbuckle when attempting a kick. The babyface should be wise to the counter on the second run-through. A minor flub in an a match that built deftly, Carrillo was at least wise to the real thrust of the story. He avoided the danger of exposed "concrete" and had the guile and stunning athleticism to vault in plain sight over the referee and the top rope to flatten Andrade with an awesome dive.

It was some achievement to effectively call back to a repetitive story fans had lost all interest in, gauging by the initial, tepid reaction. WWE fans these days react to many matches like New Japan crowds, but it's different.

There is no respectful, withheld applause that erupts into an uninhibited crescendo; they go into a match with low expectations set by TV, and get worked into it on the strength of the talent.

Star Rating: ★★★½

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!