Road to WWE Wrestlemania 37: Week 2
This week on the Road to Wrestlemania, we learn of a major stop on the way to Raymond James Stadium. The stage for Elimination Chamber is being set with several monumental matches being made. We are getting a clear picture of how the Road to Wrestlemania is setting up and what we can expect along the way.
RAW RESULTS
AJ Styles defeated Jeff Hardy
The New Day defeated Retribution
Lacey Evans defeated Charlotte Flair by DQ
Damian Priest defeated Angel Garza
Keith Lee defeated Riddle
Lana defeated Nia Jax in a Tables Match
Naomi defeated Shayna Baszler
Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton ended in a No Contest
THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM RAW
1. Shane McMahon returned this week to make sure Adam Pearce announced a mega main event for Elimination Chamber. It’s interesting that he was there, because Pearce looked very confused as to why Shane needed to be there. Could this be the beginning of Shane McMahon and Adam Pearce being on a collision course for Wrestlemania? It’s no secret that Pearce was once an accomplished professional wrestler and Shane McMahon enjoys the Wrestlemania spotlight.
2. Bobby Lashley hasn’t had many credible challengers for the United States Championship, but he put himself in a position where he now has to defend the championship in a triple threat match against Riddle and Keith Lee at Elimination Chamber. Lee and Riddle had an incredible match which Lee won. However, after the match Lashley attacked both mean and made his intentions clear that he’s not afraid of anyone.
3. The storyline between Charlotte Flair and Lacey Evans had an interesting twist this week. Since Lacey Evans defeated Charlotte Flair by DQ, she now will get a Raw Women’s Title Match against Asuka. I can see the writing on the wall with this story headed into a Wrestlemania, but the question is how many people will get involved? Somewhere along the way you would think Rhea Ripley would want revenge on Charlotte for her loss at Wrestlemania last year.
SMACKDOWN RESULTS
Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin defeated Dominik and Rey Mysterio to qualify for the Elimination Chamber
Big E defeated Shinsuke Nakamura by DQ after Apollo Crews interfered
Bayley defeated Liv Morgan
The Street Profits defeated Otis and Chad Gable
Cesaro and Daniel Bryan defeated Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode to qualify for the Elimination Chamber
THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM SMACKDOWN
1. Roman Reigns not having to defend his WWE Universal Championship inside the Chamber makes him even more hated. He will face the winner of the Smackdown Chamber match on the same night. The six competitors in the Elimination Chamber are Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro and Kevin Owens. All of them are looking to get the Universal Championship and have a major role at Wrestlemania
2. Seth Rollins returned on Smackdown and he fooled everyone when he came out to his old music. He talked about how his daughter had changed him and then went into his routine of embracing his vision for the greater good. All of the superstars left ringside including his real life best friend Cesaro. Rollins went on to attack Cesaro, which makes me wonder if the seeds are being planted for a future feud. Seth Rollins will definitely have a major role on Wrestlemania like he did last year, but his opponent is to be determined.
3. Apollo Crews continues to go after the Intercontinental Championship currently held by Big E. Apollo tried to answer an open challenge thrown out by Big E but was denied. Shinsuke Nakamura answered the challenge and they were having a solid match until Apollo interfered. I’m not sure if the feud gets drawn out until Wrestlemania, but I could see Big E being involved in a multi-person match for the Intercontinental Championship on the biggest stage of the year.
BONUS TAKEAWAY
If you don’t watch Talking Smack, I suggest you do so this week. There are many people who believe that Cesaro deserves to be Universal Champion. This is the first time in a long time that he’s cut a very passionate promo and made you pay attention. For those wanting to see him in a big role for Wrestlemania, you may just get your wish.
This week’s Road to WrestleMania has concluded. We know that Edge and Bianca Belair have not decided who they are facing yet. Once NXT Vengeance Day and Elimination Chamber end, I think you’re going to have a better picture of where the upper card of Wrestlemania sits. Check back next week for more on the Road to WrestleMania.
