WWE Elimination Chamber 2022 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights

WWE made its latest stop on the Road to WrestleMania in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday for its Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, headlined by a Universal Championship clash pitting Roman Reigns against Goldberg.

The contest, which was originally scheduled for WrestleMania 36 in 2020, topped a card that featured two of the event's titular matches, each with its own high stakes.

Touting a blockbuster lineup meshing the stars of today with icons of the past, Saturday's show promised noteworthy occurrences that would set the stage for WrestleMania 38 on April 2-3.

• Universal Championship match: Goldberg vs. Roman Reigns
• Men's Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship: Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles vs. Riddle vs. Seth Rollins vs. Austin Theory vs. Bobby Lashley
• Women's Elimination Chamber match: Alexa Bliss vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Nikki A.S.H. vs. Doudrop
• Raw Women's Championship match: Lita vs. Becky Lynch
• Ronda Rousey and Naomi vs. Charlotte Flair and Sonya Deville (Rousey will have her arm tied behind her back)
• SmackDown Tag Team Championship match: The Viking Raiders vs. The Usos
• Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz

The night's action began with a Kickoff Show grudge match between The Miz and Rey Mysterio.

Mysterio weathered an early storm, fending off the former WWE champion and frustrating him. When The A-Lister attempted to recover on the floor, Dominik Mysterio sent him back into the squared circle to face the wrath of his father.

Miz slowed the pace, cutting his opponent down and working him over on the mat. He decried the presence of Dominik at ringside and then proceeded to uncork a barrage of kicks to the chest of his opponent.

The elusive Mysterio caught Miz off guard, rocked him with an elbow and sent him shoulder-first into the ring post with a headscissors. A seated senton and springboard crossbody earned a two-count for The Master of the 619. 

Late in the match, Miz took a page from Eddie Guerrero's playbook, pretending to be struck by a steel chair by Dominik. With the young competitor suddenly barred from ringside, The A-Lister thought he had everything figured out. Instead, Mysterio countered the Skull-Crushing Finale into a roll-up for the win.

After the match, Rey and Dominik delivered a double 619, followed by a pair of frog splashes, to pop the crowd.

      

Result

Mysterio defeated The Miz

     

Grade

C+

     

Analysis

This was a fun, energetic start to warm up the crowd ahead of the main card.

Mysterio and Miz have solid in-ring chemistry dating back many years, and it was on display here. The A-Lister works well with just about anyone, and Mysterio is an icon of professional wrestling. He rarely has an underwhelming match and did not break that trend here.

The hints of Guerrero were logical given how frequently he was included in the hype for the match, and Rey winning made sense given his status as the cover star for WWE's upcoming video game, WWE 2K22. 

Two epic entrances gave way to a titanic clash for the Universal Championship in the first match of the PPV as Roman Reigns defended against Goldberg.

Goldberg struck first, delivering a Spear to the champion. He set up for the Jackhammer but Reigns countered into a uranage for two. The Tribal Chief tried for a Spear of his own, but the veteran caught him with one of his own. 

The WCW icon set up for another Jackhammer, but Reigns countered with a guillotine choke. The titleholder tightened his grip on the head of his opponent, and after a minute of Goldberg attempting to escape, he passed out and the referee called for the bell.

     

Result

Reigns defeated Goldberg to retain the Universal Championship

        

Grade

A

        

Analysis

The idea of this match earning an "A" grade may be something of a surprise, but it set out to do exactly what it intended. Goldberg, the aging veteran, threw what he had at Reigns, but it became apparent very quickly that he would not be able to dethrone a world-class athlete in the prime of his career.

The 55-year-old stuck to his greatest hits and when he predictably tried for the Jackhammer a second time, Reigns countered and put him to sleep with a vise-like guillotine. It was simple, effective storytelling at its best.

It was also the first time Goldberg has been submitted, enhancing Reigns even more than he already has been over the last two years.

This was the last match on Goldberg's WWE contract and probably should remain that way...at least for the time being. Let him stay away for a while so he can regain what made him special and—if he chooses to—come back hotter than he has been in recent years.

An opportunity to compete for the Raw Women's Championship at WrestleMania 38 was at stake in the next match as Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Doudrop, Liv Morgan, Nikki A.S.H. and Alexa Bliss battled inside the Elimination Chamber.

Morgan and A.S.H. kicked off the action, with a new competitor joining the fray every two minutes. A pinfall or submission would result in an elimination, and the last woman standing would be declared the winner.

Nikki controlled the opening minutes of the bout, but the arrival of Doudrop as the third entrant halted that momentum. It was only when she rushed at the Scot and collided with one of the pods that the superhero wannabe was neutralized. 

Ripley entered fourth, setting her sights on former tag team partner Nikki. She bounced her former friend's face off the steel chain, sending her crashing to the ground. The Riptide followed, and Ripley scored the first elimination of the match. Nikki A.S.H. eliminated.

Bliss, winner of the very first women's Elimination Chamber match in 2018, entered next and took the fight to her opponents. She took Ripley down with a hurricanrana and delivered a double-knee moonsault to the midsection of Morgan.

Morgan recovered, delivered a sunset flip powerbomb to Doudrop and scored the elimination. Doudrop eliminated.

Belair exploded into the match as the last entrant and took the fight to anyone in her path. She delivered an awe-inspiring one-armed gorilla press slam to Morgan and a spinebuster to Bliss. A tense staredown with Ripley slowed her momentum as chants of "This is awesome" rained from the stands.

After some one-upmanship, Belair and Ripley unloaded on each other. Morgan ended it with a double codebreaker, only for Bliss to take her down and send her packing with Twisted Bliss. Morgan eliminated.

Shortly thereafter, Belair delivered the K.O.D. on The Nightmare to end her match. Ripley eliminated.

Belair powerbombed Bliss into the side of the chamber several times before tossing her back in the ring. A missed 450 splash allowed The Goddess to set her up for the DDT. The EST of WWE fought out and tried for a standing moonsault but Bliss got her knees up.

More tense back-and-forth action gave way to a K.O.D. and another high-profile victory for Belair. Bliss eliminated.

     

Result

Belair defeated Bliss, Ripley, Morgan, Doudrop and A.S.H.

        

Grade

B+

     

Analysis

The shorter entrance intervals helped this one. It never had the opportunity to overstay its welcome and saw action from start to finish. It was more succinct and everything meant something. There were stories represented (Ripley vs. A.S.H., and Ripley and Bianca meeting again) and Morgan had a chance to shine. 

Ripley vs. Belair is a rivalry that is going to define an entire generation of women's wrestling one day and Morgan has to be the most lovable loser in recent WWE history. She is going to win the big one eventually, and WWE is going to have a megastar on its hands when she does. 

Doudrop probably could have dominated a bit more, but she has been presented strongly on television in recent weeks so losing doesn't hurt her. Bliss showed up and showed out, proving the months away from the ring have not hurt her abilities between the ropes.

A strong match, with great booking and the right winner, this easily ranks as one of the best women's Elimination Chamber matches of all time.

Ronda Rousey and Naomi sought to silence loudmouth heels Sonya Deville and Charlotte Flair in tag team action. To do so, the former UFC star would have to compete with her arm tied behind her back.

Rousey started the match for her team but found herself on the defensive following a cheap shot from Flair. The SmackDown women's champion and Deville dominated the former Raw women's titleholder, who was unable to appropriately defend herself with only one arm free.

A much-needed tag to Naomi sparked a comeback for the babyfaces as the former No. 1 contender unloaded a corkscrew plancha to Flair. A big kick from Deville returned the advantage to the heels momentarily before Naomi unloaded with a kick and made the tag back to The Baddest Woman on the Planet.

Rousey fought through the disadvantage, delivered Piper's Pit and tapped Deville out with an armbar.

        

Result

Rousey and Naomi defeated Deville and Flair

      

Grade

C+

       

Analysis

This was a television-quality match with the added stipulation of Rousey's arm being tied behind her back. It was solid, but unspectacular, and surprisingly short given the talent involved. With that said, it accomplished its goal of presenting Rousey as a badass and the greatest threat to Flair's title reign.

The former UFC star looked much more confident than she did at the Royal Rumble last month, and Deville really starred, doing most of the work for her team.

It was Naomi who stole the show, though, starring in her brief moments in the spotlight. She is dynamic, explosive and has earned a greater role on WWE TV following her Match of the Year candidate against Flair two weeks ago on SmackDown. Hopefully, that opportunity presents itself for her after WrestleMania.

For now, WWE is forging ahead with Rousey vs. Flair, a match brimming with star power and the potential to be an all-timer if both women are at the top of their game.

Drew McIntyre had promised a "Madcap mauling" in Saudi Arabia and he delivered, taking the fight to his opponent from the opening bell.

The Scot fought the heel up the entrance ramp, then back to the ring. In a cringe-worthy moment, he delivered a reverse Alabama Slam, spiking Madcap Moss on his head.

Happy Corbin provided a distraction, but McIntyre launched Moss with an overhead suplex on the floor and then sent him over the announce table.

Corbin joined his cohort in sending the former WWE champion into the guardrail, but McIntyre recovered. The Scottish Warrior cleared his rival from ringside with his sword and then flattened Moss with a Claymore for the pinfall victory.

     

Result

McIntyre defeated Moss

     

Grade

B-

     

Analysis

Has any less-than-stellar TV feud produced two more physical matches that were better than they had any right to be? Outside of the ugly botch that could have injured Moss, this was a great fun battle that saw McIntyre overcome the odds en route to a hard-fought victory.

It was a great win for a guy WWE hopes to keep strong heading into WrestleMania 38, and it was another breakout performance for Moss.

For all the groans about his current character, Moss has repeatedly proved his value between the ropes. He is a guy who made his way through the WWE developmental system and is better now than anyone expected.

Where this leaves all involved as The Show of Shows approaches remains to be seen, but this was a lot of fun and wholly different from everything else on the PPV to this point.

A trailblazer of a bygone era battled the measuring stick of women's wrestling today as Lita challenged Raw women's champion Becky Lynch in one of the night's marquee bouts.

The veteran outsmarted and outwrestled an overconfident Lynch early, but Big Time Becks turned the tide in her favor by hanging her up on the top rope. She pounded away at the Hall of Famer, rocked her with a back elbow and caught with a spinning back kick.

A leg drop from the middle rope to the surgically repaired neck of her opponent had the titleholder rolling.

Lynch delivered two Bexploder suplexes, but a third was countered as Lita drove her face-first into the mat. The exchange of rights brought Lita back into the match, and a pair of clotheslines stunned the champion. A crossbody earned the challenger a near-fall as the crowd came alive. 

A pair of roll-ups ensued before Lita attempted to grab hold of a sleeper. Lynch wriggled her way free, making it to the ropes and forcing the break. When Lita scaled the ropes for the moonsault, Big Time Becks wisely rolled to the floor. 

The challenger slammed Lynch into the commentary table, but Lynch then hung her opponent up on the ropes for the second time in the match. Lita broke out Stratusphere, in honor of best friend Trish Stratus, but could not keep Lynch down.

Big Time Becks recovered and applied the armbar but Lita fought it off. The champ transitioned into the Manhandle Slam but Lita draped her foot on the bottom rope, breaking the count. Moments later, Lynch mocked Lita's moonsault but came up empty. 

The challenger delivered the Twist of Fate, followed by her trademark moonsault, but scored only a dramatic near-fall. The shock of the kick out opened Lita up for one more Manhandle Slam as Lynch narrowly retained her title.

     

Result

Lynch defeated Lita

     

Grade

B+

     

Analysis

Much like Stratus did in her match with Charlotte Flair in 2019, Lita proved she could hang with the top women's wrestlers of this generation. She went 11 minutes in her first match in 15 years and stunned the fans with her ability to keep them invested and produce an emotional roller-coaster ride.

What started slow intensified with every high spot, culminating in the moonsault false finish that had everyone thinking they were about to witness a new champion being crowned. Lynch, as she has done so many times before, narrowly escaped because she finds ways to win when they otherwise seem nonexistent.

A great bit of storytelling, with Lynch doing the heavy lifting and Lita exceeding all expectations, this was a strong addition to what was a fantastic show.

Up next for Becks? Running it back with Belair at WrestleMania 38.

The advertised match between The Usos and Viking Raiders for the SmackDown tag team titles did not occur after the champions attacked their challengers prior to the contest.

Bobby Lashley put his WWE Championship on the line against AJ Styles, Austin Theory, Seth Rollins, Riddle and Brock Lesnar in the main event of Saturday's show, an Elimination Chamber match with WrestleMania 38 implications.

Rollins and Theory started the contest, with the older competitor easily taking his opponent down early with a sling blade. Theory answered with a fallaway slam. As the fight spilled outside the ring, The Visionary launched his younger rival into Lashley's pod with a powerbomb, breaking through the plexiglass and injuring the champion in the process.

Riddle entered the match next, pairing off with Rollins and renewing their rivalry. The former universal champ delivered a jarring reverse suplex off the top rope for a near-fall as medics, trainers and WWE officials assisted an apparently injured Lashley out of his pod and the chamber.

Styles entered next and took the fight to all three of his remaining opponents. He sent Theory into the side of the chamber and delivered a dragonscrew leg whip to Riddle.

With his opponents perched on the top rope, a recovered Theory brought Rollins and Styles down with a double powerbomb. Riddle delivered the Floating Bro, wiping Theory out.

The clock counted down and when it was revealed that Lashley was in concussion protocol, Lesnar kicked his way out of the pod and immediately eliminated Rollins, Riddle and Styles. Rollins, Riddle and Styles eliminated.

This left Theory with The Beast Incarnate, five days after their first encounter on Raw. And it went as well as anyone would imagine.

Lesnar obliterated the young competitor with a suplex but an alert Theory delivered a low blow. A rolling dropkick and DDT earned the heel a near-fall but really only served to annoy The Beast.

Theory climbed the chamber but Lesnar followed and proceeded to bash his face into the plexiglass side. An F-5 off the top of a pod followed and The Beast regained the WWE title. Theory eliminated.

       

Result

Lesnar defeated Theory, Styles, Rollins, Riddle and Lashley to win the WWE Championship

       

Grade

C

      

Analysis

Styles, Rollins and Riddle all deserved better than how they were treated here. They were dispatched as mere afterthoughts. It can be argued that their use was downright disrespectful. Not for one moment were they booked as if they were any threat to Lesnar. 

And therein lies the reason why some struggle to accept the current crop of full-time Superstars as genuine main event stars. 

There were plenty of other directions to head with the booking here, particularly given how close Styles came to beating Lesnar at Survivor Series in 2017 and how Rollins defeated him cleanly at WrestleMania 35.

Instead, two guys the company will rely on to carry its flagship show beyond The Show of Shows were devalued on a grand stage.

Ditto Riddle, who has momentum on his side and is a star of the future.

With that said, WWE did wonders for Theory here, putting him in the position it did and allowing him to get the star rub from Lesnar. Sure, he was a tackling dummy for The Beast, but he would not have been anywhere near that position six months ago, so it's a testament to his performance and recent creative that his spot in the match actually made sense.

It was obvious entering the bout that Lesnar would win and protecting Lashley in defeat would be key. The manner in which The All Mighty was removed was fine and gives him an excuse to have another title match down the line.

And a title vs. title match was necessary for the Reigns match if only to give it added gravity considering how many times we have already seen him and Lesnar clash.

Better execution of everything else would have helped this, though.