/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58501139/DUwr60rV4AETE4C.0.jpg)
Fresh off the aftermath of the Royal Rumble, the WWE looked ahead to their next Network special. With Elimination Chamber less than a month away, not one but three qualifying matches were made for tonight’s (Jan. 29) Raw.
The first match to get into the Chamber was Braun Strowman vs. Kane under Last Man Standing rules. Things did not go well at all for Kane. The Big Red Machine never got out of the blocks and this happened to him:
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! #RAW #LastManStanding @BraunStrowman @KaneWWE pic.twitter.com/RC7A1dHB83
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2018
Strowman won the match by dumping an entire Raw announcing structure on top of the already beaten body of Kane. Lucky for Kane WWE insurance covers his trip to the local medical facility.
I’m not just the #LastManStanding ... I’m the ONLY monster left! #GetTheseHands #Raw #WWEChamber
— Braun Strowman (@BraunStrowman) January 30, 2018
The second match to earn your right into the Chamber featured Elias versus Woken Matt Hardy.
Elias jumped out to the early lead in a very methodical bout.
Now THIS is HEAVY METAL!#RAW #WWEChamber @IAmEliasWWE @MATTHARDYBRAND pic.twitter.com/XaQd4zXcE1
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 30, 2018
Who wants to walk with @IAmEliasWWE? pic.twitter.com/2wk1KyhLH7
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) January 30, 2018
With The Woken One gaining momentum, the lights went out in the arena and some Bray Wyatt sounds effects were enough for Hardy to turn his back to his opponent. Elias quickly pounced and hit a Drift Away for the win.
One night after dumping Finn Balor over the top rope at the Rumble, John Cena was paired with the leader of The Club in a qualifying match. Set for the main event of Raw, Cena and Balor put on an unusually slow paced match.
Then the Philly crowd found a beach ball.
Something is happening in the crowd #RAW pic.twitter.com/EWENG6hoVO
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubItal) January 30, 2018
Meanwhile... pic.twitter.com/hMz4jAC52F
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) January 30, 2018
Cena openly acknowledging the crowd may have been the best part of the Raw main event and allowed Balor to hit a few nice counters.
— WrestlinGifs (@WrestlinGifs) January 30, 2018
Cena even threw up a ‘Too Sweet’ and looked down the crowd after he hit an AA that only drew a two count from Finn Balor. After a few more interactions with the Philadelphia crowd (possible one night heel turn), John Cena would need a second rope AA to finally keep Balor down.
SUPER ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!!!!!! @JohnCena IS GOING TO #WWEChamber #RAW pic.twitter.com/cI6SAIkFwW
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubItal) January 30, 2018
Elimination Chamber takes place on Feb. 25 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Elimination Chamber match for a WWE Universal Championship match at WrestleMania 34 so far includes:
- Braun Strowman
- Elias
- John Cena
- TBD
- TBD
- TBD
Who else would you like to see get their shot inside the Elimination Chamber?
Follow along all night with our live blog and results for Monday Night Raw here.