WWE Elimination Chamber 2025 Report Card: Grading Every Match And Moment, Including John Cena’s Shocking Turn

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Fans had high expectations for WWE Elimination Chamber, and yet the event still managed to exceed them all. In what will go down as one of the most shocking and eventful nights in recent history, WWE shook the wrestling world to its core and left the red-hot crowd in Toronto stunned. Read on below for grades and reactions to an action-packed PLE.

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Women’s Elimination Chamber Match (Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Bayley vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Naomi)

Before this one even got started, Jade Cargill made her return. But to the shock of everyone, she brutalized Naomi to the point she could not compete. The plot thickens in the “Who Attacked Jade” saga. Once the match actually kicked off it was Liv Morgan who shone brightest, having the most ring time and featuring in several memorable moments. Roxanne Perez also looked terrific and continues to make it abundantly clear she is ready for the main roster.

There were a few creative spots littered throughout, including a gnarly hair whip to Liv courtesy of Bianca Belair, but the match was mostly standard fare by Chamber standards. Most of the intrigue came from the events around it. Ultimately, Bianca got the win by last eliminating Liv, emotionally shaken from the events with Jade/Naomi but nonetheless punching her ticket to Wrestlemania.

Result: Bianca Belair wins

Order of Elimination: Naomi (attacked by Jade Cargill), Bayley (by Liv Morgan), Roxanne Perez (by Alexa Bliss), Alexa Bliss (by Liv Morgan), Liv Morgan (by Bianca Belair)

Grade: B

Tiffany Stratton & Trish Stratus vs. Nia Jax & Candice LeRae

Time continues to be no match for Trish Stratus. The Hall of Famer looked tremendous and hasn’t lost a step. The match itself was fine, but mostly just here to fill out time and give Trish some hometown love. Nia, when she’s on, is a welcome change of pace in the women’s division. I continue to be surprised to be saying that, but she’s made me a fan.

What’s been interesting as of late is how much they’ve been featuring Tiffany’s strength. There has been a good sprinkling of spots where she’s manhandled Nia like few others have been able to do. Stratton and Stratus got the win after a Prettiest Moonsault Ever and it was Trishy Time in Toronto.

Result: Tiffany Stratton & Trish Stratus def. Nia Jax & Candice LeRae via pinfall

Grade: B-

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Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn (Unsanctioned Match)

We can go ahead and file another classic into this storied rivalry. This was an absolute banger. The unsanctioned stipulation gave them free rein to really get creative with the carnage and they took full advantage. Tables, hockey sticks, chairs wrapped in barbed wire, it was all in play and they worked the crowd into a frenzy.

The storytelling here was phenomenal. Zayn’s neck was the focus and each competitor’s thirst for revenge just took them to a very dark place. So many awesome near-falls, as well, until Owens finally put it to bed. Pure anarchy that totally delivered on its promise.

Result: Kevin Owens def. Sami Zayn via pinfall

Grade: A

Kevin Owens looked to continue his assault after the match when Randy Orton made his return. Looking for some payback for Owens putting him out of action, Orton got in plenty of good shots before being stopped by security. The crowd is happy to see him back and so am I.

Read More: Rumor Claims Malakai Black’s WWE Return Imminent: 5 WrestleMania 41 Opponent Options, Including Seth Rollins

Men’s Elimination Chamber Match (Logan Paul vs. Damian Priest vs. CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins)

Considering the parties involved in this match, the hope was it would set a good number of Wrestlemania puzzle pieces into place. It did that and then some. Besides definitively giving us Cody’s challenger for Mania, it advanced Rollins vs. Punk while also likely setting up McIntyre vs. Priest.

The action was fantastic, as well. Logan handled the athletic Chamber spots nicely and moments like Punk and Cena’s facing off induced chills. Rollins’ involvement in the finish was a smart touch that helped protect Punk while giving Cena the win. Also, props to Cena for locking in maybe the tightest STF of his career. Great stuff.

Result: John Cena wins

Order of Elimination: Drew McIntyre (by Damian Priest), Damian Priest (by Logan Paul), Logan Paul (by John Cena), Seth Rollins (by CM Punk), CM Punk (by John Cena)

Grade: A

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Cody Rhodes Responds to The Rock’s Offer

All eyes were on this moment as many were hoping to see some sense made of this entire situation. I doubt anyone was truly expecting this. From Cody emphatically turning down The Rock’s offer (with an F-Bomb for extra flourish) to Cena’s actions afterward, they knocked this out of the park square in the middle of Rogers Centre.

Without hyperbole, this was one of the best, most shocking and well-executed turns in the history of professional wrestling. This was Hogan as the third man levels of phenomenal. Having Cena as a heel for the first time in over 20 years opens his final year up to a variety of exciting possibilities. Every potential match takes on a whole new layer of intrigue, especially if he wins the title at Mania. The image of Rock and Cena (and Travis Scott) standing together ramps this Mania build-up to a nuclear level. Strap in for a crazy ride.

Result: Cody Rhodes turns down The Rock’s offer and gets attacked by John Cena

Grade: A+

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By Jose Maldonado
An unabashed wrestling fan and self professed movie fanatic, Jose has a lifetime's worth of knowledge and passion that ... More about Jose Maldonado
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