Glitter & Slam: Five Feet of Caged Fury

In this edition of Glitter and Slam, we'll look at the groundbreaking women's Elimination Chamber match, the buildup and the challenges each entrant faces, plus Asuka's match with Nia Jax.

Shortly before the first women's Royal Rumble, Stephanie McMahon announced another first for WWE's women: the RAW title would be defended in the Elimination Chamber. This milestone pits champion Alexa Bliss against three top names in veteran Mickie James, former champion Bayley and 4-time title holder Sasha Banks. Beyond that, an odd decision was made to plant both Absolution newcomers Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose in the remaining two slots.

(Either Deville or Rose took a spot vacated by Paige after their leader's in-ring career ended last month. Source: WWE.com)

Paige's wrestling career ended in January due to another injury to her recently healed neck, making her the Absolution stable's manager--and suddenly putting a spot in the chamber match up for grabs. Unlike the men's division, however, no one had to earn her championship opportunity in any matches on RAW leading up to this event.

How can fans believe the chamber match – for the women's title no less – is a major deal if no one has to show they are worthy of the match. A good opportunity to break out of the booking malaise that has plagued the women of RAW ever since last year’s WrestleMania was squandered.

(Had top stars like Banks fought to win a spot in the Chamber match, anticipation would build more easily. Source: WWE.com)

Fans get pumped up for fighting by seeing more fighting. There is more to a setup than that, but one has to start there. Had Deville won a convincing victory over Dana Brooke, for example, or Rose secured a win over Alicia Fox that would have solidified the newcomers for two slots that weren't as obvious to fill.

On top of that, having Jax, Sasha Banks, Mickie James and Bayley slug it out for their coveted opportunities would give a solid rub to the victors going into the most violent of WWE's structure matches.

Not doing so was inexplicable, considering the creative team has overused multi-threat bouts, six-woman tag matches, etc. to introduce the women en masse week after week to casual fans. A couple hot singles matches a night on RAW, in virtually any combination leading up to the final contest this Sunday would have done the job.

Compounding the creative issues in the buildup, we have to wonder if the best hands are on board for Showtime when the company's lone superheavyweight in Nia Jax and the breakout star of this new year, Asuka, are not even in the match.

(For the strongest and largest woman on the roster, Nia Jax sure can easily sneak up on the Empress of Tomorrow a lot. Source: WWE.com)

WWE chose to remedy this by simply announcing a match between Asuka and Jax at the Elimination Chamber PPV. Another opportunity was squandered to build up Jax for this challenge. Fans of NXT know that Jax has always been hard to bring down in previous matches with Asuka, but they insisted on just having her sneak up on the Empress occasionally and slam her off the canvas with a few power moves.

If Jax had lost her opportunity fair and square in a match and tried to take it out on Asuka and maybe even on the entire women's locker room, one could see Asuka demanding a one on one challenge-- and the stipulation could be a slot for Nia in the title match at WrestleMania, or Asuka could put her title shot at Mania on the line.

The opportunity for a great build was once again squandered. All they had to do was play to the personas and strengths of both women. The streak probably will not end, but Asuka brazenly holding her title shot up for grabs against a powerhouse who has grown more experienced and even meaner since their head-to-head matches in NXT makes it a tantalizing possibility. If this is indeed just a plot device to get Jax to Mania without being in the chamber, look for a count out or some kind of disqualification victory that leaves Asuka still unpinned and strong.

Hindsight shows us booking could have been better, but the card is set and there is enough talent in the chamber pods to make for an entertaining event. All the stars inside have challenges to work through, including my predicted winner, which I will save for last.

(Five Feet of Fury meets four fists of pain. Source: WWE.com)

We have already discussed the booking hurdles that weren't addressed in putting both members of Absolution into the match. Technically Deville has shown to be the more versatile and technically refined of the two. Rose, to her credit, has no problem working stiff and is a decent striker who manages to show flashes of her power and athletic ability. Beyond that her greenness was put out front in the go-home tag match on the most recent Raw. She flubbed a corner spot with Bayley and her timing was off during the most up-tempo moments of the contest. Her aforementioned striking ability and toughness should be enough as long as she's kept out of too many high spot scenarios and lets the experienced hands in the ring take over. I think she is the one who got in on the heels of Paige's in-ring retirement.

Neither will take the championship to WrestleMania.

(Source: WWE.com)

Bayley should have become the biggest female star in WWE in 2017. Instead she is in this booking limbo, mainly because she has to act like a big kid who gives hugs instead of being a grown up pro who burns for championship gold and also happens to love her connection with children.

She is just over enough along with her wrestling ability to make her slot a foregone conclusion. Aside from the new jacks in Absolution, she would have benefitted the most from having to earn her spot in a tough match.

Her title reign was too easy because she simply didn't face enough challenges. Giving her that challenge just to get inside pro wrestling's most violent structure would have been a major step toward rehabbing her persona-- way more than the social media suggestion she turn heel. In all likelihood she will not win the chamber match.

(Source: WWE.com)

Alexa Bliss is peaking at just the right time. She is the best mic worker among all the main roster women. Her theatrical skills and selling are among those of her best peers and she had the two best matches of her career against Mickie James and Charlotte Flair on the PPV stage within the last four months.

The easy prediction is that she plays her sneaky opportunist card and escapes the Chamber with a slimy victory. This is the safe bet, but with Mania on the horizon I don't predict a win here. If Nia Jax gets some kind of screwy victory over Asuka, however, I think she'll go down the ramp to Mania as champion. 

Look for her to get directly involved to secure a Jax triumph. Cracking her #teamrude best friend across the back with a chair is a great passive-aggressive and evil way to try and stack the card in her favor. If that comes to pass look for her to try and get Jax to throw the match or at least be Bliss' meat shield at WrestleMania.

(Source: WWE.com)

Mickie James will not win in the chamber. She has been woefully underutilized when her skills and crowd pleasing charisma benefit the women's division the most. One upside was her feud with Alexa Bliss where the champ showed some much needed technical growth. Thanks in part to James, the champ's footing is solidified.

Unfortunately for the smark world, the multiple time champion is sort of like the Dolph Ziggler of her niche. You know the match will be even better with her in it, but it is unclear how much she will directly benefit from turning in a consistently memorable performance.

(Source: WWE.com)

The only thing Sasha Banks did not get in 2017 was a noteworthy title reign. She's a house show workhorse, the crowds still love her and her image is used across nearly all WWE promotional campaigns. She's arguably a better wrestler now than during her groundbreaking feud with Charlotte Flair.

When she is immersed in her character and the stakes are high her matches are electric, even when flubs like Summerslam 2016 or vs. Asuka on Raw emerge. She still does not have the polish on her high energy style that James or Asuka do, but she can set the world on fire when the big match comes.

It is a long shot, but I'm rolling with it. Sasha Banks will win her fifth title to set up the full course meal equivalent in a mind blowing match with Asuka at WrestleMania. Maybe give her a clean title defense over Little Miss Bliss in the weeks leading up to the Show of Shows to help her shed that "no title defense" stigma before Mania.

That's of course... if Asuka even goes for the RAW title.

Overall, the build was clunky, but we do have the potential for a possible match of the year inside the unforgiving chamber. If anything WWE's women have all done the most to maximize their opportunities to entertain, and this match should be no different. Here are predictions for the rest of the card.

(Source: WWE.com)

Asuka vs. Nia Jax: I don't see Jax not getting a spot at Mania, but there will be better ways to end Asuka's streak. WINNER: Asuka, although a screwy finish without a pin or submission could get Jax a victory with intervention, setting the stage for a triple threat match.

John Cena vs. Braun Strowman vs. Elias vs. Roman Reigns vs. The Miz vs. Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins: The buildup for this was far better with a good mix of veterans, the stars of now and emerging talents. Still, I say Vince will have his superman. WINNER: Reigns

Raw Tag Team Championship: The Bar (C) vs. Titus Worldwide. Technically speaking I look forward to seeing Apollo (who now has no last name) in the ring with Cesaro. Two tough strong and athletic guys with mobility getting after it is too good to scoff at, even if we can see the end of this coming. WINNERS: The Bar

Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt: It's always fun to get the most unhinged guys in the ring together. If you're tired of watching Bray put people over, your respite won't happen now. WINNER: Matt Hardy

Anderson and Gallows vs. The Revival (kickoff show): With Scott Dawson continuing his comeback from injury, look for a shady win for the wild-eyed southern boys who ended the Ice Cream Dream. WINNERS: The Revival

In the next edition of Glitter and Slam we'll look at the interactive Mixed Match Challenge and who is benefitting and who isn't from the antics of WWE's most recent social media gimmick.

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GLITTER & SLAM - AFTERSHOCK

In this edition of Glitter and Slam we'll examine some notable moments from the first women's Royal Rumble match and how quiet tears set the tone on the first steps toward Wrestlemania.

THE RUMBLE & RAW

 (In case it wasn't apparent, Rowdy Ronda pointed to the Wrestlemania sign several more times so fans wouldn't mistakenly think she was asking Stephanie McMahon to validate her parking. Or something.) (Source: ringsideintel.com)

A mix of the current stable, some NXT notables and many stars of the past did the job. As interest beyond hardcore fans begins to gain momentum, the Rumble introduced casual and new fans to the stars of now, some NXT stars of the future and brought in a heaping helping of female stars of the past. It was as fun to watch as many men's Rumble matches, even with some of the odd things that were the equivalent of biting into an unpopped kernel when enjoying theater popcorn.

(Lita got respect for her battle scars in the form of low-impact bumps, but she made the most of this trip down memory lane. Source: WWE.com)

For some reason Sasha Banks continuously went after opponents as they were eliminating other wrestlers. Sarah Logan, especially got pummeled as she first tried to eliminate Becky Lynch. The Riott Squad's muscle could have eliminated several women had Banks shown more strategic thinking. Corey Graves spotted this immediately and echoed fan sentiments that the Boss needed to get a clue. Banks wowed fans however with plenty to cheer about, as she lasted 54 minutes, Wonder Woman tights and all – including fan service in the form of a staredown with the 30th entrant, Trish Stratus.

Out of all the alumni and active stars that gave us tantalizing dream match moments, one former women's champ made the boldest physical statement. Molly Holly showed WWE that the women's revolution should have happened far sooner and unlike many of her peers of yesterday, she could still go. Quickness, stiff kicks and a hefty dose of chutzpah proved it.

(Molly's jog down the ramp warmed up the hammies for several kicks to opposing faces. Source: WWE.com)

Asuka's win was almost a foregone conclusion weeks ago, after Paige's in-ring career ended with a nasty stinger aggravating her recently healed neck, but the Empress did it in grand style at number 25, and showed at the end how much American crowds have embraced her. After an uneven 2017, her build is one thing being done correctly.

A complete breakdown in this column is superfluous and doesn't beat simply viewing the women's Rumble yourself. It was great fun, even with some of the headscratching moments. The wrap-up with Ronda Rousey's debut was questionable, though. Having the former UFC champ come out at the same time as Asuka reveled in her victory watered down both moments a bit and her crashing WWE's big party could have been reserved for Elimination Chamber to spread the big PR moments out. Oh, and she needed to chill on the sign-pointing after the second time.

(Source: WWE.com)

Asuka would, however get her chance on the following Raw to do her part in getting the train to the Show of Shows rolling with the Boss.

(Banks was at her eyecatching best as she donned her war camo. Source: WWE.com)

Sure, there were question marks about her physical narrative in the Rumble, but Sasha Banks was prominently featured and kept fans on edge during her near-hour in the fight, and she rode that momentum into Raw.

Immediately she got in Asuka's face as Stephanie opened the show to congratulate the Rumble winner. The Boss is at her best when she has a giant chip on her shoulder. It shines through in the ring as well as in her mic work.

Many fans across social media still wish for the snuffed-out heel turn from a year ago because Banks is at her absolute best when she is fueled by anger. She's so good that the slightest pursing of the lips, the random hip pop and even a single visible tear can blow the doors off. In these moments, she's so good botches can be forgotten, every move counts, and her matches radiate an intense energy.

(Only in pro wrestling can you do someone a favor by kicking them in the face. Asuka saves the botch. Source: WWE.com)

Asuka and Banks could have been a great Pay-Per-View event, and both women approached it like Mania was already here. It was a solid, fun and stiff match that compelled fans like nothing seen from Sasha Banks since her feud with Charlotte Flair in 2016.

It was a good thing Banks was on point mostly, otherwise her botched suicide dive would have killed the energy. Had she not rebounded to continue to the Asuka lock conclusion, even the Empress's master stroke to pass of the miscue as a result of a crisp kick to the face would not have been enough.

(Source: WWE.com)

The sublime ending, which was almost too good for the rest of the match, would not have been without Banks letting some of the real emotion creep to the surface. After finally tapping out to the Asuka lock – the first time she submitted since losing the title to Charlotte in the 2016 Ironman match at Roadblock: End of the Line – Banks lay flat on her back in the middle of the ring, eyes shut with the unmistakable shine of tears rolling down her temple as she bit her lip.

(After all the violence a single trail of tears sets the tone for what comes next. Source: WWE.com)

WWE creative may be wanting to revive the heel turn that was nixed a year ago in light of Bayley's failure to be the champion they hoped for. Except for championship gold, Banks has had the exposure, screentime and apparent treatment on television as someone integral to the big picture in the womens division and to a degree beyond.

If the sting of angry tears translates into fuel for more compelling storylines and moments going into Elimination Chamber and beyond, few will not be eclipsed by Sasha Banks. Of course, the emphasis should be on "if."