Welcome to a packed recap and analysis of pro wrestling action from WWE and AEW. Fans worldwide have questions about the upcoming WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto on March 1, plus the two-night WrestleMania on April 19 and 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. AEW also has plenty to discuss, including their Grand Slam event in Australia. Let’s break down the latest stories, reactions, and surprises from this week’s show.

Charlotte Flair Challenges Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania

The post-Royal Rumble excitement around WWE took a big step when Charlotte Flair officially chose to face Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. Live on the show, Dave Simon exclaimed:

“Oh there you go. Charlotte just said the queen chooses you. I’ll see you at WrestleMania!”

This confirmation set the stage for a colossal showdown:

• Tiffany Stratton defended her championship against Nia Jax on SmackDown. Candice LeRae’s sudden interference caused a disqualification, but it also brought out Trish Stratus. The aftermath hinted at a possible tag match involving Tiffany, Trish, Nia, and Candice.
• With Charlotte’s official challenge, we now know the Elimination Chamber winner on March 1 in Toronto will earn a title shot against Rhea Ripley (not Tiffany).
• Soon after this segment, Dave Simon said:
  “Because you need to know what that match is for. Charlotte picking Tiffany means the Women’s Elimination Chamber winner goes after Rhea Ripley.”

The Women’s Elimination Chamber Picture

The Elimination Chamber match in Toronto is set to feature Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, Bayley, Naomi, and the winner of Roxanne Perez vs. Raquel Rodriguez. These women will battle for the right to face Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania. Bianca Belair looks like a favorite to many, although wrestlers like Bayley or Liv Morgan could pull off a surprise.

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Jey Uso Picks Gunther for WrestleMania

One of the biggest questions after the Royal Rumble centered on the men’s Rumble winner, Jey Uso, and his choice for WrestleMania. Jey shocked everyone by naming Gunther:

“Jey Uso was standing on the announce table and Gunther just beat him up. Then Jey was like, ‘I shouldn’t do this, but Gunther, you and me at WrestleMania!’”
— Dave Simon

This announcement raised eyebrows because many expected Jey to challenge a different champion. As Dave Simon also put it:

“It’s a weak match for WrestleMania if you ask me. It’s a really weak match to give us as the match that the Rumble winner has here because we just saw it. We’ve seen it a couple of times, and it doesn’t feel special.”

However, if WWE plans a star-making moment for Jey, he could finally win a major title. Another possibility is Gunther retaining to remain a dominant force. Despite any criticism, Jey Uso vs. Gunther is locked in for WrestleMania weekend.

Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn Heats Up for Elimination Chamber

A lingering storyline involves Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, two longtime friends and rivals. Dave Simon noted:

“Kevin Owens told Sami Zayn to come find him at the Chamber in Toronto. He wants to show him real pain. I think they’re gonna have a match.”

This challenge might result in a singles showdown at Elimination Chamber. Owens and Zayn’s chemistry always sparks fan interest, especially in Canada. The clash seems imminent, whether it’s a full match or a violent confrontation.

WWE Releases and Backstage Shifts

WWE caused a stir this week with a flurry of releases. Some notable names include:

• Sonya Deville: Released despite her involvement in the “pure fusion collective” with Karrion Kross and the Authors of Pain.
• Authors of Pain & Paul Ellering: Rehired under Triple H, then let go again.
• Gallows & Anderson: Re-signed, barely used, released once more.
• Giovanni Vinci: Part of Imperium, now gone.
• Elektra Lopez: Leaves Legado del Fantasma short on members.

Dave Simon observed:

“Authors of Pain got released under Vince, then Triple H brought them back, and now he fired them again. It’s nuts.”

Those still employed are uncertain about future storylines, as entire groups have lost key members. Some might be pulled in new directions or risk being cut next.

RAW and SmackDown After the Royal Rumble

Women’s Division Chaos on SmackDown

The women’s division took center stage during SmackDown. Tiffany Stratton’s messy title defense against Nia Jax ended with Candice LeRae’s interference and a surprise appearance by Trish Stratus. Moments later, Charlotte Flair walked out to choose Tiffany for WrestleMania officially. That means the Women’s Elimination Chamber, on March 1, decides who will face Rhea Ripley at the big show.

Jey Uso’s Choice

Jey Uso’s decision to pick Gunther left some fans scratching their heads. Although Dave Simon questioned the match’s appeal, the move could lead to Jey’s crowning moment. Others believe Gunther’s unstoppable run will continue, overshadowing Jey’s big moment.

Further RAW Notes

• AJ Styles is back, aiming at The Judgment Day and Dominic Mysterio. Their upcoming match could set AJ’s path for WrestleMania season.
• John Cena is rumored to be the favorite for the men’s Elimination Chamber. Should he win, Cena vs. Cody Rhodes would be a marquee WrestleMania showdown for the WWE Championship.
• CM Punk scuffled with Dustin Rhodes on RAW and also had backstage tension with Hangman Adam Page. While nothing is confirmed, a Punk–Hangman program could ignite soon.

AEW Grand Slam in Australia: Venue Challenges and Match Previews

AEW is heading to Australia for a special Grand Slam event, but TV scheduling has created confusion. Dave Simon remarked:

“I’m not sure what time it’s on. I really don’t know. It’s on after some sort of basketball coverage, so fans might catch it at 10:30 at night.”

AEW Grand Slam Australia Early Results

AEW’s inaugural Australian event at Brisbane Entertainment Centre generated over $1.25 million in revenue. Key matches included Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega’s victory over Takeshita and Fletcher, while Kazuchika Okada retained the Continental Championship against Buddy Matthews. Toni Storm captured the Women’s World Championship from Mariah May. The event featured strong crowd engagement and successful title defenses across multiple divisions. This milestone event sets the stage for AEW’s expanding presence in the Australian wrestling market.

AEW Grand Slam Australia Highlights

• Toni Storm defeated Mariah May to become the new AEW Women’s World Champion in a pivotal championship change.
• Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega secured victory over Takeshita and Fletcher in a highly anticipated tag team match.
• Kazuchika Okada successfully retained the AEW Continental Championship against hometown favorite Buddy Matthews.
• The event generated over $1.25 million in revenue at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, marking a successful international expansion.
• Mercedes Mone retained her TBS Championship against Harley Cameron, while Athena kept the ROH Women’s World Championship.

AEW made history with its first-ever Australian showcase as Grand Slam delivered an action-packed night at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on February 15, 2025. While not completely sold out, the event generated over $1.25 million in revenue, marking one of AEW‘s most successful international ventures.

The evening’s standout match saw Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega triumph over Takeshita and Fletcher through a devastating combination of the One-Winged Angel and Hidden Blade. The crowd remained energetic throughout the night, particularly during Kazuchika Okada’s successful defense of the AEW Continental Championship against Buddy Matthews. Intense crowd chants erupted before this highly anticipated matchup.

In another notable contest, Toni Storm defeated Mariah May to win the AEW Women’s World Championship, with the audience strongly favoring Storm over her opponent.

Several championship matches shaped the event’s landscape. Lee Moriarty retained the ROH Pure Championship against Robbie Eagles, while Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara successfully defended their ROH World Tag Team titles against MxM Collection.

Mercedes Mone maintained her grip on the TBS Championship by defeating Harley Cameron, and Athena successfully defended the ROH Women’s World Championship against Alex Windsor.

WWE Elimination Chamber Preview

The Brisbane Brawl featured an intense battle between Death Riders and the team of Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli, who faced Adam Copeland and Jay White. Death Riders emerged victorious. Mark Davis secured a victory over Tommy Knight, while Bandido and The Outrunners prevailed against The Learning Tree in separate matches.

Tony Khan’s appearance drew mixed reactions from the Brisbane audience, though his commitment to bringing AEW back to the city helped improve the crowd’s response. The broadcast team of Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness provided commentary throughout the event, enhancing the viewing experience for fans watching worldwide.

The atmosphere in the Brisbane Entertainment Centre played a vital role in elevating the quality of matches and storyline development. Despite initial uncertainty about the market, the strong financial performance and enthusiastic crowd response demonstrated AEW’s potential for growth in the Australian wrestling scene.

The event’s success suggests a promising future for professional wrestling in the region, with fans keenly anticipating AEW’s return to Australian shores.

To Sum it Up

AEW’s Grand Slam Australia brought significant changes to the wrestling landscape. The event showcased intense matchups and championship defenses that reshaped the company’s power dynamics. Notable outcomes included surprising title changes and the continuation of key storylines. This landmark show demonstrated AEW’s commitment to global expansion while delivering compelling matches that satisfied both local fans and international viewers.

Venue Hurdles

AEW reportedly had issues booking larger venues and dealing with time slots. Since it airs after basketball, North American viewers might tune in at an odd hour. Still, the Australian crowd is expected to be raucous, and the card promises some show-stealing matches.

Real-Time Audience Commentary

Throughout the live broadcast, the chat lit up with reactions:

• Lior: “Shout out, Lior, in the chat. What’s up, Lior?” (Dave Simon acknowledged him.)
• Angelo: “Hello. Welcome. We got a big show for you here tonight.” (Also shouted out by Dave.)
• Christopsy: “Where’s the Dave merch?” prompting Dave Simon to joke about potential new T-shirt designs.
• Jason Pete: **”Dragon Lee’s contract is expiring this year, and they’re not using him at all!

Ricky Starks Goes to NXT

AEW’s Ricky Starks heading to NXT is another hot topic. After shining briefly on AEW programming, he became an afterthought. Dave Simon said:

“I’m surprised they didn’t just put him on SmackDown, but NXT’s a good spot for him. He won’t be underused if they do it right.”

Starks has star potential, especially on the mic, so the move could help both WWE’s developmental scene and Starks’ career.

Key Takeaways

• Charlotte vs. Tiffany Is Official: WrestleMania’s major women’s championship battle awaits.
• Jey Uso & Gunther: Their match might seem repetitive, but it carries the potential for a significant singles push.
• Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn: They will likely collide in Toronto for another chapter in their storied rivalry.
• WWE Releases: Sonya Deville, Gallows & Anderson, Authors of Pain, and more were released, leaving creative holes and roster concerns.
• AEW’s Australia Show: Headlined by Toni Storm vs. Mariah May, Mercedes Moné vs. Harley Cameron, Buddy Matthews vs. Kazuchika Okada, and other significant bouts.

Wrapping Up the Week

The run-up to the Elimination Chamber continues building hype around Toronto. Charlotte Flair vs. Tiffany Stratton is locked in for WrestleMania, so the Chamber match winners will challenge Rhea Ripley (for the women’s division) and possibly Cody Rhodes (for the men’s). Meanwhile, AEW’s Grand Slam in Australia hopes to captivate international fans with title matches and local stars.

Fans have plenty to watch: will Toni Storm regain her championship in Australia? Could Harley Cameron pull a stunner against Mercedes Moné? Will Jey Uso overcome Gunther at WrestleMania? And can Kevin Owens or Sami Zayn prove dominance in their bitter rivalry?

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