Review for WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2017 & FASTLANE 2017 DOUBLE PACK

With the brand split there has been a rapid increase of PPVs. Unlike before, where they took it in turns to have a monthly PPV each brand has an event every month. I feel that this may lead to burn out of big matches, but these two PPVs are pretty good. Maybe this is due to the build up to Wrestlemania which both events play a huge part on.

Elimination Chamber 2017

Kickoff Match

Curt Hawkins vs. Mojo Rawley
This was a fine match, nothing special, but certainly not a bad match by any means. I would say it would have been nice if this match had more of a story to it, but it was enjoyable to watch.

Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James
It has been great to see Mickie James back in the WWE and this proves that she is still able to go on the big stage. It is again a shame that this didn't feel more special or lead towards anything, maybe there should have been some kind of stipulation. However, both work well with each other.

Handicap Match
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kalisto and Apollo Crews
What was this match supposed to do for anyone involved? I really don't know. Was it meant to turn Kalisto/Crews heel? If so it failed. Was it meant to show how resiliant and strong Ziggler was? If so it failed. I really am not sure what to make of this match at all.

Tag Team Turmoil Match for WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship
American Alpha vs. Breezango vs. The Vaudevillains vs. Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. The Usos vs. The Ascension
This match was fantastic. I would go so far as to say it was the best match of the night, but that came later. I will say that this is the best tag match I have seen in a long time. The elimination style was simply fantastic and all of the teams involved worked well. It was given enough time and though some teams were given more than others, it worked.

Nikki Bella vs. Natalya
Was awful. Plain and simple. I have been saying that none of the matches had a storyline, well this had a great storyline and this match was not how you end it. The sad thing is that it was given enough time to get the emotion in and then just fell flat at the end.

Randy Orton vs. Luke Harper
This was a great match. The whole Wyatt Family story arc has been fantastic and I think this match showed just how great both of these guys are. It was an odd match to call and at times I wasn't sure who I was supposed to be cheering for, but the ending was great and it really worked with the storyline.

WWE Smackdown Women's Championship
Alexa Bliss vs. Naomi
I enjoyed this match BUT it simply wasn't given enough time for these two to put on a memorable match.

Elimination Chamber for WWE Championship
John Cena vs. The Miz vs. AJ Styles vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dean Ambrose
This was one of the best Elimination Chamber matches I have seen in a very long time. Every single person who took part belonged in this match. I thought that maybe Baron Corbin would be the odd one out, but even he had an amazing showing as did everyone. Multiple times I called that someone was going to win and then they didn't. The ending shocked me out of my shoes and this will no doubt be included in my Match of the Year contenders. A fantastic way to end a PPV.

Fastlane 2017

Kickoff Match

Rich Swann and Akira Tozawa vs. The Brian Kendrick and Noam Dar
Fantastic match, full of some great moments. Shame the match was disrepected by the commercial partway through. This is such a shame as this was a great cruiserweight match.

Sami Zayn vs. Samoa Joe
This was such a great match. Having watched Joe throughout his career it is great to see him finally in the WWE and still be as great as he always was. There was some great back and forth between them, but ultimately Joe was just too strong.

WWE Tag Team Championship
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Enzo Amore and Big Cass
This was a good match. I am glad that they didn't flipflop the belt. Both teams work well. Enzo's speech before the match is always great.

Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax
Remember last time I said this match means nothing and just tells me what I already know... that is Nia Jax ix an unstoppable monster and Sasha is just too small. This was more of the same. It is surprising that this wasn't on the Kickoff show as it clearly didn't deserve to be on PPV. The surprise ending wasn't exactly that surprising as it was so obvious what it was leading up to.

Jinder Mahal vs. Cesaro and Big Show vs. Rusev
Was the PPV running short? This is a match that no one wanted and though it was fine, with no build or reason for the two to be facing each other I couldn't care less. This is a shame as with some meaning, story it could have been one of the best matches of the night. The whole thing with Rusev which lead to The Big Show was confusing. Show looks amazing though.

WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Neville vs. Jack Gallagher
This was a great match between the two and the fact they are both from the UK made the match feel special. Some great moments throughout this match and you can understand why these two are so popular.

Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman
This was a surprisingly good match. Both brought the best out of the other and it didn't feel as cut and dry as an obvious 'Roman wins as always'. Some great moments from both and it looked like it could go either way, which was great.

WWE Raw Women's Championship
Bayley vs. Charlotte
This match. This match is what I have been waiting for nearly a year. I sat watching saying 'If Charlotte wins I am done with the WWE'. The whole PPV streak of Charlotte was pointless and it made no sense and thankfully WWE came to their senses. True the whole Sasha Banks interfering made no sense, but it didn't matter. The match itself was fantastic. Every nearfall, every move was just perfect. Well done WWE you rewarded my patience and gave me some faith back that you do listen.

WWE Universal Championship
Kevin Owens vs. Goldberg
Blink and you'll miss it. Actually I should say wait around while Kevin Owens stalls and then the most obvious distraction by Owen's former best friend was enough to gift Goldberg the victory. I can understand now why they had those two matches in the middle. I am not surprised that this is how the match ended and in a way I'm glad it did. Makes Goldberg's match against Lesnar more special and also makes the inevitable match between Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho all the more interesting.

These two pack PPVs are great value from WWE. Both events though far from perfect showed that they were willing to take some risks and both main events and many other matches are hugely rewatchable. If you haven't seen them already, I would definitely say to pick up this set for your double fix of WWE action.