Andrew SpoorsElimination Chamber 2022
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
For the first time, WWE’s Elimination Chamber will take place outside of the United States. The event will also make history for the company by featuring more women’s matches than ever before at a WWE show in Saudi Arabia.
With at least 12 female WWE Superstars slated to appear over three matches, it marks a huge milestone in the ongoing partnership between the company and kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The inclusion of Lita in a RAW Women’s Championship match at Elimination Chamber also marks a full-circle moment, as back in 2016 she was central to dropping the ‘Divas’ term and introducing the world to the new WWE Women’s Title.
The hall of famer challenges Becky Lynch in a dream match between two leaders of their respective generations.
Ronda Rousey continues her return to the ring, teaming with Naomi to face her opponent at WrestleMania, Charlotte Flair and Sonya Deville.
Ahead of what promises to be an exciting night of action, Bianca Belair shared her thoughts heading into the imposing Elimination Chamber structure…
How are you feeling in the run up to the Elimination Chamber?
Bianca Belair: I’m feeling very confident. I feel like I’ve built up a lot of momentum with a couple of wins on Raw against Zelina Vega, Carmella and Nikki A.S.H.. It’s going to be tough going up against Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H., Doudrop and Liv Morgan though. Liv has the most experience going into the Elimination Chamber, but nobody wants this more than me.
What are you most looking forward to in the Elimination Chamber in Saudi Arabia?
BB: I’m always excited to visit Saudi Arabia. My first time was for Crown Jewel. To be visiting now with all the new developments that are happening for women, being part of that and being able to look out into the audience and see women, men, boys and little girls, it’s really special. It’ll be my first Elimination Chamber match too and I’m all about being a part of huge moments and continuing to make more history.
You’re the ‘EST of WWE’, what preparations are you doing to be the best?
BB: I always try to be the best version of myself. My biggest competition is always myself. I’m always competing against myself, trying to do bigger and better and top myself each time, every single day. I was studying my competition last year but this year I’m focusing on myself. I want people to be studying ME. So, I’m just going to focus on myself, go out there and continue to be the absolute best version of me.
In the Elimination Chamber with you will be Liv, Rhea, Doudrop, Nikki A.S.H. and Alexa Bliss — how are you feeling about those match ups?
BB: It’s going to be a tough match but I’m the toughest. It’s going to be a rough match but I’m the roughest. I’m the strongest, I’m the greatest, I’m the fastest, I’m the best, I’m the EST of WWE so it’s going to be tough for everyone else too. Liv Morgan has the most experience out of all of us in that ring. Rhea Ripley…she’s brutal! I faced her as the last two in the Royal Rumble two years ago so I know what it’s like to go against her. To be inside the Elimination Chamber with her is going to be tough competition. Doudrop and I have history. She’s an amazing competitor and just put Becky Lynch to the test. Nikki A.S.H. is going through an identity crisis right now — I don’t know what’s got into her but it means I don’t know what to expect from her.
You won in the main event of WrestleMania last year. How important is it for you to get that ticket back for a chance at the Championship this year?
BB: I know what it feels like to be at WrestleMania. I know what it feels like to have a Title match at WrestleMania. I know what it feels like to become champion at WrestleMania. I had a great year with so much momentum after becoming champion and to have that taken away in 26 seconds at SummerSlam was tough.
I tried to keep my perspective positive and keep my head up, but at the end of the day it was taken away from me, so it would mean the world to me to bring it full circle and be able to become champion again at WrestleMania.
Picture the scene. You’ve just won the Elimination Chamber. You’re pointing to the WrestleMania sign. How are you feeling in that moment?
BB: Ah, so many emotions! The same emotions that I had when I won the Royal Rumble match and got to point to the WrestleMania sign. Everyone wants to point to that sign! It’s even more important for me this year because I want to redeem myself. I have the longest history with Becky Lynch. No one wants this more than me, as I know what it feels like to have that Title and I know what it feels like to have it taken away. I want to get it back and be an inspiration for other people. I feel like a lot of people give up on their dreams very easily, more easily than they should. I want to be the example that bad things can happen to you, but you can push through, don’t give up!
Who would you prefer to go up against at WrestleMania 38, Becky Lynch or Lita?
BB: I personally would love for it to be against Becky so I can redeem myself but we’ll have to see what happens with Becky vs Lita. It’ll be an amazing thing to see Lita in Saudi Arabia as Lita has been a huge part of the evolution of women’s wrestling in WWE. For example, she was the one who dropped the Divas name, so it’s going to be so cool to see her and Becky have a Title match in Saudi Arabia. But..I can’t lie, I want Becky to win! Only because I want to be the person to take the Title off her at WrestleMania.
Who do you think will win out of Becky Lynch and Lita?
BB: It’s going to be a rough one. I love the story behind them with Becky looking up to Lita when she was younger and now they’re meeting in the ring. It’s going to be rough for Becky, everyone knows Lita’s legacy so when you’re in the ring with a legend you’ve got to bring your A game and give more than 100%. But it’s so unpredictable! It would be a cool moment to see Lita as champion again, reaping the benefits of all the work she’s sewn for the women’s division. I think she has a great chance but I’ll be upset if I’m not the one that gets the chance to take the Title off of Becky!
What do you want to say to your fans in the UK watching you at the Elimination Chamber?
BB: To all the UK fans that are going to be tuning in please cheer for me! I love you guys, I always love coming to the UK. I got to experience two shows in the UK at the end of last year and the crowds are always amazing. The UK fans are the bEST so you guys just make sure you cheer for the bEST too at the Elimination Chamber!
Find out if Bianca Belair can punch her ticket to WrestleMania when she enters the Elimination Chamber this Saturday. Watch live on the WWE Network at the very fan friendly time of 5pm GMT.
