This is one of WWE's most anticipated events in years, and as a Canadian, I'm proud that its happening on home soil. To get this out of the way.... I don't see Sami Zayn walking out of Montreal with the title, but sometimes it's fun to dream.
The opening Elimination Chamber match was quite good, showing off the strengths of all six women. Not going to say it was the best Womens Elimination Chamber of all time, but it had its moments. I like Asuka moving on to WrestleMania to challenge for the championship again - she feels new and fresh enough to be in the title picture again.
Brock Lesnar vs.Bobby Lashley maintained the big fight feel they've had in all of their previous matches, and the crowd was absolutely there for it. I like how Lashley has been given more oomph with each of their matches in the series; it's just a nice touch in their storytelling. Having said that, the ending left a lot to be desired and just seemed like a lazy way out of giving us a real finish. So does this give us Wyatt vs. Lashley vs. Lesnar at WrestleMania? Not sure how I feel about that.
The Batman/Joker spoof was fine, though I much prefer the originality of the WrestleMania 21 sketches (at least, judging by this one).
Edge and Beth Phoenix vs. Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley was a decent mixed tag team match, though I'm not sure the right team went over. And yes, I realize it's Canada and it's hard to top Beth's Bull Nakano tribute, but I'm still thinking Rhea needs an edge going into her WrestleMania match.
The Mens Elimination Chamber Match was incredibly fun, with everyone playing an important part in the outcome. Damien Priest, for example, has come so far from his career low about a year ago. Bronson Reed is going to be just killer once he figures out his character. And Montez Ford's spider man leap shows that he has star potential all over him, as did his entire run in this match (he had two of the five eliminations). That said... how can you not give credit to Seth Rollins and Johnny Gargano for their off-the-top-of-the-pod spot? It set up for a great series of hope spots for Johnny Wrestling until he was eliminated. In terms of Austin Theory... he was there, too. Have I become such a jaded fan that I KNEW they opened the pod door so that Logan Paul could do a run-in? A good match, but a fairly telegraphed finish in my mind.
Main event time, and I've honestly never seen a reception quite like Sami Zayn's (and keep in mind, I saw Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock in 2002). It made CM Punk in Chicago sound like a round of golf claps. The match itself was perfect - you could tell Roman LIVES for a challenge like this one, and he played his part perfectly. Sami upped his game as well, using the momentum from the partisan Montreal crowd to take him to a place he's never quite been to before.
I can't say anything there left me surprised (other than Jey Uso not being the one to turn on Sami Zayn at the end; okay, and maybe that there wasn't a big hug for Zayn and Kevin Owens at the end), but it was the right decision and we got an incredibly memorable and emotional match out of it.
Overall, a really fun and entertaining show, accentuated by a classic main event.
Brock and Bobby phoned it in but I enjoyed the rest of the show. 8/10