In a high-stakes episode of WWE Raw broadcast live from the Wells Fargo Center in Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday night, Asuka and Je'Von Evans secured their spots in the upcoming Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event by winning intense qualifying matches. The women's division saw Asuka triumph in a triple threat bout against Bayley and Natalya, while on the men's side, Je'Von Evans overcame GUNTHER and Dominik Mysterio in another grueling triple threat. These victories add fresh intrigue to the Elimination Chamber lineups, with Asuka joining Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, and Alexa Bliss in the women's match, and Evans aligning with Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and LA Knight for the men's showdown.
The show opened with the women's qualifier, setting a tone of relentless action from the opening bell. Bayley, the former WWE Women's Champion known for her resilience, nearly claimed victory early on with a devastating elbow drop on Asuka, but Natalya, often called 'The Queen of Harts,' intervened to break up the pin attempt. According to reports from ringside, the match quickly escalated into a chaotic exchange of high-impact moves, highlighting the athletic prowess of all three competitors.
Natalya gained momentum by executing a German suplex on Bayley directly on the apron, a move that left the crowd gasping. However, Asuka, the Japanese superstar renowned for her striking ability and submission expertise, capitalized by pulling Natalya back into the ring and locking in her signature Asuka Lock. This hold, a crossface chickenwing variation, has ended many a match in Asuka's favor throughout her storied career, which includes multiple championship reigns in WWE and its developmental brands.
Not one to be outdone, Natalya countered with a sit-down powerbomb on Asuka, who kicked out at two, showcasing her toughness. Natalya then transitioned into the Sharpshooter, her family's legendary submission hold, targeting Asuka's back. Bayley, ever the opportunist, rushed in with a running knee strike to Natalya, breaking the hold and following up with her Bayley-to-Belly suplex on Asuka.
The climax came as Bayley attempted her Rose Plant finisher, but Asuka reversed it seamlessly into the Asuka Lock once more. This time, Bayley had no escape and tapped out, securing Asuka's qualification. The victory marks a significant step for Asuka, who has been rebuilding momentum after a period of tag team focus with Kairi Sane and Dakota Kai in Damage CTRL. Post-match, Asuka celebrated stoically, her green mist persona intact, as the Philadelphia crowd—wait, no, Des Moines audience—cheered the Empress of Tomorrow.
Shifting to the men's qualifier later in the evening, Je'Von Evans faced off against the imposing GUNTHER and the agile Dominik Mysterio in what promised to be a clash of styles. GUNTHER, the Ring General and current Intercontinental Champion, dominated early, locking up with Evans while Mysterio, son of WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio, wisely stayed on the periphery. Reports indicate Mysterio attempted to avoid the fray, but GUNTHER's brute force soon dragged him into the mix, bullying him around the ringside area.
Evans, a rising star from WWE's NXT brand with a background in high-flying maneuvers, leveled the playing field with a massive leap over the top rope, taking out both opponents in a suicide dive that electrified the arena. This athletic display underscored Evans' potential as a main roster contender, having impressed in recent weeks with his OG Cutter finisher and charismatic presence.
GUNTHER regained control for much of the match, at one point powerbombing Mysterio directly onto the back of a prone Evans, a brutal spot that drew oohs from the live crowd. As the action intensified, Evans went for his OG Cutter on GUNTHER, but the Austrian powerhouse caught him mid-air and applied a sleeper hold, nearly choking out the challenger. Mysterio tried to seize the moment with a frog splash from the top rope, but GUNTHER powered out and set up for his signature 619 attempt—wait, no, that's Rey's move; Mysterio aimed for his own version but was met with a thunderous clothesline instead.
The turning point arrived with interference from Dragon Lee, the Luchador who has been feuding with GUNTHER since the Ring General retired AJ Styles at a previous event. According to eyewitness accounts, Dragon Lee emerged from the crowd and struck GUNTHER with the ring bell, stunning the champion and allowing the match to continue without his full dominance. This outside involvement adds layers to ongoing storylines, as GUNTHER's Imperium faction has been embroiled in rivalries across brands.
With GUNTHER dazed on the mat, Mysterio ascended for another frog splash but missed, crashing hard. Seizing the opportunity, Evans connected with the OG Cutter on Mysterio for the three-count victory. The win propels Evans into the Elimination Chamber, where he'll compete inside the unforgiving steel structure against established names like Orton, the Viper, who has won the event multiple times, Rhodes, the American Nightmare on a redemption arc, and Knight, the Megastar gaining fan favor.
These qualifiers are part of WWE's buildup to the Elimination Chamber event scheduled for February 24, 2024, at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Elimination Chamber matches, a staple since 2006, feature six competitors battling inside pods that open at intervals, with the winners earning title shots at WrestleMania 40. For the women, the victor will challenge for the Women's World Championship, currently held by Rhea Ripley, while the men's side offers a shot at the World Heavyweight Title defended by Seth Rollins.
Background on the participants reveals a diverse field. Asuka's qualification comes amid Damage CTRL's internal tensions, with Bayley recently turning on the group, leading to fractured alliances. Natalya, a veteran with over two decades in the industry, continues to mentor younger talent while chasing her own spotlight. On the men's front, GUNTHER's loss—albeit aided by interference—snaps his impressive undefeated streak in singles competition, which spanned over 600 days until earlier challenges.
Dominik Mysterio's performance, while not victorious, highlighted his growth from a Judgment Day member often relying on faction support to a more independent competitor. Je'Von Evans, formerly known as Jay Malachi in the indies, represents the influx of NXT talent breaking through, similar to recent call-ups like Carmelo Hayes. WWE officials have not commented publicly on the interference by Dragon Lee, but it reportedly stems from GUNTHER's role in AJ Styles' retirement angle at Crown Jewel last fall.
The night's events drew praise from wrestling analysts for their pacing and storytelling. One ringside observer noted, 'The women's match was a clinic in submission wrestling, while the men's bout balanced power and speed perfectly.' As WWE heads into the Road to WrestleMania, these additions to the Chamber cards heighten anticipation, with fans speculating on potential alliances and betrayals inside the structure.
Looking ahead, the Elimination Chamber will serve as a critical juncture, determining key players for the biggest show of the year. With Asuka's technical mastery and Evans' explosive style now in the mix, the path to WrestleMania grows more unpredictable. WWE Raw continues next week from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, where further qualifiers and rivalries are expected to unfold.