The Chamber is lowered and prepared for a tremendous match. Photo credit: WWE.com
Alberto Del Rio (c) defeated Big Show to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in a stellar contest. Yet again these two provided a great back and fourth match up, with more than worthy efforts. Not quite as gripping as their Last Man Standing encounters but I feel picky saying that, a good match overall and a smart choice to start the show.
For the finish Del Rio enzuigiri kicked a bucket that Show was holding into his head (although he had to do it twice after missing the first time, which was a bit awkward) which eventually led to his signature arm breaker for the submission victory.
Antonio Cesaro (c) won via disqualification versus The Miz, thereby retaining the United States Championship. In another fine title clash between these two (that actually succeeded their last one I felt) both men played out a logical match that was heavily based on specific injuries they'd sustained. The Miz with his injured shoulder after the attack by Cesaro on last week's Raw, and Cesaro's leg which Miz damaged by whipping him into steel steps and then chop blocking and targeting. Both men barely went a foot wrong too, with each looking crisp with their wrestling here. The DQ came after the champ knocked Miz's leg, causing him to fall knee-first into his groin therefore forcing the referee to call for a low blow. Afterwards a frustrated Miz gave Cesaro a big kick in the crotch for a low blow that he did mean to cause.
Before the Elimination Chamber begun, Jack Swagger claimed that when he held the microphone he had the power and spoke only the truth. His accomplice Zeb Colter then stated how ashamed the founding fathers would now be of America, with all the "panderers and excuse makers." He also went on to say how Swagger will win the Chamber match and start setting things right in the USA. I'm still into this new storyline with these two trying to 'cleanse' their country as they'd put it.
Jack Swagger bested Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, Daniel Bryan and Kane in an Elimination Chamber match to earn a World Heavyweight Championship opportunity at WrestleMania XXVIIII. And what a tremendous Chamber match. From the opening I found it a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging affair, with a great display from each and every man. But the edge of your seat period came at the very end when it was only Jericho, Orton and Swagger left.
I also have to give WWE credit for the result, they gave us a surprise victor in Swagger. The biggest complaint from the Royal Rumble was the predictable results, and lets be honest, who saw the 'All American American' winning here? I for one think him and Del Rio could have a very interesting feud, and a solid bout on the big stage. Plus I've felt Swagger has been underutilised for a long while now, so colour me happy.
Daniel Bryan was first eliminated by a rampaging Mark Henry, same as Kane, then Henry himself was pinned by Orton after Swagger, Jericho and him teamed up to take him out. But the 'World's Strongest Man' would have his revenge as he then applied a World's Strongest Slam to each of the three men before he left. In a gripping final sequence Orton managed to block a Lionsault attempt from Y2J and then RKO him for a one-two-three, but then in a shocking result Swagger managed to score a quick roll up pin for the win and a World Title opportunity at 'Mania. A satisfying match on the whole.
The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) beat Ryback, Sheamus and John Cena in an exciting six-man tag bout. I was expecting a decent outing here, but it certainly exceeded that. Each member of The Shield gave worthy performances, with Sheamus also looking good, I can't really fault Cena or Ryback either but they weren't exactly outstanding compared to their usual standard. The result also keeps Shield's momentum going, which is rare when pitted against Cena. I expect another solid six-man contest with them at WrestleMania.
Although it wasn't as bracing as the trio's TLC match from December (it was never going to be) they yet again contributed to a fun six-man match that kept you interested throughout. The best period came at the end when Reigns speared Sheamus through the barricade (almost hitting poor Lillian Garcia) and after what appeared to be a comeback from Cena's unit, Reigns also then speared Ryback as he was going for a Shell Shock on Rollins, who pinned him as Cena was preoccupied. Cena feigned shock afterwards as best he could, with an upset Ryback storming off, failing to get his retribution once again.
Dolph Ziggler, accompanied by Big E Langston and AJ Lee, complained about being left out of the card and warned Swagger that only he was guaranteed the World Championship with his MITB contract. GM Booker T then joined him and introduced Ziggler's opponent right there and then, Kofi Kingston.
Dolph Ziggler pinned Kofi Kingston in a decent contest. As usual both men looked largely impressive in the ring with their unique styles, and most importantly they gave us a lively encounter to enjoy. Afterwards Big E continued the assault on Kofi after he'd accidentally flown into him on the outside during the bout.
Kaitlyn (c) beat Tamina Snuka to retain the Divas Title in an average and forgettable outing. Neither performer looked bad, there was just nothing exceptional or particularly engaging about the match at all. For the finish Tamina went for the Superfly Splash but missed, receiving a spear from the champ for the winning pin. The most entertaining part of this was a male fan in the front row who began dancing to Kaitlyn's theme after she'd won, trust me go back and watch it.
The Rock (c) pinned CM Punk to retain the WWE Championship in an exciting main event. As expected this surpassed their clash at the Royal Rumble, going back and fourth with solid sequences and a well planned out match on the whole. My only issue was an extra referee bump that felt unnecessary at the end, caused by Punk accidentally rolling over his ankle. The original official was taken out shortly before that by Punk irish whipping The Rock into him and landing on the outside.
As Punk then went to take advantage of the lack of refs and clobber Rocky with the title belt, 'The People's Champ' ducked and Punk instead struck his associate Heyman, much to the delight of the lame and awful Lawler on commentary, who'd been bashing him much of the match. The champ then applied his second Rock Bottom of the bout for the one-two-three. It was then confirmed, the match tag lined as 'Once In a Lifetime' is going to happen again, the rematch no fan seems to want is main eventing 'Mania in April, Cena versus The Rock.
Overall I felt Elimination Chamber was a very solid show, with every match, bar the Divas outing, being of a high or at least decent quality. The highlights for me were the six-man tag match, main event and superb Chamber match. And we also had a nice surprise with Swagger's victory, for everyone complaining of the predictable nature of WWE nowadays I guess they can still pull it off now and then. Although on the downside, we will unfortunately get the rematch nobody seems to want in Rock versus Cena, ah well, can't always win.
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