The Best of the Elimination Chamber Match

Elimination Chamber Facts  

  • While it was Eric Bischoff who introduced the Elimination Chamber, it was actually the brainchild of Triple H. This further supports the fact that he’s a visionary always thinking ahead. 

  • The match was initially brand exclusive for Raw 

  • Shawn Michaels was the winner of the very first Elimination Chamber match 

  • The design was tweaked back in 2017 with the most notable addition being padding on the floor of the Chamber. 

  • EC 2018 featured the very first women's Elimination Chamber match. It was won by Alexa Bliss 

Best Elimination Chamber Match Moments 

  • The very first Elimination Chamber back at SummerSlam 2002 was full of memorable moments. How about RVD's Frog Splash From The Top - Survivor Series 2002?

  • At that same event, Shawn Michaels won his first World Title since his retirement back in 1998. 

  • Goldberg spearing Jericho through a pod back at the Elimination Chamber of SummerSlam 2003. 

  • No Way Out 2009, Edge was the first person eliminated thus losing the WWE Championship. Later on in the evening, Edge viciously attacked Kofi Kingston forcing him out of the match following the Con-Chair-To to the steep steps. Edge was entered into the match and captured the World Heavyweight Championship You win some, you lose some. There’s a reason why Edge owns the Moniker, The Ultimate Opportunist. 

  • Jeff Hardy landing a Swanton Bomb off the top of the pod back at No Way Out - 2009. 

  • Shawn Michaels enters the Elimination Chamber unannounced just so he could cost The Undertaker the World Heavyweight Championship. Full disclosure: Undertaker turned down Shawn for a rematch at Wrestlemania 26 and after Shawn failed to win the Royal Rumble in order to challenge the Undertaker for the Championship, he realized what needed to be done. In order to earn his rematch, the championship needed to be around the waist of someone, ANYONE else. 

Shawn appears out of nowhere, hits the Undertaker with Sweet Chin Music, with Chris Jericho taking advantage and becoming the NEW World Heavyweight Championship. 

This was one of my favourites moments due to the fact it leads to arguably one of the biggest rematches in pro-wrestling history.

  • John Morrison scaling the structure back in 2011 and dropping from the top (The Parkour paid off)  and came crashing down on Sheamus. It was an incredible visual.

  • Bray Wyatt winning his first WWE Championship after eliminating John Cena and AJ Styles - Elimination Chamber 2017.

  • The first-ever Women’s Elimination Chamber match – Elimination Chamber 2018. History was made as Alexa Bliss walked out as the new Raw Women’s Champion.

  • The Boss 'n' Hug Connection becoming the first-ever Women’s Tag-Team Champions in 2019.

  • The final few minutes between Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan at the Elimination Chamber 2019 were among the best I’ve ever witnessed. Those two told such a compelling story that completely captivated the audience and left them collectively support the underdog, Kofi Kingston. This emotional moment was 11 years in the making which also helped pave the way towards KofiMania.

Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan battle as the final two in the men’s Elimination Chamber match in 2019

Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan battle as the final two in the men’s Elimination Chamber match in 2019

Best Elimination Chamber Match 

My Choice: World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber (2002) Shawn Michaels defeating Booker T, Chris Jericho, Kane, Rob Van Dam and Triple H (c) (with Ric Flair)

Runner Up: Elimination Chamber 2010 for the World Heavyweight Championship Chris Jericho defeating CM Punk (with Luke Gallows and Serena), John Morrison, Rey Mysterio, R-Truth and The Undertaker (c) Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Shawn Michaels winning the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2002

Shawn Michaels winning the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2002

As an extra bonus, let’s highlight some of the worst moments from the elimination chamber match

  • Three Words: December to Dismember. Paul Heyman’s idea was for CM Punk to win, but instead, Bobby Lashley emerged victoriously and no one cared. In fact, the entire PPV was so awful that Tommy Dreamer and Stevie Richards both asked after the event to be released from their contracts. It also lead to a well-documented blow up between Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon that effectively ended the relationship between the two for several years.

  • Batista vs Undertaker vs Big Daddy V vs Great Khali vs MVP vs Finlay - No Way Out 2008. Big Daddy AND the Great Khali? Yes, one of the weaker periods in recent memory. 

  • Ryback vs King Barrett vs Mark Henry vs R-Truth vs Sheamus vs Dolph Ziggler - Elimination Chamber 2015 - Intercontinental Title. Daniel Bryan was forced to relinquish the title and what transpired was this hot mess. 

  • Also from 2015,  the Tag Team Elimination Chamber. The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods) (c) defeated The Ascension The Lucha Dragons, Los Matadores, The Prime Time Players and Tyson Kidd and Cesaro. It was convoluted, lacked chemistry along with star power.  

Bobby Lashley spearing the Big Show to capture the ECW World Heavyweight Championship at December to Dismember.

Bobby Lashley spearing the Big Show to capture the ECW World Heavyweight Championship at December to Dismember.

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