Ranking All 20 WWE Elimination Chamber Matches
From Slobberknockers to snooze-fests...
Elimination Chamber matches are exciting for four main reasons:
Despite this, and despite the endless combinations of narratives allowed by the stipulation, the Elimination Chamber hasn't exactly been the most consistent of match types in WWE history. A couple years ago, WWE even attempted to shuffle it from the calendar without anybody noticing - perhaps a direct response to the disastrous 2015 edition of the eponymous pay per view.
2017, however, saw the stipulation return with a bang - and it now looks to be a regular feature of WWE's yearly schedule once more. But just how good have the promotion's 20 Elimination Chamber matches been?
(And in what order, obviously. This wouldn't be much of a list, otherwise.)
While researching this list, I found that Chamber matches blend in the memory far more easily than Royal Rumbles. Perhaps it's because the structure, despite appearing to be progressive and unique, actually restricts the action - both physically and in terms of storytelling.
Perhaps it's because Triple H is in, like, 80% of them.
Regardless, it's time to take a look at every Elimination Chamber match in history - from forgotten classics to all-time favourites.
WWE
Where: American Bank Center - Corpus Christi, Texas
What: The Elimination Chamber that almost killed off the stipulation forever. Not only was the Chamber concept cheapened thanks to an event where it was used for the Intercontinental and Tag Team Championships (rather than the world title), it was also littered with unfortunate mistakes. Not all of these gaffes were the fault of the wrestlers themselves, but they didn't exactly handle the situation well.
The Good: In basic terms, the bout at least did its job of putting over Ryback and making him look like a worthy new champion. He last eliminated Sheamus, who had already been built as a credible threat by eliminating both Mark Henry and Dolph Ziggler. It's fundamental stuff, but at least it gave the match some semblance oh a coherent storyline.
The Bad: The bout went downhill from the moment Wade Barrett shoved Ziggler into Henry's pod, popping out the 'armour plating' panel and allowing the World's Strongest Man to prematurely enter the match. Clearly confused, Henry did so - very tentatively indeed. He even broke up a pinfall attempt, forgetting the rules of the match. Sheamus' later heel tactic of locking himself inside the pod with his Celtic cross would have been clever, were it not for the announce team's complete lack of comprehension. Even when he theatrically removed the cross and revealed his ruse, they simply assumed that Sheamus' pod had fixed itself.
Star of the Show: Dolph Ziggler. I mentioned that the competitors didn't handle the match very well once it started to go off the rails, but Ziggler at least tried. The reluctance of his opponents to take charge forced Dolph to use the referee (and the guise of forming an allegiance) to communicate some sort of plan. Were it not for Ziggler, there's no telling quite how bad this match could have been.
WWE
Where: James Brown Arena - Augusta, Georgia
What: The centrepiece of maybe WWE's most infamous pay per view. This 'extreme' Elimination Chamber saw perhaps the worst booking of any such match, as Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon reportedly clashed backstage. Heyman recognised that the crowd were hungry for a CM Punk or Rob Van Dam win, while Vince was determined to push his new golden boy Bobby Lashley. Guess who had the final word...
The Good: The reason this match gets such a bad reputation is its booking, but the wrestling itself was largely fine. The added wrinkle of each pod having a weapon inside may not have been as revolutionary as WWE would have hoped, but it at least gave us the nice visual of Bobby Lashley using a table to smash open the ceiling of his locked cell.
The Bad: With the crowd already angry after sitting through a historically lax pay per view, the Chamber needed to deliver in a big way - and didn't. The booking here was rough, with former indie darling (and future megastar) CM Punk eliminated first. ECW icon Van Dam followed shortly after, leaving Lashley alone to overcome Test and Big Show. The bout is comparable to the 2015 Royal Rumble, where fan favourite Daniel Bryan was bumped off early to try and drum up support for Roman Reigns. In both instances, it backfired spectacularly.
Star of the Show: Test. In terms of stepping outside of your comfort zone, Test did so in a big way here. His elimination of RVD saw the heel scale a pod and deliver a crunching elbow drop, a spot few would have predicted beforehand.
WWE
Where: American Bank Center - Corpus Christi, Texas
What: A cluttered mess, proof that the Elimination Chamber is not meant for tag team action, and a match that may have cheapened the stipulation. Is it just me, or did nobody involved with this bout give the impression that they wanted anything to do with it - from the wrestlers to the bookers (and especially the fans)?
The Good: The right team won. The New Day's initial heel run was one of the most entertaining things about WWE in 2015, and it would have been a grave error had they lost the titles here. The Ascension enjoyed some early heel dominance, and the Prime Time Players looked pretty brave in defeat. The intention of making teams look strong was certainly present, even if it failed in execution.
The Bad: I've already mentioned that the action was crowded and messy, but equally infuriating were the various inconsistencies in terms of numbers. All three members of New Day were allowed to enter the match, while Los Matadores brought El Torito along for the ride. I guess it could have been explained as New Day's champions' advantage, and the fact that El Torito is more of an associate than an official team member - but really it just furthered the impression that this match was to be taken as nothing more than a sideshow.
Star of the Show: Darren Young. Honestly, the match was far too crowded for any one Superstar to truly shine, but Young at least tried. He pinned Viktor and Cesaro, dragging his teammate along to the final showdown with the New Day. Which he lost. Because his team had two members and New Day had three. Obviously.
WWE
Where: Bradley Center - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What: Daniel Bryan's big Elimination Chamber moment, albeit one sadly diluted by misplaced comedy and a lack of convincing challengers. He retained his title by last eliminating Santino Marella, and while there was a brief moment of delirium where it seemed as though Santino might actually win, the overall bout was sadly lacking in real drama.
The Good: Heel Daniel Bryan was awesome, and despite his later run as a mega babyface, it shouldn't be forgotten how capable a bad guy he was too. The final showdown with Santino was more entertaining than it really had any right to be, and there was a nice novelty moment when The Big Show clambered into the champ's pod before it had opened, crushing him against the glass.
The Bad: There's a fine line between a good sneaky heel champion, and a weak cowardly one. I feel as though Bryan was booked to be the latter here, which is a shame given his clear ability. The aforementioned spot with Big Show was entertaining, sure, but risked turning one of the company's most popular stars into a joke. Similarly, although he and Santino made for a surprisingly entertaining finish, surely the World Heavyweight Champion should have overcome a more credible challenger.
Star of the Show: Daniel Bryan. Despite the strange booking, Bryan's star still partially shone. Santino may have (somehow) notched up the most eliminations, but the champ stole the show despite being portrayed as more lucky than cunning.
WWE
Where: Oracle Arena - Oakland, California
What: A very different Elimination Chamber, in both good and bad ways. Ultimately, the result wasn't surprising - with John Cena last eliminating CM Punk to earn a title shot at WrestleMania - but several moments earlier in the match certainly set it apart from its predecessors.
The Good: This match is probably best remembered as the site of maybe the best Chamber elimination of all time. John Morrison scaled the side of the structure and found himself dangling from the ceiling, whereupon he dropped himself into a thunderous crossbody on Sheamus. The pinfall was, of course, academic.
The Bad: CM Punk's angle in this match was a very strange one. The New Nexus leader's pod door didn't open fully, leading to him becoming stuck. From there, he was a sitting duck. Randy Orton easily beat him down, before dragging him into the ring for a quick elimination. It was certainly strange seeing the heel wronged (despite having done nothing wrong himself), and everything became even messier when the anonymous Raw GM interrupted the bout to give Punk a second chance. The momentum was completely halted, and the match never truly recovered.
Star of the Show: John Morrison. The parkour-influenced maverick lasted from the start of the match until the final three, and although he may have seemed slightly out of his depth alongside Cena and Punk, it was fun seeing a less-fancied competitor mix it up with the big guys. He also gave us that amazing elimination.
WWE
Where: Thomas & Mack Center - Las Vegas, Nevada
What: The lesser of two Elimination Chamber matches, on the first ever card to hold more than one. Although stacked with big names like Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and Jeff Hardy, it was slightly held back by unimaginative booking. The Game had already won two of the six ever Chamber bouts up until this point and chalked up his third in relatively straightforward fashion.
The Good: Although uncomfortable to watch in hindsight, JBL's post-elimination chair shot party was chaotic and wild - exactly the sort of atmosphere that should be brought to a Chamber match. It's a relief that WWE discovered other ways to manufacture such a sense of anarchy in future matches, without relying on unprotected headshots.
The Bad: Triple H and Shawn Michaels have had many epic showdowns over the years - perhaps too many, if we're being honest. Their brawl here had an unfortunate "same old, same old" vibe. It was nice to see Jeff Hardy stand up to The Game, but his resistance was eventually squashed thanks to a Pedigree on a steel chair. He probably should have won, but was released shortly after due to drug-related offences. A true lose-lose situation for WWE.
Star of the Show: Triple H was the main man here, for better or worse. Although his record four Elimination Chamber wins does feel a little excessive, he at least always carried himself appropriately in each match - be it as a manipulative heel or resilient babyface.
WWE
Where: Bradley Center - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What: A perfectly fine Elimination Chamber match, but hardly one to set the pulse racing. CM Punk was the only viable winner of this one, and although WWE tried to incorporate something a little different, we all pretty much knew what to expect.
The Good: Punk's amazing popularity around this time totally warranted his strong showing. The WWE Champion entered at number one and survived the entire match, eliminating two men (and nullifying a third) in the process. His win was the easy call to make, but also the right one - and it was nice to see WWE go all in on Punk.
The Bad: WWE wanted to build to a match between Punk and Chris Jericho at WrestleMania, but with Y2J in the match, needed to figure out a way to set up the bout without making either man look weak. Their solution wasn't the best, as Punk physically kicked Y2J out of the Chamber without officially eliminating him. It certainly helped set up the 'Mania showdown but didn't help this match at all.
Star of the Show: CM Punk. It had to be, really. Punk came into the match as WWE Champion, entered at number one, eliminated two (or three) opponents, and lasted over half an hour in there. A good day at the office, all in all.
WWE
Where: Scottrade Center - St. Louis, Missouri
What: A very eventful Chamber with lots of different things going on, unlike some of the matches on this list so far. It's probably best remembered for what happened afterwards, as Batista was gifted an immediate title shot by Vince McMahon (a reward for attacking Bret Hart on Raw).
The Good: Despite being the lesser of two Chamber matches on the show, this bout could never be accused of containing filler. Sheamus entered as a lucky WWE Champion, yet to directly face the man he beat, John Cena. Triple H was also gunning for Sheamus, and eliminated him before ultimately falling to Cena in the final showdown. We also had the subplot of Legacy's implosion, as Ted DiBiase accidentally blasted Randy Orton with a lead pipe, paused to think through his options, and pinned his leader anyway.
The Bad: Batista's post-match involvement reeked of Edge's 2006 cash-in, without the solid storyline explanation behind it. Fans certainly revelled in seeing Cena screwed over, but Vince's evil authority figure shtick threatened to undermine the entire Chamber match itself.
Star of the Show: John Cena. I was torn between picking Cena and Triple H, the two heavy-hitters of the match - but Cena's fall from triumph to disaster was sold very well indeed. Also, Triple H tried to make a spooky face at Sheamus through his pod door and the lighting made him look a little bit silly instead.
WWE
Where: Target Center - Minneapolis, Minnesota
What: A good match with a very screwy ending - albeit one which eventually paid off at WrestleMania. In terms of the match alone, however, it's understandable to see why it left such a sour taste in the mouth.
The Good: Daniel Bryan was on fire here, obviously, but there was plenty of other good action to enjoy as well. A particularly good moment saw corporate champion Orton refuse to leave his pod, only for Sheamus to simply kick the glass down. Ultimately, though, this was about Bryan's performance and the unbelievable fan support he was able to garner around this time.
The Bad: It's never nice to see an Elimination Chamber finish in such overtly screwy fashion, but the build-up to that moment was also deflating in its own right. The Wyatt Family teleported into the match from out of nowhere to help eliminate John Cena (with whom Bray was feuding), which brought everything to a standstill. This brought out (Corporate) Kane to help get Cena out of there, leading to his involvement with Bryan - allowing Orton to pick up a very unpopular victory.
Star of the Show: Daniel Bryan. There's not much more to be said about how hugely over Bryan was in 2014, but this match at least serves as a stark reminder of that. I could possibly have ranked it lower, but gave it the benefit of the doubt as its disappointing finish helped lead to the ultimate moment of catharsis at 'Mania.
WWE
Where: KeyArena - Seattle, Washington
What: The Edge show, part one.
No Way Out 2009 is remembered as the site of one of WWE's most daring one-night storylines, although this match is often overshadowed by everything that happened afterwards. It's still a decent Elimination Chamber, in fairness.
The Good: WWE Champion Edge being rolled up inside a couple of minutes (thereby guaranteeing a new champion by the end of the match) was genius. Unfortunately, this explosive start also gave the match an impossibly high level of excitement to maintain - although watching Triple H and Undertaker destroy everybody en route to the final two was admittedly fun.
The Bad: Triple H vs. The Undertaker should have been an absolutely epic conclusion to the bout, but felt weirdly flat. This is perhaps because the crowd were still reeling from Edge's defeat at the start of the match, or perhaps because Triple H's ultimate victory was a little telegraphed. The Game had been locked in an intense feud with Royal Rumble winner Randy Orton, and his title victory here maybe seemed a little too obvious.
Star of the Show: Triple H. Just like his Chamber win the year prior, Triple H ensured that he was the star of this match. Again, I'm going to argue that he looked slightly too strong in victory. He didn't just defeat Undertaker, he did so with The Deadman entering the match after him - making him the fresher wrestler in theory.
WWE
Where: America West Arena - Phoenix, Arizona
What: A demolition derby of an Elimination Chamber, starring Goldberg. This was the second ever Chamber, and because the first had such a feel-good finish, it's a little understandable why WWE decided to get the first heel victory out of the way quickly. The circumstances surrounding it, however, are pretty hard to swallow.
The Good: Obviously seeing the same person dominate their opponents gets tiresome very quickly, but sometimes it's pretty damn thrilling. Goldberg was only a few months into his initial WWE run, and the Chamber was tailor-made for his dominant, smash-mouth style of wrestling. He single-handedly ran through Orton, Jericho, and Michaels in simple, brutal fashion, and seemed a dead cert for victory...
The Bad: Unfortunately for Goldberg, the final man he had to beat was Triple H - somebody who often won matches he probably shouldn't. Ric Flair passed The Game a sledgehammer from the outside, Goldberg took a big shot to the back of the head, and the result was academic from there.
Star of the Show: Goldberg. The Elimination Chamber match hasn't seen anything like this since, in terms of sheer, terrifying dominance. Particularly memorable was his decimation of Chris Jericho, spearing his fellow WCW alum clean through the side of a pod.
WWE
Where: Thomas & Mack Center - Las Vegas, Nevada
What: The better Chamber on the first ever card to feature two, and a match featuring one of the better final showdowns in Chamber history. Batista and The Undertaker provided a thrilling conclusion, but the rest was a little hit-and-miss.
The Good: As mentioned, Batista and Undertaker did a great job, packing a lot of compelling action into just a few minutes. The final sequence saw Batista hold 'Taker in a Tombstone position on the outside, only for the pair to topple over the top rope and into the ring, leaving Undertaker on his feet and primed for a Tombstone of his own.
The Bad: The Deadman and the Animal aside, the rest of the competitors in this match were hardly main event stars. The pair were joined by The Great Khali, Big Daddy V, Finlay, and MVP. In fairness, the latter's elimination was certainly memorable, as Undertaker hoisted him from the top of a pod into a hellacious Chokeslam.
Star of the Show: The Undertaker. The Deadman secured a WrestleMania main event for himself by eliminating three men (and basically seeing off MVP, although it was actually Finlay who delivered the pinfall).
WWE
Where: New Orleans Arena - New Orleans, Louisiana
What: Jack Swagger won an Elimination Chamber!? This may not be the most memorable match on this list, but it's not half bad! Although hardly the biggest in terms of storyline potential, it featured consistently good action throughout. Sadly, however, Swagger's win essentially went nowhere.
The Good: The pacing of this match was excellent. Mark Henry dominated the early stages, taking out Kane and Daniel Bryan with World's Strongest Slams before being RKOd out of contention by Randy Orton. Henry then snapped in entertaining fashion, dishing out more slams before finally leaving the Chamber. Orton then looked be on course for victory, before Swagger stole an unlikely win with a climactic roll-up.
The Bad: Although a perfectly solid Elimination Chamber, it never threatened to step up into that higher gear that characterises many of the remaining matches on this list. It is the definition of a solid Elimination Chamber match.
Star of the Show: Randy Orton. Orton filled the gap perfectly between Mark Henry's early spell of dominance and Swagger's unlikely win, eliminating both Henry and Chris Jericho, before succumbing immediately to the sneakiest of schoolboys.
WWE
Where: Oracle Arena - Oakland, California
What: Like the match we've just discussed, this Chamber was exciting in terms of sheer action, but meant little in the grand scheme of things. The final showdown between Edge and Rey Mysterio - a repeat of their performance in 2009 - was given almost 10 minutes. This was a wise decision, given the excellent chemistry shared between both men.
The Good: Edge and Mysterio combined like no other pairing in Elimination Chamber history, and were given the privilege of both starting and finishing the match. Clearly, this decision was influenced by their excellent showing in 2009 - and the pair more than lived up to the pressure. Mysterio gained no eliminations but still looked like a threat against the exhausted Edge.
The Bad: Aside from being the Edge and Mysterio show, there wasn't too much here to write home about. Barrett, Big Show, McIntyre, and Kane all had basic roles to fulfil - and fulfil them they did - but nothing of particular note occurred.
Star of the Show: Edge. The World Heavyweight Champion retained his title after a great performance, wrestling for 31 minutes and eliminating a pair of opponents along the way. His final elimination of Mysterio was timed beautifully, the Rated R Superstar catching Rey off the top rope with a jumping Spear.
WWE
Where: Madison Square Garden - New York City, New York
What: The first ever Elimination Chamber match, and perhaps the simplest in terms of a good vs. bad story. That's not a criticism; sometimes the simplest wrestling storylines are the most effective, and Shawn Michaels' triumph over Triple H remains a wonderful moment in Elimination Chamber history.
The Good: The natural advantage of being the first match of its kind meant that this bout felt constantly fresh and exciting - but it certainly didn't rest on its laurels. There were plenty of fantastic moments here: RVD's Five Star Frogsplash from the top of a pod, Chris Jericho crunching through a glass panel courtesy of Kane - and of course, HBK's emotional victory.
The Bad: Compared to the previous couple of matches on this list, the action was maybe a tad sloppy from time to time. Rob Van Dam legitimately injured Triple H's oesophagus with his massive Frogsplash, so fair play to The Game for battling through and completing the match.
Star of the Show: Triple H. Shawn Michaels may have been the victor just months after his big comeback, but this match was all about The Game. Beginning the bout in the ring, Triple H dictated the ebb and flow for large portions, even after suffering that nasty throat injury.
WWE
Where: Pepsi Arena - Albany, New York
What: On paper, a weak Chamber match (Cena overcoming the odds? Carlito and Chris Masters in the final three!?). In reality, an intelligent, dramatic, and ultimately shocking sequence of events. Edge's climactic appearance has rightfully gone down in WWE history.
The Good: Edge's first ever cashing-in of a Money in the Bank contract was the icing on the cake here, but the groundwork was laid by a fantastic Elimination Chamber match. Carlito and Masters seemed like the least thrilling element of the bout beforehand, but teamed up to outlast everyone except Cena. Their downfall, appropriately, was each other - with Carlito prematurely turning on Masters and paying the price.
The Bad: Were it not for the post-match cash-in, this match would probably be looked back upon very differently - perhaps as a procession for Cena, who admittedly ended the bout with a severely bloodied face, but essentially outlasted a pair of squabbling mid-carders. Happily, however, Edge charged in and changed the entire context of the night.
Star of the Show: John Cena. Just like the (less ingenious) reprise in 2010, Cena was the star of this Elimination Chamber - especially in his selling of sheer exhaustion and babyface bravery. He entered at number one, and never truly entered unshakable SuperCena mode. He was rattled at several points here, and it made for great viewing.
WWE
Where: Coliseo de Puerto Rico - San Juan, Puerto Rico
What: A fun, frenzied Elimination Chamber with plenty of incidents. The ending was more of an angle than a decisive finish to a wrestling bout, but there was certainly enough here to prevent it from being too deflating to the crowd.
The Good: Unlike many Chambers, which are often guilty of focusing too heavily on one or two competitors, pretty much everybody here had a specific purpose. Jericho and Benoit started things off with some typically excellent wrestling, while Edge got into it (semi-unintentionally) with special guest referee Shawn Michaels. Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista all factored heavily in the finish.
The Bad: The finish served a purpose, building up to the eventual Batista face turn and feud with Triple H, but I can see why it would annoy some. Orton - never the most convincing babyface - was supposed to garner sympathy here, as Batista crashed the match post-elimination to help Triple H win. It seemed a little cheap, but made sense on the whole.
Star of the Show: Triple H. Yet again, Triple H was the star of an Elimination Chamber match. He may have annoyed plenty of fans with another unscrupulous victory - just a year and a half after screwing Goldberg in 2003 - but reacted to everything appropriately. He was sly when failing to save Batista during the match, and at his vindictive best in victory.
WWE
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena - Phoenix, Arizona
What: A back-to-basics Elimination Chamber focusing on solid storytelling and excellent in-ring action, after a year's hiatus following the disastrous 2015 event. It was also full of quality, featuring all-time greats like AJ Styles and John Cena, as well as younger stars in the form of Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt.
The Good: Absolutely everything in this match made sense. Ambrose's early elimination of Baron Corbin infuriated the heel, who brutally attacked the Lunatic Fringe before being escorted from the ring. The final three told a fantastic story, with Cena and Styles becoming too wrapped up in their own ongoing rivalry to pay attention to Bray Wyatt - who stole in and won the match (as well as the WWE Championship) from under their noses.
The Bad: Nothing in this match was outright bad, but the fallout certainly was. Wyatt seemed poised for greatness, only to lose a baffling WrestleMania title match to former ally Randy Orton. The pair's feud wasn't over, and carried on long enough for WWE to book an ill-advised 'House of Horrors' match. If you've forgotten that bout, count yourself lucky.
Star of the Show: Bray Wyatt. Although his title reign quickly became a nightmare, this bout was Wyatt's moment in the sun. The cult leader had eaten loss after loss over the previous few years, but was finally given the ball here in a big way.
WWE
Where: Scottrade Center - St. Louis, Missouri
What: Maybe the most dramatic Elimination Chamber of all time, and a rare example of a Chamber which shone both in its own right and as part of a wider storyline. The action was good too, with Superstars such as Undertaker, Jericho, Punk, and Mysterio providing quality in abundance.
The Good: Shawn Michaels' climactic interference saw him cost Undertaker the match and the World Heavyweight Championship, provoking the Deadman into agreeing to their amazing career vs. streak bout at WrestleMania. It was a cheap finish by definition, but far surpassed anything a clean ending would have given us. CM Punk's early elimination of R-Truth (and the subsequent promo he cut on the Superstars locked in their pods) was entertaining as hell too.
The Bad: Not a lot. The action perhaps wasn't as spectacular as we've seen in one or two other Chamber matches, but the exquisite booking and storytelling more than made up for any quiet periods.
Star of the Show: Chris Jericho. The finish threatened to relegate the match's ultimate winner to a peripheral figure, but even as HBK shocked the world, Y2J played his part perfectly. He could scarcely believe it as he covered an unconscious 'Taker, before grabbing the World Heavyweight Championship and scurrying for the hills.
WWE
Where: KeyArena - Seattle, Washington
What: The pinnacle of Elimination Chamber action, both in terms of sheer in-ring action and shocking storyline developments. Having lost the WWE Championship in around three minutes earlier in the night, Edge crashed the SmackDown Chamber match, locking himself in a pod and setting his sights on the World Heavyweight title.
The Good: Pretty much everything. The booking alone was inventive and enthralling enough to propel this bout to the upper reaches of this list, even if the wrestling itself had been stale. As it happens, we were treated to perhaps the best final showdown of any Chamber match in history. Edge and Mysterio went all-out to impress, creating a legitimately special moment in the process.
The Bad: It could be argued that Edge's pre-match ambush of Kofi Kingston (and invasion of the Chamber) guaranteed his win, but the resilience of Mysterio kept everybody guessing until the final pinfall was counted.
Star of the Show: Rey Mysterio. Rey began the match with Chris Jericho and ended it with Edge, both mini-bouts proving very entertaining indeed. The latter in particular was contested at a higher level than just about everything we've seen in any Elimination Chamber, especially one of the final bumps, where Mysterio was propelled with force into the side of a pod. A stunning performance from the masked babyface.
- The environment. As we're so often told, the Elimination Chamber structure is full of nasty things like steel beams, chains, bulletproof glass, and bits of metal floor.
- The staggered entrance format. It's faintly reminiscent of the Royal Rumble, and we're all hopelessly devoted to the Royal Rumble forever and always.
- The line-ups are often stacked (but not always).
- The faint notion that the competitors could break out of the Chamber and do some spots on the roof. Which never happens, but still.
Despite this, and despite the endless combinations of narratives allowed by the stipulation, the Elimination Chamber hasn't exactly been the most consistent of match types in WWE history. A couple years ago, WWE even attempted to shuffle it from the calendar without anybody noticing - perhaps a direct response to the disastrous 2015 edition of the eponymous pay per view.
2017, however, saw the stipulation return with a bang - and it now looks to be a regular feature of WWE's yearly schedule once more. But just how good have the promotion's 20 Elimination Chamber matches been?
(And in what order, obviously. This wouldn't be much of a list, otherwise.)
While researching this list, I found that Chamber matches blend in the memory far more easily than Royal Rumbles. Perhaps it's because the structure, despite appearing to be progressive and unique, actually restricts the action - both physically and in terms of storytelling.
Perhaps it's because Triple H is in, like, 80% of them.
Regardless, it's time to take a look at every Elimination Chamber match in history - from forgotten classics to all-time favourites.
20. Elimination Chamber 2015 - WWE Intercontinental Championship
WWEWhere: American Bank Center - Corpus Christi, Texas
What: The Elimination Chamber that almost killed off the stipulation forever. Not only was the Chamber concept cheapened thanks to an event where it was used for the Intercontinental and Tag Team Championships (rather than the world title), it was also littered with unfortunate mistakes. Not all of these gaffes were the fault of the wrestlers themselves, but they didn't exactly handle the situation well.
The Good: In basic terms, the bout at least did its job of putting over Ryback and making him look like a worthy new champion. He last eliminated Sheamus, who had already been built as a credible threat by eliminating both Mark Henry and Dolph Ziggler. It's fundamental stuff, but at least it gave the match some semblance oh a coherent storyline.
The Bad: The bout went downhill from the moment Wade Barrett shoved Ziggler into Henry's pod, popping out the 'armour plating' panel and allowing the World's Strongest Man to prematurely enter the match. Clearly confused, Henry did so - very tentatively indeed. He even broke up a pinfall attempt, forgetting the rules of the match. Sheamus' later heel tactic of locking himself inside the pod with his Celtic cross would have been clever, were it not for the announce team's complete lack of comprehension. Even when he theatrically removed the cross and revealed his ruse, they simply assumed that Sheamus' pod had fixed itself.
Star of the Show: Dolph Ziggler. I mentioned that the competitors didn't handle the match very well once it started to go off the rails, but Ziggler at least tried. The reluctance of his opponents to take charge forced Dolph to use the referee (and the guise of forming an allegiance) to communicate some sort of plan. Were it not for Ziggler, there's no telling quite how bad this match could have been.
19. December To Dismember 2006
WWEWhere: James Brown Arena - Augusta, Georgia
What: The centrepiece of maybe WWE's most infamous pay per view. This 'extreme' Elimination Chamber saw perhaps the worst booking of any such match, as Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon reportedly clashed backstage. Heyman recognised that the crowd were hungry for a CM Punk or Rob Van Dam win, while Vince was determined to push his new golden boy Bobby Lashley. Guess who had the final word...
The Good: The reason this match gets such a bad reputation is its booking, but the wrestling itself was largely fine. The added wrinkle of each pod having a weapon inside may not have been as revolutionary as WWE would have hoped, but it at least gave us the nice visual of Bobby Lashley using a table to smash open the ceiling of his locked cell.
The Bad: With the crowd already angry after sitting through a historically lax pay per view, the Chamber needed to deliver in a big way - and didn't. The booking here was rough, with former indie darling (and future megastar) CM Punk eliminated first. ECW icon Van Dam followed shortly after, leaving Lashley alone to overcome Test and Big Show. The bout is comparable to the 2015 Royal Rumble, where fan favourite Daniel Bryan was bumped off early to try and drum up support for Roman Reigns. In both instances, it backfired spectacularly.
Star of the Show: Test. In terms of stepping outside of your comfort zone, Test did so in a big way here. His elimination of RVD saw the heel scale a pod and deliver a crunching elbow drop, a spot few would have predicted beforehand.
18. Elimination Chamber 2015 - WWE Tag Team Championship
WWEWhere: American Bank Center - Corpus Christi, Texas
What: A cluttered mess, proof that the Elimination Chamber is not meant for tag team action, and a match that may have cheapened the stipulation. Is it just me, or did nobody involved with this bout give the impression that they wanted anything to do with it - from the wrestlers to the bookers (and especially the fans)?
The Good: The right team won. The New Day's initial heel run was one of the most entertaining things about WWE in 2015, and it would have been a grave error had they lost the titles here. The Ascension enjoyed some early heel dominance, and the Prime Time Players looked pretty brave in defeat. The intention of making teams look strong was certainly present, even if it failed in execution.
The Bad: I've already mentioned that the action was crowded and messy, but equally infuriating were the various inconsistencies in terms of numbers. All three members of New Day were allowed to enter the match, while Los Matadores brought El Torito along for the ride. I guess it could have been explained as New Day's champions' advantage, and the fact that El Torito is more of an associate than an official team member - but really it just furthered the impression that this match was to be taken as nothing more than a sideshow.
Star of the Show: Darren Young. Honestly, the match was far too crowded for any one Superstar to truly shine, but Young at least tried. He pinned Viktor and Cesaro, dragging his teammate along to the final showdown with the New Day. Which he lost. Because his team had two members and New Day had three. Obviously.
17. Elimination Chamber 2012 - World Heavyweight Championship
WWEWhere: Bradley Center - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What: Daniel Bryan's big Elimination Chamber moment, albeit one sadly diluted by misplaced comedy and a lack of convincing challengers. He retained his title by last eliminating Santino Marella, and while there was a brief moment of delirium where it seemed as though Santino might actually win, the overall bout was sadly lacking in real drama.
The Good: Heel Daniel Bryan was awesome, and despite his later run as a mega babyface, it shouldn't be forgotten how capable a bad guy he was too. The final showdown with Santino was more entertaining than it really had any right to be, and there was a nice novelty moment when The Big Show clambered into the champ's pod before it had opened, crushing him against the glass.
The Bad: There's a fine line between a good sneaky heel champion, and a weak cowardly one. I feel as though Bryan was booked to be the latter here, which is a shame given his clear ability. The aforementioned spot with Big Show was entertaining, sure, but risked turning one of the company's most popular stars into a joke. Similarly, although he and Santino made for a surprisingly entertaining finish, surely the World Heavyweight Champion should have overcome a more credible challenger.
Star of the Show: Daniel Bryan. Despite the strange booking, Bryan's star still partially shone. Santino may have (somehow) notched up the most eliminations, but the champ stole the show despite being portrayed as more lucky than cunning.
16. Elimination Chamber 2011 - Raw
WWEWhere: Oracle Arena - Oakland, California
What: A very different Elimination Chamber, in both good and bad ways. Ultimately, the result wasn't surprising - with John Cena last eliminating CM Punk to earn a title shot at WrestleMania - but several moments earlier in the match certainly set it apart from its predecessors.
The Good: This match is probably best remembered as the site of maybe the best Chamber elimination of all time. John Morrison scaled the side of the structure and found himself dangling from the ceiling, whereupon he dropped himself into a thunderous crossbody on Sheamus. The pinfall was, of course, academic.
The Bad: CM Punk's angle in this match was a very strange one. The New Nexus leader's pod door didn't open fully, leading to him becoming stuck. From there, he was a sitting duck. Randy Orton easily beat him down, before dragging him into the ring for a quick elimination. It was certainly strange seeing the heel wronged (despite having done nothing wrong himself), and everything became even messier when the anonymous Raw GM interrupted the bout to give Punk a second chance. The momentum was completely halted, and the match never truly recovered.
Star of the Show: John Morrison. The parkour-influenced maverick lasted from the start of the match until the final three, and although he may have seemed slightly out of his depth alongside Cena and Punk, it was fun seeing a less-fancied competitor mix it up with the big guys. He also gave us that amazing elimination.
15. No Way Out 2008 - Raw
WWEWhere: Thomas & Mack Center - Las Vegas, Nevada
What: The lesser of two Elimination Chamber matches, on the first ever card to hold more than one. Although stacked with big names like Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and Jeff Hardy, it was slightly held back by unimaginative booking. The Game had already won two of the six ever Chamber bouts up until this point and chalked up his third in relatively straightforward fashion.
The Good: Although uncomfortable to watch in hindsight, JBL's post-elimination chair shot party was chaotic and wild - exactly the sort of atmosphere that should be brought to a Chamber match. It's a relief that WWE discovered other ways to manufacture such a sense of anarchy in future matches, without relying on unprotected headshots.
The Bad: Triple H and Shawn Michaels have had many epic showdowns over the years - perhaps too many, if we're being honest. Their brawl here had an unfortunate "same old, same old" vibe. It was nice to see Jeff Hardy stand up to The Game, but his resistance was eventually squashed thanks to a Pedigree on a steel chair. He probably should have won, but was released shortly after due to drug-related offences. A true lose-lose situation for WWE.
Star of the Show: Triple H was the main man here, for better or worse. Although his record four Elimination Chamber wins does feel a little excessive, he at least always carried himself appropriately in each match - be it as a manipulative heel or resilient babyface.
14. Elimination Chamber 2012 - WWE Championship
WWEWhere: Bradley Center - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What: A perfectly fine Elimination Chamber match, but hardly one to set the pulse racing. CM Punk was the only viable winner of this one, and although WWE tried to incorporate something a little different, we all pretty much knew what to expect.
The Good: Punk's amazing popularity around this time totally warranted his strong showing. The WWE Champion entered at number one and survived the entire match, eliminating two men (and nullifying a third) in the process. His win was the easy call to make, but also the right one - and it was nice to see WWE go all in on Punk.
The Bad: WWE wanted to build to a match between Punk and Chris Jericho at WrestleMania, but with Y2J in the match, needed to figure out a way to set up the bout without making either man look weak. Their solution wasn't the best, as Punk physically kicked Y2J out of the Chamber without officially eliminating him. It certainly helped set up the 'Mania showdown but didn't help this match at all.
Star of the Show: CM Punk. It had to be, really. Punk came into the match as WWE Champion, entered at number one, eliminated two (or three) opponents, and lasted over half an hour in there. A good day at the office, all in all.
13. Elimination Chamber 2010 - Raw
WWEWhere: Scottrade Center - St. Louis, Missouri
What: A very eventful Chamber with lots of different things going on, unlike some of the matches on this list so far. It's probably best remembered for what happened afterwards, as Batista was gifted an immediate title shot by Vince McMahon (a reward for attacking Bret Hart on Raw).
The Good: Despite being the lesser of two Chamber matches on the show, this bout could never be accused of containing filler. Sheamus entered as a lucky WWE Champion, yet to directly face the man he beat, John Cena. Triple H was also gunning for Sheamus, and eliminated him before ultimately falling to Cena in the final showdown. We also had the subplot of Legacy's implosion, as Ted DiBiase accidentally blasted Randy Orton with a lead pipe, paused to think through his options, and pinned his leader anyway.
The Bad: Batista's post-match involvement reeked of Edge's 2006 cash-in, without the solid storyline explanation behind it. Fans certainly revelled in seeing Cena screwed over, but Vince's evil authority figure shtick threatened to undermine the entire Chamber match itself.
Star of the Show: John Cena. I was torn between picking Cena and Triple H, the two heavy-hitters of the match - but Cena's fall from triumph to disaster was sold very well indeed. Also, Triple H tried to make a spooky face at Sheamus through his pod door and the lighting made him look a little bit silly instead.
12. Elimination Chamber 2014
WWEWhere: Target Center - Minneapolis, Minnesota
What: A good match with a very screwy ending - albeit one which eventually paid off at WrestleMania. In terms of the match alone, however, it's understandable to see why it left such a sour taste in the mouth.
The Good: Daniel Bryan was on fire here, obviously, but there was plenty of other good action to enjoy as well. A particularly good moment saw corporate champion Orton refuse to leave his pod, only for Sheamus to simply kick the glass down. Ultimately, though, this was about Bryan's performance and the unbelievable fan support he was able to garner around this time.
The Bad: It's never nice to see an Elimination Chamber finish in such overtly screwy fashion, but the build-up to that moment was also deflating in its own right. The Wyatt Family teleported into the match from out of nowhere to help eliminate John Cena (with whom Bray was feuding), which brought everything to a standstill. This brought out (Corporate) Kane to help get Cena out of there, leading to his involvement with Bryan - allowing Orton to pick up a very unpopular victory.
Star of the Show: Daniel Bryan. There's not much more to be said about how hugely over Bryan was in 2014, but this match at least serves as a stark reminder of that. I could possibly have ranked it lower, but gave it the benefit of the doubt as its disappointing finish helped lead to the ultimate moment of catharsis at 'Mania.
11. No Way Out 2009 - SmackDown
WWEWhere: KeyArena - Seattle, Washington
What: The Edge show, part one.
No Way Out 2009 is remembered as the site of one of WWE's most daring one-night storylines, although this match is often overshadowed by everything that happened afterwards. It's still a decent Elimination Chamber, in fairness.
The Good: WWE Champion Edge being rolled up inside a couple of minutes (thereby guaranteeing a new champion by the end of the match) was genius. Unfortunately, this explosive start also gave the match an impossibly high level of excitement to maintain - although watching Triple H and Undertaker destroy everybody en route to the final two was admittedly fun.
The Bad: Triple H vs. The Undertaker should have been an absolutely epic conclusion to the bout, but felt weirdly flat. This is perhaps because the crowd were still reeling from Edge's defeat at the start of the match, or perhaps because Triple H's ultimate victory was a little telegraphed. The Game had been locked in an intense feud with Royal Rumble winner Randy Orton, and his title victory here maybe seemed a little too obvious.
Star of the Show: Triple H. Just like his Chamber win the year prior, Triple H ensured that he was the star of this match. Again, I'm going to argue that he looked slightly too strong in victory. He didn't just defeat Undertaker, he did so with The Deadman entering the match after him - making him the fresher wrestler in theory.
10. SummerSlam 2003
WWEWhere: America West Arena - Phoenix, Arizona
What: A demolition derby of an Elimination Chamber, starring Goldberg. This was the second ever Chamber, and because the first had such a feel-good finish, it's a little understandable why WWE decided to get the first heel victory out of the way quickly. The circumstances surrounding it, however, are pretty hard to swallow.
The Good: Obviously seeing the same person dominate their opponents gets tiresome very quickly, but sometimes it's pretty damn thrilling. Goldberg was only a few months into his initial WWE run, and the Chamber was tailor-made for his dominant, smash-mouth style of wrestling. He single-handedly ran through Orton, Jericho, and Michaels in simple, brutal fashion, and seemed a dead cert for victory...
The Bad: Unfortunately for Goldberg, the final man he had to beat was Triple H - somebody who often won matches he probably shouldn't. Ric Flair passed The Game a sledgehammer from the outside, Goldberg took a big shot to the back of the head, and the result was academic from there.
Star of the Show: Goldberg. The Elimination Chamber match hasn't seen anything like this since, in terms of sheer, terrifying dominance. Particularly memorable was his decimation of Chris Jericho, spearing his fellow WCW alum clean through the side of a pod.
9. No Way Out 2008 - SmackDown/ECW
WWEWhere: Thomas & Mack Center - Las Vegas, Nevada
What: The better Chamber on the first ever card to feature two, and a match featuring one of the better final showdowns in Chamber history. Batista and The Undertaker provided a thrilling conclusion, but the rest was a little hit-and-miss.
The Good: As mentioned, Batista and Undertaker did a great job, packing a lot of compelling action into just a few minutes. The final sequence saw Batista hold 'Taker in a Tombstone position on the outside, only for the pair to topple over the top rope and into the ring, leaving Undertaker on his feet and primed for a Tombstone of his own.
The Bad: The Deadman and the Animal aside, the rest of the competitors in this match were hardly main event stars. The pair were joined by The Great Khali, Big Daddy V, Finlay, and MVP. In fairness, the latter's elimination was certainly memorable, as Undertaker hoisted him from the top of a pod into a hellacious Chokeslam.
Star of the Show: The Undertaker. The Deadman secured a WrestleMania main event for himself by eliminating three men (and basically seeing off MVP, although it was actually Finlay who delivered the pinfall).
8. Elimination Chamber 2013
WWEWhere: New Orleans Arena - New Orleans, Louisiana
What: Jack Swagger won an Elimination Chamber!? This may not be the most memorable match on this list, but it's not half bad! Although hardly the biggest in terms of storyline potential, it featured consistently good action throughout. Sadly, however, Swagger's win essentially went nowhere.
The Good: The pacing of this match was excellent. Mark Henry dominated the early stages, taking out Kane and Daniel Bryan with World's Strongest Slams before being RKOd out of contention by Randy Orton. Henry then snapped in entertaining fashion, dishing out more slams before finally leaving the Chamber. Orton then looked be on course for victory, before Swagger stole an unlikely win with a climactic roll-up.
The Bad: Although a perfectly solid Elimination Chamber, it never threatened to step up into that higher gear that characterises many of the remaining matches on this list. It is the definition of a solid Elimination Chamber match.
Star of the Show: Randy Orton. Orton filled the gap perfectly between Mark Henry's early spell of dominance and Swagger's unlikely win, eliminating both Henry and Chris Jericho, before succumbing immediately to the sneakiest of schoolboys.
7. Elimination Chamber 2011 - SmackDown
WWEWhere: Oracle Arena - Oakland, California
What: Like the match we've just discussed, this Chamber was exciting in terms of sheer action, but meant little in the grand scheme of things. The final showdown between Edge and Rey Mysterio - a repeat of their performance in 2009 - was given almost 10 minutes. This was a wise decision, given the excellent chemistry shared between both men.
The Good: Edge and Mysterio combined like no other pairing in Elimination Chamber history, and were given the privilege of both starting and finishing the match. Clearly, this decision was influenced by their excellent showing in 2009 - and the pair more than lived up to the pressure. Mysterio gained no eliminations but still looked like a threat against the exhausted Edge.
The Bad: Aside from being the Edge and Mysterio show, there wasn't too much here to write home about. Barrett, Big Show, McIntyre, and Kane all had basic roles to fulfil - and fulfil them they did - but nothing of particular note occurred.
Star of the Show: Edge. The World Heavyweight Champion retained his title after a great performance, wrestling for 31 minutes and eliminating a pair of opponents along the way. His final elimination of Mysterio was timed beautifully, the Rated R Superstar catching Rey off the top rope with a jumping Spear.
6. Survivor Series 2002
WWEWhere: Madison Square Garden - New York City, New York
What: The first ever Elimination Chamber match, and perhaps the simplest in terms of a good vs. bad story. That's not a criticism; sometimes the simplest wrestling storylines are the most effective, and Shawn Michaels' triumph over Triple H remains a wonderful moment in Elimination Chamber history.
The Good: The natural advantage of being the first match of its kind meant that this bout felt constantly fresh and exciting - but it certainly didn't rest on its laurels. There were plenty of fantastic moments here: RVD's Five Star Frogsplash from the top of a pod, Chris Jericho crunching through a glass panel courtesy of Kane - and of course, HBK's emotional victory.
The Bad: Compared to the previous couple of matches on this list, the action was maybe a tad sloppy from time to time. Rob Van Dam legitimately injured Triple H's oesophagus with his massive Frogsplash, so fair play to The Game for battling through and completing the match.
Star of the Show: Triple H. Shawn Michaels may have been the victor just months after his big comeback, but this match was all about The Game. Beginning the bout in the ring, Triple H dictated the ebb and flow for large portions, even after suffering that nasty throat injury.
5. New Year's Revolution 2006
WWEWhere: Pepsi Arena - Albany, New York
What: On paper, a weak Chamber match (Cena overcoming the odds? Carlito and Chris Masters in the final three!?). In reality, an intelligent, dramatic, and ultimately shocking sequence of events. Edge's climactic appearance has rightfully gone down in WWE history.
The Good: Edge's first ever cashing-in of a Money in the Bank contract was the icing on the cake here, but the groundwork was laid by a fantastic Elimination Chamber match. Carlito and Masters seemed like the least thrilling element of the bout beforehand, but teamed up to outlast everyone except Cena. Their downfall, appropriately, was each other - with Carlito prematurely turning on Masters and paying the price.
The Bad: Were it not for the post-match cash-in, this match would probably be looked back upon very differently - perhaps as a procession for Cena, who admittedly ended the bout with a severely bloodied face, but essentially outlasted a pair of squabbling mid-carders. Happily, however, Edge charged in and changed the entire context of the night.
Star of the Show: John Cena. Just like the (less ingenious) reprise in 2010, Cena was the star of this Elimination Chamber - especially in his selling of sheer exhaustion and babyface bravery. He entered at number one, and never truly entered unshakable SuperCena mode. He was rattled at several points here, and it made for great viewing.
4. New Year's Revolution 2005
WWEWhere: Coliseo de Puerto Rico - San Juan, Puerto Rico
What: A fun, frenzied Elimination Chamber with plenty of incidents. The ending was more of an angle than a decisive finish to a wrestling bout, but there was certainly enough here to prevent it from being too deflating to the crowd.
The Good: Unlike many Chambers, which are often guilty of focusing too heavily on one or two competitors, pretty much everybody here had a specific purpose. Jericho and Benoit started things off with some typically excellent wrestling, while Edge got into it (semi-unintentionally) with special guest referee Shawn Michaels. Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista all factored heavily in the finish.
The Bad: The finish served a purpose, building up to the eventual Batista face turn and feud with Triple H, but I can see why it would annoy some. Orton - never the most convincing babyface - was supposed to garner sympathy here, as Batista crashed the match post-elimination to help Triple H win. It seemed a little cheap, but made sense on the whole.
Star of the Show: Triple H. Yet again, Triple H was the star of an Elimination Chamber match. He may have annoyed plenty of fans with another unscrupulous victory - just a year and a half after screwing Goldberg in 2003 - but reacted to everything appropriately. He was sly when failing to save Batista during the match, and at his vindictive best in victory.
3. Elimination Chamber 2017
WWEWhere: Talking Stick Resort Arena - Phoenix, Arizona
What: A back-to-basics Elimination Chamber focusing on solid storytelling and excellent in-ring action, after a year's hiatus following the disastrous 2015 event. It was also full of quality, featuring all-time greats like AJ Styles and John Cena, as well as younger stars in the form of Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt.
The Good: Absolutely everything in this match made sense. Ambrose's early elimination of Baron Corbin infuriated the heel, who brutally attacked the Lunatic Fringe before being escorted from the ring. The final three told a fantastic story, with Cena and Styles becoming too wrapped up in their own ongoing rivalry to pay attention to Bray Wyatt - who stole in and won the match (as well as the WWE Championship) from under their noses.
The Bad: Nothing in this match was outright bad, but the fallout certainly was. Wyatt seemed poised for greatness, only to lose a baffling WrestleMania title match to former ally Randy Orton. The pair's feud wasn't over, and carried on long enough for WWE to book an ill-advised 'House of Horrors' match. If you've forgotten that bout, count yourself lucky.
Star of the Show: Bray Wyatt. Although his title reign quickly became a nightmare, this bout was Wyatt's moment in the sun. The cult leader had eaten loss after loss over the previous few years, but was finally given the ball here in a big way.
2. Elimination Chamber 2010 - SmackDown
WWEWhere: Scottrade Center - St. Louis, Missouri
What: Maybe the most dramatic Elimination Chamber of all time, and a rare example of a Chamber which shone both in its own right and as part of a wider storyline. The action was good too, with Superstars such as Undertaker, Jericho, Punk, and Mysterio providing quality in abundance.
The Good: Shawn Michaels' climactic interference saw him cost Undertaker the match and the World Heavyweight Championship, provoking the Deadman into agreeing to their amazing career vs. streak bout at WrestleMania. It was a cheap finish by definition, but far surpassed anything a clean ending would have given us. CM Punk's early elimination of R-Truth (and the subsequent promo he cut on the Superstars locked in their pods) was entertaining as hell too.
The Bad: Not a lot. The action perhaps wasn't as spectacular as we've seen in one or two other Chamber matches, but the exquisite booking and storytelling more than made up for any quiet periods.
Star of the Show: Chris Jericho. The finish threatened to relegate the match's ultimate winner to a peripheral figure, but even as HBK shocked the world, Y2J played his part perfectly. He could scarcely believe it as he covered an unconscious 'Taker, before grabbing the World Heavyweight Championship and scurrying for the hills.
1. No Way Out 2009 - Raw
WWEWhere: KeyArena - Seattle, Washington
What: The pinnacle of Elimination Chamber action, both in terms of sheer in-ring action and shocking storyline developments. Having lost the WWE Championship in around three minutes earlier in the night, Edge crashed the SmackDown Chamber match, locking himself in a pod and setting his sights on the World Heavyweight title.
The Good: Pretty much everything. The booking alone was inventive and enthralling enough to propel this bout to the upper reaches of this list, even if the wrestling itself had been stale. As it happens, we were treated to perhaps the best final showdown of any Chamber match in history. Edge and Mysterio went all-out to impress, creating a legitimately special moment in the process.
The Bad: It could be argued that Edge's pre-match ambush of Kofi Kingston (and invasion of the Chamber) guaranteed his win, but the resilience of Mysterio kept everybody guessing until the final pinfall was counted.
Star of the Show: Rey Mysterio. Rey began the match with Chris Jericho and ended it with Edge, both mini-bouts proving very entertaining indeed. The latter in particular was contested at a higher level than just about everything we've seen in any Elimination Chamber, especially one of the final bumps, where Mysterio was propelled with force into the side of a pod. A stunning performance from the masked babyface.
Written by Jack King
jack.king@cultaholic.com Twitter: @JackTheJobber
