Bastion Blogger's Elimination Chamber 2011 Review

Elimination Chamber returns for a second year slotted in between Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania as a show to get the ball rolling to Wrestlemania. Tonight we will know both main events for the biggest show of the year. There are only four matches advertised for this event. We know Alberto Del Rio will be heading to meet the World Heavyweight Champion at Wrestlemania but who will be the champion? Edge defends tonight in an Elimination Chamber match against Dolph Ziggler, who got a bye into the match, Rey Mysterio who beat Jack Swagger to qualify, Wade Barrett who beat Big Show, Drew McIntyre who beat Kofi Kingston and Kane who beat Chris Masters. Alberto Del Rio will be watching to see who his opponent will be at Wrestlemania. Dolph Ziggler was fired last week on Smackdown so it’ll be interesting to see who replaces him in this match. Alberto Del Rio will also be in action himself when he takes on Kofi Kingston who he has had a few run-ins with as of late, getting the better of the Intercontinental Champion.

Over on Raw The Miz defends the WWE Championship against the winner of a Raw Rumble, Jerry “The King” Lawler. Lawler last eliminated Sheamus to win the match and get a shot against The Miz who is flanked by Lawlers co-commentator, Michael Cole. The six losers of the Raw Rumble were given the secondary prize of being entered into an Elimination Chamber match tonight with the winner taking on the WWE Champion at Wrestlemania. Those six men are John Cena, Randy Orton, CM Punk, Sheamus, John Morrison and R-Truth. I think there will be one or two more matches added tonight but we will have to wait and see.

In a dark match prior to the event Daniel Bryan successfully defended his United States Championship against Ted DiBiase.

A video package kicks us off, it’s all about the road to Wrestlemania and the Elimination Chamber matches themselves.

Michael Cole welcomes us to the final stop on the road to Wrestlemania. With Jerry Lawler in action tonight and Matt Striker benched, Cole is joined by Josh Mathews and Booker T.


Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio

We’re kicking off with a first time match between these two men. Kofi is the Intercontinental Champion but this is non-title. Del Rio is already in the Wrestlemania main event following his Royal Rumble win so I’m fully expecting him to get the big win tonight. Del Rio gets on the mic before the match, calling Kofi a piece of trash and a fool. There’a loud “Del Rio” chant as the match gets underway. He takes down Kingston in the early going after a distraction from Roberto Rodriguez. Del Rio hits a backbreaker but Kofi knocks him down with a dropkick. The crowd is hot tonight. Alberto scarpers to the outside but Kofi follows, boots Del Rio and then rolls him into the ring. Del Rio back drops Kofi onto the apron and Kofi knocks Del Rio down before looking to go to the top but Alberto knocks him off and then throws Kingston into the ring steps. Back in the ring and Alberto gets a two count on the pinfall.

Alberto Del Rio applies a body scissors before breaking the hold to land some right hands. Del Rio hits a side suplex for a two count and then goes back to the body scissors. Kofi elbows his way out of the submission and the two men slug it out. Alberto hits an Irish whip but Kingston bounces off the top and hits a flying forearm. The two men slug it out on their knees before getting to their feet where Kofi takes the advantage with chops, a dropkick and a clothesline. Kofi hits the boom drop and then motions for trouble in paradise but Del Rio sidesteps. Kofi hits a kick and heads to the top but Del Rio hits him with a double knees on the way down for the first near fall of the night. Del Rio sets up for a superplex but Kofi headbutts him down to the mat and then flies off with a missile dropkick for a near fall. Del Rio hits a gutbuster for a two count and looks for a flapjack but Kofi counters with a DDT.

Ricardo Rodriguez gets up on the apron which distracts the referee. Kofi hits the SOS for another near fall and then looks for a splash in the corner but Del Rio sidesteps and hits a neckbreaker. Del Rio tries to lock on the cross arm breaker but Kingston blocks it until Alberto finally locks it on and Kofi taps out. Alberto Del Rio wins tonight as he gets ready for Wrestlemania. Great way to open the show.

Rating: 7/10

Randy Orton is shown backstage getting ready for his match.

Todd Grisham is backstage with his guest at this time, Edge. Edge tells us that no champion in the last five years has walked in and out of the Elimination Chamber as champion. Drew McIntyre shows up and isn’t happy that Kelly Kelly was fired because of Edge. Drew says that tonight he will take Edge’s most prized possession. Edge says that Kelly and his title will never be seen with Drew.

There’s a VT next for the Elimination Chamber itself.



Edge (c) vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Kane vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Wade Barrett vs. The Big Show – Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Big match for the World Heavyweight Championship now. Drew McIntyre is looking to be the first man to have won at both Elimination Chamber events. The first men out are Kane, Drew McIntyre and Wade Barrett who all step into their pods. Teddy Long is out next, reminding us that he fired Dolph Ziggler on Smackdown last week. He introduces the replacement, The Big Show. Fairly predictable. He goes to his pod which means it’ll be the champion Edge starting the match with Rey Mysterio. Rey and Edge go at it, they won the Bragging Rights for Smackdown last year. Edge hits a powerslam for a two count. Edge hits an Irish whip but runs into Rey’s boot. Rey hits a nice head scissors but Edge back body drops him to the outside. Edge heads to the top but Mysterio goes up with him and hits a hurricanrana for a two count. Edge manages to take the advantage and lays in some boots on the outside before throwing Rey into the pod inhabited by Kane.

Wade Barrett enters the match. This is an Elimination Chamber debut for Barrett who goes right to work on Rey Mysterio. I am a big Wade Barrett fan. Edge lays into Barrett with right hands before back body dropping Mysterio into Wade. Edge then slides Mysterio out of the ring before turning round into a side slam from Barrett. Barrett throws Mysterio back into the ring and then hits him with a pump handle slam for a two count. Wade hits an Irish whip on Mysterio and then takes the fight to Edge outside the ring. Back in the ring and Barrett gets a two count on Edge. Barrett scoops up Mysterio, looking for wasteland on the outside but Rey grabs on to the Elimination Chamber and starts to climb! Barrett grabs Rey, looking for a powerbomb but Rey counters with a hurricanrana back into the ring. Rey then looks for a 619 but Edge catches Rey with a big boot for a two count.

Kane enters the match. The former World Heavyweight Champion goes right for Edge and then Mysterio. Kane hits a snapmare and dropkick on Barrett for a two count. This is Kane’s fourth Elimination Chamber match. He continues to dominate, dropping Edge with a big boot and Barrett with a sidewalk slam. Mysterio kicks Kane in the face and gets a two count. Barrett, Edge and Rey Mysterio all knock each other down with clotheslines. Drew McIntyre has been banging on the pod, he’s ready to enter the match. Kane lays into Edge, clotheslining him out of the ring. Wade Barrett then hits Kane with some right hands but Kane smashes Wade into the side of the Chamber. Mysterio headbutts Kane a couple of times and then heads to the top but Kane uppercuts Mysterio, leaving him hanging. Edge then hits Rey with a dropkick for a two count. Kane clotheslines Barrett over the top.

Drew McIntyre enters the match. Drew goes right to work on Rey Mysterio, throwing him into the side of one of the pods. McIntyre and Barrett then double team Kane, taking him out of the outside. Drew then crotches Barrett as he tries to get into the ring before throwing Barrett through one of the pods! McIntyre then goes after Edge, hitting him with right hands in the ring. Drew hits a snap suplex on Edge for a two count and then sets up for the futureshock but Edge counters with a DDT of his own. Edge gets to his feet and looks for a spear on McIntyre but Kane grabs Edge by the throat for a chokeslam. Edge counters the chokeslam and sets Kane up for a 619 but Kane hits Rey with a clothesline before throwing him into the corner. McIntyre sets Kane up for a futureshock but Kane back body drops McIntyre over the top and into Barrett. Kane and Edge then knocks each other down with big boots.

The Big Show enters the match. With everyone down, in comes The Big Show. Big Show clotheslines everyone is sight before clearing the ring. Wade Barrett looks to create some space between he and Big Show but Show grabs him by the throat and puts Barrett through a pod. Big Show hits Barrett with chops and then throws him into the side of the Chamber. Big Show hits Barrett with the KO punch and that’s enough for the three! Wade Barrett has been eliminated. Rey Mysterio has climbed on top of one of the pods. Kane is on the top rope and drops Big Show with a clothesline. Edge then dives off the top with an elbow drop on Big Show for a two count. McIntyre hits Big Show with the futureshock for a near fall. Rey then dives off the pod with a seated senton on Big Show and only gets a near fall. Rey hits a 619 on Big Show and Edge drops Show with a spear! Kane motions for a chokeslam and hits it on Big Show! That’s enough for the three. Big Show has been eliminated.

Drew McIntyre comes off the top but Kane catches him and hits him with a chokeslam! Drew McIntyre has been eliminated. The last three World Heavyweight Champions are left. Kane disposes of Edge but then runs into Rey Mysterio’s boot. Rey drops Kane with a DDT for a two count. Rey then comes off the top with a legdrop on Kane for a two count. Rey looks for a springboard something but Kane catches him. Rey hits a hurricanrana and then the 619 on Kane! Rey heads to the top but Kane catches him! Edge then drops both men with a spear. He pins Kane and gets the 3! Kane has been eliminated! We are back to where we started with Edge and Rey Mysterio. Kane drops Edge with as big boot before he leaves and then chokeslams Rey Mysterio and Edge!

Edge and Rey get to their feet and edge looks for a spear but Mysterio counters and rolls edge up for a near fall. Mysterio hits a springboard cross body but Edge rolls through and gets a two count. Mysterio hits a bulldog for a two count and then heads to the top but Edge crotches him up there. Rey hits some headbutts sending Edge back down to the mat and then dives off but Edge catches him and powerbombs him for a near fall. Rey hits a hurricanrana and looks for the 619 but Edge catches him and locks on a submission hold! Rey rolls through it and gets a two count. Edge looks for a spear and there are a few boo’s. Mysterio ducks the spear but turns round and Edge hits the spear! But Rey kicks out! Rey dropkicks Edge on to the middle rope and this time hits the 619! Edge then hits the splash and pins Edge who kicks out at 2! Mysterio sets Edge up for the 619 again and hits it again! Rey goes to the top but Edge spears him on the way down! Edge hooks the leg and gets the 3!

Edge retains the World Heavyweight Championship! He’s on a Collision course with Alberto Del Rio at Wrestlemania. That was a great match, especially the ending with Edge and Mysterio. Alberto Del Rio then appears out of nowhere and lays into Edge with a dropkick and right hands before locking on the cross arm breaker! Christians music then hits and out comes Christian to make the save! He lays into Del Rio with right hands and stomps him down. Christian hits the unprettier on Del Rio and leaves to his music. Man, imagine Edge vs. Christian for the title at Wrestlemania.

Rating: 8/10

Matt Striker is backstage with Jerry Lawler who is mourning the death of his mother. He’s not his usual self but he is hoping to win the WWE Championship tonight and not let anyone down.

Booker T is introduced into the ring and Booker introduces his guest, one of the trainers for Tough Enough, Trish Stratus! Trish is excited to get back involved with WWE but she has a new catchphrase. She says “Finally the Trish has come back to Oakland”. She continues in the style of The Rock but ends it with “suckaaaa”. I guess that’s it.


Santino & Vladimir Kozlov (c) vs. Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater – WWE Tag Team Championship match

This is the third PPV match between these two teams, they both have a win each so far. Santino and Kozlov are joined by Tamina, Slater and Gabriel have Ezekiel Jackson in their corner. Kozlov takes down Slater with a firemans carry and tags in Santino who hits a headlock takeover. Slater ducks a clothesline and hits a kneedrop. Slater tags in Justin Gabriel who hits some right hands and sweeps Santino down before hitting an elbow drop for a one count. Santino takes down Gabriel with a back heel trip and then Kozlov tags himself in. Kozlov throws Gabriel across the ring and then into the corner before hitting some shoulder charges. Gabriel hits a knee and then applies a headlock. Kozlov gets out of it and hits a big headbutt of his own, knocking Gabriel out of the ring. Gabriel kicks Kozlov as he gets back into the ring and then tags in Heath Slater who comes in with a corkscrew.

Quick tags now between Slater and Gabriel and Slater applies a front facelock. Kozlov powers out of it and tags in Santino who hits some jabs and a hiptoss. Santino hits the headbutt and then hiptoss Gabriel onto Slater! Santino hits the cobra on Gabriel and then pins Slater for a two count. Slater kicks Santino to take the advantage and then whips Santino into the corner. Slater powerslams Santino and tags in Gabriel who misses with a senton. Santino tags in Kozlov who hits a big knee on Gabriel, a headbutt and then a powerslam but Slater tagged himself in. Ezekiel Jackson pulls Gabriel out of the ring and Slater hits Kozlov with an inverted DDT. Slater tags in Justin Gabriel who hits the 450 splash on Kozlov and pins him for the three! Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel win the match and become two time tag team champions!

Rating: 6/10

Todd Grisham is backstage with The Miz and Alex Riley. The Miz said that 2011 is the year of The Miz.

Vickie Guerrero is out and unhappy that Dolph was fired. She said that he committed a crime of passion and that he is sorry. Teddy Long comes out and tells Vickie to stop embarrassing herself. Long says that he is in a re-hiring mood and introduces Kelly Kelly! Kelly lays into Guerrero until Michelle McCool and Layla make the save! Trish Stratus then runs out to save Kelly Kelly but Lay-Cool throw Trish to the floor. Trish fights them off in heels. Michelle is wearing odd boots. Trish hits the hurricanrana on Layla but makes a bit of a mess of it which the crowd responds to. She drops both members of Lay-Cool with a bulldog.

There’s a video package next for The Miz and Jerry Lawler.


The Miz (c) vs. Jerry “The King” Lawler – WWE Championship match

This is a first time PPV match between these two men. Miz is looking to be the first man to have won at both last years Elimination Chamber PPV and this years. The Miz has Alex Riley in his corner. The crowd are very much behind Jerry in this one. He rolls up Miz right out of the bat for a near fall and Miz can’t believe it. Lawler gets another couple of near falls until Miz takes the advantage with a headlock. Lawler hits a clothesline for a two count. Lawler then hits a cross body which I didn’t expect. He follows it up with a couple of his famous right hands and then clotheslines Miz out of the ring. Lawler follows but gets distracted by Alex Riley which allows Miz to shove him into the ringpost and then hit Lawler with a knee to the face for a near fall. Alex Riley gets a cheap shot in behind the referee’s back.

The Miz hits his trademark clothesline in the corner and then heads to the top but Lawler goes up with him and hits a superplex for a near fall. The two men slug it out resulting in Lawler dropping Miz with a couple of dropkicks and a back body drop for a two count. Lawler looks for a powerslam but Miz slides down the back. Alex Riley then gets involved again, pulling Lawlers legs. The referee sends Riley to the back! The King sidesteps a clothesline and rolls Miz up for a two count. Lawler then sets up for a piledriver but Miz escapes it and knocks Lawler down with a big boot for a two count. Jerry reverses the pin for a very near fall. Miz then runs at Lawler who low-bridges the top rope sending the WWE Champion to the outside. Lawler exits the ring where Michael Cole gets in Lawlers face telling him that it isn’t about him any more. That was enough distraction for Miz to attack Jerry from behind. Lawler takes the advantage though, smashing Miz off the announce desk and then throwing him into Michael Cole.

Lawler throws Miz back into the ring and heads to the top where he hits Miz with a big right hand for a near fall. Miz hits a backbreaker but Lawler counters the neckbreaker and hits a DDT. Jerry looks up at the Wrestlemania sign and then heads to the middle rope, pulls down the strap and hits a fistdrop for a near fall. Lawler sets up for the piledriver but again Miz counters. The two men exchange pinfalls and Miz then hits the skull-crushing finale! He hooks the leg and gets the three. Clean win for The Miz tonight as Michael Cole celebrates from the outside.

Rating: 5.75/10

John Cena is backstage tucking into a bowl of fruity pebbles. That’s in response to The Rock saying that Cena looks like a giant bowl of fruity pebbles. The Rock is the host of Wrestlemania.

Matt Striker is backstage with CM Punk. CM Punk reminds us that he has beaten John Cena the last three times they’ve met.


John Cena vs. Randy Orton vs. John Morrison vs. R-Truth vs. CM Punk vs. Sheamus – Elimination Chamber for number one contendership to the WWE Championship

Our second Elimination Chamber match is for number one contendership. Randy Orton, CM Punk, R-Truth and John Cena are the first four men out so they get in their pods leaving John Morrison and Sheamus to start the match. Sheamus knocks down Morrison early and then applies a headlock which Morrison gets out of. Sheamus then slaps Morrison which fires Morrison up. Morrison grounds Sheamus who rolls to the outside. Morrison then dives out at him. Morrison hits a flash kick off the Chamber and then pins Sheamus for a two count in the ring. Sheamus hits two big clotheslines but Morrison gets back into it with a Pele kick. Morrison then tries for starship pain but Sheamus hits him with a big right hand, sending Morrison to the outside. Sheamus throws Morrison into the chains and then rubs his face up against CM Punk’s pod.

Randy Orton enters the match. Orton hits Sheamus and Morrison with clotheslines and then powerslams. Orton then clotheslines Sheamus out of the ring and back body drops Morrison into Sheamus. This is Ortons 31st PPV in a row, he’s not far from Kurt Angle’s 34 PPV record. He clotheslines Sheamus after throwing Morrison through one of the pods. Randy then hits the hangmans DDT on Sheamus onto the metal grating. Orton stomps away at Morrison and then Sheamus. Randy hits a superplex on Morrison for a two count and then a superplex on Sheamus for another two count. Referee Scott Armstrong always counts very slowly.

CM Punk enters the match. Punk is keen to get out but he can’t get out! the referee can’t unlock the door. Orton attacks Punk as he tries to get out of the pod and stomps him into the floor. Orton then hits Punk with an RKO and pins him for the three! CM Punk has been eliminated. He did not last long. An email then comes in from the Raw General Manager! Michael Cole gets on the mic and he quotes that due to the malfunctioning pod, CM Punk wasn’t given a fair chance to compete therefore Punk is allowed to re-enter his pod and is reinstated into the match! Orton goes back to work on Sheamus but Sheamus hits him with a backbreaker for a two count. Sheamus then throws Morrison out of the ring. Sheamus goes for a brogue kick on Orton but Randy ducks it only to be hit with a flash kick from Morrison.

John Cena enters the match. Sheamus goes right to work on Cena, beating him down as soon as the door is opened. Cena hits a reverse elbow on Sheamus and then throws Morrison over the top. Morrison springboards back in, taking out Sheamus and Orton. Cena once again throws Morrison out of the ring. Morrison smashes Cena into the chainlink and the two men slug it out until Sheamus dives out, taking out both men. Orton clotheslines Sheamus back into the ring and then hits a Lou Thesz press. Sheamus hits a knee on Orton ands then goes after Cena.

R-Truth enters the match. Sheamus goes after Truth but Truth ducks the clothesline and beats down Sheamus! R-Truth hits a hiptoss outside and then a clothesline on Orton. Truth hits a face first suplex on Orton and then a floatover stunner on Truth. Truth then takes out Cena with a spinning elbow but turns into a brogue kick from Sheamus! Sheamus hooks the leg and gets the three. R-Truth has been eliminated. He didn’t last long. Morrison lays into Sheamus whilst Orton and Cena pair off. Morrison gets a pinfall two count on Sheamus. Morrison drags Sheamus out of the ring before kicking him in the back. Orton then throws Morrison through a pod. Orton and Cena go at it and Orton hits a big dropkick for a two count.

CM Punk re-enters the match. Orton waits for CM Punk but Cena comes over and Orton hits Cena with an RKO! CM Punk kicks Orton in the face and gets a near fall. Punk throws Orton back into the ring and mocks Punk as if he’s motioning for an RKO. Punk hits Orton with the go to sleep and hooks the leg for the three! Randy Orton has been eliminated. Punk hits Cena with a running knee and then he has one for Sheamus. Punk then tries for a bulldog but Sheamus counters it and throws Punk into the side of a pod. Morrison dropkicks Sheamus and then hits him with right hands. Morrison heads to the top and then climbs up to a pod but Sheamus kicks him and goes up to the pod with him. Sheamus sets up for a high cross off the top of the pod but Morrison fights him off and kicks him down to the mat below. Morrison gets up to his feet and scales the top of the dome! Morrison dives off, down at Sheamus and pins him for the three! Sheamus is eliminated.

John Cena, CM Punk and John Morrison remain. Cena hits Punk with a couple of shoulder charges and a side suplex before motioning for the five knuckle shuffle and hitting it. Punk rolls to the outside and Cena follows, setting Punk up for an attitude adjustment but Morrison dives out at both men. Morrison looks for a running knee on Cena but Cena moves and Morrison goes crashing into the side of a pod. Cena applies a head scissors to Cena but Cena gets up to his feet with Punk on his shoulders. Morrison comes off the top with a clothesline, like a doomsday device. Morrison pins Punk who kicks out at 2. Cena hits Morrison with the attitude adjustment but then turns round into a roundhouse kick from Punk! Punk hits a springboard clothesline to Cena which is enough for a two count. Punk slingshots Cena into the side of a pod and then tries the same to Morrison who grabs on to the pod, climbs the chains and hits Punk with a kick. Morrison then looks for starship pain but Punk gets out of the way and then hits Morrison with go to sleep! That’s enough for the three. John Morrison is eliminated.

CM Punk turns round and Cena scoops him up for the attitude adjustment, hitting the move to the outside! Cena hooks the leg and gets the three! John Cena wins the match and is going to Wrestlemania! There’s a shot of The Miz backstage watching the match. He holds up his WWE title.

Rating: 7.75/10

And that was Elimination Chamber 2011! It felt like a show that was getting all the pieces in place for Wrestlemania. The only match with nothing on the line was the match that kicked off the show. Alberto Del Rio beat Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston in a non-title match. This was a good match albeit a predictable one. It gives Alberto Del Rio a big win before his Wrestlemania main event. I think I would have preferred to see him beat Rey Mysterio or Christian just to conclude those feuds but Kofi was fine, he’s a well established midcarder. Del Rio goes on to Wrestlemania and Kofi can concentrate on his Intercontinental Championship.

Next up was the Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship. I actually thought that this match would close the show. The story for this one was Edge and Rey Mysterio starting and finishing the match. Edge won, which was predictable enough, I guess there was an outside chance of Mysterio winning because of his history with Alberto Del Rio but Edge gives the challenger a much bigger match. Del Rio attacks Edge after the match and Christian makes the save. A nice return for Christian there. Kane, Big Show, Wade Barrett and Drew McIntyre were purely filler but McIntyre did have an aggressive edge to him tonight and has looked good in his mini rivalry with Edge.

Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater beat Santino and Vladimir Kozlov to win the Tag Team Championships back. This was an added match purely booked to get the titles back on Gabriel and Slater. I’m not sure why but I guess we”ll find out in the coming weeks. Decent enough match. The Miz then beat Jerry Lawler to retain the WWE Championship in a predictable enough win. This win doesn’t make Miz’s title run any more credible sadly but it was a clean win none the less. That moves The Miz on to the Wrestlemania main event which is a big spot for him. I have no idea where this leaves Lawler, hopefully back on commentary.

John Cena then won the final Elimination Chamber match of the evening to book his spot against The Miz at Wrestlemania. This was a really good match. The whole CM Punk stuff was a bit odd. I don’t think he needed to get stuck i his pod and then eliminated only to be allowed to re-enter. It was over-booking really. John Morrison was the star of the match, he really thrived in this environment. R-Truth lasted all of about two minutes. Randy Orton and CM Punk look to continue their rivalry into Wrestlemania. I’m not too sure where this leaves Sheamus, John Morrison and R-Truth but I look forward to seeing where they slot in the Wrestlemania card. This was a really solid show overall, I suggest you go out of your way to see it.

Overall Rating: 69/100 (ranked 15th out of 262)