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Aired live on pay-per-view
Oakland, California at Oracle Arena
The show opened with a video package that hyped the WrestleMania 27 ramifications... Pyro went off on the stage... Michael Cole introduced the show as the camera panned the crowd. He was joined on commentary by Josh Mathews and Booker T...
Powell's POV: I guess that's the bad part about Jerry Lawler working a match. Booker has not been impressive on Smackdown thus far. I'm curious to see how he does on live television.
1. Alberto Del Rio defeated Kofi Kingston in a non-title match in 10:30. Ricardo Rodriguez handled the introduction for Del Rio. It was in Spanish, but I made out something about the Oakland Raiders being losers. Alberto cut a pre-match promo about being committed to excellence unlike the "low class people from Oakland." Kofi's entrance theme cut him off and he came out with the Intercontinental Title belt.
Del Rio was dumped to ringside early. Ricardo fanned him off with Alberto's scarf or a towel. Funny. Del Rio showed good fire when he took control of the offense. He stopped to look at the WrestleMania sign, which drew boos. Kofi came back with an awesome leap onto the ropes and then flying forearm off the top rope at 6:00.
Kofi played to the crowd before hitting the Boom Drop. They rallied behind him as he went to the corner and set up for his finisher. However, Del Rio avoided the kick. There was an awkward kick from Kofi in the corner, which the announcers sold by saying he didn't fully connect. Kofi jumped off the top rope and Del Rio apparently lifted his knees while taking a cross body.
Kofi hit a nice missile dropkick at 8:00 for a near fall. Del Rio came back by hoisting Kofi onto his shoulders, tossing him into the air, and then dropping him onto his knees for a near fall. Kofi came back with a DDT and went for a over, but Ricardo distracted the referee long enough for Del Rio to recover.
Kofi went over to jaw with Ricardo and it looked like Del Rio was going to take over, but Kingston countered. Del Rio got Kofi in the cross arm breaker. Kofi avoided it initially, but Del Rio continued fighting and eventually applied the hold. Kofi tapped out to give Del Rio the win...
Powell's POV: A strong and competitive opener. I was worried that this would be all about Del Rio, but Kofi looked strong in defeat. Alberto broke out some fresh offense and Kofi's high spots are always fun. Here's hoping the real Kingston push is on at WrestleMania and beyond. By the way, I love the way Del Rio wins his matches via tap. He's not the typical chickenshit heel.
A shot aired of Randy Orton standing backstage... The announcers spoke at ringside. Cole had a Slammy set up in front of him. Cole asked Booker what's going through Orton's mind. Booker spoke about Orton being a future Hall of Famer and relayed some cliche info that Orton supposedly told him earlier...
Backstage, Todd Grisham interviewed Edge. Drew McIntyre showed up and said he's going to take Edge's most prized possession. Edge said the one thing Kelly Kelly and the title belt have in common is that they'll never be seen with McIntyre...
A Road to WrestleMania video aired and focussed on the Elimination Chamber structure...
Powell's POV: A good video that established the basics and importance of the Elimination Chamber matches.
The chamber structure lowered around the ring as dramatic music played. The live crowd didn't pop for the lowering of the structure...
2. Edge defeated Rey Mysterio, Kane, Drew McIntyre, Wade Barrett, and Big Show in an Elimination Chamber match to retain the World Hvt. Championship in 31:10. Teddy Long came out and introduced Big Show as the replacement for the fired Dolph Ziggler. Show came out and walked to Barrett's pod. Barrett mocked him, so Show pounded on the pod.
Edge and Mysterio started the match with the others inside the pods. Booker said everyone knows the odds are stacked against Edge in a match like this, but he said Edge has been there before. Mysterio took a backdrop over the ropes and onto the steel grating. Mathews said the match just became real for Rey. Not a great choice of wording by Josh.
The crowd counted down with the clock. The usual overhead light show led to Wade Barrett entering the match. Barrett dominated his opponents, who were worn down from working with each other. The camera showed Big Show yelling at Barrett through the pod. Edge bumped Barrett onto the grating, but Mysterio caught Edge with a dropkick.
Barrett quickly recovered and cut off Rey on the top rope. He put Mysterio on his shoulders and swung his legs into Edge. Mysterio grabbed the steel fencing to block Barrett's finisher. He then used his legs to flip Barrett back into the ring. Rey set up for the 619, but Edge cut him off with a big boot for a strong near fall.
The next entrant in the match was Kane. With Kane down, there was a three-way clothesline spot between Edge, Mysterio, and Barrett that put all three men down. Cool spot. Kane recovered and went back on the offensive.
Mysterio went to the top rope at one point only to have Kane hit him with an uppercut. With Mysterio tied in the tree of woe, Edge dropkicked him and covered him for two. Cue the pod music. Drew McIntyre entered the match, meaning Big Show will be the final entrant.
McIntyre showed great fire as he entered the match. He picked up Rey and threw him into the glass pod, but it didn't break. McIntyre followed up by shoving Barrett through the same pod. The glass broke and the announcers spoke about how it's the toughest glass in the world even though it breaks every year.
Kane had a moment of glory as he avoided a 619 and then whipped Mysterio head first into a pod. Rey is taking some serious abuse. Damn. The clock counted down and Big Show entered the match. No eliminations had taken place, so all six men were in the match.
Show plowed through the other four opponents and then grabbed Barrett by the throat. Show shoved Barrett through one of the pods. If that's the toughest glass in the world, then the Pope Mobile is worthless. Wade Barrett was eliminated when he was pinned by Big Show in 18:28.
Mysterio climbed onto one of the pods and then leapt off onto Big Show with a senton. He covered Show, who threw him high into the air to break up the pin. Big Show was eliminated by Kane following a chokeslam at 20:35.
Kane caught McIntyre by the throat and chokeslammed him. Drew McIntyre was eliminated by Kane in 20:45. Mysterio hit the 619 on Kane. However, Kane caught him coming off the ropes and was trying to hoist him up when Edge speared Mysterio into Kane and then pinned Kane. Kane was eliminated by Edge in 22:35.
Kane didn't leave the match. Rather, he threw a fit and chokeslammed both men. The crowd booed as Kane finally left the chamber structure. The match came down to Edge and Mysterio. Mathews pointed out that the match was now between the two men who started the match.
Edge caught Mysterio in a cloverleaf-like submission hold. Mysterio teased tapping. Booker was effective in saying he can't tap out and putting over the importance of going to WrestleMania as the champion. Mysterio countered out of the hold. Edge went to a corner and set up for the spear.
Rey dodged Edge's spear attempt. He bounced off the ropes, but Edge recovered and speared him on the rebound. Edge covered, but Mysterio kicked out much to the surprise of the crowd. Mysterio came back with a springboard splash for a great near fall of his own.
Mysterio hit the 619 and headed to the top rope. He leapt off, but Edge recovered and speared him in mid-air. Edge covered Mysterio and scored the pin. Cole pointed out that Edge is the first champion to retain inside the Elimination Chamber in five years. They had that one waiting, as Joey Styles tweeted the same thing...
Powell's POV: That was a great Elimination Chamber match. It was laid out wonderfully and the live crowd was hot from start to finish. Everyone involved did a hell of a job and was given a chance to shine. Those six guys raised the bar for Elimination Chamber matches. The Raw guys have their work cut out for them if they're going to try to top that one. Awesome match.
After the match, Edge was on his knees celebrating with his title belt when Alberto Del Rio nailed him with a dropkick out of nowhere. Del Rio applied his cross armbreaker. Two referees tried unsuccessfully to pry Del Rio off.
Christian's music played and he headed to the ring in street clothes. Christian attacked Del Rio. Christian got his shots in before the referees pulled him off. Christian broke free and hit the Unprettier/Killswitch on Del Rio, and then the referees escorted Christian to the back...
Powell's POV: Del Rio is responsible from a storyline sense for Christian's injury, so his attack is more about that than his history with Edge. A cool return for Christian. You had to know he was going to be involved when Edge used his finisher recently. I'm curious to see what his role will be at WrestleMania. By the way, this is a red hot pay-per-view thus far.
A WrestleMania commercial aired... The announcers spoke at ringside about the WWE Championship match...
Backstage, Matt Striker interviewed Jerry Lawler, who spoke about the roller coaster ride of emotions he's felt. He spoke about his mother dying a week ago today, and said that he doesn't want to let anyone down who has said they are behind him. A subdued Striker said everyone is rooting for him and wished him luck...
Powell's POV: An effective promo by Lawler, and Striker was effective in taking the tone he did. Nicely done.
The ring announcer introduced Booker T, who entered the ring to a nice pop. Booker introduced Trish Stratus as one of the trainers of Tough Enough. Wow! Trish headed to the ring to a nice pop, but not as massive as one might expect. Trish said she's been hanging out with the kids on Tough Enough.
Trish did a Rock impersonation that blended into a Booker T line. "She didn't just say that," Booker said. He plugged Tough Enough and then asked why she was in Oakland. Trish said she was there to see one of her personal favorites Jerry Lawler win the WWE Championship...
Powell's POV: The segment wasn't very good, but the surprise of Trish Stratus returning to television and hosting Tough Enough is great. Steve Austin, Booker T, Trish Stratus, and Miss USA on Tough Enough? Damn! I am surprised that the live crowd didn't pop bigger for Trish.
An ad aired for The Chaperone...
3. Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel (w/Ezekiel Jackson) defeated Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov (w/Tamina) to win the WWE Tag Titles in 5:05. The usual offense from Santino. Later, Gabriel made a blind tag to Slater before Kozlov slammed him. The heels took control and Gabriel ended up hitting the 450 splash to win the match for his team...
Powell's POV: That match brought things back to reality after the hot first hour or so. If you've seen one match between these teams, you've pretty much seen them all. Does this mean we'll see members of The Corre defending the tag titles on Raw?
An ad aired for the WWE Hall of Fame and focussed on Shawn Michaels's induction...
Backstage, Todd Grisham interviewed The Miz, who was accompanied by Alex Riley. When Grisham asked Miz how he was feeling going into the match, Miz said it's not 1983. He took jabs at Lawler and The Rock. Miz started to say his catchphrase and then stopped. He changed his mind and said he deserves to say it, so he delivered the full line...
Cole was spazzing out at ringside when a subdued Vickie Guerrero quietly said, "Excuse me." Once in the ring, she had to yell over the boos while saying that she was there to ask for help in getting Dolph Ziggler rehired. She told the fans to take to Twitter and Facebook. "I'm begging you," Vickie said.
Teddy Long's music played and he walked onto the stage. He told her to stop because she was embarrassing herself. Vickie told Teddy to look inside his heart. Teddy said that lucky for Vickie, he was in a hiring mood. Vickie thanked him repeatedly until he told her to be quiet.
Teddy said he didn't hire Dolph back. Rather, he hired someone that he gave free reign to thank her for all of her time as acting general manager. Kelly Kelly's music played and she headed to the ring. The announcers reminded viewers that Kelly was fired by Vickie two weeks ago.
Kelly headed to the ring and Vickie tried to run away, but Kelly ended up getting her in the ring. Vickie offered her hand, but Kelly kicked her in the gut and then slammed her head into the mat repeatedly. LayCool came to the ring (Michelle McCool was wearing the walking boot) and roughed up Kelly.
LayCool dumped Kelly to ringside and had her up against the guardrail. McCool rammed her knee into Kelly's head. Trish Stratus ran out. LayCool fled briefly, but returned and jumped Trish from behind. Trish fought them off. She hit the kick on McCool and then had to be helped out by Layla when she slipped while going for one of her trademark moves in the corner. Trish followed up with a double bulldog off the ropes. Trish and Kelly celebrated in the ring together...
Powell's POV: I'm guessing that was a setup for a WrestleMania 27 match. Trish looked a little rusty during the spot in in the corner, but I'm sure she could be ready for a WrestleMania match, especially since she'll be working with the Tough Enough students.
A video recapped the Miz and Jerry Lawler feud... Cole stood up and clapped while The Miz made his entrance. Mathews and Booker just sat there and shook their heads and then Booker lashed out at him on commentary. Justin Roberts handled the in-ring introductions after Lawler was introduced...
4. The Miz (w/Alex Riley) defeated Jerry Lawler to retain the WWE Championship in 12:10. Lawler shoved Miz down early. Miz went on the offensive, but Lawler came back with a superplex for a good near fall at 5:25. Booker asked Cole if he was getting nervous.
At 7:00, Riley tripped Lawler as he was coming off the ropes. The referee spotted it and ejected Riley from ringside. Will this set up another round of Cole interference? Lawler took a kick from Miz, who went for a pin, only to have Lawler counter it into a pin for a nice near fall.
Miz ran toward Lawler, who pulled down the ropes, causing Miz to tumble to ringside. Cole stood up and yelled at Lawler, who was distracted. Miz took advantage by hitting him from behind, but Lawler went right back on the offensive and eventually threw Miz onto Cole, who was sitting in his chair at the time. Booker laughed and said, "Cole could be out."
Lawler threw Miz back inside the ring. Lawler went to the top rope, jumped off, and punched Miz. Cole was still down at ringside. Miz set up for his finisher, but Lawler shoved him off. Lawler DDT'd Miz at 10:45. Lawler looked at the WrestleMania sign and then went to the second rope as the fans chanted his name.
Lawler stood on the second rope, pointed at the sign, and lowered the strap on his singlet. Lawler hit Miz with a fist drop and had the pin, but Miz put his foot on the bottom rope at the last second. The Miz came back and hit the Skull Crushing Finale and scored the clean pin.
Cole had recovered and pumped his fists at ringside. He entered the ring and held up Miz's hand. Miz left the ring with the WWE Championship and exchanged a look with Lawler, who was sitting in the ring. Lawler eventually stood up and soaked up the "Jerry" chants from the crowd.
Lawler's music played as he exited the ring. Cole was standing behind the table. He said Lawler is going to WrestleMania, but he'll have to buy a ticket because he doesn't think they'll let him even call a match because of the way he embarrassed himself. He said Lawler is an embarrassment to WWE. Funny...
Powell's POV: A very good match with hard work from both men. Lawler got the live crowd to believe enough that they were popping for the near falls. I wonder if WWE would have given Lawler a one night title reign had this match not taken place on the pay-per-view before WrestleMania. I guess we'll never know. Either way, that was a fun ride. Given Cole's antics, one can only assume that Lawler will get his hands on him at WrestleMania.
Backstage, Josh Cena was shown eating a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. Todd Grisham entered the room. Cena told him that he's feeling "Yabadaba Delicious"...
Powell's POV: That was the first response to The Rock. Boy, he better have something a lot more clever planned for Monday night in what is going to be one of the most important promos of his career.
In another part of the backstage area, Striker interviewed C.M. Punk, who said he's going to win the Elimination Chamber match... A WrestleMania video was shown...
5. John Cena defeated Randy Orton, C.M. Punk, John Morrison, R-Truth, and Sheamus in an Elimination Chamber match in 33:15 to earn the right to challenge for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 27. Cena pretended to eat Fruity Pebbles during his entrance. Orton stared at Punk and then laughed at him from behind the glass.
Morrison and Sheamus started the match. Referee Scott Armstrong is back and worked the match from inside the ring. Morrison came out strong and the announcers stressed his more aggressive in-ring style. Sheamus returned fire and dropped Morrison with a clothesline in mid-ring at 2:50.
Morrison came right back and went to the top rope, but Sheamus recovered and pushed him over the ropes and onto the grating. Randy Orton was the next entrant. He was dominant early on, and the camera showed Punk flashing a maniac smile as Orton performed a move right in front of him. A shot aired of Miz and Riley watching the match on a backstage monitor.
Punk was the next entrant. However, his pod wouldn't open. Orton took advantage of the situation and pounded on Punk while his head was sticking out of the pod door. Once Punk entered the match, Orton hit him with the RKO and pinned him to seemingly eliminate him from the match.
The anonymous general manager's email chime sounded. Cole stood up and did his usual bit before announcing that Punk was not given a fair chance to compete due to a malfunctioning pod. The GM ruled that Punk was allowed to reenter his pod and be reinstated in the match. Punk hilariously crawled quickly back inside his pod and then laughed. Awesome.
With Punk back inside the pod, Sheamus, Orton, and Morrison were the active entrants. Sheamus dominated the bulk of the action between the trio. John Cena was the next entrant. As his door was opening, Sheamus ran toward his pod and kicked him in the gut.
Cena and Morrison traded punches while standing on the grating at 14:30. However, Sheamus nailed them both with a double clothesline. Sheamus as feeling good about himself and playing to the crowd when Orton attacked him from behind. R-Truth's pod opened and Sheamus was waiting for him, but Truth got the better of their exchange and hip-tossed him onto the steel grating.
Sheamus tagged Truth with a Brough Kick in mid-ring and pinned him. R-Truth was eliminated by Sheamus in 17:35. Orton rammed Morrison through the glass of one pod. Orton and Cena then traded punches as the crowd did the "yeah" for Orton and the "boo" for Cena. Oakland has some Cena haters.
At 20:15, Punk's pod opened. Orton was waiting for him, but Cena grabbed Orton and went for the Attitude Adjustment. Orton countered with the RKO on Cena on the grating. Sheamus drilled Orton with a Brough Kick. Punk went to work on Orton and eventually hit him with the GTS and pinned him. Randy Orton was eliminated by C.M. Punk in 21:35.
A loud C.M. Punk chant broke out as Orton exited the chamber. Later, Morrison climbed the cage and was approaching the center of the structure. He fell onto Sheamus with a cross body and pinned him. Sheamus was eliminated by Morrison at 25:30. Wild spot. Homicide is envious. Morrison clutched his knee while lying on the mat following the pinfall.
Cena started hitting his signature spots on Punk. He was greeted with more boos than usual. Cena set up for the Attitude Adjustment on the grating, but Morrison recovered and broke it up. Later, Morrison tried the running knee on Cena, who moved, causing Morrison to run his knee into pod glass. He sold a knee injury.
Punk was working over Cena in the ring and had him in a submission hold. Morrison eventually recovered and broke it up. Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment on Morrison at 30:40. Booker suggested that Morrison had a great run, but it was over. Punk took out Cena with a kick.
Punk tried to springboard off the ropes and slipped, but he recovered quickly and hit Cena with a move on the grating. Punk let out and audible, "Owww!" Later, Morrison was flying around the steel fencing and kicked Punk. Cool spot. He went for the split legged moonsault, but Punk moved. Morrison sold the knee again and Punk ended up pinning him. John Morrison was eliminated by C.M. Punk.
Seconds later, Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment on Punk, who blocked it by holding the ropes. Cena simply pushed him over the ropes and onto the grating with an Attitude Adjustment and pinned him around 33:15. Cena pinned Punk to win the match. Armstrong raised Cena's hand in mid-ring and he was greeted with more cheers than boos.
The Miz and Riley were shown watching the backstage monitor. Miz raised the belt in the air as Cena celebrated in the ring and the announcers hyped Miz vs. Cena for WrestleMania 27...
Powell's POV: Another strong Chamber match. The Smackdown version was stronger, but the Raw version was also very good. Overall, this pay-per-view was excellent. It felt like a very predictable show coming in and that was true in terms of the match results, but there was some really strong in-ring work, plus the surprise returns of Trish Stratus and Christian. This is about as good as it gets for an Elimination Chamber show.
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