WWE Elimination Chamber 2014
Live from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Pay
Per View, WWE presented their fifth Elimination Chamber PPV on Sunday 23rd February.
With the heavyweight title all to play for and six strong entries, would WWE be
able to present a thrilling card also filled with fan appreciation? Would it be
a one match event or would the rest of the card be tightly packed together in
the lead up to the main event? Let's find out.
Intercontinental Championship
Big E. Langston (c) Vs Jack Swagger w/ Zeb Colter
The action was rather disjointed and awkward to watch. Langston
charged through the ring at Swagger to cheers though was an awkward collision.
Langston has made numerous interactions that have been neglectful and could
seriously harm stars just as Ryback and Sheamus have been. Previous casualties
include Dean Ambrose when liability Langston busted his face hardway with a
sloppy collision. It's not personal, its professional. Langston needs to take
care when performing and install cruise control without loss of traction.
Swagger flung Big E. later from the top rope which was a decent display from
both. Swagger followed with an awful misconnected low body shoulder dive which
Langston also avoided sideways. Big E then escaped a Patriot Lock from Swagger. Big E ran into a mid body
boot only to come back with a power move easily. Langston re-entered a Patriot
Lock reaching his feet to escape. Big E. Langston drops the Big Ending to drop
Jack Swagger and keep hold of the Intercontinental Championship in a tentative tussle.
Langston needs to slow down and refine his aggression. Some
others can also do the same as mentioned above. It is important not to injure
as well as maintain compact skill and interaction.
Instantly after English tool Bad News Barrett arrived on a
podium to laugh.
Tag Team Championship
New Age Outlaws (c) Vs The Uso's
Lockups, takedowns and fast paced flying the tag battle was
a competitive and consistent match. Though the New Age Outlaws are still
workable, the Uso's worked excellently with a vicious hip toss into the corner
of one of the Uso's by Road Dogg. Ground work continued well as the Uso's
brought back momentum with Jimmy Uso and Mr.Ass with the kiss lips on his pink tights
once more. Jimmy soon went up top to the corner as Road Dogg attempted to come
in from outside which Jimmy kicked off the apron. The distraction allowed the
New Age Outlaws to score a roll up for a three fall retainment of the titles. As
fans see it, Triple H's friends retained the gold.
Barrett returned on a podium again for another whiney installment. Barrett's release cannot come quickly
enough.
Darren Young Vs Titus O'Neil
After their short break up, O'Neil, once WWE's favourite new
heavyweight prospect due to height and muscle requirements was set onto a
pathway with his former friend. The action was mild but content.
After a quick fallout on Smackdown where Titus could not tag
in to Young who was pasted in the match loss, O'Neil raised a boot to Young's
gut. The fallout now continues this evening.
A lock up starts the pair as inseparable. A cheap touch
followed as Titus botched a dropkick from Young to the knees with no
connectivity. Backbreaker followed. A little watered down without any real
enthusiasm but the match was respected by fans for the wrestling action involved.
Young displayed capable qualities and clearly the stronger of the two. Young
ran into a Clash of the Titus move as Titus O'Neil wins the match in a short and empty challenge
which had good content in part.
Boring stain Wade Barrett returned again for another
saddening dribble of nothingness.
Six Man Tag Team
Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper
and Erick Rowan Vs Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns
After disrupting the status quo for The Shield over the last
month The Wyatt Family came to dominate the show as a contest of alpha males.
Rollins and Rowan go at it where Rollins takes an amazing
flight. Reigns joins with tagged interplay. Whopping boy Rollins once more
excels for The Wyatt's. Harper now feeds off of Rollins who is simply
exceptional for the Wyatt's and without him they wouldn't be as strong as they
hoped on the night. WWE need to have more respect for Rollins. Without him they would be in severe difficulties. Reigns now enters with Bray. Reigns goes after
nutjob Wyatt as Bray stands own firm ground with comeback as equals. Harper
rejoins who soon gets a piece of tagged in Ambrose. Rollins and Ambrose double
team very well as a pair. Ambrose keeps strong offence against Harper. Rollins
returns to be dismissed with frequent tags to Ambrose.
Initial leaders Bray and Ambrose take the fight as Bray squashes Ambrose in a hard collision to the ring post. After more destruction
Rollins was allowed to have his moment and took down all the Wyatt's with super
athletic aerialism including a superb moment with a suplex from the top corner reversed
landing on his feet which was respected until Harper smashed a hard slam.
Rollins soon reverted to beat down rag after.
Reigns received crowd support when tangling with Rowan one
on one. Reigns landed a number of 'Superman punches' while Rollins and Harper
destroyed the Spanish announce table. It was a bad time for poor Seth. Bray watches
as Rowan and Harper double powerbombed sap Rollins through the table.
Shortly after the hot action neared its end with the three
Wyatt's battling Reigns whose might powered away from Bray's clutches when
Sister Abigail attempted to join in. Roman Reigns received a headbutt to no
effect to smash a Samoan drop on Bray. After hurling out Harper and Rowan in a
sudden power surge, Bray Wyatt resurfaced quickly as Harper received the spear
intended for his master. Bray then nailed Reigns with the kiss of his Sister to
cover for the three fall to win the challenge over The Shield in a hotly fought
thriller on both sides.
Impromptu
Unified Women's Championship
AJ (c) w/ Tamina Vs Cameron
The platinum butterfly belt was defended in a short addition
and impromptu match. Empty and littered with mistakes, the gals strained three
and a half minutes in this one. After friend Naomi was busted by a messy botch
from Aksana on Raw just weeks ago to
the eye, requiring surgery, the result was an obvious one.
CM punk cheers from the crowd. 252 days is the "longest
reigning divas champion of all time" AJ explains adding there was "Zero
competition". The match then began
with Cameron, who danced. AJ ran into a touch for Cameron's splits leg drop. AJ
hit a roundhouse kick as Cameron ran into it barely touching. Cameron
predictably used roll ups and then danced in between. AJ predictably used
headlocks again to stall time. AJ skipped. The pair ran into each other with no
connectivity. Cameron hit a legdrop to air instead of AJ's head as intended. Cameron was soon sent outside. "CM
Punk" rang from the crowd as AJ used the pom pom's to cheerlead. Tamina
hit a superkick on AJ by accident as Cameron put AJ inside for a two count as
Tamina saved AJ. Cameron went after Tamina who floored her with a hot
clothesline. Once again, Tamina is the only standout star in the division.
WWE are clearly going to need to find some strong females to
place on the card for Wrestlemania if it is serious about booking a female match
up.
AJ was defeated by Cameron, however, through a disqualification
to maintain their brief feud. AJ still holds the title as a result.
Batista Vs Alberto Del Rio
Del Rio arrived on crutches after Batista delivered a brutal
bash through the announce table on Raw of the Mexican Aristocrat previously. Batista has
since gone back to hot black tights than previous MMA short pants. As often as
people don't understand, pants and smaller details are crucial to success. For
the record, they look better.
Rio said he would not be able to compete this evening, then
stuffed a crutch into Batista's face with an assault. Rio ripped off his sweat
jacket stripping his clothes to his scarf and tights bearing a smile for good measure.
The crowd cheered "Ce" for Del Ri-o. Huge boos instantly for
Batista's first move since the bell began. Fans have not responded well to The
Animal's return since a Royal Rumble victory catapulting him to the main event
at Wrestlemania. "Boo-tista!" the crowd bellow as Rio locks a leg
hold on the ropes for the beefy Batista. Batista showed a fair amount of pain for Del
Rio in arm hold as fans held onto the hope that "CM Punk" might
return. Fans often agree this is disrespectful to the performers when it isn't
related to the content on show. "Y2J" was also mentioned. WWE clearly
have a problem. It needs to produce content that supports the crowd, however
fans must be aware not all fan favourites can be placed in such fantasy
situations inside of a business approach. This would be called a compromise to deliver a
better product. Fans won't be respected by WWE for "going into business for
themselves " which will affect the product given back by WWE.
Rio contained dominance over Batista with a two fall. Rio
countered a finisher and kicked the head of Batista who kicked out at two
again.
Rio made a split rookie mistake turning his back as Batista
nailed the Batista Bomb to cover Alberto Del Rio for a three fall and win the
match heading to Wrestlemania with much heavier momentum.
The crowd did not feel that one, but WWE won't worry about
them as disregars them as fantasists for their "CM Punk" boycott
chants. This is the way they view it. Batista was booed heavily. To his credit he
sold heavily for Rio despite upset in the back at returning stars worries sidelining
long term workers.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Elimination Chamber
John Cena Vs Christian Vs Randy Orton (c) Vs Daniel Bryan Vs
Antonio Cesaro Vs Sheamus
The Chamber looms. Comprising the pods are, John Cena,
Christian, Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan.
The first two to battle the opening match would be Antonio
Cesaro and Sheamus. Cesaro, accompanied by Zeb Colter outside, has re-adopted
the white tights with red streak and rugby socks which is a good return and a
new look. The name will be a fail if WWE doesn't quickly revert it.
Cesaro began strong with a charge and dominance of Sheamus
instantly. Sheamus then quickly returned one punch to regain the control.
Cesaro was allowed to maintain strong offence whilst working Sheamus to a
capable entry. Sheamus then dived over the top rope with a shoulder block in
comedy fashion. Sheamus hit a sloppy clothesline once more of Antonio which is
another liability. Sheamus, among others could seriously injure WWE performers.
Someone needs to read him the riot act. He must work with people than destroy
them completely. Sheamus almost bungled being lifted over the top rope to the
outside grill.
Orton gave a sexy smirk from his pod as Cesaro kept control.
Cesaro mocked Cena in his pod whilst going for Sheamus with the hand wave.
Cesaro planted a huge uppercut on Sheamus, who sold it for thirty seconds
before climbing to the top rope. Cesaro stalled him with another as the
countdown for a new participant begins. In enters Daniel Bryan. Pocket rocket
Bryan instantly charges a missile dropkick from the top to Cesaro. YES! kicks
on Sheamus after, taking him down with a heavy running clothesline. Bryan then
trades YES! kicks with both guys on their knees. No one was able to get the roundhouse
kick as the crowd anticipated. Understanding the motion, Cesaro quickly used
ring psychology to take a kick by Bryan. Both improvised fast and well.
Cesaro regains control over Bryan. Relentless Cesaro took Sheamus to the outside
then stopped by Bryan who was reversed and swung into the pod window smashing through
shoulders first. It was another great interplay between the two. Sheamus
quickly then backbreak rolled Cesaro to the grilling followed with a two fall
in ring. "Let's go Cena. Cena sucks!" chants ring as the countdown
starts again. The next entry? Christian. He shoves Sheamus off the top and
works onto Bryan to cheers for being in the match but boo's for going for the
favourite. With only Cesaro and Orton as rogue battlers, WWE needed an obvious
balance. Christian displayed strong qualities and ripped Bryan's injured
shoulder padding off to hit him onto the pod for extra damage. 
WWE had earlier planned to consider removing Christian from
the match after we touched on the Jeff Hardy stairwell whodunit in which fans
cost Christian a sustained push with online gossip and spoilers, something WWE
felt highly distasteful and irrespective.
Christian followed further power slamming Sheamus down.
Cesaro attempted a swing on Christian who blocked and then reversed a door gate
assault landing on the chamber only to be powerbombed by Cesaro into the pod.
Quick thinking Antonio attempted a cover in ring for a two fall only. Phew, Christian
wasn't laid to waste so easily. This is highly beneficial in the absence of WWE
stars.
Sheamus and Cesaro trade blows. Cesaro amazingly gut wrench
suplexes Sheamus to the steel floor outside. Another star is coming in. John
Cena enters to vicious disagreement. He flings Christian onto Cesaro and climbs
the top as Bryan hurricanrana's Cena. Cena takes kicks from Bryan but fails to
sell the impact. Christian gets a sneak attack on Bryan to cover for a tense
two fall. Now Cesaro grabs the legs of Christian for a swing, halted by a
flying Cena. Cena then drops Christian for a five knuckle shuffle, only to be planted
by Sheamus with White Nosie. Cesaro and Sheamus go back at it. Uppercuts versus
punches as Christian kicks Sheamus in the head, Sheamus counters Cesaro's
finisher as Christian drops over Sheamus and drops a Jump Swinging DDT. Cena
catches and smashes him into the steel wall. Cena lightly taps the flying elbow
run on Cesaro as Antonio smacks an uppercut to Cena's face to huge cheers.
Cena, Cesaro and Bryan take centrestage with attacks as Sheamus
and Christian try outside. Sheamus holds Cesaro as Bryan attacks only for
Sheamus to viciously shove Bryan into the steel wall. In his pod Randy Orton
looks on, thrilled. Cesaro drops a huge suplex on Sheamus as the final
countdown sends Orton into the fray. Orton clears the ring with attacks on
everyone. Fans give Orton a little "boring" sound as Orton taunts.
Now flanked by Cena, Bryan and Sheamus, the champ is caught
in all directions. Orton retreats to his pod. Sheamus stares at Orton in the
pod. Fans lower the tone chanting "p***y" as Orti smiles and licks his
lips. Sheamus then brogue kicks the door apart as Orton is knocked down and Sheamus
smashes him inside the ring. Cena knocks an Attitude Adjustment followed with
missconnected five knuckle shuffle. Cesaro hurls Cena out. Orton gets caught
into the fabled super swing for thirty rotations. Damn, that looked hot.
The action changes quickly with everyone as Sheamus stands
tall. Surging for a Brogue Kick on Christian, he ducks as Cena is knocked
instead. Christian takes a quick two fall on Sheamus and then Cena. Christian retreats
from Sheamus with pleas as the Celtic Warrior tries a dominator. Christian uses
the elevation to climb the top as JBL likens Christian to a mnonkey. Jerry Lawler
drops the "spider monkey" for a little laugh. It was okay in quick
context. We giggled. Orton stopped Sheamus and retook charge. Christian, atop
the pod, hits a flying splash down onto the Irishman then glides over Sheamus
for a three fall elimination. "This is Awesome!" the crowd say.
Christian then flung Orton over to be nailed by Bryan in a hard flying attack
and is eliminated with ease.
The four go hammer and tongs. Cesaro/Cena and Orton/Bryan.
Bryan and Cena stare down on opposite parts of the ring to huge
"YES!" agreements. The pair battle with fists as Bryan tries the YES!
Lock as Cena "powers through" Cesaro from behind double German
suplexes Cena, who holds Bryan in hold. Cena counters all of Cesaro's manoeuvres
to smash him to the outside with the plexi-fibre glass. Cena gets a quick
submission hold on, debatably and forces Antonio Cesaro to tap out. Fans were
miffed. Cena then puts Orton into a hold as the Wyatt's black out the arena.
All three are in the chamber, unexplainedly
as they go for Cena. Cena suffers a
mauling by the family as Bray plants the kiss of Sister Abigail to Cena. The
crowd appreciate with "Thank You Wyatts!"
WWE showed close ups of the WWE Universe fans dismayed with the result. What fans fail to understand is that WWE are sending their message. With so many spoilers and idiocy from online silliness WWE cannot and are unwilling to accept fans' points of view. This was clearly sent with the finishing angle on Bryan, as well as possibly removing Christian from the bout. They want fans to learn the lesson. Once agreed, the product could become better without too many smarks around thinking they know how WWE are going to do something with spoilers costing the show forcing it to change direction.
PPV Rating - 7/10
Men/Women of their matches - Jack Swagger, Jimmy Uso, Darren
Young, Seth Rollins, AJ, Alberto Del Rio, Antonio Cesaro
Man/Woman of the PPV - The Wyatt Family
Pre-Show
Goldust and Cody Rhodes defeated Ryback and Curtis Axel in a standard tag match to kick off the interest of the Chamber card. Axel had Larry Henning with him at ringside. This may be a positive sign WWE are moving Axel and his name away to a better place. He is still being lumbered with useless stone Ryback until creative figure where to place him.
The title chamber itself was a strong and interesting fight to watch. Even those disliked by fans were watchable in this battle, a key imperative for WWE to have with six stars it requires in different camps. WWE could bother to re elevate Christian to a decent level to keep on the sidelines, help train others and interest fans for ticket sales. Though WWE don't get his appeal, Christian has that in part and something fans want to spend time on. With a child recently born and serious about his career stalled in part, Christian is serious about a WWE future.
Returning to the ring in his first real match after winning
the Royal Rumble mega match, The Animal hammered past Alberto Del Rio as
expected. They went for eight minutes as Batista held strong levels of power as well as helping Del Rio retain his
profile in the loss. Rio gave Batista a helping hand too, which is a sign of
strong match portrayal and future support. They had a competent battle for the
short run through.
The tag titles will be seen as the DX continuation for
Triple H's fun filled moment on screen. Unable at this time to participate,
Hunter's fan club in which "no one else can join" is seen as
pointless. Despite the fact both guys can work well still, fans are past the nostalgia
stage and politely decline their involvement in such strong storylines for a
title run that is just for record books and no development overall.
Swagger was boring and gave no real interest. Langston was
above him because Swagger was so lowly. Neither have really shone, but, as WWE
hope for, Langston is still a fan favourite, for now at least. Care and
attention to detail will benefit a longer role over time. As a rushed prospect
the effect is taking its toll on Big E.'s character interest.
Darren Young and Titus' collision was short and empty, but
did show a level of skill involved. A long think on the drawing board will benefit.
However, as noted previously, Young provided a bearable battle.
AJ's title reign has always been uneventful. The reminder of
the title holding and pointless reign does her no favours. Though her point of
"no competition" is true. How sad that in 2014, this is a shining
reality of the female division. People need skilled workers not girl's next
door with model attributes. No competition also highlights AJ's title reign with
such accessory is regarded as highly empty of any contest.
The Shield and The Wyatt's was the hottest match of the
evening for fans. Delivering skill, spots, fun and frenzy, the six men can be
proud of this corker.
Overall, the chamber card was a watchable event without too much strain to get through the show. When a PPV flows well, fans will be able to engage whilst respecting those on opposing sides as part of a business understanding. When it is not a legitimate partnership, fans will become distant, even if they do part with cash now and then and possibly, forever.
© Max Waltham 24th February 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment