WWE PPV Review: Elimination Chamber 2013

Could predcitable outcomes stop if from being a show of the year contender?

 

Here are my thoughts on last night's PPV:

 

Pre-Show match: Brodus Clay & Tensai vs. Rhodes Scholars

This was a throwaway match.  A lot of people were complaining it didn't make the main show, but if I were Rhodes & Sandow, I'd be glad no one really saw this. 

Brodus Clay & Tensai def. Rhodes Scholars after 4:07 via. pinfall following a Double Body Splash (predictions 1 for 1)

 

Match Rating: *

 

Match 1:: World Heavyweight Championship match: Alberto Del Rio(c) vs. Big Show

Another very fun match between these two.  I'd argue that this was their finest match together and the only real misstep was the obvious botched enzuigiri attempt by Del Rio.  It didn't help that JBL pointed it out to anyone who may not have noticed.  Aside from that, everything clicked.  Very solid opener.

Alberto Del Rio def. Big Show after 13:00 via. submission following the Cross Armbreaker (predictions 2 for 2)

 

Match Rating: ***1/2

Del Rio now looks on towards his next challenge

 

 

Match 2:: United States Championship match: Antonio Cesaro(c) vs. The Miz

This match felt more like an angle than a match.  That being said, it was a good way to move things forward without having either man look bad.  The Miz seems to be steadily improving with each match and his selling is leagues better than it ever was and this match stands as more of a testament to his growth as a performer than anything else.  Cesaro looks near guaranteed a decent spot on the card at Wrestlemania with this "victory" and if his title is on the line, it will be the first time the US Championship was defended at Wrestlemania in six years.  That's saying something about Cesaro's run with the gold.

Antonio Cesaro def. The Miz after 8:15 via. disqualification (predictions 3 for 3)

 

Match Rating: **

And STILL your Very European United States Champion

Match 3:: Elimination Chamber match to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship: Randy Orton vs. Mark Henry vs. Jack Swagger vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kane vs. Daniel Bryan

Hands down, this is one of my favorite chamber matches of all time.  The brutality isn't on par with the earlier matches, but from a psychology/ring work standpoint, it's one of the best.  Randy Orton and Chris Jericho worked as the ring generals throughout and turned in the kind of performance you'd expect from them.  Mark Henry being the monster that he is, layed absolute waste to everything in sight, leaving all the other participants to work together to eliminate him.  Jack Swagger had a breakout night after he was able to roll up Randy Orton for the pin.  A lot of people are pissed beyond belief, but since he was my pick, I can't complain.  Top to bottom, this was one of the best booked matches of the year so far. 

Jack Swagger won the Elimination Chamber after 31:18 by last eliminating Randy Orton (predictions 4 for 4)

 

Match Rating: ****1/4

A very impressive victory for the WWE's controversial pro-American superstar

Match 4:: The Mega Schmega Powers (John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus) vs. The Shield (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins)

This was a hell of a thrill ride and from beginning to end it was an unpredictable and exciting affair.  As far as the WWE's standard six man tag matches go, this may be my favorite ever.  The Shield have lived up to their initial promise and are absolutely on fire right now.  This marks 2 for 2 in excellent big match performances and if they keep this up, they may very well go down as the most dominant stable in WWE history.  For three young, "inexperienced" heels, they've proven that even though there are three of them, they move and execute as an unbeatable & cohesive "one".  Couldn't heap much more praise on this match even though the action was pretty much what you'd expect, with nothing truly spectacular outside of the barricade spot.  There was no "War Games" style chamber as I wanted, but you didn't need steel to feel the pain.  Sometimes less is more.  Sometimes, a larger message could be sent through nuance.  Whether it's Dean Ambrose's facial expressions, Seth Rollin's fiery recklessness and athleticism or Roman Reigns' controlled ferocity.  They now stand alone as an argument against common IWC biases and "they won't push him/her/them" beliefs.  This is the shot in the arm of unpredictability and intrigue we've all been clamoring for.  The Shield have given us something we should all cherish.  Even as three relative newcomers, they're the most undisputed, dominant force in the company.  If you don't believe in The Shield by now, then what do you believe in?

 

The Shield def. John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus after 14:51 after Roman reigns hit Ryback with a Spear (predictions 5 for 5)

 

Match Rating: ***3/4

Seth Rollins revels in what may go down as The Shield's finest hour

 

Impromptu match: Dolph Ziggler w/ AJ Lee & Big E Langston vs. Kofi Kingston

I figured we'd have a quick exhibition style match somewhere in the card.  I was expecting perhaps it would be with a returning Christian or even something with Wade Barrett and Bo Dallas, but what we got here worked tremendously at giving Ziggler and to a bit larger extent, Langston some added momentum heading into Wrestlemania.   Sad to see Kofi have to be the guy to take the fall, but seeing as Ziggs has done the same for him on more than on occasion, you can call them even. 

Dolph Ziggler def. Kofi Kingston after 3:54 via pinfall following the Zig Zag

 

Match Rating: **

 Briefcase or no briefcase, all three of the people in this photo may have gold on their resume come year's end

Match 6:: Divas Championship match: Kaitlyn(c) vs. Tamina

This match sucked the air out of the building.  It was booked in the "cool down" spot more than likely because it received a predictably dull response.  It's a real representation of just how desperate the Divas division has become.  With AJ being wrapped up in a never ending game of "F*ck, Marry, Kill" with the main event talent, Eve Torres & Beth Pheonix taking an indefinite vacation and Natalya being treated like....well...like Natalya, there are no real captivating and athletically impressive competitors left in the division.  Seriously, they need to get Paige on television now.  And I mean right now. 

Kaitlyn def. Tamina after 3:20 via. pinfall following a Spear (predictions 6 for 6)

 

Match Rating: *

 

CM Punk is making his way to the ring along with The Rock's stolen WWE Championship belt.  This must mean that it is now time for our

MAIN EVENT

Match 7:: WWE Championship match: The Rock(c) vs. CM Punk w/Paul Heyman

Checking in on twitter, I have found that this match has resulted in not only a supremely negative reaction to the action itself, but it's soured many on the show as a whole.  By my estimation, The Rock came into this match much more ready to perform than he did the last one.  It's true that their rumble clash had a much better buildup that resulted in the best amount of spectacle we're getting this year outside of mania and that without that intrigue, it just becomes another match to most.  I understand that stance, but how does the predictability/outcome of a match stand alone as one's only real source of value ahead of in-ring action and storytelling/psychology?  Not to say that this was a great match by any means, but don't listen to the fanboys who hate it just because the outcome means that it'll be Rock/Cena again this year. 

That being said, this was not a very good match.  It was a lot more smooth than their prior encounter, but there really wasn't much to love about the action.  I've never been one to scoff at overbooking, but this was worked with a late 90s "Attitude" style philosophy highlighted by the belief that the more chaos the better.  Such is to be expected in any match involving The Rock, Stone Cold, Triple H or any other 1998-2001 figurehead.  I know a lot of people hate it, but it doesn't really bother me.  What this reviewer cares about is great wrestling and performance art.  That's what I want, that's what I pay for and that's primarily what I base my ratings system around.  Bookings/finishes are a part of that, but if the action is great, the match can't be completely ruined just because The Rock didn't get hit with a GTS and sell it the way he did the Stone Cold Stunner, leading Punk to win clean (undoubtedly, someone would then upload the finish to Pornhub for many a smark's masturbatory pleasure).

Basing things on the in-ring work alone, this is the most disappointed I've been by any match involving CM Punk in ages.  That's not a grand burial of the match as a whole.  Many athletes would love for their worst performance to be against an icon on one of the biggest stages possible, but I just didn't feel as if Punk had his usual spark in this one.  Again, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't great.  Years from now I will look back at their Royal Rumble clash as a high mark in both men's careers.  This match will likely no longer exist as I will more than likely have completely forgotten about it.

The Rock def. CM Punk after 20:54 via. pinfall following The Rock Bottom (predictions 7 for 7)

 

Match Rating: ***1/2

Once in a lifetime.  Twice in a row.

Final Thoughts

Again I know the outcome of the main event has many of you soured on the show and the resulting Wrestlemania rematch between The Rock and John Cena, but with the way the rest of the card is stacking up, can you really say that mania won't be worth the time?  Big money matches like Rock/Cena II & Lesnar/Triple H may not be everyone's ideals for all the men involved, but with potential clashes like Swagger/Del Rio, Punk/Taker and great talent like Jericho, Orton, Henry, Sheamus, Ziggler, Antonio Cesaro, Wade Barrett, The Shield & Ryback involved, there will be more than enough quality to balance things out.   As far as this card is concerned every major match delivered up to expectations and the chamber match did a bit more.  It may not be an all time show, but it's easily one of the best No Way Out/Elimination Chamber events and we've now hit the final stretch on the road to Wrestlemania with a full tank of gas. 

Overall PPV Score: 7/10