Welcome to KB’s Previous College (and New College) Evaluations. I’ve been reviewing wrestling exhibits for over ten years now and have reviewed over 5,000 exhibits. Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I’ll be posting a brand new overview right here on Wrestlingrumors.internet, beginning in the present day. It may very well be something from trendy WWE to old-fashioned to indies to something in between. Observe that I charge utilizing letters as an alternative of stars and I don’t charge matches beneath three minutes as actually, how good or unhealthy can one thing that brief be?
Elimination Chamber 2014Date: February 23, 2014Location: Goal Middle, Minneapolis, MinnesotaCommentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole
Tonight is the ultimate large cease on the Highway to Wrestlemania with six males probably leaving with the WWE Championship. It’s truly a large open discipline tonight with no less than three folks having a sensible shot at strolling out with the belt. Nonetheless there may be an much more fascinating match on the cardboard with the Wyatt Household vs. the Protect in a really properly constructed story. Let’s get to it.
Pre-Present: Cody Rhodes/Goldust vs. Ryback/Curtis Axel
Axel comes out together with his grandfather Larry the Ax Hennig. Goldust and Curtis get issues going with the painted one taking up with some armdrags. Off to Cody vs. Ryback with the large man throwing him round prefer it’s nothing. Axel is available in once more and however will get despatched to the ground. Ryback is tossed out as properly and the brothers dive on each guys as we take a break.
Again with Ryback stomping away on Goldust and there’s a tag off to Curtis as his grandfather seems very happy. A delayed vertical suplex will get two for Ryback and Goldust rolls Axel up for a similar. Goldust and Axel clothesline one another however Ryback breaks up a tag.
Ryback expenses at Goldust however will get backdropped to the ground, lastly permitting for the recent tag to Cody. Rhodes takes Axel down with a knee to the face and the moonsault press will get two. Cody’s springboard dropkick is countered right into a powerbomb for 2 as Goldust and Ryback battle to the ground. Curtis tries his neckbreaker however will get countered into Cross Rhodes for the pin at 8:58.
Score: C-. This might have been any match on any given Smackdown. As has been the difficulty for the division because it was resurrected: it doesn’t matter what number of groups you may have in the event that they’re all simply buying and selling wins forwards and backwards with nobody getting wherever because of this. It’s good to see Goldust and Cody get a win although.
The opening video talks about being prepared to battle anybody so as to obtain your dream.
Intercontinental Title: Large E. vs. Jack Swagger
Swagger is difficult and Colter does his ordinary schtick earlier than the match. Large E. shoves him into the nook to begin and runs him over with a tough shoulder block, sending Swagger to the skin. Again in and a few overhead stomach to stomach suplexes put Jack down however he bails to the ground once more to keep away from a charging champion. This time Large E. follows him exterior and sends him into the steps however the champion goes after Colter.
The distraction doesn’t work although as he spears Jack into the steps in a painful trying spot. Again inside and Jack low bridges Large E. out to the ground and takes over with some working knees within the nook. After a WE THE PEOPLE it’s off to a entrance facelock for a number of moments. Large E. fights up and a double clothesline places each guys down once more. Swagger avoids a cost and Large E. goes shoulder first into the publish, drawing a WE THE PEOPLE chant from the gang.
Again up and Large E. runs Swagger over with clotheslines and a stomach to stomach suplex however the champion expenses right into a powerslam for 2. The working Vader Bomb is caught within the Large Ending however Jack makes it to the apron. That’s high-quality with Large E. as he spears him by means of the ropes in a giant crash. Again in and the Warrior Splash will get two so Large E…..goes up prime? Jack catches him with a proper hand and runs the ropes for a stomach to stomach superplex and a VERY shut two.
Swagger takes out the leg and places on the Patriot Lock however Large E. kicks his means out. The gutwrench is countered however Large E. runs him over and takes down the straps. Jack grabs one other Patriot Lock however Large E. fights up and hits an enziguri of all issues, establishing the Large Ending to retain the title at 11:50.
Score: B. I appreciated this much better than I used to be anticipating with Swagger placing up an amazing battle and making it a lot nearer than he had any proper to. It’s good to see Large E. get a win on PPV and a profitable title protection over a former World Champion by no means harm anybody. It needs to be fascinating to see the place the Actual People go from right here.
Dangerous Information Barrett pops up and talks about Russia profitable extra medals on the Olympics, additional proving European dominance. Is that this character ever going wherever?
We glance again at Daniel Bryan’s shoulder damage from Uncooked by the hands of Kane.
Daniel Bryan asks some questions concerning the Chamber, corresponding to will his opponents go after his shoulder and can he give this all the pieces he has to turn out to be WWE Champion. Take a guess as to what the reply is.
Tag Titles: New Age Outlaws vs. Usos
The Usos are difficult. Jimmy shoves Billy round to begin and a few armdrags and hiptosses ship Gunn exterior. The Usos load up their double dive however the Outlaws transfer earlier than the soar. Again in for Dogg vs. Jey with the champion’s headbutt hurting him as an alternative of Jey. A hiptoss sends Jey into the nook and he seemed to injure his knee or leg. The shaky kneedrop will get two and it’s again to Gunn for a two rely.
The CM Punk chants begin up as Dogg shrugs off some proper arms and knees Jey down once more. We hit the chinlock for a bit till Jey fights up and superkicks Jey again down. Sizzling tag brings in Jimmy to hurry issues up leaving Jimmy vs. Gunn within the ring. Highway Dogg pulls his associate away from the working Umaga assault however Jimmy dives onto Roadie. Again in and a superkick will get two on Gunn however Jimmy has to go after Highway Dogg, permitting Billy to seize a rollup for the pin at 8:34.
Score: D+. That is extra about irritating reserving than a foul match however the wrestling was nothing nice both. I’m undecided if the Outlaws are holding the belts as a result of they’re pals of HHH or as a result of this firm thinks there’s extra to nostalgia than anybody else, however I don’t get the attraction of the Outlaws getting clear pins on prime tag groups.
Dangerous Information Barrett pops up once more with out the raised podium to say Daniel Bryan’s shoulder will preserve him from profitable the title.
Time to hype the Community. Apparently there might be over 50 documentaries along with the PPVs. Good addition.
Darren Younger vs. Titus O’Neil
Fundamental story right here of a staff dropping and splitting on account of a heel flip by Titus. Darren will get in Titus’ face to begin however is knocked down by a tough forearm. The followers need Lesnar as Titus works on a headlock. Titus bails to the ground and Darren is true on his heels because the followers chant Fruity Pebbles. Darren expenses into the nook however will get backdropped out to the ground adopted by having his again rammed into the publish.
Again in and it’s time for a bearhug, backbreakers and an belly stretch. Titus slaps Darren within the ribs earlier than charging right into a boot because the announcers discuss JBL being low-cost. Darren comes again with some primary offense for 2 because the followers boo the kickout. Fortunately they get the trace and a fast Conflict of the Titus ends Darren at 6:17.
Score: D. This was about what I used to be anticipating and it confirmed the issue with Younger. He’s principally the fashionable day Scotty Riggs, that means a man who was in a tag staff with a way more charismatic man after which had nothing fascinating as soon as he was on his personal. Titus seemed good right here although and received clear in the proper ending. Fortunately they went house shortly like they did.
MORE Dangerous Information Barrett who talks about being extra gifted than Hulk Hogan.
We have a look at the pre-show match and the remainder of the present with the knowledgeable panel.
Recap of Protect vs. Wyatt Household. The Household value Protect a spot within the Elimination Chamber and the feud has spiraled right into a battle over who’s the best faction in WWE in the present day. Ambrose and Reigns have been having points these days as properly.
Wyatt Household vs. Protect
The Wyatts take their candy time as is their customized and we get an extended staredown because the followers suppose that is superior earlier than busting out the dueling chants. That is what you get while you truly construct up a feud to the purpose the place you possibly can’t think about both staff taking place clear. Ambrose jumps the Household and the Protect clears out the ring earlier than the opening bell.
Rowan vs. Rollins will get issues going with Erick being drokicked into the Protect nook earlier than it’s off to Reigns for a pop. He’s out simply as shortly because it’s again to Rollins who will get his head taken off with a clothesline. Harper is available in for some laborious proper arms earlier than it’s off to the boss for some knees within the nook. Rollins is thrown into the nook and the tag brings in Reigns. You’ll be able to really feel the followers get excited for this showdown.
They commerce proper arms with Bray getting the worst of it so a tag brings in Harper. Luke can’t suplex Reigns so Roman counters into one in every of his personal and brings in Dean. Ambrose kilos away within the nook earlier than it’s again to Reigns for 2 off a HARD proper hand. Dean will get two off the dropkick in opposition to the ropes and it’s again to Seth for a headbutt to Luke’s again. The Protect begins their quick tagging with Dean coming in to rake his forearm over Luke’s face. A center rope elbow to the jaw places Luke down however Rowan presents a distraction, permitting Harper to hit a dropkick of all issues.
Bray will get the tag to pound away on Dean because the Household takes over once more. A working splash within the nook crushes Dean and it’s again to Rowan for the top vice with two fists. Rowan will get two off a aspect slam and brings Harper again in, solely to have Dean seize a swinging neckbreaker to get a breather.
Rollins comes again in with a pleasant working dropkick however he will get caught on the highest rope. Luke masses up a reverse superplex however Seth lands on his ft and sends Harper to the ground for a suicide dive. Again inside and the highest rope knee to the aspect of the top places Harper down once more and Seth has a fired up look in his eyes. Harper kicks his head off for a really shut two and it’s again to Bray after the very best sequence Rollins has ever had in WWE.
Bray sends Rollins exterior and hits the working backsplash on the ground earlier than it’s again to Rowan. The dueling chants start once more earlier than the followers say they need tables. Again to Harper who hammers away within the nook and scores with a working clothesline. Wyatt calls for to be tagged in however runs right into a boot within the nook. Rollins goes to the center rope, solely to dive right into a chokeslam of all issues for 2. Ambrose tries to make the save however Harper kicks his head off, sending him to the ground.
Rollins lastly will get in a shot to Harper’s head and the recent tag brings in Reigns to scrub home. A Samoan drop places Rowan down however Harper saves his associate. There’s the dropkick from the ground for 2 on Erick as all the pieces breaks down. Dean takes Bray down and hammers away earlier than dropkicking him out to the ground. Harper dives by means of the ground to take out Ambrose however Rollins hits a swanton dive excessive to take Luke out. Reigns rolls up Erick for a VERY shut two however they clothesline one another down.
Seth masses up the Spanish announce desk however Bray decks him from behind. Ambrose saves Rollins from being despatched by means of the desk and takes Bray into the gang with one other cost. AWESOME stuff right here. Rowan and Reigns slug it out and Roman goes shoulder first into the publish, solely to return again with a working clothesline for 2. Rollins hits Harper with a monitor to the ribs however Bray comes again and masses up the opposite announce desk. Rowan takes Reigns down within the ring and sends him to the ground with a fallaway slam.
The Household has Rollins surrounded and the monsters double chokeslam him by means of the announce desk. Ambrose continues to be gone so it’s just about Reigns vs. all three Members of the family. They slowly get again within the ring and Roman sees what he’s up in opposition to. He goes proper for Bray however the numbers are an excessive amount of for him.
Harper kicks Reigns’ head off and drops to his knees for the tag off to Wyatt. Bray does his the wrong way up factor within the nook however Reigns powers out of Sister Abigail and Bray is terrified. Reigns goes into Beast Mode and Samoan drops Bray earlier than hitting Rowan and Bray with Superman Punches. The spear places Harper down however Wyatt runs Reigns over, establishing Sister Abigail for the pin at 22:45.
Score: A+. Once you count on a match to be among the best match you’ve seen in a very long time and get blown away, you’ve seen one thing particular. This was excellent stuff and had me glued to the display which doesn’t occur day-after-day. Excellent match the place neither staff seemed unhealthy in any respect. Discover this match if you happen to didn’t catch it tonight.
Community advert with Hogan and Cena schilling its awesomeness. No they’re not on digital camera collectively.
Christian says his losses make him harmful and dares us to underestimate him.
Divas Title: AJ Lee vs. Cameron
This can be a bonus match on account of fill in a while and let the gang catch their breath. AJ is defending in fact and says this was imagined to be Naomi’s match however she broke her face. Cameron will get in a fast shot to the face however will get taken down by a neckbreaker for 2.
AJ places on a modified dragon sleeper however spends an excessive amount of time skipping round and will get rolled up for 2. Cameron is shortly despatched exterior and AJ steals her pompoms for just a little dance. Tamina screws up by kicking AJ within the face however nonetheless breaks up the pin try at two. That’s not sufficient for Tamina as she pulls Cameron exterior and takes her head off for the DQ at 4:00.
Score: D. This was a needed step down after the masterpiece we noticed a couple of minutes in the past. Cameron was the logical alternative for the substitute right here however on the finish of the day, nobody cares about her in any respect. She’s a whiny little pest on Complete Divas and there’s no motive to care about her.
Dangerous Information Barrett says everybody goes to lose their jobs, kids might be expelled from colleges, rats will transfer into properties and the federal government will condemn the homes. Why? BECAUSE EVERYONE WILL BE MESMERIZED BY THE WWE NETWORK!
Santino, Emma, Khali and Los Matadores play with the brand new toys.
Batista vs. Alberto Del Rio
Batista is again to black trunks as an alternative of the shorts from the Rumble. He will get a good response right here and nowhere close to what it was final month. It appears extra like indifference than anything. Del Rio involves the ring in exercise garments, sporting a neck brace and utilizing a crutch. Signal within the crowd: “Batista = ZZZ”. Del Rio says he can’t compete and naturally jumps Batista with the crutch. Followers: “SI! SI! SI!”
Del Rio in fact has his trunks beneath and goes after Batista’s knee. He says ring the bell and Batista comes again with proper arms because the booing begins. We would as properly be in Mexico Metropolis proper now. Followers: “Boo-Tista! Boo-Tista!” Even Lawler has to acknowledge the chants. Batista is shipped shoulder first into the publish and Del Rio places on the armbreaker within the ropes. We hit the hammerlock because the followers chant for Bryan and Punk.
The Codebreaker to the arm places Batista down once more and it’s a Y2J chant. Del Rio misses a cost into the publish and the BORING chants start. Del Rio will get in one other shot to the arm to take over and the nook enziguri will get two. Batista is knocked to the ground because the chants go from RVD to Lesnar. The announcers are acknowledging most of them at this level.
Del Rio throws him again inside and will get speared down for 2 (face pop). A powerslam is countered into the Backstabber for 2 however Alberto misses a prime rope backsplash. Del Rio escapes the powerbomb and takes out the knee earlier than the low superkick will get two. The armbreaker is countered and Del Rio is shipped into an uncovered buckle (when did that occur?) and the Batista Bomb is sweet the pin at 7:13.
Score: D. I’m perplexed right here because the followers are clearly not accepting Batista, however it’s not simply because he’s a face. He actually had lower than ten offensive strikes right here and was getting squashed till the very finish. They count on him to have the ability to work a 20+ minute match in simply six weeks? I can’t think about that in any respect.
Community advert.
Skilled panel predictions. Miz can’t make up his thoughts, Henry picks Sheamus and Mysterio picks Cesaro.
The Chamber is lowered.
Video on the Chamber.
WWE Title: John Cena vs. Randy Orton vs. Christian vs. Cesaro vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus
Orton is defending and naturally it’s two folks for 5 minutes to begin and a brand new one is added out of a pod each 5 minutes. Final man surviving wins. Sheamus and Cesaro might be beginning which is kind of a technique to get issues going. Cesaro shortly dropkicks Sheamus out to the metal however can’t ram him into the wall. Again inside however it’s a fast backdrop to ship Sheamus onto the metal once more. Cesaro masses up a cost however Sheamus slingshots in with a shoulder for 2.
Now it’s Cesaro being despatched onto the metal and so they battle over a suplex however Sheamus lands on his ft. Cesaro shortly places him down and a center rope double stomp crushes Sheamus’ ribs as Orton casually watches from the pod. They brawl into the nook and Sheamus tells him to deliver it on. That’s high-quality with Cesaro as he uppercuts Sheamus down, however Sheamus pulls himself to the highest rope. One other uppercut staggers the Irishman however he comes again with the flying shoulder.
Daniel Bryan is in third and the followers are fired up. Bryan has a foul shoulder coming in however begins quick together with his ordinary stuff, together with the working clothesline and YES kicks to Sheamus. Cesaro will get some kicks as properly and the roundhouse kick sends him to the metal. Daniel places Sheamus in an Indian deathlock and manages to suplex Cesaro for 2 with out breaking the maintain. Cesaro catches a diving Bryan in a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for 2 and issues decelerate a bit.
Sheamus is shipped over the ropes once more and Cesaro simply rakes Sheamus’ head in opposition to the metal with a knee. Bryan is shipped shoulder first by means of the pod and appears to be extra in shock than pin. Cesaro and Sheamus slug it out till Sheamus hits the rolling fireman’s keep on the metal. Bryan is again within the ring because the dueling Cena chants start. The clock quickens a bit so Christian can are available fourth.
Christian goes proper after Bryan’s shoulder by sending it into the cage wall time and again. He rips the tape off and slams the pod door on the shoulder for 2. Sheamus is again up now and slams Christian’s again into the publish a number of occasions, solely to be countered into the reverse DDT on the metal. Cesaro masses up Swiss Dying on the skin however Christian grabs the cage to keep away from large quantities of ache. As a substitute Cesaro pulls him down and powerbombs him in opposition to the pod glass for 2.
Cesaro sends Sheamus into the damaged pod and it’s Cena in fifth. He instantly cleans home however will get taken down by a prime rope hurricanrana from Bryan. There are the YES Kicks however Christian breaks up the large one with the Killswitch for a really shut two. Cesaro masses up the Swing on Christian however Cena breaks it up with a cross physique, sending Christian into the buckle off a slingshot. White Noise will get two on John and it’s again to Cesaro vs. Sheamus. Christian catches Sheamus with a kick to the face however Sheamus backdrops out of the Neutralizer.
A twister DDT will get two on Cesaro however Cena sends Christian into the metal. Cena goes after Cesaro however will get caught in Swiss Dying for 2. Bryan, Cena and Cesaro have a 3 means battle till Cena masses Cesaro up within the AA. Daniel kicks John down earlier than kicking Cesaro within the nook which the announcers name a mistake. Sheamus sends Bryan into the cage wall however Cesaro does his superior superplex from the cage flooring. Orton is available in to provide us all six directly, which may be a primary.
The followers chant BORING so Orton stops to pose and level on the signal like an excellent heel ought to. Bryan avoids the Punt and Orton is abruptly cornered by all 5 guys. Orton correctly hides within the pod, drawing a sure feline insult from the gang. Sheamus yells by means of the glass earlier than Brogue Kicking by means of the pod and sending Orton into the cage wall time and again. Cesaro sends Sheamus in as properly and Cena initiates his ending sequence on the champion. Cesaro breaks it up and Swings Orton THIRTY TIMES. Bryan grabs a Rolling Chaos Idea suplex on Cesaro however there’s no cowl.
Sheamus powerslams Christian down and masses up the Brogue Kick on Christian however hits Cena sq. within the jaw. Christian rolls up each guys for 2 and Sheamus is TICKED. He masses up the Excessive Cross (working Razor’s Edge) into the pod however Christian escapes to the highest of a pod. Orton catches Sheamus in a superplex and Chrisitan provides a prime rope splash to get rid of the Irishman. Orton tries the Elevated DDT on Christian however the Canadian escapes, solely to get caught by the working knee for the pin and the elimination.
We get a fourway standoff till Orton and Cesaro are knocked down. Cena and Bryan have their lengthy awaited rematch with Bryan making an attempt a fast YES Lock however Cena simply powers out. The AA is loaded up however Cesaro Germans Cena as he’s STILL HOLDING BRYAN however can solely get two. Cena can’t get the STF on Cesaro however he counters the gutwrench into what was imagined to be a hurricanrana. An AA onto the metal units up the STF and Cesaro faucets in a clumsy trying second. There might need been an damage there.
Cena catches Orton within the STF and we’ve received Wyatts. The lights exit and Orton is out of the maintain in some way because the Wyatts are within the Chamber. Harper kicks Bryan within the face however all three go after Cena. John is laid out (Followers: “THANK YOU WYATTS!”) and the Wyatts go away, giving Orton a simple pin. We’re all the way down to Orton vs. Bryan and Randy correctly crawls out of the ring.
Kane comes out to eject the Wyatts however the Chamber door continues to be open. He is available in to test on Cena however Bryan comes off the highest with a knee to Kane’s head. Orton sends Bryan into the damaged pod however Daniel escapes a superplex and ties Orton within the Tree of Woe for some kicks to the chest. A baseball slide to the face has Orton in hassle a stomach to again superplex will get two.
Randy grabs him by the beard (why has that not been finished extra usually) and hits the Elevated DDT out of the nook. The RKO is countered and there’s the working knee however Kane grabs the referee. Kane will get kicked within the head however the RKO is sufficient….for TWO on Bryan. I completely purchased that because the end. Bryan will get one other shut two on a small package deal and a giant kick to the top places Orton down. Kane will get in one other shot from behind although and the RKO retains the title at 36:50.
Score: A. One other superior match to wrap up the present right here with all six guys trying good. Orton profitable was type of anticipated after he misplaced nearly each match in the previous few weeks as a result of that’s how WWE reserving works. I’m actually hoping we don’t get Kane vs. Bryan at Wrestlemania as it will come off as an enormous letdown for him, however it will work as a giant Uncooked match.
Cole goes on a rant about how unfair that is to Bryan. This was the point of interest of the top of the present.
General Score: A-. This was a two match present and each matches hit it out of the park. WWE is on a roll proper now with their PPVs however none of them matter with Wrestlemania only a few weeks away. The ending wasn’t an enormous shock however there are nonetheless loads exhibits to go earlier than we get to the large one. Hopefully a number of issues change but when Wrestlemania is that this good, it’s going to be successful.
Thomas Corridor has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has seen over 50,000 wrestling matches. He has additionally been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 5,000 full exhibits coated. You will discover his work at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or try his- Amazon creator web page with 30 wrestling books. Get the newest and biggest in skilled wrestling information by signing up for our each day electronic mail publication. Simply look beneath for “GET EXCLUSIVE UPDATES” to enroll. Thanks for studying!
Michael Cole Is Most likely Going To Be With WWE For A Very Lengthy Time
