Welcome to KB’s Previous College (and New College) Opinions. I’ve been reviewing wrestling exhibits for over twelve years now and have reviewed over 6,000 exhibits. Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I’ll be posting a brand new assessment right here on Wrestlingrumors.web. It might be something from trendy WWE to old-fashioned to indies to something in between. Notice that I price utilizing letters as an alternative of stars and I don’t price matches underneath three minutes as actually, how good or unhealthy can one thing that brief be?
Elimination Chamber 2015Date: Could 31, 2015Location: American Financial institution Middle, Corpus Christi, TexasCommentators: Michael Cole, Booker T., Jerry Lawler
It’s one other pay per view simply two weeks after Payback however the card has been put collectively pretty nicely this time. The primary occasion this time is WWE World Champion Seth Rollins defending towards Dean Ambrose, plus the Tag Staff Titles and Intercontinental Title being determined contained in the Chamber, each for the primary time ever. Let’s get to it.
Pre-Present: Zack Ryder vs. Stardust
Bonus match. Ryder had an honest match towards Cena on Monday so it’s good to see him get a PPV spot, even when it’s one thing like this. Stardust hits some shoulders to begin however Zack punches him to the ground for a fast baseball slide. Again in and the announcers discuss in regards to the World Title match as Stardust cranks on the arm. That goes nowhere so let’s speak about Love Boat.
Ryder fights again up because the announcers transition right into a dialogue of Arrow’s Stephen Amell desirous to combat Stardust in some unspecified time in the future. JBL guarantees us a brand new transfer from Stardust known as the Queen’s Crossbow (Arrow reference), which winds up being Cross Rhodes and it places Ryder out at 5:53.
Ranking: D. Effectively a lot for Ryder. He had a pleasant little comeback and the followers favored him, however we have to maintain Stardust sturdy for a match with a star which might be coming at Summerslam. Nothing match right here and that’s the issue with pre-show matches. Ryder might be excellent in a midcard function however that is what we’re caught with as an alternative. Pleasure certainly.
It’s time for MizTV with particular visitor Daniel Bryan. We take a look at Bryan vacating the title and Miz stated that was arduous even for him. In his time away, Bryan has written a e book however his profession isn’t over. Miz thinks he might help Bryan with advertising and merchandising and it’s solely going to price him 10% of the revenue.
Bryan passes however guarantees he’ll be again. Miz needs to slap him within the face however is aware of he can’t so he has some recommendation for Bryan…..which we don’t hear as Bryan thinks it’s going to be boring. Subsequently, he’s introduced somebody who additionally thinks Miz is boring: Axelmania and Macho Mandow. Home is rapidly cleaned and the great guys rejoice. Nothing to see right here because it was only a huge industrial for Bryan’s e book.
The opening video units up each Chamber matches with a concentrate on the construction itself. Owens vs. Cena will get some hype as nicely.
Tag Staff Titles: Lucha Dragons vs. Ascension vs. Los Matadores vs. Prime Time Gamers vs. Cesaro/Tyson Kidd vs. New Day
Contained in the Elimination Chamber, no tags required, New Day is defending, all three champions can be allowed in and now we have 4 minute intervals. Two groups begin and another enters each minute. Because the identify suggests, it’s elimination guidelines and the final staff standing wins the titles. Lucha Dragons and Ascension get issues going (these groups can by no means escape one another) with the Dragons hammering on the ability guys as quick as they’ll however Ascension begins slugging Cara down within the nook.
Sin escapes and throws Kalisto up onto the New Day pod however they attempt to pull him down inside. Cara will get slammed down however Kalisto kicks each Ascension members down, permitting Sin Cara to stand up and hit a HUGE Swanton off a pod to crush Viktor. Kalisto masses up a dive of his personal however New Day pulls him down to interrupt it up, giving us New Day doing the LUCHA dance. Cesaro and Kidd are in subsequent and Cesaro begins busting out the European uppercuts, together with Tyson launching Konnor into Swiss Dying for 2.
Kalisto remains to be on high of the pod till Cesaro superplexes him down and Kidd provides a springboard elbow drop for 2 with Cara having to dive in for a save. Solely Kidd and Cesaro are on their toes and Kidd slaps the Sharpshooter on Viktor however Konnor breaks it up. The La Mistica mat slam vegetation Konnor as Lawler calls JBL JR by mistake. Cara powerbombs Kidd as Kalisto is on high of the Prime Time Gamers’ pod.
Los Matadores, with Torito on high of their pod, are in third with the bull hitting a very good trying hurricanrana on Konnor. In the course of the entrance, Kalisto has climbed to the highest of the Chamber itself and drops down onto everybody for one of many largest crashes (or not less than the best) I’ve ever seen.
Torito will get thrown into Fernando, organising the Fall of Man on Diego for the primary elimination. Did anybody purchase Los Matadores as an actual menace anyway? Kalisto, fortunately capable of stroll, climbs the nook however will get pulled down as nicely for one more Fall of Man to eliminate the Dragons. There goes my decide after all. So now we have Ascension vs. Kidd/Cesaro for the time being however the Prime Time Gamers are added….with Ascension nailing them as quickly as their pod opens.
Titus fights again and throws each guys into the ring so Younger can hit his gutbuster on Viktor for a fast elimination. Issues cool down a bit with Titus suplexing Younger onto each guys for 2, however Cesaro pops up and drills O’Neal with a clothesline. Cesaro masses Younger up for a gutwrench superplex however Titus provides a powerbomb to make it a Tower of Doom for 2. New Day is available in to finish the sector however Cesaro and Kidd are throughout them with a triple suplex.
Issues get good in a rush as Cesaro and Kidd throw Woods into the pod and shut the door to even issues up. The Swing into the dropkick knocks Kofi foolish however Younger sneaks in to roll Cesaro up for the elimination. It’s the Prime Time Gamers vs. New Day for the titles and Huge E. will get Woods out of the pod to make it 3-2. New Day stomps Titus towards the chamber wall and get his head by way of the chain.
Younger fights again and sends Huge E shoulder first into the pod along with his head hitting the pod for good measure. Everyone seems to be down however Titus frees himself and begins throwing Huge E. into the wall. Xavier will get the identical therapy and the gutbuster takes out Kofi for 2. Huge E. is again up and suplexes Darren on the cage flooring, solely to stroll right into a powerslam from Titus. Not that it issues although as Bother in Paradise units up a triple pin to retain the titles at 19:34.
Ranking: B. This was numerous enjoyable and the only option that they had on the cardboard for an opener. New Day profitable can be value it for the victory promo alone and the extra I give it some thought, the extra I just like the reserving. Any staff can say they haven’t gotten a good shot at them because it was 3-2 so this doesn’t shut all of the doorways for challengers. I really like this defending the losers reserving they’ve had recently and it helps a lot in locations like this.
Rusev is out of the Chamber with a damaged foot. No substitute has been introduced but.
Ziggler is preparing when Lana comes up. Tonight isn’t about exhibiting Rusev up however about getting the title round Ziggler’s waist. Dolph says that after he wins the title, possibly it may be about them.
Divas Title: Nikki Bella vs. Naomi vs. Paige
Nobody is allowed at ringside. Nikki is defending after Paige received a battle royal a couple of months again however was laid out by Naomi. The champ is rapidly taken to the ground and thrown into the announcers’ desk, leaving Paige to hit her clotheslines on Naomi. Nikki is rapidly again in with a facebuster for 2 on Paige. The Alabama Slam vegetation Paige once more however Naomi rolls Nikki up for 2.
Naomi begins cleansing home and masses Paige up for a stomach to again superplex, solely to have Nikki are available for a Tower of Doom. The Rack Assault to Paige is damaged up with a Rear View for a close to fall with Paige making the save. Naomi heads to the nook however will get caught in an electrical chair from Paige, solely to be countered right into a reverse hurricanrana. It didn’t go easily nevertheless it may have been loads worse. Not that it issues as Nikki Rack Assaults Naomi to retain at 6:05.
Ranking: C. What was I considering to query Nikki’s title reign of awesomeness that’s TOTALLY higher than Trish and Lita’s reigns mixed? The match was pretty good however once more, there’s solely a lot you are able to do aside from cram in spots with simply six minutes. I don’t know the place they’ll go subsequent with Nikki other than one other Brie feud or dealing with an NXT callup.
We recap Kevin Owens vs. John Cena. Owens answered a Cena open problem a couple of weeks again however stated he already had the prize he wished within the NXT Title. He bought in a shock powerbomb on Cena and stepped on the US Title to indicate how huge of a jerk he was. This arrange a showdown tonight in a champion vs. champion match.
Kevin Owens vs. John Cena
Alright WWE. That is your likelihood. You may elevate somebody or go along with the identical outdated stuff. Owens could be very fired as much as be in there and truly doesn’t drop to the ground on the bell as is his customized in NXT. A fast shoulder places Owens down however he takes Cena into the nook and places a boot in his face. Cena will get punched to the apron so Kevin can rip at his face like a villain ought to.
The followers chant for NXT and we hit the chinlock. Cena powers up into an AA try however Owens calmly escapes and hits a DDT for 2. Owens opts to only punch Cena within the face (I adore it when individuals try this) for a bit earlier than a backsplash connects for 2 extra. Again up and Kevin tries a swinging Rock Backside however Cena counters right into a crucifix, solely to have Owens slam him down in a sort of Samoan drop for one more close to fall. The Cannonball will get the identical and Owens says it’s time for Johnny boy to surrender.
The pop up powerbomb is countered with a leapfrog and Cena initiates his ending sequence. Cena masses up the AA however will get countered into the pop up powerbomb for a detailed two, beautiful Owens. Kevin will get crotches on high however headbutts Cena down, solely to overlook a moonsault of all issues. The AA will get two (take a shot!) and each guys are down. Owens nails a superkick and tries his personal 5 Knuckle Shuffle (as a result of he’s that superior) however Cena pulls him down into the STF.
Cena tries to drag him again to the center however Owens kicks him away and hits an AA of his personal (good one too) for one more close to fall. Each guys are down once more and it’s Cena up first for the 2 off the highest rope Fameasser. Cole calls that patented, however I’m unsure Cena ever filed that paperwork. Again up once more and Owens masses up the bundle piledriver (his pre-WWE finisher) however slams Cena to the facet as an alternative of dropping him on his head.
Kevin begins speaking extra trash earlier than profitable a slugout, solely to get caught within the springboard Stunner for 2. Frustration is setting in so Cena takes him up high for a superplex, solely to have Owens counter right into a spinning superplex of his personal for 2. Owens runs to the highest for a Swanton for 2 extra and now Kevin is annoyed. Cena nails that huge working clothesline and Owens is rocked. John goes for one more however walks into the pop up powerbomb for the fully clear pin at 20:03.
Ranking: A. My jaw dropped on the pin. That is EXACTLY the way in which they need to have gone as Cena hit him with the most effective and Owens pinned him in the course of the ring. The important thing factor right here is Cena isn’t going to lose a factor out of this as he’ll be fantastic in about two minutes. Owens alternatively seems to be like the largest new deal in years and couldn’t get an even bigger rub in the event that they tried. Nice, nice stuff right here and I liked the reserving a lot.
Owens says he debuted on Uncooked a couple of weeks again and began a combat, however tonight he completed it. He has some veteran recommendation for Cena: it’s time for him to go as a result of his time is means up and THE CHAMP IS HERE!
Pre-show panel chat.
Bo Dallas vs. Neville
Neville has a nasty knee coming in, partially because of Dallas. The knee is ok sufficient for Neville to do his flips out of the nook earlier than sending Bo to the ground to keep away from a Pink Arrow try. That’s fantastic with Neville as he hits an enormous moonsault to the ground. Again in and Neville places on a chinlock (uncommon sight for a very good man) however Bo will get to the ropes (“LET ME GO!”). He gives peace however begins elbowing Neville within the face and will get two off a working forearm.
Off to a cravate on Neville to sluggish issues means down because the announcers speak about soccer from the Sixties. Again up and Bo elbows him within the head, solely to be despatched out to the ground. Bo’s surprised look is nice. Neville comes again with kicks to the pinnacle and a working forearm, adopted by a standing taking pictures star for 2. The Bodog is countered and the Pink Arrow connects for the pin at 9:07.
Ranking: C-. Nothing nice right here because it was mainly a protracted TV match. Neville profitable was the proper name as Bo will be again off one other tacky promo, however Neville will get a pleasant push with a win he ought to have gotten. The knee didn’t go anyplace, however not less than there was a narrative coming into the match.
Reigns and Ambrose are within the again when HHH is available in and bans Reigns from ringside. If Reigns interferes, Ambrose can be disqualified. You imply like in any match?
The Chamber is lowered.
Intercontinental Title: Sheamus vs. Ryback vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. King Barrett vs. R-Fact vs. ???
The title is vacant coming in on account of Daniel Bryan vacating it on account of harm. There are 4 minute intervals once more and Rusev’s substitute is……Mark Henry. Bray Wyatt had been rumored however I like this higher as Wyatt isn’t doubtless profitable so why give him one other loss? Ziggler and Barrett get issues going. They commerce rollups to begin however Barrett shrugs him down and places Dolph on the highest rope for a kick to the ribs.
We hit a chinlock on Dolph for a bit earlier than he realizes that is the freaking Elimination Chamber and fights again along with his dropkick and neckbreaker for 2. Barrett sends him into the cage and talks numerous trash till R-Fact is in third. The King is sensible sufficient to leap Fact earlier than he can get out of the pod and stomps him down. He kicks Fact and Ziggler within the face to maintain management however Fact will get again up for the spinning forearm and ax kick.
Barrett rolls away from the duvet however Ziggler is again up with a kick to the face for 2. Again up and Barrett drives Ziggler by way of a pod wall, liberating Mark Henry to come back in earlier than his entrance. There’s nothing the referee can do as a result of it’s no disqualification, and sure as a result of the present is threatening to run lengthy they usually want to avoid wasting time. Ryback is available in a couple of seconds later and runs Henry over for 2. Henry stands round as Barrett vegetation Ziggler with Wasteland, solely to interrupt it up at two just like the schmuck that he’s.
Again up and the parade of finishers eliminates Barrett first as a result of OF COURSE IT DOES! The 4 within the ring pair off with Ryback stomping Ziggler into the nook and Henry doing the identical to Fact. Sheamus is meant to be in final however the door received’t open. Ryback, Fact and Ziggler commerce rollups as they attempt to repair the door earlier than Henry will get triple teamed. Shell Shock eliminates Fact and a really delayed suplex vegetation Ziggler.
Ryback’s Meat Hook is countered by a superkick and all three are down. With all three down, Sheamus takes out the Celtic cross that he had put within the door to maintain the door caught shut. Effectively that was good. A Brogue Kick eliminates Henry in a rush and we’re down to 3. Ziggler counters a suplex right into a small bundle for 2 however Sheamus counters the working DDT. The second try will get two however a fast Brogue Kick will get us all the way down to Sheamus vs. Ryback.
They commerce powerslams with Ryback getting the higher of it and driving shoulders to the ribs within the nook. The Meat Hook doesn’t work and Sheamus tries to get again in his pod. Ryback picks him up earlier than he can get in, solely to have Sheamus counter into White Noise on the cage flooring for 2. The ten forearms are countered however Sheamus hits the Regal Roll on the cage once more. A Brogue Kick is countered right into a powerbomb into the ring and Shell Shock provides Ryback his first title at 25:06.
Ranking: C+. Effectively that was a shock. I didn’t just like the motion in addition to I favored the primary one nevertheless it was nonetheless a enjoyable match. They’ve arrange Ryback as by no means having received a title so this was a great way to pay that story off. Ryback has been pushed fairly sturdy since returning (ignore the loss at Payback) and this was the proper name for a step up.
Daniel Bryan congratulates Ryback and presents him along with his new title.
We take a look at Owens pinning Cena earlier tonight. The rematch is official for Cash within the Financial institution.
Dolph Ziggler, Neville, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, Kofi Kingston and Sheamus are official for the Cash within the Financial institution ladder match. Extra can be introduced later.
We recap Ambrose vs. Rollins. The theme is that Ambrose made a nasty determination by trusting Rollins within the Protect however tonight nobody might help him, together with his mommy and daddy.
WWE World Title: Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose
Dean is difficult however has to cope with Kane and the Stooges at ringside. Rollins grabs a headlock to begin however Dean counters into an armbar. Again up and the champ stomps away within the nook till Dean goes again to the arm to take over once more. Dean drapes him over the center rope for a Fameasser however the Stooges provide a distraction so Seth can crotch him into the Tree of Woe.
An enormous high rope double stomps will get two on the challenger and Rollins takes over. We hit the chinlock for a bit adopted by a clothesline to place Dean again down. Dean comes again with a sitout Tesshocker (stomach to again suplex however he slams Rollins face first as an alternative of dropping him again) for 2. The Stooges pull Rollins to the ground however Dean dives by way of the ropes to take everybody out. Again in and Rollins tries to counter a superplex right into a sundown bomb, solely to have Dean nail a Cactus Clothesline to place each guys outdoors once more.
Extra Stooges interference lets Rollins take over once more and the highest rope knee (actually a shin) to the pinnacle will get two. Dean lastly comes again with a twister DDT (second individual tonight to make use of that) and the working dropkick towards the ropes. A clothesline turns Rollins inside out for 2 extra and the flying standing elbow will get the identical.
The Rebound clothesline is countered by a clothesline from the champ and a suicide dive places Dean down once more. Again in and the buckle bomb is countered with a clothesline (we get it) out of the nook however Dean opts to dive on Kane and the Stooges. The referee will get bumped and Dean nails Soiled Deeds, drawing in one other official for the pin at 21:48. Lawler: “This may increasingly begin a brand new Perspective Period.” Oh shut up.
Ranking: C. I don’t purchase for a second that that is going to face so I’m not going to trouble treating this very significantly. This felt like a protracted Uncooked match as an alternative of one thing value watching, and the ending is clearly there to arrange a rematch at Cash within the Financial institution. The match was first rate nevertheless it had the recurring downside of all WWE pay per views: you don’t trouble caring in regards to the meat of the match since you’re simply ready on the wacky end.
And naturally it doesn’t depend as a result of the primary referee says the Stooges pulled him to the ground for a DQ. Dean will get overwhelmed down however Reigns comes down the ramp for a shock and beats everybody up. Dean and Roman go away with the belt to finish the present.
Total Ranking: C+. I favored the present for essentially the most half however this might have been put in a unique order to make issues movement higher. Swapping the Chamber matches would have helped loads and having Owens vs. Cena later within the card would have been a very good transfer. Nonetheless although, for a thrown collectively present to get individuals to look at without spending a dime after which hope they overlook to cancel within the subsequent hour so that you get some bonus buys is an honest sufficient concept. Owens vs. Cena II doesn’t have to occur however you realize it’s going to and can doubtless arrange a giant showdown at Battleground. Adequate present however principally nothing value seeing once more.
Thomas Corridor has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has seen over 60,000 wrestling matches. He has additionally been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 6,000 full exhibits lined. You’ll find his work at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or take a look at his- Amazon writer web page with 30 wrestling books
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