wrestling / Columns
The Shimmy 02.09.09: Elimination Chamber Cheat Sheet
Last month we took a look at the competitors in the Royal Rumble Match that were competing to head to WrestleMania 25 as the challenger for a World Championship. This month we’ll take a look at the men that are trying to head to the big show with their championship belt already in their possession. Who might enter the Showcase of the Immortals as a champion? Let’s find out.
World Heavyweight Championship Match
John Cena (World Heavyweight Champion)
Elimination Chamber Experience: New Year’s Revolution 2006
Elimination Chamber Record: (1-0)
Chamber Eliminations: Carlito (2005)
Analysis: John Cena enters his second Elimination Chamber and can notice many similarities to his first experience. There is a technically proficient wrestler despised by the fans, a smaller veteran, a Caribbean high flier, a powerful big man, and Kane. Both Chambers were also considered to be fairly weak by the fans which might mean that Cena might be able to make it out of the match just as successfully. Most people probably have Cena pegged into the main event at WrestleMania due to how he is always able to overcome the odds but both Cena and the fans would be fools to look past some of his competitors. Jericho has been a big game player for over a year and will be looking for some payback against Cena after three straight losses. Mike Knox has been on a brutal rampage and might have revenge on his mind for when Cena saved Rey Mysterio a few weeks ago. Also keep in mind that even though Cena survived his only Elimination Chamber appearance he still succumbed to a Money in the Bank cashing Edge just moments afterwards, proving just how much of a toll the Chamber can exact.
Chris Jericho
Qualified Over: CM Punk
Elimination Chamber Experience: Survivor Series 2002; SummerSlam 2003; New Year’s Revolution 2005; No Way Out 2008
Elimination Chamber Record: (0-4)
Chamber Eliminations: Booker T (2002); Kane (2002); Edge (2005); JBL (2008); Umaga (2008)
Analysis: Despite being on the losing end of some of his recent matches against John Cena, Chris Jericho will no doubt be Cena’s biggest threat inside the Chamber. Jericho has been in four Elimination Chamber Matches and eliminated five men in total. Jericho has also experience the main event at WrestleMania and he will no doubt want to springboard from being the 2008 Superstar of the Year back into the spotlight at the big dance. Jericho will probably be the shrewdest, most calculating individual in the match, and if what we saw in his feud with Shawn Michaels is any indication he may very well be the most vicious individual in the match as well (which is saying something considering the addition of Mike Knox and Kane). Jericho will have to face two problems if he is to win however. The first is to get the monkey off his back that is John Cena. Cena has had Jericho’s number dating all the way back to Cena’s rookie year. He had beaten Jericho three times in the last four months and surely has a psychological edge. The second problem is to not attempt to multitask. Jericho claims that his sites are set on the World Heavyweight Championship but his issues with Stephanie McMahon, Ric Flair, and Mickey Rourke could very well dilute his focus. Jericho needs to bring that determined single-mindedness to No Way Out if he wants to enter WrestleMania 25 as champion.
Rey Mysterio
Qualified Over: William Regal
Elimination Chamber Experience: none
Elimination Chamber Record: (0-0)
Chamber Eliminations: none
Analysis: This will be Rey Mysterio’s Elimination Chamber debut and, as is often the case, he will be the smallest man in the match. Like Jericho, Rey Mysterio has tasted the big time at WrestleMania and after having missed the last two years due to an injury he will no doubt want to jump back to the top. While the brutality of the Elimination Chamber may not really be his game the size of the chamber itself could suit him. There are many places to hide, many things to climb, and many chambers to jump off of. Rey’s aerial offense may be able to help him combat these decidedly larger individuals. One needs to only look at what Rob Van Dam was able to do to Triple H in the first Elimination Chamber Match and the success of Jeff Hardy in last year’s match to see high flying offense utilized to the fullest. He should also probably take note of MVP’s crash and burn last year to see how going up high could potentially backfire.
Kane
Qualified Over: N/A (bartered title opportunity for Undertaker’s Raw appearance)
Elimination Chamber Experience: Survivor Series 2002; New Year’s Revolution 2006
Elimination Chamber Record: (0-2)
Chamber Eliminations: none
Analysis: Kane is making his third Elimination Chamber appearance and is looking to finally make it to the main event at WrestleMania. His matches with Undertaker in 1998 and 2004 were close but not the real thing. He was one man away from winning the Royal Rumble in 2001 and three men away in 2008. He can up short in the first Money in the Bank Ladder Match as well. He did get a shot at the ECW Championship at last year’s show but that match wasn’t nearly as glorious as its WWE and World Heavyweight Championship counterparts. Kane almost even managed to miss out on this match as he lost his Qualifying Match against Kofi Kingston and only entered the match thanks to his connections to Undertaker. Kane should try and take advantage of this second opportunity because there is no telling when it will come again. Despite his history Kane’s spot on the WrestleMania card is far from guaranteed (he had to fight his way on to the main show last year) and championship opportunities could come few and far between should he find himself out of the title picture for Mania. Kane does have Elimination Chamber experience, but not as much as Chris Jericho, and he has yet to actually eliminate anyone in either of his appearances. Kane doesn’t even necessarily have the size advantage in this match as Mike Knox is about the same size as the Big Red Machine. Kane will have to use his in ring experience and maybe even some of that unbalanced strategy of his to surprise his opponents if he wants to leave as World Heavyweight Champion.
Mike Knox
Qualified Over: JTG, Shad Gaspard, Dolph Ziggler, Ted DiBiase, and Cody Rhodes (Battle Royal)
Elimination Chamber Experience: none
Elimination Chamber Record: (0-0)
Chamber Eliminations: none
Analysis: This is without a doubt the biggest match of Mike Knox’s career. The closest Knox has come to an opportunity like this was back in 2006 when he was still on ECW and he lost to CM Punk in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match. This go around Knox made the most of his Qualifying Match, defeating five other men in a Battle Royal to earn a spot in the title match. Then again even that match took place away from the bright TV lights so the pressure wasn’t quite on just yet. Knox had a respectable showing in the Royal Rumble but he’ll need to do more than that if he wants to be World Heavyweight Champion. Knox has the size and the violent streak to survive in the confines of the chamber, but his mental state may end up costing him. Knox has already stated that he does not know why he has been attacking Rey Mysterio and if that compulsion continues Knox may overlook one of his four other opponents. This could be Mike Knox’s breakout opportunity, let’s see if the big man is focused enough to take advantage of it.
Kofi Kingston
Qualified Over: Kane
Elimination Chamber Experience: none
Elimination Chamber Record: (0-0)
Chamber Eliminations: none
Analysis: With March Madness just around the corner the term “Cinderella story” will be thrown around a lot. In wrestling Kofi Kingston just might very well be this year’s Cinderella. Despite being a former Intercontinental and World Tag Team Champion, no one expected the Jamaican superstar to defeat Kane in their Qualifying Match on Raw, but that is precisely what he did. Now Kofi has the chance to do what his tag team partner CM Punk did over the past six months and that is to win a World Title to go with is other two accomplishments. Last year at WrestleMania Kofi was competing in a pre-show Battle Royal in hopes of getting on the main show and in a World Title Match. This year if Kofi can win the Elimination Chamber he won’t have to hope for a spot at WrestleMania, he’ll be in the main event. Kofi didn’t have a particularly strong appearance in the Royal Rumble a few weeks ago but his upset over Kane proves that he has what it takes to get it done. Kofi’s health may be a factor in his performance however, as he is no doubt nursing some bruised ribs following his altercations with Kane and Mike Knox on Raw. Will Kofi be able to become the first Jamaican World Heavyweight Champion or will the book get slammed shut on this Cinderella story?
WWE Championship Match
Edge (WWE Champion)
Elimination Chamber Experience: New Year’s Revolution 2005
Elimination Chamber Record: (0-1)
Chamber Eliminations: none
Analysis: Edge has been in a number of gimmick matches from Hell in a Cell to TLC to Extreme Rules and more, and he has had a good amount of success in those matches. Edge has been in an Elimination Chamber Match as well but his limited time there was not met with much success. Edge was the first man eliminated in his sole Elimination Chamber appearance in 2005. Since then Edge has gone on to become a seven time World Champion and is presumably just one match away from entering his second consecutive WrestleMania with the title. That one match is a doozy though. Edge has issues with just about everyone in this match; the only person he doesn’t really have beef with is the undefeated Vladimir Kozlov who is called, of all things, the Moscow Mauler. The Champ is certainly in an unenviable position at No Way Out and his best chance at survival is to divide and conquer. Let Triple H and Vladimir Kozlov get bogged down in their own rivalry, let Jeff Hardy be preoccupied with his brother Matt, and try and work with Big Show for as long as possible before he inevitably turns on you. Edge is not known as the “Ultimate Opportunist” for nothing and he will have to take advantage of every opportunity presented to him on Sunday.
Jeff Hardy
Qualified Over: N/A (return title match)
Elimination Chamber Experience: No Way Out 2008
Elimination Chamber Record: (0-1)
Chamber Eliminations: Chris Jericho (2008)
Analysis: The real question is whether or not Jeff Hardy will even make it to No Way Out. Jeff has been missing in action since his brother Matt turned on him and cost him the WWE Title at the Royal Rumble a few weeks ago and even though he has been advertised for this Friday’s edition of SmackDown Matt has hinted that Jeff may just suffer another accident. The worst thing for Jeff would be if Matt wasn’t the one responsible for all of the attacks on his person. If it is Matt he could stay focused and at least know who he is facing. But if Matt’s betrayal at Royal Rumble was an isolated incident and if the assailant is someone different then that means Jeff needs to be worried about a mystery individual. And that is saying nothing of Jeff’s return shot at the WWE Title. Jeff has plenty on his mind other than competing in a brutal match with five other men. Jeff had an amazing showing in last year’s Elimination Chamber Match and even though he lost that match it was still a huge stepping stone towards his dream of becoming WWE Champion. One year later and the Elimination Chamber could prove to be even more than a stepping stone for the Charismatic Enigma.
Triple H
Qualified Over: Vladmir Kozlov and The Great Khali (Triple Threat Match)
Elimination Chamber Experience: Survivor Series 2002, SummerSlam 2003, New Year’s Revolution 2005, No Way Out 2008
Elimination Chamber Record: (3-1)
Chamber Eliminations: Goldberg (2003); Randy Orton (2005); Shawn Michaels (2008); Jeff Hardy (2008)
Analysis: Triple H has won more Elimination Chamber Matches than anybody and even the one match he lost saw him be the last man eliminated. Triple H is the unquestioned king of the Elimination Chamber and he will be looking to add to that record at this year’s No Way Out. Triple H has not had a one-on-one opportunity to reclaim his WWE Title since losing it back in November but if he can make it past four eliminations it will essentially be just that. That’ll be easier said than done though given the level of competition he’d be going up against. Edge will no doubt have the advantage in this match thanks to Vickie Guerrero, Jeff Hardy has proven he can beat The Game, Vladimir Kozlov has had issues with Triple H for months, and Big Show even knocked him out a few weeks ago. This is certainly a tough crowd to fight through but if anyone can it is the 12-time World Champion who has done it three times before. On a week that sees Friday the 13th on the calendar could it be a lucky 13th title reign for the King of Kings?
Big Show
Qualified Over: Festus
Elimination Chamber Experience: December to Dismember
Elimination Chamber Record: (0-1)
Chamber Eliminations: none
Analysis: Big Show is a very interesting addition to this match as he seems more focused than he has been in some time. Perhaps getting beaten up by Undertaker for a few months wizened him up a bit but Show is more of a free thinker at this point, taking advantage of his relationship with Vickie Guerrero but also doing what he wants to do when he wants to do it. And who’s going to stop him? While an alliance with Edge is a brief possibility it is unlikely that it would last long given their recent history together. This would not be the first time Big Show competed in an Elimination Chamber Match as a favorite of the boss. At December to Dismember he was the defending ECW Champion who had the support of ECW Representative Paul Heyman. Ultimately that didn’t help him much, and if Vickie Guerrero is forced to make a decision between Show and her husband it is likely that Show would lose out. Big Show’s knockout punch has taken out Edge, Triple H, and Undertaker in recent times (all of whom are competing in this match) and he could be a real contender in this contest.
Undertaker
Qualified Over: Mark Henry
Elimination Chamber Experience: No Way Out 2008
Elimination Chamber Record: (1-0)
Chamber Eliminations: Big Daddy V (2008); The Great Khali (2008); Finlay (2008)
Analysis: Last year Undertaker headed to the main event at WrestleMania by winning the No Way Out Elimination Chamber Match. This year he could be well on his way again, but this go around he’d be entering the show as champion should he win. Taker is intimately familiar with the Hell in a Cell Match, one of the inspirations for this demonic structure. The carnage he unleashed in last year’s chamber was unlike anything we’d seen before in the match. Undertaker is coming off a good performance in the Royal Rumble and a dominating qualifying victory over Mark Henry so his momentum should be good. Then again that momentum could be halted after a big match this week. He has a date with Randy Orton tonight on Raw and then a Fatal Four-Way against Triple H, Big Show, and Kozlov for this Friday. This is by far the most arduous schedule of all the Elimination Chamber participants and you have to wonder if that will wear down the Deadman. Undertaker is undefeated at WrestleMania and now is only one match (and five people) away from entering the show as champion for the first time and to compete in his third WrestleMania main event in so many years.
Vladimir Kozlov
Qualified Over: R-Truth, Carlito, Primo, The Great Khali, Shelton Benjamin, MVP, Chavo Guerrero, The Brian Kendrick, Kizarny, Scotty Goldman, Kung Fu Naki, Curt Hawkins, and Zach Ryder (Battle Royal)
Elimination Chamber Experience: none
Elimination Chamber Record: (0-0)
Chamber Eliminations: none
Analysis: Vladimir Kozlov is the true wild card in this match. He had the hardest road to ho, at least in terms of numbers, in order to make it into the Elimination Chamber. He had a strong, albeit brief, run in the Royal Rumble and now is looking to enter yet another foreign concept. One thing is for sure, and that’s provided Kozlov does not get pinned on Friday, but at No Way Out either Kozlov will experience his first pin or submission loss or he will be the new WWE Champion. Kozlov has gone toe-to-toe with the three fan favorites in this match and one would imagine he’d have the upper hand on Edge as well. The real interesting confrontation should come between Kozlov and Big Show. These two teased going at it many months ago but we never saw them hook up. Now it would seem as if the Road to WrestleMania passes right through one of these big bulls. Can Vladimir Kozlov keep his undefeated streak alive, win the WWE Title, and go to the main event at WrestleMania?
The Shimmy Likes it Raw!
What’s on tap for tonight’s show?
Well that does it for this week’s column. Until next time, don’t die. Clark…out.
