KELLER'S WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER PPV REPORT
FEBRUARY 21, 2010
ST. LOUIS, MO.
LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW

-A new guy hosted the pre-game show. Didn't catch his name, but he joined the guy who looks like he should be hosting a Nikelodeon show who always does the preview shows. He has a very high-end professional anchorman sounding voice.

-Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Matt Striker introduced the show.

1 -- WWE TITLE ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH (Sheamus, Ted DiBiase, Triple H, John Cena, Randy Orton, Kofi Kingston)

Full ring intros took place. Cena first, then DiBiase, then Orton, then Triple H, then Kofi Kingston, and finally Sheamus. Lawler said Triple H "statistically" should be considered the favorite based on his winning five of six Chamber matches he's participated in. Everyone got in their corner pod. Sheamus held his title belt in front of each of them. Cena did the "You can't see me" hand wave at Sheamus. Striker did his weird history thing where he talks about the last time a title changed hands in this city, as if that has anything to do with whether a title would be more or less likely to change hands tonight. I like making each city's history relevant, but sometimes he phrases it like it makes a bit of difference. The bell rang 15 minutes into the hour with Kingston vs. Sheamus. Striker pointed out that WWE has evolved quickly, with some faces that are familiar and others that are quite new.

After five minutes of basic action between Sheamus and Kingston, the camera in the rafters looked down at the ring as the lights flashed and the eerie game show music played (if there is such a thing) and the light stopped on Triple H's pod. The camera closed in on Triple H who smiled at the prospect of Sheamus entering. Sheamus didn't show overt fear and held his ground. Triple H took early advantage. Kofi recovered and got into the mix, including a slingshot legdrop onto Triple H at ringside.

At 10:00 Orton was released from his pod. He went right after Triple H, then Kingston, then Sheamus. Kingston went for a springboard move at Orton, but Orton caught him with a flying dropkick in mid-air. Orton fended off Triple H with a powerslam. Orton went for an RKO. Triple H countered. Kofi moved in. Orton fought him off. Triple H went for a Pedigree. Orton then backdropped Triple H onto the platform at ringside.

At 15:00 DiBIase entered. DiBiase helped Orton to his feet and they double-teamed Triple H. Kingston was KO'd at ringside as the double-team lasted several minutes. Cena continued to watch. Cole freaked out as Orton DDT'd him onto the steel raised platform at ringside even with the ring canvas. Lawler said that will be the end of the line for The Game.

Cena was to be the last in. As the clock counted down, DiBiase and Orton stood and stared him down. Cena entered took it to both Orton and DiBiase. He hit Orton with the Five Knuckle Shuffle and then followed up with a top rope legdrop onto the back of DiBiase's neck. He then gave DiBiase an Attitude Adjustment onto the platform at ringside. Orton came behind Cena and threw him over the top rope. Cena looked like he leaped over the top rope and then landed really softly. Even Cole had to point out that Cena landed lightly. Cena reverse whipped Orton into the cage, then returned to center-ring to put DiBiase in the STF. Orton broke that up. Cody Rhodes came to ringside and threw a steel pipe into the ring. DiBiase hit Orton as Cena had him lifted for an Attitude Adjustment. DiBiase also hit Cena, then stood over both Cena and Orton and chose to cover Orton to eliminate him. Cody gulped at ringside, looking confused and worried. He retreated to the back. The announcers wondered whether it was a purposeful move by DiBiase to hit Orton. Orton stared down DiBiase as he was led out of the ring.

Sheamus and Kingston, after a long recovery at ringside, got up. Sheamus dumped Kingston over the top rope, but Kingston reserved him into the ring, then hit him with Trouble in Paradise for the pin, eliminating DiBiase. Sheamus went after Kingston right away, giving him his Celtic Cross (a running released Razor's Edge) for the win, eliminating Kingston at 26:00. Sheamus and Cena battled back-and-forth for the win, with Triple H still out at ringside. When Sheamus lifted Cena off the top rope for a released edge, Triple H returned and gave Sheamus a low blow. He then gave Sheamus the Pedigree for the elimination at 28:00. That guaranteed a new champion, announced Cole.

They were both slow to get up. Cena rose first and applied the STF on a spent Triple H, who was lying face-down. Triple H struggled briefly, but then tapped out.

WINNER: Cena to capture the WWE Title at 30:00.

STAR RATING: ***

-Vince McMahon walked out, congratulated Cena, and then said he'd have to defend his title immediately against Batista. Batista walked out as Cena struggled to get to his feet with help of the ropes. Lawler wanted to know what this strategy was other than being vindictive.

2 -- JOHN CENA vs. BATISTA -- WWE Title Match

Batista gave Cena a Batista Bomb and pinned him.

WINNER: Batista in 15 seconds to capture the WWE Title. In the micro, this move might add heat to the McMahon-Cena feud, but in the macro it's got drawbacks. I don't like this finish only because it makes every champion seem to be champion because Vince wants them to be, because with a wave of a magic wand he can orchestrate it being taken away. It's a little too close to the truth, actually.

-Lawler, Cole, and Striker threw to highlights of the Bret Hart angle on Raw. Cole said information has been hard to come by, but Bret's personal physician told them he has a broken leg and ligament damage. A somber Lawler said that's the last they've likely seen of Bret. Striker called it a "very unceremonious departure." (Since only Bret's personal physician has said Bret's injured, the whole thing could be a hoax by Bret and Cena to lure McMahon into accepting a fight against him, since he'll assume Bret is hobbled and helpless, only to find out right after the contract signing that Bret is 100 percent. No camera angle showed Bret actually getting hit. Bret outsmarting Vince like that would be a way to give Bret that redemption he seeks.)

2 -- DREW MCINTRYE vs. KANE -- IC Title Match

Cole said Drew is "rough and tough." Kane opened with a side headlock. Striker said 20 percent of all IC Champions have gone on to the Hall of Fame. Cool stat. Sounds fishy, though. Drew came back with some matwork of his own. Kane awkwardly backdropped Drew over the top rope. Within a minute, drew had an armbar applied to Kane. Striker said Drew is an "eloquent speaker, but I can't understand half of what he says." Kane went on sustained offense, hitting Drew with a flying clothesline off the second rope at 7:00. Kane followed with a chokeslam attempt, but McIntrye escaped. Kane rammed him head-first into the ringpost and knocked him to the floor. McIntrye tried to walk to the back. Kane caught up to him and dragged him back into the ring. He went for the chokeslam again. McIntrye thumbed him in the eye out of the view of the referee, then DDT'd him for the win.

WINNER: McIntrye at 9:00 to retain the IC Title.

STAR RATING: * -- That was meant to be padding to give the crowd a breather after the events from the first hour.

-Backstage Maryse approached Gail Kim and jabbered in French. Kim indulged her and smiled. Maryse switched to English and said they are sexy and professional, unlike the Raw Divas. Kim told her to cut the charade because she knows she's been trash-talking her all this time in French. She said she's going to beat her tonight and enjoy every second of it.

-After ring intros, and as the match between Maryse and Gail Kim was about to start, Vickie Guerrero walked out and screeched, "Excuse me! Excuse me!" She said she's heard that the Raw Divas have been saying disparaging things about the Smackdown Divas. She said the most beautiful Divas are on Smackdown. She said she's the only Divas with authority in this arena, so she's officially postponing the Divas Title match and making it a tag team match instead. Then out came Michelle McCool and Layla.

3 -- LAYLA & MICHELLE MCCOOL vs. MARYSE & GAIL KIM

Striker wondered how Kim and Maryse would get along. Gail took an early beating. By 3:00 the crowd seemed stunned that a women's match could last this long. Not much crowd heat at all. When Kim went for a tag, Maryse shoved her in the face instead. Doesn't that count? "That was real nice," said Cole. McCool then gave her a big boot and a Styles Clash for the win.

WINNER: McCool & Layla in 4:00.

-A video aired hyping the debut of WWE NXT on Tuesday. They showed briefly all eight rookies and all eight mentors.

-Josh Matthews interviewed The Miz backstage. He asked about his impressions of Daniel Bryan so far. He acknowledged he may be an Internet sensation and King of the Indys, but he's bland and reminds him of someone standing in the front row of a Star Wars convention. Miz said by the time he's done with him, Bryan will have the look, personality, and charisma to be a star. MVP interrupted and said for the first time they agreed on something. He said personality is vital to becoming a WWE Superstars, "but more important is winning." He said he and Mark Henry won their tag match against he and his partner Big Show last week. He said he's going to get his U.S. Title shot against him tonight. He told him to get ready to tell his NXT rookie about how he lost his U.S. Title to MVP.

-William Regal walked out and talked about the WWE NXT concept. He said he has understandably been chosen to be one of the WWE Pros mentoring the WWE Rookies. He said he has the most tenure. They did the tired lame "What?" bit, so Regal said, "Such wonderful people." He demanded to be treated with respect. He said he is the model of professionalism. He said each of the wonderful fans in the crowd could learn something from him. He was interrupted by Edge's music. Edge said listening to Regal is like watching paint dry, then he speared Regal. It gave Cole a chance to talk about how Edge has to choose whom he'll face at WrestleMania for a world title.

-Lawler thanked Cyrress Hill for "Rise Up," the official theme of the Elimination Chamber.

4 -- THE MIZ (w/The Big Show) vs. MVP (w/Mark Henry) -- U.S. Title Match

Miz got in MVP's face and went on a rant, concluding with, "Do you understand me, boy?!" Do we have to go there, even as a heel? Striker said Miz is taking heat for mentoring someone like Bryan with ten years of experience on the indy scene and minor leagues, but "that's nothing compared to the WWE." This is the most acknowledgment WWE has ever made of the indy scene. When Lawler compared MVP and Tiger Woods, Cole said, "Don't get me started. At least MVP doesn't have to read his apology." At 3:00 Miz began sustained offense for several minutes. When he settled into a mat hold, the crowd chanted, "MVP, MVP." Striker said, "Henry holds records in the snatch and the clean-and-jerk. King, no comments." King asked what he'd so with clean-and-jerk. "Hey, you're a jerk?" Striker added: "Then I took a shower." Okay, okay kids. This isn't eighth grade. At 8:00, Show taunted the crowd as Miz climbed to the top rope. MVP knocked Miz off balance. MVP then set up a superplex. Miz headbutted out of it, then set up his own top rope. MVP charged up to the top and tossed him overhead to the mat. MVP crawled over and made the cover. Miz kicked out. Miz came up bleeding from his forehead. Lawler said he was never a fan of the headbutt, citing Miz opening himself up with the headbutt. He said Harley Race was a master of the move, though. MVP made a full comeback and went into his Ballin' routine. Miz grabbed the bottom rope. Big Show yanked Miz out of the ring. MVP slidekicked Show form behind. Henry yanked Show into the ringpost. When Henry charged at Show, Show side-stepped him and sent him through the ring barrier. MVP returned to the ring to battle Miz. MVP went for a big boot in the corner, but Miz moved. Show gave MVP the KO punch as Miz distracted the referee for the pin. Show proudly held up Miz's U.S. Title belt after the match as a WWE medic tended to Miz's cut.

WINNER: Miz in 12:00 to retain the U.S. Title.

STAR RATING: **1/4 -- Slow start, but solid overall match.

5 -- SMACKDOWN ELIMINATION CHAMBER (Undertaker, C.M. Punk, John Morrison, Rey Mysterio, R-Truth, Chris Jericho)

Rey Mysterio came out first, followed by Morrison, then Undertaker, then Punk. Punk did mic work, telling his opponents that when they wake up tomorrow as losers, don't think of themselves as failures, but rather think of him saving them. When he talked about them drowning themselves in a sea of alcohol and prescription medication, R-Truth interrupted and sang his way to the ring.

The first two to fight were Punk and R-Truth. Truth catapulted Punk into the fence a minute in. Punk made a comeback and gave Truth his Go To Sleep to eliminate him in the opening five minutes. That's a twist on how the first EC went earlier. Punk then did some mic work as the five minute countdown continued before anyone could enter to face him. After catching his breath, Punk told Taker to pray his pod door opens last. He said when he comes out, he'll make him tap just like he did before. He said he'll prove to Morrison that his decadent rock life will get him nowhere. He said he'll prove that "Straight Edge means I'm better than you."

After some rapid-fire back and forth action, Rey took Punk off the top rope with a kick and then head scissored him to the platform at ringside. Punk landed on his back and rolled into the ring. Rey did his slingshot splash for the pin at 9:00. The clock finished the countdown and in came Jericho. After a few minutes of back and forth action, Jericho applied the Walls of Jericho. Then the next to enter was Morrison, leaving Undertaker the last to enter.

Morrison broke up the Walls of Jericho. Jericho took control against Morrison as Rey recovered at ringside. Rey re-entered the ring with a head scissors on Jericho. Jericho responded with a backdrop over the top rope. Morrison then knocked Jericho out of the ring and worked over Rey with some flashy moves. The crowd was pretty quiet, waiting for Taker to enter. Jericho intercepted a charging Rey with a backbreaker for a near fall. All three continued taking turns hitting moves on the others. Morrison held onto the top rope when Rey went for a move off the top rope. He then hit Starship pain for the pin.

That left Morrison and Jericho, with Taker about to enter the match. Jericho put Morrison in the Walls of Jericho just before Taker entered. When Taker was released into the ring, Jericho released the Walls and went after Taker. Taker floored him with a boot to the face and knocked Morrison to ringside. He went for an early pin on Jericho, scoring a two count. At 23:00 Taker clotheslined Morrison in the corner twice, then Snake Eyed Morrison. Morrison fired right back with a roundkick to Taker's head. Morrison clutched his injured right ankle. He was slow to his feet and went for his finisher off the top rope. Taker lifted his knees. Then he sat up. Jericho stopped in his tracks when he saw that and hid in a pod. The crowd laughed. Taker was slow to get up and seemed a bit off balance. Taker threw Morrison to ringside and then set up a powerbomb. Jericho intervened, tackling Taker into the fence. Jericho then threw Taker head-first into the pod's plexiglass at 26:00. Taker surprised Morrison with a chokeslam onto the steel platform at ringside. He dragged him back into the ring, folded his arms over his chest, and scored the pin at 28:00.

Taker dropped his straps and stared down Jericho. Jericho was reluctant to get into the ring. Taker waved him in. The crowd chanted, "Un-Der-Taker! Un-Der-Taker!" Taker caught a charging Jericho with a punch and dominated offense. Jericho avoided a big boot charge in the corner by Taker. Jericho took control and applied the Walls of Jericho. Taker powered himself over and slipped into his Hell's Gate. Jericho used the ropes to leverage himself free. Taker set up a Tombstone, but Jericho slipped out and hit the Code Breaker. Taker went down and looked to be KO'd. Jericho crawled over to Taker and scored a believable near fall. Taker's kickout popped the crowd. Taker came back with a Last Ride. As Taker set up Jericho for a finisher, Shawn Michaels popped up from under the steel platform and hit Taker with Sweet Chin Music. Jericho made the cover and won the title. Michaels stood over Taker and stared down at him as Jericho's music played and he celebrated his way to the back. The show ended with an unflattering angle of Michaels from underneath his nose as he looked down at Taker.

WINNER: Jericho in 35:00 to capture the World Hvt. Title.

STAR RATING: ***1/2

PWTORCH LIVECAST (Monday-Friday 5:30-6:30 ET)

Wade Keller hosts the PWTorch Livecast every weekday from 5:39-6:30 ET. He is joined by a rotation of guest cohosts who take questions from live callers, emailers, and the Livecast chatroom. You can listen to the archives from our first two months right now. Just click here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pro-wrestling-torch

The Livecast is mobile-phone friendly, so just log onto the above URL and bookmark it on your phone (or save on your iPhone home screen) to listen live or on delay in the archives.

If you're a fan of UFC or Mixed Martial Arts in general, check out our new MMATorch Livecast, also. It debuted this weekend with a pre-UFC 110 and post-UFC 110 Roundtable with Wade Keller, Jamie Penick, Shawn Ennis, Lane Bradford, and Jason Schielke participating. Just click here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mmatorch

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