WWE Elimination Chamber PPV results
February 23, 2014
Minneapolis, Minn. at the Target Center
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Hour 1 Results

The PPV opened with a video package highlighting the six competitors in the Elimination Chamber main event - WWE World champ Randy Orton, John Cena, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Sheamus, and Christian. The winner gets to shine on the biggest stage - WrestleMania 30. And, The Authority is lingering.

Live in the arena, pyro and fireworks shot off before Michael Cole introduced the Chamber PPV from "frigid" Minneapolis. After a pause, Lilian Garcia introduced the Intercontinental Title match starting the show.

Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter were introduced for the challenger's role. On the way to the ring, Zeb said the "E" in Big E. stands for "enough." Because Big E. has done nothing since becoming IC champion. Zeb cut a promo on Langston, but the material bombed and Swagger's half-closed eyes made him look bored as he stood behind Zeb. Zeb eventually went the illegal immigration route to try to involve the crowd, but no response. Zeb eventually got the crowd to join in by shouting "We The People."

IC champ Big E. was introduced next before WWE went to the Spanish announce table ringside, including Ricardo Rodriguez. Unfortunately, the Spanish announce crew didn't get the memo about Big E. no longer being Big E. Langston.

1 -- IC champion BIG E. vs. JACK SWAGGER (w/Zeb Colter) -- Intercontinental Title match

Swagger bailed early on to regroup with Zeb as the announcers hyped an NXT show on WWE Network this Thursday. Swagger re-entered the ring, then bailed again. Cole then hyped the NXT pre-show panel as Big E. worked on Swagger ringside. Zeb then confronted Big E., who teased taking a shot. After backing down Zeb, Big E. turned back to Swagger and speared him into the ring steps. The match moved to the other side of the ringside area, where Swagger took control. Zeb then taunted Big E. before Swagger rolled Big E. back into the ring.

Back in the ring, Swagger drew a reprimand from the referee, then continued the attack. Swagger delivered a big boot to the face for a nearfall, then tried to wear down Big E., but Big E. threw him across the ring. Double clothesline followed and both men sold on the mat. Swagger came up bleeding from the mouth, then the crowd picked up an ironic "We The People" chant, showing some life for the first time tonight.

Big E. tried to get the crowd behind him with a full comeback, but there wasn't much response. Big E. delivered a belly-to-belly suplex, then tried a running splash off the ropes, but Swagger popped up and bodyslammed Big E. for a nearfall. Swagger took a peek at the WM30 sign, then tried a corner attack, but Big E. blocked and proceeded to spear Swagger off the ring apron to the floor below, which got the crowd behind delivering a big move.

Back in the ring, Big E. scored a nearfall. Then, another big splash resulted in a two count. "Jack Swagger squashed," Lawler said. Big E. decided to try a top-rope move, but Swagger crotched him. Swagger then threw Big E. off the second rope to the mat for a two count. Swagger followed with a chopblock to the knee, then slapped on the Patriot Lock. Half of the visible crowd wanted Big E. to tap, while the other half wanted him to escape. Big E. managed to make his feet, balance himself, and kick Swagger in the head with his free leg to escape. Big E. followed up with the Big Ending for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Big E. at 11:50 to retain the IC Title. That ran the 0-10 scale throughout - some really slow moments, some good moments, somewhere in-between, and the cold crowd mainly reacting to cool moves rather than backing the babyface, Big E. Lots of work to be done truly connecting Big E. with the audience. (**)

Post-match: Wade Barrett's music played. From the staging area, "Bad News" Barrett smacked his gavel on his rising podium. No decorum requested tonight. Barrett said the Russia has won more gold medals than the U.S. at the Olympics and America will have to wait four whole years to do anything about it. Barrett said it proves European supremacy once again. What about Asia?

Announcers: Michael Cole hyped Hulk Hogan returning to WWE to host WrestleMania 30. WWE flashed through mainstream media coverage of Friday's announcement. And Hulk Hogan returns Monday night on Raw.

Backstage: Byron Saxton brought in Daniel Bryan. Bryan's left shoulder was taped and the crowd picked up "Yes!" chants in the background. Saxton asked Bryan what his mindset is not being 100 percent in the Elimination Chamber match tonight. Bryan said he doesn't know if he will walk out of the Chamber match as WWE champ, but the match will be painful, his opponents will go after his shoulder, and he will fight, scratch, and crawl to win this match and main event WrestleMania. The crowd joined Bryan in "Yes!" chants, which WWE showed as Bryan wrapped up his interview.

In-ring: Justin Roberts announced a Tag Title match up next. Out first were the champions, New Age Outlaws. Road Dogg talked up the champs, then handed it off to Billy Gunn for the closing intro line. The Usos then emerged on-stage for their war dance intro.

2 -- WWE tag champs NEW AGE OUTLAWS (ROAD DOGG & BILLY GUNN) vs. THE USOS -- WWE Tag Title match

Gunn dominated early on as the crowd tried to get an "Uuu-So!" chant going to create some energy in the building. The Usos teased a double splash to the outside, but the Outlaws avoided and regrouped on the outside. Gunn sold a shoulder injury, so he bailed to the floor and let Dogg enter. Dogg and Jey had a mini-dance battle, then Dogg chucked Jey across the ring right into the bottom turnbuckle. Ref Charles Robinson checked on Jey, who violently sold a knee injury.

Dogg chucked Uso to the floor, where Jey regrouped before Gunn smashed him into the ring apron. Back in the ring, Gunn wore down Jey as the announcers hyped Minnesota's history of great tag teams. The crowd then woke up with a "C-M Punk" chant, which the announcers ignored.

Jey eventually broke free of Gunn and tagged in Jimmy, who lit up Gunn with kicks and strikes. Jimmy chucked Dogg over the top rope to the floor, then kind of delivered a Samoan Drop as Gunn fell down to the mat. Chaos on the floor, then chaos back in the ring. Jimmy was distracted by Dogg, then Gunn rolled up Uso from behind for a quick three count.

WINNERS: Outlaws at 8:34 to retain the WWE Tag Titles. It's still unfathomable that the Outlaws are in this position two months after their nostalgia appearance on the "Old School" Raw. Not good. (*1/2)

Post-match: Bad News Barrett interrupted again. No rising podium this time. Barrett said he has come down to the audience's level to deliver some bad news to Daniel Bryan Fans. See, Bryan will not be winning the WWE World Title this evening (boos). Of course, you fickle fans will turn on him and the "Yes! Movement" will cease to exist. To which he says "Yes!" The crowd responded with "No!"

Announcers: Cole, Lawler, and JBL re-hyped the WWE Network. So far, this PPV feels like one of those 2010s TNA PPVs where the crew is just trying to get through the PPV and is focused on the next day (in this case, WWE Network).

In-ring: Prime Time Players's music played. Out came Darren Young, who tried to find some ringside fans to knock fists with on the way to the ring. Before Titus O'Neil came out, WWE rolled footage from Smackdown when Titus turned on D-Young and broke up the tag team. Titus was then introduced to the ring for a battle of Miami vs. Tampa.

3 -- TITUS O'NEIL vs. DARREN YOUNG

D-Young threw his t-shirt at Titus before the bell sounded. On commentary, Cole asked JBL if he ever would have done something like dump his APA partner Ron Simmons to go on to bigger and better things. Cole walked right into that one, as that's exactly what JBL's character did ten years ago. The crowd picked up a "We Want Lesnar" chant early on. The chant drowned out, then Titus chucked D-Young clear over the top rope to the floor. Meanwhile, Lawler cracked jokes about "Hidden Valley Ranch" salad dressing.

Back in the ring, Titus put D-Young in an abdominal stretch, then slapped Young's chest. Meanwhile, the announcers talked about who's picking up the tab with Ric Flair. D-Young teased a comeback, but sold a shoulder injury. Young delivered right hand blows, then landed a short-arm clothesline. No crowd reaction here. Young mounted Titus for right hand blows, but Titus threw him off. Young couldn't follow up with more offense, then Titus ended the match with Clash of the Titus. "I guess Darren was the dead weight," JBL said, adding insult to injury on D-Young.

WINNER: Titus at 6:17. (*1/2)

Post-match: Wade Barrett's music interrupted again. It was so quiet in the arena that noise from Barrett's gavel bounced around the arena. Barrett made an NFL joke, then referenced Hulk Hogan returning to WWE, which drew little reaction. Barrett said Hogan pales in comparison to him. "Thank you very much!" he said.

All-Star Panel: Josh Mathews brought in Mark Henry, The Miz, and Rey Mysterio to react to the first hour of the PPV. They tried to muster some energy discussing events.

Video Package: The Wyatts vs. The Shield.

END OF THE FIRST HOUR. SECOND HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES AT PWTORCH.COM...

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