WWE Elimination Chamber PPV Report
May 31, 2015
Corpus Christi, Tex.
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

PPV Pre-Show on WWE Network

The pre-show panel inside the arena was Renee Young with Booker T, Byron Saxton, and Corey Graves. They started with a look at the Chamber structure hanging above the arena. Since this event was originally scheduled as a basic weekend house show, it looked like WWE did some creative re-arranging to make the arena look like a TV/PPV set-up.

Renee went right to the "breaking news" of Rusev being pulled from the Elimination Chamber IC Title match after being injured on Smackdown. They went to WWE website footage of Rusev walking backstage on crutches, then having his ankle/foot checked on. Cameras focused on immediate swelling to Rusev's foot. Renee went to the panel to discuss who might replace Rusev in the Chamber match. Booker claimed to have inside information that it will be a former World champion.

Off to Tom Phillips at the social media lounge. Phillips plugged a Q&A with Lana later in the pre-show. Phillips teased an update on Rusev's injury situation.

Backstage, Kane was on the phone. New Day then walked in for a conversation. They noted they did Kane a favor on Smackdown, so they want their backs scratched. Kane said The Authority is considering options to reward New Day. In the meantime, all three of them will be able to compete in the Elimination Chamber Tag Title match. Xavier Woods wanted a bigger pod, which angered Kane. He teased having them start the match and have to go through every other tag team, but Big E. and Kofi Kingston covered Xavier's mouth and gladly accepted the pod.

Next was a video preview of John Cena vs. Kevin Owens. Then, Renee announced a new pre-show match of Stardust vs. Zack Ryder.

Announcers: Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and JBL were shown ringside to introduce the pre-show match. Out came Zack Ryder first. WWE reviewed Ryder challenging John Cena for the U.S. Title on Raw after getting the support of the "Entourage" cast. Stardust was out next fresh off an issue with Stephen Amell from the "Arrow" show.

A -- ZACK RYDER vs. STARDUST

Basic back-and-forth start to the match warming up the crowd. The announcers also warmed up by talking about everything except for the match. Ryder landed a big dropkick off the ring apron, putting both men down on the floor. Back in the ring, Ryder wanted the Broski Boot, and he connected, but Stardust kicked out of a pin attempt. The announcers talked up Stephen Amell wanting to get involved in WWE. "Really involved," Lawler said. They made it quite obvious that Amell is lined up for a deal with Stardust. Stardust then nailed Ryder with Cross Rhodes for the pin and the win, catching the announcers's attention mid-argument.

WINNER: Stardust at 6:12.

Next was Tom Phillips at the social media lounge with Lana. Tom tried to get info from Lana on Rusev's injury, but Lana said she doesn't have any update since they are no longer together. Tom then read a question about what Lana sees in Ziggler. Lana said Ziggler is funny, makes her laugh, and is good-looking. Tom followed up on whether she is just using him or has genuine interest in Dolph. Lana tried to find the right way to say she's not really interested in Dolph since he's only good for selfies. Asked if she has embraced the U.S.A. since the audience embraced her, Lana said she has decided to be less judgmental, especially after seeing how Rusev judged her. Babyface transition step. How does it feel to be free of Rusev? Lana said she will move forward in life, be happy, and be free. A lot of platitudes as the basis of her babyface-ish character.

MizTV w/Daniel Bryan

Back in the arena, Summer Rae was in the ring to set up Miz TV. Summer did a dramatic introduction for The Miz. Out came Miz dressed in a heelish, over-the-top, weird-looking outfit. Miz entered the ring and told the crowd to stop booing Summer Rae (as opposed to him). Miz plugged their recent Marine 3 movie available at major retailers, including Redbox.

Miz then welcomed everyone to Miz TV. Miz said he's been off filming a movie and while he was away, this important piece of business occurred. Miz rolled footage of Daniel Bryan relinquishing the Intercontinental Title. Back in the arena, Miz welcomed out D-Bryan. Out came Bryan in dress clothes doing the "Yes!" chant on the way down to ringside.

Bryan entered the ring and sat down in a chair opposite Miz, who waited out a "Daniel Bryan" chant. Miz said they've had a lot of issues in the past, but from the bottom of his heart, he wishes Bryan a speedy recovery. Bryan wasn't sure whether to take him seriously. "Yes!" chants from the crowd. Miz then asked Bryan how he's doing. Miz spoke over Bryan's answer, drawing boos. Miz said this has been a very difficult time for him because he mentored Bryan and made him the star he is now. Miz said it's so tragic that Bryan's career is over, but he feels like the victim.

Miz asked Bryan what's next for him. "First off, my career is not over," Bryan declared. "I will be back." But, while he's been gone, he wrote a book. Bryan hyped the autobiography, prompting Miz to reply that usually when people write books, their careers are over. Miz said he thinks this is where he can come in and help him. See, Bryan has a Five-Hour Energy promotion, yet he's not wearing merchandise or guzzling a drink right now. Miz, dressed like a goof, ran down Bryan for his attire. He said Bryan should be dressing like a WWE Superstar, not like a fan. Miz talked about being golden-brown because he has a team of people who work for him. He said the things he could do for Bryan will improve his image and make him millions of dollars. "Miz, shut up!" Bryan interrupted. "Yes!" shouts from the crowd as Miz pouted in his chair.

Bryan said he came here to present the IC Title to the winner of the Chamber match. And, just to re-iterate to Miz and everyone else, his career is not over. "I will be back!" he declared again. Miz replied that normally when someone interrupts him, he would stand up and smack him in the face. But, Bryan is lucky that he is not medically cleared for physical activity. So, Bryan should just listen to his advice. Bryan replied that no one wants to hear Miz's advice and he believes that Miz TV is boring. So, he came up with a way better idea to fix this.

Bryan snapped his finger and out came Damien Sandow now dressed as Macho Mandow, drawing a thousand-yard angry stare from Miz seeing his former associate/assistant. Curtis Axel, as Hulk Hogan, joined Sandow on the stage, then Sandow stormed the ring to attack Miz. Sandow and Axel double-teamed Miz, then Axel dropped the leg on Miz. Hogan's music played, then Axel and Sandow prevented Bryan from leaving the ring. All three did the Hogan poses, setting up Bryan interacting with the real Hulk Hogan on the forthcoming Tough Enough show.

THE NEWS: Bryan said his career is not over and he implied that he will return to the ring.

Backstage: Eden Stiles welcomed in Dean Ambrose to discuss his WWE World Title shot tonight against Seth Rollins. Ambrose said he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. He said he is focused, even calm. On the other hand, he's feeling a lot of pressure right here in his guts. You know what that is? Bubbling anger toward The Authority. And the only reliefs are punching Rollins in the face and taking the WWE World Title. Eden asked Dean if he anticipates The Authority plotting a way to make sure Seth retains the title. Ambrose said of course he anticipates that. Don't you watch this show? Dean said he's just going to come out swinging.

Suddenly, Roman Reigns walked into the camera shot. He asked Dean if he has the ice and the cold ones. Naaaah, Ambrose sheepishly replied. That's okay because Reigns already took care of it. Reigns said he's in Dean's corner tonight, so Dean just has to worry about Seth and he'll take care of the rest.

In-ring: JBL stood inside the Elimination Chamber structure to discuss the structure and preview the IC Title and Tag Title Chamber matches. And that wrapped up the pre-show.

In-between the pre-show and main PPV, they ran a Brock Lesnar teaser set to a general WWE Network spot.

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