Top 5 performers in the WWE Elimination Chamber
In a couple of weeks, we will see one of the most ingenious ideas of WWE taking its form as an entire PPV. The Elimination Chamber has provided us with a lot of entertainment over the course of a decade, originating in 2002, and now is a PPV on its own. Although some people think it’s an over kill to make the concept a PPV, WWE has seen a fair amount of success with this idea, and this year, the Elimination Chamber will determine the number 1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. Now, if you ask me, I like the old theme of No Way Out, featuring the Elimination Chamber match, but as it stands, WWE has been successful in selling it as an entire PPV.
The EC has seen some tremendous athletes giving us memorable moments. Who can forget JoMo’s amazing spiderman-esque skills while climbing to the top of the structure?
Randy Orton, Kane, Daniel Bryan, Jack Swagger and The Great Khali are confirmed for this year’s Elimination Chamber. In this article, I look back at the top 5 performers in the history of the Elimination Chamber.
5. Chris Jericho
At the Royal Rumble, Chris Jericho had made his return to the surprise of Ziggler, and received the biggest pop of the night. Jericho looks to be in the best shape of his career, and although there isn’t a RAW Elimination Chamber, Chris Jericho has earned his spot in the top 5 performers. It’s a relatively less known fact that Jericho has the most number of eliminations in the Elimination Chamber, thus proving his worth inside the steel structure. Chris Jericho also has a win under his belt in the chamber, when he won the World Heavyweight championship back in ’10.
This year will see Jericho facing Dolph Ziggler at the PPV. Although this match hasn’t been advertised yet, this would be the plan of WWE for the Jericho – Ziggler feud, which would likely culminate in a match at Wrestlemania. Whatever the match may be, rest assured Jericho will steal the spotlight, and put on the match of the night.
4. Shawn Michaels
Arguably the greatest competitor in the world of professional wrestling, the ‘Heart Break Kid’ Shawn Michaels had retired due to his back injury. But as it turned out, he would come back and perform better than he ever did for the next 8 years. Shawn Michaels was a phenomenal athlete, and is one of the best in-ring performers that the WWE had ever witnessed. He had competed in the very first Elimination Chamber back in 2002 at the Survivor Series, during his feud with Triple H. This would also mark HBK’s first title run after he returned as a full time performer.
In the very first Elimination Chamber match, HBK was accompanied by his then on-screen rival and the then World Heavyweight champion, Triple H, along with the likes of Chris Jericho, Kane, Booker T and RVD. That was the first time the WWE had tested waters with the new concept, and sure enough, it was a huge success.
3. Edge
Known as the ‘Ultimate Opportunist’ and the ‘Rated R Superstar’, Edge has been one of the greatest WWE superstars of all time. His ‘Live Sex celebration’ with Lita dragged a staggering 5.2 rating, the highest at that point, and a number WWE can only imagine of doing now. Edge is also a multi time former WWE Champion and World Heavyweight champion, and has been a part of one of the most successful tag teams in the history of WWE.
Edge also has 2 victories at the Elimination Chamber, and one when he cashed in his MITB contract as soon as Cena won the WWE title. This ranks Edge at number 3 in my list of top 5 performers in the Elimination Chamber. Even though he won’t be taking part in any more of the chamber matches, he will go down as one of the best participants of the chamber match.
2. John Cena
There isn’t a need for introduction for John Cena. Whether you like him or you hate him, you cannot ignore him. Cena has been the flag bearer of the company for over 7 years now, and has done a tremendous job carrying the company. Although he is regarded as one of the most controversial (in WWE’s terms) superstar of all time, Cena has also been one of the most hard working individuals in the WWE in the past decade.
John Cena has also been involved in 4 chamber matches. Although this year he won’t be participating in the chamber match, he finds himself at number 2 in the list. There is no clear indication as to what Cena’s role will be in the PPV, but with Taker unlikely for this year’s Wrestlemania, Cena will somehow likely be included in the Rock – Punk rematch, thus setting up a Rock – Cena – Punk match at Wrestlemania (Has to be the only alternative for the WWE). Time will only tell if this will happen or not, but Punk’s push cannot come to an abrupt halt. Either way, Cena has won 3 of the 4 elimination chamber matches he was involved in, with a 75% win percentage, which is hard to beat.
1. Triple H
At number 1, to no one’s surprise, is the Game, Triple H. Triple H was also involved in the very first Elimination Chamber match at Survivor Series 2002, along with the eventual winner Shawn Michaels. He has also made the second most number of appearances in the chamber, with 6, right after Chris Jericho, who has appeared 7 times in the Chamber matches.
Triple H has won the chamber match 4 times, more than anyone else, which gets him to the top of the mountain in the current list. His last Chamber win came in ’09, when he won the WWE title. One of the most memorable moments in the chamber involves Triple H, as a bloody Shawn Michaels delivered a Sweet Chin Music to Triple H, pinning him for the World Heavyweight title.