WWE Elimination Chamber 2014 had three above-average to extraordinary matches. Those three matches may have made the PPV worth watching, but once again, Daniel Bryan and the WWE Universe were screwed by questionable booking.
Are we really going to see Randy Orton (c) vs. Batista for the WWE World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 30? I refuse to believe this main event will take place because the WWE undoubtedly knows that the fans in New Orleans will completely shit on the match. They’ll be chanting “boring” and “Boo-Tista” from start to finish, much like they did last night in Minneapolis.
The main event looks to be set, so the next few weeks of Raw will surely be interesting, especially if they keep this Orton vs. Batista bout. Hell, even good ol’ Jim Ross thinks that the creative team is going to be making some changes. Let’s hope for the best!
There were a total of eight matches that took place at the Target Center. I have graded each of them and have expressed my thoughts. Please feel free to leave a comment letting me know your thoughts on the Elimination Chamber PPV. I’ll be sure to respond to as many comments as I can.
Rhodes Brothers vs. Rybaxel (Kickoff)
Goldust and Cody Rhodes have been nearly flawless in their matches since becoming a tag team. They are an extremely entertaining duo and the chemistry between the two brothers seems to make each and every match their in more intriguing.
There was nothing special about this particular match, though. There was one impressive spot, where Cody leaped off the top rope, but Axel reversed the high-flying maneuver into a Power Bomb in one fluid motion. Cody pinned Axel after reversing Axel’s finisher and then planting Cross Rhodes.
Match Rating: C
Reaction: The only intriguing part about this match was that Rybaxel was accompanied by Larry “The Axe” Hennig, who I’d like to see as the tag team’s full-time manager. Perhaps he can burst onto the scene and become an on-screen presence, much like Zeb Colter has for the Real Americans. Anybody know if Larry Hennig is a good talker?
Big E. Langston (c) vs. Jack Swagger (Intercontinental Championship)
Langston had the early advantage as he hit Swagger with two quick Belly to Belly Suplexes. Swagger slid out of the ring on multiple occasions to reconcile with Zeb Colter and the crowd let out a roar of boo’s. After Langston had the upper hand for a good two three minutes, Swagger changed the tide and started to dominate throughout the rest of the match.
Swagger hit Langston with multiple stiff clotheslines and a Spine Buster before Langston Speared Swagger, who was standing on the ring apron, onto the arena floor. Both men came crashing down and the crowd went wild. After multiple near-falls and false finishes, Langston reversed the Patriot Lock, hit the Big Ending and retained the Intercontinental Title.
Match Rating: B+
Reaction: Big E. Langston had the match of his career as he successfully retained the Intercontinental Championship by defeating Jack Swagger, who looked mightily impressive as well. This bout didn’t have a “big match” feel to it, but both superstars worked together to put on one hell of an entertaining show that had the crowd anticipating what was going to come next.
Swagger locked in the Patriot Lock multiple times and looked to be inches away from picking up a victory. I’d love to see a rematch between these two, and not just a five minute squash match on SmackDown.
Bad News Barrett: Wade Barrett says that Russia won more medals than the United States at the Sochi Olympics, proving that European’s are more talented than Americans when it comes to sports.
New Age Outlaws (c) vs. The Usos (WWE Tag Team Titles)
Jey Uso and Road Dogg started the match and Jey was on fire from the very start. He attempted a Super Kick to both members of the Outlaws, but the wily vets rolled out of the ring. After Road Dogg and Billy Gunn gained the upper hand, Jey made a hot tag to his brother and Jimmy hit a Bubba Bomb to Billy Gunn and then threw Road Dogg out of the ring in quick succession.
Billy attempted a Fame Asser, but Jimmy moved out of the way and executed a beautiful Super Kick, but only got a two count. The match ended with Billy Gunn rolling up Jimmy Uso, resulting in the New Age Outlaws retaining their titles.
Match Rating: B-
Reaction: I am starting to become a big fan of the Usos. They have been consistent since the day they arrived as a tag team on WWE TV and I would have loved to see them win the Tag Titles. I’m a bit surprised that the New Age Outlaws are heading into WrestleMania as the champions.
Who knows, there is still over a month of WWE TV left before WrestleMania 30 and a lot can happen in that time. Regardless, I’m positive that the New Age Outlaws will put over their opponents, whoever they are, at Mania and have one last memorable WrestleMania moment.
Bad News Barrett: Wade Barrett says that Daniel Bryan will not be winning the Elimination Chamber and the fans will turn on him and the Yes Movement will officially be over.
Darren Young vs. Titus O’Neil
Darren Young attacked Titus early on in the match, but his momentum was cut short after Titus reverses an Irish Whip, resulting in Darren hitting the corner turnbuckle and flying over the top rope a la Shawn Michaels (I’m not comparing Darren Young to Shawn Michaels, I’m just trying to explain what happened and Michaels’ is famous for bumping like crazy when being thrown into the corner turnbuckle!).
Darren hit a nice Reverse Neck Breaker to Titus while they were both standing on the ring apron, but Titus kicked out. The match came to a close after Titus hit his Clash of the Titus finishing maneuver, which looked extra devastating.
Match Rating: C
Reaction: Now, let me start off by saying that this wasn’t a bad match at all. However, the crowd was literally dead and wasn’t into the bout at all, which made the match look a lot worse than it really was. Clearly, Titus O’Neil is going places and I’m assuming that the feud between the former Prime Time Playa members is over with.
I think both Darren and Titus are phenomenal athletes and have the talent to entertaining millions of fans, millions of fans, millions of fans, but considering Titus has a more distinctive look, he’s the one getting the push. I think both of these guys have outstanding charisma.
Bad News Barrett: Wade Barrett announces that his rising podium has stopped working and that the electricians in Minnesota are just as bad as the NFL team. Barrett says that Hogan is returning to the WWE and that he once had a red spotlight, but that spotlight has been taken over by a charismatic superstar who has loads of wrestling ability, himself.
