Thumbs Up
Best Match: Raw Elimination Chamber
Worst Match: Swagger / Gabriel
Thoughts:
After paying money for their last PPV Royal Rumble, my standards have fallen. As a whole, I enjoyed this show. At no time did I feel that was my intelligence insulted. The only downside would have to be putting the RAW chamber match on first. Call me old school, but I like a gradual build to a show. All things considered, the RAW guys worked their butts off. I like the Jericho injury angle because he can now (assumingly) say he was never legitimately pinned in the match. I like the idea of keeping the belt on Punk. It makes the title more meaningful when guys aren’t losing the championship every other PPV.
The Divas match was okay for what it was. I like how they continue to push Beth as a monster, presumably leading to Beth vs Kharma match for WM.
I am not usually a fan of video packages, but I enjoyed the gym segment featuring Cena. The guy is an absolute monster in the gym and it adds a much needed degree of realism, pushing for the big match with Rock in 6 weeks.
The Smackdown Chamber match started off horrible but the end was fantastic. Santino came off a huge star, which kind of says a lot these days at the caliber of talent in current WWE. Thank God Khali went out early, the poor oaf could barely move out there. I’m not really too invested in a Shameus/Bryan match at WM but at least they have 6 weeks to build to it.
The Kane/Cena match was as good as it probably could have been. No real swerves and in the end, the right guy won. I wonder how Zack Ryder will be involved, moving forward, if at all.
Overall, a thumbs up show. I was thoroughly entertained for 3 hours and that’s all I can ask for these days, when watching a WWE PPV.
Thanks,
Rick Marshbanks
WWE Elimination Chamber
Thumbs Up
Best Match: Smackdown chamber
Worst Match: Beth v Tamina
This card had lots of dead spots and exposed the lack of depth that plagues the roster.
When Santino Marella gets the last spot in a main event, because there isn't a better option, you know there's a need to start building for the future.
Jeff Cohen
Flushing, NY
| Hi Dave, Best Match: Smackdown Chamber Worst Match: Raw Chamber Watched with some friends, like hell I am paying 50+ for this show. I Didn't think they could put on a bad Elimination Chamber/No Way Out show but this time they did. Nothing really above average about this show with the exception of the Divas match and Smackdown chamber match ending. The Raw chamber match started out hot but as the match went on cooled off very quickly and the Jericho "injury" doesn't help their feud at all. The crowd lost interest in the match and nobody was surprised by the ending. Punk's elbow on Truth was horrible, Eric Young does better flying elbows at TNA house shows. I get that Jericho will tell Punk he was never pinned but he was knocked out, isn't that just as bad if not worse? I am hoping the injury angle had nothing to do with Sorensen, I will give the benefit of the doubt on that one. Disappointing match that I expected to be very good. It was average. The Divas match was actually decent, good heat, crowd cared somewhat. Wish Tamina played up the splash a little longer to get the crowd into it. She was doing it but jumped before the crowd was into it. Smackldown Chamber was horrible until the end and that is because of the crowd reactions to Santino. I heard boring chants during the match, and that was pretty accurate. Santino (and Bryan to an extent) saved this match. The good booking and taking advantage of a mainstream sports craze (ie Jeremy Lin) was impressive on WWE's part. Squash match which gets nobody over isn't my worst match because it wasn't disappointing as I thought the Raw chamber was. But the match was nothing special and builds towards nothing. Main Event wasn't bad, pretty much average. Hard work by both but this feud is awful. Not because of the wrestlers but the premise of the story, it is the shits. So overall this show gets a thumbs down. A decent Divas match, a horrible match that is saved at the end, a disappointing opening match and a bunch of promos and videos doesn't make for a good show. Still better than the Royal Rumble though. Slight Thumbs down. Keep up the great work, -Ryan McDeed WWE Elimination Chamber Feedback
Thumbs Up Best match: Raw Elimination Chamber Worst match: Beth Phoenix vs Tamina Snuka Hi Dave I enjoyed the show toinght, mostly the two chamber matches. I thought the Raw match was really well-worked with a lot of great action. I partially think it would have been better for Jericho to have been faking and come in to win the title and the finish was awkward for me as I was waiting for that. But Punk did really well and that match is set up well enough for me, especially as these two can really advance that story well if they are permitted to do so. The Smackdown match had some pretty good work and told a really good story. Khali should not have been in the match and I actually think Booker T would have been a better option. The Daniel Bryan win over Santino is what I would have gone with and it went over really well with the crowd at the theatre where I watched the show. Barrett was the star of the match overall and Big Show and Bryan were both great as well. Even though I assume it is leading to a multi-man match with overall general manager on the line, I have no idea why so much time or any time should have gone to the John Laurinitis stuff. Kane and Cena worked a good enough match but I have no interest in their feud. I was ready to leave after the Raw chamber but did enjoy their match enough. The two chamber matches do make this a thumbs up show for me though and I'm glad I watched it. Dave Musgrave Markham, Ontario WWE Elimination Chamber: Thumbs in the Middle
Best Match: Smackdown Chamber
Worst Match: Swagger vs. Gabriel
I was surprised to see the WWE Title match first as I thought that would be closing the show. I guessed Punk retaining and was right. I guess Jericho's "injury" will allow him to get another opportunity since he was never beat. Diva's match was fine. I like that Tamina Snuka is getting a push and I imagine they will meet again, even though Tamina was defeated clean. I don't like the way feuds go on forever after the same people get beat over and over and there is no reason for them to meet again especially when they got their title match and then lost and she have to go back to the end of the line. But it's been years since wins and losses counted for anything. Smackdown Chamber over all was good, but the first part was kind of slow and dull. I don't know why they needed Khali for this especially if he was going to be in it for a minute. People were into Santino, but did anyone really expect him to pull it off? I am glad that Bryan retained, although him vs. Sheamus doesn't seem like that great a match for Mania and doesn't Orton have to get involved so maybe they turn it into a triple threat. U.S. Title match was a joke. I hate when they throw these matches together on the pay per view. Couldn't they have given two seconds of thought and built up a match a few weeks in advance? Also this Natalya farting deal is beyond horrible. Who gets a U.S. Title match based on cheese and fart jokes? The interview segment with Johnny Laurinatis could have been on Raw. I am fine with Del Rio and Christian being back, but again it could have waited for tomorrow. So the big hyped announcement was Johnny saying that Teddy Long was not doing his job? Cena vs. Kane was actually pretty enjoyable. I was expecting another lousy match since this is the feud that goes on and on. Thought Ryder or Eve would be involved, but guess not. Overall a decent show, but not great.
Robb Block
Thumbs slightly up.
Best Match: Smackdown Elimination Chamber
Worst Match: Jack Swagger vs. Justin Gabriel
Raw Elimination Chamber - ****
-Entertaining match, there was more star power in this match. Creative ending to ensure Jericho gets a WM title match against Punk and Punk walks in as champion.
Beth Phoenix vs. Tamina - **1/4
-One of the better Diva matches we've had in a while on PPV. Tamina's just going to get better from here. Good match.
Smackdown Elimination Chamber - ****1/4
-The beginning was INCREDIBLY slow and made me think I was witnessing the worst Chamber of all time here, but once the Big Show/Daniel Bryan spot happened with Show breaking through the top of the pod, the match completely changed and the tempo was picked up. It became an exciting match and the crowd involvement was great when it came down to the end.
Jack Swagger vs. Justin Gabriel - 1/2*
-Seriously hate filler matches on PPVs, and this one was over cheese. Unbelievable. It was three minutes long, what do you expect?
John Cena vs. Kane - **3/4
-Just a brawl, that's all it was. The match was watchable, and had some nice spots like the chokeslam through the announce table and the AA off the top of the ambulance, but otherwise, just an average match, IMO.
Michael Nops I went to a friend's home to watch the PPV, and my grade:
Thumbs in the middle. Best Match: Surprisingly, the Smackdown Chamber for the World Heavyweight Title Worst Match: The Main Event : The Ambulance Match I was really impressed with the Smackdown Chamber match. Everyone, and I mean everyone, including Santino, even with his little comedy bits (pulling out the cobra glove, and all) gave a great effort, and worked an awesome match. I loved the spot where Big Show just crashed through the top of Bryan's pod to go get him. Everyone did great. Barrett especially shined in the match. The last few minutes with Santino and Bryan were fantastic. I had to get over Santino's being a comedy act, but that man can GO. WWE has to get this guy out of the comedy bit and put him in a more serious program. Both he and Bryan got that crowd going, and for a split second, when Santino got the Cobra spot, it looked like he was going to win, but alas, Bryan retained. I kind of wish they had not done the spot with Sheamus post match, but I guess Sheamus had to make his choice. Awesome match from the Smackdown crew. The worst match had to be that Main Event. I was not impressed at all with the Ambulance Match. I know you can only do so much with Kane, but this just bored me silly. I mean, even with some of the highspots like the wheelchair and Kane putting Cena through the table, and Cena FUing Kane from the top of the ambulance onto that space or whatever. However, this was just excrutiating to watch. I am glad the feud is (hopefully) over. The rest of the card: Tamina Snuka vs Beth Phoenix for the Diva's Title. Both ladies did a pretty good job. There was sloppiness in spots, but it was a pretty decent match. I figured Beth would retain. I liked this match a lot. Raw WWE Chamber. I guess WWE wanted to swerve the fans and have Punk retain, and Chris Jericho "injured" with that spot where Punk kicked Jericho out of the Chamber and Jericho hits his head. I guess it was too obvious that Jericho would beat Punk or whatever. Sometimes the obvious is the best way to go instead of trying to swerve fans and try to make a simple story into a huge operation. Anyway, the match itself was very good. Everyone worked well, and everyone did a great job. Of course, we had to have videos for the Rock, and videos pleading for fans to like John Cena. Enough already with those. After the Smackdown match, we had to be subjected to yet ANOTHER humiliating skit with Natalya Neidhart and that useless Hornswoggle who had a cheese head on his head and when he saw Natalya he said "Would you cut the cheese?" Good Lord. Who did she piss off to get stuck with that gimmick? Anyway, then we had a dumb skit with Vickie, Swagger, Teddy Long and Justin Gabriel and that set up a US Title match. What a dumb skit overall insulting Vickie as "ugly." Make them go away. The US Title Match was just so so with Swagger winning over Gabriel. The segment that I nearly gave Worst Match/Segment to was when Temporary Raw GM/VP of Talent Relations John Laurenaitus comes out with Otunga and calls for him to be the permanent GM of Raw AND Smackdown. I nearly threw up at the thought. Again, thank you Undertaker for pretty much interrupting Triple H when Triple H was about to fire this boring, no talent dipstick of a "GM." Laurenaitus just bores me silly as a GM character. Of course, a returning Alberto Del Rio, an injured Mark Henry, and the returning Christian come on to the ring and kiss Laurenaitus' ass, and complain about Teddy Long, and they all take this goofy photo. I just about died. I was wondering if we were watching an episode of Raw of Smackdown. This could have been saved for tomorrow on Raw or Tuesday on Smackdown. This did not belong on a PPV. They could have had another match. Michael Cole's going nuts made this worse. Flat out hated this segment, with the exception of being happy to see Christian and Del Rio back. I don't get the Jericho "injury." as far as Mania. I am suspecting with the nonsense with Johnny Ace that a 6 man tag is being set up for Mania to decide his fate. Three heels will be Team Johnny Ace and Three Faces will be Team Long. I am guessing that has to be the reason they did that stupid segment on this PPV. Terri Bey Thumbs up show. Best Match: Smackdown Chamber Match Worst Match: Jack Swagger vs. Justin Gabriel I enjoyed this show, but then again, I enjoy most WWE PPV shows. I just can't see the point in paying almost $60.00 to order these shows anymore when it's easily available on a stream or download while the show is taking place. At this point, I just watch the matches that interest me and then skim through the rest. As far as this actual show was concerned, I was disappointed with the opening match. I thought it would give the WWE Title match more heat going into Wrestlemania if Jericho won the title and Punk chased it. They should still have great promos though. I really enjoyed the Smackdown Chamber match. The last few minutes had great heat. I like the idea of Sheamus vs. Bryan at Wrestlemania for the World Title. There's already a story there (if they choose to use it) of those two guys getting bumped off the main card last year. Funny thing is...they'll probably open the show like the World Title match last year. -Charles Humphreys- Best match: SmackDown chamber Worst match: Cena vs. Kane I'm really glad they announced Cena vs. Rock a year out so I didn't have to tolerate WWE all year to see where they would go. This was the first PPV I've seen since Money in the Bank and it wasn't any good. The Raw chamber match was moving along well till the angle killed it dead. The main event would have been a letdown but I expected it to suck. I wanted Punk and Bryan to go into Mania as champs, since i am attending, and I got that, but one good match does not a good PPV make. Bryan got squashed by Big Show AND Sheamus. Sure, he's a heel, but that doesn't make the belt look like much. It wasn't that long ago he was known for his wrestling ability; it wouldn't hurt to keep a tiny bit of that in his character. Santino impressed me with his performance; hopefully he will get to wrestle more someday. The in-ring angle made me glad I watched this at a bar instead of paying however much they are these days, which is seriously way too much. $55, aren't they? There just wasn't much excitement or good wrestling on this show. There rarely is in WWE any more, which is why I pretty much follow it through this here Observer. I really wanted to like this show, but it didn't do much for me. I will give the Divas credit for putting on a better match than usual, but it was still a short, average match. It was nice to see champions retain for once, I will say that. Dustin Diaz Thumbs Up
Best Match: Smackdown Elimination Chamber
Worst Match: Jack Swagger vs. Justin Gabriel
I really enjoyed the show. Both of the chambers were very entertaining and I thought the booking going into Wrestlemania was very well done. It set up Daniel Bryan/Sheamus and CM Punk/Chris Jericho nicely while also teasing a Beth Phoenix program for Mania and a John Laurinitis vs. Teddy Long program. I actually thought the main event was a decent match and I didn't mind the Super Cena antics since he is main eventing Wrestlemania and was made to look very strong. The ending of the Smackdown Chamber was fantastic as Santino and Bryan both had a very good exchange and the crowd ate into it. Overall the show did everything it needed to do while at the same time putting on 2 great matches. I actually liked no title changes. They don't HAVE to be changed at this PPV every year.
Rick Cambo
Miami
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