Elimination Chamber is a WWE pay-per-view which replaced No Way Out in 2010 and has been a staple of the calendar ever since (with the exception of 2016).
The name of the event comes from the eponymous gimmick match. The match was created by Triple H and was introduced by Eric Bischoff in November 2002. It features a large chain-linked circular steel structure, which encloses the ring. The chamber's floor is platformed over the ringside area which elevates it to ring level. Within the chamber are four inner enclosures outside each ring corner. The original structure was 16 ft high (now 26 ft), 36 ft in diameter, weighed over 10 short tons, and comprised 2 mi, and 6 short tons of chain.
While similar to Hell in a Cell in nature, the Elimination Chamber match is a multiple participant match, wherein two participants begin the match in the ring as the remaining four are held within each inner enclosure and are released into the match every five minutes. There are no count-outs or disqualifications. The objective is to eliminate each opponent from the match via pinfall or submission.
The concept of the pay-per-view event is that one or two main event matches are contested inside the Elimination Chamber, either with championships or future opportunities at championships at stake.
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Elimination Chamber matches outside of the PPV
- Survivor Series 2002 — Shawn Michaels d. Triple H (c), Chris Jericho, Kane, Booker T, and Rob Van Damnote
- SummerSlam 2003 — Triple H (c) d. Goldberg, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton, and Kevin Nashnote
- New Year's Revolution 2005 — Triple H d. Randy Orton, Batista, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and Edgenote
- New Years Revolution 2006 — John Cena (c) d. Carlito, Chris Masters, Shawn Michaels, Kane, and Kurt Anglenote
- ECW December To Dismember 2006 — Bobby Lashley d. Big Show (c), Test, Rob Van Dam, Hardcore Holly, and CM Punknote
- No Way Out 2008:
- Smackdown and ECW Elimination Chamber — The Undertaker d. Batista, Finlay, Montel Vontavious Porter, The Great Khali and Big Daddy Vnote
- RAW Elimination Chamber — Triple H d. Jeff Hardy, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Umaga and JBLnote
- No Way Out 2009:
- Smackdown Elimination Chamber — Triple H d. Edge (c), The Undertaker, Jeff Hardy, Big Show and Vladimir Kozlovnote
- RAW Elimination Chamber — Edge d. John Cena (c), Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, Mike Knox and Kanenote
Elimination Chamber matches of the PPV
- Elimination Chamber 2010:
- RAW Elimination Chamber — John Cena d. Sheamus (c), Triple H, Kofi Kingston, Ted DiBiase and Randy Ortonnote
- SmackDown Elimination Chamber — Chris Jericho d. The Undertaker (c), John Morrison, Rey Mysterio, CM Punk and R-Truthnote
- Elimination Chamber 2011:
- SmackDown Elimination Chamber — Edge (c) d. Rey Mysterio, Kane, Drew McIntyre, Big Show and Wade Barrettnote
- RAW Elimination Chamber — John Cena d. CM Punk, John Morrison, Sheamus, Randy Orton and R-Truthnote
- Elimination Chamber 2012:
- CM Punk (c) d. The Miz, Chris Jericho, Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler and R-Truthnote
- Daniel Bryan (c) d. Santino Marella, Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Big Show and The Great Khalinote
- Elimination Chamber 2013: Jack Swagger d. Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, Kane and Daniel Bryannote
- Elimination Chamber 2014: Randy Orton (c) d. Daniel Bryan, John Cena, Cesaro, Christian and Sheamusnote
- Elimination Chamber 2015:
- The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods) (c) d. The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O'Neil), Tyson Kidd and Cesaro, The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor), The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara) and Los Matadores (Diego and Fernando)note
- Ryback d. Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Mark Henry, R-Truth and King Barrettnote
- Elimination Chamber 2017: Bray Wyatt d. John Cena (c), AJ Styles, The Miz, Dean Ambrose and Baron Corbinnote
- Elimination Chamber 2018:
- Alexa Bliss (c) d. Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James, Sonya Deville and Mandy Rosenote
- Roman Reigns d. Braun Strowman, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, John Cena, Elias, and The Miznote
- Elimination Chamber 2019:
- Sasha Banks and Bayley d. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville, Nia Jax and Tamina, The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan), The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) and Naomi and Carmellanote
- Daniel Bryan (c) d. Kofi Kingston, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy and Samoa Joenote
- Elimination Chamber 2020:
- The Miz and John Morrison (c) d. The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston), The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), Heavy Machinery (Otis and Tucker), Lucha House Party (Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik) and Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roodenote
- Shayna Baszler d. Natalya, Liv Morgan, Asuka, Ruby Riott, and Sarah Logannote
- Elimination Chamber 2021:
- Daniel Bryan d. Kevin Owens, Jey Uso, King Corbin, Sami Zayn, and Cesaro
- Drew McIntyre (c) d. Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, Kofi Kingston and Sheamusnote
- Elimination Chamber 2022:
- Bianca Belair d. Alexa Bliss, Doudrop, Liv Morgan, Nikki A.S.H., and Rhea Ripleynote
- Brock Lesnar d. Bobby Lashley (c), AJ Styles, Austin Theory, Riddle, and Seth "Freakin'" Rollinsnote
- Elimination Chamber 2023:
- Asuka d. Liv Morgan, Nikki Cross, Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya, and Carmellanote
- Austin Theory (c) d. Bronson Reed, Damien Priest, Johnny Gargano, Montez Ford, and Seth "Freakin'" Rollinsnote
Elimination Tropes:
The pay-per-views (including non-Chamber matches)
- A Day in the Limelight: A non-character example. For the most part, the world titles (WWE / World Heavyweight Championship) were the only ones defended inside the chamber, but the 2015 event marked the first time in history that the Tag Team Championships and later the Intercontinental Championship were defended inside the chamber.
- The Bad Guy Wins:
- 2010: Batista defeated John Cena to win the WWE Championship in an impromptu match, and Chris Jericho defeated CM Punk (with Luke Gallows and Serena), John Morrison, Rey Mysterio, R-Truth and The Undertaker (c) to win the World Heavyweight Championship, after Shawn Michaels superkicked the Undertaker.
- 2013: Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) defeated Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan, Kane, Mark Henry and Randy Orton to earn the World Heavyweight Championship opportunity.
- 2014: Randy Orton (c) defeated Cesaro (with Zeb Colter), Christian, Daniel Bryan, John Cena and Sheamus to retain the WWE Undisputed Title.
- 2015: The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods) (c) defeated The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor), The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara), Los Matadores (Diego and Fernando) (with El Torito), The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O'Neil) and Tyson Kidd and Cesaro (with Natalya) to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship.
- 2017: Bray Wyatt defeated John Cena (c), The Miz, Baron Corbin, AJ Styles, and Dean Ambrose to win the WWE Title for the first time in his career.
- 2018: Alexa Bliss (c) defeated Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James, Sonya Deville, and Mandy Rose to retain the RAW Women's Championship in the first-ever women's Elimination Chamber match.
- 2019: Daniel Bryan (c) defeated AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, Kofi Kingston, Randy Orton, and Samoa Joe to retain the WWE Title.
- 2020: The Miz and John Morrison (c) defeated The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston), The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), Heavy Machinery (Otis and Tucker), Lucha House Party (Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik) and Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Title and Shayna Baszler defeated Natalya, Liv Morgan, Asuka, Ruby Riott, and Sarah Logan to earn the Raw Women's Championship opportunity.
- 2021: Roman Reigns defeated Daniel Bryan to retain the WWE Universal title and The Miz wins his second WWE title after he successfully cashed in on Drew McIntyre after he was attacked by Bobby Lashley.
- 2022: Roman Reigns defeated Goldberg to retain the WWE Universal title and Becky Lynch defeated Lita to retain the WWE Raw Women's title.
- 2023: Roman Reigns defeated Sami Zayn to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal title and Austin Theory defeated Bronson Reed, Damien Priest, Johnny Gargano, Montez Ford, and Seth "Freakin'" Rollins to retain the United States title.
- Cool Versus Awesome: The Shield vs. The Wyatt Family in Elimination Chamber 2014. The crowd was eating it up and were chanting "This is awesome!" even before the bell rang!
- Black Eyes of Evil: Batista, who was a heel at that time, has one in the 2010 poster with the ceiling of the elimination chamber centered on it.
- Covers Always Lie: The 2013 promotional poster features CM Punk, The Rock, John Cena, Sheamus, Ryback, and Big Show in the chamber, despite that the six didn't compete in the chamber match.
- Disqualification-Induced Victory: In the 2023 event, Lesnar got himself disqualified after he low-blowed Lashley when trying to break the Hurt Lock.
- Hourglass Plot: When CM Punk was about to enter the 2011 elimination chamber, his pod door got stuck, allowing Randy Orton to attack him before he was ready and eliminate him. Due to the way he was cheap shotted, the Raw GM reinstated Punk into the match, who would go on to eliminate Orton himself.
- Off the Rails:
- Subverted in the stipulation's debut at Survivor Series 2002, when Kane was let out of his pod... way earlier than expected, and when it should have been Shawn Michaels' turn to enter. Fortunately, the wrestlers were able to call it on the fly to the point that this botch is almost completely undiscernible, with the rest of the match returning to plan once HBK made his proper entrance.
- Far less fortunate was the 2015 singles Chamber match for the vacated Intercontinental Championship, which was thrown into chaos when Wade Barrett threw Dolph Ziggler into the door of Mark Henry's pod, only for Ziggler to go through it instead. With no plausible reason why he'd remain in his pod (particularly as Barrett had been antagonizing him for a while), Henry came storming out and laid out Barrett... a long, long time before he was supposed to, completely ruining the script for the match, and leaving Henry standing around awkwardly with nothing to do or trying to fit in somewhere after Barrett was eliminated. Ziggler the ring general took charge of the remaining guys and tried to improvise a serviceable match out of what they had to work with, bumping like a loon to give Henry, Ryback, Sheamus and R-Truth something to do on the way to Ryback's eventual victory. Despite his heroic efforts, the match is still considered one of the worst, if not the worst EC match of all time.
- One-Man Army:
- At Elimination Chamber 2018, Braun Strowman pinned five of the other six participants in the Chamber match before getting pinned himself by Roman Reigns.
- At the 2020 event, Shayna Baszler eliminated every other woman in her match, the first person to do so.
- In 2022, Brock Lesnar pinned everyone except Bobby Lashley, who was removed from the fight due to an injury before Brock broke out of his chamber.
- Whole Costume Reference: The 2022 edition sees the women do this. Ronda Rousey dons her blue gi from the 2008 Beijing Olympics while Liv Morgan dons Britney Spears' red suit from her "Oops, I did it again!" music video.
- Your Princess Is in Another Castle!: John Cena wins the WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber... only for Vince McMahon to announce that he will face Batista for the title. With a spear and a Batista Bomb, Batista beats Cena for the Title. Also qualifies as The Bad Guy Wins.
Elimination Chamber matches outside of the PPV
- The Bad Guy Wins:
- At SummerSlam 2003, Triple H defeated Goldberg, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton, and Kevin Nash to retain the World Heavy Championship.
- At New Year's Revolution 2005, Triple H defeated Randy Orton, Batista, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and Edge to win the vacant World heavyweight Championship.
- At No Way Out 2009, Edge defeated John Cena (c), Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, Mike Knox and Kane.
- Off the Rails: The 2015 Chamber event wasn't the only instance of a match going wrong; the first-ever Chamber match in 2002 also flirted with disaster, as this recounting from ESPN illustrates
. Things went relatively well at first (barring the wrestlers' unfamiliarity with the Chamber structure, which was noted to be clunky and painful to take bumps on), until the infamous spot where Rob Van Dam struck Triple H across the throat with his knee while attempting to land a Five-Star Frog Splash from the top of a pod. The resulting injury to his trachea left Triple H barely able to breathe or talk, and things would get worse when the remaining pods were opened in the wrong order, causing Kane to enter the match before Shawn Michaels rather than the other way around. Everyone had to call everything on the fly, which was further complicated by Triple H's injury (even worse, the wrestlers hadn't worked out a finish prior to the match; Triple H had promised to just call it in the ring. Kind of hard to do that when you suddenly can't talk well). As Triple H later said, "the worst possible scenario (was) happening at that moment." Despite this, Triple H went bell-to-bell through agonizing pain for the entire match, being the last one eliminated courtesy of Shawn Michaels, the match was well-received, and it would spawn one of WWE's staple gimmick matches. Chris Jericho would later describe it as "all of this comedy of errors that you look back on and it's just like, 'Holy shit, I can't believe it became what it became.'" - Loophole Abuse: At No Way Out 2009, Edge was the first to be eliminated on the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match (within 3 minutes no less). Thus, he was no longer the WWE Champion. Later on the Raw's Elimination Chamber match, he assaults Kofi Kingston by giving him an con-chair-to on the steel steps and locked himself in the chamber pod, replacing Kingston in the match. He would proceed to win the chamber match to capture the World Heavyweight Championship.
- Older Hero vs. Younger Villain: The final two men in the inaugural Elimination Chamber match in 2002 were then World Heavyweight Champion Triple H and his (at the time) estranged Big Brother Mentor Shawn Michaels.
