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Last night was the final PPV before WrestleMania, Elimination Chamber. The show was a major letdown, certainly not living up to Elimination Chambers of previous years. It felt like WWE already had their plans set for WrestleMania, but because of the schedule, they were forced to put on a PPV last night. That's fine sometimes, but when you're wasting maybe your biggest stipulation match, that's bad for business. There were no title changes, which is usually a positive as titles change far too often, but I think the build to Mania would have worked much better with Punk chasing Jericho as champion. Here's my quick rundown of the show.
- CM Punk won the Raw Elimination Chamber Match to retain the WWE Title. Punk and Kofi started the match. Ziggler was in next and his role was basically to take stupid bumps onto the metal. Truth didn't play a role in the match. Jericho was in last. After Jericho eliminated Kofi, he continued to beat him. Punk kicked Jericho in the head knocking him out of the chamber. Jericho took a worked fall where he was "knocked out" which took him out of the match. Punk defeated Miz to win the match in a flat finish because no one believed Miz was winning.
- Beth Phoenix d Tamina Snuka to retain the Divas Title. Better than most divas matches. Tamina is green but has a lot of talent.
- They showed Jericho backstage getting medical attention which seemed to tease he would do something later in the night, but that never happened.
- John Laurinaitis came out with David Otunga to make his huge, game changing announcement. Well, there was no announcement. Deo Rio, Henry, and Christian came out and endorsed Laurinaitis which seems to be leading to a Laurinaitis vs Teddy Long feud. There was no reason for this to be on the PPV.
- Daniel Bryan won the Smackdown Elimination Chamber to retain the World Heavyweight Title. Wade Barrett and Big Show started the match, and this dragged badly and killed the crowd. Rhodes was in next, but the crowd didn't come alive until Santino came in. Khali was in 5th, and was immediately eliminated with a spear from Show. Show broke into the top of Daniel Bryan's pod and attacked him before Bryan officially entered. The final two were Bryan and Santino. The crowd was going nuts for Santino. Bryan locked in the Labell Lock. Santino almost Hulked out, but Bryan locked it in tighter and got the win. Sheamus came out after the match and attacked Bryan setting up their match for Mania.
- Terrible comedy backstage with Natalya cutting the cheese, setting up the next match.
- Jack Swagger d Justin Gabriel to retain the US Title in a throwaway 3 minute match.
- John Cena d Kane in an AMBULANCE Match. They immediately fought to the ambulance. They fought back and forth between the ambulance and the ring. Kane used his death claw a few times. Cena wheeled Kane in a wheelchair into a table in a stupid looking spot. The finish saw the two guys go on top of the ambulance. Cena hit the AA throwing Kane off the top of the ambulance to the floor on a crash pad. Cena threw Kane into the ambulance winning the match and rising above hate. No Eve or Ryder.
Tonight is the official start of the Road to WrestleMania. A few things we can expect tonight:
- The Undertaker will be at tonight's show to confront HHH. We'll see what hairdo, or lack there of, Taker is working with tonight.
- The Rock will NOT be at tonight's show.
- WWE was confiscating all anti-Cena signs at last night's PPV. Their goal is to keep Cena as a face and get an even 50/50 crowd split for the match at Mania. Have they been hanging out with Evan Bourne? Cena would get booed anywhere, but they are in MIAMI. It's going to be weeks of wasted time trying to make Cena come across as a face when it's an unwinnable battle.
- They have to keep Zack Ryder off TV tonight, right?
- They are moving towards Beth Phoenix vs Kharma at Mania. Kharma may return tonight.
- CM Punk retained the title. How do they set up that Jericho is the #1 contender at Mania? Especially after how weak Jericho looked last night. I am considering Jericho's return a huge disappointment thus far.
- Sheamus will probably be there to officially announce his match with Bryan at Mania.
- And of course we'll get Cena and Rock video packages.
- There will be a new Hall of Fame inductee announced tonight.
Shaq has confirmed he will be at WrestleMania, but he did not mention if he'll actually be wrestling.
Raw's leading to Mania are usually very good. It has to be better than last week, right? RIGHT?
