A shot of the USS Lexington was shown as Renee Young introduced the show from the pre-show spot on the floor. She was joined by Byron Saxton, Corey Graves, and Booker T. The Elimination Chamber was shown hanging above the ring. Graves noted it was the first time he’s seen the Chamber in person, and Booker spoke of being in the first Chamber match.
Young noted that Rusev is out of the Elimination Chamber match. Footage aired from Smackdown of Rusev landing on his ankle awkwardly, and then hobbling on crutches backstage and being treated by the medical team. Young said they don’t know who will replace Rusev. The hosts offered speculation on who would replace Rusev.
Tom Phillips checked in from the lonely social media lounge. He won’t be lonely for long, as Lana will be joining him later in the show…
Backstage, Kane was shown talking on the phone about how it would be a great show. He was interrupted by all three New Day members. They want their backs scratched for helping The Authority. Kane announced that all three of them would compete in the Elimination Chamber match. Xavier Woods assumed they would get another pod. Kane told them he could have them start the match and go through every other team, so Kofi Kingston and Big E covered Woods’ mouth and led him out of the room…
The hosts discussed the tag title match and having three men in one pod… Young hyped Miz TV with Daniel Bryan… A video package recapped the John Cena and Kevin Owens feud…
The hosts discussed Kevin Owens. Graves told viewers who don’t know him to get to know him quickly (get your start with the NXT to WWE Brief that Darren and Zack wrote on the main page)… Footage of the Neville vs. Bo Dallas ladder match from NXT Arrival…
Young noted that no one is allowed at ringside during the Divas Championship match. In other words, no Brie Bella or Tamina… Booker T congratulated his brother Stevie Ray on his new legends deal. “Big Bro, finally in WWE,” Booker said… Stardust vs. Zack Ryder was announced for the Kickoff show…
A Tough Enough video aired…
Michael Cole, JBL, and Jerry Lawler checked in from ringside. Apparently, Kickstart makes you lie, because Jerry Lawler said he watched hours of Tough Enough entry videos…
Zack Ryder vs. Stardust.
The broadcast team recalled Stardust’s issues with actor Stephen Amell from Raw, then they spoke about the pros and cons of Seth Rollins or Dean Ambrose as champion coming out of tonight’s event. Stardust grabbed control for a bit, but Ryder came back with a nice counter from a suplex and into a neckbreaker.
Cole said JBL would give everyone a tour of the Chamber on the pre-show. JBL said he’s like Julie, the cruise director of the Love Boat, a television show that went off the air in 1987. Ryder hit the Broski Boot, but Stardust kicked out of the pin attempt. A short time later, Stardust hit the Queen’s Crossbow for the win…
Stardust defeated Zack Ryder
Footage aired of Rusev being diplomatic with Lana, who got all ungrateful, new age woman on him while himbo Dolph Ziggler watched on…
Lana joined Tom Phillips in the social media lounge. Hopefully she wiped off the chair. Lana answered fans questions. She said she doesn’t know anything about Rusev’s injury because she’s not talking to him. She said she likes Dolph Ziggler because he’s funny. She said it’s bittersweet to be free of Rusev. She said we define our own destiny. She said you have to look forward in life and you will understand it backwards…
An ad for Steve Austin’s interview with Paul Heyman for Monday after Raw was shown (join me for live coverage of the interview and Raw tomorrow night)…
Summer Rae stood in the ring and introduced The Miz, who hosted the Miz TV segment with Daniel Bryan as his guest. Miz, who wore my sweatpants (or something) over his head, pimped his movie and noted that it’s available on Redbox.
Miz introduced Bryan, who entered to the usual Yes! chants from fans and then took a seat next to Miz inside the ring. “When my hand goes up, your mouth goes shut,” Miz said for the biggest quick heat reaction of the night. Miz said everyone wants to know how Bryan is doing.
Bryan started to answer Miz, who cut him off to say that this is a very difficult time for him. Miz said spent all that time mentoring Miz on NXT and it’s tragic that his career is over, “but I honestly feel like the victim here.” Miz said enough about him, what is next for Bryan.
“First off, my career is not over,” Bryan said. “I will be back.” Bryan noted that he wrote a book while he was gone. Miz said that’s what people do when they retire. Miz took Bryan to task for looking “ridiculous.” He asked Bryan if he’s wearing makeup. “You should be,” Miz told him.
Bryan finally told Miz to shut up. Bryan said he was there to present the Intercontinental Championship to whoever earns it inside the Elimination Chamber. He once again said his career is not over and that he will be back.
Miz said normally he would stand up and slap anyone who interrupted him right out of the chair. He noted that doctor’s orders said they couldn’t touch anyone. Bryan said he finds Miz TV to be boring. Miz set up the ring entrance of Macho Mandow, who was then joined by AxelMania. They hit the ring. Miz got the better of Mandow, but he was distracted by Axel removing his shirt. The Meta Powers worked over Miz while Bryan cheered them on…
Backstage, Eden Styles interviewed Dean Ambrose, who said he is relaxed and calm on one hand, yet feeling a lot of pressure on the other. He said he has bubbling hatred for The Authority. He said the cure is punching Seth Rollins in the face and taking his championship. Eventually, Roman Reigns entered the picture and said he’s in Ambrose’s corner tonight. “You worry about Seth, I’ll take care of the rest,” Reigns said…
JBL gave a quick tour of the Elimination Chamber, then the panel offered final hype…
An Elimination Chamber video opened the show… Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and JBL were on commentary…
Ring entrances for the tag title match took place. It was announced by Kane on the Kickoff show that all three members of New Day would be allowed to enter the match. Eden Stiles ran through the rules of the match, which call for pods opening every four minutes, and teams can be eliminated at any time. Cole noted that the first entrants would be locked inside the pod to start the match…
New Day vs. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro vs. The Lucha Dragons vs. The Prime Time Players vs. The Ascension vs. Los Matadores in an Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
The bell rings and things start off with the Ascension beating down the Dragons. The Dragons duck clotheslines and hit double springboard moonsaults to wipe out the Ascension before double teaming Konor and Viktor. Cara and Kalisto kick Konor before hitting a slingshot senton. The Dragons have turned things around, beating on the Ascension in the corners, but Viktor tosses Cara into the corner, and the Ascension toss Kalisto into the corner where Kalisto climbs up on top of New Day’s pod. The Ascension slam Cara to the mat while New Day pull at Kalisto’s legs and prevent him from getting off of the pod. The Ascension come up and beat on Kalisto, but he’s able to fight off both men with head butts. Sin Cara climbs another pod on the other side of the ring, and both members of the Dragons stand. Cara hits a swanton off of the pod on Viktor.
Kalisto gets the crowd psyched up, but New Day is able to pull him down by the leg once more, then they begin mocking the Dragons ‘lucha’ chant. The clock counts down, and the next team joining the fray is Cesaro and Kidd.
Cesaro and Kidd come in with a European uppercut German suplex combo on Cara before sending Konor and Viktor into opposite corners for a dropkick and uppercut respectively. Kidd and Cesaro hit a pop up uppercut on Konor, but it’s not enough for a three count. Kidd tries to pull Kalisto down, but he’s unable to, as he’s knocked away. Cesaro leaps to the top rope and hits a giant uppercut for a huge pop. Cesaro climbs back up to the top and hits a superplex from the top of the pod. Kidd hits a slingshot elbow drop, but Cara is able to break up the pin.
Cesaro and Kidd come in with a European uppercut German suplex combo on Cara before sending Konor and Viktor into opposite corners for a dropkick and uppercut respectively. Kidd and Cesaro hit a pop up uppercut on Konor, but it’s not enough for a three count. Kidd tries to pull Kalisto down, but he’s unable to, as he’s knocked away. Cesaro leaps to the top rope and hits a giant uppercut for a huge pop. Cesaro climbs back up to the top and hits a superplex from the top of the pod. Kidd hits a slingshot elbow drop, but Cara is able to break up the pin.
El Torito leaps from the top of the pod with a hurricanrana for Cesaro. Kaliso has climbed to the top of the Chamber. Los Matadores basically come in and hit backstabbers on everyone. As everyone stands, Kalisto hangs down, and drops from the top of the Chamber on top of all of his opponents. Los Matadores try to steal ta pin, but things are broken up. El Torito is now climbing up to the roof of the cage, and he drops down, only to be caught by the Ascension, and thrown right into one of the Matadors. The Anscension hit the fall of man on another Matador, and get the three count, eliminating Los Matadores.
The Ascension turn around into double missile dropkicks from the Dragons, but when the Dragons go to the top again, they’re stopped by the Ascension. Cara is sent to the outside, and they hit fall of man on Kalisto to get another three count and knock another team out of the match.
Konor and Viktor turn their attention to Kidd and Cesaro, even scoring a near fall on Kidd. Viktor follows Kidd out of the ring and grinds his face into the Chamber wall until Cesaro breaks it up. The Ascension is able to turn things around, sending Cesaro back into the ring. The clock counts down, and the Prime Time Players make their way into the match explosively, beating down the Ascension. Titus sends Viktor repeatedly into the cage wall before sending him into the ring. Young shoulders Viktor and drops him down into double knees to put him down for the three count.
Titus suplexes his partner on both Cesaro and Kidd. Kidd is able to come back with a modified DDT on Young, but Titus kicks Kidd down. Cesaro is able to knock Titus away, and he stops Young cold on the top rope with an amazing standing dropkick. Cesaro hits Young with a giant uppercut, then follows to the top. Titus is up and gets Cesaro in powerbomb position while Cesaro hits a gut wrench powerbomb to Young off the top rope. Titus crawls on top of Cesaro, and Kidd breaks up the pin.
Kidd squares off with Titus, and he’s dropped with a big spinebuster. Young goes for the pin, but Cesaro breaks it up, and all four men are spent on the mat.
New Day psych themselves up in their pod as the clock counts down one last time. All three men make their way out and rush their opponents. There’s a crazy spot where the Prime Time Players and Cesaro and Kidd hit a quadruple suplex on New Day. Cesaro and Kidd pop right up and Kidd opens one of the pods. Cesaro and Kidd close the pod and Woods seems like maybe he’ll be trapped?
In the ring, Kidd sling shots Kofi into a spinebuster from Cesaro. Cesaro goes right into the big swing and Kidd hits a big dropkick to the side of Kofi’s head. Young catches Cesaro out of nowhere with a roll up, and he gets the three count to eliminate Cesaro and Kidd.
Woods is out of the pod already, as apparently Big E got him out. New Day are triple teaming the Prime Time Players to a lot of heat from the crowd. Woods and Big E whip Titus into double boots from Kofi. New Day follow Titus to the outside where they put his head through some of the chains in the Chamber wall, and kick repeatedly at his ribs. Kofi and Woods head to the top rope while Big E shoulders Young. Young fights out, knocks Kofi and Woods from the top, and sends Big E shoulder and head first into the ring post and corner pod.
All five men are down, but Titus is the first to stand. Titus hits Woods with a giant boot. Young is up and he shoulders Kofi, dropping him across the top rope. Titus grabs Big E and slams him repeatedly into the Chamber wall before sending him into the ring. Kofi is able to backdrop Young to the Chamber floor, but Titus catches Kofi when he tries for Trouble in Paradise, slams him into the Chamber wall, then tosses him into the ring. Back in the ring, Titus his Big E with a giant clothesline. Young shoulders Kofi and tosses him up for the double knees, but he’s not able to keep Kofi down for three. Big E catches Titus with a back elbow, but Young clotheslines Big E over the top rope. Big E is quick to get up and he hits a belly to belly suplex on the Chamber floor. Big E charges in the ring and Titus slams him to the mat. Titus catches a leaping Woods from the top rope, but Kofi and Big E are able to team up and bring Titus to his feet, then pile on for the pin, and the three count.
Winners and STILL WWE Tag Team Champions: New Day
New Day celebrate with their championships to a bit of heat on their way out of the Chamber. Kofi screams about the power of positivity as it fades into a ‘Don’t do this at home’ promo.
After a quick Money in the Bank promo, Cole says something about us finding out about some MITB match participants tonight. Cole turns to Rusev, saying that the big man has suffered a fractured foot and won’t be able to compete tonight. We get footage of Rusev being helped to the back and walking on crutches. Rusev’s foot looks pretty nasty, showing bruising pretty immediately.
The announcers wonder a bit who will be the sixth superstar in the Intercontinental Championship Elimination Chamber match. Dolph Ziggler is shown warming up backstage. Lana walks in and wishes Dolph good luck, and says he’d look good with the title. Ziggler says it’s a shame about Rusev. Lana says this isn’t about him. Ziggler says maybe he’ll win tonight and it can be about them. He walks off and Lana wishes him good luck again.
Back in the ring, Nikki Bella makes her way out to the ring to another lukewarm reaction. Not sure if the music is making things hard to hear or what, but the crowd just sounds really muted.
Naomi is out next to another quiet reaction, followed by Paige, who actually seems to get a bit of a pop out of the fans in attendance.
WWE Diva Championship Match
Nikki Bella vs. Naomi vs. Paige
The bell rings, and all three women begin circling each other. Nikki blocks a kick from Naomi and tosses her leg to Paige, allowing Nikki to beat down Naomi and send her from the ring. Nikki and Paige square off for a bit before Naomi pulls Nikki from the ring and throws her hard into the announcer’s table. Paige gets Naomi’s attention and she’s pushed off. Naomi heads to the top, but whiffs on her way down. Paige beats down Naomi for a bit before screaming that this is her house. Naomi tries for a cross body, but Paige catches her and hits a fall away slam that’s good for two. Nikki makes her way back in and drops Paige’s face down across her knee.
Nikki tosses Paige into Naomi in the corner and hits a double clothesline. Naomi is able to roll up Nikki for a two before she plants her in the corner and tries for the pin on Paige, getting two. Nikki hits Naomi with a back elbow out of the corner, but misses with a springboard kick. Paige gets a near fall, but Naomi is in to break things up. Naomi tosses Nikki shoulder first into the ring post, and Nikki falls to the outside. Naomi turns her attention to Paige, hitting a big clothesline and leg drop.
Naomi picks Paige up and seats her on the top turnbuckle. Paige tries to fight her off, and Nikki comes in hitting a powerbomb on Naomi, who German suplexes Paige off the top. Nikki goes for the pin on both Naomi and Paige, but she can’t get a three count. Nikki picks up Paige and shoulders her, but Naomi interrupts with the Rear View. Naomi goes for the pin, but Paige breaks it up and sends Naomi from the ring. Paige traps Nikki in the PTO, but it’s brief as Naomi kicks her in the side of the head and pins her for two. Paige sends Naomi into the corner and brings her out in electric chair position. Naomi kind of connects with a reverse hurricanrana, but it’s super sloppy, and it only gets a two count. Naomi misses with an enzugiri on Nikki, and Nikki connects with the rack attack to put Naomi down for a three count.
Winner and STILL WWE Divas Champion: Nikki Bella
Brie is down to celebrate with her sister, holding her arm high and hugging her on their way up the aisle to the back.
After a couple of Network commercials, we’re back in the arena where the announcers talk a bit about the official Elimination Chamber theme song before turning their attention to the Champion vs. Champion match of John Cena vs. Kevin Owens. We get a video package that shows the very recent history between these two men over the past couple of weeks, that has seen Owens dominating Cena in brief encounters on Raw and Smackdown.
Kevin Owens is the first man to make his way out to the ring, and it actually sounds like Owens gets a nice little pop. I don’t think I’m just imagining things either, as there are several shots of Kevin Owens fans holding up Owens signs in the crowd.
John Cena’s music hits, and the United States Champion gets a very warm reaction, pretty far off from his usual mixed reception.
Champion vs. Champion Match
Kevin Owens vs. John Cena
There’s a bit of posturing by both men before the match as Owens holds his title up to a bit of a mixed reaction. Cena holds his title up in kind and gets a much nicer reaction. The bell rings and Cena and Owens begin circling each other. We get a lock up and Owens goes right into a head lock. There’s actually a bit of a ‘fight Owens fight’ chant. Cena tosses Owens off and takes him down with a shoulder block.
Cena goes for another lock up, but Owens catches him with a kick to the gut. Owens hits Cena with a brutal forearm and a series of strikes in the corner before driving his knee into Cena’s chest. Owens picks Cena up and ends up whipped into the corner. Cena hits a running bulldog, but when he whips Owens into the ropes, Owen kicks Cena in the chest. Owens picks Cena up on the apron and hits him with a big right hand before ripping at Cena’s face. Owens screams in Cena’s face before kicking at him and whipping him across the ring hard. Owens plays to the crowd to a good bit of heat.
Owens scrapes his forearm across Cena’s face and hits him with a big right hand to chant’s of NXT. Owens screams in Cena’s face before hitting him with a big right hand and pinning him for two. Owens traps Cena in a rear chin lock, but Cena is able to fight up to his feet. Owens clamps down and Cena fades back down to the mat. Cena fights up to his feet once more, powering his way out of the hold. Cena shoulders Owens, but Owens fights out and plants Cena with a DDT for two.
Owens picks Cena up and drops him with a big right hand. Owens calls for Cena to stand up. Owens takes Cena right back to the mat with a big boot to the face. Cena pulls himself up on Owens, and Owens lays him out with a big right hand. Owens turns his back to Cena, and he’s rolled up for a two count, but Owens pops up and takes Cena out with a big clothesline. Owens mounts Cena and hits him with repeated right hands before hitting the ropes and connecting with a nice running senton for another near fall.
Owens taunts Cena as Cena struggles to his feet. Owens calls for Cena to hit him, and when Cena does, the two trade right hands for a big. Cena connects with a big running shoulder tackle, but Owens catches Cena on the second attempt and hits a crazy spinning slam, putting all of his weight down on Cena. Owens stands and hits a running cannonball on a seated Cena in the corner, but it’s still not enough to keep Cena down for three.
Owens screams that it’s time for Cena to give up. Cena and Owens trade rights, and Cena connects with a series of jabs. Owens tries for the pop up powerbomb, but Cena lands on his feet and connects with a couple of shoulder blocks, a belly to back suplex, and the five knuckle shuffle. Cena tries for the AA, but Owens fights out and sends Cena into the ropes for the pop up powerbomb. Owens goes for the pin, but Cena’s able to kick out at two.
Owens decides to head to the top rope, but Cena hits the ropes and forces Owens to crotch himself on the top rope. Cena crawls over toward Owens and pulls himself to the top. Owens and Cena trade blows and head butts, and Owens is able to knock Cena to the mat. Owens misses with an amazing moonsault, jumping up from the second rope, and Cena is able to connect with the AA. Owens kicks out at two!
Cena pulls Owens up and the two trade big right hands. Owens ducks a clothesline and connects with a superkick before falling into the ropes. Owens pulls himself up and he looks around. Owens throws his hand up and tells Cena that he can’t see him. Owens looks to go for the five knuckle shuffle, but Cena pulls him down into the STF. Owens crawls to the ropes. Cena tries to pull him back, but Owens kicks him away. Owens shoulders Cena and connects with the AA, but he’s only able to keep Cena down for a two count.
Owens is confused and argues with the ref about whether or not that was a three count. Owens runs right into a big boot from Cena in the corner, and Cena leaps from the middle rope with a tornado DDT to put Owens down for the two count.
Cena pulls himself up on the apron and heads to the top. Cena leaps off the top rope with a big rocker dropper, but Owens still won’t stay down for a three count.
Cena tries for the AA again, but Owens fights out and sets up for the package piledriver before slamming Cena to the mat, putting him down for another two count. Owens pulls Cena up to his feet and hits him with a big right hand, yelling at Cena to stay down. Owens hits him with another big right, and Cena leaps up with a right hand of his own. The two trade rights, and Owens tosses Cena into the ropes, but Cena hangs on. Cena ducks a dropkick and hits a springboard stunner, but he can’t keep Owens down for three.
Cena struggles to stand, and he makes his way over to Owens, seating him on the top turnbuckle. Cena heads up after Owens and goes for the superplex, but Owens counters with a crazy swinging superplex of his own for another two count. Owens heads up to the top rope immediately and launches himself off with a senton. Owens pins Cena but Cena still won’t stay down for three.
Owens charges Cena, but Cena pops right up and hits a big clothesline to lay Owens out. Both men are slow to make their way up to their feet, and Cena connects with another big clothesline. Owens ducks another clothesline, and he’s able to hit the pop up powerbomb to pin Cena for three!
Winner: Kevin Owens
Owens grabs his NXT title to celebrate this great match. Owens calls for a mic, and he says on his first night on Raw, he said anyone who said they didn’t know him wasn’t worth his time. Well now everyone knows who Kevin Owens is. He’s the man who started a fight with John Cena, but he’s also the man who just finished that fight. And now that he’s beaten Cena, he’s got some veteran advice. It’s time for Cena to go, because his time is way up, but Owens time is now, because the champ is here!
We check in with the kick off panel, Renee Young, Booker T, Cory Graves, and Byron Saxton. Byron says he’s shocked. Graves says Owens didn’t shock himself, you can’t argue with Owens thinking he’s better than Cena. Booker calls Owens a hybrid athlete, then he gives Owens his endorsement as a superstar. Graves says he’s looking forward to Seth Rolling retaining his title tonight. Byron respectfully disagrees and says Ambrose will be leaving with the belt tonight. Booker says he’s excited about the Chamber match.
We check in with the kick off panel, Renee Young, Booker T, Cory Graves, and Byron Saxton. Byron says he’s shocked. Graves says Owens didn’t shock himself, you can’t argue with Owens thinking he’s better than Cena. Booker calls Owens a hybrid athlete, then he gives Owens his endorsement as a superstar. Graves says he’s looking forward to Seth Rolling retaining his title tonight. Byron respectfully disagrees and says Ambrose will be leaving with the belt tonight. Booker says he’s excited about the Chamber match.
We turn out attention back to matches as Bo Dallas makes his way out to the arena. Bo’s got a mic and says he tried to be nice to Neville, but Neville denied him. He thinks he can handle everything on his own. Everyone needs help, all he needs is help. It’s too late for Neville. He’s going to force him to Bolieve.
Neville is out next, and the man that gravity forgot also gets a pretty decent reaction. Maybe WWE just needs to be running NXT all the time.
Singles Match
Bo Dallas vs. Neville
The bell rings and Neville and Dallas begin circling each other while the crowd chants NXT. Dallas is able to lock in a head lock and take Neville over, but Neville kicks Dallas away. Dallas is able to send Neville into the corner, but Neville turns things around and begins kicking Dallas repeatedly in the thigh. Neville avoids Dallas in the corner and flips a couple of times before knocking Dallas to the mat. Neville heads to the top rope and Dallas bails to the floor, but Neville simply moonsaults to the floor to take Dallas out. Neville brings Dallas back into the ring and clamps on a head lock until Dallas is able to make it to the ropes to force a break. Dallas tells Neville to back off, the falls to his knees, telling Neville he’s doing it for him. Neville kicks Dallas in the chest a couple of times, but Dallas rolls Neville through the ropes and out to the floor.
Dallas follows out to the floor and hits Neville with a couple of back elbows to the side of the head before sending Neville back into the ring, wrapping the apron across his face, and hitting him with repeated right hands. Back in the ring Bo tries for the pin, but he only gets two. Dallas traps Neville in a modified face lock, Neville tries to fight to his feet, but Bo slams him back to the mat for a two count. Bo goes right back into the modified facelock and screams for Neville to quit.
After a prolonged struggle, Neville is able to fight up to his feet, and Dallas hits Neville with repeated knees to the chest. Dallas smiles at the crowd before picking Neville up to his feet and connecting with a big back elbow to the side of the head. Bo picks Neville up again only to drop him once more. Dallas tries again, but Neville is able to turn things around, sending a running Dallas face first into the middle turnbuckle. Bo falls to the floor and takes a second before heading back into the ring. Dallas and Neville trade forearms, and Neville gets the upper hand with a series of kicks, and a couple of kicks to the side of Bo’s head. Neville connects with a standing moonsault that’s good for a two count.
Dallas shoves Neville away and hits a leaping head butt to Neville’s stomach. Bo plants Neville with a DDT, but it’s only good for a two count. Dallas crawls over to Neville and tries for a bull dog off the middle rope, but Neville fights it off and connects with an enzugiri. Neville heads to the top rope and hits the red arrow, pinning Dallas for the three count.
Winner: Neville
Backstage, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose are shown talking, when Triple H walks in. Hunter says something about Owens, then talks about hearing on the kick off show that Reigns wants to be in Ambrose’s corner. Hunter says it’s admirable, but Reigns doesn’t have the authority to insert himself in a title match like that. Kane will be out in an official capacity, but Roman would be a distraction. If he gets involved in the match tonight, Dean’s going to get DQ’ed. Hunter wishes Ambrose good luck, and says he’s got a good feeling about tonight.
Back in the ring, the Elimination Chamber begins to come down to the floor as the announcers talk about the match and wonder who might replace Rusev. Cole reminds us that the reason for this match tonight is because Daniel Bryan had to vacate the title. Bryan is shown sitting ringside behind the title, which is sitting on a pedestal. We get a recap of Bryan vacating the title on Raw a few weeks ago.
The first man to make his way into the arena is actually Mark Henry, who looks to be replacing Rusev. Henry actually gets a decent reaction from the crowd on his way into the Chamber. Henry makes his way into the structure, and pretty quickly heads into his pod.
Sheamus is out next, and he gets a bit of a mixed reaction on his way to the ring.
R-Truth is the third man to make his way out to the Chamber, and he gets a mostly lukewarm reception from the crowd.
Ryback is the last man to get a spot in one of the Chamber pods, and the big guy gets a nice little initial pop as he makes his way down the aisle.
King Barrett makes his way down the aisle in all of his kingly gear, yelling at fans to stand and show their respect. It doesn’t seem like many are interested in complying with his requests.
Finally, Dolph Ziggler is the final competitor to make his way out for the match. Ziggler gets a nice little pop, but it seems like this crowd gets much more interested in the actual matches, which is definitely a good thing.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Elimination Chamber Match
King Barrett vs. Sheamus vs. Ryback vs. R-Truth vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Mark Henry
The bell rings, and Ziggler gets a couple of quick roll ups right off the bat. Barrett is able to counter with one of his own. Barrett suplexes Ziggler over before slamming his head into the turnbuckle. Barrett lays Ziggler across the top rope and hits him with repeated blows to the back before charging in with a running knee to the chest. Barrett clamps on a rear chin lock, and Ziggler struggles to catch his breath.
Ziggler is able to fight his way up to his feet and out of the hold. He catches Barrett with a back elbow and a big dropkick before hitting a splash in the corner and putting Barrett down on the mat with a big elbow drop. Barrett is able to turn things around with a big kick to Ziggler’s chest before he hits a clothesline to send him out to the Chamber floor. Barrett slams Ziggler head first into Ryback’s pod, before he turns to Ziggler and slams him into the Chamber wall. Barrett kicks away at Ziggler, asking Sheamus if he wants some of that as the clock counts down. The next man to join the match looks to be R-Truth.
Barrett pounces immediately, beating R-Truth down in his pod. Barrett lays in with repeated right hands and stomps. Barrett drags Truth out of the pod and slams him into the Chamber wall bar hitting him with a big boot to the face. Dolph is able to hang Barrett up on the top rope, but Barrett connects with a big boot to Ziggler’s face. Barrett heads back into the ring where he falls to a couple of clotheslines from Truth. Truth hits double boots to Barrett’s face before he connects with a missile dropkick that’s good for two. Truth connects with a sit out front suplex on Barrett before connecting with an axe kick. Truth is able to plant Barrett face first on the mat, and Ziggler tries to take advantage, but Barrett is able to fight back, kicking Ziggler square on the jaw.
Barrett goes for the pin, but only gets two. Barrett tosses Dolph to the Chamber floor, and he slams Ziggler into Mark Henry’s pod, knocking the panel out. Henry climbs out of the pod and goes to town on Barrett slamming him to the mat and hitting a big leg drop. The clock counts down and Ryback is in the match. Ryback heads in and goes right for Mark Henry, hitting him with a series of right hands, the a series of shoulders to the gut in the corner. Ryback ducks a clothesline from Henry and drops him with a big running forearm. Ryback stomps at Henry before picking up Barrett and ramming him into the corner. Ryback hits Barrett with a running clothesline, then a spinebuster in the corner. Barrett is able to back drop Ryback to the outside, but Ziggler is in to roll up Barrett out of nowhere for two.
Barrett connects with the wasteland, but Henry breaks it up and head butts Barrett, sending him into the corner for a further beat down. Henry buries his knee in Barrett’s chest. Barrett calls for the bull hammer, but Ziggler connects with a superkick instead. Ryback sends Barrett into the corner, and Truth hits the lie detector. Truth pins Barrett for three, and the king is gone.
All four active competitor square off in the middle of the ring. Ryback and Ziggler pair off while Henry and Truth fight in an opposite corner. Ryback and Henry look to be getting the upper hand, and Ryback attacks Henry as the clock counts down for Sheamus. The ref pulls on the door, but it looks like Sheamus is trapped in his pod. Ryback and Ziggler stop beating on each other to stop and look at what’s happening. Ryback is rolled up by Truth, then Ziggler rolls up Truth, and Ryback rolls up Ziggler. Everyone gets up and stares each other down.
Ryback hits Henry with a clothesline in the corner. Truth hits a spinning forearm and Ziggler hits a superkick. Ryback connects with a spinebuster on Henry, then he lays out Ziggler. Ryback takes Truth down with shell shock, pinning him for the three count to eliminate him from the match.
Ryback turns to Ziggler and beats him up around the ring. Ryback gets Ziggler up in a vertical suplex that lasts for a good 15 seconds at least. Ryback waits for Ziggler to stand and he runs right into a big superkick instead.
Sheamus reveals that he used his Celtic cross to rig the pod, locking himself in. Sheamus makes his way out and slams Ziggler into the pod before clotheslining Ryback out of the ring and to the Chamber floor. Sheamus begins stomping away at Ziggler, taunting him the whole while. Henry grabs Sheamus and tries for the World’s Strongest Slam, but Sheamus is able to land on his feet. Henry is able to put Sheamus to the mat and hit the running splash, but it’s only good for two. Henry shoulders Sheamus, but Sheamus fights out and connects with the brogue kick on Henry for the three count.
Sheamus heads to the outside where he drives Ryback into the Chamber wall. He goes after Ziggler and tosses him into the ring. Sheamus hits Ziggler with a couple of big right hands, then a short arm clothesline. Sheamus stomps away at Ziggler, but Ziggler pops up and hits Ziggler with repeated right hands. Ziggler runs into a back elbow, then ends up being suplexed and tossed away by Sheamus. Sheamus pins Ziggler, but he’s only able to get a two count.
Sheamus goes for another suplex, but Ziggler counters into a roll up for two. Ziggler tries for a DDT, but Sheamus pushes him off. Ziggler is able to send Sheamus shoulder first into the ring post, and connect with the DDT. Ryback is stirring and he tries to powerbomb Ziggler, but Ziggler connects with the superkick. Ziggler is able to hit the fameasser on Sheamus, but Sheamus is up quickly and connects with the brogue kick on Ziggler for the three count to eliminate him from the match.
Ryback and Sheamus stand up as the last two men in the match. Sheamus charges and shoulders Ryback, slamming him to the mat for a two count. Sheamus shoves Ryback and screams in his face. Ryback stands and charges in with a couple of running forearms before slamming Sheamus to the mat. Ryback takes Sheamus into the corner and trades off with big forearms and shoulders to the gut. Ryback runs into a big boot from Sheamus in the corner, but he comes right back with a running powerslam. Ryback waits for Sheamus to stand, but Sheamus rolls to the Chamber floor and tries to get back into his pod. Ryback heads out after Sheamus and teases the shell shock on the outside, but Sheamus fights out. Sheamus connects with white noise on the Chamber floor, but Ryback kicks out of the pin.
Sheamus pulls Ryback to his feet and ties him up in the ropes, hitting clubbing blows to the chest. Ryback grabs Sheamus’ arm and pulls him out to the Chamber floor. Sheamus shoves Ryback into a corner pod and hits a rolling senton on the floor. Sheamus waits for Ryback to stand, and Ryback catches Sheamus, powerbombing him against the Chamber wall, then over the ropes and into the ring. Ryback hits shell shock, and pin Sheamus for the three count.
Winner and NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion: Ryback
Following the match, Daniel Bryan makes his way into the ring with the title and a mic in hand. Bryan says he thinks a congratulations is in order to Ryback. He asks the fans whether or not Ryback deserves it, and they seem to think so overwhelmingly. Bryan says he thinks Ryback deserves it, then leads the fans in yes chants before shaking Ryback’s hand. Ryback says not only is Bryan an inspiration to the fans, but also to the big guy. Ryback raises Bryan’s hand, and Bryan leads the fans in ‘feed me more’ chants.
Cole turns talk to the main event between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, throwing things to a video package that highlights the history between these two men, going all the way back to their time as part of the Shield.
Seth Rollins is the first man to make his way into the arena for the main event, and of course he’s flanked by J and J security and Kane on his way to the ring. All three men applaud Rollins as his holds his title up overhead.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose
The bell rings and both men stare each other down for a bit before locking up. Rollins goes behind Ambrose and locks in a wrist lock. The two trade holds for a bit, each gaining the upper hand for a while, before Rollins drops Ambrose to the mat and traps him in a chin lock. Ambrose is able to fight to his feet and he pushes Rollins off, but falls to a shoulder block. Ambrose comes right back, trapping Rollins in an arm bar and wrenching back on his other arm, taunting J and J security and Kane in the process. Ambrose breaks the hold and Rollins bails to the floor.
Mercury, Noble and Rollins huddle on the outside while Ambrose lays on his back in the ring. Rollins makes his way back inside and we get a kind of test of strength. Rollins blasts Ambrose with a big right before kicking away at Ambrose in the corner and choking him with his boot. Rollins hits Ambrose with a big right hand. Ambrose ducks a clothesline, then hits a flying clothesline of his own, then he hits Rollins with a series of rights. Ambrose takes Rollins into the corner and hits him with a big chop before whipping him across the ring and hitting another big chop. Ambrose traps Rollins in the ropes and hits him with a running dropkick to the chest before heading to the middle rope and dropping a knee across Rollins’ neck.
Ambrose tries to seat Rollins on the top turnbuckle, and Rollins tries to fight it off, but Ambrose is successful. Rollins is able to get to the mat, and Ambrose is distracted by Mercury. Ambrose is hung up in the ropes and Rollins stomps on Ambrose while J and J distract the ref. Rollins heads to the top rope and leaps off with a huge double stomp to Ambrose who’s trapped in a tree of woe type position. Ambrose won’t stay down for three. Rollins drops out to the floor and blasts Ambrose with a couple of big right hands before connecting with a big running kick to the side of Ambrose’s head. Rollins snap mares Ambrose over and kicks him in the spine before going for another pin and getting two. Rollins works quickly, transitioning right into another rear chin lock.
Ambrose fights up and out of the hold, but Rollins plants Ambrose in the corner with an STO into the middle turnbuckle. Rollins blasts Ambrose with a big right hand, then he calls for him to stand back up. Rollins continues to pepper Ambrose with jabs and slaps to the face. Ambrose bounces off the ropes and comes back with a series of right hands. Rollins is able to come right back with a jumping neckbreaker that’s good for another two count.
Rollins picks Ambrose up and puts him right back down with a short-arm clothesline, and another. Rollins goes for a third, but Ambrose avoids it. Both men go for cross body’s, and both connect, leaving both gasping for air on the mat.
Rollins and Ambrose trade strikes, with Ambrose getting the immediate upper hand. Ambrose rolls Rollins up for two, and they trade near falls back and forth. Ambrose ducks a big kick, then plants Rollins face first on the mat for a two count.
Ambrose waits for Rollins to stand, charging in with a running forearm. Noble and Mercury pull Rollins out of the ring, but Ambrose is quick to come after him with a suicide dive, sending himself and Rollins flying to the other side of the announcer’s table. Ambrose pulls Rollins up and brings things back into the ring. Ambrose tries for the rebound lariat, but Rollins counters with a backslide, putting his feet on the ropes. The ref catches it, and this allows Ambrose to get a roll up near fall of his own. Rollins pops up and connects with a superkick for another two count.
Rollins heads up to the top rope, and Ambrose is quick to stop him with a big right hand. Rollins pushes Ambrose off, but Ambrose is right back up. Ambrose tries for a superplex, but Rollins fights it off and leaps over, trying for the buckle bomb. Ambrose fights out of it and clotheslines Rollins over the top and to the floor. Ambrose scares off J and J security, but the distraction allows Rollins to surprise Ambrose. Rollins connects with a running powerbomb, sending Ambrose crashing into the barricade. Rollins pulls Ambrose back into the ring for the pin, but Ambrose kicks out at two!
Rollins heads to the top and hits a flying knee to the side of Ambrose’s head for another two count. Rollins won’t relent, connecting with paroxysm for another two count.
Rollins talks a bit of smack to Ambrose before connecting with a running forearm in the corner. Rollins pounds on Ambrose with right hands, and another running forearm. Ambrose comes back with a forearm of his own, avoids a splash, and connects with a tornado DDT on Rollins for another near fall.
Ambrose waits for Rollins to stand on the apron, trapping him and hitting another running dropkick to the chest. Ambrose goes for the leg drop to the neck, but Rollins avoids it. Ambrose is able to connect with the rebound lariat, but Rollins is able to kick out at two.
Ambrose heads up to the top rope, and leaps off with a flying elbow drop, but Rollins is still able to kick out at two. Ambrose is fired up and he pulls Rollins up, but is distracted again by Noble and Mercury. Rollins counters a rebound lariat with an immediate clothesline over the top. Rollins hits a suicide dive, and connects with the buckle bomb, but Ambrose leaps out with a huge running clothesline. Ambrose takes out Kane, Noble and Mercury. Ambrose heads to the top rope, and decides to leap out on top of Kane and J and J. Rollins heads out after Ambrose, and Dean lays out Rollins with a big clothesline before sending him back into the ring. Rollins is able to pull the official into the path of harm, and Rollins uses the distraction. Rollins misses with the phoenix splash, but lands on his feet. Ambrose connects with dirty deeds, and another official runs down the aisle. The ref counts to three and this one is over.
Winner and NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Dean Ambrose
Ambrose holds the title high while Rollins looks upset on the floor. The original ref has recovered, and it looks like he’s deciding to DQ Rollins for causing harm. Lillian informs the fans, and Dean’s got the win, but not the title.
Winner by DQ: Dean Ambrose
STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Seth Rollins
Ambrose isn’t happy and doesn’t want to give up the title. J and J and Kane attack, but Roman Reigns’ music hits. Reigns hits Rollins with a superman punch on the apron, then heads into the ring for a spear on Kane. Reigns connects with a superman punch on Mercury and Noble at the same time, and Ambrose tosses Rollins over the top and to the outside. Ambrose grabs a mic and says he won the match, so he’s taking the title. He tells Roman tonight, the champ buys the beer. Ambrose and Reigns take off through the crowd with Ambrose holding the championship high, and Rollins screaming at him to bring it back.
The show ends with Ambrose celebrating in the crowd with Reigns and the fans, and Rollins screaming in the ring.
EXCLUSIVE: Why Neville Needs to Win Money in the Bank
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