Coliseo de Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
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We get an Elimination Chamber hype video to open the show. The crowd here is absolutely incredible. Honestly, this is one of the best crowds post-Attitude Era that I can remember. JR and Lawler have plants behind them.
World Tag Team Championship Match
Christian & Tyson Tomko vs. William Regal & Eugene
William Regal was so good at making even the worst situations work, that they continually put him in terrible spots such as being Eugene's partner. Regal and Christian start off. These two have really good chemistry. Eugene catches Christian and then poses like Hulk Hogan. Eugene then also does the JYD headbutts from the mat. Eugene crawls under the ring and then surprises them and gets a nearfall. Big powerslam by Tomko on Eugene. Christian is working on Eugene, but then Eugene hulks up. Tomko destroys Regal and they are back in control. Regal is now bleeding from the nose. Hot tag to Eugene and the crowd is eating all of it up. He appears to have hurt his knee on his dropkick, which causes them to call an audible and have Eugene win by a roll up. After the match, they come in to check in on Eugene. Not sure how much was left, but this was basically a TV quality match until the finish.
Match Rating: **1/4 (out of 5)
We get a clip of Christy Hemme in a bikini at the pool. We then cut to Christian and Tomko showing their displeasure at losing their match and they run into Edge. Edge tells Christian that he has an idea that involves Christian. Christian doesn't trust him, but Edge talks him into walking with him.
We get a hype video for Trish and Lita. This era of videos were really top notch and did such a good job of making matches seem even more important. This one was no different.
Womens Championship Match
Trish Stratus vs. Lita
Trish had really come into her own around this time as a heel. Even though for most of her career she was a face, I still always think of Lita as a heel. She was crazy over in Puerto Rico. Lita takes Trish down first, as Trish grabs the ropes and then goes after her. Lita dumps Trish out of the ring and hits her for a Lou Thesz press from the apron and she is clearly hurt. What a start to the show, huh? Trish rolls her in and tries to pin her, but Lita kicks out at 2. Trish hits her with a flurry of fists. Trish puts Lita in the corner and works on her knees to some boos. Trish tries another pin, but Lita kicks out again. The crowd is chanting for Lita. The crowd continues to boo. Lita tries a DDT, but Trish counters and hits the Chick Kick for the win. Give Lita credit there, that couldn't have been easy. It's hard to rate a match like this, as this was completely out of their control. You could have made an argument that this was the #2 match on what was an extremely weak card. Lita is helped to the back as Lawler says this is what happens when you take big risks.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Jericho is in the back mentally preparing himself for the Elimination Chamber. Cut to Maria getting into her bikini at the pool.
Eric Bischoff is talking to Edge. Edge wants out of the Elimination Chamber match because Shawn Michaels is the referee and he knows that gives him no chance. Edge wants Christian to take his spot and that the winner takes on Edge tomorrow night on Raw. Bischoff says that it's too late due to advertising and the crowd, lol. Edge says he doesn't care about the people. Edge is not happy and leaves. On his way out he runs into HBK. Shawn explains that all he has to do is count for pinfalls and signal for submissions. He then says he would have to retaliate if he was provoked.
Intercontinental Championship Match
Shelton Benjamin vs. Maven
Benjamin looks fired up. I have always been a fan of Shelton. Maven's character work was starting to develop around this time, but this was pretty much it for him if memory serves me correctly. They announce Eugene dislocated his kneecap. The crowd is all over Maven. Imagine if they actually gave them a good show. After a bunch of stalling, he grabs a mic and stands on a chair and starts cutting a promo on the crowd. This isn't pay per view stuff, but it's a classic heel move. I would have to think that this may have been added to fill time from the previous two matches. I can't believe how much the crowd is booing Maven. He tells them that in order to become the IC champ he needs to concentrate and he isn't able to do that while the crowd is talking gibberish and tells them to shut their mouths in Spanish. Benjamin finally goes after him and Maven says he's out of here and will wrestle him in the USA. Have I really written this much about this match? My apologies. Maven comes in and Benjamin rolls him up for a quick 3 count. After complaining and the crowd chanting Vince's favorite "Na na na na na", Maven comes back in and is T-Bone Suplexed and pinned again. Another hard match to rate.
Match Rating: 1/4*
They show Candice Michelle putting oil on Christy's back. Cut to Chris Benoit getting ready for the Elimination Chamber.
JR says that he will be in Lawler's corner for his match against Muhammad Hassan. We then get a clip from the Raw I just recently covered.
Todd Grisham is with Hassan and Daivari. Hassan said the clip shows only one side of the story, just like the news. Hassan thinks that if anyone would be able to understand, it would be Puerto Rico. However, they were just as bad as Americans.
Muhammad Daivari vs. Jerry Lawler
Hassan stares down JR as he walks down the ramp. It was an interesting choice to have this match with no announcer at all. Lawler has a cut on his eye from Raw. They lock up and Hassan gets a body slam and poses. His offense was pretty generic, but that style can work when you have the amount of heat he was getting. Lawler gets a back body drop. If anyone could stall to add more time to make up for the early matches, it's 2005 Jerry Lawler. This would be the definition of a house show match. Lots of playing to the crowd and action only when they need to. Lawler has Hassan in a small package, but the ref didn't see right away and Hassan kicks out. Lawler is thrown into the exposed turnbuckle and Hassan goes to work setting up the Camel Clutch. Lawler is fighting it and Hassan goes into a reverse headlock. Hassan goes back into the Camel Clutch. Trust me, this isn't any more interesting for you than it is for me. Take back what I said about his offense working because now the crowd is starting to chant "Boring". Lawler, by the way, is 55 years old here. For reference, Undertaker is currently 53 years old. Crowd is really hating this, as would any sane person. Don't worry guys, Kane vs. Snitsky will save the show. After a terrible heel segment from Hassan, Lawler is making his comeback. He even hits a dropkick. Lawler on the second rope and nails him with the fist. 2 count only there. Lawler plants him with a nice DDT, but Daivari gets Hassan's leg on the rope. Lawler is now after Daivari, who then runs into JR and he tosses his cowboy hat to the floor. Daivari is in the ring but escapes. That distracts Lawler and Hassan hits his finisher for the pinfall.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Batista is with Grisham, but is interrupted by Randy Orton. Orton wants to know if he's going to try to win the title or if he is going to be Triple H's stooge. I like this Randy Orton much better than what we've had for the last 10 years or so. Batista says he will take the title.
JR apologizes for not getting the job done and out comes Jonathan Coachman to step in for Lawler. Coach goes all heel on JR, looking like a poor man's version of the Rock. JR then says this next one is going to be ugly and we get a hype video for Snitsky and Kane.
Gene Snitsky vs. Kane
It still boggles my mind that his gimmick was "It wasn't my fault". Then came bald Snitsky and all of the IWC rumors that he was going to get a main event run with Cena. Man, I can't wait to cover that era. Words can't express how much I hate the version of Kane's song with lyrics. Talk about taking a good entrance song and making it unbearable. Snitsky starts punching away on Kane. Kane comes back with a clothesline and some fists of his own. Kane hits Snitsky with a big powerslam. Not sure how long they will be able to keep up this pace, but they are giving a good effort here. Sidewalk Slam by Snitsky. Snitsky lifts up the mats on the outside. Kane back drops Snitsky on the concrete. Snitsky gets control back and is slowing things down here. Snitsky stretches Kane against the ring post. I'll take that over a chinlock any day. I did not realize that Snitsky had a stint, albeit a short one, in TNA. However I am not surprised. Snitsky pulls out the chinlock for big men, our old friend the bear hug. Kane battles out of it with some big right hands. Kane signals for the chokeslam, but Snitsky pushes him away and body slams him. Kane sits up and gets a boot to the face. Kane sits up again and another boot. Why not a third time? Snitsky throws Kane into the steps outside the ring. Snitsky has the chair, but Kane gets his boot up. Back in the ring, Kane throws Snitsky in the corner and hits him with fists and elbows. Sidewalk Slam this time by Kane. Big boot by Kane and he goes up top and hits him with a clothesline off the top. Snitsky does a poor looking hotshot to Kane. Snitsky is now biting Kane. Kane fights back and hits the tombstone and that is all. This was too long for what they were trying to achieve, but both guys gave it a good effort. Kane was never that great, but it rarely ever felt like he was mailing it in.
Match Rating: *1/2
Stacy and Val Venis are fighting with noodles in the pool.
Time for some more poolside clips. Stacy Kiebler Maria, Candice Michelle, Christy Hemme and now Simon Dean are being show poolside. Dean pushes a guest into the pool. Stacy and Val Venis are fighting with noodles in the pool. Now we have a chicken fight starting. Rob Conway, Hurricane and Rosey are there to join in. Christy unties Marias strap and wins. God, I feel dumber for even typing all of that out.
Hype video time that will help you forget the last few minutes of your life existed. Due to controversy surrounding a recent match, the title is vacated, setting up the Elimination Chamber.
Triple H confronts Batista about stealing the title from him. Batista says he was put on the spot by Orton and didn't want to give away their plan. Batista throws in there that if Triple H is eliminated before he gets in the ring, that nothing will stop him from winning the title.
Eric Bischoff introduces one of his greatest creations, the Elimination Chamber. This was pretty pointless.
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Elimination Chamber
Edge vs. Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit vs. Triple H vs. Randy Orton vs. Batista
Benoit and Jericho are the fist two to start, which is a natural choice. I have only seen this match once before and has been on my list to revisit it. we get some nice mat wrestling by the two long time performers. The crowd shows their appreciation for their performance. Both guys hit one another with some stiff looking chops. This was a really way to set up the rest of the match. Let the two best workers do their thing, only to set the stage for the more physical spots that are bound to come later. Superplex by Benoit to Jericho, right in front of Triple H's pod, as the 10 count starts. The next competitor is Triple H. He goes right after Benoit in the corner. Then a high knee to Jericho. Jericho is now bringing the chops to Triple H, but he retaliates with a big clothesline. Benoit gets thrown out to the steel and then into the chains. Benoit is busted open as a result. Triple H is going for the Pedigree, but Jericho clotheslines him. Jericho then back body drops Triple H over the ropes and onto the steel. Jericho slams him on the steel again. It's pretty easy to see why modern WWE now puts pads on the steel. The countdown is on an the next man is Edge. He goes right after Jericho and hits a spear in the corner. Then it's Triple H's turn. Edgecution, but Triple H kicks out. Belly to belly overhead suplex to Benoit and Edge has all three opponents down. Jericho then takes him out of nowhere with a dropkick. Another dropkick by Jericho to Edge, who lands on the steel. Edge then pulls off a slingshot to Jericho right into the chains. Edge then hits a slingshot to Triple H into the chains. Edge hits a clothesline off the top rope on Benoit and gets a 2 count. This is one of the few blade jobs I can remember Jericho doing in WWE. Triple H hits a Pedigree on Jericho, but isn't able to get a cover. Randy Orton is the next competitor. Off the top rope and hits Triple H with a cross body. The order selected was the right choice for the story they were trying to tell. Orton is very over here in Puerto Rico. RKO to Jericho. RK-no, Benoit gets him in the Crippler Crossface instead. No submission because he then puts Triple H in a Sharpshooter, but Orton hits Benoit with an RKO. Still no one is eliminated. Edge is in the corner and goes for a spear to Orton, but he moves and Edge accidentally hits HBK. Spear this time to Orton, but HBK is knocked out. Edge picks up Michaels and threatens him, so HBK hits Sweet Chin Music. Lionsault from Jericho and Edge is eliminated. The crowd goes crazy for that. Triple H for a Pedigree, but Benoit gets him from behind and hits him with 3 German Suplexes. Benoit up top, way up top. To the top of the pod and he does a diving headbutt to Triple H. Jericho then puts Triple H in the Walls of Jericho and Benoit joins in with the Crippler Crossface and the clock counts down and in comes Batista. He struggles to get out, but is in time to save Triple H. That was a great moment. Benoit is cleaning house and the crowd is digging Batista. Maybe they should push him. Batista and Triple H are face to face, but Benoit and Jericho come in and attack. Batista throws Jericho into the one cameraman inside the cage. Classic JR: "Look at the carnage". The cage is now open, as the officials check on the cameraman. Jericho with a bulldog onto Triple H on the steel. Batista hits a spinebuster to Benoit and then a spinebuster on Jericho onto Benoit. Batista pins Benoit. Batista Bomb to Jericho. Jericho is eliminated. This is a case of where we all saw where this story was going, but it was where it needed to go. Predictability is not always a bad thing. Batista and Triple H are all over Orton. Orton fights back, hits a low blow and then hits the RKO on Batista for the pinfall. Triple H didn't attempt to save his fellow-Evolution member. This draws a huge pop and then a chorus of boos. Orton is all over Triple H now. RKO to Triple H. Ric Flair gets in the ring and then Batista hits Orton with a clothesline. Triple H sets up the Pedigree and nails it. 1-2-3. Triple H is the new World Heavyweight Champion. Really well constructed match that told multiple stories and also let the workhorses add to the action, rather than just be there to take an instant pin. Batista puts up Triple H on his shoulders in celebration.
Match Rating: ****1/4
Going into this show, it was pretty easy to tell that this was a one match show. It became even more so when bad luck hit in the two opening matches. What was left after was not enough to make up for those losses and instead you have a really good 30+ minute main event and nothing else worth watching. Hard to recommend, but definitely check out the Elimination Chamber.
Overall Rating: 46%
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