The WWE Elimination Chamber returns this weekend live on Sky Sports at No Way Out.
This Sunday at WWE No Way Out the most barbaric match in the WWE returns - The Elimination Chamber. Only five of these brutal matches have ever occurred in the WWE and for the first time in history there will be two Elimination Chamber matches on one night - live on Sky Sports 1 at 1am.
In the aftermath of the Royal Rumble and John Cena's decision to use his WWE Championship opportunity against Randy Orton early at No Way Out, Raw General Manager William Regal announced six Raw superstars would battle in the sadistic structure to decide who would become the number one contender to face the WWE Champion at Wrestlemania XXIV.
Regal named Jeff Hardy, Umaga, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, John Bradshaw Layfield and Triple H as the six men who would lock horns in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Not to be outdone by their Raw counterparts Smackdown announced four days later that they themselves would have an Elimination Chamber match at No Way Out. Big Daddy V, The Great Khali, Finlay, MVP, The Undertaker and Batista were all announced as the combatants who would fight to become the number one contender to face the World Heavyweight Champion at The Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
The chamber consists of 10 tons of steel, 2 miles of chain and 36 feet in diameter. Ahead of its demonic return Sky Sports' wrestling expert Richard Parr helps you to relive the previous Elimination Chambers matches.
1. Survivor Series, 17th November 2002
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Shawn Michaels defeated Booker T, RVD, Kane, Chris Jericho and Triple H (c).
The General Manager of Raw at the time, Eric Bischoff concocted the idea of the first Elimination Chamber. He said it would combine elements of the Royal Rumble, Survivor Series and WCW's War Games.
As World Heavyweight Champion, Triple H had the odds highly stacked against him. He not only had five Superstars gunning for his title but to make matters worse he was drawn as one of the starting two with Rob Van Dam.
Somehow 'The Game' outlasted four of his opponents to be one of the remaining two combatants. The only problem was that the other Superstar was his then arch-nemesis Shawn Michaels. The pair were in the midst of a brutally personal rivalry and on the night of the first Elimination Chamber it was 'The Heartbreak Kid' who came out on top.
Michaels claimed his first World Heavyweight Championship and the honour of being the inaugural winner of the Elimination Chamber when he Super-kicked 'The Game' in the face and collected the pin.
2. Summerslam, 24th August 2003
American West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Triple H (c) defeated Goldberg, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Kevin Nash and Shawn Michaels.
Once again Triple H had to enter the Elimination Chamber to try and hold on to his World Heavyweight title against five challengers. One of these opponents seemed to be particularly on a mission to gain the gold.
As the last competitor to be released from his cell, Goldberg made the most dramatic entry the Elimination Chamber has ever seen. In just a matter of minutes he destroyed Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho with a collection of Spears and Jackhammers. Goldberg even speared Randy Orton through one of the cells.
With Kevin Nash earlier eliminated by Chris Jericho this left Goldberg with the champion Triple H. Wily as ever, Triple H knew he needed to avoid the former Atlanta Falcons star for as long as possible, so he locked himself in one of the cells. Unfortunately this plan failed when Goldberg smashed his way in to get his hands on the champion.
Triple H looked doomed as Goldberg had him ready for the Spear. 'The Game' though was saved when from the outside Ric Flair slid in a sledgehammer to him which he promptly nailed the onrushing Goldberg with, right between the eyes. Unlike the previous year Triple H was able to keep his crown albeit with the help of Ric Flair and his trusty sledgehammer.
3. New Year's Revolution, 9th January 2005
Coliseo de Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Triple H defeated Edge, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Batista and Randy Orton (Guest Referee: Shawn Michaels).
The first WWE Pay-per-view held in Puerto Rico included the third ever Elimination Chamber for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship. The belt had been made vacant one month before. During a triple-threat match for the title between Champion Triple H, Chris Benoit and Edge; the finish was shrouded in controversy when Edge pinned Benoit while Benoit was simultaneously making him submit.
Once again the story of the chamber surrounded Triple H. This time it was based on the underlying tension between him and his Evolution team-mate Batista. It was becoming clear that Batista was frustrated with how 'The Game' was treating him and many wondered if 'The Animal' would make his feelings known inside the Elimination Chamber.
Fortunately for Evolution's leader it was not this night. Despite a Goldberg-esque impact by Batista to dismantle Benoit and Jericho, former Evolution member Randy Orton RKO'd and eliminated 'The Animal' to avoid the potential showdown with Triple H.
While guest referee Shawn Michaels tried to remove Batista from the chamber, Randy Orton had his RKO on Triple H count for nothing when the outside interference of Ric Flair continued to distract Michaels. This gave Batista the chance to clothesline Orton and one Pedigree later; Triple H became once again the World Heavyweight Champion.
To show his support for his Evolution leader, Batista lofted Triple H onto his shoulders to celebrate the victory.
4. New Year's Revolution, 8th January 2006
Pepsi Arena, Albany, New York
John Cena (c) defeated Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels, Carlito, Chris Masters and Kane.
The fourth Elimination Chamber match was the first that the WWE Championship would be contested for. However it was the aftermath of the match that would send shockwaves through the WWE.
Champion John Cena somehow survived from being one of the first two entrants to win and retain his title when he finally rolled-up Carlito. After nearly 30 minutes of brutality Cena thought his night was over. Sadly for him it wasn't.
With the fans making their way to the exits Vince McMahon came out to announce Edge was coming out to use his Money in the Back title shot right there and then against Cena. Two Spears later and Edge captured his first ever WWE Title.
5. December to Dismember, 3rd December 2006
James Brown Arena, Augusta, Georgia
Bobby Lashley defeated The Big Show (c), RVD, Hardcore Holly, CM Punk and Test.
When ECW announced that at their pay-per-view December to Dismember they were going to have an Elimination Chamber match it meant there was always going to be a twist. And in typical ECW style the match became an Extreme Elimination Chamber Match. The rules were the same but along with a Superstar; each cell also included a weapon! There was either: a crowbar, a table, a steel chair or a barbed wire baseball bat.
Bobby Lashley had created his own opportunity to participate in the match by attacking Hardcore Holly and signing a contract to be the 6th extremist in the match a few weeks before. These actions meant that Paul Heyman planned to make it as difficult as possible for Lashley in the match. This began before Lashley could even enter the match when Heyman's security bolted his cell shut with him in it.
This wasn't going to stop Lashley as he smashed his way out of the cell using the table he had with him. After eliminating Test with a Spear, Lashley was confronted with the sixth and final entrant, ECW Champion The Big Show.
After countering the Champion's weapon of a barbed wire baseball bat with a steel chair, Lashley eventually did away with 7 foot Monster using his patented Spear. By becoming the new ECW Champion Bobby Lashley's initiative to enter the barbaric match had paid off.
