No one ever said that the Road to WrestleMania XXV is an easy one to navigate. As if to emphasize the potholes and pitfalls involved, Raw began hosting a series of Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matches in order to determine which five men will earn the right to compete against World Heavyweight Champion John Cena at No Way Out in one of the most unforgiving structures in WWE history.
In the first three matches, held just one night after the Royal Rumble, Kofi Kingston upset Kane, Rey Mysterio defeated William Regal and Chris Jericho overcame Intercontinental Champion CM Punk to earn an opportunity to compete against Cena for the World Heavyweight Title.
Six days later in Cape Girardeau, Mo., Mike Knox qualified for the fifth spot in the Elimination Chamber Match by emerging victorious in a Six-Man Battle Royal. Knox bested Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, JTG and Shad, by finally booting the latter over the top rope.
The following night on Raw, Kane teamed with Mike Knox and secured the win for their tag team by pinning Rey Mysterio, who had paired with Kofi Kingston. Later in the night, Stephanie McMahon officially placed the Big Red Monster in the Elimination Chamber Match when he helped bring Undertaker to Raw to battle her nemesis, Randy Orton.
These six Superstars will compete for the World Heavyweight Championship, as well as challenging themselves, in one of the most diabolical structures ever created.
The Elimination Chamber Match requires that two Superstars start the bout while four others are held in chambers inside the chamber structure. After a predetermined amount of time, one Superstar is released from his chamber and let loose in the ring. This continues until all six Superstars have entered the action. Superstars can only be eliminated by pinfall or submission. The last man standing is declared the winner.
To find out who emerges victorious in the World Heavyweight Title Elimination Chamber Match at No Way Out, check back with WWE.com for ticket and pay-per-view information.
At No Way Out, six of WWE’s most elite Superstars will wage war inside one of the most brutal contests ever conceived – the Elimination Chamber Match.
Undertaker, Triple H, Big Show, Vladimir Kozlov and Jeff Hardy will have one goal in mind when they step inside the two miles of chain – Edge’s WWE Championship. But achieving victory inside the unforgiving steel structure will be no easy task. (Elimination Chamber Match rules)
As the Road to WrestleMania XXV forges onward, each Superstar took a unique path to qualify for the six-man fray at No Way Out.
On the Jan. 30 edition of SmackDown, Triple H defeated The Great Khali & Vladimir Kozlov in a Triple Threat Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match. And on the same night, Big Show defeated Festus, and Undertaker defeated Mark Henry to qualify. (Recap)
The final two spots were filled on the Feb. 6 edition of SmackDown, when Vladimir Kozlov was the last man standing in a 15-man Battle Royal. (Recap) And, SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero announced former WWE Champion Jeff Hardy would get the chance for a rematch against Edge after his heartbreaking Royal Rumble loss as a result of his brother’s betrayal.
At No Way Out, Randy Orton might learn that it was in err to target not only the most legendary namesake in the history of the squared circle, but also its greatest spectacle: WrestleMania. Standing across from the Legend Killer in a No Holds Barred Match will be the McMahon family’s champion, Shane McMahon.
In a confrontation where anything goes, the WWE Executive Vice President will shed his familiar pinstriped, two-piece suit for far less corporate accoutrements: Nike Air Jordans and virtually any weapon he can find. Despite the most dangerous stipulation set before him, Shane McMahon will fight a Superstar without conscience – the individual who callously punted his father, the WWE Chairman, weeks ago.
After winning the 2009 Royal Rumble Match (and a World Title Match at WrestleMania XXV along with it), Orton threatened litigation against Raw General Manager Stephanie McMahon in the event she or WWE attempted to fire the Legend Killer for his heinous actions against Mr. McMahon. The Chairman’s daughter, however, revealed part of a more intricate plan for Orton. Intermittent Explosive Disorder or no, the “Legacy” leader was met by an unexpectedly hostile, seemingly unstoppable assault from Shane O’Mac, whose torrent of fists were left unrestrained by Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes and their chief.
Shane O’Mac is focused on defending the dignity of his kin – a bloodline that extends into the entire WWE locker room, which Orton essentially threatened as well when he claimed willingness to jeopardize WrestleMania. If past confrontations involving the Chairman’s son have proven anything, it’s that no risk (or leap) is too great when it comes to winning. And, this time, Shane isn’t just seeking victory; he’s seeking to revoke his enemy’s guaranteed position on The Grandest Stage of Them All by crippling the Legend Killer.
Though it’s possible that Orton is moving directly into the pre-conspired scheme of the McMahon clan, this No Way Out bout comes at the behest of the Legend Killer, himself. The 2009 Royal Rumble victor always bears an ill-willed agenda accented with meticulous detail. Is a No Holds Barred confrontation with Shane McMahon exactly what he needs to secure his Legacy’s permanent foothold?
Mr. McMahon rests atop the current list of many men who have succumbed to Orton’s vile skull-rattling kick – Batista, Dusty Rhodes and many more. Will his son be the next notch on the Legend Killer’s impressively studded belt of fallen adversaries? Or will Shane O’Mac’s wild emotion be enough to extinguish Orton and his Legacy?
Find out live and only on pay-per-view at No Way Out.
For months, Shawn Michaels has acted as JBL’s employee, doing his boss’ bidding in the self-made millionaire’s failed attempts to become World Heavyweight Champion. Facing the self-proclaimed “wrestling god” at No Way Out, HBK has an opportunity to free himself from Layfield’s thrall, though he’ll also have to place the rights to his name and likeness on the line.
These unique stipulations grew out of Shawn Michaels’ performance review, which was given to him by his employer live on Raw. JBL was incensed that in spite of the money he had paid to Michaels, he still does not possess the World Heavyweight Title, and what’s worse, has little opportunity to obtain it between now and WrestleMania XXV. After publicly upbraiding his employee, Layfield gave HBK an opportunity to not only escape their arrangement but to be paid in full for the length of the odious, one-year contract. But in order to be free to once again be The Showstopper, Michaels had to place his name and likeness in the balance, which if JBL tastes victory, would give Layfield the right to increase his wealth on HBK’s back in perpetuity.
Michaels’ deal with the devil began months ago at Armageddon, when in the wake of personal financial disaster, HBK agreed to work for JBL. Since then, Michaels has made clear his distaste for his deplorable employer, but in the interest of providing for his family, he did what was asked of him. At the self-made millionaire’s urging, The Showstopper attacked World Heavyweight Champion John Cena, disqualified one of JBL’s opponents, and even laid down in a match against his employer, but throughout, HBK has struggled to maintain his integrity.
At No Way Out, if Michaels wins, he can have his cake and eat it too: Simultaneously safeguard his integrity and provide for his family. However, if he loses, he will be forever in service to JBL, his name and likeness rented out to the highest bidder as part of Layfield’s business empire. Will Shawn Michaels earn his release from his contract, or will he find that there’s No Way Out?
To find out the winner of the match and the fate of Shawn Michaels’ proud name, make sure to watch No Way Out, live on pay-per-view.
For the last few weeks on ECW on Sci Fi, Irish Eyes have been set on Jack Swagger’s ECW Championship. “The All-American American” – who is no longer undefeated in singles action – will have to defend his Extreme Title against Finlay at No Way Out.
After successfully defending the ECW Championship at Royal Rumble against Matt Hardy, Swagger was prepared for a grand championship celebration on ECW on Sci Fi. But his title was stolen, and the culprit was none other than Finlay’s son, Hornswoggle. Finlay demanded Hornswoggle return the title, but Swagger didn’t take the mischievous thief’s antics lightly. “The All-American American” kicked Hornswoggle, which prompted Finlay to knock out Swagger with the ECW Championship.
Just a week later on ECW on Sci Fi, an irate Swagger promised he’d embarrass and ruin Finlay and Hornswoggle. But with a little help from his son, the man who loves to fight was victorious over Swagger, giving the ECW Champion his first singles loss. Soon after, the WWE Universe learned that ECW General Manager Theodore Long announced Swagger would defend his ECW Championship against Finlay at No Way Out.
Is Finlay the Superstar who will finally put an end to Swagger’s ECW hot streak? Or will Swagger prove he truly is the new face of the Extreme franchise? Find out live at No Way Out, Feb. 15, only on pay-per-view.
