WWE will feature only one of the titular gimmick matches on tonight’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, instead paying focus to two alternative main-events.
The Rock and CM Punk will rematch their well-received Royal Rumble match with another scrap on Sunday’s show, while the team of John Cena, Ryback and Sheamus will battle The Shield.
The final pay-per-view before WrestleMania will set the wheels in motion for next month’s spectacular. Who will succeed on the Road to WrestleMania’s final stop?
Results, courtesy MARC MIDDLETON, follow:
Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes vs. Tensai and Brodus Clay
We go to the ring and out first comes Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes. Sandow talks about how fans have been demanding a Rhodes Scholars reunion. Cody demands the fans stand and give them an applause. Out next comes Brodus Clay, Cameron and Naomi. Clay goes to the back and brings out Tensai, who’s wearing a cap. They head to the ring.
Sandow and Clay start things off. Sandow goes to the floor to regroup early after being overpowered. Sandow comes back in and tags in Cody. Cody says he wants Tensai so in he comes. Cody with a cheap shot. Tensai backs him into the corner and unloads. Tensai with a dance move on the second rope. Tensai misses a move but splashes Cody in the corner. Cody drops down and connects with a right. Sandow comes in and brawls with Tensai. Tensai drops him with a right but Cody tags back in and jumps on Tensai’s back. Cody connects with a Disaster Kick. Sandow comes back in and stomps away on Tensai. Tensai double teamed on the ropes now. Tensai fights out of a hold and drops Cody with a right. Tensai misses a back splash and Cody tags Sandow back in. Sandow with a knee drop and Elbow of Disdain.
Clay finally comes in and unloads. Big splash for Cody in the corner. Clay goes to suplex Cody but Sandow dropkicks him from behind. Tensai comes in and takes out Sandow. Tensai and Clay sandwich Sandow with a splash. They double headbutt Cody and then double splash him for the win.
Winners: Tensai and Brodus Clay
– We get a hype video for WrestleMania 29.
– We see the Chamber hanging high in the arena. More hype for tonight’s match.
– The 2013 WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view kicks off with a video looking at some of tonight’s matches.
– We’re live from the New Orleans Arena as Michael Cole welcome us.
World Heavyweight Title Match: Big Show vs. Alberto Del Rio
We go to the ring and out first comes the challenger Big Show. Ricardo Rodriguez is out next to begin the introduction for World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio. Cole is joined by JBL and Jerry Lawler on commentary.
The bell rings and Show goes right to work on Del Rio. Del Rio turns it around in the corner but Show turns it right back around with a huge chop to the chest. Show with another big chop. Show beats Del Rio to the mat and scoop slams him. Show with more offense and chops. Del Rio makes a big comeback and gets a 2 count after a knee to the head. Del Rio gets the crowd to chant “si” and goes for the cross armbreaker but it’s blocked. Show nails a spear.
Show with a 2 count. Show taunts Ricardo before beating up Del Rio some more. Del Rio tries for a comeback but Show kicks him in the throat. Show nails the splash from the second rope but Del Rio kicks out at 2. Show goes for another but Del Rio counters and locks in the cross armbreaker. Show finally makes it to the ropes and breaks the hold. Show runs into boots but catches Del Rio in a bearhug. Del Rio finally breaks out but Show takes back control and goes for a powerbomb. Del Rio counters in the middle and manages a hurricanrana. Del Rio leaps through the ropes and takes Show down on the floor.
Show makes it back in before the 10 count. Del Rio nails a seated senton from the top for another 2 count. Show counters and nails a chokeslam out of nowhere. Del Rio kicks out at 2. Show calls for the knockout punch but Del Rio rolls out of the ring. Show pulls Del Rio into the ring by his head and slams him. Show goes for another chokeslam but it’s countered. Del Rio tries for a roll up but Show pulls him up. Del Rio counters with a DDT. Del Rio with an enziguri for another 2 count. Del Rio with the cross armbreaker again. Show pulls Del Rio through again and slams him. Ricardo gets on the apron but Show knocks him off. Del Rio misses an enziguri from behind and nails another, sending Ricardo’s bucket into Show’s head. Del Rio finally knocks Show down with an enziguri and locks in the armbreaker again. Show reaches for the ropes but can’t make it and taps out for the win.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
– We get a trailer for GI Joe with The Rock.
WWE United States Title Match: The Miz vs. Antonio Cesaro
We go to the ring and out first comes WWE United States Champion Antonio Cesaro. Josh Mathews is at ringside with an actor and actress from GI Joe. They talk about being here to support The Rock. Out next comes The Miz.
Back and forth to start. Cesaro takes control and works on the taped up shoulder of The Miz. Miz comes back with a knee to the gut and a kick to the face for a 2 count. Cesaro takes Miz back down and hits a series of right hands. Cesaro continues working on the shoulder. More back and forth. Miz catches Cesaro with a big boot to the face. Miz with a bunch of kicks in the corner now. Miz hits a flying clothesline and goes to the top. They end up on the floor. Miz sends Cesaro knee first into the ring steps.
They come back in the ring with Miz in control. Miz works on the injured leg of Cesaro. Miz with a 2 count. Miz drops knees on the leg now. Miz goes for the Figure Four leglock but Cesaro fights it off. Cesaro blocks a kick and looks as if he trips Miz into him, causing Miz to drop a knee below the belt. Cesaro points this out to the referee and gets the DQ.
Winner by DQ: Antonio Cesaro
– After the match, Miz gets pissed off and kicks Cesaro below the belt.
– Kane and Daniel Bryan are backstage. Kane says he’s never main evented WrestleMania so tonight’s Chamber match is a big deal to him.
Elimination Chamber Match: Chris Jericho vs. Kane vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton vs. Jack Swagger
We go to the arena and the Chamber begins to lower around the ring. They cut to a video package for the Chamber.
Out first comes Jack Swagger with his new theme song. Swagger is accompanied by Zeb Colter. Swagger cuts a promo and introduces Zeb. Zeb talks about Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase. Zeb says Jefferson would be ashamed at what has become of Louisiana and out nation. Zeb goes on and says tonight, a real Patriot, a real American will set things straight inside the Chamber and win one for the good guys. Zeb says tonight marks the beginning of a Jack Swagger America…. We The People. Out next comes one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions Kane. Kane and Swagger enter their pods. Out next comes Mark Henry for his first-ever Chamber match. Randy Orton is out next to a big pop. The other half of the WWE Tag Team Champions Daniel Bryan is out next to start the match with Chris Jericho. Jericho is out last to a big pop.
The Chamber is locked up and the bell rings. Fans chant for Jericho as he squares off with Bryan. They lock up and go at it. Bryan drops Jericho with a shoulder. Jericho with arm drags. Back and forth now. Jericho goes for a Walls of Jericho early but Bryan rolls it into a No Lock attempt. Jericho counters and goes for Walls again. Bryan tosses him across the ring. Bryan with kicks in the corner now. Bryan runs into a big boot. Jericho with chops now. Bryan gets tossed out onto the steel but fights Jericho over the rope. Bryan tries to suplex Jericho onto the steel but he lands on his feet. Back and forth on the steel. Bryan goes for a No Lock on the steel but it’s blocked again. They come back in the ring and Jericho drops Bryan for a 2 count. The timer counts down and in comes Jack Swagger.
Swagger comes right in and slams Jericho. Swagger with a Swagger Bomb in the corner for a 2 count. Swagger rams Bryan into the steel as Zeb looks on. Swagger rams Bryan into the steel again. Bryan moves this time and Swagger hits the steel, barely clipping Bryan. Swagger drives Bryan’s face into the steel with a knee. Swagger comes back in but Jericho dropkicks him in the face. Jericho with kicks. Jericho works Swagger over in the corner as the fans chant his name. Jericho misses a splash in the corner and lands out on the steel. Swagger follows and throws Jericho shoulder first into the chains. Swagger with knees up against the chains now. Bryan comes over and takes out Swagger on the steel. Bryan brings Jericho into the ring and takes control. Bryan goes to the top but misses the flying headbutt. Jericho covers for a 2 count. Jericho with a low dropkick. The timer counts down and the next man in is Kane.
Kane goes after Swagger and Jericho. He piles them up int he corner and lets Bryan dropkick them. Kane dropkicks Swagger in the face while Bryan works over Jericho in the corner. Kane tosses Swagger out onto the steel. Bryan rolls Kane up for a 2 count. Bryan apologizes as Kane stares him down. Bryan wants to hug but Kane shakes his head no. Kane points to the WrestleMania sign as they chant yes and no. They start fighting. Bryan with a dropkick in the corner. Bryan with kicks to the chest on Kane. Kane ducks a kick and grabs Bryan for a chokeslam. Bryan tries to lock the No Lock in but Kane catches him with a sidewalk slam for a 2 count. Kane goes to the top but Bryan cuts him off. Bryan climbs up for a superplex. Jericho comes over and puts Bryan on his shoulders. Kane clotheslines Bryan off his shoulders. Swagger comes over to break up a pin attempt. Swagger goes at it with Kane. Swagger tries for a suplex but Kane counters and nails one of his own. Kane with a 2 count. Jericho kicks Kane in the head and goes at it with Swagger. The timer counts down and the next man in is Randy Orton.
Orton comes in on fire. He clotheslines Swagger out to the steel. Orton drops Jericho but gets clocked by Kane. Orton sends Kane out to the steel and grabs Bryan. Orton slingshot suplexes Bryan in the ring. Orton goes after Kane but Kane goes for a chokeslam on the steel. Orton counters and rams Kane into the chains. Orton goes for a draping DDT from the second rope and drops Kane’s face on the steel. Bryan and Jericho go at it now. Orton comes back in and grabs Swagger by his face. Orton takes Swagger to the top for a superplex. Jericho has Bryan on the opposite side for a superplex. Orton nails his superplex first. Jericho hits his next. Everyone is down as Mark Henry looks on from his pod.
Henry comes in and drops Jericho, Orton, Swagger, Bryan and Jericho again. A headbutt for Orton and another clothesline for Swagger. Bryan goes back down. Henry with a World’s Strongest Slam on Bryan. Daniel Bryan is eliminated by pinfall.
Henry grabs Orton and throws him through a pod as the crowd pops. Henry and Kane go at it now. Kane side steps and clotheslines Henry in the corner. Another big splash by Kane. Kane goes to the top but Henry catches him in mid-air. Henry with a World’s Strongest Slam on Kane. Kane is eliminated by pinfall.
Henry comes back in and tosses Jericho out onto the steel. Henry goes to torpedo Jericho into the steel bit it’s countered. Henry gets throws into the chains now. Swagger and Jericho team up to work over Henry. They double suplex him onto the steel but it hurts all three. Jericho clotheslines Swagger into the ring. Jericho with a crossbody from the top for a 2 count. Swagger goes for the gutwrench but Jericho counters and goes for the Walls of Jericho. Swagger counters. Jericho with a bulldog. Jericho goes for a Lionsault but Henry catches him in mid-air. Henry throws Jericho into the chains. Henry takes both Swagger and Jericho down in the ring now. Henry with a headbutt on Swagger. Henry stacks them on top of each other and goes to the second rope for a big splash. They move and Henry hits the mat. Swagger with a big boot. Jericho with a Codebreaker. Henry staggers around but turns around to a big RKO from Orton. Orton pins Henry and he is eliminated.
Henry leaves the Chamber but comes right back in. He nails three World’s Strongest Slams on Swagger, Orton and Jericho. Officials try to get him out but here comes Booker T and Teddy Long. Henry finally leaves as Booker has words with him. Swagger covers Orton for a close 2 count. All three brawl now. Orton and Jericho toss Swagger head first into the corner but his head crashes into the pod. Orton and Jericho brawl now. Orton clotheslines Jericho twice. Jericho ducks and drops Orton with a shoulder block. Jericho goes to the top but Orton dropkicks him in mid-air. Orton covers for a 2 count. Swagger gets powerslammed by Orton. As does Jericho. Orton brings Swagger into the ring with a draping DDT but Jericho breaks it up with a springboard dropkick. Jericho with a close 2 count on Orton. Swagger blocks a Codebreaker and slams Jericho into the corner. Swagger with a belly-to-belly for 2. Swagger catches Orton in the Patriot Act submission. Jericho breaks it with an enziguri on Swagger. Swagger comes right back with the Patriot Act on Jericho. Jericho rolls through and goes for the Walls of Jericho. Orton comes over and hits his backbreaker on Jericho for a 2 count. Orton dumps Swagger onto the steel and grabs Jericho. Orton goes for the draping DDT but here comes Swagger. Orton grabs them both and hits a double draping DDT into the ring. The crowd goes nuts as Orton readies for the RKO.
Jericho blocks the RKO but Orton blocks the Lionsault. Orton nails a RKO and Jericho is eliminated. Swagger comes from behind and rolls Orton up for the win. Jack Swagger is going to WrestleMania 29.
Winner and New #1 Contender: Jack Swagger
– After the match, Swagger and Zeb Colter celebrate on the ramp as Orton looks on pissed off from the Chamber. Orton looks up at the WrestleMania sign in disappointment. Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter are going to WrestleMania 29.
– We get a vignette for The Shield and tonight’s big six-man match.
The Shield vs. John Cena, Ryback and Sheamus
We go to the ring and out first comes John Cena. Sheamus is out next followed by Ryback. The Shield’s music hits and out comes Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and roman Reigns. Ryback and Reigns start brawling at ringside. Everyone meets in the ring and there’s a big brawl to start things. Sheamus, Ryback and Cena hit suplexes at the same time and things look to settle down. The bell rings and it’s Sheamus and Ambrose. Sheamus runs over him and takes it to the corner. Ambrose turns it around but Sheamus hits him with knees. Sheamus tosses Ambrose to the apron and hits forearm shots to the chest.
On the floor and Sheamus takes a shot at Rollins. Sheamus comes back in but Ambrose sends him right bakc out. Reigns runs over Sheamus on the floor now. Reigns brings Sheamus back in the ring and works him over now. Ambrose tags in as does Rollins and we get a nice triple team move. Rollins covers for a 2 count. Rollins with a submission on Sheamus now. Ambrose comes back in and takes Sheamus to the corner. Sheamus hits a big kick on Ambrose out of nowhere from the corner. Cena tags in as does Reigns. Cena unloads with his usual moves and hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment but Rollins runs in. He gets sent out and Cena locks in the STF on Reigns. Ambrose runs in and breaks it up. Rollins comes in off the top rope and takes out Cena. Reigns with a 2 count on Cena.
Ambrose comes back in to keep Cena down. Rollins comes back in for some double teaming. Rollins taunts Cena and keeps control of him. Cena fights back and takes out Ambrose and Reigns. Cena turns around to a kick from Rollins for another 2 count. Rollins with a big splash in the corner on Cena. Dueling chants for Cena now. Ambrose comes in and we get another triple team move from The Shield. Reigns with a 2 count on Cena as Sheamus breaks things up. The fans chant for Ryback to come in now. Cena fights back but Reigns nails a Samoan Drop for another 2 count. Reigns keeps Cena grounded. Cena tries to fight up but Reigns takes him back down. Cena finally fights up and slams Reigns. Reigns with a clothesline on Cena and back down he goes for a 2 count. Ambrose comes back in to continue the assault on Cena. 2 count by Ambrose. Ambrose with a headscissors now.
Cena tries to fight back but Ambrose drops him with a nasty DDT. Ambrose unloads on Cena but charges and gets dumped over the top rope and out to the floor. Ryback gets the fans pumped. Ryback finally gets the tag and unloads on Rollins and Ambrose. Ryback with a huge back drop for both men. Rollins gets a powerbomb. Ambrose gets a big slam. Ryback throws Ambrose into Rollins in the corner. Reigns comes in and attacks Ryback from the side. Sheamus takes out Reigns. Sheamus tumbles to the floor with Ambrose. Reigns runs and spears Sheamus through the barrier. More chaos. Ryback ends up in the ring getting beat down by all three men. They go for the triple powerbomb but Cena makes the save. Ryback goes for Shellshocked on Rollins while Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment on Ambrose. Reigns interrupts Shellshocked and spears Ryback. Rollins falls on top and covers Ryback for the win.
Winners: The Shield
– After the match, Cena is confused about the finish. The Shield retreats through the crowd. Ryback is upset and he leaves Cena and Sheamus in the ring. Ryback heads to the back as Cena looks on confused still.
– We go back out and here comes Dolph Ziggler, AJ Lee and Big E Langston. Ziggler talks about how he’s not booked tonight. He brings up Jack Swagger and says nothing guarantees a World Heavyweight Title shot but his briefcase. Ziggler goes on and here comes Booker T to the entrance. Booker introduces Ziggler’s opponent and out comes Kofi Kingston.
Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler
They lock up and Ziggler takes Kofi down first. Kofi connects with a nice dropkick. Kofi catapults Ziggler out of the corner and he goes flying. Dolph comes back with a dropkick and takes Kofi to the mat. Kofi runs the ropes and Ziggler blocks a kick and goes for the sleeper hold. Kofi fights out but Ziggler goes to the floor. Kofi runs the ropes and takes out Ziggler. Big E gets on the apron to distract the referee. AJ slaps Kofi. Ziggler gets caught by Trouble in Paradise. Kofi covers for 2 but Big E pulls Ziggler to safety. Kofi leaps from the top rope and lands on Big E on the floor. Kofi rolls Dolph in and springboards in with a crossbody for 2.
Ziggler takes Kofi down hard from the top. Ziggler connects with a Zig Zag for the win.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
– Big E Langston heads up the entrance with Dolph and AJ but comes back to the ring. He hits some big body shots on Kofi and runs over him with a huge clothesline. Langston with a big knee to the gut and two more. Big E lays Kofi out with his finisher and stands over him. Big E yells and holds his fist up as we go to replays.
– Brodus clay is backstage with Cameron and Naomi, playing with WWE action figures. Tensai walks up and Clay calls him Sweet T. Tensai doesn’t want to be called that again. They joke about the Japanese writing on Tensai’s face. Tensai gets sad but cheers up after some dancing.
WWE Divas Title Match: Tamina Snuka vs. Kaitlyn
We go to the ring and out first comes the #1 contender Tamina Snuka. WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn is out next.
They show a video from earlier where Kaitlyn talks about how she might walk out or crawl out tonight but will still be champion. They lock up and go to the ropes. Tamina shoves Kaitlyn back and knees her. Back and forth now. Kaitlyn tries to get some offense going but Tamina breaks to the ropes. Tamina goes to the floor and we see the rest of the Divas watching backstage. Kaitlyn dropkicks Tamina back onto the floor and brings her back in the ring. Kaitlyn comes in but Tamina catches her with a right hand. Tamina rams her into the ring post and Kaitlyn hits the floor.
Tamina brings it back in the ring but Kaitlyn kicks her. Tamina drops Kaitlyn with a boot. Tamina with a 2 count. Tamina with a Samoan Drop now. Tamina goes to the top for a Superfly Splash but Kaitlyn moves out of the way. Kaitlyn spears Tamina and covers for the win.
Winner: Kaitlyn
– We get promos for tonight’s WWE Title match.
WWE Title Match: CM Punk vs. The Rock
Out first comes CM Punk with Paul Heyman. Punk has the WWE Title belt with him and has himself introduces as The People’s Champion. Out next comes The Rock to a big pop.
We get formal ring introductions before the bell. They get a feel for each other before locking up. Punk drops Rock with a shoulder. They stall some before locking up again. Punk with a headlock. Punk drops Rock again. Rock catches him with big arm drags. Rock throws Punk into the ropes but he retreats to Heyman on the floor. Punk comes back in and the have words in each others face. Punk smacks Rock. Rock unloads with right hands into the corner. Rock ignores the referee and goes back to unloading in the corner. The referee finally backs Rock off with the threat of a DQ. Punk gets up and spits in Rock’s face. Rock runs over him with a clothesline and unloads. Rock tosses Punk out to the floor. Rock goes out and whips Punk into the barrier. Rock with a clothesline on the floor as the referee counts. Rock slams Punk’s face into the announce table. Rock gets raked in the eyes by Punk. Punk comes back in the ring and Rock follows. Punk with a clothesline.
Punk with another takedown and a 1 count. Dueling chants from the crowd now. Punk keeps control and keeps Rock on the mat now. Punk with a 2 count. Punk with a chinlock. Punk catches Rock with a kick to the jaw for another 2 count. Punk with a suplex and another pin attempt. Rock fights out and decks Punk with a right hand. Rock runs into boots in the corner. Punk springboards in with a clothesline for 2. Punk with another chinlock on the mat now. Rock fights up and out with right hands. Rock blocks a boot in the corner unloads with punches. Punk hits the high knee. Punk runs for another high knee and nails it. Punk lays Rock down and climbs to the top. Punk nails the big elbow drop but Rock kicks out at 2.
Rock gets knocked back out to the floor. Punk follows and takes apart the announce table. Rock gets up and brings Punk back in the ring. Rock goes for a Rock Bottom but Punk goes for a neckbreaker. Rock counters and Punk nails a kick to the head for a 2 count. Punk tosses Rock back out to the floor and puts him on the announce table. Punk hits a Rock Bottom on top of the announce table but it doesn’t break. Punk rolls back in the ring as the referee starts counting Rock out. Rock makes it back in the ring before the count out but Punk mounts him with right hands. Rock catches Punk with a Samoan Drop. They both get up and Rock nails a huge right hand. Rock with another right. Punk fights back and they trade lots of big shots now. Rock with a flying clothesline and a DDT as the crowd pops.
Rock goes for a Rock Bottom but Punk counters with elbows to the back of the head. Punk beats Rock down to the mat with elbows. Rock finally nails the Rock Bottom but Punk kicks out. Punk goes to the floor but Rock brings him back in. Heyman argues with a referee. Punk whips Rock into the referee and he lands out on the floor. Punk nails GTS on Rock and covers for the pin but the referee is down. Punk has Rock pinned but there is no referee. Another referee comes down and checks on his colleague, as does a trainer. The second referee comes in the ring as Punk goes for another GTS. Rock counters and nails a spinebuster. The Rock hits The People’s Elbow as the crowd cheers. Rock covers but Punk kicks out at 2. Punk lands on the second referee’s ankle and he’s injured now. Punk drops Rock with a kick to the head as the second referee is out on the floor holding his ankle. A trainer checks on him now.
Punk has Heyman slide him the WWE Title belt. Heyman holds Rock on the apron. Punk charges with the belt but Rock ducks and Punk knocks Heyman to the floor. Rock drops Punk and covers for the win as the first referee wakes up and counts the pin. The Rock is going to WrestleMania 29.
Winner: The Rock
– After the match, The Rock hits the turnbuckles to pose with the WWE Title. Cole announces John Cena vs. The Rock for WrestleMania 29. Elimination Chamber goes off the air with The Rock celebrating.
