The next pay-per-view (PPV) on the WWE schedule is the Elimination Chamber event set to take place on Sun., Feb. 23, 2014, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the company's annual beginning of the year showcase that features a cage match (or two) complete with pods and countdowns and, really, just the final stop before WrestleMania.
This one is historic because it represents the final PPV that will ever take place before the launch of the WWE Network.
Following last night's go home edition of Monday Night Raw, the match card is now complete with seven bouts. Check it:
- Randy Orton vs. John Cena vs. Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Christian vs. Cesaro
Orton ran the gauntlet against each opponent leading up to this and lost to everyone except Christian, though in fairness he lost via disqualification via Shield interference in his match with Sheamus. Cena, Bryan, and Cesaro all pinned him clean.
- The Shield vs. The Wyatt Family
No feud has received better booking or produced more consistently compelling television than this one. They've cut good promos, they've had better staredowns, they've teased physical confrontation to the point of madness, and the brief brawl they engaged on the go home Raw electrified everyone. This should be great.
- Batista vs. Alberto Del Rio
There is no reason for this to be happening other than WWE hoping to prop up Batista on his way to WrestleMania 30 and a WWE world heavyweight title match.
- Big E vs. Jack Swagger
Not much history here but Swagger won an impromptu Fatal 4-way on SmackDown last week that earned him a shot at Big E's Intercontinental title.
- New Age Outlaws vs. The Usos
The tag team titles are on the line in with Jimmy and Jey getting another crack at them. They've seemingly been on the verge of winning them forever but the old guard has been keeping them warm.
- Darren Young vs. Titus O'Neil
The Prime Time Players broke up a few weeks back and have been on a collision course ever since. This is a blood feud and while the match reportedly hasn't gotten over well at house shows, it's getting a chance at a major event.
- Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. Ryback & Curtis Axel
This will represent the free pre-show match to get the crowd good and hot for the main PPV offering. No real build to speak of but this could be the beginning of the end of the Rhodes brothers.
That's the card, Cagesiders. You buying?