The WWE Elimination Chamber is renowned as one of the scariest and most dangerous structures in wrestling history. Over the years, it has produced both memorable moments and notable mishaps. The first Elimination Chamber match took place back at the 2002 Survivor Series, and since then, it has evolved and become its own standalone event. Fans and wrestlers alike anticipate the thrilling danger it brings.
This year, the Elimination Chamber will be hosted once again, this time in Toronto, Canada, bringing together WWE superstars like CM Punk, John Cena, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, and Alexa Bliss to compete inside the infamous structure. It's expected these stars will bring their A-game during the match, living up to the high stakes and exhilarating atmosphere the Elimination Chamber is known for.
But along with the excitement of the matches come risks. The Elimination Chamber has seen its fair share of botches and accidents, illustrating just how perilous this competition can be. One of the most notorious incidents occurred during the 2010 Elimination Chamber match featuring The Undertaker. During his entrance, The Phenom was accidentally engulfed by flames, sustaining both first and second-degree burns. Fortunately, he managed to escape with significant injuries but still dedicated himself to finishing the match, proving his commitment to his craft.
The Undertaker himself later recounted the incident. He had expressed serious concerns to the pyrotechnician right before the performance, stating, "the fire was too close." Despite voicing these warnings, they were dismissed. The aftermath saw the crew responsible for the mistake fired, emphasizing the seriousness of safety during these high-stakes events.
Shifting gears to the very first Elimination Chamber match, we highlight the injuries sustained by Triple H. The contest, which took place back in 2002, saw Triple H sharing the ring with Rob Van Dam, who, during one intense moment, attempted to use one of the chamber's pods to launch himself onto his opponent. Unfortunately, RVD's knee made direct contact with Triple H's throat, resulting in significant injury as it swelled up and closed off his airway, causing immense pain and difficulty for The Game.
Over the years, such injuries have prompted changes to the Chamber's structural design. WWE made adjustments to the cage to incorporate padding and larger safety measures as consequences of earlier incidents. The need for these changes signifies the risks involved as wrestlers put their bodies on the line for the entertainment of the fans watching live and on television.
Another infamous Elimination Chamber moment arose during the 2015 match, which featured the first-ever Tag Team version of the contest. Kalisto, one of the high-flying Lucha Dragons, faced embarrassment when his foot became stuck inside the chamber's chains after climbing to the top of one of the pods. While his fellow competitors attempted to conceal the mishap with aggressive maneuvers, it took assistance from Cesaro for Kalisto to climb down and get on with the competition. This funny, yet alarming incident, was another reminder of the unpredictable nature of wrestling, even at high-caliber matches.
To cap off the misadventures of the 2015 Elimination Chamber, the vacant Intercontinental Championship bout also ended up with notable errors. During this match, King Barrett found himself executing slams and moves only for the wall of one of the pods to collapse. This mishap led to the unfortunate early entry of Mark Henry, interrupting the match's flow and leading to less-than-stellar choreography, as the wrestlers had to call spots audibly, effectively disrupting the live audience's experience.
These instances paint the Elimination Chamber as not just challenging but perilous, underscoring the resilience and risk athletes take for their craft. The anticipation for this year's event looms large as fans reflect on these incidents and what they might witness next. It remains to be seen if this year's contestants can navigate the complexity and dangers surrounding the fabled Elimination Chamber and deliver electrifying performances. With each match, fans are reminded of the physical toll wrestling can take, yet also the astonishing dedication and bravery the wrestlers embody.