Highlights

  • Elimination Chamber allows for multiple storylines and interlocking narratives, creating a fan-favorite match.
  • It gives wrestlers who don't usually get a chance in the main event scene a big spotlight and a shot at a World Championship.
  • Memorable high spots and intense action make Elimination Chamber matches exciting and entertaining for fans.

In what has become one of the company's more consistent gimmick matches, WWE Elimination Chamber has seen a wide variety of competitors and matches come through it over the years. Since its inception in 2002, it has served all sorts of purposes that make it a fan-favorite match, perhaps topped only by the Royal Rumble.

It gives six wrestlers a shot at a World Championship, allowing people who don't normally get a chance in the main event scene a big spotlight. It allows multiple storylines to come together in one match, creating a lot of interlocking narratives, and most importantly, it allows for plenty of memorable high spots.

Updated February 11, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Road to WrestleMania is officially underway, and a major stop involves a trip to Australia. On February 24, 2024, WWE will hold Elimination Chamber: Perth, an event that has already confirmed two matches of its eponymous stipulation. These contests are set to determine the number one contenders for WrestleMania, with the Women's Chamber leading to a match against either Rhea Ripley or Nia Jax and the Men's Chamber resulting in a fight against Seth Rollins. Will they rank among the best Elimination Chamber matches ever?

14 Summerslam 2003

CagedMatch: 6.56

Goldberg tackling Chris Jericho & Shawn Michaels
  • Participants: Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton, Kevin Nash, Triple H(c), & Goldberg
  • Stipulation: World Heavyweight Championship
  • Winner: Triple H

Slap-bang in the middle of Triple H's infamous reign of terror on Raw with the World Heavyweight Championship, he got the opportunity to put down all the pretenders to his throne in one fell swoop. This is perhaps one of the more controversial matches, though, purely because Triple H won.

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While there were six other men in the match, who did plenty of great wrestling throughout the match, this was really all about Goldberg. He was still fresh in WWE, and all the memorable moments in this match involved Goldberg annihilating everything in his path, especially Chris Jericho. Unfortunately, it ended in such a lame fashion, with Triple H bonking Goldberg with the sledgehammer and getting the win.

13 Elimination Chamber 2013

CagedMatch: 7.57

mark henry elimination chamber 2013
  • Participants: Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan, Jack Swagger, Kane, Randy Orton, & Mark Henry
  • Stipulation: World Heavyweight Championship Match at WrestleMania 29
  • Winner: Jack Swagger

The only Elimination Chamber match at the gimmick's self-titled 2013 PPV was entirely overshadowed by the show's main event, CM Punk defending his WWE Championship against The Rock. The match's reputation is also hindered by a weak winner, especially since Jack Swagger would go on to face Alberto Del Rio in a forgettable match at WrestleMania 29. Despite all that, when viewed in a vacuum, this contest has a fair few positives.

Jericho gives a great performance as he lasts most of the match. Team Hell No get a few amusing interactions, and Daniel Bryan's presence is always a net positive. Mark Henry also goes on an impressive tear, showing flashes of the character that promoted him to the main event scene in 2011. Swagger rolling Orton for the win did little to set up the former as a viable candidate for the title, but otherwise, the match is a fun watch.

12 Elimination Chamber 2010 – SmackDown Chamber

CagedMatch: 7.79

chris jericho undertaker elimination chamber 2010
  • Participants: CM Punk, R-Truth, Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, John Morrison, & The Undertaker(c)
  • Stipulation: World Heavyweight Championship
  • Winner: Chris Jericho

The SmackDown match at 2010's Elimination Chamber is remembered for two things. Firstly, The Undertaker's entrance pyro malfunctioned, forcing the Deadman to wrestle with burns. Secondly, the match concluded with interference by Shawn Michaels, setting up his retirement match with The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26​​​​​​.

In between these two moments, there is a unique Elimination Chamber match. Unlike most other bouts, this competition is primarily structured around 1v1 encounters, including a few quick eliminations. Consequently, WWE could focus on individual storylines, some of which were callbacks to previous feuds or paved the way to WrestleMania.

11 Elimination Chamber 2021 – SmackDown Chamber

CagedMatch: 7.94

Jey Uso crushing Kevin Owens' arm in the Chamber door
  • Participants: Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, King Corbin, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, & Jey Uso
  • Stipulation: Match for the Universal Championship immediately after
  • Winner: Daniel Bryan

One of the best stories during Roman Reigns' run as Universal Champion so far, the Tribal Chief orchestrated a scenario to be the ultimate bad guy. Rather than defend his championship inside the Elimination Chamber, he manipulated the situation so that he'd have to wrestle a weakened opponent, immediately after they survived a Chamber match.

The action inside the Chamber was great, especially with Daniel Bryan & Cesaro starting things off. Jey Uso was there to play spoiler, intending to win and then lie down for Reigns in the title match. The story culminated beautifully, though. Bryan got the win and pushed Roman Reigns to his limit. Ultimately coming up short, but setting in motion an incredible story for WrestleMania a month later.

10 Elimination Chamber 2014

CagedMatch: 8.33

Randy Orton holding the WWE & World Heavyweight Championship Bets
  • Participants: Cesaro, Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, Christian, John Cena, & Randy Orton(c)
  • Stipulation: WWE World Heavyweight Championship
  • Winner: Randy Orton

Another Elimination Chamber match that ended in disappointment, yet everything leading up to the finish was utterly brilliant. Early 2014 was when Daniel Bryan and the "Yes!" Movement was at its peak, and fans grabbed onto every glimmer of hope that Bryan would finally get the win.

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There's some spectacular action throughout the match. Cesaro & Sheamus start things off, and they've always had incredible chemistry, then Bryan gets thrown into the mix and things become so fun to watch. Even Christian gets a high spot. There are a bunch of memorable moments, including the Wyatt family teleporting in to eliminate John Cena, and although Kane cost Daniel Bryan the match in the end, it was one hell of a ride to get there.

9 Elimination Chamber 2023 – United States Title Chamber

CagedMatch: 8.55

elimination chamber 2023 united states
  • Participants: Johnny Gargano, Seth Rollins, Austin Theory(c), Damian Priest, Bronson Reed, & Montez Ford,
  • Stipulation: WWE United States Championship
  • Winner: Austin Theory

Elimination Chamber matches for secondary titles have not been great, with the Intercontinental match from the 2015 event being the worst rendition of the stipulation. The same event also had the underwhelming WWE Tag Team Championship chamber match, although WWE did rerun that concept in 2020 to a better result. Technically, the ECW Elimination Chamber match was close in stakes to these contests, and it was also terrible.

2023 marked a changing of the guard within WWE, and one of the most notable shifts was an attempt to legitimize the mid-tier titles. Gunther's reign as Intercontinental Champion has done wonders for the belt, arguably making it feel like the second-biggest men's prize in the company. The United States Championship has not been elevated to the same extent, but it no longer feels like a nothing belt as it did in the late 2010s. Logan Paul's reign has also helped.

Although lacking tension, this match works because it brings together some of WWE's greatest workhorses and just lets them burn the house down for half an hour. The result is a showcase of the company's present and future that moves at a blistering and satisfying pace.

8 No Way Out 2009 – SmackDown Chamber

CagedMatch: 8.28

Rey Mysterio Clotheslining Chris Jericho over the ropes
  • Participants: Edge(c), Jeff Hardy, Vladimir Kozlov, Big Show, Triple H, & The Undertaker
  • Stipulation: World Heavyweight Championship
  • Winner: Triple H

As weird as it is for anything involving Vladimir Kozlov to be considered a "best", this match had a lot to love. Edge & Jeff Hardy were a great choice to start out, as they can easily put on an entertaining match, but things immediately got exciting as the defending champion, Edge was eliminated in less than five minutes.

This immediately gave the match a heightened sense of excitement, as a new champion was guaranteed to be crowned. It lulls a bit in the middle but is entirely made up for by the ending section, which features Triple H and The Undertaker battling it out in brilliant fashion before Triple H finally slips away with the win.

7 No Way Out 2009 – Raw Chamber

CagedMatch: 8.46

Edge holding the WWE Championship
  • Participants: Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, Kane, Mike Knox, Edge, & John Cena(c)
  • Stipulation: WWE Championship
  • Winner: Edge

As it turned out, that night in 2009, the first Elimination Chamber match was just the first part in Edge's story for that night. After being eliminated in such quick fashion earlier in the night, Edge attacked Kofi Kingston, who was supposed to be in the second Chamber match, as he was coming to the ring, stealing his spot.

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After having injected himself into the match, he secured his reputation as the "ultimate opportunist" by coming in late and controlling the match. When John Cena enters and goes on a tear, Edge coordinates the efforts of everyone else in the match to get rid of the champ, leaving the door wide open to end the night as WWE Champion.

6 Elimination Chamber 2011 – SmackDown Chamber

CagedMatch: 8.37

Wade Barrett throwing Edge into the Chamber wall
  • Participants: Edge(c), Rey Mysterio, Wade Barrett, Kane, Drew McIntyre, & Big Show
  • Stipulation: World Heavyweight Championship
  • Winner: Edge

The lineup for this match doesn't look too spectacular, but it delivered. Drew McIntyre was still a long way off from his popular current iteration but showed that he had the potential. Kane and Big Show were slowing down but hadn't quite run out of steam just yet, and Wade Barrett was still a hungry newcomer.

Then there's Edge and Rey Mysterio. These two all-time greats carry this match on their backs. They start as the first two in the match and survive all the way until the end, dealing with the other threats as they come and go. They even get a whopping 10 minutes in the end with just the two of them in the ring.

5 No Way Out 2008 – Raw Chamber

CagedMatch: 8.74

no way out 2008 chamber match
  • Participants: Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Umaga, JBL, Triple H, & Jeff Hardy
  • Stipulation: WWE Championship Match at WrestleMania 24
  • Winner: Triple H

In terms of pure star power, the Raw chamber match at No Way Out 2008 put to shame SmackDown's equivalent, which featured The Undertaker and Batista alongside the likes of Big Daddy V and The Great Khali. Unsurprisingly, the former is also far better in general, even if it ranks among the shortest Elimination Chamber matches.

A chamber match cannot possibly be awful if its first two contestants are Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels. The two would go on to have 2008's best WWE feud, so this mini-exhibition was a sign of things to come. This match did right by every competitor, especially Umaga and, despite not winning, Jeff Hardy.

4 Elimination Chamber 2019 – SmackDown Men's Chamber

CagedMatch: 8.68

Kofi Kingston, Daniel Bryan & Samoa Joe climbing the Chamber wall
  • Participants: Samoa Joe, Daniel Bryan(c), Kofi Kingston, AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, & Randy Orton
  • Stipulation: WWE Championship
  • Winner: Daniel Bryan

This match is one of the magical moments in recent WWE history where lightning struck a bottle. Originally, Mustafa Ali was supposed to be in the match, but he suffered a concussion and was replaced with Kofi Kingston, and no one really thought much of it. However, on the SmackDown before the show, Kingston competed in a gauntlet match involving all the participants and Kofi put on the most incredible performance of his career, wrestling for over half an hour and beating Daniel Bryan, Jeff Hardy, and Samoa Joe in that time.

Kofi became a start like never before, and this match solidified the fan's desire to see Kofi succeed in a way that would eventually lead to his world championship win at WrestleMania that year. This match is filled with great wrestlers doing great wrestling, but the story between Kofi & Daniel Bryan is the start of the show. Kofi would come up short in this match; the final sequence was incredibly booked which blew everyone away.

3 Elimination Chamber 2017

CagedMatch: 8.53

AJ Styles Pele Kicking Bray Wyatt
  • Participants: John Cena(c), AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, Baron Corbin, & The Miz
  • Stipulation: WWE Championship
  • Winner: Bray Wyatt

There isn't any complicated story reason making this match so great, it's just 34 minutes of clean and brilliant wrestling. John Cena and AJ Styles started things off after putting on a match-of-the-year candidate just a couple of weeks earlier, and each new entrant changed the dynamic in exciting ways.

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Everyone filled a different role, and it kept the action building and building to its peak. Cena ended up being eliminated 2nd to last, leading to a fantastic final sequence to crown a new champion between fan-favorite wrestlers, AJ Styles, and Bray Wyatt. In the end, Bray Wyatt won, claiming not just his first world championship, but ending what, as of 2024, is John Cena's final world championship reign.

2 New Year's Revolution 2005

CagedMatch: 8.98

Randy Orton slapping Triple H, also Shawn Michaels
  • Participants: Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Triple H, Edge, Randy Orton, & Triple H
  • Stipulation: World Heavyweight Championship & Shawn Michaels as Special Guest Referee
  • Winner: Triple H

Towards the tail end of Triple H's reign of terror, the King of Kings got another Elimination Chamber win under his belt. Triple H had been stripped of the championship after some shenanigans in a match in December, and this match was designed to crown a brand-new champion.

There were a lot of moving parts in this match, and it led to plenty of great wrestling. Jericho & Benoit started things off, and they've always had great chemistry. Shawn Michaels as referee added some intrigue, he was there to keep Triple H from cheating but ended up screwing over Edge to eliminate him. In the end, Triple H came out with the win after Ric Flair and Batista got involved to screw over Randy Orton in the match's dying moments.

1 Survivor Series 2002

CagedMatch: 8.99

Shawn Michaels holding the World Heavyweight Championship
  • Participants: Rob Van Dam, Triple H(c), Chris Jericho, Booker T, Kane, & Shawn Michaels
  • Stipulation: World Heavyweight Championship
  • Winner: Shawn Michaels

The very first Elimination Chamber match had a lot riding on it, needing to prove the gimmick had staying power. While it seems ridiculous now, at the time the idea seemed reminiscent of some of WCW's more ridiculous attempts at reinventing the cage match.

Thankfully, it blew audiences away, with just about every moment being memorable from start to finish. Kane went on a tear, Booker T got the spotlight, and Rob Van Dam showed the potential for high spots with a splash off of the pod (which accidentally crushed Triple H's throat in the process). In the end, the match came to an emotional conclusion, as Shawn Michaels won his first world title following his 2002 return.

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