WWE Elimination Chamber: The History of Satan's Structure

In 2002, WWE announced the introduction of a new creation, the Elimination Chamber.

At 16 feet high and 36 feet in diameter, consisting of two miles of chains and 10 tons of steel and containing 6 superstars, it was sure to produce some of the most memorable and hardcore matches in the industry's history. It has been known as Satan's Structure.

Rules

Two superstars would start off in the ring, which is at the same level as steel grids surrounding it. Also surrounding it are 4 pods containing four other superstars, who join the match at scheduled intervals (much like the Royal Rumble). Once a superstar has been pinned or has submitted, they are eliminated and must leave the chamber. This carries on until there is one remaining superstar: the winner of the match.

History of Matches

The first ever Elimination Chamber match was at the Survivor Series pay-per-vew (PPV), in New York City, NY. The match was contested for the World Heavyweight Championship, and the participants were: Triple H (defending champion), Booker T, Shawn Michaels, Kane, Rob Van Dam and Chris Jericho. Shawn Michaels prevailed as the winner, eliminating Triple H last to win his first and only WHC title.

There have been 13 Elimination Chamber matches overall, 10 times for championships (ECW, WWE or World Heavyweight), with the other 3 being fought for a chance to face a current champion at that year's Wrestlemania (these took place twice in 2008 and once in 2011). Since 2008, the matches have been contested in February, after the Royal Rumble event, either at No Way Out or Elimination Chamber PPVs.

There has, however, been one variation with this match since its inception: In 2006 at New Year's Revolution PPV, the Chamber was renamed the Extreme Elimination Chamber, in accordance with the ECW brand. Each pod contained a superstar with a weapon. The weapons involved were a crowbar, a table, a steel chair and a barbed wire-wrapped baseball bat.

Victories, Records and Statistics

Since debuting in 2002, 13 Elimination Chambers have taken place. Triple H and Chris Jericho hold the record for the most appearances, with six apiece. Triple H has the most victories, with four.

The WWE championship has been defended three times—once successfully and twice not.

The World Heavyweight Championship has been defended six times. Three times it was defended successfully, while in 2005 it was a vacant championship (also at this event, Shawn Michaels was the special guest referee), and twice it has changed hands.

The ECW championship has been defended once, and a new champion was crowned (Bobby Lashley)

The other times where an Elimination Chamber match has taken place and a championship was not on the line, the victor became the No. 1 contender for that brand's championship. Only once has a winner from the Chamber gone on to win the championship at Wrestlemania, when the Undertaker won Wrestlemania 24 in 2008.

Memorable Moments

No Way Out 2009: After Edge lost the WWE Championship earlier that night, he attacked Kofi Kingston as the Ghanaian superstar made his entrance, preparing to compete in the Elimination Chamber for the World Heavyweight Championship. Edge then locked himself into what was supposed to be Kingston's pod, and was added to the match at the expense of Kofi. Edge would then outlast the other five superstars and, after pinning Rey Mysterio, won.

Summerslam 2003: In this years event, Goldberg made his debut in the match, making a stunning impact by eliminating Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho in a record three minutes and two seconds. The match is also noted for Goldberg's spear to Chris Jericho through one of the pods.

Elimination Chamber 2010: As the Undertaker was defending his World Heavyweight Championship, he entered the final two with Chris Jericho. Shawn Michaels came through the metal grids behind the Undertaker and delivered a Sweet Chin Music, giving Jericho an ideal chance at winning, which he did.