Randy Orton Retains WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Elimination Chamber

With some help from the Wyatt Family and Kane, Randy Orton was able to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Elimination Chamber on Sunday night. 

Orton, who entered the chamber last, and Daniel Bryan, who entered at No. 3, were the final two remaining after the Wyatts interfered to help eliminate John Cena. 

After Bryan kicked out of an RKO and then delivered a massive kick to the head of the champ—both of which received enormous pops from the crowd at the Target Center in Minneapolis—it looked like he was going to book his spot in the WrestleMania main event. 

However, Kane, who had interfered earlier and been fought off by Bryan, broke up the pin, allowing the Apex Predator to hit another RKO and score the 1-2-3 to keep his belt. 

Once again, the loss for the ultra-over Bryan left fans completely demoralized, as legend Mick Foley—who has long been a vocal proponent for Bryan—evidenced: 

While the result wasn't exactly desired, though, the match itself—which turned into an all-out battle with several impressive spots—was thrilling.

From Cesaro's Big Swing on Orton to his German suplex on both Cena and Bryan to Sheamus' Brogue Kick through the pod on Orton to Christian looking solid to several other scintillating moments, this was arguably the best elimination chamber match in years. 

Everyone came away looking good, and as Jim Ross pointed out, the participants put their bodies on the line:

Now, we look forward as the road to WrestleMania has officially begun. 

Currently, the scheduled main event is Orton vs. Batista. It's safe to say the WWE universe will riot—and rightfully so—if that holds up.

The thought has always been that Bryan, easily the most over superstar in the business, was going to get his moment at WrestleMania XXX and nothing has happened that alters that course.

Although Sunday's loss may be disappointing to some, it would have been somewhat anticlimactic—about as anticlimactic as it can possibly be for the beloved star to win the title—to have him win before WrestleMania. 

Elimination Chamber was simply part of the buildup. All that's left now is getting Bryan into the main event at the Superdome.

Hulk Hogan, you're up.