WWE Elimination Chamber 2015: Biggest Lessons Learned from PPV

WWE's Elimination Chamber pay-per-view evoked mixed reactions from fans. A couple matches were very entertaining, but for the most part, the event felt unnecessary.

WWE can learn from its mistakes, and there were some big missteps during the PPV. However, the lessons that can be learned from this aren't just related to problems.

Let's take a look at a few of the things we learned from Elimination Chamber.

Don't Schedule PPVs 2 Weeks Apart

WWE added the Elimination Chamber PPV to the schedule only a few weeks before the event took place. The company wedged it between Payback and Money in the Bank, making it so there is only two weeks between each event.

Fourteen days isn't even close to enough time to build a compelling card. Half of the matches had little to no story behind them, and the other half felt rushed.

The other downside to scheduling events so close together is that fans will start to get PPV fatigue. Did you know that MITB will be the fifth PPV event in a span of 78 days?

WWE already airs an average of eight hours of original programming each week. It's a lot to take in, even for the most dedicated fan. Adding another three hours every other week is just too much.

Making sure there is sufficient time between each PPV will ensure that storylines will be able to create interest and fans won't get sick of the product.

We live in a fast-paced world where instant gratification is the norm, but sometimes the slower path is the more satisfying of the two. WWE would be wise to remember that the next time it thinks about adding a random PPV to the schedule.

14 People is Too Many for an Elimination Chamber Match

The Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber match had some memorable moments and high-risk spots, but it was also too crowded.

Five teams of two, one team of three and a little person in a bull costume was too much to pay attention to, and the entire match suffered because of it.

WWE put too much focus on the multi-person spots, and that led to several moments where people were standing around looking like they had no idea what to do next.

It was especially obvious when Kalisto climbed up to the top of the cage and dropped onto a large group of opponents. Everyone was just looking up waiting for him to fall. It was ridiculous.

With the exception of the Royal Rumble and Survivor Series, anything over six people in a match is excessive. It was cool to see so many tag teams featured prominently, but in the end, the only group that really gained anything was The New Day when they retained the titles.

It's good that WWE is experimenting with established stipulations to keep things fresh, but cramming more people into a cage won't make it better.

Don't Underestimate Kevin Owens

At the end of the night, the match everyone was talking about was Kevin Owens vs. John Cena. Not only was it an incredible performance from both men, but the fact that Owens won clean made it even better.

Owens certainly has a devoted following, but he also has his critics. People who did not follow his pre-WWE career just see another chubby guy with a beard who looks like he belongs in The Wyatt Family.

Anyone who doubted him before Elimination Chamber had to come away from the event with a lot more respect for the man. He performed moves guys half his size wouldn't even try and made it look easy, but it wasn't just a couple impressive spots that made the match so good.

Owens and Cena told a story in the ring. Their fight felt personal, and you could feel the emotion pouring out of both men from start to finish.

It seems as if Owens will be on the main roster gong forward, and that is great news for everyone. Having a fresh name for established Superstars to feud with will lead to some great new storylines.

Imagine the kind of matches he could have with the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose or Roman Reigns. It's going to be awesome.

NXT is the Future, and the Future is Now

It was inevitable that the roster would eventually be filled with NXT alums, but they appear to be taking over a lot faster than expected.

Just look at the card from Elimination Chamber. All but two matches featured at least one person who came up through the improved developmental system.

Bo Dallas, Neville, Paige, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, The Ascension, Lucha Dragons, Xavier Woods, Big E and Kevin Owens all found success in the developmental system before being called up.

The phrase "NXT is the future of WWE" has been thrown around a lot lately. It looks like the future arrived sooner than we expected.

The talent that has been nurtured at the performance center and Full Sail University have exceeded all expectations and become some of the best Superstars in the company.

Paige is considered the top Diva after just a year on the main roster, every member of The Shield is a main event player and half of the tag team division is made up of guys who started in NXT.

We often criticize WWE for being repetitive and unoriginal, but the fact is it's a great time to be a wrestling fan because the level of talent is higher than it has ever been before.

Conclusion

Elimination Chamber was a PPV that definitely had some entertaining moments, but it also missed the mark a few times.

Putting PPVs this close together might be exciting once in awhile, but it should not become a trend. WWE needs to give itself time to properly plan storylines, and two weeks isn't enough.

Overbooking the tag team chamber match was a big mistake, but it's one that is understandable. WWE wanted to try something new, and you have to admire that.

The biggest takeaway was the way NXT has changed WWE for the better. Almost every match featured someone who got their start in NXT, and there is still more talent in the developmental system waiting for their chance to succeed the way Kevin Owens has.

You probably have your own opinions on these subjects. What did you think of Elimination Chamber?

Thanks for reading, and follow me on Twitter @BR_Doctor.