|Date: January 8, 2006
|Venue: Pepsi Arena |City: Albany, New York
|Attendance: 11,000 |Buys: 300,000
|Brand: Raw

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

The Elimination Chamber; 10 Tons of Steel. 2 Miles of Chain. One Man Left Standing. That is our main event for the evening. Eric Bischoffs last duty as Raw General Manager (before Vince McMahon fired him) was to make a 6 person Elimination Chamber match, stacking the odds against WWE Champion John Cena. There were five qualification matches to decide who would face Cena and the results of those were Kurt Angle beating Ric Flair, Carlito defeated Shelton Benjamin, Shawn Michaels beat The Big Show by disqualification, Chris Masters defeated Viscera and Kane beat Triple H with help from The Big Show. That set the stage for the Elimination Chamber. The 6 competitors were then put in a beat the clock challenge with the winner being the final man to enter the match at New Year’s Revolution. Kane won the match, beating The Heart Throbs in less than 30 seconds. Vince McMahon, who has an issue with Shawn Michaels at the moment would then announce that Shawn Michaels would start the Elimination Chamber match.

The Intercontinental Championship is also set to be defended as Ric Flair puts the title on the line against Edge. Edge has invited Ric Flair on to his new talk show “The Cutting Edge” a couple of times over the last few weeks and Edge has spent a lot of the time mocking Flair and even mocking Flair’s recent troubles with the law. A match has been made for the IC title between these two rivals. Another big rivalry on Raw is between Triple H and The Big Show. Big Show wasn’t happy with the way Triple H treated Ric Flair and would confront Triple H in the ring. Helmsley would then cost Big Show his Elimination Chamber qualifying match by purposely attacking Show’s opponent Shawn Michaels. Big Show then cost Triple H his match against Kane. At the contract signing between the two men Triple H attacked Big Show’s hand with a sledgehammer causing Show to need a cast on his hand, essentially giving the giant a sledgehammer of his own.

The Women’s title is set to be defended as Trish Stratus defends against her biggest fan Mickie James. Mickie James beat Victoria in a number one contenders match to earn the shot and although she faces Trish at New Year’s Revolution, she won’t let it get in the way of her friendship with a freaked out Trish Stratus. That’s not the only women’s match tonight, Vince McMahon has announced the first ever bra and panties gauntlet match. It’ll feature Maria, Ashley, Candice Michelle, Victoria and Torrie Wilson. The other match announced for tonight will be between “Jerry “The King” Lawler and Gregory Helms. Helms challenged Lawler after taking offence to some of the jokes Lawler would make on commentary aimed at Gregory Helms alter-ego The Hurricane. Helms has a new attitude and is looking to make a new start by beating Lawler.

On Heat prior to the event Chavo Guerrero defeated Snitsky.

A video package kicks us off hyping up the Elimination Chamber match. Sound bites from all 6 competitors involved as well as previous men who have stepped into the structure. Joey Styles then welcomes us to the show, he’s joined by Coach!

Ric Flair (c) vs. Edge – Intercontinental Championship match

This is a first time meeting between these two men on pay per view. The Intercontinental title is on the line, a second PPV defence for Flair who beat Triple H at Taboo Tuesday. Edge wrestled in the Elimination Chamber match at last years New Year’s Revolution event and lost. Edge is joined by Lita for this match. Edge attacks Flair before the bell, knocking him down and hitting him with a knee drop and some big right hands. Big back body drop from Edge who has new tights with his new nickname “The Rated-R Superstar” on. Flair fights back with some chops and a back body drop of his own before laying in some right hands. Flair then goes after Lita but Edge knocks him down with a clothesline on the outside and then a suplex. Back in the ring and Edge hits some right hands and chokes Flair on the middle rope. Edge hits a clothesline, a snapmare and then applies a dragon sleeper. Edge breaks the hold and lays in some more right hands but Flair hits him with an atomic drop and some chops but Edge takes him down with a clothesline, knocking Flair out of the ring.

On the outside Flair drops Edge on the barricade before rolling him back into the ring and hitting him with a knee drop. Flair hits more chops and then heads to the top. Edge stands to throw him off but Flair pokes him in the eye, pokes Lita in the eye and then comes off the top with a single axe handle for the first near fall of the night. Ric hits more chops and then a chop block before hitting a knee drop and strutting across the ring. Flair looks to set up for the figure four but is distracted by Lita. Flair then back body drops Edge out of the ring, pulls Lita into the ring and applies the figure four to Lita! Edge then gets back into the ring and smashes Flair with his money in the bank briefcase! It’s a disqualification win for Flair who is busted wide open! Edge seems pretty happy with himself though. Edge goes back to the ring after leaving and smashes Flair with the briefcase again! This match felt like it was just getting going but I did enjoy the match they did have.

Rating: 5.75/10

Backstage Todd Grisham is joined by Kurt Angle and Daivari. Kurt starts by saying that he hopes the US lose the war to Iraq. Kurt then says that his favourite country is France, he’s not fond of black people and he’d like to make Jesus tap out. Kurt says that he can say what he likes and the crowd will always cheer him. Kurt says he won his first title in Albany and tonight he’ll do it again.

Flair is shown still in the ring, a bloody mess, being helped to the back.

There’s a VT next showing the history between Trish Stratus and Mickie James.

Trish Stratus (c) vs. Mickie James – WWE Women’s Championship match

This is a first time meeting between these two women. Trish has already successfully defended her title three times on pay per view during this reign. Trish beat Lita at at last years New Year’s Revolution PPV to win the Women’s Championship so she’s now had the belt for a year. The two women shake hands as the bell rings and Trish soon takes the advantage with an armbar. We get a couple of counters from the two girls and Mickie applies a headlock which she turns into a hammerlock. Trish reverses it and then applies a headlock of her own but Mickie gets a face-full of Trish’s boobs and so Trish breaks the hold. The two girls exchange hammerlocks and the two girls swap covers. Mickie hits a hurricanrana which botches a little bit and so Trish rolls Mickie up for a near fall. Mickie invites Trish back into the ring, holding the ropes open for her. Headlock and a knockdown form Mickie and then the two girls exchange forearms.

Mickie hits a mule kick in the corner and then goes up to the middle rope but Trish attempts her middle rope hurricanrana. Mickie counters that and attempts a tornado DDT but Trish counters that and kicks Mickie out of the ring. Trish attempts a dropkick through the ropes but Mickie sidesteps it and then grabs the Women’s title. Mickie looks like she’s going to hit Trish with the title but instead puts it back down. She rolls Trish back into the ring and tries for a clothesline but Stratus ducks it and hits a Lou Thesz press with right hands. Trish hits some chops and then the Stratusphere hurricanrana. It’s all Stratus now as she hits a spinebuster for a near fall. Mickie hits a kick and then applies a headlock before attempting the Stratusfaction and hits it! Mickie sits grinning and savours the moment for too long as Trish kicks out of the pinfall attempt. Mickie goes for a DDT but Trish counters it into a Stratusfaction of her own but Mickie counters it and attempts the Mick kick which Trish ducks and hits the chick kick! That is enough for the three! Trish Stratus beats Mickie James tonight in a good match.

Rating: 7/10

Maria is backstage interviewing herself about the bra and panties gauntlet match tonight. Maria thinks she’ll win tonight. Gregory Helms then shows up and says Jerry Lawler won’t be out there tonight to see the bra and panties match because he’s going to finish him. Gregory walks off and passes Shelton Benjamin shows up with his mama. Shelton’s mama says she’s going to sort him out and get him some food.

Edge and Lita are in the WWE instant access room and Edge walks off because he has bigger things on his mind.

Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Gregory Helms

This is a first time PPV match between these two men. Helms has a new look and theme music since turning heel. It’s got him on the main card though which is more than can be said about last years event. Lawler pushes Helms in the early going but Helms hits an arm drag. A “Jerry” chant breaks out. Lawler’s last PPV match was at New Year’s Revolution last year in a losing effort to Muhammad Hassan. King lays into Helms with right hands, an Irish whip, hiptoss and a knee drop. Lawler hits a back body drop for a two count. Lawler hits some left handed jabs and a right hand before mocking The Hurricane and throwing Helms out of the ring. Back in the ring and Gregory pokes Lawler in the eye to take the advantage and then hits some shoulder charges, a snapmare and a legdrop for a near fall. Two babyface wins so far, will this be the first heel win of the night? Helms hits a sidewalk slam for another near fall.

Helms chokes Lawler and then hits him with three suplexes for a two count. Helms applies a chinlock as the pace slows down. Helms hits a knee drop and then applies another chinlock before breaking it and hitting Jerry with a backbreaker. Helms goes to the middle rope and Lawler gets his foot up but Gregory sees it coming and gets out of the way. Helms throws Lawler out of the ring and then launches him into the ringpost. Gregory then gets on one of the commentators headset and talks some smack. Back in the ring and Helms hits a dropkick off the middle rope for a two count. Helms misses with a splash in the corner and Lawler drops the strap! Lawler hits some jabs and a big roundhouse right hand. Fistdrop from Lawler and then numerous right hands before calling for the piledriver! Lawler sets up for it but Helms back body drops him and heads to the top but Lawler crotches him!

Lawler goes up to the middle rope and hits a fistdrop for the three count! Jerry Lawler beats Gregory Helms tonight! Surprising result there which puts an end to any sort of push Helms was getting.

Rating: 3.75/10

Backstage Lita leaves the instant access room and bumps into Trish Stratus. Mickie James follows Trish excited about their match and excited that their bodies got to touch.

Shelton Benjamins mama is backstage in catering not happy with the food on offer. Viscera then enters the fray and dances around behind Benjamins mama. Viscera wants a slice of the sugary, creamy pie on offer. Viscera offers to be her daddy tonight. She isn’t happy with that and goes off to make sure Viscera gets some action tonight.

There’s a video package for Triple H and The Big Show up next.

The Big Show vs. Triple H

Surprisingly this is the first ever singles match between these two men on pay per view. Triple H was the winner of last years New Year’s Revolution main event. Big Show has the massive cast on his hand. It’s three wins for three babyfaces so far tonight. Big Show is one half of the world tag team champions along with Kane. Big Show swings his massive cast at Triple H who gets out of the way Triple H hits a right hand of his own but Big Show shoves him across the ring. Big Show hits a headbutt and then smashes Triple H into the top turnbuckle. Show hits a couple of his big chops knocking Triple H down to the mat in a Ric Flair manor. Big Show hits a slam and a couple of elbow drops causing The Game to roll out of the ring. Big Show chases Triple H back into the ring where Triple H attacks Show. Show pulls Triple H out of the ring and hits him with a headbutt before the two get back into the ring. Big Show hits a big Irish whip sending Triple H back out of the ring!

It’s almost like a comedy sketch, this. Big Show throws Triple H back out of the ring and Helmsley stops Show from getting back into the ring. Triple H then jumps out at Big Show who catches him and rams him into the ring post. Big Show then swings his cast at Triple H who gets out of the way and Big Show punches the ring post. Back in the ring and Triple H tries to get the cast off Big Show, splitting it open and smashing it into the ring post. Triple H then finally pulls off the cast and immediately hits Big Shows broken hand with a couple of knee drops. Big Show fights back with headbutts but Triple H sends Big Show out of the ring. Triple H smashes Big Shows arm into the steel steps and then back in the ring Triple H continues to work the hand of The Big Show, stretching the massive fingers. Big Show hits an arm drag, sending Triple H across the ring. Big Shows hand looks very red. Triple H goes up to the middle rope but Big Show sees him coming and hits him with an elbow. Big Show hits a sidewalk slam and then squashes Triple H in the corner a few times.

Big Show takes Triple H down with a big shoulder block and then motions for the chokeslam but he can’t get Triple H up. Big Show then accidentally hits the referee, knocking him down. Triple H exits the ring and pulls out the sledgehammer! He swings it at Big Show who blocks it and then snaps the handle in half! Big Show boots Triple H in the face but looks in pain. He headbutts Triple H out of the ring but Triple H grabs a chair which Big Show kicks out of his hand. Show throws Triple H into the ring steps and then tries to pick the steps up but can’t. Triple H then hits Big Show with a low blow and then smashes Show’s arm and hand with a chair! Triple H picks the chair up again but Big Show hits him with a spear and both men go down on the outside. Back in the ring and Big Show motions for the chokeslam but Triple H nails him with the sledgehammer and then the pedigree! Helmsley hooks the leg and gets the three! Triple H beats Big Show tonight in a decent enough match. Extra marks for good psychology.

Rating: 6.25/10

Chris Masters is backstage and Carlito arrives and wants the two to team up in the Elimination Chamber tonight. Masters seems game.

Shelton Benjamin is out to the ring with his mama. Benjamin wants an apology from Viscera for the way he spoke to his mama earlier but Sheltons mama isn’t interested. She wants Shelton to fight Viscera tonight!

Shelton Benjamin vs. Viscera

Well this is a first time PPV match. Benjamin beat Maven at last years New Year’s Revolution event. Benjamin applies a headlock but Viscera gets out of that and knocks Shelton down. Benjamin applies a hammerlock as his mama shouts on from the outside. Viscera hits a butt bump and then a huge spinebuster. Shelton rolls to the outside and hides behind his mama before hitting Viscera with some right hands. Viscera fights him off though and then rolls Shelton back into the ring. Benjamin is quick inside the ring and hits a couple of knee lifts and a painful sounding dropkick to the knees. Benjamin heads to the top and dives off with a big clothesline for a near fall. Shelton works away at the left leg of Viscera until Vis kicks him out of the ring. Back in the ring and Viscera hits a big samoan drop. Viscera hits more right hands, clotheslines and a reverse elbow before planting Benjamin with a powerslam and an elbow drop for a two count.

Interesting that Shelton Benjamin has a yellow ribbon on his boot, presumably raising awareness for cancer. Viscera takes Shelton down with a big sidewalk slam and then a splash and some pelvic thrusting! Another clothesline from Viscera but he misses with a splash. Viscera falls onto the ropes where Shelton’s mama nails him with her handbag! Benjamin then hits a spinning heel kick and that’s enough for the three! Shelton Benjamin beats Viscera tonight to get back on track. This should be a fun gimmick going forward.

Rating: 3.75/10

Shawn Michaels is backstage when Vince McMahon shows up to wish him luck. Vince says that nobody has ever entered the Elimination Chamber first and won before. Michaels says he’s won the Royal Rumble from the first position as well as being the first man to wrestle in a ladder match and a hell in a cell match. Vince says that Michaels winning tonight will be the first time hell has frozen over. Good stuff.

Bra & Panties Gauntlet Match

Maria vs. Candice Michelle

Both of these women are wrestling in their second ever PPV match. They were both involved in the battle royal at Taboo Tuesday so are both looking for their first PPV victory tonight. Candice hits a boot but Maria hits a hiptoss. Candice drops Maria to the mat and then hits a powerslam before posing. Candice then pulls Maria’s top off to a cheer from the crowd. Maria hits a drop toe hold and then takes Candice’s top off! Clothesline form Candice and then she chokes Maria. Candice goes to the middle rope and hits some sort of reverse tarantula on Maria but Maria spins around and takes off Candice’s shorts to eliminate her!

Maria vs. Torrie Wilson

Torrie is out next, she’s one of the veterans at this time. She takes Maria down and kicks her in the gut before hitting a suplex. She then tries to take Maria’s trousers off but Maria reverses it. Maria runs into a knee from Torrie and Torrie then hits a handspring elbow and tries to take off Maria’s trousers but Maria kicks her out of the ring. Back ion the ring and Maria hits a big boot then pulls off Torrie’s top. It’s a bra a piece if you’re keeping score. The two girls roll around the ring, rolling all over the referee. The referee grins from ear to ear causing Torrie to go after him which allows Maria to strip Torrie!

Maria vs. Victoria

Come one, Maria isn’t winning this one. Victoria comes out and lays into Maria, hitting her with right hands and kicks. Victoria hits a powerslam and steps on Maria before hitting her with a standing moonsault. Victoria then pulls off Maria’s trousers and she’s done.

Victoria vs. Mae Young

Well what the hell. I didn’t see this coming. Mae Young and Moolah get in the ring and the crowd love it. Mae Young then voluntarily takes her top off! Jesus Christ. The skirt is off too. She has her bloomers on though. Moolah carts Mae Young off but Victoria attacks Mae form behind! Moolah grabs Victoria by the hair and Mae pulls off her top! They make an absolute mess of it. It looks like Victoria is wearing two bras and they accidentally pull one of them off. Mae and Moolah finally leave.

Victoria vs. Ashley

Ashley is out next and Victoria lays right into her. She tries for the widows peak but Ashley rolls through and pulls down her bottoms! Ashley wins the match! Pretty bad all round.

Rating: 2.25/10

Shelton Benjamin is in the instant access room with his mama who pulls a brick out of her handbag.

There’s a video package up next for the Elimination Chamber match. That one’s up next!

John Cena (c) vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle vs. Carlito vs. Chris Masters vs. Kane – Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship

It’s an Elimination Chamber and a New Year’s Revolution debut for Carlito, John Cena, Kurt Angle and Chris Masters. It’s a New Year’s Revolution debut for Shawn Michaels who won the very first Elimination Chamber match and fought in the second. Kane fought in the first Elimination Chamber match and he wrestled at last years New Year’s Revolution PPV, beating Snitsky. Trish Stratus is the only person so far that won at last year and this years New Year’s Revolution event. We know Kane will be entering last and Shawn Michaels is the #1 entrant and he’ll be starting the match against John Cena! This will be John Cena’s 7th PPV title defence. Nobody in history has defended their title more than 7 times on PPV. Plenty of “Cena sucks” chants as the bell rings. Michaels works the huge arm of Cena in the early going. No title changes so far tonight. Michaels slaps Cena but Cena replies with a big right hand and a back body drop. Michaels then throws Cena out of the ring but neither man manage to throw the other into the steel chain.

Back in the ring and Michaels hits a few big chops. Cena kicks Michaels as he lowers his head but can’t keep the advantage. Michaels hits a hard Irish whip and follows it up with a chop. Cena hits an Irish whip of his own, some big kicks and then crotches Michaels on the top rope.

Entrant #3 is Carlito. Carlito attacks Cena from behind and the crowd love it. He takes the champion down with a dropkick and then hits a big senton to the outside on Shawn Michaels. Carlito hits a facebuster on Cena for a near fall. Michaels goes to the top but Carlito pulls him right back down to the mat for a near fall. Carlito lays into both men with right hands and elbows. Carlito then hits Michaels with a suplex for a near fall. All three men take shots at one another and it’s amazing how against John Cena this crowd is. Michaels and Cena hit a double flapjack on Carlito for a near fall. Cena and Michaels hit a double back body drop on Carlito.

Entrant #4 is Kurt Angle. Kurt gets a huge pop as he takes Carlito, Shawn Michaels and John Cena down with multiple German suplexes. Angle hits a belly to belly suplex on Shawn Michaels out of the ring and then a weak looking German suplex on Carlito out of the ring. Angle lays into Cena and hits him with a suplex. This feud has been going on for the last 5 months. Kurt then catapults Michaels into the steel chain before going back to Cena. Michaels is busted open now. I don’t think it’s real blood, there’s way too much of it. Angle throws Michaels into the side of one of the pods. Kurt hits some big right hands on Angle but Angle hits the WWE Champion with a belly to belly. Kurt suplexes Michaels back into the ring and then tries for an Angle slam on Carlito but Carlito counters it. Kurt then applies the ankle lock on Carlito!

Entrant #5 is Chris Masters. Chris Masters saves Carlito from the ankle lock and then takes down John Cena and Kurt Angle. Masters hits a big powerslam on Cena and then a gorilla press slam on Shawn Michaels. Masters then tries for the Masterlock on Angle but angle counters it and applies the ankle lock! Cena actually saves Chris Masters but Kurt applies the ankle lock to John Cena! Michaels then comes out of nowhere to hit sweet chin music on Kurt Angle and eliminate Kurt angle from the match! That is a shocker. Chris Masters goes to work on John Cena whilst Carlito lays into Shawn Michaels. Masters hits Cena with a powerslam. Carlito throws Michaels into the chain on the outside and Cena hits Masters with a big clothesline. Carlito and Masters then double team John Cena.

Entrant #6 is Kane. That’s everybody into the match now. Kane takes out Masters and Carlito with clotheslines and sidewalk slams. Kane then hits a big powerslam on Masters and heads to the top but Masters gets up and goes up with Kane before attempting a superplex but Kane fights him off and comes off the top with a big clotheslines. Kane then hits a chokeslam on Shawn Michaels and a chokeslam on John Cena. Kane tries to do the same to Carlito but Chris Masters attacks him from behind. Carlito then hits Kane with a backstabber but Kane sits up! Kane fights off both men until Carlito and Masters hits Kane with a double DDT. Masters lifts Carlito up above his head and drops him down onto Kane. Masters then stacks up on top of Carlito and then referee counts the 3! Kane is eliminated.

We’re down to four. Carlito throws Shawn Michaels to the outside as Masters and Cena slug it out. Masters hits a suplex on Cena but Michaels is back in and fights off Masters and Carlito. Michaels slams Cena and then hits an elbow drop from the top rope! Michaels motions for sweet chin music and he hits it! But Carlito and Masters get in the ring to attack Michaels! Carlito hits Michaels with a spinning neckbreaker and that’s enough for the three! Shawn Michaels is eliminated! Masters and Carlito go right to work on Cena but Cena takes both men down with clotheslines. Cena takes Masters down with a suplex and then hits Carlito with a side suplex and then a five knuckle shuffle. Cena tries for the FU on Carlito but Masters makes the save. Masters hits Cena with a big DDT on the steel and the two men then throw a bloody Cena into the steel chain. Back in the ring and Masters and Carlito hit a double suplex and then Masters locks the Masterlock on Cena! Carlito then hits Masters with a low blow and pins him eliminating Chris Masters form the match! Cena then rolls up Carlito for the three! John Cena win the match!

Rating: 7/10

Vince McMahon walks over and announces that the night isn’t over! Edge is cashing in his money in the bank briefcase!

John Cena (c) vs. Edge – WWE Championship match

Cena is a bloody mess that can barely get to his feet. When he does get to his feet the referee calls for the bell and Edge lays right into him! Edge covers Cena who kicks out at 2! Edge tries again and again Cena kicks out at 2. Edge lays in some more stomps and then hits a spear! Edge makes the cover but again Cena kicks out! Edge can’t believe it. Edge hits another spear and this time it’s enough! The crowd go nuts as Edge becomes WWE Champion! Edge celebrates with the gold as the night comes to a close.

Rating: N/A 

Well, that was New Year’s Revolution 2006, a real mixed bag of a PPV but memorable for all the right reasons. Edge and Ric Flair kicked off the night and in hindsight you can see why. This match was decent but nothing special. I felt like it could have gone another five minutes but maybe disqualification finishes are supposed to leave you wanting more. Flair got the win and retained his Intercontinental title which was totally the right result. It stands as a good win for Flair but Edge’s loss is all but forgotten by the end of the night. Trish beat Mickie James in one of the best women’s matches I have ever seen on pay per view. Two very talented ladies put on a really good show tonight and you can see the storyline between the two is still progressing and is bound to take more twists and turns so I don’t think this will be the final encounter between the two. And I really hope it isn’t. The match elevated Mickie James and it’s nice to have another woman on the roster that can actually wrestle.

Jerry Lawler defeated Gregory Helms clean to put an end to any kind of singles push that Helms was getting. This result surprised me to be honest, what’s the point in burying Helms like this? The match itself wasn’t very good and it’s not something I’d be in a rush to see again. Helms is more than capable, I don’t think he was to blame for the poor match! I have no idea how Helms bounces back from this. Triple H beat Big Show in their big match. I really enjoyed the psychology and story-telling in this match. What could have been a dull build and a dull match actually turned out to be pretty decent. It did feel like filler for Triple H who is sandwiched between a big feud with Ric Flair and what will probably be a feud with John Cena into Wrestlemania. Triple H to win the Royal Rumble? I hope not. Who knows if the title would even be on the line based on what happens later. I would have liked to have seen a tag team title match with Big Show and Kane against well actually the tag division is non existent at the moment so maybe not.

Next up was an impromptu match between Shelton Benjamin and Viscera. I didn’t mind how this came about, it was all in good fun. Benjamin is a talented guy but he’s needed some sort of gimmick to connect with the fans a bit better. Whether or not this is it, I don’t know. But he gets a win over Viscera who has provided a lot of comedy himself. It’ll be interesting to see where they go with Shelton. The bra and panties gauntlet followed and this was pretty terrible. The most memorable part was when Mae Young got involved. What was that all about! Was she actually in the gauntlet? Or did she just crash the match? I have no idea. Big win for Ashley though who could become a part of the women’s title picture. A pretty decent spot for the likes of Maria, Candice and Torrie though.

And then came the Elimination Chamber match. This was entertaining as you’d expect although probably not the best ever Elimination Chamber match. Guys like Carlito, Chris Masters and Kane were just filler that made the Raw brand seem like it’s missing star power. Kurt Angle being the first man eliminated was criminal but when it came down to it the match was all a set up for the grand ending. Carlito and Chris Masters had a good showing and I think the match did a lot of good for those guys. But at the end of the day it was Edge that stole the show. He cashed in his Money In The Bank in one of the more memorable moments in WWE history. I like Edge as WWE Champion but have a feeling this reign won’t last long. It gives Edge something to work with though and a test as to whether he could sustain a longer reign as WWE Champion. John Cena’s long WWE title reign comes to an end.

Overall Rating: 51.07/100 (ranked 151st out of 190)

Match Of The Night: The Elimination Chamber & Trish vs. Mickie
Worst Match Of The Night: The bra and panties gauntlet match
Surprise Of The Night: Edge cashes in his Money In The Bank
Worst Booking Of The Night: Jerry Lawler defeats Gregory Helms
Superstar Of The Night: Edge
New Year’s Revolution 2006 Will Be Remembered For: Edge cashing in the briefcase and becoming WWE Champion