|Date: February 17, 2008
|Venue: Thomas & Mack Center |City: Las Vegas, Nevada
|Attendance: 15,240 |Buys: 329,000
|Brands: Raw, Smackdown & ECW

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

Tonight there will be no way out for 12 WWE Superstars as everybody vies for a Wrestlemania main event spot. I’ll get to that shortly. Because the WWE Championship is set to be defended tonight. John Cena didn’t want to wait until Wrestlemania to take his title shot from winning the Royal Rumble so the match has been made for tonight. One of these men will be going to Wrestlemania but who will they be defending the title against? Well, it’ll be the winner of an Elimination Chamber match tonight between Triple H, Jeff Hardy, Umaga, Chris Jericho, John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Shawn Michaels.

Over on Smackdown, Teddy Long has given Rey Mysterio another shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. Mysterio does have an injured bicep which could prove to be his downfall tonight. At Wrestlemania they will be facing the winner of the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match tonight. Competing in that one is Finlay, Big Daddy V, Batista, The Undertaker, The Great Khali and MVP.

Over on ECW, CM Punk has demanded a re-match against the man that beat him for the ECW Championship, Chavo Guerrero. Guerrero would accept the match for No Way Out. Since then, ECW General Manager made a Gulf Of Mexico match between Chavo Guerrero and CM Punk, a match that CM Punk won by throwing Chavo into the Gulf Of Mexico. Also tonight, Ric Flair puts his career on the line once again, accepting the challenge from WWE United States Champion, MVP.

In a dark match prior to the event, Kane defeated Shelton Benjamin.

A dark video package kicks us off hyping the Elimination Chamber matches, the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship matches. Jim Ross welcomes us to Las Vegas for No Way Out. He’s joined on the Raw announce desk by Jerry “The King” Lawler.

Chavo Guerrero (c) vs. CM Punk – ECW Championship match

This is a first time PPV meeting between these two men. There’s a video package as CM Punk gets in the ring showing the history between these two men. No Way Out has been a good show for chavo Guerrero in the past, he’s won the Cruiserweight title three times at this event and has an overall record of 3-0. CM Punk makes his No Way Out debut tonight. Punk kicks Chavo hard in the head as the bell rings and then follows it up with a clothesline and a backbreaker for a one count. Chavo kicks Punk to the outside and is more than happy to take a count-out victory. Back in the ring and Chavo hits a big uppercut for a one count. Guerrero lays in some kicks and then hits a drop toe hold and a senton for a one count. Side suplex from Chavo and then a body scissors. This is a 12th consecutive PPV appearance for CM Punk, only Randy Orton and Batista have a higher current record. Punk slingshots Chavo into the top turnbuckle and then hits a knee strike and a back body drop.

CM Punk runs into a boot but then hits a powerslam for the first near fall of the night. Punk sets up for the GTS but Chavo nicely counters it into a hurricanrana. Chavo follows that up with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Punk hits an enzeguri for a near fall and then mocks Chavo (and therefore Eddie Guerrero). Punk hits two of the three amigos and the fans boo him because he’s mocking Eddie Guerrero. Punk then hits his trademark running knee in the corner and a bulldog for a near fall. Punk suplexes Chavo onto the apron and then hits him with a big kick to the face, knocking the ECW Champion to the outside. Chavo is probably having his best run since being signed from wCw in 2001. Back in the ring and CM Punk gets a near fall. Punk then attempts a superplex but Chavo fights him off. Punk then crotches Chavo on the top rope and tries for a top rope hurricanrana but chavo hangs on. Chavo then hits a frog splash and gets the 3! Chavo Guerrero beats CM Punk clean tonight to retain the ECW Championship! I’m surprised by the clean victory. A good match from these two though, nice way to kick off the show. They could’ve done with more time though.

Rating: 6.75/10

Mike Adamle is backstage with Rey Mysterio. Rey says that he didn’t mean to hit Vickie Guerrero with the west coast pop last week. Adamle then asks Rey how he will wrestle Edge with a torn bicep tonight. Floyd Mayweather then shows up and Rey acts like they are best mates. Mayweather wishes Rey luck.

Chris Jericho is shown warming up for his match later.

Batista vs. The Undertaker vs. Finlay vs. M.V.P. vs. Big Daddy V vs. The Great Khali – Elimination Chamber for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania

This is the first of two Elimination Chamber matches tonight. Batista is the only man with any prior Elimination Chamber experience in this match. In terms of No Way Out records, Batista is 1-0, Undertaker is 2-4, Finlay is 1-0, MVP is 0-1, Viscera is 0-1 and The Great Khali makes his No Way Out debut tonight. The first four men out are MVP, Big Daddy V, The Great Khali and Finlay which means The Undertaker and Batista kick off the match. Batista and Undertaker, who you have to fancy as the two favourites, slug it out in the early going. Undertaker throws Batista out of the ring, into the steel grating and then runs The Animal’s face into the chain. Back in the ring and Batista hits a clothesline for a one count. Undertaker fires back with a big boot and then hits some right hands. Batista and Undertaker have both won more PPV matches than they’ve lost. Undertaker drives his boot into the throat of Batista. Undertaker then hits an elbow and more right hands. I wouldn’t be surprised if these were the last two men in this match. Batista hits some right hands and there are quite a few boo’s as he does. He hits a clothesline for a near fall. Both men then hits big boots on each other and both go down!

Big Daddy V enters the match. It looked like it was going to be The Great Khali and Michael Cole even thought so. Big Daddy V who last wrestled at a No Way Out event in 2000 lays into both Batista and The Undertaker. Big Daddy V lost to his current tag team partner Mark Henry on that night. Big Daddy V hits a powerslam on Undertaker and then a Samoan drop before stomping on The Undertaker. Big Daddy V then hits a slam on Batista and then a big chop. He headbutts The Undertaker who goes right through the door and out to the floor! Clearly they forgot to lock the door there. Undertaker won’t be happy about that. Undertaker gets back into the structure where Big Daddy V squashes him up against the side. V then squashes Batista in one of the corners but doesn’t make any pinfalls. Batista slips down from a Samoan drop attempt and then hits a spinebuster on Big Daddy V! Batista clotheslines V out of the ring where Undertaker drops V with a DDT. Batista pins Big Daddy V and gets the 3! Big Daddy V has been eliminated. 

The Great Khali enters the match. Khali hits headbutts on Batista and his trademark big chop on The Undertaker. A “you can’t wrestle” chant breaks out. Five out of six of these men were involved in the 2008 Royal Rumble match but none of them won it. The Great Khali hits a double armed chokeslam on The Undertaker for a near fall. Khali hits another chop on Undertaker and then locks the vice grip on Batista. Batista gets out of it and hits a spear on Khali. Undertaker then boots Batista out of the ring before big booting Ranjin Singh off the apron Undertaker then locks a triangle hold on The Great Khali and Khali taps out! The Great Khali has been eliminated. 

Finlay enters the match. Undertaker boots Finlay as he enters the ring. Undertaker then misses with a running boot in the corner and Finlay lays in some right hands. Finlay then throws Batista out of the ring and hits the Celtic cross on Undertaker for a near fall. Batista disposes of Finlay but Undertaker takes Batista down with a clothesline. Finlay quickly covers Batista who kicks out at two. Finlay then lays into Undertaker on the outside and gets a near fall. All six of these men looking for their first PPV victory of 2008. Well, the four that are left are. Finlay throws Undertaker through one of the pods and then Batista rams Finlay shoulder-first into it. Batista hits a suplex on Finlay and all three men are down.

MVP enters the match. Or at least he’s supposed to. He tries to stay in the pod to avoid The Undertaker but Undertaker forces his way into the pod and lays into MVP with big right hands. Batista then smashes Undertaker into one of the top turnbuckles before hitting shoulder charges. Batista hits a clothesline but then runs into the boot of The Undertaker. MVP then hits a running boot on Batista and then another one for Undertaker. MVP pins Undertaker who kicks out a two. Finlay chokes MVP with his chain and then takes Undertaker down with a big right hand. MVP gets a near fall on Undertaker and then hits a running boot on both Finlay and Batista. Undertaker is busted open now because of MVP using his chain. MVP hits more right hands on Undertaker and the United States Champion then heads for the top of one of the pods. Undertaker goes up to the top rope and chokeslams MVP down to the canvas. Finlay covers MVP and gets the 3! MVP has been eliminated. 

Hornswoggle appears in a gap in the grating and hands Finlay a shillalah! Finlay uses the shillalah on Batista and pins him but Batista kicks out at 2! Undertaker then chokeslams Finlay onto the grating, which Michael Cole keeps referring to as concrete. Undertaker pins Finlay and gets the 3! Finlay has been eliminated. 

So we’re down to the two men that started the match. The Undertaker and Batista. Both men are bleeding. The two men slug it out until Batista hits a Batista bomb! He makes the cover but Undertaker kicks out! Batista lays into Undertaker with right hand sin the corner but Undertaker counters it with a last ride! Undertaker pins Batista who kicks out at 2. Batista throws Undertaker out of the ring and then picks him up onto his shoulder and rams Undertakers face into the chain. He does that again but Undertaker then counters it, flipping onto his feet and tombstoning Batista in the middle of the ring! Undertaker makes the pin and that’s enough for the win! Undertaker is going to Wrestlemania!

Rating: 7/10

Edge is backstage with Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder. Edge says that Vickie Guerrero is watching at home so he needs Hawkins and Ryder to step up. Teddy Long then shows up and says Hawkins and Ryder are banned from ringside.

There is a terrible advert for Wrestlemania.

There’s some footage with Maria and Ashley at the Playboy mansion at a party.

Ric Flair vs. Mr Kennedy – If Ric Flair loses then he must retire

This is a first time PPV meeting between these two men. Kennedy gets on the mic and gives his usual schtick before the match. Mr Kennedy is 1-0 at No Way Out events whilst Ric Flair makes his No Way Out in-ring debut tonight. But it could well be his last match at this event. Floyd Mayweather is shown at ringside. Ric Flair is the only man to have wrestled so far tonight that has a PPV victory already recorded in 2008. Mr Kennedy knocks Flair down early and mocks him. Flair comes back with a chop and shows Kennedy how the strut is done. Flair hits a hiptoss and some chops but Kennedy gets back into the match with a low dropkick to the knees. Kennedy then applies a single leg crag but Flair gets to the bottom rope.Kennedy continues to work the left leg of Flair, smashing it into the ring apron. Kennedy then applies a figure four around the ring post, reminiscent of Bret Hart.

Kennedy slaps Flair and gets a near fall. Mr Kennedy then locks on the figure four! Flair gets top the bottom rope so Kennedy breaks the hold. Kennedy mocks Flair again but Flair hits him with some chops. Kennedy then hits a Samoan drop for a near fall. Mr Kennedy has a 57% PPV win record compared to Flairs 50% record. Flair hits a couple of chop blocks to take Kennedy down and then looks to lock on the figure four but Kennedy kicks him away and then rolls him up but the referee sees Kennedy using the ropes. Flair looks to lock on the figure four again but Kennedy rolls him up for a near fall. Flair then locks the figure four on! Mr Kennedy taps out and so Ric flair win the match! Flairs career continues!

Rating: 6/10

Finlay is on a trainers bench backstage when Vince McMahon turns up just to gloat in Finlays face. Vince tells Finlay the pain he feels at the moment will be nothing compared to the tough love he’ll be giving his son, Hornswoggle, tomorrow night on Raw.

John “Bradshaw” Layfield is shown getting ready backstage.

There’s a video package for Edge and Rey Mysterio next.

Edge (c) vs. Rey Mysterio – World Heavyweight Championship match

This is a second PPV match between these two men, Edge won the first last month at The Royal Rumble. Edge is 1-1 at No Way Out events, Rey Mysterio is 1-2. Edge has a big grin on his face knowing that Mysterio has torn his bicep. Mysterio hits Edge with kicks to the legs and then a spinning head scissors. Mysterio gets a few boo’s. Mysterio hits a few big left hands as he’s unable to use his right arm. Edge hits a big boot to the face and Rey heads to the outside. Edge hits a baseball slide and then throws Rey into the ring steps. Back in the ring and Edge pops Mysterio on the top rope before tying Rey up in a tree of woe. Edge then tries for a baseball slide but Rey pulls himself up and Edge crotches himself around the ring post. Mysterio then hits a moonsault for a near fall. Mysterio hits a tornado DDT for another near fall. Mysterio then hits the 619 but Rey has hurt his arm doing the move so can’t capitalise. Mysterio attempts a springboard cross body but edge hits him with a spear and that’s the match! Edge wins a very quick match due to a legit injury to Rey Mysterio.

Rating: 3.75/10

The Big Shows music hits and a slimmer Big Show makes his way to the ring. Big Show says it’s good to be back and that soon he will be a champion again. Show then grabs Rey Mysterio by the throat and drags him into the ring which causes Floyd Mayweather to get in the ring. Mayweathers entourage holds him back as he tries to go toe to toe with Big Show. Big Show pushes Mayweather away and then gets down on one knee where Mayweather punches Big Show in the face a few times! Mayweather connects, busting Big Shows nose open and Mayweather darts to the back. Shane McMahon comes out to stop Big Show from getting his hands on Mayweather. Somebody in the crowd shouts “which way did he go” which was perfect.

Mike Adamle claims that John Cena wants the WEDF Championship. He gets there eventually and links into a John Cena/Randy Orton video package.

Randy Orton (c) vs. John Cena – WWE Championship match

Every No Way Out PPV has had different competitors in the WWE Championship match. This is the third pay per view match between these two men and so far they are tied at 1-1. John Cena is 2-1 at No Way Out events and Randy Orton is 1-0. I do find it a bit odd that this match isn’t going on last. Randy hasn’t any of the four PPV’s since he won the WWE Championship. The fans are very mixed in their support. Orton takes Cena down early and then hits him with right hands. Cena reverses an Irish whip and then hits a bulldog for a two count. It’s advantage Cena as he takes Orton down and then drops an elbow for a near fall. Orton hits a big right hand and then poses but Cena rolls him up for a two count. Orton is first up and hits a clothesline for a near fall. Cena drops Orton on the top rope and then heads to the top and hits a fame-asser for a near fall. Cena has a very good 72% win record on pay per view. Orton chokes Cena near the ropes. This has been quite a slow match so far but it has had a big crowd reaction. Cena sets up for the FU out of nowhere but Orton slides down and hits an uppercut.

Orton then slowly stomps away at the different limbs of Cena. Orton tries for a knee drop but Cena gets out of the way. Cena then misses with a splash in the corner and Orton applies a headlock.  Cena gets out of the headlock and hits a couple of shoulder blocks and a side slam. The crowd boo as Cena motions for the five knuckle shuffle which he hits in the middle of the ring. John then sets up for the FU but Orton escapes and rolls out of the ring. The two men the slug it out on the outside and just narrowly avoid a count out. The two men then slug it out in the ring where Orton hits a neckbreaker for a near fall. Cena fights back and heads to the top but Orton gets out of the way of a to rope fame-asser this time. Orton then limbers up for the FU but Cena counters it into a side slam and then locks on the STFU! Orton gets to the bottom rope forcing Cena to break the hold. Randy then heads to the outside holding his knee. Randy screams at the referee to count him up.

Cena exits the ring but Orton kicks him in the knee and then hits Cena with an RKO on the outside! Randy rolls back into the ring and the referee counts but Cena gets back into the ring at nine. Orton then slaps the referee! The referee calls for the bell and it’s a disqualification win for Cena tonight which means Orton keeps his title! Cena grabs Orton and hits him with an FU before locking on an STFU! This was quite a slow match. A bit of a slog with a few high points.

Rating: 5.75/10

Triple H and Shawn Michaels are backstage and agree that if they have to go through each other tonight then they will.

They show a graphic on who the fans think is going to win the next Elimination Chamber match and it’s Jeff Hardy with the most amount of votes at 38%.

Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho vs. John “Bradshaw” Layfield vs. Umaga – Elimination Chamber to earn a WWE Championship shot at Wrestlemania

This is the second Elimination Chamber match of the night. As No Way Out records go, Triple H is 3-2, Jeff Hardy is 1-3, Shawn Michaels is 1-0, Chris Jericho is 3-0, JBL is 4-1 and Umaga makes his No Way Out debut tonight. Triple H, Umaga, John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Jeff Hardy are the first four men to the ring which means Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho will be starting the match. Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho and Triple H were in the very first Elimination Chamber match over five years ago and they were the final three in the match. Michaels takes down Jericho early and then hits him with some chops. HBK hits a sunset flip for a near fall and we get a few pins from the two men. Jericho hits a northern lights suplex for a near fall. Jericho hits a big clothesline and then a backbreaker. Michaels ducks a clothesline and hits a flying forearm before nipping up, hitting an atomic drop, a clothesline, a powerslam but doesn’t connect with a flying elbow as Jericho gets his knees up.

Y2J hits a bulldog and then looks to hit the lionsault but lands on his feet. Jericho then looks to apply the walls of Jericho but Michaels counters it and tries to lock on a sharpshooter but Jericho rolls him up for a near fall. Michaels and Jericho both attempt a cross body but collide into one another.

Umaga enters the match. Umaga gets into the match and knocks both Jericho and Michaels down with clotheslines before disposing of Jericho. Jericho gets back into the ring but Umaga takes both of them down with a clothesline. Umaga puts Jericho on his shoulders and then Michaels on top of Jericho and takes them both down with a Samoan drop! Umaga kicks Michaels out of the ring and then hits Jericho with a headbutt. Umaga hits Jericho with right hands and then climbs up the chains and hits a banzai drop on Shawn Michaels’ back. Umaga and Jeff Hardy are the only men in this match not to have fought in a WWE Championship match at Wrestlemania. Jericho takes Umaga down and Michaels hits an elbow drop off the top on the big man. Jericho then locks the walls of Jericho on Umaga! And Shawn Michaels adds to it by locking a crossface on Umaga at the same time!

John “Bradshaw” Layfield enters the match. JBL hits big boots on Jericho and Michaels and then a swinging neckbreaker on Jericho. JBL throws Michaels out of the ring and then hits Jericho with some stuff right hands. Layfield hits a big boot on Jericho as we see how Michaels got busted open in the collision with Jericho earlier. JBL back body drops Jericho out of the ring as Umaga lays into Shawn Michaels. In the ring Umaga hits Michaels with an Irish whip then a kick to the gut.

Triple H enters the match. Triple H takes Umaga down and hits him with right hands. He then hits a facebuster to JBL and the same to Umaga before knocking them both into one another. Triple H hits spinebusters on Chris Jericho and Umaga and a DDT to JBL. JBL is the only man in this match that Triple H hasn’t fought on PPV in a singles match. Jericho hits a bulldog on Triple H but misses with a lionsault. Triple H then looks to hit a pedigree on Jericho but JBL nails him with a clothesline from hell. Jericho then hits JBL with a codebreaker! Jericho pins JBL and gets the 3! John “Bradshaw” Layfield has been eliminated. JBL leaves the chamber, grabs a couple of chairs and then gets back in and leather Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho and Umaga!

Jeff Hardy enters the match. Jeff goes right for Umaga, hitting him with a flying forearm and a mule kick. Hardy then hits Shawn Michaels with a pendulum dropkick before using to Jericho to bounce off and dropkick Umaga. Hardy then hits whisper in the wind on both Triple H and Shawn Michaels but gets caught in the face with a kick from Umaga. Umaga then hits a big spinning side slam on Jericho before tying Triple H up in the corner. Umaga whips Shawn Michaels into Triple H before hitting Triple H with a headbutt. Umaga hits his running arse splash on Jericho and both men go through the pod Jericho is leant up against! Umaga looks to hit the Samoan spike on Jericho but Shawn Michaels hits sweet chin music on Umaga! Jericho then hits the codebreaker and Triple H hits the pedigree all on Umaga! Jeff Hardy then goes up to the top of one of the pods and hits the swanton bomb on Umaga! Jericho pins him and gets the 3! Umaga has been eliminated! Shawn Michasels then hits sweet chin music on Jericho and pins him for the 3! Chris Jericho has been eliminated! Triple H hits the pedigree on Shawn Michaels and pins him for the three! Shawn Michaels has been eliminated!

We are down to just Triple H and Jeff Hardy. The crowd are behind Hardy but Triple H throws him out to the steel flooring. These were the last two men in the match, unlike earlier. Hardy hits a DDT on Triple H and follows it up by smashing Triple H repeatedly into the side of the cell. Hardy heads to the top but Triple H sees him coming, kicks him and looks to hit a pedigree but Hardy back body drops him! Jeff then heads to the top but Triple H gets out of the way of the swanton bomb! Triple H hits the pedigree but Jeff kicks out at 2 and a half! That was unexpected. Triple H grabs a chair, throws it on the floor and looks to pedigree Hardy on it but Hardy hits a low blow! Jeff looks to hit a twist of fate but Triple H puts the breaks on and throws Jeff onto the chair. Triple H then pedigree’s Hardy on the chair for the three! Triple H wins the match and is going to Wrestlemania! This was a really good match, much better than the earlier chamber match.

Rating: 8.5/10

And that was No Way Out 2008. The last stop before Wrestlemania 24. Overall it felt like a good show but ironically the two weakest matches were for the world titles. The show started well with two good workers in CM Punk and Chavo Guerrero. I’ve never been a big Chavo guy but he’s a solid worker and has the best theme music in the company. Chavo won this match clean which surprised me a little. I don’t know where this leaves the two men for Wrestlemania, maybe a Money In The Bank spot for Punk? I’m not sure who the top babyface in ECW is behind CM Punk, maybe Tommy Dreamer will be in line for an ECW Championship match at Wrestlemania. Good way to start this show.

Next up was the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match and although it was a good match, it was probably my least favourite Elimination Chamber match ever. I didn’t like how quickly Big Daddy V and The Great Khali went out. MVP didn’t last much longer either. This match was all about Batista and The Undertaker. They started and finished the match. Undertaker was the right winner, I like him against Edge at Wrestlemania, they have so far managed to avoid having a singles match against one another so the setting of Wrestlemania will be perfect. I’m not sure where this leaves Batista, as he is bound to be on the Wrestlemania card. Big Daddy V? MVP? I guess we’ll find out in the coming weeks.

Up next Ric Flair defeated Mr Kennedy to keep his career going. The match quality wasn’t amazing here but there was a lot of drama. You kinda knew that Flair was going to make it until Wrestlemania but he did a good job of making Mr Kennedy look good tonight. Mr Kennedy is a little bit lost in the shuffle at the moment but I hope he’ll be in the Money In The Bank match at Wrestlemania again. I would’ve bet Flair was going to be retired by Triple H but it doesn’t look that way now. It would be good if he was to put over a younger guy but I don’t think that’ll be happening. Edge then beat Rey Mysterio in a short match but to Mysterio’s legit injury. It was predictable but sadly not a good match. Mysterio could be out for a while, Edge goes to Wrestlemania against The Undertaker.

I find it amazing that no superstar has been in a WWE title match at No Way Out twice. So far, Triple H, Cactus Jack, The Rock, Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Eddie Guerrero, Brock Lesnar, John “Bradshaw” Layfield, The Big Show, John Cena and Randy Orton have been in those matches. Tonight Randy beat Cena in a sub-par match. I quite liked the finish with Orton being so blatant to slap the referee to get disqualified. This means that Randy Orton goes on to Wrestlemania but I have a feeling that Cena isn’t done with the WWE title. This wasn’t Cena and Ortons best match and I did wonder why this match wasn’t going on last but I guess it was because of the screwy finish.

The final Elimination Chamber was the match of the night for me. Much better laid out. And I guess it was unusual to have the last two men enter the match be the final two men to survive. I would have been good to see Jeff Hardy win the match but it’s not his time yet. I would guess we’re on for a Randy Orton/Triple H/John Cena triple threat match at Wrestlemania 24. Overall this was a good show. Generally entertaining from top to bottom.

Overall Rating: 62.9/100 (ranked joint 47th out of 221)

Match Of The Night: The Raw Elimination Chamber match
Worst Match Of The Night: Edge vs. Rey Mysterio
Surprise Of The Night: Floyd Mayweather punches Big Show in the face
Worst Booking Of The Night: The Smackdown Elimination Chamber match
Superstar Of The Night: Undertaker, Edge, Randy Orton & Triple H
No Way Out 2008 Will Be Remembered For: The two Elimination Chamber matches