Bye Bye Elimination Chamber, Hello "Fast Lane."

[Nate DaMac]

As we reported earlier today, Reddit user MetsFan4Ever, who is a known WWE insider, broke the news that WWE plans to drop the annual Elimination Chamber PPV next year.

Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com has since confirmed the report, and is noting WWE does indeed have plans to drop the Road to WrestleMania PPV from its calendar.

Meltzer noted the February PPV will now be called WWE Fast Lane, but a venue or date for the event in 2015 has yet to be announced.

http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/522165-wwe-dropping-elimination-chamber-2

I was one of a few who was a fan of the Elimination Chamber and it's placement on the Road to Wrestlemania when there were two World titles. The Rumble winner would choose whichever title he wanted to go after and that champion would have to defend the title in a Chamber as his test while the other Chamber was a last ditch effort at the number one contendership for the other World Title. At least that's what made sense to me. But now that there's only one World Title, it doesn't really matter.

I don't really like the name though. I can't imagine a generic shit name like that is going to draw any more viewers than one with some sort of history.

Thoughts?

 

[FlexAmerican Dynamite]

I'm glad that there's now one less gimmick PPV. It'll make when they announce an Elimination Chamber match at a regular PPV all the more special. In fact I hated the whole last chance to main event mania garbage, it almost negates winning the rumble when you can just bullshit your way to win the belt in whatever shenanigans happen in those matches.

Now they're not pigeon hold into having to have six guys fight for a title when they realistically can't depending on if they're part time champion is there.

The name sucks though, I imagine they mean something along the lines of "Fast Lane to Wrestlemania" or some shit like that. Hopefully they find a better name.

 

[The Butcher]

My first thought is that "Fast Lane" is an awful name. I hope they aren't retiring the Chamber match itself. The change makes sense because of the unified title, I guess, but the IC and US championships are sitting right there. They could've tried centering the PPV around one or both of those before just scrapping the whole thing, but whatever. Another generic PPV it is. Just change that stupid name.

 

[Zycho32]

Eh, I can dig the Fast Lane title- not as if I've seen real sterling PPV titles in WWE before.

Not that removing the Chamber itself is going to do anything to streamline the drama scale. Since the WM Format for the WWE Title is 'Title Holder' versus 'Rumble Winner', that's still a one-month gap where the champ knowingly retains. And if there's a NEW champ, that threatens to up-end any buildup and then you'll know Creative doesn't know what the hell to do.

 

[sMark]

Elimination Chamber was the only new working match type WWE introduced in the last 10 years and now they remove it? When, at the same time, they have Hell in a Cell without any blood in it and 2 Ladder based PPVs? And replace it with what? I'am just...just...it's f'n dumb!

 

[Барбоса]

Both the replacement names are awful. I can see they want to tie in to the "Road to Wrestlemania" but there must be something better. They might as well call it Truck Stop, Speedbump or Overnighting in a Motel 6.

However, I am more than happy to potentially see the Chamber removed as a fixed annual setting. Now we just need the same to happen to HIAC.

With the way the main event is now, the Elimination Chamber would have fitted in well. Ambrose vs Rollins vs Cena vs Orton plus two place-holders (a good way to elevate Rusev, while taking away his undefeated streak, plus Kane to add in Authority hi-jinx) for the right to face Lesnar would make far more sense than simply tacking on that stipulation to Cena-Orton, a match that despite attempts to present it otherwise, is the "loser bracket" - Cena lost to Ambrose and neither wanted to face Orton.

 

[Wrestlingaholic]

I am in the minority, it seems, but I thought the Elimination Chamber was perfectly placed. The Road to Wrestlemania is WWE's most important time of year, it made sense (to me) that they utilised their most important matches.

I don't understand why WWE - and posters on here - struggle to accept just a single EC match? Same happened with the Money in the Bank ppv when several posters wondered if it was pointless now there was only one champion. If anything, it makes the match type more special, with less matches.

The one thing I didn't like was the change of the name from No Way Out to Elimination Chamber, but Fast Lane sounds terrible! Not sure what WWE are thinking there, other than linking it (poorly) to the road to Wrestlemania.

I DO agree to the WWE streamlining 'gimmick' ppvs - they have never booked Hell in a Cell correctly since they introduced it in 2009 until this year's logical Ambrose v Rollins HIAC (to me, the Cell is the ultimate feud ender, only the most bitter feuds should culminate in it - certainly not CM Punk v Ryback for the first time ever like we had two years ago!) and Night of Champions is obsolete now there are less belts and more non-title matches on the card. So if they are taking away EC, they could take away HIAC and NOC and keep the Rumble (which everyone forgets is a gimmick ppv), MITB and maybe Survivor Series - and now more than ever they should return to it's origins of elimination tag matches featuring most of the roster, as it was originally designed to showcase as many as possible without being too damaging to the big stars)

 

[sanefan_har]

The Elimination Chamber match lost all credibility in 2012 and 2013, when they played second fiddle to the feuds involving Cena and The Rock. While I'm not impressed with the name Fast Lane, they could bring back the Vengeance name.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

To be perfectly honest, I'm kinda glad the EC ppv concept is gonna end. I like the notion of the Elimination Chamber itself now being able to potentially pop up at any given time. I'm of the opinion that HIAC and MITB should probably be next. Now that there's only one World Championship in WWE, I think MITB should go back to being a specialty match for WrestleMania and HIAC, like the Elimination Chamber, should be able to pop up for use at any given time. Remember the response Taker vs. Triple H received at WrestleMania 28 when it was suddenly announced that it'd be a Hell in a Cell match?

There are a handful of major gimmick matches in WWE, apart from just the simple variety of the no DQ matches. Having them spaced out, though still potentially able to be pulled up at any time, could work. The Royal Rumble match is obviously in January, MITB could return to being a WrestleMania tradition, possibly make Elimination Chamber a part of SummerSlam or use it as a means of determining a #1 contender for the WWE WHC for SummerSlam by placing it on one of the summer ppvs, Hell in a Cell for Survivor Series and toss in a TLC match along with a traditional Survivor Series match to stack the card as Survivor Series needs a lot of help before it can really been seen as a major show again.

 

[stingray11214]

Why have any replacement at all? Look, the Rumble is at the end of January, Mania is End March/first Sunday in April. Are you telling me that WWE cannot have a strong build in that two-month period that could make Mania even MORE special? You know, some VKM fanboys denounce TNA's PPVs as "Impact tapings". What do you think some of these nonsensical PPVs are? They are RAW/SmaclDown tapings that you pay $55 (or $9.99 a month for). A strong build could make matches at Mania that much more of a "must see" than they are now. If VKM and creative cannot do something that simple, then they seriously need to get out of the business.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Personally I think the name change of the PPV is pretty much irrelevant. I doubt people decide upon tuning in to the event or not based upon the name of the PPV. Those people who have the WWE Network are probably going to watch the event regardless of it's name. Those who don't are either going to purchase the PPV, or illegally stream it, or pass on it altogether, regardless of what it's called. I cannot imagine fewer people will view the event, however they choose to do so, because of a less catchy name.

It's not like they are totally abandoning the concept of the Elimination Chamber altogether. I'm sure we will still see the occasional Elimination Chamber match occur from time to time, which will probably involve more anticipation when it becomes more of a unique and occasional event, rather than a generic PPV carrying it's name. For all we know, there could still be an Elimination Chamber match during the Fast Lane PPV. It could be argued that the Elimination Chamber PPV, now that there is just one major title in the company now, is misleading in that there is only one Elimination Chamber match during the PPV anyway, with the rest of the card occurring in a regular ring outside of the Chamber. Personally I wouldn't be surprised to see the Hell in a Cell PPV eliminated and renamed next. Not to say they will do away with the Hell in a Cell concept, but rather, naming the entire PPV after a match which typically only occurs once during the night (twice this year).

The fact of the matter is, the whole premise of the Hell in a Cell match and the Elimination Chamber match has become so diluted that I wouldn't care if they were abolished altogether anyway. There is nothing special about any if these cage matches anymore anyway; they are typically the same matches that occur on any given evening on any given show, which just happen to have a cage surrounding them. The physicality or brutality once associated with these matches is pretty much gone. There's rarely any blood (not that I think there needs to be). The cage is not used as a weapon as much as it used to be. Frequently during these matches, exclusively designed to keep the competitors inside and other people outside, this doesn't happen anymore. The lights go out, and lo and behold, the Wyatt's are inside the cage. Guys come up through the floor, the cage gets unlocked and guys get in or out when they're not supposed to. The cage raises up, letting guys in or out, whatever. The whole magic of the cage match is gone from today's product anyway. Point being, it could be argues that there is no point behind these matches anymore anyway. And likewise, no point in naming entire PPV's after them anymore either.

"Fast Lane" is fine. The name of the event is not really the point anymore. The action which occurs should be more of the focus than what it's called. WWE would be better served to focus on this, rather than the name of the show.

 

[RC Punk]

This is what I've been hoping for for years now. I'm not a big fan of having anything shoved down my throat because creative thinks its a good idea. ie: Dean Ambrose, HIAC, MITB, TLC, Elimination Chamber. The business is losing its luster because it forces magic. You think the Hardy's and Edge/Christian went into Gund Arena and said you know what boys, lets make this so big they turn it into a PPV like 15 years from now. NOPE. They went in and organically had a blockbuster.
All of these "specialty" PPVs are killing their specialty matches. I dont understand why they constantly do this to the fans.

 

[Navi]

PWinsder and F4Wonline are now reporting that the Elimination Chamber may be moved to the June PPV calender.

The WWE wants to keep the Chamber PPV, and will use the winner as a build to a title shot at Summerslam. I guess with one title, the Rumble winner will be the number one contender for Mania.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I enjoyed having Elimination Chamber where it was, but after thinking about it, this change makes sense. Fast Lane is a better fit for a show that is right in between the #3 and #1 shows of the year respectively. Elimination Chamber getting moved to the June spot as Navi's post suggests, is a fantastic idea. This would effectively make it to where Battleground can be eliminated as a PPV brand. It was useless and brought nothing to the table. Now, what can Fast Lane possibly do to be more than just "that show right before Wrestlemania"? Potentially nothing. My concern is that this show will be irrelevant. All that's going to be on everyone's mind is Wrestlemania. At least with Elimination Chamber you knew what to expect and the 2nd PPV each year still had something for me to look forward to. However, if this means that either Payback or Battleground will be replaced by Elimination Chamber, then that more than makes up for it. It will be interesting to see what the Fast Lane brand will be like.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

Like most I see this as a good thing but not feeling the "fast lane" concept.

The problem with the EC PPV is that it pigeonholes that match to one time a year, much as Hell in A Cell and MITB does. I am pretty sure that tonight sees the last HIAC PPV too.

They were only doing one match or maximum two... and these are better used throughout the year. Indeed WWE appears to be moving back to the In Your House concept for it's shows. B level shows with 4 big ones throughout the year. The Network supports that model far better.

Personally though, I would use Fast Lane to do one of two things. Either use it as a "Fast Lane" to the main roster... with some kind of NXT match that guarantees the winner a contract. Or use it as to resurrect the King Of The Ring concept, with the Final then taking place at Mania. Both would give more of an importance than a stale EC match where you already know the Rumble winner goes to Mania anyway.

If they are smart they will use this new Fast Lane show for the lower card guys and mid card to "guarantee their spot" on Mania rather than just being another PPV for the Champ or Challenger at Mania to get through in the Chamber.

 

[kadroan]

I'm glad they're getting rid of Elimination Chamber. There's only one main event level title now and I doubt Brock would defend the title in the EC match since he doesn't compete in HIAC matches.

They can't have an Elimination Chamber match for the #1 contender for the WWE WHC since Royal Rumble takes places a month before the pay per view.

 

[vampirek]

Irony by some on here. You want less gimmick PPVs yet want 'Fast Lane' to have a gimmick feel to it.

In short WWE cant hold the EC match because of the title situation, theyll just move it to a better time. Then just have a normal PPV with a name linked to the Road To Wrestlemania so that they do not write themselves into a corner. The fast lane on the road to Wrestlemania, its actually a decent title for the last stop PPV.

 

[Good Golly It's Ollie]

Hmm ... actually quite liked the Elimination Chamber events. Perhaps it was because it's on at one of the best times of the year, but the whole last-chance-before-Mania thing worked, and showed off a lot of the main eventers.

Oh well, at least this means that the booking going into future chambers should be stronger.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

The name is stupid but I don't actually care. That show serves a purpose. WWE just don't utlize it properly.

Elimination Chamber matches, like Hell In A Cell, should serve a purpose and not be used for the sake of it.

Though the change of title doesn't mean there won't be a Chamber match.

 

[BeastFromTheEast]

I'm not crazy about the "Fast Lane" name, but the PPV name is never really that important to me. I'm more concerned about what that means for the Chamber match it's self. I hope this doesn't mean they are doing away with it. I've always really enjoyed the Chamber and thought it was a great idea.

 

[laodaron]

This is a welcome change for me. I loathe gimmick PPVs, because unless you have a situation like Ambrose and Rollins ending a feud in the HIAC, the matches almost NEVER make sense, much like Orton and Cena in a Cell.

Almost all gimmick PPVs should go away, and the gimmick matches should be available for any PPV. Extreme Rules, gone. Payback, gone. HiaC, gone. NoC, gone. TLC, gone.

Now, open up Extreme Rules matches at any PPV that it makes sense. Open TLC back up for Wrestlemania.

I'm glad to see the EC go away in terms of a gimmick PPV. I would MUCH rather see it happen organically whenever the time is right and 6 guys are competing either for the belt or to be the number 1 contender.

 

[rbv13]

Just a thought here about the Chamber match itself. Would it be a better for an event like Survivor Series? One of the big four that has lost nearly all of its true meaning. The Chamber at the event could feature six top singles looking to Survive, maybe with the title, and the under card could feature traditional SS styles matches. It would also provide an opportunity to showcase 40 plus stars in a night.

 

[Rayne]

Last night's card should really underline to people why having these hardcore gimmick matches because "this is what we do in this month every year" is just a bad idea. Have any of the HIAC matches at the HIAC pay-per-view held a candle to some of the ones before the pay-per-view started? It handcuffs the writers into designing feuds based around a concept which the audience knows is coming. The performers can try all they'd like to sell the match- in the end, it rarely matters how good the performance is, because the build is already killed for it.

Removing the yearly Elimination Chamber PPV frees up the writing staff to spring it by surprise on people, and surprises, the non-Dixie Carter kind, sell.

 

[AlexWWE21]

I am happy they are retiring the elimination chamber PPV, but I do hope they keep the match. I enjoy the chamber match.
Now, as far as Fast Lane, name does kind of sound lame. I hope this will be a good PPV though