5 things you probably didn't know about the Elimination Chamber

On Sunday, February 25th, the WWE's Raw brand will present the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event. Since the inception of the match and its eponymous structure, there have been a number of incarnations of the chamber and its rules. There have been changes from what it first was intended to be to where it is today.

At the upcoming event, we will witness two chamber matches, one of which is to determine who will walk away as the number one contender for Brock Lesnar's WWE Universal championship. It is also going to be the first time three men will enter the ring simultaneously, and the first time seven men will be involved, instead of the typical six.

Fans will also witness the first ever women's division match in the Elimination Chamber. It will certainly provide for some exciting moments throughout, as the women continue to set new standards in the ring. What facts are not that popular about the chamber? Here are five you probably didn't know about the WWE's Elimination Chamber.

---

#5 Was created to combine different matches

Did you know the Elimination Chamber was created as a culmination of other types of matches?

The Elimination Chamber is one of the most talked about structures in WWE's history. However, the actual appearance of the structure is not necessarily the way it was first designed. The structure certainly appears much like a steel cage, cage matches being one of the longest standing gimmick matches in the company's history. It also has characteristics and qualities that are reminiscent of the Hell in a Cell.

First introduced in 2002, the design does not just combine elements of just the cages used by WWE in the past. It is also notable because it includes qualities similar to World Championship Wrestling's War Games, which was a double cage that enclosed two rings. As well, competitors enter the cage one at a time, much like War Games.

And indeed, when Raw GM Eric Bischoff announced the very first Elimination Chamber match, he made that very comparison. For that matter, with each pod opening allowing a new participant to enter the matchup after a set time interval, it is not unlike the Royal Rumble.

#4 Was initially brand exclusive

Did you know that Elimination Chamber was initially a brand exclusive pay per view but didn't always remain that way?

Elimination Chamber has always provided exciting moments that stood out and were talked about. When the chamber was first announced, its initial intent wasn't to use the talent from both Raw and SmackDown. When Eric Bischoff, who was the Raw General Manager at the time, announced the matchup, he stated the event would feature Raw talent that would compete at the Survivor Series in 2002.

However, despite originally being meant as a brand exclusive pay-per-view, it didn't remain that way. In 2006, at ECW's December to Dismember, the match was part of a different brand's event. After a few years, the match was exclusive to the No Way Out only pay per view. Since the structure offers ‘no way out', it appeared to make sense to be tied to this event only.

#3 Severe injuries were suffered in the chamber or event

Did you know that some of the injuries suffered have been quite gruesome?

With any match, there is always an element of risk. Wrestlers will say that wrestling isn't ballet and that the dangers involved in the sport are countless. During each of the Elimination Chamber matches, a number of injuries have been suffered.

For instance, during the first ever match up, former WWE champion Triple H nearly suffered a career-ending injury after a frog splash by former WWE champion Rob Van Dam. Van Dam jumped from the top rope, but misjudged his leap and landed on the trachea and oesophagus of Triple H. Triple H also suffered an injured wrist during the same match.

In 2010, the Elimination Chamber matchup, Sheamus suffered a concussion during the match, and The Undertaker suffered an injury during the event as well, not in the actual match, but on his way to the ring. He suffered first and second degree burns to his neck, among other areas, from his entrance pyro.

#2 Has had several other incarnations

Did you know that the match has had a number of incarnations?

During the creation of the Elimination Chamber, there were a number of different designs. Therefore, the final product isn't the original design, but the result of a number of revisions. The desire was to create a structure unlike anything fans had ever seen before. Whether it is the top of the structure or the walls, overall it is quite different.

The actual completion of the structure took approximately two months, and cost in excess of a quarter of a million dollars U.S. The frames of the structure alone consisted of sixteen supports, each weighing in excess of three hundred pounds. Add to that the weight of the chamber, Plexiglass, and the chains.

The sheer mass of the structure is held in a containment unit and it is then reassembled each year. The structure is suspended above the ring during the evening, awaiting its use for the specific featured match.

#1 Rules have evolved over time

Did you know the rules we have come to know now aren't the original one's?

As most know, the Elimination Chamber is an elimination type of match that carries with its similarities to other matches. It begins with two men battling, and after five minutes one of the remaining participants standing in one of the pods is released to join the matchup. This stipulation has remained, however, changes have come about to the match rules over the years.

For example, when there have been teams involved, two members enter the match every ten minutes. However, in 2012 the Elimination chamber there was a decision to have pinfalls and submissions take place only in the ring only, whereas prior to that they could take place on the elevated flooring.

And of course, disqualifications and count outs are not part of the rules of the matchup. So over time, some rules have remained the same while others have changed.

---

Send us news tips at [email protected]