On a recent episode of the “Something To Wrestle With” podcast, JBL shared his thoughts on the Elimination Chamber, calling it the most dangerous match within WWE.
Here are some of the key points made by JBL during the podcast:
Speaking about the Elimination Chamber and its risk factor, JBL said, “Unquestionably. The original structure was built with no consideration for comfort. Every aspect of it caused pain. The idea seemed fantastic, although I’m unsure if it originated from Jericho. In its original format, there were no safety aspects. Every component of that structure was painful, and it made no sound. The combination was the worst of both worlds. Hitting the ground resulted in a thud with no sound, but it’s enough to nearly break your back.”
Drawing parallels, JBL stated, “This reminded me of the Punjabi Prison match. Its initial design had an appearance of bamboo, but it was solid steel. Contact with any part of that structure caused pain. It however appeared unreal. While enduring extreme pain, the audience’s reaction would be underwhelming as the structure didn’t appear realistic. This was the initial experience with the Chamber match. They have subsequently improved it. I was pleased to participate in one, but I was not keen on participating in another.”
From an AEW Grand Slam: Australia standpoint, he observed, “Indeed, my understanding is based on social media posts since I seldom watch full pay-per-views or complete episodes. I find that social media clips help me stay updated. Looking at the show, it seemed successful. I’m aware that they scaled down from a stadium to an arena, which is a disappointment, but selling out a large venue is still impressive.
Noting a change in approach, he said, “Fewer matches were conducted, and I believe that’s an essential move. WWE has also reduced the number of matches, and it proved efficient. Allowing the participants to narrate comprehensive stories over 20-30 minutes seems effective. Instead of rushing through everything, a paced approach may be their new strategy.”