4. Edge vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Big Show vs. Kane vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Wade Barrett (Elimination Chamber 2011)
The Elimination Chamber match adopted two of its core themes from the Survivor Series Elimination Tag and the Royal Rumble, respectively. In each of its "parents," there has always been a chance for young, up-and-coming stars to shine. The best versions of the Elimination Chamber shared that trait. Take the Smackdown version in 2011. It was, perhaps, the greatest example of Drew McIntyre's talent that we were ever given the opportunity to see. He was viciously effective in his role. Like the 2007 Royal Rumble climax or the finish to Team Austin vs. Team Bischoff at the '03 Survivor Series, the Smackdown Chamber in 2011 also featured furiously captivating closing sequences. Edge and Rey Mysterio took center stage and created a thrilling series of near falls. Had the match ended in typical Chamber fashion after 25-30 grueling minutes, then it still would have been a superlative effort in the stipulation's history, but Edge and Mysterio's finale helped it become one of the finest matches of this decade.
"The Doc" Chad Matthews has written wrestling columns for over a decade. A physician by trade, Matthews began writing about wrestling as a hobby, but it became a passion. After 30 years as a wrestling fan, "The Doc" gives an unmatched analytical perspective on pro wrestling in the modern era. He is a long-time columnist for Lordsofpain.net and hosts a weekly podcast on the LOP Radio Network called "The Doc Says." His first book - The WrestleMania Era: The Book of Sports Entertainment - ranks the Top 90 wrestlers from 1983 to present day, was originally published in December 2013, and is now in its third edition.
Matthews lives in North Carolina with his wife, two kids, and two dogs.
