'Oh god! Who built this?': The origin of the WWE Elimination Chamber - ESPN

ESPN

by Tim Fiorvanti

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Elimination Chamber, a groundbreaking WWE concept introduced at the 2002 Survivor Series, marked a revolutionary moment in wrestling history. Six superstars—Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Chris Jericho, Kane, Booker T, and Rob Van Dam—stepped into Madison Square Garden's untested structure, a combination of steel cage and War Games elements, to compete for the World Heavyweight Championship. The match was not just a competition but a test of endurance and innovation, as the wrestlers faced an unfamiliar and dangerous setup. The Elimination Chamber was conceived by Triple H and initially designed on a napkin sketch. When the competitors saw it at the venue, they were shocked by its clunky, rigid design made of grated steel. Chris Jericho recalled it felt more like hitting "a lumpy bag of bricks," emphasizing the structure's harshness. The wrestlers had no prior knowledge of how it worked, adding to the chaos. Shawn Michaels and Triple H's long-standing rivalry took center stage, driven by their real-life tensions and Michaels' return after a five-year absence due to injury. The match was brutal, with each wrestler enduring significant physical punishment. Despite initial doubts about the chamber's safety, it became a defining moment for all involved. Triple H noted that while they were unsure how to proceed at first, the chaos of the structure pushed them into high gear. The Elimination Chamber ultimately proved to be a game-changer for WWE, becoming a staple pay-per-view event and setting a new standard for intense, unpredictable matches. This match not

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/24/2026