WWE’s corporate website has released its monthly Key Performance Indicators report, revealing how No Way Out performed in terms of pay-per-view buys.

Initial estimates for the annual February pay-per-view have the show doing 164,000 domestic buys and 274,000 worldwide for a show headlined by two Elimination Chamber Matches with both World Championships at stake, a No Holds Barred Match pitting Randy Orton against Shane McMahon, and Shawn Michaels vs. JBL for The Heartbreak Kid’s chance at freedom.

The numbers have to be considered disappointing as this year’s show suffered a 25% worldwide and 32% domestic drop from last year despite house show business and ratings still going strong. In comparison, last year’s show drew 365,000 worldwide buys and 241,000 domestic for a show that also had two Elimination Chamber Matches (with Wrestlemania title shots at stake), plus two major title matches with Edge vs. Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship and Randy Orton vs. John Cena with the WWE Championship on the line.

Labels: 2009 No Way Out

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:08 PM | Permalink | Comments

Matt Hardy has posted a blog talking about why he didn’t interfere with Jeff Hardy’s involvement in last night’s Elimination Chamber Match. Hardy wrote: “At No Way Out in Seattle, I gave you the opportunity to win the WWE Title inside of the Elimination Chamber. I listened very closely to what you had to say on Smackdown last week. You said you were going to “move on” and win the WWE Title regardless of what I wanted. You also mentioned that you hoped this issue between us will one day pass over.

So from the bottom of my heart, I didn’t interfere with your Elimination Chamber appearance and/or match. Nor did I need to.. You failed like you always do. I wanted to reinforce to everyone what a failure you truly are-how you can never pull through and succeed in a “big time” atmosphere. How you always choke. It’s nothing new though.”

Hardy added: “I’m afraid the WWE is not big enough for the both of us. I recommend you do the smartest thing possible for your life and livelihood right now. And that’s walk out of the WWE and my life. You have until Friday to make your decision.”

Labels: 2009 No Way Out, jeff hardy, matt hardy

Posted by Matt Loede at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE officials worked hard this past weekend to make sure the fact that Edge was going to be working both Elimination Chamber matches and winning the World Heavyweight Title didn’t leak to the internet. Vince McMahon was furious that word got out that Christian Cage was supposed to play the role of the guy who attacked Jeff Hardy all those times, which led to Matt Hardy getting Christian’s spot on SmackDown.

To make sure nobody on the WWE crew knew what was going to happen, they put a huge tarp over the Elimination Chamber on Sunday afternoon so nobody else in the building could see the WWE Superstars in the ring planning out the matches.

Labels: 2009 No Way Out, edge, matt hardy

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments

- During the No Hold Barred match at the WWE No Way Out PPV between Randy Orton and Shane McMahon, Orton was busted open the hard-way when he got hit in the face with a television monitor by Shane McMahon. He needed stitches backstage after the match.

- Shane McMahon was taken to a hospital after his match against Randy Orton. WWE claimed that he was going in and out of consciousness. Obviously, this is only a storyline.

- Prior to the live WWE No Way Out pay-per-view broadcast, WWE Women’s champion Melina defeated Beth Phoenix in a dark match.

Labels: 2009 No Way Out, randy orton, shane mcmahon

Posted by Matt Loede at 4:49 PM | Permalink | Comments

Here is the current card for No Way Out:

World Title Elimination Chamber
John Cena vs. Mike Knox vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Kane

WWE Title Elimination Chamber
Edge vs. Triple H vs. The Undertaker vs. Big Show vs. TBD vs. TBD

No Holds Barred Match
Shane McMahon vs. Randy Orton

Winner Takes All Match
Shawn Michaels vs. JBL

ECW Championship Match
Jack Swagger vs. Finlay

Labels: 2009 No Way Out, shane mcmahon, undertaker

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

As usual, the McMahon family has put themselves first in a storyline, and it's not a good thing. Of course I am talking about the "feud" between Shane McMahon and Randy Orton, and the impending match they will have in a few weeks at the PPV - No Way Out. The build to the feud came to a head on Monday night, as both Shane and Steph were attacked by Legacy, building to Steph getting the Undertaker to come to RAW for a match with Randy next week.

This feud is typical McMahon. Orton is the hottest heel in the ring right now, and they should be building to what could be a hot title match with John Cena at WrestleMania 25 in a few months in Houston. Instead, they are going to have him beat Shane, but at the same time, he will struggle with him, and probably need help from his pals to get it done, which stinks in my eyes.

Instead of that, they should have Orton in a feud with another main event type star, beating that star at the PPV to give him more momentum for the main event at Mania. Why the McMahon's keep forcing themselves into feuds like this really is mind boggling, haven't we seen these types of feuds blow up before?

In the end, this is a bad idea. Yes, the match at the PPV is going to be good - why? Becuase Shane is a major, big time bump machine and with it being a no-DQ match, they will go the limit with weapons and what not. But, when it's all said and done, this is a feud that could totally derail Orton on his way to the biggest match of his career.

Labels: 2009 No Way Out, randy orton, shane mcmahon, stephanie McMahon

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:34 PM | Permalink | Comments

The official promo poster for this year’s No Way Out PPV features Vladimir Kozlov behind the chains of the Elimination Chamber.

Promotional material for the PPV from InDemand reads: "Two miles of chain and ten tons of steel will surround WWE Superstars in the elimination chamber. Don't miss Triple H, John Cena, Vladimir Kozlov, Chris Jericho, Jeff Hardy, Undertaker, Rey Mysterio, and all your favorite Superstars at WWE No Way Out, Sunday, February 15th, live at 8PM ET/5PM PT, only on Pay-Per-View. A World Wrestling Entertainment Production."

Labels: 2009 No Way Out, chris jericho, jeff hardy, john cena, undertaker, Vladimir Kozlov

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:09 PM | Permalink | Comments