WWE: No Way Out 2009 (2009)

Reported by Ernest Aguilar

Price: $6.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

In Stock.

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Only 4 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

No Way Out 2009" can divided up into its three individual hours.

The first one features the "SmackDown" Elimination Chamber Match

The second hour includes a No Holds Barred Match and an ECW Title contest.

The third hour has an HBK/JBL grudge match and the "RAW" Elimination Chamber Match.

I'll give you the short version first:

---HOUR #1

I think the "SmackDown" Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE Championship is solid overall, but really drags in a few spots.

---HOUR #2

I liked all three matches that occurred at this point: The No Holds Barred Match (Randy Orton v. Shane McMahon), ECW Title Match (Jack Swagger v. Finlay), and the JBL/HBK All-or-Nothing contest.

---HOUR #3

The main event was one of my favorite matches of the year ("RAW" Elimination Chamber Match for the World Heavyweight Championship).

Bottom line - This DVD is well worth a purchase.

__________________________________________________

Still here? Alright, here's the long one. Hope it helps!

1) Elimination Chamber Match - WWE Championship

The Undertaker v. Big Show v. Vladimir Kozlov

v. Triple H v. Jeff Hardy v. Edge (champion)

---I agree with pretty much everything you've read about this contest. It starts with a great surprise, slows down for way too long once Big Show & Kozlov start beating the tar out of Jeff Hardy, and then finally picks up again once the final two wrestlers enter the match. Honestly, I think everyone will get a nice chuckle out of the early quick pinfall. I also think everyone will enjoy the last few minutes where the remaining wrestlers try everything to win. The make-or-break for you is gonna be whether you can enjoy watching Big Show & Kozlov take turns to beat down Jeff Hardy when he's all alone. It's really that simple. I've grown to appreciate it more on repeat viewings, but not by much. Overall, this is an enjoyable match, but that middle patch just killed it for me.

"6.5 / 10" (Would've been higher if it weren't for that slow middle portion)

_______________________________________________

2) No Holds Barred

Randy Orton v. Shane McMahon

---When the February PPVs come out, the WWE has a difficult job of keeping the Royal Rumble winner in a good storyline. Using Orton as a violent jackass threatening to ruin "WrestleMania" was a good start; having him take on the McMahon family was even more fun than it should've been (at this point in time). I got into this match simply because it was violent AND believable. These two really beat each other, something you can count on in Shane's matches. There's even BLOOD, which WWE doesn't allow these days. Better get it while you can, right? I'm not sure wny I haven't scored this one higher, so I guess I'll have to rewatch it another time. I can live with that.

"7.0 / 10" (I might've underrated this one)

_______________________________________________

3) ECW Championship

Jack Swagger (champion) v. Finlay

---First off, the crowd didn't into this one very much, and most people think this is the worst match on the card. I actually liked it, because I enjoy technical contests. I love watching Finlay's rugged style, and I haven't seen a bad match from Swagger yet. Sure it isn't the most exciting, but it's the most realistic on this PPV. There's a rumor that this match was so poorly received that Jack Swagger didn't get to defend his belt at "WrestleMania 25" because of it. If that rumor is true, then the "art" of wrestling is slowly dying. Sad news, if you ask me.

"7.0 / 10" (Give this a chance if you enjoy straight-up physical competition)

_______________________________________________

4) All-or-Nothing Match

Shawn Michaels (Free From JBL's Contract If Victorious)

v. JBL (Earns HBK's Assets If Victorious)

---I loved this storyline from the getgo. JBL is always an entertaining character, and HBK is actually a pretty good actor when it comes to these dramatic storylines. I guess that's what I love best about this scenario: It's very compelling 'DRAMA'. Although the physical action is very good, it's the facial expressions and emotion that make it worth your time & money. However, I want to emphasize that this match isn't just about charmisa & emotion. JBL and HBK actually have a good contest, easily one of Bradshaw's best since he became the "JBL" persona. All in all, this is another fine addition to the PPV.

"7.5 / 10" (One of my favorites from 2009)

_______________________________________________

5) Elimination Chamber Match - World Heavyweight Championship

John Cena (champion) v. Mike Knox v. Kane

v. Edge v. Chris Jericho v. Rey Mysterio

---Okay, you now know that Edge somehow is in the main event after losing his belt (he beat up Kofi Kingston out of nowhere, and stole his Chamber pod). While this might be a spoiler for some (surprise entrances like ths usually win), I don't think it hurts this main event at all. The action is fast-paced, the surprises all work, and everyone gets their chance to shine. Believe me, I could not care less about Mike Knox, but he earned his spot in this match. I'm kinda sad that Kane seems to always get the shaft in big matches like this, but he got to make an impression while he lasted. John Cena's involvement in the main event is still a shock even if you know what's gonna happen. The most popular guy on the WWE roster rarely has a role this unusual, I'll leave it at that. And when the final few participants compete for the gold...oh my goodness, what an exciting display of athleticism! Simply put, this PPV ended on a very strong note. I thought this PPV was already good, but this main event kicked it up a few notches, and is another one of my favorite matches from 2009.

"8.0 / 10" (Probably my favorite Elimination Chamber Match)

_______________________________________________

I was worried when the opening "SmackDown" Elimination Chamber Match didn't meet my expectations. Honestly, I wasn't entirely convinced even after the next two matches entertained me. But after HBK/JBL and the "RAW" Elimination Chamber Match, I am confident that "No Way Out 2009" is sure to please everyone, even after its rough start. And to be fair, a lot of people love the "SmackDown" Chamber Match, some even calling it their favorite.

So there you have it: A PPV that is sure to please just about everybody for different reasons. "No Way Out 2009" was easily my favorite WWE PPV of the year.