The Elimination Chamber isn’t just a match; it’s a grueling, career-altering gauntlet where the heavy price of survival is the only thing standing between a superstar and a guaranteed ticket to the main event of WrestleMania. As we inch closer to the event, the field of competitors is becoming clear, revealing who will have the opportunity to face WWE Undisputed Champion Drew McIntyre.
So far, we have Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, and Je’Von Evans, the first competitor ever to enter the structure, who is younger than the match itself. But there is one man perhaps more dangerous than any of the others: Randy Orton.
While the current list of competitors is exciting, the intensity is set to spike with the final two qualifying matches. Tonight on SmackDown, United States Champion Carmelo Hayes faces Damian Priest and his former friend-turned-rival, Trick Williams. Then, on next Monday’s Raw, Bronson Reed takes on Jey Uso and “The Original” El Grande Americano.
Orton is set to enter the cage for the tenth time, extending his own record for the most appearances inside the formidable steel structure. Trailing him on this historic list are Chris Jericho with eight, John Cena with seven, and Triple H, Kofi Kingston, and Daniel Bryan, all tied with six.
It isn’t just his longevity that has cemented “The Apex Predator’s” legacy inside the “Steel Asylum.” He also ranks second all-time for eliminations, securing eight across his nine appearances, only trailing Jericho, who achieved ten in eight. On February 28, Orton has the chance to not only punch his ticket to a title match but also to break Jericho’s elimination record as well.
Despite his experience inside the terrifying structure that is the Elimination Chamber, Orton has remarkably only won the match once. This has created a surge of momentum among fans who are eager to see him win it all once again this year.
With the stage set for this year’s battle and “The Viper’s” legendary accolades laid out, it is time to look back and rank his five most iconic performances inside the steel. As we count down to February 28, the question is: will his tenth appearance be enough to replace one of the classics on this list?
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Elimination Chamber 2024 (Perth, Australia)
Starting things off, we have Randy Orton’s latest appearance inside the Elimination Chamber. This match determined who would move on to challenge World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40.
Alongside Orton, the field included Drew McIntyre, Kevin Owens, LA Knight, Bobby Lashley, and the reigning United States Champion, Logan Paul.
“The Apex Predator” entered the contest fifth, making his presence felt immediately by delivering several RKOs. Minutes into the match, Orton began selling a “back injury.” This was a deliberate nod to his real-life history of spinal fusion surgery, which had kept him out of action for 18 months before his return in November 2023.
This match saw Orton eliminate two opponents, beginning with Owens. He followed that up with the match’s most memorable moment, a spectacular mid-air RKO to Logan Paul. With the United States Champion gone, it was down to just Orton and McIntyre.
It appeared Orton was headed for victory after delivering an RKO to McIntyre. But as he crawled to cover “The Scottish Warrior,” a frustrated Paul blindsided “The Viper.” Using brass knuckles, Paul leveled Orton with his signature punch, knocking him unconscious and helping McIntyre secure the win.
This match makes the list because Orton delivered a masterclass in storytelling, displaying intense physicality after returning from an 18-month absence, spent healing from an injury that nearly ended his career. He used his real-life recovery from back surgery to create a dramatic, high-stakes performance with some of the most iconic RKOs of his career.
