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New Year’s Revolution 2005 (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
New Year’s Revolution 2005 hosted just the third Elimination Chamber match, and it did not disappoint. It featured an incredible lineup competing for the vacant World Heavyweight title, as Randy Orton, Triple H, Batista, Edge, Chris Jericho, and Chris Benoit all battled in the exciting contest.
Many argue that this match featured more compelling storylines than any other Elimination Chamber bout in history. The most notable elements were Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee and Orton’s intense rivalry with Triple H following being kicked out of Evolution.
Orton entered the match fifth, focusing much of his energy on Triple H. But the “X-Factor” of this star-studded showcase wasn’t just their rivalry, but rather the brewing tension between Batista and Triple H. In a shocking turn, Orton eliminated Batista by delivering a low blow, which is legal in the Chamber, followed by an RKO.
Triple H’s decision not to help Batista avoid being eliminated caused further friction within Evolution. As Orton and Triple H battled as the final two, Ric Flair provided a distraction that allowed a recovered Batista to blindside Orton with a clothesline. Triple H immediately followed up with a Pedigree to claim the vacant World Heavyweight Championship.
This performance showcased Orton’s transition from student to a legitimate main-event hero, driven by his intense feud with Evolution. His elimination of Batista and the dramatic final moments of the match with Triple H proved he could hold the crowd’s attention as well as he could execute a perfect RKO. The pattern of Orton reaching the final two only to fall just short started here.
