On Monday’s RAW – the era of the “Spinner” WWE Championship belt came to an end. During The Rock’s show-ending celebration, Rock said he’s going to WrestleMania 29, but not with the spinner WWE Championship belt that John Cena unveiled 8 years ago. No, The Rock debuted a new WWE Championship belt on RAW that he said was worthy of the great champions that came before him, like Bruno Sammartino and Steve Austin.

Check out these pictures of the new WWE Championship belt:

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WWE RAW opens up with a look at The Road to WrestleMania 29 with footage from the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

– Michael Cole welcomes us to the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. We go right to the ring and out comes John Cena.

Cena says we are in the heart of Cajun country and the Road to WrestleMania is heating up. Cena says WrestleMania 29 is taking shape and talks about Jack Swagger vs. Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Title and himself vs. The Rock for the WWE Title. CM Punk’s music hits and out he comes with Paul Heyman.

Punk meets Cena in the middle of the ring. Punk asks Cena if he’s sure he’s facing The Rock at WrestleMania. Punk says that’s the easy way out. Punk says The Rock beat him fair and square last night but says he had him pinned for an 18 count before that. Punk says Rock also struck a WWE official and should have been disqualified, losing the title. Punk says Cena has never beat him. Cena says he earned the right to go to WrestleMania and says Punk couldn’t get the job done. Cena says for once, it’s not about Punk. Punk brags about his lengthy title reign. Punk says Cena got lucky in the Royal Rumble and hasn’t earned anything. Punk says Rock will beat Cena again this year because Cena can’t get it done, he can’t win the big one. Cena asks Punk what he wants. Punk tells Cena to just walk away, leave WWE, get out of his life – just walk away. Cena goes to leave the ring but says no. Cena says Punk has a set of balls and he admires his honesty. Cena says you should know he won’t just give away a golden ticket to WrestleMania.

Cena acknowledges that he hasn’t beat Punk or Rock. Cena says we have a problem – Cena has critics and Punk wants to go to WrestleMania. Cena wants to hush those critics and has a solution. Cena proposes a match. If he wins, Punk crawls back in his hole and goes away. If Punk wins, Cena will give him his WrestleMania title shot. Cena says Punk talks business but he handles business. Cena wants the match right now. Punk talks it over with Heyman. Punk says Cena just made the stupidest decision of his life. Punk says he will take Cena up on the offer but he won’t do it here. The crowd boos. Punk wants to do it on his terms since he got screwed last night. Punk says we will do the match next week and walks out of the ring with Heyman. Cena says their match is official for next week. Cena says he will beat Punk, go to WrestleMania and then we will know the champ is here.

– Still to come tonight, The Rock’s celebration. We go to commercial.

– We see stills from Elimination Chamber where The Shield beat Ryback, Cena and Sheamus. Matt Striker is backstage with Sheamus. Sheamus talks about the match and letting everyone down. Ryback is pacing around. Sheamus stops him and says they have to adapt and overcome. Sheamus asks Ryback if he’s a machine or some mindless neanderthal. Ryback grabs Sheamus by his collar and Chris Jericho breaks it up. Jericho says they should be upset with The Shield, not each other. Jericho says Shield has everyone on edge. Jericho says he’s seen it done with the nWo and Nexus. Jericho says we have to do what it takes to save WWE. Jericho says he loves WWE and will never wrestle for anyone else again. Jericho says they have to stop The Shield. Jericho says he’s going to talk Vickie Guerrero into making The Shield vs. Jericho, Ryback and Sheamus.

Sin Cara vs. Mark Henry

Sin Cara is in the ring waiting as Mark Henry makes his way out.

Cara ducks a shot and goes to work with kicks. Henry knocks him down and tosses him into the corner. Henry beats Cara up and stands on his back as the referee counts. Henry with a big splash in the corner. Cara with a kick to the face. Cara goes for another kick but Henry grabs him for a big running powerslam. Henry nails a World’s Strongest Slam for the quick win.

Winner: Mark Henry

– After the match, Henry roughs up Cara and goes for another slam but out comes The Great Khali. Henry drops Cara and readies for Khali. Henry slides out to the floor before they can do anything. Henry mocks Khali’s dancing from ringside. Henry runs his mouth at Khali and walks off.

– Up next, The Miz will get another shot at Antonio Cesaro in a No DQ match. Vickie Guerrero has made Jericho, Ryback and Sheamus vs. The Shield later on. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and we get another vignette for Fandango.

No DQ Match: The Miz vs. Antonio Cesaro

We go to the ring and The Miz is in the ring with WWE United States Champion Antonio Cesaro. We see some highlights from their feud. The bell rings and Miz unloads on Cesaro and sends him out to the floor. Miz takes the fight to the floor but Cesaro throws him into the barrier. Cesaro rams Miz shoulder first into the ring post. Miz still is taped up like he was last night. Cesaro brings it back in the ring and grabs a steel chair.

Cesaro brings a kendo stick in. Cesaro whacks Miz with the stick and covers for a pin attempt. Cesaro props a steel chair up in the corner and goes back to work on Miz. Cesaro goes to ram his head into the chair but Miz counters. Cesaro fights him off but Miz rolls him up for 2. Cesaro with a kendo stick to the face for another 2 count. Cesaro uses a chair to tie up the shoulder now. Cesaro with another 2 count. Miz with a backbreaker. Cesaro turns it around again and hits uppercuts in the corner. Cesaro runs into a big boot. Cesaro cracks his knee into the chair and then gets dropped chest first into another chair. Miz locks in the Figure Four and Cesaro taps out for the non-title win.

Winner: The Miz

– Cole and Jerry Lawler talk about Jack Swagger winning the World Heavyweight Title. Swagger and Zeb Colter will speak later. We see a video from Zeb’s YouTube page where he’s talking about America and what it’s become. Zeb says if you want a handout, he and Swagger will give you one in the form of a ticket right back to where you came from.

– Cole plugs Cena vs. Punk for next week’s RAW. Still to come tonight, The Rock’s championship celebration. We go to commercial.

– Back from the break and Kane and Daniel Bryan are backstage. Bryan says he doesn’t feel comfortable teaming with Kane after what happened last night. Bryan says he asked Vickie for a singles match and he’s facing Jack Swagger tonight. Bryan doesn’t want Kane coming out with him. Kane says he will get his own match and doesn’t want Bryan coming out with him. Kane says he doesn’t deal well with snakes and Randy Orton appears, asking if someone is talking about him. Kane talks about stomping on snakes. Orton says there was a time when Kane would have scared him but he’s a lot less intimidating now that he’s hugging and doing group therapy. Orton says Kane is more like Barney the dinosaur these days. Bryan laughs. Kane turns back around and Orton is gone.

– Vickie Guerrero is backstage on the phone and says she has big things planned for her show. She hangs up when Paul Heyman walks up. Vickie sent for him and wants to congratulate him on putting the stipulations on Rock and Punk’s match at Elimination Chamber. Vickie has some dramatic news that will affect Heyman’s whole career. Heyman wants to know what the news is but she’s saving it for the ring. Heyman says he doesn’t like surprises. Vickie laughs at him and walks off.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Alberto Del Rio

We go to the ring and out comes Dolph Ziggler with Big E Langston and AJ Lee. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and Ricardo Rodriguez is out to do the introduction for World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio. The bell rings and here we go. Ziggler strikes first and dropkicks Del Rio. Back and forth action now. Del Rio hits an enziguri while Ziggler is on the apron and sends him to the floor. AJ checks on Ziggler as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and Ziggler is in control. Ziggler connects with another big dropkick for a 2 count. Ziggler chokes Dolph on the ropes and Big E gets a cheap shot in. 2 count by Ziggler. We see Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter watching from backstage. Del Rio fights back but Ziggler catches him a knee to the gut. Ziggler hits the leg drop for another pin attempt. Ziggler goes to the top but Del Rio cuts him off. Del Rio with a kick now. Del Rio with a reverse suplex from the top. They trade lefts and rights now. Del Rio runs over Ziggler with clotheslines. Del Rio with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Del Rio with a big kick to the mouth and another 2 count. More back and forth with close calls. Ziggler with forearm shots to the back and a backstabber. 2 count by Del Rio. Big E gets on the apron but Del Rio kicks his legs out. Del Rio counters Ziggler and applies the cross armbreaker for the win.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio

– After the match, Del Rio celebrates until Big E Langston runs over him. Langston yells that Del Rio’s time is over. Langston lays Del Rio out with his finisher. Ziggler grabs his briefcase and goes to cash in but Ricardo grabs the briefcase and runs off with it. Big E chases Ricardo. AJ runs and grabs the dropped briefcase. She brings it back but before Dolph can cash in, Del Rio lays him out with an enziguri. Del Rio goes back to celebrating as we go to replays.

– Still to come, The Rock’s celebration plus Orton vs. Kane. Back to break.

– Back from the break and WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett is in the ring. He talks about WWE Studios’ Dead Man Down. Barrett shows us the trailer for Dead Man Down.

Sheamus appears on the big screen and says his friend Colin Farrell is the real star of the movie. Sheamus rips Barrett and someone tells him they’re out of time.

Naomi, Tensai and Brodus Clay vs. Rosa Mendes, Primo and Epico

We go to the ring and out comes Brodus Clay, Tensai, Cameron and Naomi. Out next comes Epico, Primo and Rosa Mendes.

Naomi and Rosa start things off. Naomi strikes first and gets the crowd to pop. Naomi goes on and hits a big crossbody for a 2 count. Epico comes in and gets taken down by Naomi. Tensai and Primo go at it now. Tensai runs over Primo for a 2 count. Naomi gets involved again and takes down Rosa and Epico on the floor. Brodus comes in and double teams Primo for the win.

Winners: Tensai, Brodus Clay and Naomi

– We get a replay of the WrestleMania XXX announcement.

– Up next, Swagger’s State of the Union address.

– Back from the break and Jack Swagger is in the ring with Zeb Colter. Swagger talks about winning Elimination Chamber and putting the weight of our nation on his shoulders. We see Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez watching backstage. Swagger says tonight is about America and the State of the Union. Swagger says only one man is honest enough to deliver it – Zeb Colter. Zeb thanks our founding fathers since it’s President’s Day. Colter says the Bill of Rights gives he and Swagger the right to stand out here and voice their opinion. Zeb says the State of the Union is pathetic but it’s not Americans fault. Zeb says the blame is on the people living in our country that don’t mind taking everything. Zeb says America has a real problem and it needs to be fixed. Zeb puts over Swagger and brings up WrestleMania 29. Zeb says the match is more like a battle for the heart and soul of America.

Zeb says Alberto Del Rio came into America only to take advantage. Zeb says Swagger will win the World Title and reclaim America at WrestleMania 29. We The People. Swagger chants this as his new music plays. Daniel Bryan’s music hits and out he comes.

Daniel Bryan vs. Jack Swagger

One-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions Daniel Bryan comes out for the next match as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and Swagger has Bryan on the mat. Bryan’s ribs are taped from the Chamber match. Bryan fights up and out. Bryan with kicks on Swagger. Swagger gets countered and rolled up for 2. Swagger blocks a surfboard and shoves Bryan off. Bryan drops Swagger’s face into the corner and kicks him. Bryan takes Swagger back down for a 2 count. Bryan continues working on the arm. Bryan with a knee to the face but Swagger clotheslines him out to the floor.

They fight on the floor and Bryan dropkicks Swagger. Bryan runs the apron but misses a shot. Swagger scoops him and rams him back into the fan barrier. Swagger brings it in the ring for a pin attempt. Swagger works on the leg now. Swagger keeps control and keeps Bryan on the mat with another submission. Swagger goes on and hits the Swagger Bomb but Bryan kicks out. Bryan counters with boots in the corner. Bryan fights back with right hands. Bryan makes a comeback and sends Swagger flying out to the floor. Bryan runs the ropes and takes out Swagger with a suicide dive. They come back in and Bryan goes to the top. Bryan nails a missile dropkick for a 2 count. Bryan with kicks to the chest now. Swagger catches a kick and slams Bryan. Bryan goes for the No Lock and gets it locked in. Swagger gets his foot on the bottom rope and breaks the hold. Bryan misses a dropkick in the corner and lands on his head. Swagger drops a knee on Bryan’s leg. Swagger takes out the knee with a chop block as Zeb looks on. Swagger applies the Patriot Lock and Bryan taps for the win.

Winner: Jack Swagger

– Still to come, The Shield vs. Jericho, Sheamus and Ryback. We see Paul Heyman walking backstage. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and Paul Heyman is in the ring with Vickie Guerrero. Vickie has an announcement that will change Heyman’s life. She will be naming a new assistant for herself and out comes Brad Maddox. Maddox comes out to the stage and taunts Heyman.

Maddox walks to the ring and talks. He says Vince McMahon is so happy with him he gave him this opportunity. Maddox and Vickie argue about what his title is. Heyman doesn’t care about what either of them have to say and goes to leave but Vince McMahon appears on the big screen. Vince says that’s not Heyman’s surprise. Heyman sucks up but Vince tells him to close his mouth. Vince reminds Heyman that he granted him the stipulation for Elimination Chamber. Vince says he could fire Heyman and teases it but says that’s too easy. Vince says he will come to the ring next week on crutches and fight Heyman. Vince smiles as Heyman drops the mic and looks shocked. Vickie and Maddox laugh at him.

– Still to come, The Shield vs. Jericho, Sheamus and Ryback. Back to commercial.

The Shield vs. Chris Jericho, Ryback and Sheamus

Back from the break and out comes Chris Jericho followed by Sheamus and then Ryback. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns come out through the crowd next. Ryback starts things off with Rollins and unloads on him in the corner.

Jericho comes in to calm Ryback down and goes at it with Ambrose. Jericho with chops and forearms in the corner. Ambrose runs into a boot. Jericho with a dropkick from the corner and a pin attempt. Ambrose with a knee to the gut. Jericho with a crossbody for 2. Sheamus comes in and Ambrose tags Reigns in. Reigns and Sheamus have words. Sheamus attacks and beats Reigns down in the corner. They brawl out of the corner. Sheamus runs over Reigns with forearms. Sheamus takes it back to the corner and hits a running knee. Clothesline in the corner by Sheamus. Sheamus hits White Noise on Reigns. Ambrose saves Reigns from a Brogue. Sheamus nails a Brogue on Ambrose as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and The Shield are in control of Sheamus. They triple team him and Rollins covers for 2. Rollins beats Sheamus down in the corner and stomps away. Reigns come in but Sheamus fights back. Sheamus with a big clothesline. Ryback comes in and unloads on The Shield. Ryback hits a spinebuster on Rollins and then the Meathook clothesline. Ryback goes for Shellshocked but Ambrose distracts the referee while Reigns spears Ryback. Rollins falls on top of Ryback but he kicks out at 2. Ambrose works over Ryback now as the fans chant for Jericho.

They keep control of Ryback and get cheap shots in while he’s down in their corner. Rollins comes in to keep up the attack on Ryback. More quick tags by The Shield as they keep Ryback down. Reigns charges in the corner but Ryback moves. Jericho tags in and goes at it with Ambrose. Jericho kicks Rollins off the apron. Jericho with a bulldog on Ambrose. Jericho nails the Lionsault and covers Ambrose for 2. Jericho goes for Walls of Jericho but Ambrose rolls him up for 2. On the floor, Reigns shoves Ryback into the ring post. Jericho rolls Ambrose up for another Walls attempt. Jericho locks it in. Sheamus stops Reigns from interfering. Rollins leaps off the top and breaks the Walls, taking Jericho out. Sheamus and Reigns brawl on the floor while Ryback is laid out. Ambrose covers Jericho for the win.

Winners: The Shield

– After the match, The Shield exit through the crowd as Jericho and Sheamus look on from the ring.

– Cole plugs Vince McMahon’s challenge to Paul Heyman for a fight on next week’s show. Lawler plugs Cena vs. Punk for next week. Still to come tonight, The Rock’s championship celebration. Back to commercial.

Kofi Kingston vs. Damien Sandow

Back from the break and Kofi Kingston is waiting in the ring. Damien Sandow comes out and talks about President’s Day. Sandow drops the mic and goes right to work on Kofi before the bell can even ring. Kofi fights back but Sandow beats him down. Sandow rams Kofi into the ring post and he falls out to the floor. Sandow brings Kofi back to the apron and hits him with knees to the head. R-Truth’s music hits and out he comes making his return. Truth tackles Sandow on the floor and beats him up. Truth slams Sandow into the barrier and rolls him in the ring. Truth comes in with a big kick to the jaw, some of his dance moves and a scissors kick. Truth clotheslines Sandow out to the floor and checks on Kofi. The match never started.

– Josh Mathews is ringside with D.J. Cotrona and Adrianne Palicki of GI Joe: Retaliation, who were also at Elimination Chamber. they’re here for The Rock’s championship celebration for tonight. We get a trailer for GI Joe and more hype for The Rock. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and we get another Fandango vignette.

Randy Orton vs. Kane

We go to the ring and out comes Randy Orton. One-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions Kane is out next.

Kane drops Orton first with a shoulder. Orton comes back and works on Kane’s arm. Kane runs into a big boot and Orton hits him with forearms in the corner. Kane knocks Orton off the turnbuckles and to the floor with a big right hand. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and Kane has Orton in a headlock. Orton comes back but gets dropped with a big boot. Kane with a 2 count. More back and forth. Kane with a big DDT for a 2 count. Kane goes back to a headlock. Orton fights out but Kane clotheslines him in the corner. Kane misses another and Orton turns it around. Orton with a bunch of right hands in the corner. Orton with a dropkick now. Orton starts stomping away on Kane. Kane drops Orton with a right hand and covers for another pin attempt. Kane with a dropkick and another pin attempt. Orton fights out again and powerslams Kane. Kane with the sideslam for another 2 count. Orton comes back again and goes for the draping DDT but it’s countered. Kane calls for a chokeslam but Daniel Bryan comes down and distracts him. Orton hits a RKO for the win.

Winner: Randy Orton

– Up next is The Rock’s celebration. We go back to commercial.

– Back from the break and the marching band from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette performs and make an aisle from the stage to the ring. Out next comes WWE Champion The Rock to a big pop.

The Rock hits the ring and addresses CM Punk and beating him at Elimination Chamber. There’s a podium in the ring with what looks like a new belt. Rock hypes Lafayette and gets the fans to chant his name. Rock talks about WrestleMania 29 and says he’s going as WWE Champion but not with the belt he has in his hand. Rock says he has deep respect for the WWE Title. He says when this belt was introduced 8 years ago, it worked. Some people thought it was cool but some people also believe Bigfoot is real. Rock says the WWE Title should never look like a toy. It should never spin either. Rock makes the title spin and the crowd pops. Rock tells a crew member to take the title and make sure it ends up in the Hall of Fame. Rock talks about how the title should inspire people. He name drops Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin. Rock unveils the new WWE Title belt and the crowd pops as his music plays. It has the Brahma Bull logo on the sides and a large face.

Rock talks about WrestleMania 29, CM Punk and John Cena but gets interrupted by Cena’s music. Punk attacks Cena from behind on the ramp and lays him out. Punk has the old WWE Title belt in his hand. Punk throws it down on the ramp and points at The Rock. Rock readies for a fight as the crowd chants his name. Punk stops and heads back to the back as the crowd boos. RAW goes off the air with Cena down on the ramp.

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with his thoughts on Sunday’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what he said about:

Overall Thoughts: The #WWEChamber had many moments that I enjoyed. New Orleans live audience felt emotionally invested while watching on PPV from my home in Oklahoma. The look of the show, graphics, music, video packages were top shelf as always. No one does PPV better than @WWE in my biased opinion.

Del Rio vs. Big Show:: I never saw the submission victory for Alberto Del Rio coming. @VivaDelRio using the cross armbreaker to submit @WWETheBigShow shows the effectiveness of the hold and that ADR can beat any one with it. I’ve always been a fan of when sport entertainment utilizes established submission holds.

Antonio Cesaro vs. The Miz: Continue to be impressed with the United State Champion @AntonioCesaro as he seems to continue to get better with each outing. Cesaro is so fundamentally sound, much bigger and stronger than most perceive and is in magnificent physical condition. He has a legit shot to reinvigorate the US Title and it seems as if his rivalry with @MikeTheMiz is on going. The disqualification decision caught me off guard but the Ref’s call appeared to be the only one that he could make.

Elimination Chamber Match: The Elimination Chamber match delivered in a big way in my eyes. Loved that it came down to all six men before the first elimination was declared. It certainly was one of the better bouts of its type as all the participants had significant moments along the way. Even though @TheMarkHenry did not win he had a monster night. Very impactful and memorable. Great example of maximizing his minutes. Same can be said to some degree for @RandyOrton, @IAmJericho Chris Jericho and the eventual winner and former #OU Sooner Jack Swagger. Swagger now is in line for a major assignment at WM29 in Met Life Stadium where he will face Alberto Del Rio for the World Title.

Jericho continued his torrid paced return to WWE and his marathon like performance was outstanding. It’s hard to believe that, arguably, Jericho is as good as he ever was, perhaps better in many ways, after such a long lay off. A true artisan.

Team Cena vs. The Shield: The 6 man tag exceeded my expectations and I thought it, along with the Elimination Chamber, were, arguably, the matches of the night. Shocked to some degree that @TheShield won as their victory was definitely an ‘upset’ in my view. @WWERollins, @DeanAmbrose and @RomanReigns all had excellent nights against top quality opponents. The @WWENXT alums came though on game day and have added a freshness and unpredictability to WWE that always makes the TV product better.

The Rock vs. CM Punk: @TheRock defeating @CMPunk wasn’t a total shocker including the controversy that dotted the bout toward its crescendo. Punk will likely have plenty to say about the matter tonight on #Raw that emanates from Lafayette, Louisiana. This bout saw two referees utilized, @HeymanHustle get dusted, Punk pinning Rock for long enough to grab a sandwich, and a well timed Rock Bottom to seal the deal. Lots of things to process in the final moments of the contest. “Was justice served?” Great line by @JCLayfield that certainly stimulated plenty of conjecture.

New Orleans to Host WrestleMania

NEW ORLEANS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, the New Orleans Saints, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and WWE are proud to announce that New Orleans will host WrestleMania XXX on Sunday, April 6, 2014.

Mayor Landrieu, New Orleans Saints Owner and Vice Chairman Rita Benson LeBlanc, President of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Stephen Perry, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Jay Cicero, General Manager of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and New Orleans Arena Alan Freeman and General Manager of the New Orleans Morial Convention Center Bob Johnson joined WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, WWE Executive Vice President of Creative Stephanie McMahon and WWE Senior Vice President of Special Events John P. Saboor at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in making the announcement. WWE Superstars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, John Cena, Alberto Del Rio, Big Show, Mark Henry, Brodus Clay, The Great Khali, and WWE Divas Layla, Cameron, and Naomi also made special guest appearances.

“On behalf of our great city, we thank WWE for bringing their largest annual celebration to New Orleans in 2014,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “We are proud to have played host to some of the greatest sports and entertainment events in the world over the past two years, and hosting WrestleMania is a great way to continue this unprecedented streak. We look forward to hosting WWE and its global fan base as they celebrate this historic milestone at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.”

“WWE thanks the city of New Orleans and the Saints for welcoming our biggest celebration of the year for the first time to The Big Easy,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO. “We can’t think of a better city or a more legendary venue than the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to host the 30th annual WrestleMania. Let the good times roll.”

WrestleMania is more than just a one day event, it’s a week-long celebration. In addition to WrestleMania XXX, other activities will include: WrestleMania Axxess – WWE’s four-day interactive fan festival at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center; the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony; Monday Night Raw; WrestleMania Reading Challenge Finals; Be a STAR anti-bullying rallies; hospital visits and other pro-social activities designed to give back to the host community. The pay-per-view event will be televised to more than 100 countries. Last year, WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami generated more than $100 million in economic impact for Miami and Miami-Dade County, a new record for WrestleMania. This year, WrestleMania XXIX takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on Sunday, April 7.

The event kicked off with Matt Striker and Josh Matthews interviewing World Heavyweight champion Alberto Del Rio about his title defense against Big Show at Elimination Chamber and his upcoming match against Jack Swagger at WrestleMania. The on-screen graphic showed a WrestleMania XXX logo, so that’s what today’s Major Announcement will be about. Del Rio commented on the possibility of Dolph Ziggler cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase and he said he’s ready for him.

A promo video aired looking back at last year’s WrestleMania 28 from Miami, Florida.

Tony Dawson is on the stage behind a podium and welcomes everybody to the event. A video is airing on the big screen of past WrestleMania events and the entertainment spectacle that WrestleMania has evolved into in recent years.

Brodus Clay and the Funkadactyls came out and danced on the stage.

Senior VP of Special Events for WWE John Saboor. New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu. He talked about all the major events that are taking place from New Orleans and made the official announcement that WrestleMania XXX will take place on Sunday, April 6, 2014 from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. He introduced Vince McMahon.

Vince comes out to “No Chance in Hell” and talked about the cultural significance of WrestleMania and said gave some corporate talk about how WrestleMania and the city of New Orleans are a perfect match.

John Saboor is back on and says WWE owes a great deal of thanks to the team that plays at the Superdome, New Orleans Saints owner of Rita Bensen LeBlanc.

R-Truth came out and sang his “What’s Up” rap song to the audience.

Stephanie McMahon. She talked about Drew Brees’ tweet about WrestleMania coming to New Orleans getting 9 1/2 million views in just a few days. While the event itself is a lot of fun, the most important thing is to WWE give back to the communities. Superstars and Divas will visit local schools & hospitals, WWE will host a Make a Wish celebration and other events.

Steven Perry from the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau came up and talked about being nervous when he met Vince and Stephanie McMahon in Connecticut when trying to bring WMXXX to New Orleans.

WWE Champion The Rock is introduced. He talked about his roots in New Orleans, saying he’s worked on numerous films there and called the city “Hollywood South” because so many movies are shot there. He said he competed for a national football championship there in college when he played for the University of Miami against Alabama. They lost, but the city has always been a part of him. The WrestleMania experience for the fans and the community is very special. He sang, “Oh when the saints go marching in.”

John Cena came out and also talked about the significance of WrestleMania and the positive impact it has on the host city.

The Rock then joined John Cena on stage and they shook hands and posed for pictures (while still shaking hands). They thanked everybody for coming and Big Show, Mark Henry, Del Rio, Layla, Great Khali, R-Truth, Brodus Clay & The Funkdactyls came on stage and joined them.

SEScoops.com reader Matt sent in the following report from last night’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view:

– The New Orleans Arena was sold out last night. There were no tarped off sections.

– Everyone in the arena was shocked when Jack Swagger won the chamber match. The vast majority of the arena was pulling for Jericho and was pissed when he didn’t win.

– After the event went off the air, The Rock walked around ringside and shook hands with fans before posing with the title belt in front of the Elimination Chamber entrance. We did not get a “finally The Rock has come back to New Orleans.”

Biggest Pops:

The Rock
Jericho
Ryback
Cena
Orton

Biggest Heat:

CM Punk (He also got a lot of cheers)
Damien Sandow
Dolph Ziggler
Mark Henry
Big Show

After Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, the top 2 title matches are now set for April’s big WrestleMania 29 event.

WWE Champion The Rock will defend against Royal Rumble winner John Cena in a rematch from last year’s “Once In A Lifetime” match. The Rock retained the WWE title against CM Punk at Elimination Chamber to set up the blockbuster rematch. This will be the first time in history that WrestleMania is headlined by the same match two years in a row.

World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio will defend against Jack Swagger. Jack Swagger won the 6-man Elimination Chamber match to earn his title shot in what will be the Mexican hero champion against Swagger’s new “We The People” anti-immigrant character.

WrestleMania 29 takes place on Sunday, April 7th from the Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

WWE Elimination Chamber PPV Opener:

The show opens with the usual video package, pyro in the arena and announcers welcoming us to the show.

Looks like we’re heading straight to the ring for championship action.

World Heavyweight Title: Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Big Show

The bell sounds to begin our first match of the evening and Show shoves Del Rio into the ropes for a couple of clubbing blows. Del Rio turns things around in the corner for a second, but eats a huge chop to the chest from Show. Del Rio crosses the ring, and Show chops him across the chest again. Show chops Del Rio across the back and sends him down to the mat. Del Rio crawls back to his feet and is slammed right back down. Del Rio tries to head butt Show, but ends up sent into the corner. Del Rio avoids a splash and targets Show’s knee, knocking him to the mat for a series of kicks to the chest. Del Rio hits Show with a superkick to the kneeling giant, but Show shrugs off a cover, tossing Del Rio across the ring. Del Rio tries for the arm breaker, but Show shoves him into the ropes and follows up with a spear for two. Show stands on Del Rio’s chest in the corner before being called off by the ref. Show picks Del Rio up and hits him with a nasty short arm clothesline. Del Rio kicks at Show’s legs, but he hits the ropes and runs right into a stiff kick from Show that puts him right back down to the mat. Show climbs up to the middle rope and tries for a Vader bomb, landing square on Del Rio’s chest, but Del Rio is still able to kick out. Show picks Del Rio up and Del Rio is able to clamp on the cross arm breaker out of nowhere. Show struggles, but he’s able to make it to the ropes to break the hold. Del Rio gets to his feet but he’s shoved away by Show into the corner. Del Rio kicks Show in the face and leaps off the middle rope, but he’s caught in a bear hug. Del Rio fades, but Show breaks the hold to chase Ricardo off the apron. He turns around into a series of strikes from Del Rio, but Show shrugs it off and hoists Del Rio up for a powerbomb. Del Rio hits Show with a couple of punches and turns it into a hurricanrana that sends Show to the outside. Del Rio flies through the ropes with a suicide dive. Both men beat the count into the ring. Del Rio heads to the top rope and hits a seated senton, good for another two count. Del Rio charges into Show with a kick, but Show catches his foot and puts him down with a big chokeslam, but it’s still not enough to keep the champ down for three. Show calls for the KO punch, but Del Rio bails to the outside. Show pulls him back into the ring, from the inside, and plants Del Rio on the canvas. Show tries for another chokeslam, but Del Rio counters, trying for a sunset flip. Show picks Del Rio up, and is immediately planted by a surprise DDT from Del Rio that’s good for another near fall. Del Rio hits the enzugiri in the corner, but Show kicks out of another pinfall attempt. Del Rio goes back to the cross arm breaker in the middle of the ring. Show reaches for the rope, but rolls over onto his feet instead, picking up the champ and slamming him to the canvas to break the hold. Show makes it to his feet first and calls for the KO punch again before knocking Ricardo from the apron again. Show holds up the bucket the Ricardo brought to the ring. Del Rio botches an enzugiri, but then hits another that puts the bucket to Show’s head. Del Rio hits another enzugiri, slaps on the armbreaker and Big Show is in trouble this time. He goes for the ropes but no dice. Show is forced to tap. Del Rio retains.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Alberto Del Rio

WWE U.S. Title: Antonio Cesaro (c) vs. The Miz

Miz has his shoulder taped up. The bell sounds and here we go. Miz peppers Cesaro with a couple of rights and some kicks in the corner, but he runs into a boot to the gut from Antonio. Cesaro sends Miz out to the apron, but finds himself trapped in a roll up for two. Cesaro turns to the arm of Miz, hitting him with a big shoulder block before being caught with another roll up. Miz hits a running knee lift, but Cesaro responds quickly, catching Miz and planting him with a big shoulder breaker across his knee. Cesaro stomps at Miz’s shoulder before leaping up and stomping down hard, then slamming Miz’s arm down into the mat. Cesaro slams Miz to the mat before mounting him and raining down with a series of forearms. Cesaro knees Miz in the shoulder before picking him up by the arm and flipping him over to the mat. Cesaro clamps on a short arm scissor, working over Miz’s arm even more. Miz tries to roll up Cesaro, but Cesaro fights up to hit a big clothesline, then another two count. Cesaro stomps on Miz’s shoulder hard before slamming it down against the ring apron. Cesaro goes for another pin, getting another two count. Cesaro grabs Miz’s fingers and twists his arm and wrist over. Miz fights up to his feet and hits Cesaro with a back elbow before kicking him square in the chin. Miz kicks away at Cesaro in the corner before being pulled away by the ref and hitting his running corner clothesline. Miz leaps off the apron, but he’s caught by Cesaro. Cesaro shoulders Miz, but Miz slips off and shoves Cesaro into the ring steps, hurting Cesaro’s knee. Cesaro heads back into the ring and Miz hits him with a chop block, and a dragon screw before hitting him with a low DDT while Cesaro is on his knees. Cesaro kicks out of a pin attempt and kicks Miz away, but ends up eating a low dropkick from Miz. Miz tries for the figure four, but Cesaro trips up Miz and Miz accidentally knees Cesaro low. Cesaro points it out and the ref calls for the bell.

Winner and STILL WWE U.S. Champion: Antonio Cesaro

Backstage: Kane, Daniel Bryan

Kane is shown pacing backstage, and Daniel Bryan asks if he’s still giving him the silent treatment. Bryan says the Royal Rumble was every man for himself, and Kane eliminated Bryan, so he should be the one who’s mad. Bryan asks why Kane is so grumpy. Kane says Bryan looks grumpy since he’s like a dwarf. Kane says he’s never competed in a WrestleMania main event, and tonight’s his shot, so it’s really important. Bryan says it might come down to the two of them, so they should look out for each other. They hug. Kane says Bryan will watch his back, and Kane will watch his back too.

Elimination Chamber Match: Chris Jericho vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton vs. Mark Henry vs. Kane vs. Jack Swagger

Jack Swagger is the first man to make his way to the chamber. He’s accompanied by Zeb Colter on his way down the entranceway. Swagger has a mic in hand. He says when he holds the mic, he holds the power. When he uses the mic, he uses it to shower the fans with truth. Zeb Colter speaks the truth. Zeb is a great American and if the fans have any type of respect for their country they will stand up and give it to him. This man, Zeb Colter. Swagger hands off the mic and applauds. Zeb says they are in a den of inequity. They are in New Orleans, and on the eve of President’s day, he can’t help but think of Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana purchase, and how ashamed he would see what became of it, and this once great nation. A nation that Zeb defended with his life. And just like the WWE, they’re both full of intruders, panderers, and he spent one year in the muck with Swagger’s daddy to see people crossing borders, breaking laws, and asking for a handout. Together, they will make things right, because tonight, in this chamber, a real patriot and American will set things straight, and win one for the good guys. Mark Zeb’s words, tonight marks the beginning of a Jack Swagger era. Swagger yells out ‘We the people’ before being cut off by Kane’s music. Kane makes his way into the chamber to a decent reaction, and heads right for his pod without a big speech like Swagger. Mark Henry is the third entrant, and the World’s strongest man doesn’t get the warmest reaction from the crowd, although to be fair, it’s not really much of a reaction at all. Henry stares down Swagger before making his way into his personal pod and finds himself closed in. The final pod is claimed as Randy Orton makes his way down to the ring and into the chamber. Orton gets a really nice initial pop from the crowd. Daniel Bryan makes his way out next, discouraging the crowd from their ‘Yes’ chants on his way into the chamber. Michael Cole reminds us that last year Bryan actually won the Chamber match on the way to WrestleMania last year. Chris Jericho is the final entrant into the Chamber, and it’s safe to say that the fans are happy to see him as he makes his way down to the ring. The Chamber door is locked and the bell rings, and we’re ready to begin. Bryan and Jericho circle each other before Bryan locks in a head lock. He takes Jericho to the mat with a shoulder block, but is taken over with a couple of arm drags, and a headlock takeover from Jericho. Bryan tries to turn it into a pin, but Jericho fights out, holding onto the headlock. Bryan pushes Jericho off and eats a shoulderblock. Jericho tries to catch Bryan in the walls of Jericho, and Bryan almost counters into the No lock. Jericho tries for the walls again, but Bryan kicks him away. Bryan kicks at Jericho’s chest in the corner, wearing him out. Bryan runs into a big boot from Jericho in the corner. Bryan flips over Jericho in the corner before heading out to the chamber floor. Bryan tries to suplex Jericho to the floor, but Jericho fights out of it. Bryan tries to lock in the No lock, but Jericho fights it off and slingshots Bryan into the chamber wall. Things head back into the ring where Jericho drops Bryan with a back body drop. Jericho goes for the pin, getting a two count. Jericho winds up and kicks Bryan in the ribs. The clock begins to count down as Jericho suplexes Bryan. The lights dim, and the next entrant is Jack Swagger. Swagger rushes into the ring and plants Jericho on the mat before hitting a Swagger bomb out of the corner. Swagger stomps at Jericho before turning to Bryan on the outside. Swagger picks up Bryan and slams him into the chamber wall twice. Swagger stares at Bryan before hitting the ropes and driving a knee into Bryan’s gut against the chamber wall. Swagger drives his knee into the side of Bryan’s face against the chamber floor before heading back into the ring and walking into a big dropkick from Jericho. Jericho works over Swagger in the corner with a series of strikes, but Jericho misses a big splash in the corner and falls to the outside. Swagger follows Jericho to the outside and tosses him repeatedly into the ropes before driving his knee into Jericho’s gut against and again. Swagger continues to focus on Jericho and when he turns around, he eats a top rope flying knee from Bryan that puts Swagger down on the chamber floor. In the ring Bryan hits Jericho with a big DDT before heading to the top rope. Bryan tries for a flying head butt, but Jericho moves out of the way and scores a near fall before hitting a low dropkick to Bryan’s back. The clock counts down again and the next entrant is Kane. Kane heads in and goes after Jericho with a big chop to the throat. Kane tosses Jericho into the corner, then tosses Swagger in after him and splashes both. Kane tosses Bryan into the pile up in the corner for a huge assisted dropkick, and the tag champs team up with Kane sending Swagger to the outside. Bryan tries to roll Kane up, but only gets two and he immediately begs off. Bryan tells Kane to calm down and he asks for a hug. Kane says no, that he wants the title. They yell at each other for a bit, and both look disappointed before Bryan shoves Kane and Kane slaps Bryan. Bryan sends Kane into the corner with a drop toe hold before hitting him with a big dropkick and a series of kicks to the chest. Kane tries for a chokeslam, but Bryan fights out, only to run into a sidewalk slam from the monster. Kane heads to the top, but he’s stopped by Bryan. Bryan tries for a superplex, but he’s stopped by Jericho. Jericho and Kane execute a perfect doomsday device, and Swagger tries to pin Bryan, but only gets two. Swagger and Kane trade rights, and Swagger hits a back elbow before trying for a suplex. Kane is able to reverse into a cover for two. Jericho comes in and kicks away at Kane before the clock counts down once more and Randy Orton enters the match. Orton suplexes Swagger to the outside, then hits Jericho with a big back elbow. Orton runs into a right hand from Kane, but he ducks a clothesline and hits the big man with a nice clothesline. Orton hits Bryan with a rope assisted suplex before heading outside after Kane. Kane grabs Orton around the throat, but Orton is able to shove Kane into the chamber wall before tying Kane up in the ropes and hitting him with the suspension DDT on the chamber floor. Bryan kicks away at Jericho in the corner before Jericho turns it around. Jericho takes Bryan to the top turnbuckle as Orton takes Swagger up on the other side. Orton superplexes Swagger, then Jericho superplexes Bryan, and all four men are down. Mark Henry looks frustrated that he’s having to wait, pacing back and forth and pounding against his pod walls. The clock begins to count down and Henry makes his way out. Henry wipes out everyone in the match, taking Bryan down with a worlds strongest slam for three. Daniel Bryan has been eliminated. Henry heads to the outside after Randy Orton, throwing him through one of the pods. Orton crumbles in a heap inside of the busted pod. In the ring, Kane and Henry trade right hands. Henry sends Kane into the corner, but Kane dodges a splash and hits a couple of big clotheslines. Kane heads to the top and leaps off, but he’s caught by Henry, and put down with a world’s strongest slam for three. Kane has been eliminated. Henry turns to Jericho, tossing him over the top rope and following to the outside. Henry shoulders Jericho, but Jericho drops down and pushes Henry into the chamber wall. Jericho and Swagger team up, pushing Henry repeatedly into the chamber wall before hitting a double suplex on the chamber floor, planting Mark Henry. Jericho clotheslines Swagger back into the ring before hitting a big cross body on the All American for a two count. Jericho sends Swagger across the ring, but runs right into a big boot. Swagger tries for the gut-wrench powerbomb, and Jericho is able to reverse it into the walls of Jericho, but Swagger kicks Jericho away. Jericho connects with a running bulldog, the he tries for the lionsault. Henry catches Jericho around the throat and throws him into the chamber wall hard. Henry gorilla presses Jericho into the ring, into Swagger, wiping out both men. Henry places Jericho on top of Swagger, and he heads to the middle rope. Henry tries for a Vader bomb, but both men move. Swagger hits a big boot, and Jericho hits the code breaker. Orton is up and he connects with the RKO and gets the three count. Mark Henry has been eliminated. Swagger, Orton and Jericho are all down as Henry slowly makes his way from the chamber to the back. Henry stops on his way out and fights his way back into the chamber. He hits Swagger with a world’s strongest slam. Then he does the same to Orton. The officials try to call him off, but he hits Jericho with it as well. Booker T makes his way down with Teddy Long to try and restore order, and Henry gets out of the ring. He heads down the steps and to the back with Booker T and Long. Swagger rolls over to pin Orton and gets a two count. Swagger hits Jericho with a series of rights in the corner, but Orton and Jericho team up on the youngster, sending him crashing shoulder first into the ring post. Jericho and Orton stare each other down and trade blows. Orton hits a big clothesline, then another, but misses a third and falls to two shoulderblocks. Jericho sends Orton to the chamber floor, but Jericho lands on his feet and heads to the top. Jericho jumps off, but leaps right into a dropkick from Orton that’s good for another two count. Orton hits Swagger with two powerslams, then tries to hit him with the suspension DDT, but Jericho comes in with a springboard dropkick for a two count on Orton. Jericho tries for the codebreaker, but Swagger catches him with a belly to belly throw instead. Swagger tries for the Swagger bomb but Orton gets his foot up. Swagger catches the foot and clamps on the ankle lock. Jericho breaks it up and finds himself in the ankle lock. Jericho is able to counter into the walls of Jericho, but Orton breaks it up with his across the back backbreaker for a two count on Jericho. Orton backdrops Swagger to the outside, then gets both Jericho and Swagger with the suspension DDT into the ring. Orton drops to the mat and tries for the RKO, but Jericho fights it off. Jericho tries for the lionsault, but Orton counters and hits the RKO. Orton pins Jericho for three. Chris Jericho is officially out of the match. Swagger then rolls Orton up for the 1-2-3. Swagger wins.

Winner and NEW #1 Contender To World Heavyweight Championship: Jack Swagger

The Shield vs. John Cena & Ryback & Sheamus

John Cena is out first to a mixed reaction. Next is Sheamus, who gets a decent pop. Finally for their team, Ryback comes out to a somewhat weak response. The Shield come out next, through the crowd as usual. Things break down immediately as Cena, Sheamus and Ryback jump the Shield on their way into the ringside area. Cena, Sheamus and Ryback hit triple stalling vertical suplexes on the Shield. Ambrose and Sheamus are left in the ring and the bell rings. Sheamus catches Ambrose with a knee life before sending him to the apron and hitting him with a series of clubbing blows to the chest. Sheamus rips off Ambrose’s vest, then hits him with even more clubbing blows to the chest. Sheamus heads to the apron and takes out Rolling with a charging shoulder block from the apron. Sheamus stares down Reins, and Ambrose takes advantage, knocking Sheamus to the floor before tagging in Roman. Roman brings Sheamus into the ring and quick tags and kicks from each man leaves Rolling in the ring attempting to choke out Sheamus. Sheamus is able to fight up to his feet, but is backed into the Shield corner and Ambrose tags in, assaulting Sheamus in the corner with multiple elbows to the back of the head. Ambrose turns around a second too long and eats a brogue kick from Sheamus. Reins and Cena tag in and Cena with dual shoulderblocks before hitting the five knuckle shuffle on Roman. Cena tries for the AA, but Rollins breaks it up. Cena tosses Rollins from the ring and locks in the STF on Roman. Ambrose breaks it up and Rollins hits Cena with a top rope dive that sets up Roman for a near fall. Ambrose hits Cena with a couple of right hands, then a nice elbow drop that’s good for a two count. Ambrose tags out to Rollins who comes in and hits Cena with a big right hand. Rollins taunts Cena and hits him with another big right hand to the face. Cena avoids a third punch from Rollins, tries to fight back, but runs into a big enzugiri from Rollins that’s good for another two count. Rollins hits Cena with a big splash in the corner that sends him crumpling to the mat. Ambrose tags in and hits Cena with a couple of nasty head butts before slapping away at Cena’s head. Quick tags and all three members off the Shield double team Cena, leading to a big clothesline from Roman Reins. Sheamus breaks up a pin attempt. Reins hits Cena with a big right hand, then gets in Sheamus’ face. When Reins turns around, Cena hits him with a couple of rights, but then he runs into a big Samoan drop from Roman that’s good for two. Reins clamps on a rear chin lock, but Cena is able to fight to his feet and almost into his own corner. Roman is able to bring Cena back to his side of the ring, and away from a tag. Ambrose and Rollins taunt Cena, yelling at him to give up. Cena fights to his feet again and breaks the hold with a belly to back suplex. Cena tries for the tag, but runs right into a big clothesline from Reins that’s good for another two count. Ambrose tags in and hits Cena with a couple of rights before bringing him down to the mat for a two count. Ambrose clamps on a legscissors, wearing down Cena’s neck. Cena stands with Ambrose on his shoulders, but Ambrose drops down, hits a knee to Cena’s gut, and drops him with a wicked DDT for two. Ambrose runs into a big back body drop from Cena that sends him out to the floor. Cena tags out to Ryback, who comes in and takes out Rollins and Ambrose with big back body drops. Ryback hits Rollins with a powerbomb before slamming Ambrose into Rollins in the corner. Reins blindsides Ryback, and Sheamus intervenes, fighting Roman to the outside. Reins spears Sheamus through the timekeeper’s area, and both men are down. Rollins heads to the top rope, but he’s caught by Ryback. Ryback tries for a gorilla press, but it’s 3 on 1 as the Shield triple team Ryback. Cena pulls Reins from the ring, and he hits an AA on Ambrose as Roman spears Ryback. Rollins falls on top of Ryback, and gets the three count.

Winners: The Shield

Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston

Dolph Ziggler comes out with AJ and Big E. in tow. He’s not too happy about not being booked. He says it’s great that Jack Swagger came into the Elimination Chamber after his long vacation and won. He probably thinks he’s guaranteed the championship, but nope, the briefcase that Ziggler has guarantees it. Ziggler has stolen the show more than anyone. He’s interrupted by Booker T who says Ziggler may just be wasting everyone’s time. He knows Ziggle feels like he can do things no one else can do, but Booker begs to differ because he knows someone who can do everything, and a little bit more than Dolph can, and he’s his opponent now. Kofi Kingston makes his way out for an impromptu match with Ziggler. The bell rings and Ziggler clamps on a head lock, taking Kofi down to the mat. Kofi fights up and hits a dropkick before monkey flipping Ziggler out of the corner hard. Kofi misses a splash in the corner and runs shoulder first into the ring post. Ziggler catches Kofi with a dropkick of his own before putting him in a headlock. Kofi fights up to his feet and ducks a couple of clotheslines, but Ziggler is able to lock on the sleeper hold and Kofi drops down to one knee. Kofi is able to fight up and he tosses Ziggler from the ring. Big E helps Ziggler up, and ends up eating a dive from Kofi. AJ accidentally distracts Ziggler and allows Kofi to hit the trouble in paradise, but it’s only good for two. Ziggler rolls to the outside, and Kofi dives out, wiping out Big E again. Kofi sends Ziggler back into the ring and takes him out with a big springboard cross body. Kofi heads to the top, but he’s stopped by Ziggler. Ziggler tries for a superplex, but instead drops him down on the top turnbuckle stomach first. Ziggler hits the Zig zag, then gets the three count.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Backstage: Brodus Clay & Tensai

Brodus Clay and the Funkadactyls are shown backstage playing with some WWE toys. Clay shows off his action figure to Tensai, who he calls ‘Sweet T’. Tensai asks where little Tensai is. Clay says the writing on his face is probably too much to put on an action figure. Clay asks what the writing is. Tensai says they’re supposed to be words of honor, but with his luck, it’s probably a sushi menu. Clay says he’s got what Tensai needs, and the music hits. Everyone dances, and we all just wasted two minutes of our lives.

WWE Divas Title: Tamina Snuka vs. Kaitlyn

The bell rings and Kaitlyn backs Snuka into the ropes. Snuka isn’t too happy about it and shoves Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn is able to take Snuka down to the mat, and she rolls her up for a two count. Snuka heads into the ropes to get some time. Kaitlyn rolls her up again for another two count. Snuka heads to the outside and Kaitlyn is quick to follow. Kaitlyn hits her with a baseball slide before bringing things back into the ring. Tamina hits Kaitlyn with a big forearm that sends her falling from the ring apron to the floor. Tamina brings things back into the ring and kicks at Kaitlyn before pinning her for another two count. Tamina shoulders Kaitlyn and puts her down with a Samoan drop. Snuka heads to the top rope and goes for the superfly splash, missing. Kaitlyn hits a spear and puts Tamina down for a three count.

Winner and STILL WWE Diva’s Champion: Kaitlyn

WWE Title: CM Punk vs. The Rock

CM Punk is out first with Paul Heyman. Punk has himself intro’d as the People’s Champion. The Rock comes out next to a crazed reaction from the fans. The bell rings and both men circle each other. Punk kicks at Rock before ducking a lock up. Punk continues to kick away at Rock before they finally lock up. Punk drops Rock with a shoulder block, and Punk is quick to celebrate. Another lock up and Punk clamps on a headlock. Rock pushes Punk off and is dropped with another shoulder block. Punk gloats again and Rock doesn’t look too happy. A third lock up and another headlock from Punk leads to another push off, and a third shoulder block from Punk. This time Rock retaliates with a couple of arm drags before Punk bails to the outside. Punk gets back into the ring and slowly walks up to stare down the Rock. Rock and Punk have words before Punk slaps Rock. Rock hits Punk with a series of rights in the corner and Punk calls for more. The ref reminds Rock he’ll be DQ’ed and lose the belt, but Rock continues with the rights before being pulled off again. Rock stops himself and Punk smiles before getting to his feet and spitting in Rock’s face. Rock attacks and sends Punk to the outside, following and launching Punk into the barricade, then hitting a big clothesline. Rock slams Punk head first into the announcer’s table before laying Punk out across the table. Punk rakes Rock’s eyes and heads back into the ring. Rock follows and Punk catches him with a quick clothesline, then a neckbreaker. Punk places Rock in a rear chin lock and works over the champ. Rock fights to his feet, but Punk pulls him right down to the mat. Punk releases the hold and hits a couple of knee and elbow drops. Punk goes for the pin but is only able to get a two count, so he goes right back into the chin lock. Rock fights to his feet and out of the hold, but he runs right into a back heel kick from Punk that leads to another near fall. Punk pulls Rock up and hits him with a big suplex that puts Rock down for another two count. Punk puts on another rear chin lock, and Rock is quick to fight to his feet this time. He gets out of the hold and hits Punk with a big right, then another. Punk is able to catch Rock with a big boot, then a springboard clothesline which is good for another near fall. Punk goes back to the well for another rear chin lock. Rock fades, but eventually he’s able to get back up to his feet. Rock fights Punk with a series of rights, but Punk ducks a clothesline in the corner and Punk connects with a high knee. Punk stalks Rock and backs up across the ring. He runs in with another high knee, then puts Rock down with a right hand. Punk goes to the top rope hitting the elbow drop for another two count. Punk picks up Rock and dumps him to the outside, following himself. Punk begins taking apart the Spanish announce table, but Rock responds with a series of right hands before bouncing Punk’s head off the announcer’s table and sending things back into the ring. Rock tries for the Rock bottom, but Punk fights it off and hits Rock with a big kick to the side of the head. Punk picks up Rock and tosses him to the outside again. This time he gets him up on the Spanish announcer’s table, and he hits the Rock bottom, planting Rock on the table. The table doesn’t break, I guess they reinforced it too much after last month. Punk rolls back into the ring and smiles, but Rock is able to beat the count. Punk mounts Rock and hits him with a series of punches to the face. Punk hits the ropes and runs right into a big Samoan drop from Rock. Both men get to their feet and Rock hits Punk with a giant right hand, then another. Punk responds with a couple of his own, but Rock gets the upper hand with a big clothesline. Rock hits a DDT, then waits for Punk to stand up. Rock tries for the Rock bottom, but Punk fights it off with a series of elbows to the head and neck, then the back of the Rock. Punk rolls out to the apron and gets to his feet, trying for another springboard clothesline. Rock catches Punk with a Rock bottom, and he goes for the pin, but Punk kicks out at two. Punk rolls to the outside and Rock follows, bringing things back into the ring. Punk tosses Rock into the referee and the ref falls to the outside. Punk hits the Rock with the G2S, and Punk covers the Rock for a ten count, clean, but there’s no referee. Heyman is pleading with the referee to get up. Another official is down. Punk tries for another G2S, but Rock fights out and hits a spinebuster. Rock hits the People’s elbow and pins Punk, but Punk kicks out at two! Punk knocks over the other ref and then kicks Rock in the head. Punk asks Heyman for the title, Heyman gives it to him and then holds Rock. Punk misses Rock and ends up hitting Heyman with the belt. Punk turns around into a Rock Bottom from Rock and Rock scores the 1-2-3 to retain.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: The Rock

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with predictions for tonight’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what JR thinks about the following matches:

Del Rio vs. Big Show: World heavyweight Champion @VivaDelRio Alberto Del Rio feels to be building more momentum daily but he also could arguably be the underdog going into his WHC defense against the mammoth Big Show. I see ADR winning a close one using more resourcefulness than physicality but, as has been proven, Big Show is simply one right hand away from winning any match in which he’s involved.

Elimination Chamber: Honestly, a viable argument can be made, some more than others, obviously, that any one of the 6 contestants could be deemed the winner. All 6 men will likely be on the WM29 card but the difference in the pay day for being in a main event, World Title bout or not is significant. Very significant … The Elimination Chamber will have five men in it that will not win, see what a math whiz that I am, but I see all five of the non winners having the opportunity to have superb nights in #NOLA. Who will outshine the others ? Who will seize the opportunity to steal some spotlight? Who wants a higher spot on the WM29 card?

The Shield vs. Team Cena: So, I’m going out on the old, proverbial limb here and picking @TheShield to prevail by hook or crook this Sunday on PPV in an upset. In my opinion, this is a much bigger match for @TheShield than for their adversaries. With that said and if that is remotely accurate perhaps @DeanAmbrose, @WWERollins, and @RomanReigns will bring more of a sense of urgency and a willingness to do what ever it takes to leave #NOLA as the winners.

The Rock vs. CM Punk: I have high expectations for this return bout on Sunday and will be disappointed if it doesn’t eclipse what we saw in Phoenix a few weeks ago. I enjoyed the Rumble bout as I have said but the 2nd go around should be improved upon the first…in my personal opinion. With all that said, and not knowing how @HeymanHustle will impact this bout, I have to go with the majority and pick the Rock to retain but I honestly don’t think that it will be easy or without controversy.