WWE - No Way Out 2008 [DVD]

The Road to WrestleMania is one of the biggest highlights of the year for WWE and its fans. In terms of storylines, it's the hottest period as events and superstars all steamroll towards the biggest wrestling show of all time. It all starts at Royal Rumble, and No Way Out has been a show that continues the traditional saga with superb escalation before it all hits the fan.

In 2008, there was some fantastic stuff going on. Such as the build-up to the inevitable and awesome Undertaker-Edge confrontation, the Career-Threatening Stipulation of Ric Flair's final run, Randy Orton at the top of the WWE throne with Cena and HHH out for retribution and the shocking confrontation between the Big Show and Floyd "Money" Mayweather.

The 2008 edition of No Way Out was something that I was concerned about, though. The latest chapter of the Road to WrestleMania and the long-awaited return of the Elimination Chamber were reasons to watch. But the fact that WWE decided to book TWO of these bouts in ONE night was theoretically quite risky. Nothing like this had been done before and there was the apparent danger of it being overkill for the audience and the viewers at home.

However, thanks to the booking, the format worked brilliantly, and the sheer high-quality of the Elimination Chamber bouts, along with a strong card throughout made No Way Out 2008 an excellent show.

ECW Championship Match
Chavo Guerrero (Champion) vs. CM Punk
Even though I still believe it was a mistake to put the ECW title on Chavo, I don't deny that this is a rather good opener. Doesn't match up to their memorable Gulf of Mexico battle, but both Chavo and CM Punk have very good chemistry here, resulting in a nice contest. It's a shame that they weren't given longer, as they could easily have a hell of a match if given more time. (7/10)

SmackDown! Elimination Chamber Match
Undertaker vs. Batista vs. Finlay vs. Big Daddy V vs. MVP vs. Great Khali
The first chamber bout of the night and an excellent one at that. Sensibly placed early on the card, with fantastic booking from start to finish. Big Daddy V gives a surprisingly good performance and even Khali's presence doesn't hurt the overall result. The superbly talented Finlay and MVP contribute great stuff to the contest also. But it's Taker and Batista who are the stars here, with their godlike feud and amazing chemistry producing yet another winner. The only thing better than this is the Raw Chamber event. (8/10)

Career Threatening Match
Ric Flair vs. Mr. Kennedy
Okay, we ALL knew Flair wasn't going to lose and retire until WrestleMania 24. So the lack of crowd participation and the diminished aura of the high-stakes are understandable. Nevertheless, this is another solid bout, thanks to Mr. Kennedy's brilliant heel mannerisms, his great wrestling and his ability to successfully carry the legend to a good match. Forgettable in the long-term, but still worth watching (7/10)

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Edge (Champion) vs. Rey Mysterio
This couldn't be on a par with their brilliant bout from the Royal Rumble, but that's understandable given Rey's unfortunate bicep injury. The fact that he performed at all is truly admirable but the moves he performs here while grimacing in such pain makes you feel for him, as well as respect and admire him even more. The fact that Edge took good care of him and the two were able to give us a decent match speaks highly of both of them. Understandably short because of the circumstances but I'll give it a pass. (6/10)

Following that...

The Big Show and Floyd Mayweather
This was something I never saw coming. I'd originally thought that the Big Show had retired from wrestling after he departed in 2006, so his surprise return was most welcome indeed. But what happened with Mysterio and Mayweather was truly shocking indeed. A great surprise segment and what a way to hype-up the bout at WrestleMania 24! (8/10)

WWE Championship Match
Randy Orton (Champion) vs. John Cena
Orton and Cena had a great rivalry in 2007 and their SummerSlam bout that year was a fab rollercoaster thrill-ride. This rematch was something I'd keenly anticipated, but watching it made me wonder if Cena came back too soon from his pectoral injury, as he obviously tries to be careful not to re-injure it here. This is quite slow-paced and doesn't have the intensity it should have. It's another solid bout on the show with some good moments, but we all know both these guys are capable of much better. The finish is very cheap, too. (7/10)

Raw Elimination Chamber Match
Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho vs. Umaga vs. JBL
Thanks to the show's excellent booking, the crowd was ready for another Elimination Chamber...and what an event it was! Brilliant stuff from all six men. Shawn and Jericho's wrestling got things off to a cracking start, Umaga gave an absolutely outstanding performance, JBL's chair shots were wicked, Triple H was awesome and deserving of his 2008 title run and Hardy further solidified his main-event status. An all-round fantastic bout, with the final moments being truly electric. Match of the night. (9/10)

As for special features on the DVD, don't expect anything other than an exclusive segment that starts up the run towards the inevitable Flair-HBK showdown at WrestleMania 24. It's okay but ONLY okay. More extras should've been included here.

Still, No Way Out 2008 is a cracking pay-per-view. It's not essential and it is flawed in places, but if you want to complete this particular year's Road to WrestleMania story, then buy it certainly. It is indeed worth paying to see.

No Way Out 2008

a highly entertaining pay-per-view with high drama and excitement. I was rather worried however that by the time the Raw elimination chamber match came I would not find it interesting after the previous elimination chamber.

ECW Championship-Chavo Guerrero(c).vs. CM Punk ***

Quite entertaining and quick-paced. However it was a bit short and not exactly a classic. Didn't see the ending coming and I thought Punk lost a bit easily.

Smackdown Elimination Chamber Match ****

WOW! Great match with excitement, drama and another Taker, Batista classic. I did think that the match was let down by the lack of superstars in at one time and no real superstar quality throughout. Ending was fantastic with a must-see counter from Undertaker to win it.

Ric Flair .vs. Mr. Kennedy **

Poor match. It was slow and repetitive. I think I saw about 5 attempts at the figure-4-leglock from both competitors and too much disrespectful mocking from Kennedy. This match was saved by the outcome.

World Heavyweight Championship-Edge(c).vs. Rey Mysterio ***

On paper it should have been edge of your seat stuff. But with the injury to Mysterio it was slow and short. Mysterio put up a great fight with great offence but was unable to follow up his 619 which cost him. The match was over-shadowed by the return of the Big-Show and the involvement of Mayweather Jr. Now that was good.

WWE Championship-Randy Orton(c).vs. John Cena ****

Personally if I'd won the Royal Rumble I would have waited until Wrestlemania but Cena made the gamble and made his title shot at No Way Out. High-paced match with lots of counters and powerful moves and a great finish, but personally I wasn't happy with Orton's actions and Cena was right to be cheesed off.

Raw Elimination Chamber Match *****

By far the best match of the night. As I said earlier I was worried they would not be able to top the previous Chamber Match. This match had everything, All 6 men in the ring at one time, about 4 eliminations in 5 minutes and even all the competitors ganging up on Umaga to finish him off. Classic with a fantastic ending.

Overall:
I think the elimination Chamber matches kind of saved the show with not much happening in the singles matches.
overall Rating: ****

this ppv was very good the best matches were the raw and smackdown elmitnation chambers with triple h and the undertaker picking up the wins
very very good