Elimination Chamber is here. Yay?
Look, this is one of WWE’s unnecessary pay-per-views. This could actually be a really good show as the line-up looks promising enough, but the company has made it clear how inconsequential this pay-per-view is. Nevertheless, let’s get into our predictions for WWE Elimination Chamber. Remember, these are just my opinions on what could happen.
Women's Elimination Chamber Match (Winner earns Raw Women's Championship Match at WrestleMania): Natalya vs. Liv Morgan vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Asuka vs. Ruby Riott vs. Sarah Logan
Shayna Baszler. Granted, I’ve heard the rumors on Vince McMahon giving up on the former NXT Women’s Champion due to her performance against Kairi Sane. Honestly, this news wouldn’t surprise me, but seriously, who else could win this match-up?
Sarah Logan has been treated like a nobody since the Riott Squad broke up. Lynch has already beaten Natalya and Asuka, and I just don’t see Liv Morgan or Ruby Riott being given the big WrestleMania match just yet.
My crazy theory is that Nia Jax will make her return by attacking Natalya or Liv Morgan before the match. Just like Edge did back at No Way Out in 2009, the former Women’s Champion would insert herself into the bout and go on to win the entire contest.
Technically speaking, Becky Lynch and Nia Jax didn’t really finish their feud from 2018 after the infamous Smackdown invasion led by the WWE RAW Women's Champion. Yes, Lynch did get her revenge upon her return; however, these two never actually feuded inside the ring. If Vince McMahon has given up on Baszler, then its possible that he’ll end up going with Nia Jax vs. Becky Lynch instead.
I’m sticking with Shayna Baszler here; however, I wouldn’t be surprised if the planned Baszler vs. Lynch match was changed by now.
Winner: Shayna Baszler
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Match: The Miz & John Morrison (c) vs. The New Day (Big E & Kofi Kingston) vs. The Usos (Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso) vs. Heavy Machinery (Otis & Tucker) vs. Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado) vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
This all comes down to Miz & Morrison, Heavy Machinery, and Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode. The big focus has mostly been on the latter two tag teams, and I can actually see Ziggler & Roode getting the victory on Sunday. Surely, the plan would ultimately lead to a match between Heavy Machinery and Ziggler & Roode at WrestleMania. Otis finally getting his revenge on Ziggler and winning the Smackdown Tag Team titles would be the main goal.
However, I can also see The Miz & Morrison vs. The Usos vs. The New Day in a three-way for the tag belts as well. There’s a reason why Jimmy and Jey defeated the reigning champions as a future title match between those two teams seemed to be in the works. The inclusion of the New Day is just to give Big E and Kofi something to do. I’m going with Morrison and Miz retaining here; however, I wouldn’t be surprised if the duo drop the belts.
Morrison hasn’t been treated special since his return to the company and his performance in the Royal Rumble (or lack thereof) speaks volumes of what WWE thinks about him. The Mandy/Otis/Dolph Ziggler triangle appears to be the hot storyline for the writers on the blue brand.
Winner: The Miz & John Morrison
Daniel Bryan vs. Drew Gulak
Rumors have swirled that officials were looking to book Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus at WrestleMania again; however, there hasn’t been much indication of the company going in that direction.
Of course, everything can change with a Daniel Bryan win, but I suspect that the former WWE Champion wants to feud Gulak for bit. The former WWE Cruiserweight Champion has been trying to point out the flaws of Bryan as of late, and I can see Gulak pulling out the win here to extend the feud.
However, I don’t believe officials see Bryan vs. Gulak as a WrestleMania attraction. This will most likely be a one-sided feud with Bryan winning every match. Gulak deserves an opportunity at proving that he’s an overall talented wrestler; however, Bryan vs. Sheamus is my rumored pick for WrestleMania. Let’s hope I wrong here.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
WWE Intercontinental Championship Handicap Match: Braun Strowman (c) vs. Sami Zayn, Cesaro, and Shinsuke Nakamura
It’s extremely sad that the talents of Zayn, Cesaro, and Nakamura continue to be wasted. The result is not in question, Strowman is walking out victorious in a possible squash like match. I could also see Braun Strowman vs. Sheamus for the IC title at WrestleMania. The former WWE Champion has talked about wanting to win the prestigious belt and the big man vs. big man match is appealing.
Winner: Braun Strowman
No Disqualification Match: Aleister Black vs. AJ Styles
Both men need to look strong, especially AJ Styles. The former WWE Champion looked weak at WWE Super ShowDown against The Undertaker thus he needs a big win in order to be taken seriously as "The Deadman's" opponent at WrestleMania.
Black is clearly being primed in the upper card spot; however, the former NXT Champion doesn’t have a clear direction going forward. With the No Disqualification stipulation added, interference from Gallows, Anderson, and even The Undertaker is expected. The latter will most likely help Black get the win over Styles.
This scenario isn’t compelling in the slightest and doesn't particularly make Black and Styles look strong; however, it does advance the latter’s feud with Taker so…
Winner: Aleister Black
United States Championship Match: Andrade (c) vs. Humberto Carrillo
Surely, Humberto Carrillo will finally win, right? If Carrillo loses once again then the company will continue to kill any spec of momentum he had left. Most likely, Carrillo, Rey Mysterio, Angel Garza, and Andrade will end up in a four-way match for the United States title; however, Carrillo finally getting a singles win (for the title) over Andrade is the bigger moment. My money is on the challenger; however, based on the way Carrillo’s been booked on the main roster, Andrade retaining wouldn’t surprise me.
Winner: Humberto Carrillo
Raw Tag Team Championship Match: The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) (c) vs. Seth Rollins & Murphy
The Street Profits. Seth Rollins will most likely be tied up with Kevin Owens at WrestleMania. I don’t know what the RAW Tag Team Champions will be doing on the big stage; however, it’s a toss-up between a multi-man tag title match or the annual Battle Royal.
Winner: The Street Profits
That’s it! On paper, this does have the potential to be a sleeper hit. Thanks for reading.