Welcome one and all to my preview and predictions blog for the upcoming WWE live special, Elimination Chamber. Before I begin I want to encourage you to check out my blog and other previous articles by following this LINK. If you have any comments or feedback leave a comment in the section below or by following me on Twitter or Instagram.
We have officially begun the road to Wrestlemania and Elimination Chamber is the second to last event before Mania. There are some pretty great matches on the card but, shockingly, no Universal Championship match. There may be some changes leading up to the event so look out for edits, I find it hard to believe that the Smackdown Live women's championship and Raw tag team championship isn't on the card, hopefully a match is announced at some point in the week. There hasn't been a pre show match announced yet either so check back for updates. As always I will be speaking about the matches in no particular order.
1. WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Buddy Murphy (C) Vs. Akira Tozawa: Another month and lets face it probably another match on the pre show for 205 Live. Buddy Murphy has continued to have some great matches each and every month as the leader of the Cruiserweight division as do most of the division. Akira Tozawa has risen back up the ranks pretty quickly in a spot you have to believe was reserved for Hideo Itami before he left the company. The story line involving Tozawa and Bryan Kendrick seems to be slowly going nowhere but, hopefully with this match it may change. This should be an entertaining enough match that will hopefully be a good showing for both. I think that Kendrick may be an X factor in the match perhaps causing a distraction that may lead to Tozawa losing his match and setting up a feud.
2. Smackdown Live Tag Team Championship: Shane McMahon And The Miz (C) Vs. The Usos: The formation of the unlikely team of The Miz and Shane McMahon has been a strange at best but, has been entertaining. The fact that they won the tag team championship in their first championship match is a strange move but, could prove to be the catalyst for a turn on McMahon's part. The Usos have really run with the anti hero gimmick and has allowed their true personalities come out and made them a much more popular team as a result. The build up for this match has been minimal but, go and watch the McMiz TV segment from Smackdown Live this week just to show how good The Usos and McMiz are on the mic. This should be a great match but, expect McMiz to come out with the win in an under handed manner.
3. WWE Intercontinental Championship Handicap Match: Bobby Lashley (C) And Lio Rush Vs. Finn Balor: The Intercontinental championship feud has been a great replacement for any form of Universal championship story line. Bobby Lashley has been boosted by Lio Rush in a way that I really didn't see coming. Finn Balor has had easily the best run of matches since his return from injury including a decent enough showing against Brock Lesnar. This match should be a great match, although I'm not too sure about the handicap element. There should be some great spots from all 3 involved in the match. I think Lio Rush may cost Lashley the match and his championship by causing a distraction to the wrong person.
4. Women's Elimination Chamber Match For WWE Women's Tag Team Championship: After the initial women's Elimination Chamber match last year this year brings a brand new way of showcasing the women's division. The winners of this match will become the first women's tag team championship and there are some great teams in play. The obvious favourites are the team of Nia Jax and Tamina and the smart money would be on them however there are a few teams that could prove to have the match of their careers on Sunday. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville are looking to redeem themselves this year after a lack lustre performance last year. Sasha and Bayley have set themselves up to feud after Sasha letting down Bayley for the past two weeks. The real dark horse team in this match are The Riott Squad who have all the momentum going into Elimination Chamber but, have been overlooked. This should be a great match that will further all involved. As much as I hate to say it I think I have to go with the smart money and say Nia Jax and Tamina will be the first women's tag team champions.
5. Braun Strowman Vs. Baron Corbin: This feud has been bubbling away for a number of months and has been a little underwhelming if I'm honest. Corbin has been floating about a little since being removed from his position as the authority figure on RAW and Strowman has been a little under the radar since returning from his injury. I had to believe that Strowman should have been part of the main event for Wrestlemania this year but, Seth Rollins used his Royal Rumble win to make the match with Brock Lesnar. This match should be a slow paced slug fest that will more than likely set up a return match for Wrestlemania or Fast Lane. I think Strowman will come out with the win.
6. RAW Women's Championship: Ronda Rousey (C) Vs. Ruby Riott: This match is a welcome change of pace and a great way of showcasing one of the most under rated female talents on the roster in Ruby Riott. Ronda Rousey had a decent enough showing against Sasha Banks at Royal Rumble and as she heads into Wrestlemania and a rematch with Charlotte Flair Rousey will have her work cut for her in Riott. One would believe that the Riott Squad may be a factor throughout and cause a distraction for Rousey. Will it mean a win for Riott ? I don't think so but, I have been wrong in the past and Ruby Riott Vs. Charlotte Flair could be a pretty entertaining match for Wrestlemania.
7. Men's Elimination Chamber Match For WWE Championship: The New Daniel Bryan has a huge mountain to climb if he wants to retain his Eco friendly WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber. Kofi Kingston has been added to the match due to injury on the part of Mustafa Ali and what a showing Kingston had on Smackdown Live this past week beating 3 of the competitors he will meet in the chamber. Samoa Joe is in with a good chance of coming out of the chamber with a win but, whilst I would love to see Joe get an opportunity I can't see it just yet. AJ Styles and Bryan have had a great series of matches in recent months and hopefully we will see the two square off with each other. Randy Orton for some reason that isn't apparent to me seems to have slotted himself into contention as of late but, I can't see a win in his future. I think Bryan will retain with a little help from Rowan.
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