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When looking at the card for the Elimination Chamber show on Sunday, it looks more like a C-level pay per view - something like a Battleground or No Mercy, than a show which is supposed to take place on the Road to WrestleMania. It's an underwhelming lineup, with little actual stakes in setting up the grand stage at MetLife Stadium on April 5th.
One would be forgiven for thinking that this show isn't something one needs to see, especially since Buddy Murphy, Ronda Rousey, Bobby Lashley, and Daniel Bryan are all locks to retain their titles. Furthermore, only the Cruiserweight and WWE title matches look like they'll be potential classics.
Nevertheless, WWE can make the most out of an underwhelming card it if it avoids mistakes and does the following few things.
#1 Keep Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin short
This feud was heatless as far back as November, so naturally, WWE decides to continue it, despite their proclamations of a "new era." This match is as filler as filler gets and it's incredible how fast Braun Strowman's star has fallen. A year ago, he was the hottest act in the company. Today, he's in a match that doesn't even feel necessary, let alone wanted or desired.
There's little chance that this will be an in-ring classic, either. The limitations of both men are going to show themselves fast against each other. Hopefully, the no disqualification stipulation added to it results in a shorter match.
If they need to fill time, sure, but there are other ways to do it, ones which won't put fans to sleep and kill the crowd.
#2 Finn Balor doesn't lose cleanly
Finn Balor vs. Bobby Lashley isn't a feud that's set the world on fire, but WWE can make something more of it by having the former come close to victory on Sunday, despite being outnumbered. Through shenanigans, he loses the match, but the feud is far from being over with.
What this should ultimately leads to is the surprise reappearance of the Demon at WrestleMania, who goes on to squash Bobby Lashley and his little twerp hype man in a satisfying, feel-good moment, one which secures Balor gold for the first time in nearly three years. That's a story that could make the Intercontinental Championship feel like a good angle heading into the biggest show. The build to that can start on Sunday, by making sure Finn Balor comes close but fails to win, being cheated out of victory.
This stipulation wouldn't make sense any other way.
#3 Shane McMahon doesn't squash the Usos
Shane McMahon's booking has a knack for crushing the credibility of the people that he faces. He has some of the worst strikes in the company, but his opponents always need to sell them to the point of ridiculousness.
It's bad enough under normal circumstances, but given the Usos' recent legal problems, the atmosphere is ripe to make them even worse than normal as a form of punishment to the five-time champions.
With or without the recent incident, there was little chance that the Usos were going to win on Sunday, but for their sake and for the division, Shane McMahon shouldn't bulldoze them as he so often has a penchant for doing. His tag team with the Miz will surely break up next month, so the company needs to make sure this angle doesn't do lasting damage.
#4 Sasha Banks and Bayley win the Women's Tag Team Championships
Sasha Banks and Bayley are the logical choice to win on Sunday, but that's where the warning comes. Logic isn't this company's first language. There's a very real possibility that WWE decides to pull an unwanted swerve and have Nia Jax and Tamina win the Elimination Chamber match - because HEAT. Sasha Banks and Bayley would then get revenge at WrestleMania.
Maybe, but that isn't something that sounds like compelling television for the next two months. One of Raw's biggest problems last year was too much Nia Jax. This only adds to it. There's a much better program that the company can put together for WrestleMania.
Sasha Banks and Bayley should be the inaugural champions. They're the ones who can bring credibility to the titles out of the gate, because simply, they're the best women's tag team on the main roster. Their matches can elevate the fledgling belts until it's finally time for them to lose.
Let's hope the company does the right thing.
#5 Samoa Joe emerges from the Chamber as the biggest threat
There's no way that Daniel Bryan is losing his title on Sunday, nor should he. There's a problem though - he still doesn't have a real challenger for WrestleMania. The Elimination Chamber should be used to elevate somebody into title contention for the Show of Shows.
Enter Samoa Joe.
As we saw with the Brock Lesnar and AJ Styles feuds, Joe can elevate any feud he's involved with into something of importance. Seeing him butt heads with the New Daniel Bryan would be a treat indeed. The promos would be lit and the match would be a thrilling clash of styles.
When looking at the current landscape, it's easily the best option.
Sure, it would technically be heel vs. heel, but Joe's badass persona would be cheered against Bryan's pomposity anyway. Run with it.
Joe should go on a rampage in the Chamber and be eliminated by Bryan only after chicanery, perhaps involving Eric Rowan. From there, the slow build to WrestleMania can begin, and SmackDown would have a hot angle.
