On the whole, WWE Elimination Chamber 2017 was an enjoyable event, but it was far from the best pay-per-view SmackDown Live has produced since the dawn of the Brand Split. However, it was designed to further feuds and start storylines on the road to WrestleMania 33 and it was certainly successful in that respect.
As the blue brand's final event before WrestleMania in early April, Elimination Chamber set in motion several stories that are bound to carry us through the Show of Shows. Anything can happen in these next two months, but it's encouraging that the majority of SmackDown's 'Mania matches appear to already be set in stone.
In addition to being a newsworthy night, Elimination Chamber featured the planting of seeds for these five WrestleMania matches.
#5 Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship)
Alright, so this matchup has been pretty apparent for WrestleMania 33 for a few months now, but it was finally confirmed for the card at Elimination Chamber. Following his Royal Rumble victory, Randy Orton could have faced a plethora of opponents for the title, but ultimately, it will be the newly crowned WWE champion, Bray Wyatt.
These two have plenty of history dating back to the summer when Wyatt had initially set his sights on Orton. The Viper later aligned with The Wyatt Family, becoming the most dominant force in SmackDown's tag team division for a time.
Also read: 5 greatest WWE Elimination Chamber combatants of all-time
Now that each of them have gone their separate ways, they are fixated on success in the singles ranks. It's unlikely that their match will headline WrestleMania, but it will undoubtedly be the biggest bout that the blue brand will have to offer at the event.
#4 American Alpha vs. The Usos (SmackDown Tag Team Championship)
SmackDown Live may have many more tag teams at their disposal than Raw, but a majority of their tandems lack credibility. This was evident in the Tag Team Turmoil match at Elimination Chamber where almost every participating team was eliminated with ease.
The only two tandems that stood out in the minds of fans once the match was over were The Usos and SmackDown Tag Team champions American Alpha. This shouldn't be entirely surprising considering that the two teams have been carrying the tag division on SmackDown since the fall.
That said, American Alpha and The Usos have yet to have a real rivalry over the straps, and there isn't a better stage for them to showcase their skills than at WrestleMania 33. Expect American Alpha to seek vengeance on The Usos for viciously attacking them and nearly costing them the titles on Sunday night.
#3 Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James (SmackDown Women's Championship)
I know I wasn't the only one surprised by Naomi beating Alexa Bliss for the SmackDown Women's Championship at Elimination Chamber. However, it was a well-deserved title win for Naomi, who has been chasing championship gold since her NXT days years ago.
What's cooler is that Naomi will (presumably) walk into WrestleMania 33 in her hometown of Orlando as champion, as long as she can maintain her possession of the prestigious prize for the next two months. Naomi vs. Bliss will continue to feud through 'Mania, but more women should be added to the title mix by the spring spectacle.
Also at Elimination Chamber, Lynch upset Mickie James, which marked her premiere pay-per-view victory in singles action. Lynch and James have been directly involved with Bliss for months now, so a Fatal 4-Way pitting these four elite athletes against each other essentially writes itself as a great match.
#2 John Cena and Nikki Bella vs. The Miz and Maryse
This might not have been as obvious to those who haven't been reading the rumours, but apparently, plans call for John Cena to team with her girlfriend Nikki Bella at WrestleMania 33 to take on Hollywood's hottest couple of The Miz and Maryse.
Yes, it is certainly strange for Cena to go from winning his 16th world title to feuding with Miz and Maryse, but it's the direction WWE seems to be headed in after Elimination Chamber.
Nikki inadvertently bumped into Maryse during a backstage brawl while Cena eliminated Miz from the Elimination Chamber match.
With the WWE title match set for WrestleMania, nothing else for Cena would make sense, and perhaps they have a happy ending in mind for the bout as well. Okay, so Cena proposing to Nikki in the middle of the ring seems a bit far-fetched if you've ever watched an episode of Total Divas, but the match itself isn't a terrible idea.
#1 Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin (Intercontinental Championship)
For those criticising Dean Ambrose for being a lacklustre Intercontinental champion, relax; it's merely been a month since he won the title. Besides, after what occurred at Elimination Chamber, he is primed for a program with Baron Corbin over the strap heading into WrestleMania 33.
Ambrose and Corbin appeared to be on a collision course going into the event when Corbin attacked Ambrose during his title defence versus The Miz last month, but their 'Mania match was virtually confirmed during their interaction in the Elimination Chamber main event.
Once Ambrose swiftly eliminated Corbin from the contest, The Lone Wolf unleashed his aggression on Ambrose by battering him all around the demonic dome, leading to The Lunatic Fringe getting ousted from the bout by The Miz.
Ambrose will likely want to settle the score with Corbin come WrestleMania, and Corbin will certainly agree to the match as long as the gold is up for grabs.
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