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The Elimination Chamber pay-per-view is tomorrow, so it’s time to shoot out some predictions. I was off quite a bit in last month’s predictions, so hopefully, I’ll be a little bit closer this time. Considering Wrestlemania is right around the corner and this is the final major stop before then, you can really pick the winners in most of these matches just by looking at them.
Brodus Clay and Tensai vs. The Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow): This match is strange, as the Scholars have broken up. Rhodes has said this is a one night only thing, but it still doesn’t make a lot of sense other than a way to get Clay and Tensai over more, as they are definitely winning here.
WWE Divas Championship-Kaitlyn (Champion) vs. Tamina Snuka: You could go either way on this match. While Kaitlyn has definitely improved in the ring over the last few months, Tamina is probably one of the top two best female performers on the roster, and her push has been a breath of fresh air. I think Kaitlyn will retain here, but Tamina should get a rematch shortly thereafter and pick up the title in the process.
WWE United States Championship-Antonio Cesaro (Champion) vs. The Miz: Sorry WWE, but The Miz sucks as a face, and putting him against one of your hottest heels in Cesaro isn’t going to help the situation. Cesaro has crushed Miz on several occasions, and while I could see WWE giving Miz something of a fluke win here, I am putting my money on Cesaro holding onto the US title for a while longer.
World Championship: Alberto Del Rio (Champion) vs. The Big Show: This is the third match between the two in just a couple months (at least since ADR won the belt), and ADR has won every time. I don’t expect that to change on this night. The big story is that ADR has never pinned Show, which likely means he will be getting the pin tomorrow night and moving onto Wrestlemania. There is a possibility Dolph Ziggler will cash in after the match, as he has nothing else to do on the card, but that isn’t written in stone. If he does, I see him walking out as Champion after ADR retains against Show.
Elimination Chamber Match to determine a new #1 Contender for the World Championship: WWE Tag Team Co-Champion Daniel Bryan vs. Mark Henry vs. Chris Jericho vs. WWE Tag Team Co-Champion Kane vs. Randy Orton vs. Jack Swagger: This one is actually hard to predict, as I don’t really see any of these guys facing ADR at Wrestlemania. However, based on his return and how he’s been pushed since returning, I’m going with “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry. Team Hell No! are primarily a tag team right now, so neither of them is winning. Chris Jericho is a short-timer and will likely move onto a feud with Dolph Ziggler, so I don’t see him doing it. Randy Orton could possibly win, but I’m really hoping that’s not the case, as he doesn’t need it. Jack Swagger is somewhat of a wild card. Although he’s failed as a main eventer in the past, his new gimmick with Zeb Coulter could potentially make him a top heel in the company. I don’t see him winning here, but we could see a major push for him throughout the year, starting in the Chamber. For now, Henry has been on the biggest and most impressive role since this match was announced, so he’s my pick.
John Cena, Ryback and Sheamus vs. The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins): While The Shield would certainly benefit from a win here and they do need/deserve it, considering John Cena is in the main event at Wrestlemania, it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that he’s not losing any matches between now and ‘Mania, or at least will lose very few. Cena’s team wins here.
WWE Championship-If Rock gets DQ’ed or counted out, he loses the belt: The Rock (Champion) vs. CM Punk: While the odds are certainly stacked against the Rock, this is being done so it looks more impressive when he eventually retains the title. As much as I don’t want Rock to win here (nothing against the guy, but he’s a part-time wrestler at best), WWE is banking on Cena/Rock II at Wrestlemania, and it’s going to happen, no matter what. I do potentially see Punk being added to the match at ‘Mania to turn it into a triple threat, but Rock is going into the show as champion regardless.
