'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It’s that time of the year again when WWE takes a bunch of superstars and locks them up inside a cage for the sake of our entertainment. You know that the popularity of a gimmick match is at its peak when the WWE names an entire PPV after it.
The very first Chamber match from Survivor Series 2002 is still the greatest encounter in the 17-year history of unflinching brutality that Elimination Chamber has had to offer. Shattering glass pods, death-defying leaps from the top of the pod, the cage slathered with the faces of the superstars and the overall unpredictability have made it one of the most engaging matches in pro wrestling history.
Owing to its rousing acceptance, Elimination Chamber replaced No Way Out as a designated PPV in 2010. It has been a regular feature ever since as we will be witnessing the 9th edition of the event this Sunday.
In addition to the predicted barbarism, the fans should also be prepared for some twists namely in the form of heel and face turns. This slider lists those superstars who could be shifting from the good side to the bad and vice versa.
#1 Heel Turn - Shane McMahon
Did you actually believe that the dreamy alliance of McMahon Jr. and The Miz was here to stay? It's as plain as the nose on your face that the inevitable split is bound to happen sooner rather than later to facilitate a WrestleMania 35 match between the two. And for that, someone has to snap.
The easy route would be to let Miz go back to his obnoxious persona but where's the fun in that? The time is right to push Shane O'Mac towards the dark side as his rosy babyface run has outrun its course.
The speculation about the WWE World Cup Winner (sigh!) turning heel has been circulating for over a year and it's time for the WWE to pull the trigger. The Miz deserves to be cheered after being jeered by the fans for the entirety of his career. Even if the turn doesn't take place at Elimination Chamber, the seeds for the split will surely be planted.
#2 Face Turn - Lio Rush
As my fellow SK colleague, Riju Dasgupta rightfully explained in his article, there are many reasons as to why Lio Rush has been added to the Intercontinental Championship match. One of them, as improbable as it may sound, would be to create a rift between Lashley and his hypeman.
Rush is a tremendously gifted in-ring performer who will enhance the quality of the handicap match at Elimination Chamber. But has he been included in it just to make better and stack the odds against the underdog in Balor?
Maybe not.
It's a big possibility that Rush may cost the Dominator the title which could invariably lead to a face turn for the former 205 Live Superstar. That is if Lashley unleashes his wrath on Rush after the bout.
From a logical booking perspective, it shouldn't happen as Lashley and Rush compliment each other really well and should continue their partnership irrespective of the outcome at Elimination Chamber.
#3 Heel Turn - Bayley
The Boss 'n' Hug connection are the odds-on favorites to become the inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Champions and that shouldn't come to you as a surprise. In all honesty, it's a rational decision to make in order to put over the newly introduced titles in a big way.
I repeat, where's the fun in that?
The friendship between Bayley and Sasha Banks has always been on the cusp of dissension but there has never been a definite split. It almost happened before the plans were reverted keeping in mind the Women's tag team straps. So will we ever get a proper main roster feud between The Boss and The Huggable One? We surely will and it can begin at the Chamber itself.,
If the former Women's Champions are unsuccessful at winning the title this Sunday, we wouldn't be surprised to see Bayley administer another painful beating on Banks. WWE would have another potential show-stealer for WrestleMania, however, it's highly unlikely to happen.
The reason is plain and simple; Banks and Bayley are needed to help the newly created women's tag team division get through a testing initial phase.
#4 Heel Turn - The Miz
Name a better heel than The Miz in this decade. I'll wait. Randy Orton? Seth Rollins? Who else? Everyone's stint as the bad guy would be stale in comparison to The A-Lister. The Miz was that good as the man we loved to hate.
Every standout heel eventually becomes a fan favorite and the same applies for the former WWE Champion. Miz's face turn was well-deserved and we sincerely hope it continues for the foreseeable future. However, WWE has a feud to book and if they want to play it safe, then we should all be prepared for the Awesome One to turn on his 49-year-old tag team partner.
Personally, I would like to see the roles being reversed in this scenario as it gives the fans two relatively fresh characters in a feud that can be a lowkey hit on the road to WrestleMania 35.
Whatever happens, Miz and McMahon are primed to drop the tag team belts before WrestleMania.
#5 Face Turn - Bray Wyatt
Elimination Chamber has to be Bray Wyatt's favorite PPV, after all, the Eater of Worlds won the WWE Championship at the same event in 2017.
It was a moment to cherish as Wyatt had finally reached the pinnacle of sports entertainment. It was an impressive feat, however, the subsequent fall was just too underwhelming to watch.
The former WWE Champion is nothing more than an afterthought at the moment due to his absence from TV but it could all change in a matter of minutes. Picture this for an angle. The man who supposedly has the whole world in his hands would be livid that his disciple, Erick Rowan, is in the palm of Bryan's hands.
Wyatt shows up at the Chamber and potentially costs the eco-friendly Champion his title or at the very least, makes his mysterious presence felt. He can also bring along Luke Harper and reunite the Wyatt Family. If Bryan somehow manages to retain the title, we have ourselves a great storyline for the show of shows.
If Wyatt can be less cryptic and more coherent upon his return as a potential face, he will surely get his act over with the fans. Wyatt and Bryan have a documented history and are known to be compatible in the ring too. Revisiting the rivalry for Mania is a no-brainer if you ask me.
Did we miss out on any viable turns? Let us know in the comments section below.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
