Countdown to WWE Elimination Chamber
By JON WALDMAN -- SLAM! Wrestling
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WWE presents the most predictable PPV of the year - Elimination Chamber.
Seriously. Three of the five matches announced for tonight are no-brainers and a fourth can go either in the very predictable way or the road less travelled. There's no wiggle room here, with so much already in motion for WrestleMania.
Thus, previewing tonight's card almost seems like an exercise in futility.
If by some magical force I end up being wrong on more than one prediction tonight I'll be shocked, as would be just about every other prognosticator who will likely issue the same preview as I am. Here we go kiddies.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The Miz vs. Jerry Lawler |
Everyone, their grandmother and their great-grandmother knows that Jerry's
not winning. The only question here, really, is whether they set up a 'Mania
match with Lawler and Michael Cole or Lawler and Alex Riley. My guess is it
will be a handicap match (swerve!). Either way, Miz goes over here, likely due
to some shenanigans.
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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATION
CHAMBER MATCH
Kane vs. Edge vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Wade Barrett |
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Somehow, I still think Dolph Ziggler's getting in the match -- he was "fired" on Smackdown. You almost get the feeling,
though, that he'll end up costing Edge the title, building to Rey vs. Del Rio
for the ultimate blow-off to their feud. I honestly don't mind that idea, since
we're starting to get close to Mysterio's swan song. I'm gunning for the surprise
of Mysterio taking the title.
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WWE CHAMPIONSHIP #1 MATCH
Randy Orton vs. Sheamus vs. CM Punk vs. R-Truth vs. John Morrison vs.
John Cena |
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Let's break this one down by wrestler. Cena's winning, that's a foregone conclusion.
Punk and Orton are pretty much paired off already for their Mania match. Morrison
is destined to be in the MITB match (and likely win), R-Truth... I guess he
goes in there too. That leaves Sheamus, which could mean that he'll be the victim
of a Triple H attack or, if the plan is indeed. Trips vs. 'Taker, he'll also
be headed to MITB. No matter what way you slice it, Rocky Maivia's favourite
wrestler (baaahahaa) walks out with the title shot.
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INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH
Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio |
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This is tailor-made to give Del Rio the win. Kofi's done remarkably well with
the belt in his latest run, but he's almost had it too long now and if he holds
much longer, he'll be in IC division hell for the rest of his career. Kofi's
a definite MITB candidate and he'll probably get some support around creative
to win the bout, but like I said, that IC belt is weighing him down. Putting
it on Del Rio to have title vs. title at 'Mania, leading to a post-WM tourney
is an easy route to go.
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UNITED TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
The Corre vs. Santino Marella/Vladimir Kozlov |
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The build has been decent but you're not going to convince me that WWE is putting
in an honest effort here. I'll go with the champs retaining.
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ELIMINATION CHAMBER HISTORY
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