wrestling / Columns
411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE Elimination Chamber 2010
Introduction:
The Road to WrestleMania is well underway, and with all sorts of stories developing, many of them will clash inside the most expensive structure WWE has ever built: The Elimination Chamber. This Sunday, for twelve wrestlers, this is their last chance to earn a slot in the two World title matches at WrestleMania. You know, unless they happen to be the guy who ends up facing the champion that Edge doesn’t choose. But I digress.
With both World titles on the line in Elimination Chamber matches, the possibility of two new champions emerging is high, especially with the tremendous talent assembled inside the forbidding cage. In addition, the WWE Diva’s Championship will finally crown a new champion, as the finals of the tournament will take place between two Canadian Divas, Maryse and Gail Kim. Plus, Drew McIntyre looks to remain undefeated in singles competition, as he defends his Intercontinental Championship against the monstrous Kane.
And as always, the 411 Staff is here with their thoughts on who should leave the Elimination Chamber PPV with their heads held high, so let’s take a look at who has come along to share their expertise.
The Staff
Stephen Randle, The Wrestling News Experience
Robert S. Leighty Jr, From The Bowery
Chad Nevett, High Road/Low Road
Mathew Sforcina, Ask 411 Wrestling
Jeremy Thomas, Wrestling’s 3 R’s
Michael Weyer, Shining A Spotlight
Aaron Hubbard, The Contentious Ten
Michael Bauer, Wrestling’s Top 5
Batista vs Edge
NOTE: Following the events of Friday Night Smackdown, the following match had been rumoured but not officially announced by press time
Stephen Randle: A match neither man can really afford to lose, but WWE does seem to like giving future title winners big losses leading up to their win, presumably to throw people off (see CM Punk losing to Kane and Umaga before cashing MITB). I actually would not be shocked to see Batista getting the victory here, but I’m fairly sure John Cena might have something to say about it.
Winner: Edge
Robert S. Leighty Jr: These two have had plenty of matches together, but it will be interesting to see if Heel Batista vs Tweener Edge can make things any more interesting. You would think Edge goes over here on his way to the Mania Main Event, and perhaps Cena gets involved to build to his match with Batista.
Winner: Edge
Chad Nevett: These two having a match seems a little odd, but it could work to push Edge more towards being a face (or could push Batista back in that direction depending on the crowd). I’d rather see Edge’s first proper match since returning from an injury against a guy that can carry things a little bit and protect him, but kept short, this could be very enjoyable. Since Edge is going after a world belt at ‘Mania, he needs the win to look strong.
Winner: Edge
Mathew Sforcina: OK, yes, the logical thing to do is to have Edge go over to solidify him on his path of glory and such leading into WM. But as a rule, I tend to throw out logic and reason when Batista is involved, since he’s so damm needy. Hence, this match becomes more about setting up that Batista is NOT VERY NICE, and is working with Vince now, thus setting up DAVE/Vince V Cena/Bret in some fashion.
Winner: Batista (Vince-fereance into Batista Bomb)
Jeremy Thomas: So, it looks like someone realized at the last minute that they didn’t have two of their big players on the show. Thus, we have this thrown-together match. Edge and Big Dave should put together a decent enough show; I don’t know if it will be something fantastic, but it’ll be enjoyable enough. Edge has just come back and needs that push to ‘Mania; Batista can suffer a loss, especially if it advances a feud. I think that Cena gets involved here, Dave gets distracted by him somehow and Rated-R picks up the win to head strongly into the ‘Mania stretch.
Winner: Edge
Michael Weyer: These two are good for some nice matches and this should be the same. Edge is coming off a big win from the Rumble and due for Mania so unlikely he’ll lose here. It may be last minute but it should be a good addition for some fun.
Winner: The Rated R Superstar
Aaron Hubbard: Edge has shown in the past that he can carry Batista to good matches…as a heel. With the roles reversed, I’m not sure. Neither of these guys can really afford to lose, so I think they’ll go with Edge fighting the good fight and Batista finally snapping and demolishing him with a post-match beatdown. If done correctly, this match can generate a lot of sympathy for Edge and help him turn to full blown face by Wrestlemania.
Winner: Edge (via DQ)
Michael Bauer: So Edge is facing the winner of one of the Chamber Matches and really hasn’t had alot of action since coming back from injury. Pretty much, it’s a slam dunk that he wins this match.
Winner: Edge
Maryse vs Gail Kim
Stephen Randle: God, you’d think it was a real title or something, as long as they’ve been holding off on finishing off the tournament. This could have been over and done by the Rumble, but here we are. Obviously Maryse is walking away with the belt, but this is WWE, so it’s for a given value of obvious.
Winner: Maryse
Robert S. Leighty Jr: These two should be able to pull off something decent. My hopes aren’t high, but that gives them room to surprise me. Gail Kim has never been used as one would think in the WWE, and I don’t think they start using her as a focal point now. Maryse has a great character and things would be more interesting with her as the champion.
Winner: Maryse
Chad Nevett: And we get the conclusion to the tournament that’s been going on for far too long finally. Say what you will about TNA, but at least they do their tournaments in single nights when people may actually care. I don’t know why this was dragged out since they obviously want to put the belt on Maryse, a fact everyone knew when the tournament began. Whatever.
Winner and NEW WWE Divas Champion: Maryse
Mathew Sforcina: This has been going on for just so damm long now that I wouldn’t be shocked if this went to a double DQ just to further drag it out. But because of the draginess, I’m going to go out on a limb here. And hey maybe they can then do Double or Nothing at WM, Gail/Mickie V Maryse/McCool…
Winner, and NEW WWE Divas Champion: Gail Kim (Roll up reversal)
Jeremy Thomas: This match feels, by and large, like they have just been bumping it because they didn’t have time. It’s like the old joke about the guy who gets constantly bumped off the Johnny Carson show because he’s the least important one. They didn’t even bother to promote this on the last Raw…or, really, on the last few. Not with any real effort to it. It’s unfortunate because this could have been a good way to push the Butterfly Title a little bit, but instead they had a tournament with piss-poor matches and an obvious conclusion. I’m hopeful that Maryse & Gail can put a positive exclamation point on this dreadful tournament, but by the same token what we’ve seen hasn’t exactly been great. They’ve been pushing Maryse too much to give the belt to Gail, so I have to go with her for the win.
Winner: Maryse (NEW WWE Butterfly Champion)
Michael Weyer: About damn time WWE gave Gail a push. The belt is overdue for a change and we all know Gail can carry the belt so I see a new champion crowned just in time for Mania.
Winner and NEW Divas Champion: Gail Kim
Aaron Hubbard: I stopped caring about the Divas long ago. Gail Kim is a hell of a worker and Maryse has the intangibles that you can’t really teach (arrogance, confidance) and she doesn’t really work out of her comfort zone. This should blow away all the other horrid matches that have been involved in the tournament. Right now, my only logical guess for Mania is a Divas Champion vs. Womens Champion match, and with Mickie as face, that leaves me with one option.
Winner: Maryse
Michael Bauer: I’m not sure where this is going. I mean, I get Maryse trying to be the sweet, smart girl, while trashing Smackdown and trying to be above all the Divas. But I don’t get why this has dragged on for over a month.
Winner: Maryse
Drew McIntyre © vs Kane
Stephen Randle: Speaking of obvious results, I get it, I really do. If you’re going to keep Kane on the roster, you have to keep making him a threat to titles. The fact that he really isn’t doesn’t seem to matter. Anyway, McIntyre’s undefeated streak isn’t going to end at the hands of the Big Red Machine.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Robert S. Leighty Jr: Kane has enough credibility with the fans to stil be seen as a bad ass, and that should give Drew a shot in the arm when he goes over here. It would be nice if they let him go clean over Kane much like Snitsky once did, but I’m not sure we’ll get that. Either way, Drew should retain here and continue his push.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Chad Nevett: I like how the WWE books Kane these days. He’s over no matter what, so he can do small feuds with younger guys and give them some legitimacy when they finally beat him. Add to that, McIntyre is being pushed as undefeated in singles competition and the result here is pretty easy to guess, but satisfying nonetheless.
Winner and STILL Intercontinental Champion: Drew McIntyre
Mathew Sforcina: You know what I’d like? Someone like say Zach Ryder and Rosa to decide to go rogue and start interfering in random matches out of some sort of protest about ECW dying or something. Just out of the blue, they interfere in matches. Would shake things up a little.
Winner, and STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion: Drew McIntyre (Thumb to the Eye into DDT)
Jeremy Thomas: And here we have another last-minute title match. At least we’re getting the title defended on Pay-Per-View though. I don’t see any reason for them to take the title off Drew here, because it would stall his momentum and Kane doesn’t really need the belt. It would be nice to see the Big Red Monster with gold around his waist once more since it’s been almost two years since his last one, but I just don’t see the point of giving it to him here. I think Drew goes over and that helps legitimize him some; I don’t know if this feud will be over here since I could see both men going into Money in the Bank (if they have it) at ‘Mania and battling there.
Winner: Drew McIntyre (STLL WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Michael Weyer: It looks like Kane’s real purpose these days is to push some of the younger guys but that’s not a bad thing. This looks like more of a brawl but don’t see Kane getting a belt anytime soon so Drew manages to retain.
Winner and still Intercontinental Champion: Drew McIntyre
Aaron Hubbard: This makes sense from a booking point. Kane will always be over and can afford to lose, while the Scotsman can elevate his profile by beating him. If the Big Red Machine brings his work boots this could be solid.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Michael Bauer: There is no way in hell (pun intended) that Kane wins here. He doesn’t need the title to be over and the only reason you would consider switching the belt is to put Kane vs. Big Zeke, coming over from ECW. Actually, that’s not a bad idea, but it won’t happen.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
The Undertaker © vs John Morrison vs R-Truth vs Rey Mysterio vs CM Punk vs Chris Jericho – Elimination Chamber Match
Stephen Randle: I’ve been saying it since he won it, but the Undertaker should not enter WrestleMania as the champion, and this is pretty much the last chance. Obviously there’s a spot opening up with the Morrison “injury”, and as Edge proved, if you can force your way into a chamber, the refs apparently decide that it’s not worth the trouble of getting you out and start the match anyway. The party line is that Shawn Michaels will sneak in and cost Taker the title with a well-placed Superkick. Shawn may even get the pin that eliminates Taker. Of course, I suspect he’ll get up, flush with victory, and turn around into a Codebreaker. Then again, if we want it too much, WWE seems to always tend to go another way…
Winner: Chris Jericho
Robert S. Leighty Jr: This should be quite awesome as everyone in this match can go, and Taker will have a lot to work with here. I think Jericho starts this thing with Morrison and they go from there with Taker entering last. Punk and Mysterio should have some nice interaction if they want to build to a Mania match between the two. In the end it would make the most sense to put the strap on Jericho and then build towards Edge/Jericho for Mania.
Winner and New World Champion: Chris Jericho
Chad Nevett: I’m torn between what I want to happen and what I think will happen. What I want to happen is for Chris Jericho to win the belt so he and Edge can main event WrestleMania. What I think will happen is something to allow for the Shawn Michaels/Undertaker rematch that, honestly, I don’t want to see. I’ll go with what I want to happen, because that would be much better. Hopefully, more seeds for a Punk/Mysterio feud will be planted and R-Truth will make a good showing.
Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Chris Jericho
Mathew Sforcina: Let’s see if I can call this. Right before the match, John Morrison is found lying KOed in the back, a steel chair wrapped around his ankle. With Teddy Long too busy dealing with ECW contracts to notice, Shawn Michaels runs out and takes his spot. R-Truth and Jericho start off, CM Punk is in next. Punk eliminates Truth as Rey comes in. Then Shawn comes in. Shawn eliminates Punk as Taker enters. Then Shawn eliminates Rey. Then he thinks Jericho is done (Jericho eats a tombstone on the steel), and finally gets a 123 on Taker. He turns around, Codebreaker, Jericho pins him, giving us Edge/Jericho (Yay!) and HBK/Taker II (Boo!).
Winner, and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Chris Jericho (The Above)
Jeremy Thomas: This match all depends on John Morrison. If they’re going to remove him due to the injury angle, then the most likely candidate is Shawn Michaels and that could totally change the complexion of the match. Shawn would likely eliminate the Dead Man and then get taken out himself, leading to a match for them at ‘Mania. That, I think, would set up a Jericho win, which would lead to Jericho/Edge for the title. If Morrison stays in, then I think that the Dead Man remains champion and they go with Taker/Edge for ‘Mania, then transition Shawn over to a feud with Hunter. My instinct says that it’s going to be Shawn/Taker at ‘Mania, so there you have it. Whatever the result, this should be the better of the two Chamber matches and we’ll have a fun time watching these six guys do battle.
Winner: Chris Jericho (NEW World Heavyweight Champion)
Michael Weyer: I know there will be some sub for Morrison that can shift things up. However, it’s clear they’re going for Taker/Michaels II at Mania so the belt changes hands here. I’d love to see Punk win it as it’d push his straight-edged run and Rey might be a fun choice. However, I’ll bow to what looks like the best bet in Jericho as he’s been built for a while and would be great as champ in Mania.
Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Chris Jericho
Aaron Hubbard: John Morrison’s “injury”, work or otherwise, kills a bit of appeal for me in this match, as I looked forward to what he could do in the environment. Now, either he’ll be selling his injury the whole match (which dould prove dramatic) or won’t be in it at all. R-Truth is a solid hand but is really just there for someone to eliminate. CM Punk and Rey Mysterio will further their issues here but are also just bodies in the long run. This match all comes down to Undertaker and Chris Jericho. If Taker wins, Edge could face the winner of the RAW Chamber (Triple H, Randy Orton or Sheamus), which are unexplored possibilities. However, logic leads to Jericho winning so he and Edge can face off at ‘Mania. The question is, how can Jericho convincingly beat Taker? There’s the gang-up style elimination that they used on Cena last year that could feasibly work. Or, Shawn Michaels, whether he pulls an Edge from last year on Morrison (possibly Truth if they want to play the injury angle for JoMo) or simply interferes in the match at the end, can screw Taker out of the match with some Sweet Chin Music. This sets up the rematch I don’t want to see and Jericho vs. Edge, so that’s what I’ll go with.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Michael Bauer: The plan has to be to setup Edge and Jericho. It’s the money feud and it is the matchup that Wrestlemania needs. Morrison’s ankle deal will come into play and it could be very worthwhile for Michaels to take that spot and set up that Mania as well. Just please don’t let Punk be the first person eliminated.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Sheamus © vs Triple H vs Randy Orton vs John Cena vs Kofi Kingston vs Ted DiBiase – Elimination Chamber Match
Stephen Randle: Well, everything seems to be falling out here to determine the big matches for Mania, with Orton facing DiBiase, Cena going after Batista, and that leaves…Triple H and Sheamus, which has been the popular rumour since he won the title. Levelling HHH with a Celtic Bomb on Raw seems to clinch that, and I suspect they’ll have Sheamus retain here so Triple H can overcome the “dominant monster” champion, who hasn’t had a clean win over a real contender yet, at WrestleMania.
Winner: Sheamus
Robert S. Leighty Jr: Even if the SD chamber looks better on paper, I still have some high hopes for this one. All of these men should do well in this kind of environment as HHH and Cena are pros at this type of match. Kofi will be pulling out some crazy shit, and the interaction between Ted and Randy should be fun. In the end, I see no reason to pull the plug on Sheamus here. Cena/Batista doesn’t need the strap for their Mania match, and really neither does anyone else. Only other scenario I can see is HHH winning and Sheamus getting a rematch at Mania, but I’ll still go with Sheamus retaining here.
Winner and Still WWE Champion: Sheamus
Chad Nevett: On Raw this week, there was a telling stat in their “Did You Know?” feature: no one has won more than one Elimination Chamber match… except for Triple H who has won four. I don’t see Kofi Kingston or Ted DiBiase winning. Randy Orton will most likely feud with DiBiase, Rhodes, or some combination of the two. Cena is being set up for a feud with Batista. That leaves Sheamus and Trips. I think Trips makes it five.
Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Triple H
Mathew Sforcina: I expect this one to end the show, and I expect Dave to somehow fight his way in and continue his rampage. Sheamus will take advantage and keep the title, because god forbid your attempt at a new Vader goes over clean or anything.
Winner, and STILL WWE Champion: Sheamus (DAVE-ferance)
Jeremy Thomas: This may be my less-anticipated Chamber match, but I’m still looking forward to it. We could have a lot of fun with this one, and I can’t wait to see the developments. I think Ted eliminates Orton to push that split, and Kofi gets his win back by knocking Ted out. He’ll also take out Cena out of nowhere which will give him a nice boost, before Hunter takes him out. That’ll bring it down to ‘H vs. Sheamus, and I think Sheamus takes it here but sets up the two of them one-on-one for the title at ‘Mania. I know that a lot of people don’t see Sheamus going into ‘Mania as champ, but the fact is that the ‘E isn’t giving up on this push whether some people like it or not and that’s going to continue at least until the grandest stage of them all. No one else makes sense.
Winner: Sheamus (STILL WWE Heavyweight Champion)
Michael Weyer: The key question: Does WWE have enough faith in Sheamus to have him headline the biggest show of the year? He’s done pretty well so far but HHH, Orton and Cena are all easy choices and DiBiase might pull a surprise. However, even WWE has to realize that those three have dominated the Mania scene a bit too much and a new champ going in at least would be a sign of change. So I think Sheamus manages to pull off the win after letting the others fight each other off and move on to Mania.
Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Sheamus
Aaron Hubbard: Everyone in here is at worst capable, so this could end up surprising people, but I think the Smackdown! Chamber deserves to main event. Let’s look at who won’t win: Kofi Kingston and Ted DiBiase are just bodies. They could break out this year, but they won’t be heading into ‘Mania as champion. Orton and Cena could presumably win. Cena has a program with Batista, Vince and Bret waiting for him, and the title could be added to the mix just to put it more over the top, but it’s unnecessary. Orton could win and face Edge, with whom he has history and chemistry, leaving DiBiase and Rhodes to settle their issues on the undercard, but I think he’ll be wrestling (and beating) DiBiase at ‘Mania. So, that leaves Sheamus and Triple H. There are a few ways to go with this. Sheamus wins, and battles Edge or Triple H at ‘Mania in what will be a huge dissappointment. Or Triple H wins, and fights Edge at Mania (hey, it’s fresh) or Orton (I know, I know). Or Triple H wins and he and Shawn Michaels fight at Wrestlemania (what I’m hoping for), or Triple H wins and Sheamus gets a rematch, freeing up Shawn to work with Taker. Edge’s return, as sweet as it is, threw a huge monkey wrench in the thing, as Sheamus is practically guaranteed to be in one of the four biggest matches, either against Triple H, Edge, or Taker. I don’t like either option. However, Triple H winning has the most viable options, so I’ll go with him. Besides, it’s Triple H in an Elimination Chamber, are you really going to bet against him?
Winner: Triple H
Michael Bauer: The main question here is whether or not it is better for HHH to challenge Sheamus for HHH to be champion heading into Mania. I ask this because this match almost feel like a repeat of HHH vs. Booker T, especially if Triple H is champion. So I think it has to go to Sheamus here.
Winner: Sheamus
411 on Twitter!
http://www.twitter.com/411mania
http://www.twitter.com/411wrestling
http://www.twitter.com/411moviestv
http://www.twitter.com/411music
http://www.twitter.com/411games
http://www.twitter.com/411mma
