WWE Elimination Chamber 2015 preview
WWE presents a Network exclusive Sunday with Elimination Chamber.
While the PG era of WWE dictates it won’t be the bloodbath of previous years, this looks like it could be a fun show with several intriguing match-ups. Here’s how I see this all breaking down.
Neville vs. Bo Dallas
I’m glad to see their NXT history being used as the basis for this feud. Bo needs the win more, but Neville is a guy that WWE has to keep treating like a big deal. Losing to Bo Dallas doesn’t accomplish that.
Prediction: Neville
Elimination Chamber for tag team title [New Day (c) vs. Ascension vs. Prime Time Players vs. Los Matadores vs. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro vs. Lucha Dragons]
On one hand I’m thrilled WWE has devoted enough effort to have enough tag teams on the roster to put into a Chamber match. On the other, the Kidd/Cesaro and New Day feud has been so much fun I’d just as soon that rivalry continue rather than cram a bunch of other teams in the mix too.
New Day doesn’t need the loss right now so I wouldn’t let them drop the belts, but there’s a way to keep their momentum and firmly establish Kidd and Cesaro as the undisputed No. 1 contenders. If I booked it, Kidd and Cesaro would prove their dominance of the division by eliminating the four teams before losing to New Day in some fluke fashion.
Prediction: New Day
Elimination Chamber for Intercontinental title [Sheamus vs. Bray Wyatt vs. King Barrett vs. R-Truth vs. Ryback vs. Dolph Ziggler]
Had he not gotten injured, Rusev would easily be my choice to win this one. Now it’s slightly more up for grabs. The only thing that’s for certain is R-Truth has no shot of winning. I could make a strong case for Wyatt, Ryback and Ziggler, but with John Cena as the U.S. Champ, the midcard faces need a heel to go after. Sheamus would be the best option as it keeps his momentum moving forward and he has the most credibility to be the champ unlike the spotty win/loss record of Barrett and Wyatt.
Prediction: Sheamus
John Cena vs. Kevin Owens [Champion vs. Champion]
This is a tricky match as neither guy needs to lose at this point. Owens can’t afford a loss to Cena as it would essentially lend full credence to the notion that Cena is better than the best of NXT after already having defeated Sami Zayn. And the NXT champ shouldn’t take his first pin fall against anyone even if it is Cena.
Problem is if Owens gets the win WWE has its developmental territory champ beating the U.S. champ and NXT would look like a step down for him. WWE rarely uses them anymore but this match is begging for a time limit draw to tease a longer full-fledged feud in the future.
Prediction: Non-finish (DQ or count out)
Paige vs. Nikki Bella (c) vs. Naomi for the Divas championship
Competition in the Divas division is heating up and it’s time to move the belt off of Nikki in preparation for the NXT women’s promotion to the main roster. While I’d love to see Naomi get the win, it’s more likely that Paige picks up the victory and the title.
Prediction: Paige
Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins for WWE World Title
Next month’s pay-per-view is Money in the Bank, which marked the start of Rollins’ ascension to the top of the roster. The man he finally best out to earn the coveted briefcase? Dean Ambrose.
If I’m booking, I’m building to a MITB rematch between the two former Shield mates — the final conflict. If Ambrose loses he can’t face Rollins in a one-on-one match for a year. This also provides them some buffer time away from each other in the event of a future Shield reunion.
For now though, I’m thinking Rollins wins after a lot of help from The Authority in such controversial fashion that Ambrose has a valid reason to risk it all for one more match.
Prediction: Rollins
