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WWE will present The Elimination Chamber this Saturday on ESPN Unlimited and Netflix from Chicago, Illinois with a 7:00 PM Eastern start time for the show. Here is what we think will happen.
Women's Elimination Chamber Match: Alexa Bliss vs Rhea Ripley vs Kiana James vs Tiffany Stratton vs Asuka vs Raquel Rodriguez
Dave: When I look at the list of names, I think of it from a storyline perspective. Sure, they have Rhea win and put her in the Title match and that would be fine, but I like that right now while clearly being atop the division, she doesn't need to be in the Title picture. I would rather her and Iyo Sky give another team a top match at WrestleMania. If they decide to go with Raquel and have her choose to make Stephanie Vaquer's match a three way (credit to Mike Eps), that would be interesting for sure. But to me, the one who has the most history with Jade is also the one who should win here. It's time to get Tiffany Stratton back on track.
Mike: What's the biggest spectacle you could do with Jade at Wrestlemania? Rhea Ripley. Those two facing off just feels like a WWE Wrestlemania bout. So, I'm going with my gut, which is Rhea wins. I'm really excited to see what Kiana James gets to do with her slot here. It's a big opportunity for her.
Richard: I think there are two options for the winner of this match to give us the best possible match against Jade Cargill at Wrestlemania, Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez. Alexa would be my third pick, but I cannot see a match between her and Jade work. Asuka would be next, but I don't know what will happen if it is her and Jade. Tiffany had that match with Jade in November and that was enough. Kiana is in this match in the same position as Je'Von and Trick, to show that she belongs with the top talent and not get pushed down the card. If Kiana has a strong performance in this match, does she pass Giulia in the hierarchy of that team? I don't know if there will be a 'holy s***' spot in this match, but it might be the better 'technical' match than the men's. I think it comes down to a pairing among Asuka, Rhea, or Raquel. I think the best match for Jade would be Raquel. This could also accelerate the split of the Judgment Day since Raquel will be on Smackdown while Liv and Dom are on Raw. I was a little disappointed that Charlotte did not qualify for this match because I think her and Alexa is a match that is going to happen at Mania.
Men's Elimination Chamber Match: Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton vs LA Knight vs Trick Williams vs Logan Paul vs Je'Von Evans
Dave: Mike asked on the show who else I could make a case for other than Cody. I immediately talked myself into Randy Orton. First off, Randy and Drew would be fresh, unlike Cody vs. Drew. Secondly, Randy has repeatedly said that he wants to win another Title. Beyond that, I think WWE realizes that they are putting Cody in a position where he wins too much and it has become kind of Cena-like with him. I think it's time for him to have to start another story, so to speak. Like Rhea, he doesn't need the Title. He is that over. And, any match he is in at Mania is like a Title match just because he is wrestling in it. With that said, if I had to bet on it, I would bet on Cody.
Mike: It has to be Cody, right? Even with the late Logan Paul twist so that he can take what would have been Bronson Reed's slot, I can't imagine anyone but Cody coming out of this and facing Drew. Really interested in seeing what Trick Williams and Je'Von Evans are able to do here as well as they are fresh faces getting big opportunities here. It is their ball to drop in terms of performances, just as it's Kiana's ball to drop in the Women's Chamber.
Richard: There are only two people who I can see winning this match, Cody Rhodes or Randy Orton. I think LA Knight is the only other person who can be justified, but it is a longshot. Then I would put Jey, followed by Trick and Je'Von. I think for Je'Von and Trick, the most important thing is how well they do in the match and if they can hang with the other four, it will mean more for them than winning or being the final eliminated. While Cody and Drew might be the best possible match at Mania, I think Randy's quest to get closer to Cena's total is more compelling to build in the seven weeks leading into Mania. The spot I expect to see in this match is Je'Von doing the 'Lince Dorado' spot and climb to the top of the chamber and then drop down into a cutter to eliminate someone. I don't want to see it, but maybe Jacob Fatu shows up when someone is eliminated to enter the chamber and take out Cody (and set up a match for them at Mania). The winner of this match should not be forced into a multi person match at Mania for the title. Randy and Drew will be a nice way to end Saturday's Mania show.
Men's World Championship Match: CM Punk vs Finn Balor
Dave: This should be a great match. I don't expect them to have Punk lose, especially in Chicago, and then have to do some tap dancing to get back to Punk vs. Roman. So to me, the story will be the most important part of the match. What will Finn do? What will The Judgment Day do? Where will it all stand after Punk retains?
Mike: There is zero chance Punk loses here. I do suspect Judgement Day gets involved against Balor's wishes to continue the build to that implosion.
Richard: This has a chance to be one of the best matches that you will see where you know the winner of the match before it starts. There is no way, outside of an injury or major mistake, that we are deviating from Roman and Punk in Vegas. The bigger story out of this match is not Finn vs Punk, but Finn and the next step in leaving the Judgment Day. It will be the best match of the show and Finn and Punk will give everything in the ring. Finn will get a few near falls in the match, but Punk will finish him off with a GTS. My only wish for the match is that JD and Dom do not get involved in this match in any way.
Women's Intercontinental Championship Match: Becky Lynch vs AJ Lee
Dave: I am looking forward to this, to see how AJ does after so much time off. I am pretty sure it will be just fine. I don't want to see her win the belt in her first match back. The story ill be built in the chase. I expect Becky to win by nefarious means and they face off again at WrestleMania.
Mike: I suspect a title change here with Becky crashing out before getting it back at Mania.
Richard: This might be the only match on this card where there is not a definite winner and that is a good thing. It would make sense for AJ to win the title and then have Becky go off the result and they run it back at Wrestlemania. They have done a decent job of having Becky trying to suggest that this will be the end of her career, but Becky can be so overconfident that she makes the mistake that will cost her.
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