For 12 superstars, the only thing standing between them and a guaranteed spot at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas is the most unforgiving structure in professional wrestling, the Elimination Chamber.
So per tradition I like to think of these matches in terms of a power rankings ahead of the actual matches March 1. I’ll breakdown both mens and women’s matches, ranking them from 6 to 1, which will act as my predictions on how each competitor will fare in Toronto. Ultimately #1 in each ranking will be my pick to win the opportunity to go to WrestleMania.
Men’s Elimination Chamber
6 Damian Priest
Talk about just how loaded this field is, that Priest, a former World Heavyweight Champion, is in the 6 spot. For Damian Priest, he’s still trying to figure his way back into the main event title picture since Finn Balor screwed him out of his championship against Gunther at SummerSlam. A win here would do that, but I just don’t see that happening.
5 Drew McIntyre
Sure, Drew is doing some of his finest work over the last year, and a program with him and Cody Rhodes on the road to WrestleMania would be fun. The promo work alone would be top-notch. That said, there is something so fun about Drew getting screwed out of a big-time spot, and the man I’ve got at 4 will have a hand in just that. So, better luck next time Drew.
4 Logan Paul
The Maverick isn’t much of a fan favorite by any stretch, so a deep run in the Chamber could put a damper on the match. Now, could I see them having it come down to Logan Paul in the last two and making us the fans sweat out his ultimate elimination? Yes. That’s not what I am manifesting here, though. A solid showing where Paul is the 1st in and lasts awhile but he eliminates Drew and that spawns a program for them, is ultimately where my head’s at. Paul does have some issues with CM Punk now as well. Logan will have a massive target on his back Saturday, I think he prefers it that way. That doesn’t mean it’s a great strategy.
3 Seth Freakin Rollins
This is tough for me to put Rollins here, as at some point he needs to get the leg up on CM Punk. Rollins has been spiraling ever since losing to Punk on the debut Raw on Netflix show, and I don’t see that stopping here. Rollins will have to find another way to Mania as well as figure out his Punk problem.
2 CM Punk
How ironic that Punk’s last shot to reach the Main Event WrestleMania this year comes in the same year John Cena is on his farewell tour. Will Punk coming up just short once again cause him to take his ball and go home, as Seth Rollins brings up all the time? I don’t think so. It would be an epic way to end the Chamber match if it came down to Punk and Cena as the last two left and Cena somehow pulled out the upset. Talk about some long-term storytelling cinema.
1 John Cena
After coming up short at the Royal Rumble, finishing 2nd to Jey Uso, Cena declared he would be in the Chamber Match, knowing this is his last opportunity to be in the Main Event of WrestleMania. They wouldn’t possibly take this moment away would they? Rhodes vs Cena at Mania is an epic marquee match that we all want to see happen. So don’t get too cute on us, WWE – make the match happen. I’m here for a Cena win at Mania, then CM Punk, who was just slighted, challenges him at MITB for said championship. Tell me that wouldn’t rule!
Women’s Elimination Chamber Match
6 Naomi
Naomi always shows out in these opportunities, yet they rarely let Naomi win these high-profile chances. It’s unfortunate because she’s fantastic, but ultimately Naomi has other things on horizon, as I expect the return of Jade Cargill sooner than later.
5 Bayley
The Role Model has been on a run as of late, appearing on seemingly every show and sprinkled in a NBA Celebrity All-Star Game appearance as well. It’s odd putting a future first-ballot Hall of Famer this low on a list for a championship, but a certain Prodigy has been giving Bayley a problem, which may cause her an early exit at the Chamber.
4 Alexa Bliss
Welcome back Alexa, you have been missed. Bliss returned at this year’s Royal Rumble, though she came up short in punching her ticket to the big dance. While Bliss and Rhea Ripley or Iyo Sky would be a fresh matchup for Mania, I don’t think we are quite ready to make that leap considering she has just returned. It feels like an opportunity to remind everyone just how good the “Five Feet of Furry” is.
3 Roxanne Perez
She will 100 percent eliminate Bayley from this match, thus furthering their storyline. I’d love to see Bayley and Roxanne Perez at WrestleMania. Coming off the heels of being the Iron Women of the Royal Rumble, I expect Perez to have another big showing as they look to continue to push her to the moon!
2 Liv Morgan
Half of the new Women’s Tag Team Champions has all that history with Rhea Ripley, so it would make sense for them to run it back one more time. I ultimately don’t think they will do that, as the Liv/Rhea fatigue is still there, for me at least. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate their feud; it was just long, and I think it’s too quick to go back to the well. That said, I can’t rule it out as a real possibility. Everything is already built in.
1 Bianca Belair
Losing the Tag Team Championships on Monday now frees up the EST for other things. Those “other things” of which I speak include giving us a a Women’s World Championship match at WrestleMania against Rhea Ripley. Who says no to that? It’s two of your greatest non Horsewomen talent on the roster. This would be a great way to showcase that the future is bright as ever in the women’s division! Plus you throw in their NXT history, and we are off to the races for what could be a very special match.
There it is folks, from six to one on both sides of the coin. I know on the women’s side I erred on the side of Rhea winning her championship match against Iyo Sky the day after Chamber. I’m going to just assume she retains. Honestly though, if Iyo does win, I don’t think I’d change much on the women’s side. Anyways, how did I do? Do you agree with my rankings? Let me know in the comments and as always keep it right here on Love Wrestling for more of my writings and much more!
