WrestleMania 33, WWE.com
3 Wrestlemania 33 matches that the 2017 Elimination Chamber can create.
WWE’s annual Elimination Chamber tends to be a very important match for the near future of the company. 13 times in the history of the structure a world championship has been on the line and of those 13, 7 times the title has changed hands. Suffice to say, the chamber almost always has serious ramifications. Since the event became it’s very own pay per view in 2010 all but once it has taken place in February and therefore helped shape each upcoming Wrestlemania. It is now back before WrestleMania 33.
2017 will be no different. When Randy Orton and John Cena were both victorious at the Royal Rumble last month, most fans assumed that there had to be some kind of shake-up ahead. I mean, can they really go through with this match again? We’ve seen numerous Orton/Cena programs over the past decade and with the level of budding talent currently on the roster is it possible that Wrestlemania 33 will be the SummerSlam 2007 retread? I’m going to cross my fingers and put my trust into the hands of the WWE creative team when I say no, it will not be a straight up singles match between Orton and Cena at the biggest show of the year. In fact, I predict that Cena leaves the Chamber without his title.
With all 6 participants primed for a good 2017, this match ought to be a lot of fun and could produce magic. And will any other matches on the show parlay into future feuds? I think so. Ahead we break down 3 matches the 2017 Elimination Chamber can create for Wrestlemania 33.
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3. The Revival vs American Alpha
I know, I know. This is a reach. And I actually predicted that Wilder and Dawson would debut at the Royal Rumble and was dead wrong about that. But this makes even more sense. And although there has been absolutely zero buzz about the duo being called up, it would be in the company’s best interest to do so. The only area that Smackdown is struggling in right now is the tag team division. The 5 teams that are challenging for the Smackdown tag titles in the tag team turmoil match Sunday are a combined 24-100 in 2016 (cagematch.net). Not exactly a crop of emerging contenders. There is no better time than now to bring in the best team in the company.
To add to it, these two teams have history. They waged war on each other through last summer, trading the NXT tag titles back and forth and putting on classic matches along the way. Their battle at NXT TakeOver: The End last June ranked number 10 in my top 15 matches of 2016 which you can read here. What a much-needed shot of life for the blue brand. Also take into account that The Revival has been off TV for over a month now. You don’t put a team like this on the bench unless you have a big time plan for them. I believe that plan begins Sunday. Look for American Alpha to win but take a surprise beat down from the debuting Dash and Dawson.
This could very easily be a tag team championship match at Wrestlemania and the type of match that could steal that show. These are two of the very best teams in all of the WWE and worthy of a spot on the grand stage. And again, there has been no speculation of The Revival showing up, but I have a gut feeling. Look for these to rekindle their scintillating rivalry.
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2. Dean Ambrose vs Baron Corbin
The foundation for this feud has already been laid. The two seem to be finding each other each week recently on Smackdown Live, most notably on the blow-off show before the chamber when Corbin pinned the Intercontinental champion in a fatal 4-way match. If past history tells a story, that usually means that Corbin won’t be successful inside the cage on Sunday. But expect a strong showing. The WWE seems to see The Lone Wolf as a future star, evidenced by his near-perfect run on Smackdown and his strong showing at the Royal Rumble, lasting over 30 minutes and eliminating Braun Strowman in the process.
Now as bright as the future looks for Corbin, he doesn’t appear quite ready for a world championship program. A feud for a mid-level belt against a former world champion seems like the perfect match-up right now. Ambrose, coming off a solid world title reign is still red-hot with the crowd. A program with Corbin would not only be encapsulating, it’s the type of feud that could span a number of months and work for a slew of different types of matches. Can you picture an Ambrose vs. Corbin No Holds Barred match? One word: mayhem.
This is the type of feud that could elevate both guys. In Corbin coming out of Wrestlemania 33 with the belt after an absolute war with The Lunatic Fringe, it’ll prove that he’s the future while still proving that Ambrose is where the bar is set. This could a lot of fun.
Credit: WWE.com
1. Bray Wyatt vs Randy Orton vs John Cena
I’m calling it now. Wyatt wins the Elimination Chamber. Well, maybe not calling it. Praying would probably be the better term. But just think of the story lines a Wyatt win could produce. First off, it eliminates the god-awful idea of Cena versus Orton straight up. Sure they’d still be in the match and with a combined 28 world titles between them, that’s some serious resumes involved. But throwing in a guy that has looked like a future superstar for the past 4 years would not only be refreshing but for Wyatt, way overdue.
This has the potential of being an extremely engaging feud. The narrative for Cena is quite simple. Another world title win marks number 17, a new record surpassing the illustrious Ric Flair. But for Orton and Wyatt, a world championship changes everything between them. The tandem has become not only one of the most feared duos in the WWE but Orton’s new found allegiance to The Eater of Worlds has turned him even more vicious and has revitalized his career. Would his devotion to Bray change if the WWE Championship was the grand prize? It’s a story that could have so many layers.
No one would bat an eye over the prospect of a Wyatt/Cena/Orton WWE Championship match at Mania. And imagine if Wyatt wins? That’s the type of win that could launch a career to the next level and Wyatt is more than ready for that. So Sunday will tell a lot of about the future of the WWE title. Will the company truthfully go through with a Randy Orton/John Cena match or will they do what’s best for the future and elevate Wyatt? I’m hoping for the best here but I just have this strange feeling that it’s Bray’s time. And if it is, the WWE’s future will be in very good, if not twisted hands.