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WWE Elimination Chamber 2018 is nearly upon us. Find out how the Daily DDT staff pictures the event unfolding.
We’re full steam ahead on the Road to WrestleMania. Next stop: WWE Elimination Chamber 2018.
Since the Royal Rumble went off the air, WWE has been moving towards the Grandest Stage of All. But Brock Lesnar is without a challenger for the Universal Championship. So the final Raw-exclusive pay per view event for the foreseeable future is built around someone stepping up to The Beast at WrestleMania.
In the first of two Elimination Chamber matches, seven – yes, seven – of the top male superstars from Raw will step inside the demonic structure. Going strictly by entry into the match, it would seem Elias has the edge, as he’ll enter last. Meanwhile, The Miz enters first, so his odds go down drastic. Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, John Cena, and Roman Reigns are all also a part of the match.
The other Chamber match is the first ever Women’s Elimination Chamber Match. As of this writing, six women are slated to enter. Alexa Bliss, current Raw Women’s Champion, puts the title on the line. Her possible new BFF – Mickie James – is also entering. Speaking of friends, Sasha Banks and Bayley will continue to put their rocky friendship to the test in the Chamber. And Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose of Absolution are the final two participants.
The rest of the Elimination Chamber card is surprisingly thin for this close to show time. Asuka’s undefeated streak is on the line against Nia Jax. And Bray Wyatt and “Woken” Matt Hardy continue their lackluster rivalry. Maybe there’s a Tag Team Title match? Plus, Ronda Rousey officially signs her Raw contract to join the flagship show. Gee, nothing could go wrong there!
Now, it’s time for the Daily DDT staff to make our predictions. We’re a pretty varied bunch, so we gave everyone the option to give their two cents about the Chmaber. Some contributors talked about the whole card, others just on a match or two.
Let’s see what the Daily DDT writers think about WWE Elimination Chamber 2018.
“Woken” Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt
Jack Clayton: It’s the feud that keeps on going! Bray Wyatt vs Broken Matt Hardy was the match that so many hardcore wrestling fans have been dying to see. So far there have only been weird promos, interference in each others matches, and one rough match at Raw 25. And now with a match at Elimination Chamber, it may be the match that fans are least looking forward to. So how do they fix that? By ending the match in a draw. These finishes don’t tend to do well with the fans, but by doing this, it allows a match at WrestleMania between the two, and a possible return for Jeff Hardy.
Warren Hayes: They need to kick this feud into high gear right now because WWE creative seem to have no clue as to what made Broken Matt so good and memorable. And I think they may have something taped for WrestleMania from the Hardy compound. If that is the case, then I think Bray goes over here. But my goodness this feud needs a proper shot in the arm.
Bryan Heaton: It will be a WONDERFUL day at THE CHAMBER OF ELEEMEENAYSHUN! The CONSUMER OF TERRESTRIAL ENTITIES will prove no match for the great warrior’s WOKEN WISDOM, AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAOHOHOHOHOHYAAAAAAAAAAAS *teeth chomp* (uh, Hardy wins).
Christopher Jeter: This feud should mean so much more. Wyatt should mean so much more. Hardy should mean so much more. Wyatt won the first match on RAW last month, so I’m picking “Woken” Matt to score the clean fall here and set up a rubber match at WrestleMania. Hopefully WWE has something big in mind (A match at the Hardy compound?) outside of these two laughing at one another like Two-Face and the Riddler in Batman Forever.
Trace Johnson: Matt needs to go over here. His character has lost momentum as of late, and let’s be honest, it doesn’t matter if Wyatt wins or loses anymore given how the WWE has butchered his character over the past few years. “Woken Matt” will DELETE The Eater Of Worlds.
Titus Worldwide (Titus O’Neil & Apollo) vs. The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro)
Jack Clayton: The Bar are one of the most dominant tag teams on Raw currently, if not ever. More than likely they will carry the tag team titles into WrestleMania with them, so there’s no need to worry about them losing them anytime soon. Their match with Titus Worldwide will more than likely be a fine match, but in the end, Sheamus and Cesaro will show everyone once again that they don’t just set the bar, they are The Bar.
Bryan Heaton: Not only will this match take place on the main Elimination Chamber card, it’s going to be a low key great match. The two Chamber matches are by design going to be ridiculous spot fests and the likely best matches of the night. But The Bar are great, and Titus Worldwide is on a major hot streak. With any tag title matches at WrestleMania likely being three or more teams deep (think the ladder match last year), there’s no reason not to have Titus Worldwide walk into NOLA with the gold. Let them win at the Chamber, and then The Bar, The Revival, and The Balor Club can all challenge at Mania. I mean, you took away half of Apollo’s name, can’t the guy catch a break?
Trace Johnson: It’s cool to see Titus Worldwide finally getting some traction, but let’s be real, they have no chance of winning this match. Sheamus and Cesaro will retain, but hopefully Titus and Apollo look good in the process because Raw’s tag team division needs more depth.
Asuka vs. Nia Jax
Jack Clayton: This match is a bit tricky to predict, simply because the stakes for it are so high. Either Nia Jax, the Irresistable Force will end up on her back for the pin, or Asuka’s undefeated streak will be broken. In reality, this match is too close to call. What will most likely end up happening is Nia will dominate the entire match. But somehow someway, Asuka will pick up the victory. But don’t count Nia out yet. She will more than likely be used at WrestleMania still.
Warren Hayes: [chant]
Asuka’s gonna wi-in
Asuka’s gonna wi-in
Asuka’s gonna wi-in
Asuka’s gonna wi-in
Bryan Heaton: Here’s something I wouldn’t be surprised at one bit: Nia Jax wins, ending Asuka’s streak at a B-show. It’s right out of the WWE playbook, a totally illogical swerve just to prove they know what’s best. Shenanigans could be involved, but I think Jax could win, earning her a potential championship opportunity. Meanwhile, Asuka heads over to SmackDown, possibly after some snarky comments from Charlotte Flair.
Sarah Hirsch: This is more of a filler match, as both women needed something to do. With that being said, I’d like to see a great match come out of it. I believe Asuka takes the win, increasing her momentum heading into WrestleMania.
Christopher Jeter: Their last match ended in a ref stoppage; a finish meant to protect Jax’s monster aura and Asuka’s undefeated record. With WrestleMania implications, I expect a more decisive finish here. WWE will still protect Jax, but I’m picking Asuka to win via pinfall and retain her title match at Mania. I expect her to move to SmackDown to challenge Charlotte Flair for the Tuesday Night Women’s Title, leaving a spot open for Jax on Raw.
Trace Johnson: Nia Jax has been impressive lately and needs a marquee WrestleMania match, but it doesn’t need to come at the expense of the hottest woman on the roster right now. Asuka needs her undefeated streak intact heading into WrestleMania and she will defeat Jax in what should be a very good match.
Joe Soriano: It’s Asuka. Don’t overthink this one. That said, I hope Nia Jax kills it and has her best performance in WWE to date. These two could steal the show.
Women’s Elimination Chamber Match
Jack Clayton: Say what you will about Alexa Bliss, but she is definitely a fighting champion. Although she must defend her title against five other tough women, nobody should count the Goddess out quite yet. Sure she may not have the cleanest win, but it’ll be a win nonetheless. Expect alongside her win some possible feuds to be set up (Sasha/Bayley?) and some incredible spots. But ultimately, Bliss will retain and take her title into WrestleMania to defend against Asuka.
Warren Hayes: Alexa Bliss is walking out of the match with her title and will have her WrestleMania moment as Raw Women’s Champion. Seriously, she’s been the face of the Raw women’s division and one of the only properly booked ladies on the roster. She deserves it.
Bryan Heaton: At one point, the logical end game for the Raw Women’s Championship would have been for Nia Jax to “turn” on her “BFF” Alexa Bliss. But that’s been stopped and started so many times over the past few months, it would be a major let down if it happened. And sad as it is to say, the Women’s Championship is probably the fourth most important thing in the Raw Women’s Division (Rousey, Asuka’s streak, Banks/Bayley ahead, in my opinion). There’s no reason for Bliss to retain in the Elimination Chamber. So of course, Alexa Bliss will retain on Sunday.
Sarah Hirsch: This match will be the women’s biggest test, and I am excited to see what they come up with. Between Asuka’s build and the Ronda Rousey rumors, and the tension building between Sasha Banks and Bayley, I believe Alexa Bliss will find a way to retain the Raw Women’s Championship. Her ring awareness and resourcefulness will play a part in her victory.
Christopher Jeter: This, along with the men’s chamber, will take up most of the PPV runtime. There are a few more interesting subplots in this match. Bayley and Sasha Banks have issues. Mickie James and Alexa Bliss have a rocky alliance. Absolution will probably work as a team to try and earn the Women’s Title. In the end, I’m picking Alexa Bliss to retain her championship. I think she’ll usurp Paige as Absolution’s leader in WWE’s attempt to reinvigorate her somewhat stale heel character (seriously Vince, just turn her face). Plus, arming Bliss with two henchwomen gives projected WrestleMania opponent Nia Jax obstacles to knock over.
Trace Johnson: Honestly, there are a few that could be great candidates to win this match. But I expect Alexa Bliss to retain her title and defeat the odds to potentially set up a WrestleMania match with Nia Jax assuming Asuka goes after Charlotte’s SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Joe Soriano: To me, it comes down to just two superstars, and they are Alexa Bliss and Sasha Banks. While I could see Bliss retaining, her time as champion should end. Her promos have been excellent and she had a great run as a champ in 2017, but it’s hard to see a heel champion with so few recent title defenses retaining. Maybe they’ve been saving Nia Jax vs. Bliss for a reason, but the trail has gone cold. Sasha Banks is the star of the Raw Women’s Division, and she should have a big moment, winning the title at Elimination Chamber. She’s been in big moments before, such as a Hell in a Cell match and an Iron-Woman match against Charlotte Flair, but she’s never won in those big moments. Banks could feud with Bayley, Asuka, or even Bliss again at WrestleMania.
Men’s Elimination Chamber Match
Jack Clayton: Come on, at this point, we all know it. We have known for a year that Roman Reigns is going to face Brock Lesnar and beat him for his Universal Championship at WrestleMania. At this point, it’s old news. But that doesn’t mean that it can’t be a fun match. There’s bound to be plenty of spots throughout the match, and its certain to not disappoint. But in the end, the Big Dog will leave the Chamber victorious.
Warren Hayes: Roman’s winning this one. I know a lot of people are banking on some kind of swerve because of Seth’s performance last Monday but it’s too late for WWE to mix it up now. They need to focus on making this Reigns/Lesnar main event something special, otherwise this entire year of Lesnar holding the belt will be pretty anticlimactic.
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Bryan Heaton: Look, we know the Roman Reigns coronation at WrestleMania is basically a forgone conclusion at this point. As much as I’d love to see Strowman/Lesnar at Mania, it ain’t happening (Kane’s going to cost Braun on Sunday, guaranteed). Elias isn’t ready yet, I’m sure Cena is heading back to SmackDown, The Miz has the Intercontinental Championship – and likely Finn Balor to feud with – and Seth Rollins is in position to be The Man after Mania. So Roman it is, whether you like it or not (I like it, honestly).
Sarah Hirsch: We will see seeds planted for various Mania matches. It is heavily rumored that Roman Reigns will win this match and go on to face Lesnar. If it were up to me, I would love to see Finn Balor win. Balor seems to be on a steady climb, and will be a welcomed surprise to face Brock Lesnar in New Orleans.
Christopher Jeter: I’m sure that all seven men will perform some memorable spots (well, maybe not Elias) and the match itself looks pretty good on paper. Finn Balor or Braun Strowman will probably eliminate Miz to set up an I.C. Title match at WrestleMania. Rollins will have another great showing. Strowman will fling grown men around like darts. It should be a lot of fun provided the match doesn’t overstay its welcome (very possible with a four match card). I’m not foolish enough to think than anyone but Roman Reigns is going to win this match. His match with Brock Lesnar is almost set in stone, so I expect him to get his win back over Rollins to advance to WrestleMania.
Trace Johnson: The first-ever seven-man Elimination Chamber match should be a great match, but the result seems very predictable. I’ll be shocked if anyone other than Roman Reigns wins, so The Big Dog will emerge victorious to challenge Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania for the Universal Championship.
Joe Soriano: I could see Braun Strowman winning. I really could. Hell, I could see Seth Rollins winning after his performance on Monday Night Raw. But at the end of the day, I can’t bet against Roman Reigns. The man has won too many big matches, and the WWE might as well just do Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 34 to tie up all the loose ends. An Elimination Chamber match is exactly the type of match that Roman can shine in, so here’s to hoping for a match that is even better than the 2017 EC bout.
Next: WWE Elimination Chamber 2018: Official Predictions
Who do you think has the right idea heading into WWE Elimination Chamber 2018?