WWE SmackDown Predictions: Samoa Joe Runs The Gauntlet

Credit: WWE.com

1. Samoa Joe Wins the Gauntlet Match to Determine Who Becomes the Last Entrant in Elimination Chamber

Speaking of true contenders, how about Samoa Joe last week? He absolutely left his mark on the show, as he attacked practically every one of his Elimination Chamber opponents throughout the episode.

Joe is undeniably one of the best heels in WWE today. He’s great on the mic, and always finds a way to present himself as a dangerous threat. Basically, he’s the perfect person to enter last in the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match.

Joe is one of the only superstars who I could legitimately see defeating Daniel Bryan on Sunday, along with A.J. Styles, meaning he deserves a spotlight all his own.

Styles, for his part, will likely be one of the first two competitors in the match given his extraordinary stamina and ability to create exciting action with just about anyone.

That makes Daniel Bryan, who I would consider the only other potential winner and likely odds-on favorite, as the only one without a noteworthy position in the match. Considering the profile his status as the reigning champion brings, that seems about the best situation WWE could put all of these competitors in.

Back to the gauntlet itself however, that all basically means I suspect the bulk of the gauntlet to be dominated by 1 of those 3 competitors.

Mustafa Ali will likely also receive a solid showing, considering he’s someone who shouldn’t receive a short exit due to being one of the brand’s top up-and-comers.

Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy, on the other hand, will probably be the most forgettable of the bunch as they really don’t need any push or noteworthy spotlight headed into this weekend.

No matter what happens in this gauntlet match though, it certainly makes for a good way to bring some excitement and intrigue to the usually mundane go-home show formula for SmackDown.