WWE Elimination Chamber 2021: First card predictions after the Royal Rumble

Big E (c) vs. Sami Zayn vs. Apollo Crews for the Intercontinental Championship

Based on what we have seen unfold before our eyes on SmackDown lately, we are headed for a Triple Threat-type feud for the Intercontinental Championship. Expect we have an upgrade from the AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, and Sami Zayn rivalry in the Fall with Big E and Apollo Crews now in the upper mid-card singles picture on Friday nights.

E looks poised to have a very lengthy run as the Intercontinental Champion, and this will both restore the belt’s prestige – which Zayn has already helped greatly on the mic over the past several months – and prepare him for an eventual WrestleMania 38 triumph over an undefeated Tribal Chief. (At least, that’s what I think will happen.)

That said, Big E can’t overlook the competition for one second. Crews has been associated with Reigns recently, taking advice from SmackDown’s resident mob boss. He is ambitious, talented, and hungry. Having been overlooked for far too long, Crews is a real candidate to dethrone Big E at some point.

I do think E retains, and I think we get a classic. Zayn had a terrific ladder match for this very title not long ago, and I think these three men help Zayn add another classic to his resume. A great match would do wonders for E’s stock as the former NXT Champion continues his quest to become a main roster world champion.

Prediction: Big E