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

Sasha Banks (c) vs. Natalya for the SmackDown Women’s Championship

Before the Royal Rumble Pay Per View, I predicted a couple of opponents for Sasha Banks at the Pay Per View. While I wasn’t surprised at all to see WWE go with the most logical option – a third match against Carmella – I wouldn’t be surprised either if WWE decide to select another one of my three candidates for the Elimination Chamber.

Since I don’t think Roman Reigns will defend his title at the Elimination Chamber, one of SmackDown’s two mainstream superstar champions needs to be present in a match. And Sasha Banks still has a couple of opponents she can face before WrestleMania 37, where Bianca Belair presumably awaits her.

Natalya was the No. 30 entrant in the Royal Rumble after earning her spot with a win over Tamina, and she ended up in the Final Four before Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, and the EST fought it out in epic, flashback fashion.

I’m not sure if Ripley has been called up yet, though I assume if she has with her Rumble performance, then she’d be on Raw where she is needed more. And in any case, I’d rather save Rhea vs. Sasha – or Rhea vs. any champion – for a later date when the Nightmare is a more realistic option to win.

Natalya and Sasha could have an awesome technical match. I still don’t think a lot of fans respect Nattie’s power and technical quality, even though she had a brilliant Submission match with Becky Lynch and many great matches with Charlotte Flair. She and Sasha can produce magic at the Elimination Chamber and maybe surprise some people.

Prediction: Sasha Banks retains