 By Chris Michaels The World Heavyweight Championship has not had these many eyes on it in a long time. It has been a while since the WWE Universe has cared about what happens with the World Title picture. This year we only have ONE Elimination Chamber match and this will decide the #1 Contender to face the winner of the World Title match between The Big Show & Alberto Del Rio at WrestleMania. The challengers are; Kane, Jack Swagger, Daniel Bryan, Mark Henry, Randy Orton, and Chris Jericho. Now I’m assuming people are wondering who will walk out with the title, well, I will try to break it down as much as I possibly can to determine who that winner could be: Daniel Bryan & Kane: I put these two together because it is almost inevitable that they will be the main cause for each other being eliminated. These two have been arguing more, screwing each other of matches, and have even decided to compete in matches alone without their partner by their side. It is only a matter of time before these two split up and Daniel Bryan and Kane go their separate ways and continue their respective singles careers. I was thinking that the time would come sooner than later, but with the split of Rhodes Scholars, Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara being inconsistent with their schedule, and there not being a believable heel tag team (closes is Prime Time Players) Team Hell No has no competition so it could mean we see Bryan and Kane continue to carry the tag division until that team comes around. So that means neither man has a chance at winning the match. I would be worried if I were Team Hell No. The longer this angle continues, the more it gets played out, and the more fans will become annoyed of their bickering than enjoying it. Their Road to WrestleMania looks bumpy. Jack Swagger: When Swagger debuted I have to admit I was glad to see that he came with a different attitude by turning up the intensity. That is what Swagger needed to be seen as, legitimate. Most of the IWC say that Swagger’s return was a fail, but this past Monday when he was given Zeb Coulter (Dutch Mantel) as a manager and Dutch cut his promo on what is really wrong with America I thought to myself, “THAT’S IT!” Swagger is a great in-ring performer one match that sticks out in my mind is his match with John Cena on RAW a few years ago, great contest. Dutch Mantel being a mouthpiece for Swagger is the perfect combination to get some MAJOR heat and become a character we love to hate. Sure, while Cesaro’s and Swagger’s gimmicks collide, I believe, Swagger has a better chance at succeeding. There’s nothing worse than an American telling another American they suck at being American. The ideal opponent for Swagger would be Del Rio and Swagger winning the Chamber would be the perfect Segway for this feud which I think has a lot of legs, but I don’t see them going in that direction with Swagger so it will be interesting to see where Swagger’s Road to WrestleMania is headed. (Quick note: Not sure if Swagger has the German Suplex in his moveset, but he should).
Chris Jericho: While many people would LOVE to see Chris Jericho compete for a World Title at Mania, as much of an Y2J fan I am, I don’t want to. Jericho has had two great contests with CM Punk and Daniel Bryan. He has proved his worth that he can still go and get people over and that is why Jericho is here not to win World Titles, but I have to admit, I was thinking before RAW, “Jericho is a former World Champion why not put him in the Chamber?” and then, BANG, it happened. There is no way I see him winning this match. The rumor is Jericho is anxious to put Ryback over and back on the top where he was in September/October. So a heel turn could be in the books soon. I would not mind Jericho facing Dolph Ziggler at WrestleMania, personally, but with Ziggler saying he plans on going into Mania as champion that seems unlikely as well. While Jericho’s Mania plans are indecisive at the moment his Road to WrestleMania seems like a smoother ride than the latter. He doesn’t have to worry about getting over or winning matches. It all comes down to who will he make look like a star next? Mark Henry: During Mark Henry’s reign as the World Champion I was impressed by how he excelled into a credible major player. He really stepped up to the plate. Mark Henry’s return was unexpected and he has come in looking stronger than ever with destroying Bryan, Mysterio & Sin Cara, Khali, and getting a win over Orton. Having Henry go one on one with Alberto Del Rio or The Big Show would not be a bad move because if anyone remembers the matches he had with Show they were pretty good for two big men their size. Alberto Del Rio has had a great feud with The Big Show and I think he could do just as great of a job with Mark Henry. Now what exactly are his chances of winning this match? Well, if he is not the winner he has more reasons to debate with anyone about why he should. So lets say he doesn’t win. Where does he go? Personally, I don’t want to see Ryback face Jericho at Mania. I want to see, “Big Hungry” go one on one with The Big Show or Mark Henry. So if he doesn’t win I hope they go into this direction with Show or Henry. Randy Orton: Possibly the most popular choice. Rumor has it that the World Title picture heading into Mania was supposed to be Orton/Sheamus, but the more this World Title picture proceeds the further away they get with the idea. Randy Orton NEEDS to do something with his career. His 2012 was forgettable and the longer he stalls around having matches with Cesaro and Barrett every week (Which I am tired of) the longer he will be irrelevant. Randy Orton has not been in a main event picture for a long time and if he is the projected winner he needs to turn heel and face a red hot Alberto Del Rio for the championship. It has been since WrestleMania XXV that he has been involved in a meaningful match and he is supposed to be a major player? Randy Orton doesn’t need some other pointless feud like Kane, Punk, or like his match at Mania 26. He needs to be in the spotlight. If he is supposed to be one of your top guys then make him because I haven’t seen it in a long time. Orton is still the future and is too talented to be putting guys over for the rest of the year. If anyone needs this win it is Randy Orton. If he doesn’t win this match I have no idea where his Road to WrestleMania is headed. I’m guessing another pointless program in the undercard of Mania. YouTube Exclusive Pre-Show: Brodus Clay & Tensai vs Rhodes Scholars I feel bad that Tensai’s career has amounted to dancing. These two could be a credible team if they were put over like they should be, as unstoppable monsters. Yoshi Tatsu would have been a better tag team partner for Tensai. Will this comedy tag team be the replacement of Team Hell No? If they get over, then I would not be surprised. I wonder if breaking up Rhodes Scholars was a way of bringing attention to the team? Apparently, they tag at house shows and now a reunion is happening for, “One night only” We’ll see about that. Either team could benefit from a win. Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes could use the momentum, but a new team in Clay/Tensai could as well. Hard call. Rhode Scholars should win, but Clay/Tensai will win. WWE Divas Championship Match: Kaitlyn (c) vs Tamina No hype for this match and I’m pretty sure that nobody cares either. WWE is in a very bad situation. They have no idea what to do with the Divas division. Now more than ever is when WWE needs to look at their WWE NXT roster & bring divas back. Neither of the Divas are over enough. Not enough time, stories, or live mic time given. Kaitlyn wins in a short match. The Shield vs. John Cena, Ryback, and Sheamus Match should have been contested inside of the Elimination Chamber, if not, match should be Elimination rules. Ambrose, Rollins, and Reigns were impressive on the microphone. The Shield needs another very strong showing like they did at TLC. Ryback, Cena, and Sheamus will win, but they shouldn’t look stronger than The Shield. Lookout for Brad Maddox. Fourth member? United States Championship Match: Antonio Cesaro (c) vs The Miz Antonio Cesaro’s attack on The Miz with the whiplash was incredible. Cesaro continues to expand his unique offense and display his brute strength The Miz is still in a very tough spot with his face turn. Antonio Cesaro retains. Antonio Cesaro’s next opponent should be Christian or R-Truth. The Miz’s career will continue a downward spiral, but needs a breath of fresh air soon. World Heavyweight Championship Match: Alberto Del Rio (c) vs The Big Show Alberto Del Rio’s face turn has been a success. He has been more enjoyable since. The Big Show doesn’t get enough credit for his work. He’s managed to stay relevant throughout 2012 in the mid-card and the main event picture. Under-appreciated. This match is their first singles competition without stipulations in this feud. Should be interesting how they handle it and if it is as good as their previous matches. Alberto Del Rio retains. Will Dolph Ziggler cash in? Where does The Big Show go if he loses this match? WWE Championship Match The CM Punk & Paul Heyman segment on RAW planted a seed to a bigger storyline. Notice CM Punk’s devious eyes. Look for The Rock to be tested throughout this match by Heyman and by Punk in attempt to have The Rock lose his cool and get DQ’d. Look for a lot of outside battling and false countout spots on The Rock. Look for The Shield (Brad Maddox, Paul Heyman, or Brock Lesnar) to attack CM Punk to try to help him regain the WWE Championship The Rock retains. Well, those are all of my thoughts on the Elimination Chamber this Sunday and I would like to know what you all think about my article, my predictions, and I would like to know your predictions as well. With the exception of the U.S. title match and Divas match (which are fillers) I expect a great event. Be sure to tweet me @Jesse_Stewart_ and let me know. I am also going to be tweeting live during Elimination Chamber so look forward to that as well. Also, before I end this article I am going to try and find at least ONE match an article for all of you to check out and watch. This edition of Mind of Michaels I would like all of you to check out: FCW TV: Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins. 30 Minute Ironman Match for the FCW 15 Championship. (9/18/11). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRm-2loMupM This is a fantastic match between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins who are now teaming together as, The Shield. You really see what these two have to offer. This is a main event caliber match and the final minutes along with the sudden death could go down as one of the most intense and exciting conclusions in a match ever seen! Check it out and let me know what you all think.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Archives
January 2025
|
RSS Feed