WWE has the Elimination Chamber 2017 PPV tonight!
Here is the Pulse Wrestling crew’s full match by match preview and predictions for the first Smackdown-only PPV of 2017.
WWE Championship
Elimination Chamber
John Cena vs. AJ Styles vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz vs. Baron Corbin
Spain: There’s a fair few directions to take here. You could go the tried-and-tested route of Cena vs. Orton, although following a match this week and the potential that would waste this seems unlikely. Also unlikely is Baron Corbin, though he’s not far off. Ambrose has some unfinished business with Corbin; I don’t see the Miz holding the Championship, even if I’d be quite happy to have him hold it after some sterling heel work. My prediction? It’s about time that Wyatt held a singles title, and this feeds perfectly into his relationship with Orton.
Winner (and new WWE Champion): Bray Wyatt
Sam P – The winner goes against Orton at Mania. Unless WWE are poetically trolling us, there’s only one… *Lights go out… “HE’S HERE”.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
Widro – It’s still hard to imagine why they went with Orton as the Rumble winner, even with a rumored Bray Wyatt win. I think it makes more sense to put the belt back on AJ.
Winner: Wyatt
SmackDown Tag Team Championships
Tag Team Turmoil
American Alpha vs. The Usos vs. The Ascension vs. The Vaudevillains vs. Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. Breezango
Spain: I’m hoping that SmackDown uses this as an opportunity to reset the Tag Team Division which, with the exception of American Alpha and (until recently) the Wyatt Family, has been a weak spot in an otherwise strong show. The Ascension actually getting a clean win over a team which included the Champions themselves, certainly seems to indicate that. But with all that said, I don’t think that American Alpha has held the belts long enough, and the other teams all still need building up.
Winners (and still the SmackDown Tag Team Champions): American Alpha
Sam P – Nothing at all has happened during American Alpha’s title run. It’s been less of a run, and more of a light jog. The division either needs one of the jobber teams to receive a push, or for The Revival to show up.
Winner: American Alpha
Widro – This seems to be a time filler or placeholder, but hopefully it will create a feud for the titles heading into Wrestlemania 33.
Winner: American Alpha
SmackDown Women’s Championship
Alexa Bliss vs. Naomi
Spain: Multiple wins over the Champ doesn’t guarantee Naomi the victory. In fact, in this case, it seems more likely that Alexa will retain the belt. If Naomi is going to get the gold, and I’m sure she will eventually, it won’t be in this encounter.
Winner (and still SmackDown Women’s Champion): Alexa Bliss
Sam P – Miss Bliss dismisses Uso’s Mrs into the abyss. Put that over a beat and get rapping.
Winner: Alexa Bliss
Widro – Naomi has reentered the division on top, but I dont’ think she’ll grab the title here.
Winner: Bliss
Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James
Spain: I love Becky, but I think Mickie’s first feud on SmackDown needs to have her win the first encounter. I see this going on beyond one PPV, so it could still be that Becky emerges as the final victor
Winner: Mickie James
Sam P – Mickie probably needs to pick up a win considering her 100% loss rate since returning to WWE. BUT BECKY IS SO LOVABLE.
Winner: Mickie James
Widro – Great to see Mickie back on the main roster, and in a good personal feud with Becky Lynch.
Winner: James
Handicap Match
Dolph Ziggler vs. Apollo Crews and Kalisto
Spain: I’ve been quite enjoying what’s been a more detailed than usual look at a heel turn. I feel that Ziggler could do extremely well off a win, although they seem to be pushing the ‘being bad doesn’t make you win matches’ lesson that Lawler tried to teach. I see either the handicap rules working as they should, or Ziggler getting himself disqualified. Either way, Dolph has more reason to become infuriated.
Winners: Apollo Crews and Kalisto
Sam P – When they announced this on Smackdown Live, I literally yelled “This is dumb” at the TV screen. Unless Ziggler brings a chair and batters the crap out of Crews and Kalisto for a DQ, then no-one wins in the long run.
Winner: Crews & Kalisto via DQ
Widro – Somewhat strange to book a heel to be at a 2 on 1 disadvantage.
Winner: Ziggler
Randy Orton vs. Luke Harper
Spain: I’m looking forward to seeing Harper as a face, though there’s little mystery at all to the result. Orton’s going to WrestleMania as a Royal Rumble winner: he has to prevail, short of a completely unexpected turn of events.
Winner: Randy Orton
Sam P – With Orton heading to Mania and needing steam, Harper better hope old pal Erick Rowan turns up as he’s going to need all the help he can get.
Winner: Randy Orton
Widro – Orton needs a win here to keep his momentum as Rumble winner.
Winner: Orton
Nikki Bella vs. Natalya
Spain: It’s amazing how much mileage they’ve gotten out of Nikki’s relationship with Cena. I personally don’t give too much of a damn either way: this is the weak link of the three women’s storyline. I’ll call it for Nikki, considering the rumours of oncoming retirement.
Winner: Nikki Bella
Sam P – It wouldn’t be surprising if this match never gets started. In fantasy land, I’d like for TJ to storm the ring and help Natalya to victory setting up a couples match at Mania with Cena. Alas.
Winner: Nikki Bella
Widro – A shocking third women’s match on a single PPV, this will likely be bad but hopefully quick.
Winner: Nikki Bella
Mojo Rawley vs. Curt Hawkins
Spain: Pffft…really?
Winner: Mojo Rawley
Sam P – Where the hell has this match come from? Have we even seen Curt Hawkins since the turn of the year?
Winner: Mojo Rawley
Widro – The scrubiest match, even on a pre-show, in ages!
Winner: Rawley