Match Predictions and Heat Index Anticipation Levels
Temperature Scale = Scorching > Hot > Lukewarm > Temperate > Chilly > Cold > Freezing
Heat Index is my assessment of how interesting the segment is, including how excited I am for the match and how intriguing the feud has been. The hotter, the better. Scorching translates to not being able to wait to see it, while Freezing means I couldn’t possibly care less and think it will be awful.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH:
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Drew McIntyre wins.
Thoughts: Elimination Chamber matches can be a lot of fun if you don’t know who’s going to win. While I think we can rule out everyone but two people here, I’m still very curious if they go with a swerve and put the title on The Celtic Warrior or if it’s as simple as The Scottish Warrior retaining. Either Drew overcomes the odds, which could be good to see, or Sheamus gets a surprise win, which could be interesting. I’m down.
UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP NO. 1 CONTENDER’S ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH:
Cesaro vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kevin Owens vs. King Corbin vs. Jey Uso vs. Sami Zayn
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Cesaro wins.
Thoughts: Does WWE go with Kevin Owens just to beat that drum again? Is it time for Daniel Bryan to win, get screwed out of a proper title match, then set up a Fastlane thing and then have Reigns move on to fight Edge? Or will WWE actually give the ball to Cesaro and let him fight in a main event spot, even though we all know the winner here is doomed no matter who it is? I hope WWE goes with the odd man out and picks Cesaro for this, and I’m so down to watch him have a great showing if that’s the case.
UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Roman Reigns (c) vs. TBD
Heat Index = Lukewarm
Prediction: Roman Reigns wins.
Thoughts: I love the idea that Reigns set himself up for a guaranteed victory. Great heel work. We all know The Tribal Chief is retaining, no matter who he fights. But that’s okay.
RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Asuka (c) vs. ????
Heat Index = Hot
Prediction: Asuka wins unless she fights Charlotte Flair or Rhea Ripley.
Thoughts: When this was just Lacey Evans, I hated it. However, now that she’s out of the match and this has been completely up-ended, I’m very interested to see what WWE pulls out. Do they go with the worst possible scenario of just having Peyton Royce lose to Asuka, exposing that they have no ability to think on their feet anymore? Is it time to cut to the chase and go with the Charlotte Flair match that is inevitable? Or is there another surprise in the works? Hm…
WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks
Heat Index = Chilly
Prediction: Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler win.
Thoughts: So Naomi and Lana won the right to a title match. Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez won a whole tournament to earn a title shot. But Reginald pins Nia Jax and that means Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair skip to the front of the line? What?! I get the argument that it’s a star power issue and they want to put Belair and Banks on the card but not have them fight each other. The problem is that there are better ways to do it. They lose here because they argue with each other. We’ve seen this song and dance before. Fast forward to the finish.
UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP TRIPLE THREAT MATCH:
Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Keith Lee vs. Riddle
Heat Index = Lukewarm
Prediction: Bobby Lashley wins.
Thoughts: If Keith Lee is in this match, as advertised, I’m more interested than if he isn’t. We’ve seen Lashley beat Riddle numerous times, but it might happen again, as they’ve been mentioning Lee is “injured” and might not compete. Basically, I don’t want a rematch. However, I think going with Lee right now is a mistake, too, as what does that leave for WrestleMania? If I were booking things, Lashley would have a match with someone else here and not these two, so we could save Lee beating him for WrestleMania.
OVERALL PPV:
How excited am I for the event as a whole?
Heat Index = Lukewarm
Thoughts: I’m more interested in the outcomes and how that will factor into WrestleMania, rather than watching most of the execution of this card. I can’t imagine it’s going to be a rousing success. It’s more likely going to be a chaotic mess. Sometimes that’s fun and interesting, though. We’ll see this Sunday if it’s good, great, horrible, or just meh.
What do you think is going to happen at WWE Elimination Chamber? Which matches are you most excited to see? Keep the discussion going in the comments below!
