On Saturday, February 19th, World Wrestling Entertainment heads once again to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the 12th edition of the Elimination Chamber event, as potential match-ups for Wrestlemania start to take shape, for the April showpiece.
Although it was seen as a controversial move for the WWE to host their first Pay-per-view show in Saudi Arabia last year, concessions have been made for this year’s show, with the then male only show, now featuring female bouts, with a women’s title match and women’s Elimination Chamber event happening across the evening’s card.
With plenty of bouts on offer, I take a quick look at who I feel can take the victory across all six fights. Check out my predictions below, with all pricing via Unibet.
Mens Elimination Chamber for the WWE Title
Bobby Lashley vs Brock Lesnar vs Seth Rollins vs AJ Styles vs Austin Theory vs Riddle
With a lot of the talk and speculation of a potential “Title vs Title between Roman Reigns (Universal Champion) and Brock Lesnar, assuming he wins this event, it’s difficult to see anyone else other than Brock Lesnar as the favourite in this match. The potential of a Wrestlemania event between those two fighters is too good to ignore, especially with Roman Reigns interfering as he did in the Royal Rumble to stop Lesnar from winning the title
I’m not a fan of “Title vs Title” matches, especially within WWE, as the idea of two different champions pushing their respective “brands” does keep things fresh, but it does look likely with Wrestlemania so close that those two will be the main event. If on the off chance they were not to go this way, then Bobby Lashley would likely retain the title, but I just don’t see that happening here.
Women's Elimination Chamber
Liv Morgan vs Rhea Ripley vs BIanca Belair vs Doudrop vs Nikki A.S.H. vs Alexa Bliss
First up, is my pick for the Women’s Elimination Chamber match, with the winner facing either Becky Lynch or Lita at Wrestlemania for the Women’s WWE Title.
There was a mystery opponent added to the event a few days ago, with Alexa Bliss now featuring in this six-way contest. In terms of the victor, this now looks like a straight fight between the aforementioned Alexa Bliss and Bianca Belair and I genuinely fancy Alexa Bliss to take the victory and go into Wrestlemania with form ahead of the WWE Women’s Title match.
Raw Women’s Title Match
Becky Lynch vs Lita
The winner of this event will go on to fight the winner of the aforementioned Elimination Chamber event, however, with the build-up to Wrestlemania, I just cannot see Becky losing the belt any time soon, as good as Lita has been recently. The momentum is clearly with Becky Lynch at the moment, with the champion beating all and sundry, including hall of farmers and her role model in Lita herself previously. If she wins once again, it will only add to the GOAT (Greatest of all Time) status that she is now known for.
WWE Universal Championship
Roman Reigns vs Goldberg
As mentioned on several occasions, with Wrestlemania season in full swing and with champion Roman Reigns, currently enjoying a huge 500+ day title reign, there is no way on Earth that he will lose to Goldberg here. As much as Goldberg is a likeable star, these sort of matches seem more and more like a payday for 55 yr old, whilst he can still perform. I don’t expect this match to last that long either and with Roman Reigns on a roll, nothing will stop the Tribal Chief on the road to Wrestlemania.
Smackdown Tag Team Title
The Uso’s vs The Viking Raiders
Just like the Roman Reigns v Goldberg match, the same expectations can be placed on The Uso’s, in their tag title match against the Viking Raiders. The Viking Raiders have gotten lost within the WWE, formerly high octane machines, they would beat plenty on the indie scene and also looked the part when they first came to the WWE. It’s good to see them get a title shot, but they are pretty much cannon fodder here and I can’t see the “Bloodline” lose their titles before Mania in April.
Drew McIntyre vs MadCap Moss
This match is pretty much the filler for the show, with their storyline on Smackdown, needing a suitable nudge. As a bit of a fan of Drew McIntyre’s, I am slightly biassed, but if i were to take my fan cap off, for a moment, a win here, could set him on the road to an Intercontinental attempt in the future and possibly a higher main event status in April.