Rasslin’ Roundtable — WWE Elimination Chamber PPV 2012 (Chris Jericho, John Cena, CM Punk)

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CM Punk (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Chris Jericho vs. The Miz vs. R-Truth vs. Kofi Kingston
Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE Championship

James Alsop: I couldn’t care less about this match. It’s Punk vs Jericho and bunch of guys that Punk has proven his superiority to on a number of occasions. It might as well be a singles match. And that means that whoever wins, we’ll still get the same match at ‘Mania: Punk vs Jericho for the WWE title. So… flip a coin.
Winner
: Jericho

M.C. Brown: I think Mr. Elimination Chamber Chris Jericho will get the upset here to shake things up. This really would give a reason for Punk and Jericho to fight at Mania. Also, two years ago Jericho won the Chamber and won at Mania. This year will be different. If Jericho takes time off as rumored, he’s here for the big match vs. CM Punk and then drop it back to him at Mania.
Winner(and NEW Champion)
: Chris Jericho

Martin Shaw: Why did they throw Truth & The Miz into this when they could’ve had their own match & end the whole betrayal storyline? Both of them were in the title race last year & kinda failed, so I can’t see them coming out on top. Jericho’s gimmick seems to be failure-based and we know Dolph won’t win until he ditches Vickie. Kofi doesn’t have much going on in terms of story at the moment & I can’t see them throwing him into the semi-main event at Wrestlemania…
Winner
: CM PUNK

Steven Gepp: Three of these could win it. First, I don’t think Kofi is in it for any other reason than to have a holy sh*t moment. R-Truth is in it because he’s over at the moment. The Miz… well, he’s an interesting case. Apparently in the doghouse, and looking like he’s lacking motivation, I am assuming he’ll be first out. So that leaves the rest. Ziggler could win to put a good question mark over the title, just to shake things up. But I would not expect him to be champion come Wrestlemania. Then there’s Punk, who could easily walk out retaining. And then there’s Jericho, who’s done it before at the Chamber (thanks to Shawn Michaels), and this would give the face chasing the heel, a dynamic which often works well, especially with guys of the calibre of Punk and Jericho.
Winner
: Chris Jericho (new champ)

Ralph Hardin: There are really only two possible outcomes here the way I see it: Punk retains and Jericho gets a one-on-one at ‘Mania, or Jericho gets the win through some kind of shenanigans and Punk earns a rematch at ‘Mania. The other guys will get moments to shine (except maybe Miz), but it really will just come down to Punk and Y2J in the end.
Winner
: CM Punk

Kelly Floyd: I really can’t imagine Punk losing, but I can’t imagine Jericho losing either. It’s times like these that I predict winners based on sheer hope.
Winner
: Christopher Jericho

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Wade Barrett vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Big Show vs. The Great Khali vs. Santino Marella
Elimination Chamber Match for the World Heavyweight Championship

James Alsop: Look for this to be the worst Chamber match since December to Dismember. Santino isn’t going to drop the goofy stuff and become a serious competitor for the night: he’s going to job to Khali. Khali is barely mobile and he’ll job to Big Show once he’s absorbed a finisher from everyone. If there’s any justice in the world, it’ll be Bryan vs Barrett as the last two. Except they’re both heels, so it won’t happen. Instead we’ll see Big Show no-sell everything and dominate Bryan, and then some shenanigans will ensue to keep Bry as champ and initiate Big Show’s ‘Mania feud with some NFL guy.
Winner
: Big Show.

M.C. Brown: Something in me just doesn’t think they are going to do Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan at Mania for some reason which is solidified by the fact that WWE just gave it away for free on Smackdown. I think a Cody run could happen, but not yet. Look for another heel to come out on top here. Hell, if not for Shaquille O’Neil, Show would be poised for a big time match up vs. Sheamus, but that’ll probably happen after Mania. Barrett’s momentum could lead to an after Mania feud with Sheamus, but for Mania? I don’t know. It’s too bad this match isn’t going on second with all the question marks. They are in dire need for a wildcard for this match to replace Great Khali. I’m thinking Orton’s concussion is a work, he’ll replace Great Khali and turn heel. WWE replenishes the face side of Smackdown after Mania and the draft. Or the wildcard of Orton winning makes Bryan complain and somehow Long makes it a 3-way. Orton was supposed to be in the World Title match anyways if he had his St. Louis Rumble win.
Winner(wildcard)and new Champion
: Randy Orton

Martin Shaw: While I’m happy they didn’t replace an injured Orton with an injured Mark Henry, this match just looks horrible on paper. They really need to develop some of the guys they have on the roster in order to prevent shit like this from happening, how many people will kill themselves if they start the match with Khali & Big Show. Cody doesn’t need another title right now & Wade needs about 100 things, so i’d say it’s between mah boy D-Bry right here & Santino. How good would it be to see Santino main-event Wrestlemania? Fucking fantastic, am I right? That’s probably why WWE won’t have him last more than 30 seconds once he enters.
Winner
: Daniel Bryan

Steven Gepp: Now, I’m going to guess Sheamus is going to go after this belt, so that means a heel has to win it. I think Rhodes is happy at the moment in the IC ranks, getting more confidence and improving, and the talk of his brother facing him is something I like the sound of. Wade Barrett is a possible. But I think we have an opportunistic retention.
Winner
: Daniel Bryan (still champ)

Ralph Hardin: I would love to see the look on my son’s face if Santino can pull the major upset, even if he drops the belt back to Bryan in time for Wrestlemania, but I don’t think the WWE brass has the guts to pull the trigger on that one. So, I suppose Bryan will retain through nefarious means. The only other possibility that makes sense would be Barrett to set up a showdown with Sheamus, but I think they need to save that feud for down the road.
Winner
: Daniel Bryan (with fingers crossed for Santino)

Kelly Floyd: This match has taught me to never again talk shit on the Raw Chamber match for including R-Truth, because they’ll retort with Khali. I hope M.C. is right, and that he won’t actually be in this match. How atrocious. Anyway, I’m fairly confident that Bryan will keep it. I mean, honestly. I am a little afraid for another Big Show monstrosity, though. But I’m going to remain optimistic.
Winner
: Daniel Bryan

Kane vs. John Cena
Ambulance Match

James Alsop: This is so stupid.
Winner
: Cena. Then he’ll probably rut Eve on top of Zack Ryder’s hospital bed.
Fortunately, Kane’s already promised that if he beats Cena, John will be back in three to four weeks. So no worries.

M.C. Brown: While I still believe Cena beats the Rock at Mania and they COULD have him lose here, I highly doubt it. Ryder comes back to attack Kane and set up Ryder vs. Kane at Mania. Cena wins to take the momentum to Rock. Cena still could lose here if Rock makes a surprise return and Ryder you know will get involved although are that many people crying over Ryder’s “injuries” at the hands of Kane? Kane vs. Ryder at Mania doesn’t do much for me. I’d actually want to see Kane get a makeover(classic Kane) and destroy him at Mania.
Winner
: John Cena

Martin Shaw: I think Eve will get thrown into the mix again & maybe it’ll be revealed that The Rock was controlling Kane via satellite or some shit. They should’ve made this a “Zack Ryder on a Pole” match.
Winner
: Super Cena

Steven Gepp: Interesting match, with the teasing of a heel turn… maybe in time for Wrestlemania? Because there is no way the crowd is going to treat the Rock as a heel. This would still give him plenty of time to become a face again in time for the Wrestlemania 29 pizza party. So I think the heel turn, anger and hatred will result in death to Ryder (figuratively), and something being called for for years…
Winner
: John Cena (and a turn to the Dark Side)

Ralph Hardin: A lot of people are down on this angle, and I can see why in some ways, because we really seem to have passed by the “mystical, magical, supernatural, dark and scary” types of characters and storylines, and masked Kane seems to harken back to that and I don’t think today’s audience wants to see all that nonsense. It’s especially hard to get into that idea with practically every other storyline and angle seemingly going for more of a realism slant. The fact that a big portion of the audience has really just completely turned on John Cena doesn’t help, and there just seems to be a lot of apathy here. As for the match itself, I think we already saw this last month, and adding the ambulance stipulation doesn’t add much, espeically since we know there won’t be any blood. Look for Cena to win, but probably not before “embracing the hate” or whatever. The question then becomes, does anyone care?
Winner
: John Cena

Kelly Floyd: Don’t care.
Winner
: My beer

Beth Phoenix (c) vs. Tamina

James Alsop: Beth needs to win, and win strong, to set up a match against Kharma at ‘Mania. That’s the ideal situation. With that said, Tamina is being set up extremely strongly right now. It’s actually the most convincing push going on in the WWE right now, which is sad. Will Natalya’s flatulence be a factor?
Winner
: Beth.

M.C. Brown: Kharma will have to be lurking around here and rightfully so as this should lead to a big time match. Perhaps Beth wins and says there is no competition.
Winner
: Beth Phoenix

Martin Shaw:  Where’s Beth v Nattie in order to set up the first ever “Divas” Ladder match & why hasn’t Kharma been squashing “Divas” left and right in order to look like a powerhouse when she eventually wins the title?
Seriously, where the fuck is Kharma?
Winner
: Beth Phoenix

Steven Gepp: Placeholder while we wait for Kharma or Nattie to challenge for Wrestlemania.
Winner
: Beth Phoenix (retaining)

Ralph Hardin: You know, they could have pulled the trigger on a Diva’s Elimination Chamber. I’m not saying it would have been any good, but they could have done it. Oh well. This should actually be pretty watchable, but I imagine this is just to pass the time until Kharma is ready. I am glad they are acknowledging Tamina’s pedigree. Someone recently commented it’s a shame they can’t do the same for Joe Hennig. I agree.
Winner
: Beth Phoenix

Kelly Floyd: A Divas match I don’t hate? Well, I’m sure they’ll find a way to fuck it up.
Winner
: Beth Phoenix

Closing Statements

James Alsop: This ppv does nothing for me, it won’t do anything for the live fans, and we’ll be extremely lucky if it does anything for Wrestlemania either. I simply don’t see how this year’s Elimination Chamber is supposed to increase anticipation for the biggest event of the year. Who knows – maybe Rock will interfere and make things slightly interesting?

M.C. Brown: Probably a reason they gave away Sheamus vs. Bryan on Smackdown and Punk vs. Bryan on Raw while he was still Champion. It doesn’t mean he won’t be in the title picture. Predictable match ups would have had Punk retaining vs. Jericho at Mania and Sheamus winning the title. Now we have a possibility of Orton winning, could stay a face and then turn at Mania to preserve his title in a 3-way and Punk WINNING his belt back from Jericho at Mania. Orton needs to get back in the Smackdown Chamber match, tho unless Bryan wins and they find a way to make that happen. I just think the injury is a work and Khali doesn’t belong there. Kharma should return and there should be one more thing to get people talking. I know Shaq should show up on Raw for the pub there, but if only they could have a major surprise here. It’s too bad they are entrenched in this 3rd Taker vs. Triple H match up. This would have been perfect to have Taker come back with an interview while Heyman and Lesnar were guests in the crowd to stand up to him as he passes like Taker did to him at the UFC event. What a swerve it would be. And while I’m dreaming, how cool would it be if the swerve also led to HBK coming out of retirement to face Triple H at Mania? Sure make anyone forget about Taker vs H3 part III. Not gonna happen, however and overshadow Rock’s return, I know. But all the potential match ups would blow the roof off in Miami, if it had a roof. And that’s what Mania would be all about. That being said, they need a surprise or two here and I expect it.

Martin Shaw: This card is atrocious.

Steven Gepp: A bit of a placeholder PPV, and yes I have heels winning the lot (shades of WCW, 1999, I know), but only if Cena turns. But I think it will set up perfectly Wrestlemania, and that has the potential to be a good one after a number of years of the lacklustre…

Ralph Hardin: That’s it, huh? Four matches. I’d expect a Tag Title match (Primo & Epico vs. The Usos probably) or something else to be added to the show, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see. The Road to Wrestlemania should be a lot clearer after the ppv, and hopefully some of the non-winners involved in the chamber matches will get elevated by their showings.

Kelly Floyd: Still, the only thing about this PPV I’m excited for is my FSW boys appearing for an autograph signing. Hopefully, I’ll be wrong. But I doubt it. Not because I’m a woman…I just know WWE too well.

Kelly has been with Inside Pulse since 6/2010, beginning with just her 10 Thoughts on WWE Superstars column. Now she brings you her 10 Thoughts on Smackdown weekly, and constructs the Rasslin' Roundtables for PPV's. In her spare time, she works with indy fed, Future Stars of Wrestling - AZ, wrangles children for her day job, and is generally and exceptionally awesome.