We are on the road to WrestleMania and it's time for that first big bump. The Elimination Chamber. The PPV has become an annual tradition in WWE and can provide quite the shake-up when it comes to WrestleMania plans. Titles can change hands and new challengers will emerge. There will be plenty of that going on this Sunday, by which point it will be less than seven weeks until night one of WrestleMania. Here's who we think will be picking up momentum at Elimination Chamber this weekend on the road to Raymond James Stadium by registering some major wins.
Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE Championship: Drew McIntyre
The winners of the Royal Rumble matches have the luxury of knowing their spots at WrestleMania are safe. That's something even the champions don't have at this point, especially if you're Drew McIntyre. The Scot will be tasked with defending the WWE Title against five other Superstars inside the Elimination Chamber. McIntyre won't even have the benefit of entering the match last. That honor goes to Sheamus. However, even though The Celtic Warrior pinned McIntyre on Raw, we think his former best friend will be returning the favor on Sunday and retaining his title.
Elimination Chamber Match for a Universal Title Shot: Cesaro
Thanks to Roman Reigns' right-hand man, Paul Heyman, The Big Dog will not have to defend the Universal Title inside of the Elimination Chamber. Instead, six Superstars will compete for a Universal Title shot. There's an exciting mix of talent in this match. Kevin Owens winning and getting another shot at Reigns could happen, and a Jey Uso victory would be very interesting. However, we foresee a Kofi Kingston-like performance from Cesaro to win the match and earn his shot.
Roman Reigns vs. The Winner of SmackDown's Elimination Chamber Match for the Universal Championship: Roman Reigns
According to Heyman, whoever wins the Chamber match above will have to face Reigns for the title directly after. That's one of the reasons we're expecting to see a heroic performance from Cesaro. The Swiss Cyborg will finally get the opportunity fans have wanted him to get for years, only for it to be quickly laid to rest by The Big Dog. Cesaro will get one big moment and scare Reigns, only to eventually lose and all hope of him finally grabbing that brass ring will be extinguished. We're expecting more or less the same outcome regardless of who wins the Chamber match.
Bobby Lashley vs. Riddle vs. Keith Lee for the United States Championship: Bobby Lashley
The US Title scene is more lively now than it has been for a while in WWE. Bobby Lashley may well have found his calling as US Champion, which is both good news and bad news for The Hurt Business member. Bad news because he will still be hoping for a World Title run in the future. At Elimination Chamber, he will be tasked with keeping his title away from Riddle and Keith Lee, two Superstars with bright futures in WWE. Their first main roster titles reigns won't be starting this weekend though, we've got Lashley to retain in this one.
Asuka vs. Lacey Evans for the Raw Women's Championship: Charlotte Flair
No, we haven't lost our minds nor is that a typo. Even though Charlotte Flair is not a part of this match, that's who we're predicting to win this one. Lacey Evans revealed she is pregnant on Raw this week. Apparently, this isn't an angle. Evans is actually expecting a baby which means she won't be able to wrestle Asuka for the Raw Women's Title this Sunday. Although WWE is yet to announce her replacement, we're expecting it to be Flair. What's more, if it is Flair, our money is on The Queen getting one reign closer to breaking her dad's record.
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler vs. Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair for the Women's Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler
This match feels a little like it was thrown together when WWE realized it has a severe lack of matches for this weekend's show. It could work wonders for the build to WrestleMania, though. Even though Bianca Belair is yet to choose her WrestleMania opponent, it seems incredibly likely she will opt for Sasha Banks. The two of them losing this match and blaming each other would be the perfect way to force the EST of WWE's hand into making her Mania decision.