Prediction 003 Elimination Chamber 021216

I haven't watch it, don't spoil it for me! This is purely a writing exercise and my way to slowly writing on the again ...

WWE Elimination Chamber
TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
021216 ?/5

-

> Running Thread: WWE Cruiserweight Division

0. Mojo Rawley vs Curt Hawkins [Pre-Show Kick-off Match]

Buildup = 10%

Getting the much deserved push and a time in the limelight with a title shot for the Smackdown Tag Team Championship that unfortunately got cut short because of the sudden injury to his partner Zack Ryder, Mojo Rawley's momentum screeched to a halt as he isn't prolific enough to vie for a place in the mid tier of the roster and even fight for the Intercontinental Championship thus he is relegated to keep up appearance alongside the recent returnee Curt Hawkins. After the weird promotional videos before his return that ultimately missed the mark when he finally got into the ring with mostly disappointed results, he doesn't fare any better without any really viable storylines to build up his character on the screen since he cannot believably walk the walk after some decent talking. With the storyline of this particular encounter happened basically on their social medias and not in the main show at all, the only thing that could keep this engaging is the sheer willpower of one of the Hype Bros and his pure strength-based wrestling abilities and the veteran's heel tactics and cheating way would keep the attendees entertained and well warmed up for the start of the pay-per-view.

Stake = 70% to 30%
 {getting the momentum of the babyface going again < the lackluster veteran finally get a win even by a cheat}

+ giving the wrestlers trying to find their spots at least something to do

- the storyline that barely exist doesn't warrant their inclusion in the PPV

Best outcome: Mojo Rawley came out on top by being dominant the majority of the match

Worst outcome: Curt Hawkins being dominant the majority of the match and won by cheating

(Rating = 2.5/5, Duration = below 5 minutes, +1 for a possibly entertaining outing by the Hype Bro)

-

> Running Thread: the turning (again) of Dolph Ziggler

1. Apollo Crews & Kalisto vs Dolph Ziggler 

Buildup = 60%

After a well executed feud with the Miz bringing that much levity to the Intercontinental belt and adding to the renowned Championship's credibility, Dolph Ziggler is now turned to other midcarders to bring the other more fresh wrestlers more time in the limelight and more time to develop their characters (as it seems to be the trend among the more unused performers) which is just what Apollo Crews and Kalisto needed. These two just couldn't find a good storyline to build themselves up with the latter has been in the roster longer but no recognizable characteristic other than the token Luchador aside from Sin Cara while the former got called up from NXT a little too quick as his character never develop at all from an athletic wrestler that ... likes what he does (I guess) and he just couldn't find that one elusive storyline that could propel him more than just a one note babyface. Maybe Dolph could be just the catalyst for their on screen careers but this two on one match doesn't really benefit anyone because a bully is taking on two capable wrestlers that could face him all on their own and although it made sense he put himself in the spot in the first place, how a veteran with a steel chair (that would come out again for sure) would look strong coming out of this and on the other hand how Apollo and Kalisto would look beating on another performer in an unjust manner?

Stake = 35% to 65%
{beating the bully by banding together < not putting over the babyfaces by winning with a steel chair in hand}

 

+ giving the two more fresh wrestlers a spot in the PPV

- the storyline is as basic as ever and two on one handicap match not being justified enough

Best/Worst outcome: hm ... I can't think of anything ... maybe another wrestler would come to spice it up?

(Rating = 3/5, Duration = a 7 minutes clusterf*ck, +1 for Dolph giving his all against two capable opponents)

-

> Running Thread: the return of Mickie James

2. Becky Lynch vs Mickie James

Buildup = 80%

A surprise comeback appearance as a capable opponent to Asuka two NXT Takeovers ago, Mickie James unsurprisingly came back into the fold to uproarious reception and great results, adding more experience and depth to the Smackdown's women lineup and straight away being involved with the Women's Championship storyline. Being the inferior show on paper, the blue brand would take the opportunity to give the 'WWE Universe' a little more variety as the rather thin roster ended up fighting with each other way too much that it could ended being repetitive which is why the return of former 'superstars' [hoping the first of many to come] would only be an addition rather than a detriment. As to the match itself, Becky Lynch is still the top wrestler on the show and facing a new yet seasoned opponent would be a potentially exciting match if Mickie's performance versus the NXT Women's Champion was to be based on. The storyline makes sense as the veteran certainly more of a wrestler than just an eyecandy during the not so PG-friendly era before and be the baseline of how to perform as a wrestler-first performer in the ring.

Stake = 45% to 55%

 {getting her momentum back to fight for the title again < giving the returning veteran her first win by being heel}

+ a potentially entertaining encounter between two great performers

- none

Best outcome: both looked strong in the ring and somehow would eventually both join the fight for the title
Worst outcome: the match was a bore with a lot of botches and ended in a whimper (which is highly unlikely)

(Rating = 4/5, Duration = just over 10 minutes of solid brawl full of spots, +1 for the first excellent match of many)

-

> Running Thread: WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship

3. {American Alpha /Tag Team Champions\ vs the Ascension vs Heath Slater & Rhyno vs the Usos vs Fashion Police vs Vaudevillains}
Tag Team Turmoil

 

Buildup = 30%

The brand split definitely brings with it a few advantages as well disadvantages, with the separate rosters having ample time to develop stories between them and fight for their own titles while the amount of PPVs would have some of the events only have two weeks buffer time to create viable feuds and believable storylines coming to each of them. This particular PPV is one of them and the one suffering the most is the Tag Team division with the Champions, American Alpha, having to find a strong enough opponent to fight them and failing to do so, the last resort of bringing them all into a big match just showed how incapable the writers are in supporting them. Among the call-ups, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable have the most successful outing yet as their seniors in Vaudevillains, Tyler Breeze and the Ascension couldn't find their footing on the main show after solid runs in the developmental stage. With the latter getting their rather surprising pin last week over the Champions, would they finally get the coveted title?

Stake = 70% to 30%

{letting the champions getting more cozy with belts < other tag teams inexplicably playing the hot potato}

+ the potential is high in all of these teams

- the dropping of balls in creating engaging storylines for the tag team division 

Best outcome: American Alpha assert their dominance and show they deserve the belt the most
Worst outcome: another tag team getting the belt (the Usos is the best substitute if the change is needed)

(Rating = 4/5, Duration = a 25+ minutes rollercoaster, +1 for a different style of tournament)

-

> Running Thread: the bantering of two veterans

4. Nikki Bella vs Natalya

Buildup = 75%

Reverting back to cliched storyline of jealousy especially for the women wrestlers is really a step backward after two steps forward after the resurgence of the division as of late and as understandable as the storyline goes between the two veterans, they should have more interesting feud to deal with instead of the now sexist undertone of women getting overwhelmed by their emotions. With Nikki Bella's recent return had her engaged with Carmella in a successful feud (her now comical pairing is a different beast altogether) but now with a nagging injury affecting her performance and ultimately her health even after the surgery, she would might force to go down the road her twin sister's husband had to take before. Regarding Natalya, she is the best wrestler among the women wrestler bar none and only have been a Champion once (with the Divas title at that) before, she sorely needs another deserving shot at the now more prestigious Championship and unlike the last time, maybe a wing over the Bella would build up her momentum to go ahead.

Stake = 40% to 60%

 {a mainstay justifying her return < the veteran cementing her position as the dominant force}

+ two arguably best female workers working together for the betterment of the industry

- the tired storyline resting on their tropes

Best outcome: one of them winning and getting on to better pasture

Worst outcome: this feud would not end and being stretched way over its potential

(Rating = 4/5, Duration = over 5+ minutes of back-and-forth duel, +1 for the duo setting the bar for the division)

-

> Running Thread: the Wyatt Family hearing Voices in their Heads

5. Randy Orton vs Luke Harper

Buildup = 100%

Oh, what a run the Wyatt Family is in right now after being sidelined for so long and finally being used properly and getting the opportunity to be the Main Event and even getting the upper hand instead of being buried in favor of other talents. A major factor in this turn of event have to be the inclusion of Randy Orton into their fold straight after returning first as an enemy and then a part of them, giving them a proper highly regarded opponent to feud with and then a strong ally to fight alongside with (although former members in Erick Rowan and Braun Strowman certainly have the height and mass to overset their lesser prestige). The Viper getting the final spotlight in Royal Rumble was particularly surprising especially the Blue Brand didn't build up at all their run into the PPV and with him poised to headline the next Wrestlemania, the position he took besides Bray Wyatt rubbed Luke Harper the wrong way and convinced himself to sabotage the Family's outing in the ring over and over again, finally pushed over the edge after being punished by the leader and being looked over in favor of the new favorite child. This match would be his ultimate ultimatum to prove his self worthiness over the golden child as their whole storyline is the main throughline for SmackDown!

Stake = 30% to 70%

 {the turn to babyface also earned one over the former WWE Champion > keeping the momentum off of Royal Rumble going all the way to Wrestlemania}

+ a cohesive storytelling that built up everyone involved and keeping them strong despite any losses inflicted

- none ... maybe Randy getting the spotlight instead of other newer talents? It just won't be the same though ...

Best outcome: the Viper get one over his former family member after a tense fight

Worst outcome: the Wrestlemania headliner ate a pin (although the most unlikely outcome here) 

(Rating = 4/5, Duration = almost 8 minutes of strength versus cunning, +1 for a proper highlight of the Family's feud)

-

> Running Thread: WWE SmackDown Women's Championship

6. Naomi vs Alexa Bliss /Women's Champion\

Buildup = 60%

With Becky's title contention being sidelined because of the return of Mickie James, another name come to the front of the line in the shape of Naomi, the next name behind the two veterans above that get a second wind recently after a successful reinvention of her persona and style in and outside of the ring. The short time to properly build up her run to fight for the title certainly handicaps the momentum for the challenger but the she's the next best thing for the champion, Alexa Bliss, to defend her championship against. There's another success story for an NXT call-up in Alexa Bliss as her well rounded heel persona backed up by solid skills in the ring and deserving to be the second holder of the belt after the Lass Kicker. Short buildup aside, the explosiveness of Naomi would clash wonderfully with Alexa's arrogance and would be a great match whatever the outcome would be.

Stake = 40% to 60%

{a surprising yet deserving first time get for her after all this time > the Champion keep her hold on the title}

+ another hardworking veteran finally getting her due fighting for the title

- the short buildup of the storyline

Best outcome: an exciting match full of spots and near finishes that ends on a high!

Worst outcome: hm ... a lackluster match? I certainly hope not!

(Rating = 4/5, Duration = over 10+ minutes of the best of the SmackDown division, +1 for a solid title match)

-

> Running Thread: WWE World Championship

7. [John Cena /World Champion\ vs the Miz /Intercontinental Champion\ vs Baron Corbin vs Dean Ambrose vs AJ Styles vs Bray Wyatt]
inside of the Elimination Chamber

Buildup = 100%

After a historic 16th win, John Cena now had to defend the title with this one of a kind structure of Elimination Chamber against other five wrestlers that would be proper threats to his Championship. Seeing how the storyline stacks up so far for all the superstars, Dean Ambrose is the most unlikely candidate since he's actively involved with the Intercontinental Championship and it wouldn't make sense to suddenly change the direction. The second should be Dean Ambrose as he just recently got hold of the Intercontinental belt yet again from Dolph Ziggler and if he did win the title again, it just couldn't go anywhere especially with Wrestlemania coming and WWE wouldn't just waste two prestigious titles being represented unfairly in the biggest stage of them all. With the previous wrestlers couldn't provide coherent storyline leading to the big stage, Baron Corbin could be a good source for it especially after his performance on SmackDown that's improving over time and punctuated with the elimination of Braun Strawman. Although he's now been around the title contention after being effectively dominant over some of other contenders, it's unlikely for him to straight away being a WWE Champion without holding at least a title a level below i.e. Intercontinental Championship but as a fellow NXT call-up, he's the best one yet just below the explosive debut of Finn Bálor. What's left are two viable candidates to hold onto the belt besides the Champion himself, Bray Wyatt and AJ Styles (he could still keep on holding onto the title until Wrestlemania but the storyline wouldn't be as interesting though). The former has been misused and wasted so many times before and now with momentum going for the Family, the Eater of Worlds might finally get the coveted title he sorely deserves (that's after getting the Tag Team titles before, further increasing his chance because he already proved his prowess in one division and he has the charisma and talent to hold onto the premium title on SmackDown and hold his own in other joint PPVs with the RAW performers as well. Finally but certainly not the least, the latter is unarguably the best wrestler on the roster and even one of the best in the industry currently active with his performance as the heel and the literal face of the brand effectively leading the show every time he was on. Now with John Cena back into the fold, the improper treatment of him during his title defense of the title before (Cena not acknowledging Styles' triumph over him before and even belittling him? Really?) now being followed with him not being in the main spotlight after for so long (even eating a pin last week) but being the more unexpected and spontaneous than the Red Brand, the Blue Brand would not always be too transparent and predictable as some might view the leading show and putting the belt back on AJ's shoulder and pave the way for a dream match in Wrestlemania. 

Stake = 25% to 5% to 15% to 10% to 20% to 25%

 {John Cena > the Miz < Baron Corbin > Dean Ambrose < Bray Wyatt < AJ Styles}

+ all the hardworkers on the show would give their all to put an excellent show after doing so every time weekly

- the more inferior roster compared to the Raw's

Best outcome: AJ Styles getting the belt back @ Bray Wyatt getting the elusive Championship

Worst outcome: the trickiness of the Chamber itself would sabotage their performances throughout the match

(Rating = 5/5, Duration = solid 25+ minutes of pure entertainment of spots and wrestling, +1 for a match worthy for the main event for a PPV)

- wiki - official -

(WWE Channel, Rating - TV-PG, Founded 02211980, Episodes >>, Founders Vince & Linda McMahon, Duration - 2 hrs 15+ mnts, Genre - Wrestling, Action, Drama, Comedy, WWE Universe, Violence)