This week, we have Billy Prickett and Carlos Toro answering three questions on the return of the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view on May 31 on the WWE Network.
1. What was your reaction to Elimination Chamber returning?
Billy Prickett: I was pretty excited to hear that the infamous chamber would be making its return. Elimination Chamber matches are always sure to be fun and chaotic affairs with a lot of good spots, too. This was also a great business move by WWE as they're doing everything they can to make WWE Network must-see. If they keep dishing out exclusive content such as the Stone Cold podcasts, after Raw segments, and pay-per-views especially, then even the casual fan will feel the need to order the network. I am very excited to watch Elimination Chamber and a good card is already starting to line up!
Carlos Toro: Pure joy. The elimination Chamber is one of the more unique match types in WWE history. I was also surprised to have an Elimination Chamber pay-per-view so soon after it was replaced by Fastlane, but I'm not one to complain. This also gives people who own the Network or to try out the Network extra incentives to have it. The card itself seems to be pretty good and every match carries a lot of meaning and this may turnout to be the best non-NXT special on the Network for this month alone. The Chamber match that I'm looking forward to most is actually the tag team Chamber match just for the fact that we could potentially see 12 Superstars duke it out at the same time in such a condensed area, although I doubt it will go to that extent.
2. What is your favorite Chamber match/moment?
Billy Prickett: My personal favorite moment based solely on sentimental reasons was Batista beating John Cena for the title after Cena had just won the title. Batista is my all time favorite wrestler, so any moment with him winning gold will always be some of my favorites. The biggest moment to come out of a chamber match though, would have to be HBK winning the title after being out several years from his back injury. As arguably the greatest performer of all time, Shawn Michaels reaching the top again was a huge moment not only for his career but for the WWE as a whole. In terms of quality, I think the best chamber match was the 2011 chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship. This match saw Edge retain and I will always remember Drew McIntyre really showing out in that match. It's sad he never reached his full potential.
Carlos Toro: There have been a lot of great Elimination Chamber matches since it was introduced, but my pick would have to go to the very first match of its kind. It was Survivor Series 2002 and the first Chamber match had a list of Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers in Shawn Michaels, Rob Van Dam, Kane, Chris Jericho, Booker T, and Triple H. It was 39 minutes of pure chaos, great wrestling in such an extreme and new environment, and personified the meaning of Survivor Series, despite not having an actual Survivor Series match on that card. Triple H and Michaels told a great story and their rivalry was in full display throughout that whole match. If you have time, I highly recommend watching this match on YouTube or on the WWE Network.
Who do you think will win both Chamber matches and why?
Billy Prickett: I think the tag team chamber match is very predictable. The New Day are consistently one of the best things on television week in and week out to the point of which it would be stupid to take the titles off of them—especially to any of the teams in this match. Harper and Rowan are on the horizon as future champs but having been recently reunited, they need to be built up as a force before being shoved in the title picture. Plus, The New Day would have to drop the titles to a babyface team before that and that is not something that should happen soon. The New Day will retain.
Now the Intercontinental Championship match is the opposite of the Tag Title match as it is tremendously unpredictable. Sheamus has to be the favorite with his recent run of momentum but guys like King Barrett, Ryback, and Rusev can't afford to keep taking losses and could really use the title to gain some serious ground. Truth is just there to take the first pinfall and Dolph is a wildcard here. He could really use a big win and the title as well but you can tell WWE doesn't see him being above the previous four guys mentioned. Since I don't like boring predictions I'm going to go out on a limb a little bit and pick "The Big Guy" Ryback to claim the title. This could lead to a great title feud between him and Sheamus meanwhile, Ziggler and Rusev can battle in a love triangle type storyline over the ever so popular, Lana. This would leave the King out of the loop a little bit but with WWE's questionable booking towards him through his whole career suggests that they don't really care whether they put him in no man's land or not. I'll predict (boldly) that Ryback takes home the title.
Carlos Toro: As much as I love The Lucha Dragons and know that they are going to be Tag Team Champions one day, that day will not be May 31. They're the crowd favorite, but it's still too soon to give them the belts. This does, however, put them in an excellent position to showcase themselves in front of millions as they make their pay-per-view debut inside the Chamber. I don't think the time is right for them until SummerSlam comes around. As for my actual pick, it's hard to pick anybody other than The New Day. No other team besides Tyson Kidd and Cesaro is heading into this match with any previous momentum as of yet. That could obviously change, but I think the safe bet will be The New Day and I'm sticking to it.
As for the Intercontinental Championship match, this one is a bit tougher to figure out. This match may be lacking in main event star talent, but the feuds and stories of each competitor is intriguing and gives the match more meaning. Sheamus is out to continue his rampage across the WWE as a heel, King Barrett is out to prove his status as a true King of the Ring, Dolph Ziggler and Rusev are locked in a feud over the ever-so-popular Lana, Ryback is out to redeem himself after losing to Bray Wyatt at the Payback pay-per-view earlier this month and R-Truth... well he's just there unfortunately and it's shame he's not getting more time onscreen other than a rather pointless mini feud with
Are your opinions similar to that of this article's writers? Excited about the return of the Elimination Chamber? Who do you think will come out on top on May 31? Sound off in the comments section below.
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