Elimination Chamber 2018: Preview and Predictions

Four weeks after WWE put on a fun show at the Royal Rumble in Philadelphia, we switch gears to the first Raw branded pay-per-view (PPV) of the year in Elimination Chamber.

With history being made for tonight's event in the two high profiled Elimination Chamber matches, fans have tons to look forward to as this would put some of the final pieces (at least for team red) together for WrestleMania.

That being said, let's take a look at the card for the evening while I give my take as to who I think will walk out of Las Vegas victorious.

Gallows & Anderson vs. The Miztourage - Preshow

Before the main card begins, we have a simple tag team match with members of the Balor Club in Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson taking on members of The Miztourage in Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel.

Of course, with this being on the preshow, there's not much to this bout at all. It's easily a simple throwaway match as the panel always gets the most on-screen time during this time slot.

Prediction: Anderson and Gallows

I have to pick a team. I flipped a coin and got Anderson and Gallows. Now, if I had to give a logical, proper reason as to why I picked them, I'd just personally put them over. After all, Finn Balor shouldn't be the only one who is over.

Ronda Rousey signs her Raw contract

Before we get into any of the matches on the card, we have Ronda Rousey putting ink on paper and officially becoming a member of the Raw roster.

With her appearance at the Royal Rumble, which had many fans go insane, we haven't seen her since which makes this a notable event.

Prediction: The seeds are planted for the rumored mix tag match at WrestleMania

It's been the talk among WWE fans in which rather than having Rousey go for a Women's title, she'll be involved in a match with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. While it's not what fans want ideally, it would make sense to put Rousey in a match like that to let her test the waters of performing for a WWE crowd.

"Woken" Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt

For what feels like the millionth time, Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt face off yet again in this never-ending feud. The two have been feuding on TV ever since Wyatt defeated Hardy on a Monday Night Raw back in November which had "Woken" Hardy. With numerous battles and non-stop promos of them laughing at each other since then, another confrontation was given to them at Elimination Chamber.

Prediction: Bray Wyatt

I'm very tired of seeing this feud. I've literally stood up and walked away from my TV any time either of these men came on. There's nothing to this that makes me go "what could happen next?!". I see Wyatt coming out winning here. I see WWE giving him the upper edge for the time being and take this to WrestleMania to face Matt Hardy, again.

The Bar vs. Titus Worldwide - WWE Raw Tag Team Championship

I read a point in the Cultaholic Facebook group I'm in (shout out to the guys at Cultaholic as Matthew Wright is indeed a Numpty, pass it on) from one of its members (my apologies for forgetting their name).

They noticed that Cesaro and Sheamus have been in the Raw Tag Team Title picture since December of 2016. I took a look at almost every pay-per-view since then and I've wanted to break a window.

Turns out, nine of the last ten PPVs that involved the Raw tag titles had Sheamus and Cesaro in it! The exception? Last year's Fastlane when Enzo and Cass took on then tag team champions Gallows and Anderson.

There's no lie when they use their catchphrase "We don't set the bar, we are the bar!" due to the fact they've stayed in the tag title picture longer than I've been a WWE fan. So, to continue to "diverse" the tag team picture on Raw, Apollo and Titus O'Neil received their shot at Elimination Chamber after defeating the champs in a non-title match a few weeks back on Raw.

Prediction: The Bar retain Tag Titles

I don't see the tag team titles change hands so quickly as Sheamus and Cesaro only captured their fourth reign at the Royal Rumble. Apart from that, Apollo and Titus had an interesting moment during last Tuesday's Mixed Match Challenge. After Apollo and Nia Jax lost to Charlotte and Bobby Roode, they got into a small scuffle with Titus and Dana Brooke and had Apollo walking off. I wouldn't be surprised if we have a "Titus Worldwide" implosion and leads to a small match at WrestleMania.

Asuka vs. Nia Jax - If Nia wins, she gets added on to the Raw Women's Title match at WrestleMania

At the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match, history was made when Asuka outlasted 29 other female superstars and punched her ticket to WrestleMania. While it was a touching moment and had fans wondering which champion she'll pick to face as she has yet to decide, she has one more obstacle to face in Nia Jax.

With Nia not being added to the first women's Elimination Chamber match (I'll never understand why), Raw General Manager Kurt Angle announced that she can secure a spot in the Raw Women's Title match at WrestleMania if she beats Asuka.

Despite Jonathan Coachman said on commentary that Asuka never faced somebody like Nia Jax before (ahem, Raw on January 15th), the rematch at Elimination Chamber should be, interesting?

Prediction: Asuka

This is a no brainer. Asuka CLEARLY is going to win this match. There is no way WWE will ruin an undefeated streak on a B-Show pay-per-view.

Sure, Charlotte's undefeated PPV streak ended at Fastlane last year, but it didn't have the significance that Asuka's streak does currently (or what's left of it due to the continuous matches she's had since coming to the main roster).

Apart from that, as I've mentioned before, Asuka never picked her champion to face at WrestleMania. Is it under the assumption that Asuka chose the Raw women's title? If Nia wins, does that mean it's a triple threat match? The looming plot hole to a question that wasn't answered before Elimination Chamber makes it easy for Asuka to win this.

Women's Elimination Chamber Match - Raw Women's Championship

If you thought that WWE didn't make enough history under the "First Ever (blank)" category, think again!

We have our first-ever Women's Elimination Chamber match where Alexa Bliss defends her Raw Women's Championship against Bayley, Sasha Banks, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, and Mickie James.

First off, I need to give props to Alexa Bliss for pulling the gender card on Kurt Angle a few weeks back on Raw, asking him why isn't Brock Lesnar defending his Universal Title inside the Men's Elimination Chamber match. The best part? IT'S ABSOLUTELY TRUE!

Anyways, the build-up to the match has the chance to set up tons of storylines for WrestleMania. We've seen the likes of Alexa Bliss oddly coming to the aid of Mickie James while Bayley and Sasha are slowly pushing each other's buttons yet agreeing to look out for each other (and by default, Mandy and Sonya thanks to absolution). This might be every woman for themselves, but with these alliances formed ahead of time for the chamber, we're bound to see some fun "unexpected" turns in this match.

Prediction: Bayley wins the Raw Women's Title

"WOAH, JOSE, WHAT?!" You heard me. I'm picking Bayley to win the Raw Women's Championship.

This might be a really bad decision. I'm doubting myself really. Bayley has been criticized for her work since she was called up to the main roster back in August of 2016. However, as of late, with how WWE's been working her up with Sasha, you just know they're going to set up something big for WrestleMania.

If there had to be a time where Sasha was to turn heel, this is it. Banks has had the experience of working as a heel during her NXT days back in 2013 and also had a great rivalry against Bayley in 2015. With Banks eliminating Bayley in the Royal Rumble match, moments where she's wanted to show she's better in the ring, having a match for the Women's title would put the cherry on top.

As for Bliss, wouldn't come as a shock to me if Nia Jax were to come in and start a program with her for WrestleMania, especially if she does end up losing to Asuka. Speaking of the Empress of Tomorrow, with rumors swirling that she picks Charlotte as her champion of choice, something tells me that would come to fruition once the Women's Elimination Chamber match has concluded.

Men's Elimination Chamber Match - Winner faces Brock Lesnar for the Universal Title at WrestleMania

It's the main event of Elimination Chamber. For (again) the first time in WWE history, we have seven men entering the Elimination Chamber.

The Miz, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, John Cena, Braun Strowman, Elias, and Finn Balor have the opportunity to set up a [lovely] date with Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania in New Orleans.

Five of the seven qualified in singles competition leading up to tonight's main event (well, Strowman made sure Kane didn't breathe again to qualify) while Seth and Finn both pinned Bray Wyatt at the same time to make this a seven-man chamber match.

While the build-up has been moderate considering there wasn't too much interaction between the participants, they all stole the show this past Monday night on Raw when they competed in a two-hour gauntlet match which had Strowman come out on top. Not to mention that Rollins deserved the spotlight and beating Reigns AND Cena clean and lasting the entire first hour in the ring.

Each participant actually gave themselves a reason as to why they deserve to be in the main event of WrestleMania.

The Miz with his Intercontinental (IC) Title run has been slowly convincing us he could be the best IC champ of all time and pair that up with a World Title. Seth Rollins stating to the WWE Universe he wants to be on top of the mountain one more time after an injury cut his WWE title run short in 2016. John Cena wants to break the record for the most World Title reigns and surpass WWE Hall of Famer, Ric Flair at 17.

Finn Balor wants a shot at the title he never lost after he was the first to win the Universal Title at SummerSlam in 2016 and forced to vacate it after getting injured during his match. Braun Strowman continuing to show what kind of a monster he is and leaves with fans wanting more. Finally, despite Elias still in his first year on the main card, his guitar has been wooing fans ever since.

All compelling arguments and gives us a reason to pick either of these men to win the Elimination Chamber match. Am I missing anybody?

Prediction: Roman Reigns heads to the main event of WrestleMania....again

Sigh. It's going to happen, isn't it? Roman Reigns is winning this, isn't he?

It's the match that's been since coming a mile away. Our trusty source for wrestling news, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling News Observer, reported BEFORE last year's WrestleMania that WWE wanted another shot at Brock Lesnar taking on Roman Reigns in the main event. Despite fans clearly showing day in and day out that they don't want Roman Reigns anywhere near the main event, WWE clearly doesn't care what you think.

My gut feeling tells me it actually isn't Roman, and I'm just typing The Big Dog to save face. However, once reality hits me, I still stick with the obvious in choosing Roman Reigns.

There you have it! What do you think about the predictions and what are your takes? Leave a comment or let me know on Twitter @taboada93

And please, go easy on the alcohol should Roman Reigns wins OR loses. Either or will have us running to the closest tap we can find.