10 HUGE WWE Elimination Chamber 2018 Predictions You Need To Know
Chamber Made
Monday Night Raw's Gauntlet Match was arguably the company's best ever use of the three hours they've had every single week on the USA Network. The huge money deal that's stretched company workload and fan patience alike since 2011 has resulted in countless bouts of experimentation from the group as they work to fill the time, but a single contest taking up the first two hours was a unique solution to a crippling problem.
The 'more is more' philosophy was initially exploited by the glut of concept pay-per-views filling the calendar during the mid-2000s. Inanimate objects became draws instead of Superstars, with TLC, Hell In A Cell and yes, Elimination Chamber literally promising a gimmick rather than a match as a headline attraction. It sapped the life out of the respective formats - it's called overkill after all.
The prospect of two Chamber bouts this year carries substantially less worry. Though the six-woman main event following the lengthy gauntlet couldn't compete on Monday, countless better examples have offered promise that another historic 'first time ever' extravaganza will deliver.
Like SmackDown Live! equivalent Charlotte, Alexa Bliss was a big miss from the Royal Rumble in January, and should offer a fresh alternative in the battle. Meanwhile, WWE have done an excellent job of making the most predictable pre-'Mania Chamber in years slightly less so. Ronda Rousey's arrival could also be the industry's most aggressive palette cleanser. WrestleMania isn't here yet, but whoever said the February show just had to be a roadblock?
10. Shocking The World(wide)
Titus O'Neil and Apollo (Crews Redacted) haven't yet received an official pre-show Tag Team Title match at time of this writing, but surely the company will afford the duo a go at The Bar after weeks of just about gaining the edge over them on television?
Originally a marriage of convenience when neither had anything going on, this feud has been much the same following Sheamus and Cesaro's Royal Rumble rescue of the doubles straps. Titus Worldwide were unconvincing in their original win over the titleholders, but a lack of feasible competition elsewhere on the show has allowed them to remain in contention by default.
Unusually for WWE, the card's short-stacked line-up currently doesn't afford anything for the Kickoff so there's again never been such a practical time to gift a shot to the pair. It's a worrying reversion to old habits for the tag division after a marvellous 2017, disconcerting especially for being so close WrestleMania. A gamble on O'Neil and Apollo at this point would at least make the titles a talking point even if the matches won't stand a chance of delivering in comparison to the Shield/Uso/Bar/New Day combos from last year.