Following a Payback pay-per-view that was somewhat short on matches that actually matter, Elimination Chamber has all the ingredients to be one of the year's best events.
Despite the abrupt announcement and shortened buildup for the WWE Network exclusive, it will be bolstered by a pair of intriguing singles matches: Seth Rollins will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Dean Ambrose, and United States champion John Cena will face NXT champion Kevin Owens.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Who Will Win EC's Top Singles Matches?
Rollins has managed to hold on to the world title since stealing it from Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract, but he has a major challenge on his hands on Sunday.
Rollins' former Shield cohort has defeated him twice leading up to Elimination Chamber, which has given Ambrose a ton of momentum. WWE's Lunatic Fringe will almost certainly have to deal with the likes of J&J Security andKane, but he figures to have Reigns on his side as well.
Perhaps even more compelling than that contest is the champion-versus-champion clash between John Cena and Kevin Owens. Since making his Raw debut recently, Owens has embarrassed Cena by attacking him twice. The Canadian Superstar has made it clear that he is on the same level as the 15-time world champion despite the fact he is new to the WWE roster. He has a chance to prove it when he goes toe-to-toe with Cena at Elimination Chamber.
Ring Rust Radio's Take
While Ambrose's popularity has been quite evident over the past month, it is difficult to imagine him walking out of Elimination Chamber as WWE World Heavyweight champion. It wasn't long ago he was feuding with Luke Harper, so that would represent a quick and shocking turnaround.
Ambrose figures to put on a fantastic show, since he and Rollins have such great chemistry with one another, but the Authority's hand-picked face of WWE will find a way to retain once again through nefarious means and take another step toward a potential match with Brock Lesnar.
As for the battle between Cena and Owens, it seems as though the vast majority of fans would like to see Owens come away with a victory in his first WWE match. It would make sense, given a win over Cena would establish Owens as a top heel right away, but it isn't likely to happen.
Perhaps the best way to protect Owens without forcing Cena to take a loss is to have Owens display his ruthlessness and get himself disqualified. Regardless of how it occurs, though, Cena will continue his long-running penchant for beating young stars.
Breaking Down Elimination Chamber Matches
While the Rollins versus and Ambrose and Cena versus Owens matches may be the most high-profile bouts on Sunday's card, the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view can't happen without its eponymous matches.
Two contests will take place inside the unforgiving steel structure, as the vacant Intercontinental Championship will be on the line in one, and the New Day will defend their Tag Team Championships against five teams in the other.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Who Will Win the IC and Tag Titles?
On the heels of Daniel Bryan relinquishing the IC title because of injury, six competitors will vie for the gold at Elimination Chamber. Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, King Barrett, R-Truth, Ryback and Rusev are scheduled to take part in the match, but with the Bulgarian Brute nursing a leg injury, that lineup could potentially change.
There are several legitimate contenders regardless of Rusev's status, which should make for an entertaining match.
In the chamber match for the Tag Team Championships, two members of New Day will have to go up against Cesaro and Tyson Kidd, the Ascension, the Lucha Dragons, Los Matadores and the Prime Time Players in what promises to be a crowded and chaotic affair.
Unlike the IC title Elimination Chamber match, though, only a small handful of teams appear to have a chance to win, as the Ascension, Prime Time Players and Los Matadores are all filler.
Ring Rust Radio's Take
Provided Rusev is able to compete, every Superstar in the match for the Intercontinental Championship beside R-Truth could potentially win. Based on recent events, though, Sheamus has to be considered the favorite.
WWE has attempted to build the Celtic Warrior into a credible heel, and having him win the title would be an easy way to do that. The pushes of Barrett and Ryback have been hot and cold, while Rusev and Ziggler are poised to feud with each other. Based on process of elimination, Sheamus is the best option.
The Tag Team Championships chamber match is a three-team race between the holders New Day, the former champions Cesaro and Kidd, and the up-and-coming duo of Kalisto and Sin Cara. Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods have done a great job getting over as heels, but there aren't many compelling feuds on the horizon for them.
The same can't be said for Cesaro and Kidd, though, as they could potentially go up against the reformed team of Harper and Erick Rowan. With that in mind, Cesaro and Kidd will become tag champs for the second time.
RRR Interview with Former WWE Superstar JTG
JTG was part of the WWE roster from 2006 to 2014 with the exception of a break in 2007, so he has no shortage of stories regarding his time in the world's biggest wrestling promotion. With that in mind, the former Cryme Tyme member decided to write an e-book entitledDamn! Why Did I Write This Book? It features a look back at his tenure in WWE, and JTG recently joined Ring Rust Radio to discuss it.
Question on Everybody's Mind: What's Next for JTG?
The overarching theme of JTG's book is the fact he was a magnet for heat from the moment he made his main-roster debut alongside Shad Gaspard at the age of 21. While JTG never sought to get on the bad side of other wrestlers or personnel, he had a tendency to make enemies. That led to plenty of peaks and valleys over the course of his career, which JTG had no problem discussing in his book.
His anecdotes regarding some of the biggest stars in the business shed some light on what those guys are like behind the curtain. While JTG didn't actually name names in many instances, he strongly intimated that John Cena held him back at one point, CM Punk attempted to show him up in a match and Chris Jericho was nothing short of a consummate professional.
Wrestling fans love to hear the good, bad and ugly of what goes on in the backstage area, and JTG's book certainly provides plenty of insight.
Ring Rust Radio's Take
In addition to his book, JTG talked about his potential future in the wrestling business. He has made sporadic appearances on the independent scene since his release from WWE in 2014, but he hasn't landed anywhere on a permanent basis.
There is more legitimate competition in the wrestling business than there has been in quite some time, as Ring of Honor, TNA and Lucha Underground are all alternatives to WWE in the United States, while Japan and Mexico boast some desirable promotions as well.
Cryme Tyme or JTG as an individual could help any of those companies immensely, but he doesn't seem to be in any hurry to lock himself in. JTG committed his life to wrestling for many years in WWE, and he is just now getting an opportunity to explore other opportunities, such as writing his book.
JTG revealed that another book could be on the way at some point, and if it is anywhere near as entertaining as the first one, it will be a must-buy for wrestling fans.
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