WWE Elimination Chamber 2022 - Ranking the buildup to every match

WWE Elimination Chamber 2022 is the final premium live event for the company before the two-night WrestleMania 38 event. The promotion brings one of their signature stipulations to Saudi Arabia for the first time. Not only will there be two titular steel structure bouts, but there will also be legends returning.

Goldberg returns to Saudi Arabia after defeating Bobby Lashley in a Falls Count Anywhere Match at Crown Jewel 2021. The WWE Hall of Famer will challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship in a match two years in the making after it was pulled from the WrestleMania 36 card.

Another Hall of Famer in Lita will also challenge for gold against Becky Lynch for the RAW Women's Championship.

The Elimination Chamber Match has become a staple of the company. This year, Bobby Lashley will defend the WWE title against three former world champions and two upstarts, while the women will compete for a shot at the RAW Women's gold.

With a lineup like that, there is plenty on offer, but how was the lead-up?

Here is the ranking for the buildup of every match at WWE Elimination Chamber 2022.

---

#8 On the list of buildups for every match at WWE Elimination Chamber 2022: The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio

The Miz kicked off 2022 in a heated rivalry with Edge but suffered two straight losses, first in singles action and then in a mixed tag team match with his wife, Maryse. The A Lister has moved on and is focused on the Mysterio family. Over the past few weeks, The Miz has clashed with Dominik Mysterio, trading victories.

Last week on RAW, The Miz and Maryse cost the Mysterios a win over the tag team champions Alpha Academy. Rey Mysterio will look to exact some revenge on behalf of his son at the latest premium live event. The two superstars have history with their previous meetings over the Intercontinental Championship.

Although this will be a showdown between two former WWE Champions, the company hasn't invested enough time and effort in crafting a story that could interest fans. While there is no doubt that the two stars will deliver a quality affair, the buildup has left a lot to be desired.

#7 The Usos vs. Viking Raiders for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships - WWE Elimination Chamber 2022

Heading into WWE Elimination Chamber 2022, a battle between SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos, and The Viking Raiders should be one of the most anticipated. These four men make up two of the best tag teams on the roster. However, the company hasn't made a significant effort to build up to this contest.

There have been two singles bouts between the tag teams, but no real story has been established in the least. The Viking Raiders won a Fatal Four Way to earn this opportunity in January, but the time hasn't been dedicated to heating them up for a title reign. It creates what should be a very good encounter into a predictable one.

---

#6 Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss in a No Disqualification Match - WWE Elimination Chamber 2022

Drew McIntyre was attacked by Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss back at the WWE Day 1 event, with the two men injuring the former WWE Champion's neck. The Scottish Warrior made his return in the 2022 Men's Royal Rumble Match and eliminated his rivals.

After a win over Moss at Day 1, McIntyre will look to gain revenge at WWE Elimination Chamber 2022 and repeat his fortune from their last contest. The Falls Count Anywhere stipulation will hopefully improve upon their previous meeting and allow the performers the freedom to truly exceed expectations despite those expectations being low, to begin with.

#5 Naomi & Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair & Sonya Deville with one of Ronda's arm tied behind her back - WWE Elimination Chamber 2022

At WWE Elimination Chamber 2022, the 2022 Women's Royal Rumble winner Ronda Rousey will look to make a statement ahead of WrestleMania 38. The Rowdy One will team up with Naomi to face SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair and Sonya Deville.

On the February 11 episode of SmackDown, Charlotte Flair defeated Naomi to retain her title. The post-match saw Charlotte and Sonya attack, Naomi, with Rousey making the save.

The following week, Deville invoked a stipulation to have one of Ronda's arm tied behind her back. The buildup to this match just lacked the time to fully develop properly.

---

#4 Alexa Bliss vs. Bianca Belair vs. Doudrop vs. Liv Morgan vs. Nikki A.S.H. vs. Rhea Ripley in the RAW Women's Championship #1 Contender's Elimination Chamber Match - WWE Elimination Chamber 2022

WWE announced a second Elimination Chamber Match for the titular event, with the women competing for a shot at the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania 38. Bianca Belair, Doudrop, Liv Morgan, Nikki A.S.H., Rhea Ripley, and the returning Alexa Bliss will all vie for the opportunity at the Show of Shows.

The gauntlet match on the February 14 edition of WWE RAW really added a lot to this lead-up. Rhea Ripley put in a tremendous performance going 44 minutes and defeating most of her opponents on this show.

Bianca Belair won the final entry into the Chamber and is the odds-on favorite, while Alexa Bliss, making her return, could have enough momentum to take the win.

#3 Roman Reigns vs. Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship - WWE Elimination Chamber 2022

WWE Elimination Chamber 2022 will see a showdown that is truly two years in the making. At WrestleMania 36, Goldberg was scheduled to face Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship. However, the Tribal Chief took a sabbatical due to the pandemic and wouldn't return until the summer. Goldberg went on to lose the gold, but the matchup with Reigns never transpired.

That made his latest return to confront Roman and challenge for the Universal title very intriguing. Roman Reigns has made the claim that he "will Goldberg Goldberg" at the premium live event, while Goldberg is determined to win the top prize in the company again. The promo work heading in from Reigns, Goldberg and Paul Heyman has made this compelling.

---

#2 Becky Lynch vs. Lita for the RAW Women's Championship - WWE Elimination Chamber 2022

Speaking of promo work elevating a dream match, Becky Lynch will defend the RAW Women's Championship against WWE Hall of Famer Lita at Elimination Chamber 2022. Lita made her return in the 2022 Women's Royal Rumble Match but came up short. She didn't waste any time and challenged Becky for her title at the next big event.

This challenge has caused Becky Lynch to have a crisis of confidence. Big Time Becks is distraught at her hero. Her inspiration to be a wrestler is now trying to take what she loves the most ahead of the Showcase of The Immortals. The character work from Lynch has elevated this to be one of the best-built feuds of her reign.

#1 Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins vs. Austin Theory vs. Riddle vs. AJ Styles in an Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE Championship - WWE Elimination Chamber 2022

WWE Elimination Chamber 2022 would be incomplete without a huge contest filled with some of the top stars in the promotion. Bobby Lashley defeated Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2022 thanks to help from Roman Reigns. Lashley makes the first defense of his second reign inside the steel structure.

The All-Mighty will defend the title against five challengers. Former champion Brock Lesnar invoked his rematch inside the Chamber. Seth Rollins earned his opportunity by defeating Roman Reigns by disqualification at Royal Rumble 2022 and will now look to regain the WWE title.

Austin Theory picked up the most important win of his career so far by beating Kevin Owens to earn his shot. Riddle took a break from RK-Bro to defeat Otis and earn his spot. Finally, AJ Styles defeated Rey Mysterio in a very good contest. All these competitors have proven to be exceptional performers.

WWE may have the best lineup of in-ring workers in an Elimination Chamber Match in this one. Lashley and Lesnar will be in there to toss their opponents around and exert their will. A showdown between the two will definitely get the Saudi Arabia crowd loud and vocal. Styles and Rollins are two of the best workers in the world and will be the ones carrying out the action most of the time.

Riddle and Theory are two upstarts who will be looking to prove themselves in this high-profile contest. Riddle has gotten over huge through his tag team with Randy Orton, and a strong showing here will be an indication that the company may invest in him long term. Theory has delivered quality bouts week after week on RAW and should stand out at WWE Elimination Chamber 2022.

Despite all the positives for all the performers in this one, it seems like there are three competitors most likely to win. Bobby Lashley has been built as a force to be reckoned with and could retain against all his challengers. Seth Rollins is still a top star and could be what the WWE title needs.

However, Brock Lesnar losing ahead of his Universal Championship match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 38 would be extremely unwise. Brock has teased a title vs. title match against Roman at Mania, but it now seems more likely than ever. The WWE Championship match is the best buildup of any match at WWE Elimination Chamber 2022