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In a surprising bit of news, Kurt Angle announced on Raw that the Elimination Chamber would feature seven competitors for the first time in the match's history. This came after a controversial finish to the final qualifying match this Monday night, that saw both Finn Balor and Seth Rollins pin Bray Wyatt to win.
Details have been scarce as to whether the match will feature an extra pod, begin with three competitors in the ring or the more hilarious two superstars sharing a pod. Just imagine if WWE decides to have Braun Strowman and Elias sharing a pod; Elias's definitely getting those hands!
With the Elimination Chamber PPV set to be a historic night featuring the first-ever women's Elimination Chamber match and Ronda Rousey signing with the 'E, this additional bit of history presents its fair share of speculation. So, let's begin.
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The Miz is first
On Monday Night Raw, The Miz suffered a defeat at the hands of John Cena. This was one of the many losses Miz has had against the man he beat at the main event of WrestleMania. Yet the loss comes after the best singles match the two have ever engaged in.
The stakes of the match couldn't have been higher Miz. With this loss, the Intercontinental champion is set to enter the punishing chamber at number one. He will have to go through six other Superstars including two fresh ones to stake a claim at Brock Lesnar's Universal Championship at WrestleMania.
Miz needs an opponent or two to make this an exhilarating start, so who will they be?
Three's A Crowd
Though I'd really love for two stars to share a pod on the night, the fact is WWE won't be messing with the chamber formula. Since both Rollins and Balor won the match, the two will start the match alongside The Miz.
It will give an initial burst of excitement which the chamber -- barring a few instances -- has generally lacked. With three competitors, there's a chance for more thrills and interaction until the fourth man comes along.
At this juncture no elimination occurs simply because I believe, WWE will want Michael Cole screaming his lungs that 'this is the first time seven men have faced off in the chamber!' as soon as Elias steps into the middle of the ring
No Eliminations: Seth Rollins, The Miz and Finn Balor remain. Entering at No. 4 is Roman Reigns.
Satan's Playground is The Big Dog's Yard
A chorus of boos will follow as Roman Reigns steps into his first Elimination Chamber to win it all. It's inevitable that Reigns will be the one to slay The Beast at WrestleMania. The fans would be more accepting of his victory if he enters first and conquers it all in heroic fashion.
Reigns as the fresh man will clear the field with ease, taking out competitors left, right and center. The Miz will earn the ire of course of his three opponents, taken down with a SHIELD powerbomb on the unforgiving steel. Finn Balor will join them, trading in their fist bump for a too sweet when he quickly attacks them to avoid being double teamed.
Eventually, Reigns and Rollins will square off before the counter begins. As soon as the light sparks, everyone will get those hands.
No Eliminations: Seth Rollins, The Miz, Finn Balor and Roman Reigns remain. Braun Strowman enters at number 5.
Everyone Gets Those Hands
The Monster Among Men will storm out of the Chamber like a wrecking ball, crashing through the cage to bulldoze his opponent including the SHIELD brothers. Balor will be swatted off like a fly and The Miz will be left at Braun's mercy.
A lengthy cat and mouse chase across the chamber will save The Miz when Reigns will spear Braun out of nowhere. However, this won't keep him down, forcing Roman to call on the forces to take him out. Unfortunately, that won't be enough.
The field will be clear for Strowman and Reigns to reignite their epic rivalry from last year as they pummel each other across the field. Meanwhile, Balor will foil their contest with a highlight move from the top of the chamber. As the penultimate bell tolls, we know who's coming in next.
No Eliminations: Seth Rollins, The Miz, Finn Balor, Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman remain. No. 6 entry is John Cena!
A Desperate John Cena, is A Mean John Cena
I love the new arc WWE is trying to establish with John Cena. Though it seems implausible that John Cena won't be a featured attraction at WrestleMania (especially since the company loves its celebrity part-time attractions), Cena's desperation to make it at 'Mania while facing young upstarts is an entertaining arc.
Besides the Miz, John Cena is the only man to ever enter the Elimination Chamber. He is also the only man in the field to ever win it. Like the Royal Rumble, Cena's got five young hungry stars gunning for him in their prime. They'll hound him to put him down, but they won't be able to just yet.
While Cena has historic and dream encounters with the field, the others will compete with Braun, smashing another sorry wrestler into the glass.
No Eliminations: Seth Rollins, The Miz, Finn Balor, Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman and John Cena remain. Elias is the Final Entrant.
Walking With Elias to Elimination
As per virtue of his big win a week ago, Elias will have the honor of entering at number seven in the Elimination Chamber. Did I mention that through the contest until his entry, Elias will strum the guitar much to the chagrin of the competitors and the roar of the crowd. Soon enough the buzzer will sound for his entry.
Finally, the ring will be filled with seven Superstars, a historic night for the Elimination Chamber. Cena being the smart tactician he is forced to be now (to keep up) will direct everyone's attention towards the danger man - Braun Strowman.
The six Superstars will dog-pile the big man, forcing him down long enough, only to be sent scattering away. However, this will leave its mark for John Cena to splash him with an Attitude Adjustment, only for the Miz to steal the pin.
Braun Strowman is Eliminated; Seth Rollins, The Miz, Finn Balor, Roman Reigns, John Cena and Elias remain.
The Monster Wreaks Havoc
Incensed by the elimination that took six men to down him, Braun Strowman will wreak carnage across the field before leaving the chamber. Elias, ever the opportunist, will sneak away from this attack and do the same that the Miz had done to Strowman.
He will simply take to the ring and pin the unfortunate Intercontinental Champion, setting himself up for a future title shot on Raw. The Miz isn't going far in this match.
The Miz is Eliminated
Elias will try to gloat with his trusty guitar only to be attacked by Cena from the back, another sign that the old warhorse will do anything to get to the Grandest Stage of Them All. Though Elias will kick out of the shock Attitude Adjustment, another one from the top rope will be enough to put him down.
Elias is Eliminated; Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Roman Reigns and John Cena remain
And Then There Were Four
A mega final four face off with the biggest WWE Superstars today. Everyone will go all out against each other, reigniting some heated contests and rivalries. Finn Balor and Cena will do battle, matching the story of new vs. old, that began at the Rumble.
Meanwhile, Rollins and Reigns will have the intriguing contest. Though the two could easily team up against the competition and they will before their final face-off, this one's all about them.
At the Rumble, Reigns got one on Rollins by dumping him out. He did it from the back, mirroring Rollins' betrayal of him years ago. Eventually, Reigns will conquer his brother to be ready for Lesnar.
Seth Rollins is Eliminated; Finn Balor, Roman Reigns and John Cena remain
Three Men Entered, Three Remain
Fittingly, the match will end as it began with a triple threat. Like the Royal Rumble, Finn Balor will have survived through the field to make it this far. Like the Royal Rumble, the two corporate-backed favorites will team up to do battle against fan favorite Balor.
This will be another clash of titans between Cena and Reigns and another checkpoint for Roman to clear towards his inevitable Wrestlemania moment. Cena will do everything and anything in his desperation to make it to 'Mania including bringing out the Avalanche Attitude Adjustment.
Unlike everyone else though, Roman Reigns will kick out of it; a hint towards building an arc between him and Brock Lesnar. It's all about the finishers after all. Eventually, though. Balor will take center stage, finally taking out the exhausted Cena and avenging his previous losses.
John Cena is Eliminated; Roman Reigns and Finn Balor remain.
The Demon in Satan's Playground
One way we will know if Finn Balor could win the chamber in a shocking upset, is if he comes in with his Demon make up intact. Even the favored position of Roman Reigns, will never allow Demon Balor to lose as long as Vince McMahon sees dollar signs in that character.
There could be a twist in the tail though and that one comes here. I know that I had said in my predictions that Roman Reigns is headed to conquer Suplex City at WrestleMania. Yet I should have really been looking at the story that was brewing. Here are two men who've barely collided since their epic WrestleMania encounter years ago, that didn't yield a clear winner.
Where both Brock and Roman have seemed unconquerable, Finn Balor has felt unwanted. Despite never truly losing his championship, he's lost it all and chance after chance it just hasn't worked out -- until now. In a thrilling finale, the two men will leave it all only to end up too exhausted to get the win.
Finn Balor and Roman Reigns end in a draw!
Aftermath
To nobody's shock, Finn Balor and Roman Reigns will head to 'Mania against Brock Lesnar in a triple threat elimination match. This will allow WWE to frame the contest with a clear-cut fan favorite that can engage the viewers.
It will give Finn the much-needed boost towards his eventual heel turn as the other two underestimate him and unfortunately eliminate him early in the match. Of course, the fans will boo, but as long as Reigns and Lesnar don't end the night, it won't be a big deal.
Reigns' coronation is coming, as is Brock Lesnar's downfall. Reigns will win, but for two nights, Finn Balor, despite his final treatment, will have got a big push and an interesting character to take forward.
