We are now less than two months away from the biggest night in the WWE calendar, and the rumour mill is going into overdrive.
There is a huge amount of speculation as to what the card could look like, but how likely are some of the matches being talked about at the moment.
Let’s take a look at some of the matches discussed so far.
The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
A certainty for the show, and given the length of the WrestleMania broadcast and the popularity of the new Royal Rumble match, there may well be a women’s version too.
Expect Elias to come up short at the Elimination Chamber but get a WrestleMania moment by winning the Battle Royal.
In the women’s event Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch will be high on the list of contenders.
The Miz v Braun Strowman for the IC Title
Braun is massively over and if he’s figuring outside the main events, the Miz would be a great foil for him. The Mixed Match Challenge partnership with Alexa Bliss has been gold, and brought a new side of Strowman to the fore. Add to this his brilliant double bass performance in mocking Elias this week on Raw and we can really see his personality start to show.
The Miz is the best worker the company has on the mic, and the lead up to this one would be box office.
Anything you can do, I do BIGGER. #MonsterAmongMusic #WWEChamber #GetTheseHands pic.twitter.com/78EzUZM5TK
— Braun Strowman (@BraunStrowman) February 13, 2018
The Finals of the Cruiserweight Tournament
Another certainty for the undercard, a disappointing lack of interest in this one.
Charlotte v Auska, Alexa Bliss v Nia Jax – and how you solve a problem like Ronda Rousey
Let’s deal with these matches together. Both are being hotly discussed – and this is why they SHOULD NOT happen.
Auska is on a hot-streak the like of which has not been seen since Goldberg. She takes on Nia at Elimination chamber with a place at WrestleMania on the line for Jax if she wins.
Common opinion says that Nia defeats Auska, with the Empress of Tomorrow taking on Charlotte at Mania, leaving Alexa for Jax.
Let’s say Nia does end the winning streak and book her ticket to the Show of Shows. Pushing Auska to face Charlotte makes it look like she is dodging Jax – and compounding the loss of her undefeated streak. Even if she loses, Auska stills needs to look strong.
.@NiaJaxWWE will have her work cut out for her at #WWEChamber... Is she READY? #RAW @WWEAsuka pic.twitter.com/iwtuIlM99u
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 13, 2018
Add to this there is no real hunger to see Bliss and Jax, in what could be a squash match (remember Sheamus v Daniel Bryan?), and this is surely not the way to go?
How would I play things?
Asuka wins at Elimination Chamber, and goes on to defeat Bliss at Mania. Meanwhile Nia wins the Battle Royal in dominant style.
But this leaves us a problem.
Charlotte is without an opponent.
WWE would love The Rock and Ronda v Triple H and Stephanie – but a lot of stars would have to align – most notably The Rock’s schedule.
Charlotte v Ronda would be huge, but would Rousey have the in-ring acumen to hang with Ms Flair in such a high-profile singles match?
Ideally Rowdy would start of in a mixed-tag match – but that will mean someone else in the women’s division takes a hit (Asuka) for it to happen.
In TWO WEEKS at #WWEChamber, @RondaRousey will officially join Monday Night #RAW with her @WWE contract signing! pic.twitter.com/iyHMD14JrX
— WWE (@WWE) February 13, 2018
AJ Styles v Shinsuke Nakamura
It’s on. And it may well steal the show.
John Cena v The Undertaker
Cena needs an opponent, and The Undertaker’s retirement has been ambiguous enough to leave the door open for this.
Could a Cena heel turn ever happen? Who knows? The concern with this one is how The Undertaker’s body holds up.
It shouldn’t happen, but probably will.
Brock Lesnar v Roman Reigns
WrestleMania 31 was fun with these two, so Reigns winning at Elimination Chamber to set it up again is almost certain.
