The Miz is WWE Champion, Riddle is the United States Champion and the 24/7 Title has not been scrapped. All three are repercussions from the Elimination Chamber last night.
With only one pay-per-view to go until WrestleMania, here is a list of who should challenge for every WWE main roster title following Elimination Chamber.
10. United States Championship – Andrade
Who looks at Andrade and thinks… lower mid-card? The man who was requested to no longer wear a mask because he looks so great. Who could possibly think lower mid-card? I will tell you who… Vince McMahon.
Andrade took time away from WWE in October to have undergo a minor elective procedure but has yet to return, with many believing WWE doesn’t have plans for him.
Following a split from Angel Garza and the release of Zelina Vega, ‘El Ídolo’ would be solo for the first time since early NXT.
While it shouldn’t have come to this for Andrade to be pushed, surely his connections to the Flair family should help him. With Charlotte being the company’s favourite blonde, it could even be a great idea if they paired Andrade with Flair to help him get over.
With the United Stated Championship now being on Riddle, the two could create a dream match. A perfect face vs heel dynamic, which could be more than enjoyable for the Road to WrestleMania.
Furthermore, other than Keith Lee, who WWE pulled from the match at Elimination Chamber due to injury, there are not many mid-carders who seem built enough to fight for the title.
9. Intercontinental Championship – Apollo Crews and Shinsuke Nakamura
Apollo Crews turning heel was something bubbling for a long time. After being called up nearly five years ago (yes, five years ago), he has done little but smile. The exciting United States Title win led to nothing, and he moved to SmackDown with all the momentum gone.
Nevertheless, Apollo Crews is now finally here. Turning against Big E and attacking him with the steel steps was one of the most memorable moments of his career.
We then look at Shinsuke Nakamura, whose run has been the definition of lacklustre. A great main roster start, leading to an interesting heel turn, and then straight down to the mid-card.
After a huge run during a gauntlet match on Smackdown earlier last month, a bit of momentum has been gained. The ‘Rising Sun’ theme song has returned and Nakamura feels a bit refreshed after being put down for so long.
A three-way currently looks like the plan, and that would be tremendous. Big E has been on fire as Intercontinental Champion and both competitors have some excitement around them.
8. 24/7 Championship – Cardi B
We live in a world where this is certainly possible…
In my previous lists for possible challengers to the 24/7 title, I suggested Kalisto, Jillian Hall and simply anyone. However, with Bad Bunny currently holding the big green belt, surely a fellow pop star should be next.
Cardi B has made it clear that she has some interest in WWE, and who does Vince love more than a pop star. Her previous work with Bad Bunny could mean he could bring her over to professional wrestling.
While I’m largely being hyperbolic here, the real answer should be… does anyone care about this title? It does nothing for anyone and has been a waste of TV time for over a year.
7. Raw Tag Team Championship – Jeff Hardy & Ricochet
There are quite literally no teams on Raw for the Hurt Business to face. RETRIBUTION, the New Day and the Lucha House Party. A jobber team and two teams that have already been beaten multiple times by the champions.
For this reason, I have simply created my own team. Both Ricochet and Jeff Hardy are spectacular wrestlers. They are the high flyers of their times, however one was used correctly, and the other… not even close.
Ricochet has made it clear over Twitter that a partnership with Hardy would be something he’s interested in. After a match against Elias and Jaxson Ryker on Main Event, we know the two could have some chemistry.
With neither having anything particularly substantial to do, why not put them together? A storyline can be created about the old-timer passing on the torch to a similar but younger wrestler. That rarely happens in WWE, with last night proving how old the current roster is.
Within this, we could get Cedric Alexander vs Ricochet, and the classic 2006 match of Jeff Hardy vs Shelton Benjamin. All four men are deserving of a meaningful feud, and the match could be a lot of fun.
6. SmackDown Tag Team Championship – Rey & Dominik Mysterio
Otis and Gable seemed the clear pick to take on the Dirty Dawgs (yes, that’s their real name) next, but following their heel turn, surely that wouldn’t make sense.
With the turn taking place against Rey and Dominik, a nice feud could be set up to become #1 contenders. Two great babyfaces in the Mysterios trying to gain a place on the WrestleMania card as father and son.
Additionally, who else is there on SmackDown to face Ziggler and Roode for their title?
Usos could be a good option, but once again the heel vs heel dynamic could certainly be confusing. The Street Profits seemed destined to be the hosts of WrestleMania. And that’s it… that is all the teams on SmackDown.
If I was to book this, I would have Gable and Otis vs The Mysterios at FastLane, leading to the title match at ‘Mania.
5. Women’s Tag Team Championship – Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez
This entrant is one of the only ones already confirmed.
With Kai and Gonzalez winning the women’s Dusty Rhodes classic at TakeOver, this tag match was set up. While the heel vs heel dynamic makes for a slightly confusing feud, all four women are great performers and are sure to put on a good match.
Baszler and Jax have had a decent run combined with their previous, but I think it’s time for new champs. With very limited tag teams on the main roster, NXT has dozens.
Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon, Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter, and Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell, these teams could all have great matches against Kai and Gonzalez.
Following this, Baszler and Jax could have a competitive feud to give them something at WrestleMania. They began to set that up before their title run, but it could make for a decent feud with their history.
4. Raw Women’s Championship – Peyton Royce
Asuka last defended her championship on pay-per-view at Clash of Champions. That was in September.
More to this, she’s only defended the title once since then. That was against Lana on Raw in November, which she didn’t even win by pin or submission.
It’s clear by these stats that her run has been much worse than lacklustre. Despite carrying the company through 2020, alongside Drew McIntyre and Bayley & Sasha Banks, she has been treated as just another woman on the roster.
WWE now has an opportunity to revive Asuka’s reign. Vince only knows what they were originally planning for Lacey Evans and Charlotte, but now that’s not happening, we can now go a much better route.
Peyton Royce is a wonderful wrestler. She’s great on the microphone and her wrestling ability is one of the best. Facing Asuka would also make sense for the story due to her friendship with Evans.
While I don’t think she should win the title, Asuka beating her would at least give her some momentum.
Whether this leads to Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley or Cardi B at WrestleMania, she needs to win that match too. Asuka could be money, WWE just needs to start booking her that way.
3. SmackDown Women’s Championship – Carmella, Liv Morgan, Bayley, Natalya, and Billie Kay
Over the years, there have been great six-women matches on multiple pay-per-views. Whether it was Backlash 2016 or No Mercy 2017, they’re a great way to get characters over.
It is clear that Bianca Belair will be choosing Sasha Banks for WrestleMania, so why not drag that out a little more? Banks having to defend against the best women on the SmackDown would add some suspension.
Reginald has been around Banks and Belair for the past few weeks, signalling Carmella isn’t finished.
Bayley has remained gold since losing the title. Her talk show, her feud against Belair, and her natural comedy, means she deserves one more title shot.
Meanwhile, Morgan, Natalya and Kay have all been in a relatively weird friendship storyline. Billie Kay shines no matter what, but giving her and her frenemies something substantial would be a good idea.
This would be great, and Banks having to also earn a match against Belair at WrestleMania would add value to both.
2. WWE Championship – Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre
Following last night’s events, The Miz is WWE Champion. No this is not 2010, this is 2021.
While this may seem like the worst possible scenario to some, there is some hope. With Lashley’s addition to the title picture, could Lashley be winning the title tonight on Raw, or possibly Fastlane?
More to this, Lashley could win to face McIntyre, or possibly better, Keith Lee at WrestleMania. This is certainly fantasy booking, but it’s the best possible option for this potentially dark timeline.
The Miz winning the title last night means, for many people, things can only get better. Whether it’s McIntyre who regains the championship or Lashley capturing it, let’s hope the storyline has a good resolution.
1. Universal Championship – Daniel Bryan
The SmackDown Elimination Chamber was epic. Six of the best the brand has to offer, they all put full effort into creating a memorable match.
Daniel Bryan was the man to stand tall at the end of the Chamber, and immediately faced Roman Reigns. After wrestling for 40 minutes, the title match only lasted a couple of minutes.
This left many fans confused, but it left the door open for a rematch. Roman now looks stronger than ever for the road to Mania, and Bryan deserves another shot after the shenanigans of last night.
More to this, a rematch can tease an Edge vs Daniel Bryan dream feud. Both previously retired superstars having a possible title match at the Grandest Stage of Them All.
While I don’t think Reigns should lose, it could create some great babyface character for Bryan. One more stop to go until WrestleMania only means one more main event match for Reigns.
Comments.
Loading comments…