The road to WrestleMania made a quick stop at the Elimination Chamber in Perth, Australia. At the premium live event we found out who won the chamber matches and who will face the champions at WrestleMania.
But that left more questions than answers about the rest of the participants and what their path to WrestleMania will be like. In my previous article, I talked about the participants for the Women’s Elimination Chamber match, now it is time for the participants in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match. Let’s star with the winner of the match. Drew McIntyre who got their by pinning Randy Orton.
The Paths for the Men’s Elimination Chamber Participants
Winner: Drew McIntyre
The Scottish Warrior Drew McIntyre earned the right to face Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania after pinning Randy Orton. McIntyre pinned three men in the match entering the chamber at number two. Ever since turning heel things seem to be going right for McIntyre.
Now he is set to try to win his second World Heavyweight Championship against an injured Rollins. The first time McIntyre won the championship it was in an empty arena at WrestleMania because of COVID. What should have been an incredible experience left McIntyre bitter and now he has to win the big one yet again this time with thousands of people cheering and booing the big man.
Although McIntyre would love a one on one against Rollins there might be a change of plans. Since McIntyre is currently feuding with Sami Zayn don’t be surprised if they somehow someway add Zayn to the match.
Instead of a one on one we could get a triple threat match at Mania. All three wrestlers have a storyline together so it would be an incredible match. Although Zayn’s addition is unclear, one thing is for sure McIntyre will do whatever it takes to win the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania from Seth Rollins.
Just ask Randy Orton. Just like McIntyre, Logan Paul has a spot secured at WrestleMania too.
Logan Paul
The Maverick, Logan Paul spot is secured because he is the current United States champion. At WrestleMania it is rare that every championship is not defended.
The Youtube star’s spot is secured but the question is who will challenge him at WrestleMania. After Paul was eliminated by Randy Orton with an RKO out of nowhere, the US champion cost Orton the match with brass knuckles to the face. Since Orton was seconds away from facing Rollins instead of McIntyre, Orton could be looking for revenge. A one on one between Paul and Orton is definitely on the table.
You know who else is on the table, Kevin Owens. KO has been feuding with Paul since the Royal Rumble and Paul’s fluke victory over Owens means the rivalry is definitely not over.
The whole match while Paul was in the pod he would taunt Owens and vice versa. As soon as Paul entered the match at 6, Owens went straight to attacking Owens. Maybe a triple threat with Randy Orton and Paul is in the works? Or a rematch between Owens and Paul?
Then there is LA Knight to consider. Since before the Royal Rumble there were rumors that Paul and Knight would fight at WrestleMania for the United States championship.
Maybe that is another possible opponent for Paul. Also there is this to consider, there is usually a ladder match at WrestleMania. Maybe there could be a five way or six way ladder match for the United States championship. Other additions could be AJ Styles and maybe even a rookie like Carmelo Hayes. All we know is Paul’s spot is secured but what about for The Almighty?
Bobby Lashley
The Almighty Bobby Lashley entered the chamber at four and was the first one eliminated. Don’t be fooled though Lashley had a dominant showcase for himself before he injured his arm.
Lashley and Randy Orton seemed unstoppable for many moments. Lashley speared Paul through the pod injuring his own arm in the process. That led to McIntyre to hit Lashley with a claymore and eliminating him. There are probably only a few likely scenarios for Lashley.
One could be adding him into the United States championship picture after a huge spear to the United States champ. The second could be Lashley and The Street Profits against Karrion Kross and The Authors of Pain.
Both teams could face each other in a six man tag after months of feuding. The third option for Lashley could be entering the Andre the Giant Battle Royal and possibly winning it for the second year in a row. Who knows manybe even a Lashley vs. Bron Breakker could face each other. It could be a battle of the spears between Lashley and the future of the WWE. Lashley has a few options but what about KO?
Kevin Owens
The inaugural Universal champion Kevin Owens had a great and entertaining showing at the Elimination Chamber. The highlight was KO inside the pod helping hit McIntyre from the inside as Knight hits him from the outside of KOs pod.
KO has a short fuse and it is funny to see him attacking Paul. KO vs Paul in a rematch is an option as well as KO vs Randy Orton vs Paul in a triple threat for the United States championship. Even including KO in the United States Ladder match if they have it makes sense.
The only other option other than the United States championship picture is Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn. This one on one could make sense for number of reasons. One is they both are in a slump and could challenge each other just to be at ‘Mania.
Two is KO resenting Sami Zayn still for having Jey Uso’s back after the whole Bloodline incident. And three is they teamed together at last year’s Mania to win the WWE Tag Team Championships from The Usos. This year it could be a one on one match between two best friends. It is safe to say KO will definitely have a match at ‘Mania but what about for LA Knight.
LA Knight
The Megastar LA Knight had one hell of a showing at Elimination Chamber. He hit his finisher on McIntyre and was about to pin him before AJ Styles came in from the outside and interfered in the match.
The phenomenal one flew all the way from the United States to Australia just to cost Knight a championship match. If that is not petty I don’t know what is. AJ Styles has been jealous of Knight taking his spot since Styles’ injury and has been feuding with Knight ever since. A match between two of the most popular stars makes a lot of sense.
It also makes sense to add both of them into a United States ladder match 5 or 6 way. Aside from Styles a one on one with Paul is the only other option other than Knight in the Andre the Giant Battle Royale. Which is highly unlikely because whatever Knight does at ‘Mania, AJ Styles will be involved. The Megastar will get his time to shine at Mania, what about the veteran Randy Orton?
Randy Orton
The 14 time World Champion was robbed yet again. At the Rumble, in the fatal four way for the WWE Universal Championship Randy Orton was robbed and was the best one of the night.
At the chamber it was no different. Orton made history entering his 9th Elimination Chamber, the most in WWE history. He pinned Paul and Owens to get his 8th elimination chamber elimination. That is the second highest record in WWE behind Chris Jericho with 10. Owens hit McIntyre with an RKO before being blindsided by Paul who Orton already eliminated earlier.
Since coming back from an almost two year back injury Orton has been impressive. Even though he showed signs of back pain still he was doing counter after counter posing a threat to everyone in his way. Since coming back Orton only lost at Rumble and Elimination Chamber thanks to Paul and Bloodline, people who were not even in the match. Orton will have a match at ‘Mania it is just a matter of who.
RKO’S Possible Opponents
Randy Orton being in the United States title picture makes sense after what happened at the Elimination Chamber. Whether that is Orton vs. Paul, Orton vs. Paul vs. KO, or a six-way ladder match for the United States championship. Randy Orton also has unfinished business with the Bloodline. The Bloodline did injure Orton that led to the year and a half absence.
So an Orton vs. Solo Sikoa match could make sense. Since Orton is a mentor and good friend of Cody Rhodes, maybe Randy Orton vs The Rock at Mania could make sense.
To keep the Rock distracted before Rhodes vs Reigns main event. A first time one on one match between both legendary stars would be great for business. Whatever happens at ‘Mania for Orton it will either involve The Bloodline or Logan Paul.
All six men made their mark at Elimination Chamber and all have made a case for themselves to be at ‘Mania. All of them will be at ‘Mania, their path to Mania will be different from one another but all will find their way into the biggest stage of them all, WrestleMania.
