SmackDown Live is getting the first crack at a brand exclusive pay per view after the Royal Rumble. To make matters better, the WWE has given the blue brand one of the best gimmick matches in history. This Sunday, SmackDown Live will be hosting the Elimination Chamber event. During its history, the Chamber has provided some of the best matches of this era. It nearly guarantees a boost to the blue brand on the road to Wrestlemania. While the Chamber matches will be the highlight of the show, it’s important to look at other matches on the card. Due to the orders of SmackDown Live GM Daniel Bryan, the card will feature a handicap match. Dolph Ziggler will be taking on Kalisto and Apollo Crews in a two on one bout. So who will be coming out on top?
Elimination Chamber Preview: Dolph Ziggler vs. Apollo Crews and Kalisto
Dolph Ziggler
Recently, Dolph Ziggler has hit some rough times in the ring. However, Ziggler has been on an absolute rampage after his bouts. His losing streak has caused a heel turn, bringing him back to his dastardly roots. Ziggler has attacked both Crews and Kalisto on separate occasions, giving them a common enemy for this handicap match. Expect Ziggler to walk both in and out of this match angry, whether he gives or takes the pinfall/submission. Dolph Ziggler has a full head of steam, and Crews and Kalisto will be feeling his wrath throughout the match.
Kalisto
Kalisto has been an interesting character as of late. SmackDown Live‘s resident luchador really hasn’t had anything to do since the brand split. After a relatively good run with the United States Championship on Raw, WWE’s creative team has placed Kalisto in the void of booking nothingness.
Elimination Chamber is a really good place for Kalisto to get back on track. Perhaps this match reignites his feud with Dolph Ziggler. Perhaps he and Crews decide that they like teaming up and explore the tag scene. Come to think of it, that team could be really fun. Without a doubt, it’s at least something to look into. In any case, expect Kalisto to be attacking acrobatically like he’s become famous for. He’ll get his stuff in, as the saying goes. Additionally, his athleticism combined with that of Crews will be really fun to watch.
Apollo Crews
The other half of the handicap team is the always-smiling Apollo Crews. After leaving NXT, Crews has seriously fizzled out in a travesty of poor booking. If WWE were to give him an actual personality, he could be really interesting. But instead, his only character trait has been “smiling robot.”
Crews’ feud with Dolph Ziggler has been…interesting. It’s more of a rekindling of an old conflict between the two. Like his partner, Crews has been in a void of bad to no booking thanks to the WWE creative team. He’s been given no personality, but he still has unlimited potential. His offense is still exciting and fresh, and his team with Kalisto has a bright future. Like I’ve mentioned before, a long-term team between the two could bring them each out of the booking depths.
Final Prediction
This match is bound to be exciting. With the exciting offense of Crews and Kalisto mixed with the exquisite selling of Ziggler will be fantastic. But realistically, who will be victorious? Well, it makes a lot more sense for Crews and Kalisto to win. If they should both lose to Dolph Ziggler, it just isn’t realistic. Ziggler hasn’t been built for that, and it would be burial of two young (potential) stars. So in closing, fans should expect Ziggler to lose once more. Apollo Crews and Kalisto will defeat Dolph Ziggler on Sunday, sending him over the edge once again.
