WWE Elimination Chamber preview & predictions: Is Cody Rhodes a lock to win?
WWE presents the Elimination Chamber tonight at the United Center in Chicago.
Only four matches and the opening of a mystery crate are booked for this show. However, the big stories coming out of the PLE will likely be the setup of several matches for WWE WrestleMania 42.
Below are previews, predictions, and betting odds for the matches and crate opening on the show.
World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk defends against Finn Balor
CM Punk is a -5000 favorite to defeat Finn Balor, who is at +1000, in the World Heavyweight Championship match. The line has not moved since it opened.
With -5000 being somewhat of the unofficial ceiling for how heavily favored a wrestler can be, there is little expectation that Balor wins the title tonight and alters the planned CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns match for WrestleMania. That said, a predictable result does not mean the match won’t be entertaining. Much of what happens during the bout could determine Balor’s direction coming out of the show.
Prediction: CM Punk
Women’s Intercontinental title: Becky Lynch defends against AJ Lee
AJ Lee is a -260 favorite over Becky Lynch, who is at +170. The line has moved slightly in the last few days, as Lee opened at -300. That suggests some money has come in on Lynch, but Lee remains the favorite.
I’m sticking with Lee here. With the show taking place in Chicago, having both Punk and Lee score major wins feels like the natural direction. The match could have a somewhat controversial finish that leads to Lee and Lynch doing something else at WrestleMania 42.
Prediction: AJ Lee
Men’s Elimination Chamber: Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Trick Williams vs. Logan Paul
Cody Rhodes is a -300 favorite in the men’s Elimination Chamber match. That is up slightly from the -200 he had been listed at earlier this week.
Randy Orton is at +175, LA Knight is +400, Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams are both +1200, and Jey Uso had been +800 before being removed from the match.
With Rhodes widely expected to be involved in the WWE Championship picture at WrestleMania against Drew McIntyre, and the Elimination Chamber seemingly being his only path there, I’m a little surprised he isn’t a heavier favorite. Based on the story that’s been building, he feels stronger than -300.
That said, these matches always leave room for creative booking. But to me, Rhodes is the obvious pick.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes
Women’s Elimination Chamber: Tiffany Stratton vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka vs. Kiana James vs. Raquel Rodriguez
The odds for the women’s Elimination Chamber match have shifted considerably since press time for this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, when I noted that Rhea Ripley was a -300 favorite, with Tiffany Stratton at +150.
As of the morning of the show, Ripley and Stratton are now tied at even odds. It’s unclear what led to the swing. It could be related to interviews Stratton did this week in which she spoke about leaning more into her heel side. Ripley and IYO SKY losing the tag team titles on SmackDown may also have factored into the movement.
Either way, this feels like it comes down to Ripley or Stratton, but I’m still going with Ripley.
Prediction: Rhea Ripley
Mystery Crate Opening
As for the mystery crate scheduled to be opened during the show, one sportsbook has posted odds on potential names that could be revealed inside. There is no confirmation that it will be a wrestler at all, but if it is, Danhausen is currently the -200 favorite.
Chris Jericho, who had previously been the favorite, is now at -150. It is worth noting that Jericho is still listed on the AEW roster page, whereas Danhausen was removed from it at some point between Friday and Saturday.
Bianca Belair is +250, Pat McAfee is +400, Saraya (aka Paige) is +600, Bad Bunny is +700, Seth Rollins is +800, and both Brock Lesnar and Royce Isaacs are +900, with a significant drop-off after that.
I don’t know that it will be a wrestler revealed in the crate, but if it is, I’m going with Danhausen.
Prediction: Danhausen
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.