SmackDown Review: Big Match Set For Elimination Chamber, OK With 2 Newest Entrants?

By Chris Featherstone

This episode of SmackDown was presented from Toledo, OH. From the Wyatt Family inadvertently costing the Shield an opportunity to participate the the Elimination Chamber match at the PPV, the Shield felt that appropriate redemption would be to challenge them in the six-match tag match. HHH reluctantly confirmed the match, and it is official. In addition, the two remaining vacant spot for the chamber were filled, and Christian made his in-ring return.

Antonio Cesaro vs. Dolph Ziggler
This is a great move by the WWE. It may not necessarily be a breakout moment for Cesaro at EC, but at least we have an opportunity to see his work as a singles competitor again. His last singles run was without Zeb Colter, and it eventually flopped after having a promising upstart. Unfortunately, for Dolph Ziggler, he gets shafted once again. Hopefully something will come out of this very rough skid for Ziggler.


Fandango vs. Xavier Woods
These matches between the two are getting quite redundant. However, I can foreshadow a Xavier Woods "R-Truth was not a good mentor" heel turn soon. Since Cameron is not very liked anyway, it would also be interesting if she went with Xavier Woods when he went heel. Unless something like that happens, these series of matches between Woods and Fandango are quite pointless.

Rybaxel vs. Prime Time Players
Titus O'Neil's heel turn reeks of the Brodus Clay treatment to me. At least Clay had a few weeks to build it. Better yet, I would go as far as a Shad Gaspard treatment. Makes heel turn. Loses against foe. Heel turn pointless. If this was out of WrestleMania season, I would give it a better chance. However, it is not, and I do not see anything out of it. The Prime Time Players could have been a part of a tag team gauntlet at WrestleMania 30. Instead, a match at Axxess, maybe? That is even a stretch.


Christian vs. Jack Swagger
Sadly, Jack Swagger does not get to defend his Elimination Chamber crown. Well, not really, because he shouldn't have even won it last year. Swagger vs. ADR was probably the worst World Heavyweight (not WWE; so no replies from those who thought of Cena/Miz) Championship match in WM history. Great to see Christian back. In what truly is sad, he has no chance in winning the match, but hopefully he gets a good spot at WM 30. His post-match interview may have planted seeds for a heel turn. I hope not, though.

Kofi Kingston vs. Damien Sandow
Will anything come out of this Damien Sandow slump? Highly doubtful. This is why the titles shouldn't have been unified. Simply because people like Sandow and Ziggler could bounce back from moments like this and become World Heavyweight Champion. Now – nothing. Just a string of losses leading to no greater purpose.

Cody Rhodes vs. Road Dogg
Good singles match that preludes the cage match scheduled for Raw. One thing I do not get, though. Why are the New Age Outlaws still cutting cheap-pop, babyface promos? I even saw Road Dogg clap some hands on the way to the ring. Aren't they supposed to be heels? Confusing.


The Shield vs. Sheamus/Rey Mysterio/Daniel Bryan
This was a really good match, as expected. Although WWE needs to do everything in their power to protect Daniel Bryan, it made sense that the Shield won the match to build steam for their match against the Wyatt Family at EC, and it really does not hurt any of the three babyfaces much. In fact, Rey Mysterio was the one that took the fall, and he does not have much direction nowadays anyway. Roman Reigns continued to look impressive, and it should be good where this eventually leads to. Break-up at Elimination Chamber? Triple threat match for the US title at WrestleMania 30 with Reigns winning? I'd be in favor of that.

Burning questions from SmackDown. Feel free to answer:
1. Are Christian and Antonio Cesaro good picks for the Elimination Chamber match?
2. Where does the Titus O'Neil heel turn go from here?
3. Is the Shield vs. Wyatt Family at EC a good idea?

Sound off below.

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