WWE Elimination Chamber 2012: Why Kofi Kingston Belongs in Raw's Title Match

When WWE.com broke the news regarding the Raw Elimination Chamber match and its competitors, fans could not help but be surprised by the inclusion of Kofi Kingston.

After all, he spent the second-half of 2011 in tag-team competition. Then, when his tag-team partner Evan Bourne was suspended for thirty days due to a Wellness Policy violation, Kofi was seemingly punished, losing nearly all of his matches during that period.

Since then, Kofi has lost the tag titles, seen his partner suspended AGAIN, and done little to nothing of note. So why does he belong in a WWE Championship match, on one of the most popular pay-per-view events of the year?

Kingston has been ready to be a major main event Superstar since 2009. That fall, he proved as much, in a tremendous rivalry with Randy Orton. In Madison Square Garden, the most prestigious arena in the sport, Kofi's "Boom Drop" on Orton—through a table—drew one of the loudest reactions from fans in recent WWE history.

He appeared on his way to shatter the proverbial glass ceiling but a miscommunication with Orton on a live Raw broadcast derailed the push, and Kofi remained a mid-card mainstay.

Kofi has an exciting moveset and has proven he can perform at an elevated level, in big-match situations.

His contests with fellow Elimination Chamber mate Dolph Ziggler have stolen many a show. His matches with the likes of The Miz, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, and Kane have proven he can hang with top "Superstars" in the WWE.

Only Ziggler and Jack Swagger have competed in as many high-profile matches against former world champions and main event talents as Kingston, yet remained fixtures of the mid-card.

In years past, Rey Mysterio and Rob Van Dam have provided high spots in the Elimination Chamber. Their high-flying offense has excited crowds and created visually stunning moments.

With Mysterio injured and RVD working for the competition, Kofi should fill in and continue the tradition of death-defying maneuvers inside the structure best described as "Satan's Prison."

If his decisive victory over former WWE Champion, The Miz is any indication, the WWE is serious about making Kofi a contender in Raw's title match at Elimination Chamber.

Does anyone expect the Ghana native to win the WWE Championship? Absolutely not. But by the time Elimination Chamber reaches its conclusion on Sunday, February 19th, the man who stole  the show may be Kofi Kingston.