WWE Elimination Chamber 2012: 6 Superstars Who Should Replace The Great Khali

Next Sunday, the WWE's second pay-per-view event of 2012 will take place live from the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisc.

The third-annual Elimination Chamber event will feature two six-man Chamber matches, in which both the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship will be defended by their respective brand champions.

The event will be the final PPV stop on the Road to WrestleMania, and therefore much could be decided on this night in the build-up to the "Grand-Daddy Of Them All" on April 1.

Many questions will also be answered on Feb. 19, but the biggest one, as of right now, has to be;

Why the hell is the Great Khali competing for the World Heavyweight Championship!?

This slideshow will try and explore the reasoning behind Khali's inclusion in the SmackDown Chamber match, but will also identify 6 superstars far more deserving of a shot at Daniel Bryan's World Heavyweight Title.

De-Constructing the Inclusion of the Punjabi Playboy

When the six original participants of the 2012 SmackDown Elimination Chamber match were announced, I must say I was pretty impressed.

Compared to the Raw line-up, where there are really only two viable candidates to win the match, the "blue brand's" premier match appeared to have a lot of depth and the potential for unpredictability, with any number of combinations seemingly possible.

Unfortunately for us, SmackDown's resident playa-hater (it feels wrong even to type) and favourite "holla holla" boo-boy Teddy Long, decided in his infinite wisdom to replace the "suspended"  Mark Henry, with an even slower and less mobile behemoth in the form of The Great Khali.

There is seemingly no logical explanation for the booking of Khali in the World Heavyweight Championship match, having only returned as a shocking entrant in the 2012 Royal Rumble Match two weeks ago.

While it could be speculated that the Indian giant's inclusion in the match is a blatant attempt by Vince McMahon to capitalise on growing expansion in Asian territories (apparently they weren't fooled by the Canadian-born Jinder Mahal), it is still baffling as to why the former World Heavyweight Champion has been thrown into the mix, having just returned from a four-month absence from the company.

This article will examine the case for a number of other superstars currently on the roster, who, in my opinion, are far more deserving of a spot in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match.

PRE-CURSOR: The following six superstars are a list of those superstars whom I would like to see included in the Chamber match, not necessarily who will or even could be.*

Each superstar has been given projected odds to appear in the match, but the slides have actually been ordered in terms of my own personal preference as for who should be included.

*(this pithy disclaimer predominantly refers to the potential inclusion of Ezekiel Jackson and/or Mason Ryan in the match, who are reportedly both in line for big pushes in the near future (please, no!) – and I think Drake Oz sums up my sentiments towards this angle pretty succinctly in his article (below)

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1045392-wwe-news-huge-pushes-reportedly-in-store-for-mason-ryan-and-ezekiel-jackson?search_query=ezekiel%20jackson%20mason%20ryan

6. Brodus Clay

In practice, this would be a terrible idea.

But I loved the Godfather back in the good old days of the Attitude Era, and the Funkasaurus takes me back to a better time when pimping wasn't easy and I was always ready and willing to get aboard the Hoe Train. 

Why could this happen?

Clay’s new gimmick at first shocked and confused me, but I have grown to actively look forward to his matches. Now though, there are only so many guys named Heath Slater and Trent Barreta on the roster for Clay to "she-"plex, before the 375-pound monster moves onto bigger and better things.

Why should this happen?

Why the "funk" not? (Don't worry, we'll get to that in a second.)

For my money, the "Funky B Man" is the most entertaining thing in pro wrestling right now. 

For no other purpose than seeing Clay in a real matchup, I would love to see him included in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber, even if his only viable feud option would be for the Intercontinental Championship, when all is said and done on Feb. 19.

Why won't this happen?

There are a number of problems with Planet Funk's funkiest resident being included in the World Heavyweight Title match next Sunday:

1. For all intents and purposes, Clay is considered to be a member of the Raw roster. Despite the diminished importance of this factor with the end of brand extension seemingly on the horizon, it is tough to see a reason for the general manager of Friday nights to go ahead and call Clay's momma.

2. From a logistical standpoint, Clay has no place in this match. He has no former history with any of the other five participants (the same as Khali) and would struggle to really find a convincing feud within the match itself.

As it stands, Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett and Big Show vs. Daniel Bryan will be the mini-battles occurring within the Chamber, and it would be questionable as to whether Clay could find enough chemistry with Cody Rhodes to tell a convincing story.

I think "B-Funk" will begin a program with Jack Swagger over the coming weeks on Raw and feud for the U.S. Title, so don't expect the big man to be part of the SmackDown Chamber match.

Projected odds of Brodus Clay replacing the Great Khali: 500/1

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1036258-wwe-old-school-can-brodus-clay-funk-his-way-to-the-top-of-the-wwe?search_query=brodus%20clay

5. Sheamus

Following his surprise victory in the Royal Rumble Match last month, the first Irish-born WWE Champion in history has already guaranteed himself a title shot at WrestleMania XXVIII.

What if Sheamus were to begin a prospective feud inside the confines of the Elimination Chamber match next Sunday?

Why could it happen?

In order to build an epic feud in the lead-up to the "Grand-Daddy of Them All," Sheamus needs to begin feuding with someone other than Jinder Mahal, ASAP.

WWE Creative is known for it's short-sightedness, but don't be surprised if the "Great White" is thrown into the mix in the World Heavyweight Championship match, in order to really get the ball rolling on the Road to WrestleMania.

Why should it happen?

If Sheamus were to enter the match and have a strong showing, it would build him in a far more effective way than by him crushing some random opponent from Superstars in a squash match.

Let the Irishman make it to the final two, only to be cheated out of the title (take your pick of who does it), and boom, there you have it, instant reasoning for Sheamus to opt for a World Heavyweight Championship match in Miami (which is 99.9% set in stone already).

Why won't it happen?

Unfortunately, the WWE Creative team is sometimes too clever for its own good. In the case of Sheamus, they seem adamant in building toward a suspenseful "reveal" where the Royal Rumble winner will choose his Championship match - unfortunately though, we already know which way this is going to go.

In writing this, I realise the problems with heavily assuming which way a storyline will pan out (a la Sheamus' win at the Royal Rumble over odds-on favourite Chris Jericho), so therefore don't be surprised to see the Celtic Warrior challenge for the Tag Team Championship with Horsnwoggle in order to really throw us off the scent, if we are too overly enthused by a potential World Heavyweight Championship challenge from Sheamus at WrestleMania.

Projected odds of Sheamus replacing the Great Khali: 12/1

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1058589-wrestlemania-28-how-daniel-bryan-vs-sheamus-embodies-the-wwe-youth-movement?search_query=sheamus

4. Mark Henry

The man originally placed in the Elimination Chamber match before being usurped by The Great Khali, the former World Heavyweight Champion was "suspended indefinitely" by Teddy Long for physically accosting the SmackDown general manager.

In reality, the World's Strongest Man has been as good as on the shelf for weeks, and after suffering a hyper-extended knee last month, he will now need time to rest before officially re-opening the Hall of Pain.

Why could this happen?

Mark Henry was the most dominant force on SmackDown in 2011, and tore through the majority of the roster on Friday nights. 

With an already well-established feud running with both Big Show and Daniel Bryan, Henry's inclusion made perfect sense when the match was first formed last week.

Why should this happen?

In my book, an injured Sexual Chocolate is still a million times better than an impromptu appearance from Punjab's least-favourite Playboy.

Mark Henry still has a score to settle with both Show and Bryan, and even if he spent the same amount of time lying face-down on the mat as he did at the Rumble (and he spent a lot), Henry would at least be a relevant inclusion in the match—a lot more than we can say for Khali.

Why won't this happen?

At the best of times, Mark Henry is not an agile performer. Injured, and the 412-pound superstar has the movement capabilities of a tranquillized hippopotamus.

Like it or not, Henry needs time to rest, and we can only realistically hope that he returns in time for April to aid Shaq in victory over Big Show.

Projected odds of Mark Henry replacing the Great Khali: 25/1

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1052982-wwe-mark-henrys-hall-of-pain-temporarily-shuts-the-doors

3. Christian

It is widely known that Christian is due back from his ankle injury any day now and could well pull another surprise return at the Elimination Chamber.

Why could this happen?

Having feuded with Sheamus in the immediate lead-up to his injury in November, Captain Charisma could make a victorious return by winning the World Heavyweight Championship and picking up with Sheamus where they left off late last year.

Why should this happen?

Christian is a tried-and-tested performer and an IWC favourite. 

He proved in 2011 that he is a genuine main-event calibre star in feuding with Randy Orton for SmackDown's top prize, and inclusion in next Sunday's Chamber match would make perfect sense with Captain Charisma's history with both Orton and Big Show.

Why won't this happen?

WWE Creative proved last year that they were unable to trust Christian to carry the company's secondary show (enjoying two title reigns, but lasting a little over a month combined), and this year will be no different.

Having left for TNA in 2005, Christian is obviously not a favourite of Vince McMahon and despite being awarded a short main-event run in 2011, chances are that Edge probably won't retire again this year to open the door for his best friend.

To his great advantage, Christian can put on a great match with almost anyone, and if the WWE were looking for a bout to steal the show on April 1, Captain Charisma would certainly be a viable candidate.

Projected odds for Christian to replace the Great Khali: 8/1

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1058531-wwe-updates-on-the-returns-of-alberto-del-rio-and-christian?search_query=christian

2. Drew McIntyre

Skip to 3:00 in the video to see exactly why Drew McIntyre should be included in this year's SmackDown Elimination Chamber match.

Last February, the Sinister Scotsman put in a ruthless performance in a match which contained five other heavily favoured, main-event stars.

Having debuted on the full-time roster under the "Chosen One" gimmick in August 2009 with a seemingly bright future, management has apparently lost faith in his former hand-picked protege, with McIntyre being lost in the lower mid-card shuffle on both Raw and SmackDown brands in 2011.

The former Intercontinental champion is currently embroiled in an increasingly demeaning feud with Smackdown General Manager Theodore Long, wherein the Scot has been been pressured into winning matches in order to justify his WWE contract.

Jobbing to Ezekiel Jackson, Ted DiBiase, Sheamus and twice to Santino (one of these in a particularly embarrassing blindfold match) over recent weeks, the former Chosen One appears to be going nowhere fast.

Why could this happen?

Traditionally, when a superstar is consistently buried on TV, it means one of two things;

1) They are about to be future endeavoured.

2) They are about to receive a huge push.

Personally, I think Drew McIntyre falls under the latter category and could pull off a huge shocker by not only appearing, but also being a dark horse to win the SmackDown Elimination Chamber match.

Why should this happen?

Many members of the IWC expected a strong showing from McIntyre in this year's Royal Rumble match to begin his anticipated push. Unfortunately, he did not even make the 30-man Rumble (apparently Michael Cole appeared a more viable candidate to WWE Creative) and instead ended up being well and truly funked by big Brodus Clay.

If the WWE wanted to pull another huge swerve on the Road to WrestleMania, they could have a superstar seemingly down on his luck, such as McIntyre, be thrust into the match at the last minute, then go on to win and face Sheamus at Wrestlemania.

As a Brit myself, I also think it would be pretty cool to see an all-British bout for the World Heavyweight Title on the Grandest Stage of All.

Why won't this happen?

Despite being at No. 2 in this list, Drew McIntyre is my odds-on favourite if anyone is to replace the Great Khali in next Sunday's SmackDown Chamber match (the next slide will explain why this is...)

The 26-year-old is still young enough to be considered the future of the company, and I see a big push for McIntyre being the catalyst for the infusion of other young talent such as Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose being bought up to the main roster over the coming months.

Unfortunately, probability says that Teddy Long will actually end up leaving McIntyre job to Kharma at the Elimination Chamber (or something along those lines), but personally I would love to see the Chosen One look to fulfil his true potential by claiming, and subsequently impressing, in the Great Khali's spot next Sunday.

Projected odds of Drew McIntyre replacing the Great Khali: 3/1

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1054756-nine-superstars-currently-being-portrayed-as-embarrassments?search_query=drew%20mcintyre

1. Chris Jericho

Now before I start to explain myself, please hear me out:

A controversial pick to say the least, and to be perfectly honest, this scenario has about as much chance of happening as Kofi Kingston winning the Raw Chamber match (make of that what you will).

Why could it happen?

Why not?

Admittedly the Punk-Jericho feud is still very much in it's infancy, but it is quite clear the angle on which the rivalry will be founded.

Jericho has accused Punk (and pretty much the entire WWE locker room) of stealing his moves, traits and gimmicks from over the years, and is particularly infuriated by Punk's self-proclaimed title of "Best In The World".

Because of this, why not have a scenario where we see a mimic of two past WWE storylines merged into one;

1) Y2J became the first-ever WWE Undisputed Champion after beating both The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin at Vengeance in 2001.

2) A decade later, after winning the WWE Title from John Cena just hours before the kayfabe end of his contract, at 2011's Money In The Bank pay-per-view, CM Punk returned just a week later to challenge Cena who had captured the apparently vacant championship. The two battled for the right to be named the undisputed WWE Champion at SummerSlam.

By having Jericho enter the SmackDown Elimination Chamber match and capture the title, he could take the art of copycatting to the next level.

Why should this happen?

First of all, because it would be an awesome twist.

If the two are really building towards a definitive WrestleMania encounter for the moniker of "Best In The World", why not enhance this prestige of the match by having a unification bout for both major world titles as well?

This may just be the incentive needed to keep Jericho around for a little while longer after WrestleMania, and more importantly may be a huge step toward the end of the Brand Extension model which has been in a steady decline since the end of the Ruthless Agression era.

A unified World Title would also mean a revised championship design, meaning we would no longer have to stare at the hideous "Spinner belt" which currently looks like a cheap toy you might find in a Christmas cracker or cereal box.

Why won't this happen?

I never said this was a realistic option, but I would find it an infinitely more exciting twist than any of the other superstars mentioned in this slideshow.

It is because of the following reasons however, that Jericho's involvement next Sunday will be limited to the red brand's championship match.

1)      The WHC match would realistically need to be the last bout on the card for real shock value of Jericho pulling double-duty (we already know he will be in the Raw match). Considering Smackdown is the B-show, this would be highly unlikely.

2)      Sheamus has just won the Royal Rumble and if a unification bout were to take place, he would technically have to be inserted in order to get his title shot (and let’s face it, the Streak ship has well and truly sailed). This would take away some of the primary focus from the hotly anticipated Punk-Y2J feud.

3)      As already mentioned, the curious case of the two titles being unified happened a meer six months ago at SummerSlam, and it is unlikely (but not impossible) that WWE Creative would in essence repeat the same storyline, with one of its original protagonists, so soon afterwards.

Projected odds of Chris Jericho replacing the Great Khali: 100/1

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1052954-wwe-how-chris-jericho-and-cm-punk-will-rule-2012?search_query=chris%20jericho

Thanks for Reading!

I hope you enjoyed reading my first WWE article for Bleacher Report!

Please feel free to leave your comments or thoughts in the comments section below, and I fully welcome any additions/alterations.

Once again,

Thanks for reading!