2012 Elimination Chamber: What Needs to Happen to Build Up WrestleMania 28

The entire WWE Universe is anxiously awaiting the next stop on the Road to WrestleMania, the 2012 Elimination Chamber. Thanks to the menacing nature of this titanic structure, the Elimination Chamber Pay-Per-View has become one of the most successful annual events the WWE has created in recent history. The diabolical stipulations, anticipated match quality and overall star power have always made the Elimination Chamber a highly entertaining wrestling spectacle. Aside from entertaining, however, the Chamber has always played another pivotal role in WWE programming.

It has been a vital component to the build of WrestleMania, and this year it could be more important than ever.

The following article is a list of things that I think need to happen at the Elimination Chamber to truly set the stage for what could be the biggest WrestleMania in the history of the WWE.

John Cena Needs a Convincing Win over Kane

John Cena is a mere two months away from the biggest match of his career, and needs to look as dominant as ever going into WrestleMania 28. To do so, he needs to separate himself from the Big Red Monster Kane. Not only does Cena need to win this match, but he also needs to do it in a convincing fashion. There needs to be no doubt in the minds of the WWE Universe that Cena has bested Kane. The Great One awaits at the grandest stage of them all, and Cena needs to be 100 percent focused by the time WrestleMania rolls around.

Now in no way, shape or form am I saying that Cena should just bulldoze through one of the most monstrous men in WWE history, because that in itself would be completely preposterous. What I am saying, however, is that Cena needs to go to war, stare everything he opposes straight in the eye and come away victorious beyond a shadow of a doubt. My reasoning is as simple as this: When Cena steps in the ring with The Rock, he can't simply look like one of the most electrifying performers in the WWE.

He needs to look like one of the most electrifying entertainers on the planet. 

Tensions Need to Rise Between Chris Jericho and CM Punk

Since the much anticipated return of Chris Jericho, he's been promising "The End of The World as We Know it." Until recently, his intentions were quite vague, but he has finally labeled each Superstar on the WWE Roster a "Wanna-Be." In this rant, he labeled one particular man as the most egregious offender of them all. You may know him as your WWE Champion, CM Punk.

There are a multitude of ways this feud can be built well, simply because these are two of the most dynamic WWE Superstars in recent memory. Either one of these superstars could win this match and still build a promising Main Event match at WrestleMania. The fact that you have two of the most entertaining personas in professional wrestling makes this a dream match for many Wrestling fans worldwide. As long as CM Punk and Chris Jericho are given ample opportunity, this feud will build practically on its own.

The Best in the World vs. The Best in the World at Everything He Does? Sounds like a historic WrestleMania Moment if you ask me.

Cody Rhodes Needs to Shine During the Smackdown Elimination Chamber

I have a question I'd like to ask all the long time Wrestling fans out there. Remember when the Intercontinental Championship was one of the most heralded belts in WWE History? I know I do. As a young lad I remember the title being worn with pride by the likes of Ricky Steamboat, the Honky Tonk Man, Shawn Michaels and many others who deservedly have become WWE Legends. Nowadays, the IC Title is more or less something for guys in the Mid-card to fight over, while the big boys are in the Main Event spotlight.

One superstar has gone above and beyond to restore prestige and credibility to the Intercontinental Championship, and his name is Cody Rhodes.

I think that to truly re-establish the Intercontinental Title as a heralded accomplishment in the WWE, the perceived talent gap between champions needs to be shortened. What better way than to have your Intercontinental Champion be perceived as a legitimate threat to the World Heavyweight Championship?  Rhodes needs a strong showing in this year's Smackdown Elimination Chamber, not only for himself, but the prestige of the Intercontinental Championship. 

This young star isn't only Smoke and Mirrors. As far as the Intercontinental Championship belt is concerned, he is a fresh breath of new found prosperity.

Beth Phoenix Needs to Have an Entertaining Match.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the WWE Divas Division is in dire straights. If the writing gets any worse, we may find ourselves back into the Bra and Panties Era. That may be easy on the eyes, but these performers, much like the Divas of days past, deserve better. Why not let these talented individuals actually, well, display their talent? Seems like a pretty straightforward concept to me.

The Divas Division needs to be brought back to life, or at least put on life support, until WrestleMania. What better way to do that than to have a genuinely entertaining match? There are a slew of Divas in the back who can be entertaining in their own right. The best way to revitalize this dying art of wrestling is to let them do what they're paid to do, which is entertain in an athletic fashion. 

If I have to sit through another Natalya NeidFart segment....

Jack Swagger Needs to Do Something.... Anything!

Remember my previous rant about the Intercontinental Championship losing its prestige and credibility? Well, the United States Championship picture is so blurred and uninteresting, we haven't been able to find it on WWE televisoin. Google Earth couldn't find our United States Champion Jack Swagger at the moment, and that is a huge problem. Although the United States Title doesn't have the history or the prestige often associated with the Intercontinental Title, it should still be treated as a valued commodity in the eyes of fans and Superstars, not some irrelevant piece of leather not worthy of television time. 

Right now, the US Championship isn't worth its weight in Jack Swagger Speech Lessons. That needs to change immediately.

Daniel Bryan Needs to Further Himself as a Respectable Heel

We all know of the wrestling prowess of Daniel Bryan, and his abilities in the ring have never been a weak point. However, the matches have been fairly uninteresting with much of the story revolving around the Big Show's accidental story line injury of Bryan's on-screen girlfriend, AJ Lee. On top of that, we have gotten several promos about him being a vegan, that most of the audience just doesn't seem to get into.

At the Elimination Chamber, Bryan needs to prove to us that he is indeed a legitimate heel.

Self disqualifications, count outs and narrow escapes won't be a factor in this match. It's all about who will be walking out of the maniacal metallic monstrosity That is the Elimination Chamber. With all other methods of retention null and void, Bryan will have to battle the biggest stars (literally and figuratively) of Smackdown to hold on to the World Heavyweight Championship. Finally, Bryan will be able to legitimize himself as a villain, and for his efforts, he will be rewarded with a Main Event Match at WrestleMania, most likely with the Great White Royal Rumble Winner Sheamus, with whom, he had a dark match at WrestleMania 27.

Bryan has everything to prove coming into this match. For the sake of WrestleMania, I sure hope he delivers. 

Thanks for Reading!

Eddie Smedley is a writer for the Bleacher Report Website, and an independent Sports Entertainment Journalist. Follow me on Twitter @EddieSmedleyRTW. Until next time! :)