WWE Elimination Chamber 2012 Predictions: Chris Jericho Will Capture WWE Title

Despite being touted as the most unpredictable match in WWE, Elimination Chamber has been anything but that in recent years. In order to buck that trend, a title needs to change hands on Sunday, with Chris Jericho being the beneficiary.

As things currently stand, World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan looks like a virtual lock to retain his title and face Sheamus at WrestleMania. That makes the RAW Chamber match the only real possibility for a world title swap. Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, Kofi Kingston and R-Truth are all filler, so the winner is clearly either going to be CM Punk or Jericho.

Punk is the incumbent champion, and there is a decent chance that he retains. In fact, he is probably the favorite to do so. In order to keep the viewing audience guessing, though, giving Y2J the win would be ideal. Not only would it come as a bit of a surprise, but it would also enhance the build toward WrestleMania.

The current feud between Punk and Jericho is all about who the best wrestler in the world is. During Jericho's absence and ever since he returned, Punk has proclaimed that he is deserving of that title. Jericho has come back to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his, though, and that is the "best in the world" moniker.

Seeing as Punk is the WWE champion right now, he can stake claim to the title of best in the world. Jericho once was, and he continually brings up his past accomplishments, but wrestling is all about "what have you done for me lately?"

Jericho was out of action for well over a year, so for him to say that he is the best wrestler in the world right now is viewed by most as a fallacy. One very easy way to turn the tables, though, is to have Jericho come out on top at Elimination Chamber.

This would allow Punk to enter WrestleMania as the challenger, and it would basically result in a reversal of fortunes. Rather than Jericho trying to prove his worth, Punk will have to do just that by beating Jericho at WrestleMania. As good as Punk is as a champion, I enjoy him even more when he is pursuing the title.

If Jericho were to lose at Elimination Chamber, continue chasing the title into WrestleMania and then win the title, it just wouldn't feel right. It would be an awesome moment for many fans, but that typically isn't the way a heel storyline is supposed to go.

It makes a lot more sense for Punk to get his shining moment at 'Mania by knocking off the wrestler who was once considered best in the world and cementing himself as the best in the world. It's fair to say that it would be a lot more impactful for Punk to regain the title in that fashion rather than to simply retain it.

All signs point to a Jericho win at Elimination Chamber making the most sense, and while the sensible thing doesn't always happen in wrestling, there is reason to believe that this will be different. In the Chamber match, it is easy to book fluky wins, so Jericho can win without making Punk look weak.

It's already a foregone conclusion that Punk and Jericho will be facing off at WrestleMania regardless of which one of them wins the Chamber match. With that in mind, the more intriguing result should take place at Elimination Chamber, and that is undoubtedly Jericho winning.