WWE Elimination Chamber: Is the PPV a 'Speed Bump' on the Road to WrestleMania?

Since the No Way Out of Texas: In Your House pay-per-view in 1998, a February PPV between the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania has been an annual tradition. As of 2010, the final stop on the Road to WrestleMania has been the Elimination Chamber.

For the last three years, the final PPV before WrestleMania has featured two main event Elimination Chamber matches in which six wrestlers would either challenge for WrestleMania contendership of their brand's world championship or for the championship itself.

Many have criticized the Elimination Chamber concept and its placement as a PPV. Others argue that the stipulations of these main event Elimination Chamber matches dilute the prestige of winning the Royal Rumble.

Among all the criticisms of the various installments of the February PPV, one point that is consistently raised is whether or not the show even has a place as part of WrestleMania season. Does the Elimination Chamber event have a place as an important intermediate between the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania? Or is it nothing more than another "speed bump" on the Road to WrestleMania?

In recent years, the Elimination Chamber concept has done some damage to the importance of the Royal Rumble. Yes, there is always the necessity to establish a number one contender for the world championship not challenged for by the Rumble winner. The problem is that, through the Elimination Chamber concept, 10 wrestlers who lost the Royal Rumble are given a second chance to fight their way into a WrestleMania match. Furthermore, the Royal Rumble winner is, more often than not, excluded from these main event matches. These both play into the waning prestige of the Royal Rumble, as well as impeding the showcasing of the Royal Rumble winner.

Another thing that has led to the February PPV being viewed as a proverbial "speed bump" is the apparent creative neglect. Take, for example, this year's show. With only three days until the show, there are only four matches announced. Of those four matches, three are main event caliber. The undercard has been completely ignored in the promotion of this final event before WrestleMania. 

The lack of promotion going into Elimination Chamber 2012 is disgusting by normal WWE PPV standards, let alone a WrestleMania season show.

In my opinion as a fan, this "speed bump" image the Elimination Chamber PPV is beginning to receive is more of a recent development. It's not impossible to make the PPV more important without scrapping the Elimination Chamber concept.

However, I think it would be best to return it to the No Way Out format. That way, the WWE can focus more on long term WrestleMania storylines. Under the current format, it makes it tough to establish main event feuds that span from the Royal Rumble to WrestleMania. 

Thanks for reading. As always, I appreciate any feedback on my writing. Feel free to spark a conversation with me regarding what was discussed in this column by commenting or reaching out to me on Twitter @MikePW247. Also be sure to tune in to This Very Ring every Sunday night at 11pm eastern to listen to myself and Stan Grubb discuss all things pro wrestling.