WWE Elimination Chamber: 7 Matches We Need to See at the Pay-Per-View

Here we are, just a few days away from the last stop on the Road to WrestleMania: the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

At this point, most of the matches for the show have already been announced:

• Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. The Miz vs. R-Truth vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston
• Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show  vs. The Great Khali vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Wade Barrett vs. Santino Marella
• Ambulance match: John Cena vs. Kane
• Divas Championship match: Beth Phoenix vs. Tamina Snuka

While only four matches have been announced at the time of publishing, there is a lot of star power in the card.

However, there is always a handful of matches that fans would not mind seeing on pay-per-view.

Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio

The winner of the 2012 Royal Rumble's participation id yet to be announced for the last PPV before WrestleMania.

Obviously, Sheamus is waiting until after the show to announce what championship he will contend for at WrestleMania. That is no reason for him to be excluded from the Elimination Chamber show.

At recent live events, Sheamus has been challenging Alberto Del Rio to a Royal Rumble winner's match. Del Rio, who won last year's Royal Rumble, has yet to actually wrestle Sheamus. Rather, the two have engaged in arm-wrestling competitions.

Sheamus is in desperate need of a short-term program until he begins feuding with whichever world champion he chooses.

Del Rio, on the other hand, is on the verge of returning from injury. I can't think of any better use for these two superstars.

Brodus Clay vs. Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks

Given the recent reports from NoDQ.com that the "Funkasaurus" is temporarily being shelved to give him time to work on his wrestling skills, a Brodus Clay match does not seem very likely.

However, if they do choose to dedicate a few minutes on PPV to a Brodus Clay squash match, then why not make it a handicap match?

Yes, Hawkins and Reks are hardly considered threats to Yoshi Tatsu, let alone Brodus Clay.

But beating two people at once always looks more impressive than beating just one person!

Epico and Primo vs. Jimmy and Jey Uso

The Usos are one of the few contending teams in the tag team division.

If the WWE Tag Team Championships are going to be featured at WrestleMania—even if it's only in a dark match—they should dedicate five-to-10 minutes on PPV to make the titles feel like they're at least somewhat important.

In the long term, the Usos have incredible potential as a tag team.

Just about a half a year ago, they were making a huge impact on Superstars and SmackDown.

With the tag team division seriously lacking, the WWE should capitalize on any opportunity to build up teams.

If this match does take place, it will likely be a dark match. The best-case scenario would be an impromptu match.

Plus, who doesn't want to see Rosa Mendes? 

Christian vs. Rey Mysterio

"The Master of the 619" and "Captain Charisma" are both close to returning to the ring. 

Both Christian and Mysterio have been rumored in reports, according to NoDQ.com and Prowrestling.net, to return in time for WrestleMania 28. What better way to bring them back than as a surprise on the final PPV before 'Mania?

Aside from the excitement generated by their simultaneous returns, there is no doubt that Mysterio and Christian would have a phenomenal match. 

Of course, this is all assuming that they are healthy enough to return.

If so, I would personally love to see them return. This would be a good way to help deliver a strong PPV after a very underwhelming Royal Rumble.

Ezekiel Jackson vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Justin Gabriel vs. Goldust

With only four matches announced for the PPV, there is almost certainly a 15-minute time period they can dedicate to a multi-person undercard match like this.

If I had it my way, I'd book this Fatal 4-Way match and give the winner an Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania.

The eclectic mix of styles would surely make for an entertaining match: Jackson's power, Gabriel's agility and high-flying moves, Mahal's submission-oriented techniques and Goldust's veteran presence.

The given stipulation could be an excellent way to begin the rumored WrestleMania program between Goldust and Cody Rhodes.

Jack Swagger vs. Mason Ryan

The new United States champion has been seen that much since winning the title a few weeks ago.

In addition, Mason Ryan has been off the radar for some time now.

If the WWE still plans on getting behind Mason Ryan, as ProWrestling.Net reported just before the Royal Rumble, reintroducing him on PPV would be a good way to start. Perhaps the "All-American American" could issue an open challenge, which Ryan would come out and accept.

Anything that reintroduces Ryan in a way that feels important and also gives Swagger and the United States Championship the PPV time they deserve is fine with me!

John Cena vs. Zack Ryder

If John Cena did not already have a match against Kane at the PPV, a meeting between he and Zack Ryder would almost write itself.

After what took place on this week's Raw, Ryder must be ready to take out some anger and frustration on Cena. And, as we saw, Cena is not about to sit back and let Ryder slap him around. 

It's been reported by NoDQ.com, that there will be a major payoff in the John Cena vs. Kane saga at Elimination Chamber.

Many have speculated that "The Champ" will make a major leap towards a heel turn. If that is the direction they are going, a match between him and "Long Island Iced-Z" could also be a perfect vehicle for the very same outcome.

Conclusion

With only four matches announced, there's quite a bit of room for last-minute match announcements and impromptu matches. I'm sure that adding in one or two of the matches listed in this article would do nothing but raise the overall quality of the show.

In my opinion, the biggest thing they're missing on the card is a match for the 2012 Royal Rumble winner. Sure, he could always be put in an impromptu match, but that should not be the case for someone who will be in such an important position at the WWE's biggest show of the year.

Before long, it will be too little too late to get behind Sheamus as a serious World Championship contender.

As you may have noticed, many of the matches listed feature undercard competitors.

The three matches announced that feature male wrestlers are all of main-event caliber.

The undercard wrestlers, it seems, have been forgotten. This is especially dangerous as we head into the final few weeks before WrestleMania.

Every time the WWE fails to take advantage of an opportunity to showcase the undercard, they risk making the undercard matches at WrestleMania feel unimportant.

Sure, some of these matches are highly unlikely to take place at Elimination Chamber.

Will Zack Ryder vs. John Cena take place? Probably not, seeing as Cena already has a match against Kane. That's not to say that there can't be an altercation between the two.

Many of the other matches on this list would not require much of a creative stretch, however.

Make it happen, WWE. Any of these matches could help make Elimination Chamber feel like more than an intermediate PPV between the Royal Rumble and 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 11 p.m. ET to listen to myself and Stan Grubb discuss all things pro wrestling.