WWE Elimination Chamber 2012: A Pivotal Show for Four Wrestlers

The WWE Elimination Chamber is one of the most interesting pay-per-views the WWE has to offer. The Elimination Chamber matches can significantly change the course WWE is taking.

While the outcome of the matches will be on everyone's mind, this year's Elimination Chamber is going to be a pivotal event for four WWE superstars—win, lose or draw.

Two have the chance to move up from their lower card status, one has a chance to get back in the WWE's good graces and another has the chance to prove he is still worthy of a main event spot.

Will they seize the opportunity or let it fall through their grasp?

Here are the four superstars who have the most riding on their matches at the Elimination Chamber.

4. Tamina Snuka

Tamina Snuka hasn't gotten much of a push since she was brought up to the main roster. It was only recently that she has been seen as a contender to the WWE Divas Championship.

She recently got the Snuka added to her name (her father is hall-of-famer Jimmy Snuka), probably in hopes that it would help to get her over.

This is Tamina's first singles appearance on a PPV and the first time she has fought one-on-one for the Divas title.

The Divas division already seems a bit crowded so it is very important that Tamina has a strong showing and the crowd gets into her match at the PPV or it could be back down the card for the spawn of "Superfly."

To avoid being relegated to Six-Diva Tag Team duty, Tamina has to not look completely outclassed by Beth Phoenix, who is probably the top female wrestler in the WWE.

We will know Sunday whether Tamina shows up for her first big shot in the WWE, but a former on-screen boyfriend of hers has his biggest opportunity as well.

3. Santino Marella

Santino Marella has a natural ability for comedy. He is a very funny guy. The bit with Mick Foley at the Royal Rumble, Socko vs. The Cobra, may have been the most entertaining part of the match.

And that's what Santino is—comic relief. Yeah he gets thrown a midcard title every now and then, but he is a comedy act for the WWE first and foremost.

Now if the WWE plans to actually have Santino wrestle and not be booked to be eliminated by a Big Show punch two seconds into entering the Elimination Chamber, Marella will have a chance to establish himself as a solid wrestler.

Santino is going to have to bring his A game, bring more than his usual spots. He will have have to hang with Rhodes or Bryan, I think he has to eliminate someone else in the match too.

This is Santino's first real chance in a WWE title match and only time he has competed for a world championship on PPV.

The opportunity is there for Santino to change the course of his WWE career. Come Sunday, let's just hope the bookers give him a fighting chance.

2. The Miz

Last year at the Elimination Chamber, The Miz successfully defended his WWE Championship against Jerry Lawler. He went on to retain his title against John Cena at WrestleMania XXVII. This year, he is challenged for the title he once had in the Raw Elimination Chamber match.

The difference between last year and this year goes far beyond just being a champion and a challenger for The Miz.

As many who read the dirt sheets know, the rumors are that the WWE is down on The Miz at the moment.

The heat doesn't stem from the R-Truth botch on Raw a couple weeks ago. Allegedly, some feel The Miz has regressed and lacks motivation.

What better to get back in the WWE's good graces than by turning in your best performance of 2012 in the WWE Championship match at Elimination Chamber.

The Miz has got to find his motivation and has to turn his game up for this event. If not and if the rumors are true, he could find himself falling down the card or joining John Morrison on the indy circuit before too long.

1. Kane

The event of Kane returning and re-donning his mask has gotten old. Now Kane has to stand on his own two feet again.

Last time we saw Kane, he was a jobber to the more established stars. Sure "The Big Red Monster" held the WWE Tag Team Titles with the Big Show, but really he wasn't anything like the dominant force he used to be.

Now, the 44-year-old grappler is in a feud with WWE's golden boy John Cena and without a strong showing and a main event performance, he could revert back to his old status.

Kane's career is winding down and I'm sure he doesn't want to spend his WWE twilight years being beaten by the likes of Jack Swagger and R-Truth.

Kane and Cena have to put on a good match in what could be the payoff to this entire "embrace the hate" angle. It might not secure Kane's spot until the end of time but it would go a long way in showing that monster isn't just a guy to be used to put others over just yet.