WWE Elimination Chamber 2012: The Miz and Stars Who Must Look Good in Defeat

The highlights of the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view are always the RAW and SmackDown Chamber matches. While many people dislike gimmick pay-per-views, the novelty of the Chamber matches only taking place at one event per year makes Elimination Chamber a special show.

While allowing a superstar to win a Chamber match is the ultimate push, there are ways to make competitors look strong, even in losing efforts. Refraining from burying anyone in matches that involve six people can be tough, but there are certainly ways to protect some of the superstars.

Here are three wrestlers who must look good in defeat during the Chamber matches on Sunday.

The Miz

Since holding the WWE Championship for several months last year, including defending it against John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania, The Miz's stature as a top heel has precipitously fallen.

Aside from his partnership with R-Truth, Miz hasn't been involved in any meaningful angles in quite some time. He and Truth teamed up against the likes of Triple H and CM Punk, as well as Cena and The Rock, but Miz has lost his way as a singles competitor.

After failing to catch Truth after he somersaulted over the top rope on RAW a couple weeks ago, there were rumors circulating that Miz had a lot of heat backstage. If that is true, then he could easily be buried in the Chamber.

The fact of the matter is, however, that Miz has all the tools to be a major player in the company for a long time. He is great on the mic, has a good look and continues to improve in the ring, so it's vital that he gets back on the right track at Elimination Chamber.

Cody Rhodes

In terms of being the total package, there are few current superstars who can compare to Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes. Even at a young age, Rhodes is very polished in the ring and his promo work has been very good since he ditched the grotesque gimmick and weird voice.

While Rhodes is highly unlikely to leave the Chamber as World Heavyweight Champion since Daniel Bryan is the overwhelming favorite, Rhodes is on the verge of entering the main-event scene.

Although he hasn't been called upon to defend it with great regularity, Rhodes has helped to restore some of the luster that the IC Title had previously lost. It would be nice if he was given some feuds centered on the championship, but he has done well with it nonetheless.

Rhodes seems on track to become a world champion within the next year, so making him look good by eliminating somebody like The Great Khali would certainly help his reputation among the fans.

Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler's talent has certainly been evident for quite some time, but it's fair to say that 2011 was a break-out year of sorts for him.

He still hasn't won a world title as I don't recognize his blink-and-you-missed-it stint with the World Heavyweight Championship last year, but he is on the precipice of putting the midcard behind him and becoming a main eventer for good.

That much is apparent from the excellent matches he continues to have with some of the company's upper-tier stars.

While Ziggler normally loses to the likes of CM Punk, Randy Orton and John Cena, he is often the shining star in the match. Ziggler won't be winning on Sunday since the Chris Jericho vs. Punk feud basically dictates that one of them is going to be victorious, but he needs a good showing.

Ziggler always performs in the ring and has become a good talker as well, but he hasn't been able to buy a win. A strong outing in the Chamber at the very least will make him look more legitimate, though.