WWE Elimination Chamber 2012: Superstars Who Should Replace Santino in Chamber

The SmackDown Elimination Chamber match that was originally slated to take place on Sunday looked like it had the potential to be one of the best ever.

Due to the kayfabe suspension of Mark Henry and a concussion suffered by Randy Orton, however, the additions of The Great Khali and Santino have made it considerably weaker.

All is not lost, however, because Edge set a precedent at No Way Out in 2009. He attacked Kofi Kingston prior to the Chamber match, stole his spot and ended up winning the World Heavyweight Championship. There is hope that something similar could be done to Santino.

Here are three superstars who should steal the "Milan Miracle's" Elimination Chamber spot.

Christian

There haven't been any updates on Christian's ankle injury, but he has been out for a few months and there is reason to believe he could be on the verge of returning. Many thought Christian might be a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble, but that never came to fruition.

Perhaps the creative team has kept him under wraps, though, so that he could make a shocking return at Elimination Chamber.

Ironically, Christian returned from injury at last year's Elimination Chamber pay-per-view as he saved Edge from an attack at the hands of Alberto Del Rio. Christian won't be saving anyone this year, but he could very easily use under-handed tactics to get himself in the match.

Christian has wanted one more match for the World Heavyweight Championship, so this could be his chance. Plus, he would be a legitimate threat to win as he last feuded with Royal Rumble winner Sheamus before his injury.

Alberto Del Rio

Former two-time WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio is very close to returning from a groin tear as he has been interacting with Sheamus at some house shows recently. He said himself that he's ready to go, so it isn't a stretch to think he could make an appearance at Elimination Chamber.

Del Rio's character has been that of a slime ball since his debut in WWE, meaning that he is precisely the type of person who would jump Santino and steal his spot.

He may not be a SmackDown superstar, but Teddy Long was willing to let anyone into the SmackDown Chamber match. His entry into the match would make sense for several reasons.

For one, he would be a legitimate threat since he is a former world champion. Also, he would have instant credibility as a possible winner since it seems like he may be feuding with Sheamus at some point. Del Rio would be a great addition to a match with a solid group of superstars already.

Drew McIntyre

This may seem like a long shot, but attacking Santino and entering the Chamber would be the perfect way to make Drew McIntyre look like a threat again. Since being moved to SmackDown, McIntyre is on a major losing streak and has been made to look like a joke.

He is a former Intercontinental Champion, though, and at one point looked like he was on track to become a world champion. That seems like ages ago at this point, though.

McIntyre has been embarrassed by Santino on SmackDown on a few occasions, so it would be sensible to have him take Santino out. It's very difficult to say what the plan is for McIntyre right now.

I have to believe that this losing streak is avenue for bigger and better things, and if that is the case, that getting him in the Chamber match would be a good start.