7 Superstars Who Could Attack Santino Marella Before Elimination Chamber Match

When it was announced Randy Orton would not be able to participate in SmackDown's Elimination Chamber match this Sunday, many speculated just who the WWE would replace the Viper with.

Very few guessed it right however. Santino Marella won a battle royal on SmackDown this Friday to earn the sixth and final spot in the Chamber match.

Despite his win, many are wondering if Santino will actually make it inside the chamber this Sunday. In 2009, Edge attacked Kofi Kingston on his way to the EC, taking his spot in the match.

On that night, Edge walked in as the WWE Champion and left the World Heavyweight Champion...an unprecedented move by the WWE. 

While something so dramatic seems unlikely, it is possible the WWE plans to use this opportunity to have someone attack Santino pre-match and take his spot.

Many have speculated that it could be a Raw Superstar that is scheduled to be involved in the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match such as Chris Jericho, Dolph Ziggler or The Miz. However, the problem with this is that almost assuredly the Raw match will come second, and someone attacking Santino before the match they're already scheduled to be in makes little sense.

So who could it be? Here are my picks for seven superstars who could take Santino's place in the match come Sunday. 

7. Jinder Mahal

Jinder Mahal finally picked up a television victory this Friday as he took out Ezekial Jackson.

The WWE seems committed to giving Mahal air time, but he still really struggles getting heat from the crowd. Having him attack Marella before the match at a PPV would be a great way to really gain some heat for him.

However, if Mahal was to be the one who comes up, it is probably more likely it would be his former tag team partner The Great Khali, who takes the beating instead of Marella. 

6. David Otunga

Otunga was the runner-up in the Battle Royal and seems to be really excelling in his new role as John Laurainaitis' "assistant."

Otunga is becoming more and more recognizable and it would not be a hard sell to have him attack Marella as revenge for taking him out in the Battle Royal.

Not only would this get more heat for him, but it would help build Laurinaitis' character as well, so this really would not be a bad idea. 

5. Ryback (Skip Sheffield)

For months now there has been rumors that Skip Sheffield would be returning to the WWE under a terminator-like character named Ryback. 

While it may seem like an odd choice so close to WrestleMania, with Orton out the SmackDown match really lacks intrigue. Having Ryback debut would really cement his character as an up-and-comer on the blue brand for months to come.

It doesn't feel like the WWE needs another monster heel right now, but if Ryback could do this and then eliminate someone in the match, it would certainly make an impact.

4. Drew McIntyre

Since debuting on SmackDown, Drew McIntyre has had a tough time impressing Teddy Long and living up to his lucrative contract.

In order for McIntyre to be taken seriously again as a singles competitor he needs to start winning. While this wouldn't qualify as a win per say, having McIntyre impress Long by taking out Santino would be a nice way for him to build momentum going forward.

3. Christian

Captain Charisma has been gone far too long.

Since getting injured several months ago before Survivor Series, Christian has been M.I.A. from WWE television other than a brief appearance as a presenter at the Slammy awards.

Many believed Christian would make his return at the Royal Rumble but that did not happen for whatever reason. Personally, I believe that he will be back before WrestleMania, and having him take out Marella would be an awesome way for him to return and instantly assert him back into the main event. 

2. Mark Henry

Of all the options to take out Santino pre-match, Mark Henry might be the most likely.

After all, Henry was originally rumored to be Randy Orton's replacement in the match, and showed up on SmackDown this week demanding he be added to the match despite being suspended. 

Henry, however, is injured and likely would not last long in the match because of it. If the WWE does plan to go in the direction of an attack, though, don't be surprised at all if it is Mark Henry who deals out the punishment and adds Santino to his Hall of Pain. 

1. Alberto Del Rio

While Henry might be the most likely, Alberto Del Rio would make the most sense.

Del Rio has been showing up on house shows and challenging Sheamus to arm wrestling matches, so it appears as though he is ready to go after being injured.

Del Rio could really use a change over to SmackDown. Del Rio would just get lost in the shuffle on Raw with Chris Jericho and Dolph Ziggler having a lockdown on the number one and number two heel spots right now.

On SmackDown, however, Del Rio could really excel and would have more of an opportunity to show his in-ring skills. 

Having him take out Santino and make a grand return would be a great way to remind everyone that he is one of the top names in the company right now.