Building Ideal Field for Intercontinental Championship Elimination Chamber Bout

To further its mission to bring prestige to the Intercontinental Championship, WWE needs to cram a monster, a dynamo and a madman into the Elimination Chamber.

The first IC title match to be held inside Satan's Prison should be treated like a marquee bout. That means WWE must make sure to include a few former world champions, for one. Adding emerging headliners will be key as well.

The need to put together this field emerged after a two-part surprise on Monday night.

First, Daniel Bryan relinquished the IC title after doctors failed to clear him. WWE then revealed that the Elimination Chamber would be coming back as part of a WWE Network-exclusive event on May 31. The two news items soon merged.

WWE announced on its official website that "the newly vacant Intercontinental Championship will be defended inside the infamous structure."

That creates six open spots in the metal-lined battlefield. It sets up an opportunity to not only maximize the coronation of the next champ but to highlight the other warriors in the fray as well.

WWE's first entrant should be a man who has yet to hold a title, a star in the making and a predator who would do major damage inside the hellish Elimination Chamber.

Bray Wyatt

Wyatt is a smart choice as the next champion. He brims with potential. As one of WWE's best talkers with an explosive, enthralling presence in the ring, he has forced fans to take notice.

The Eater of Worlds, though, has struggled to gain consistent momentum, as WWE doesn't seem to know what to do with him. Making him IC champ would be an easy path to continue his push up the ladder.

A dominant title run would be a massive boost for him and a great way to showcase his monstrous ways.

His vicious nature makes for a great fit inside the Chamber. And including his current rival adds a welcome subplot to the match.

Ryback

The best Elimination Chamber matches feed off pre-existing rivalries.

Wyatt and Ryback have just started colliding. This IC title match would provide a way to further their feud and perhaps lead to future confrontations over the belt. 

Along with his growing animosity for Wyatt, Ryback's power-heavy style begs for him to join this matchup. Like Goldberg before him, he would make a great raging bull inside the steel. A number of high-impact spots are possible with him charging around the chamber.

Sheamus

Sheamus' championship pedigree and current momentum as a heel make him an attractive addition to this mix.

Since returning to action, WWE has portrayed him as a dominant force. He's felt like a star just below the top tier of late. That would add to the Elimination Chamber bout's significance more than having someone like R-Truth participate.

His brawling ability would make for some fun action. Imagine him tangling with Wyatt or Ryback on the rattling steel.

Sheamus will feel like a favorite going into the match, especially if he knocks off Dolph Ziggler at Payback. That rivalry doesn't look like it will end at that event, so continuing with this title match is smart business.

Dolph Ziggler

Adding Ziggler would give the match its second set of rivals whose animosity originated before the Chamber opens. It would double the count of former world champs in the bout as well.

Ziggler's greatest strength is his constant willingness to do whatever it takes to steal the show. That mindset is sure to lead to some huge moments in the Elimination Chamber. Not only will he sacrifice his body for the sake of drama, but he will sell every collision like no one else can.

Credit: WWE.com

His inclusion would add some speed to a field heavy on power and size so far.

Neville

Bad News Barrett seems like a logical candidate, but WWE shouldn't have him lose again. And having him be both IC champ and King of the Ring is overkill. Put him in a feud instead, and let the high-flyer try for the gold.

Neville would provide the match with a man capable of hitting all the breathtaking spots one expects in these matches.

He can hit a Red Arrow off a pod or a 450 splash onto the steel grating around the ring. Neville's role will be like that of Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio before him, bettering the action with a jolt of energy.

It's a chance to further tease his rise as well. So far, Neville has made it to the King of the Ring finals and nearly defeated John Cena. Following that up with a surprise run to the end of this clash would keep his momentum going in spite of his not taking home the crown. 

Stardust

For the last spot, WWE will certainly consider Dean Ambrose. The Lunatic Fringe, though, could still be involved in the WWE title picture or in a feud that sprouts from what happens at Payback. 

Instead, Stardust can provide the match with mental instability.

Credit: WWE.com

His inclusion would make for an intriguing collection of personalities. As odd as he has acted in recent months, fans can count on him doing some strange, memorable things inside the steel structure. He's sure to go ballistic when waiting inside the pod, for one.

He also gives the match a 3-to-3 heel-to-babyface ratio and would be only the second combatant here who has previously held the IC title.    

With Stardust thrust into a battle that includes the fearsome Wyatt, the gravity-defying Neville and The Showoff, the Elimination Chamber match would be a surefire bet to steal the show come May 31. He is an entertaining addition to a mix of heroes and villains, bruisers and athletes, former champs and those on whom the audience waits to see them snatch titles.