Most Interesting Subplots to Men's, Women's WWE Elimination Chamber 2018 Matches

The Elimination Chamber is one of the most iconic structures in WWE, and, at WWE Elimination Chamber 2018, thirteen wrestlers will enter the structure to fight for a chance to compete at WrestleMania. These seven men and six women will be fighting for the highest of stakes.

However, it is not just the stakes that draw fans in to watch these matches. It's the stories that define the contests. With so many wrestlers fighting inside the Chamber, more stories are being told at the same time than in almost any other contest in WWE, barring the Royal Rumble.

While the primary stories are obvious as Alexa Bliss is forced to defend her championship against an onslaught of threats while the men all battle for the opportunity to take on the nearly unstoppable Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, the subplots of the matches are far more intriguing.

Only two wrestlers can emerge from the Chamber matches victorious, but a whole host of matches can be set up for WrestleMania by the subplots that play out as flesh hits steel. A loss may mean the end of a dream to main event the Showcase of the Immortals, but it does not mean missing the show.

These are the most interesting subplots that will define the men's and women's Elimination Chamber matches and potentially point directly to the Show of Shows.

John Cena's Discomfort with His Changing Status

Cena has long been the man in WWE. One of his nicknames, The Champ, was born from his frequency of title victories. His sustained success outshines many greats and stands among stars like Hulk Hogan and Bruno Sammartino.

However, the leader of the Cenation has found a new path in his career, and it has led him away from WWE with higher and higher frequency. As 'Mania approaches, Cena has shown signs repeatedly that he feels like the odd man out, uncertain of his own status.

The Chamber match is Cena's last chance to earn a shot at the main event, a spot everyone just assumed he would occupy every year. If he loses, it may finally become clear just how far Cena has fallen, forcing him to reconsider where he stands in wrestling.

Most expect that Cena vs. The Undertaker is the end goal for the Showcase of the Immortals, but it has been interesting to watch how WWE hints at the feud slowly and steadily. Cena has shown more frustration and even heelish tendencies in recent months.

Could The Champ lose it on his opponents inside the Chamber if he fails? Could he cheat just to survive a little longer? Could Taker himself appear to face Cena, uncertain and nearly broken after a loss? Few things in this story are certain, but they are all exciting.

Alexa Bliss' Attempts to Rekindle Her Friendship with Mickie James

James returned to WWE at the beginning of 2017, revealing herself to be Bliss' guardian angel. The new best friends took over SmackDown for a short while only for the SmackDown Women's Championship to separate them.

Since that time, the two have feuded, and Bliss has repeatedly mocked and belittled the veteran. When Bliss needed help to survive inside the Chamber, though, she turned to her former friend, protecting Mickie when no one else would.

An alliance of Bliss and Mickie would be formidable inside the Chamber, and it might be vital as the other four wrestlers are already working in pairs. However, it is possible Bliss has a more nefarious plot, using Mickie as a scapegoat.

Mickie is a future Hall of Famer, who can still put on quality performances. It is a shame the only stories she is allowed to tell are always connected to Bliss. As the odd woman out in this match, this story keeps her relevant, but will it lead to anything more?

Mickie may be the most likely woman inside the Chamber to miss 'Mania, so this story will be huge for her immediate future. If she and Bliss end the Chamber match still friends, the subplot could stretch all the way to the Grandest Stage of Them All.

Seth Rollins' Return to the Top

The Architect has had a prolific career in WWE over a few short years, but 2017 was the year furthest removed from his greatest accomplishments. Spending the second half as a tag team wrestler, Rollins was working lower on the card than he had since debuting.

When Dean Ambrose went down with an injury, it forced Rollins to reassess his position especially after Kurt Angle paired him up with Jason Jordan who also injured himself. This has led to Rollins' current direction as he finally has declared that he wants to take back a top spot in WWE.

The former top pick of Monday Night Raw proved his worth quickly when he lasted over an hour in a gauntlet match, defeating both Roman Reigns and Cena before falling to Elias. This Chamber match will be another chance to prove himself and opportunity to take a top spot at 'Mania.

Rollins should hopefully get a major opponent at 'Mania. It is possible he was originally booked to face Ambrose then Jordan before both got hurt. Now, the options are dwindling. No one's direction inside the Chamber needs to be more clearly stated than Rollins.

A match with Finn Balor or The Miz would make sense if Rollins eliminates one of them. If Rollins wants to stake his claim to being Mr. Monday Night Raw, though, he would likely want to aim higher. If Cena will be occupied, this match might be the first step to Rollins vs. Kurt Angle.

Bayley and Sasha Banks' Strained Friendship

Can Sasha Banks be trusted? Corey Graves has been saying repeatedly she can't, and her actions since the Royal Rumble match back that up. Her best friend Bayley seems to still be behind The Boss, but she also is not afraid to challenge her friend.

Banks has long been confident, but lately, she is verging on cocky. She outright talked down to Asuka before The Empress of Tomorrow defeated her, and she did not take her loss to Bayley two weeks later well.

A Banks heel turn has seemingly been an inevitability for over a year as has a climactic battle between Bayley and Banks once the friends turn against one another. 2018 should be the year that finally reveals Banks' dark side on the main roster.

This Chamber match would be remembered for a long time to come if Banks officially turns heel inside the structure and takes out Bayley. The two would easily have a match together worthy of the Grandest Stage of Them All.

If Banks does stay by Bayley's side, though, the story will still be a crucial element of the Chamber match regardless of who emerges victorious. Every single second of Banks' actions will be monitored, just to see what The Boss and The Hugger will be doing come 'Mania.