WWE Elimination Chamber: 10 Things To Know About SmackDown's Elimination Chamber

New developments over the past 24 hours have changed the nature of the SmackDown Elimination Chamber from a predictable necessity to an intriguing five-man free-for-all, with the identity of the sixth man now in question. 

Here are 10 things to know about the SmackDown Elimination Chamber.

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1. Dolph Ziggler Has Been "Fired"

The conclusion of SmackDown saw Vickie Guerrero sell Dolph Ziggler out to keep her own job, resulting in Ziggler being inexplicably rewarded by getting to keep the phantom title (what if he would have won?) although he was subsequently fired after failing to defend it.

The betrayal by Vickie may result in either immediate reconciliation, when Guerrero pulls strings to have Dolph be put back into the Chamber or the imminent split of the power couple. 

The latter would send Dolph Ziggler back to the mid-card wasteland he came from should WWE decide to book the otherwise bland and nationally unappealing superstar as a heel. 

2. There Are Only Five Participants Advertised To Compete

The sudden vacancy of a sixth spot in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber has added a much-needed plot twist to a pay-per-view that previously had a storyline as mild and anti-climactic as that of True Grit—the Western Movies' answer to Home Alone. 

With the outcomes of each of the main event matches far from being in doubt, WWE obviously felt like it needed an element of uncertainty to get people talking.  It worked.  We're talking. 

If I'm a betting man, I'd go with either Ziggler being put back in the chamber at the sixth spot or possibly Kofi Kingston or Christian. 

3. Edge Is Your Clear-Cut Favorite To Win the Chamber

His feud with No. 1 contender Alberto Del Rio is just starting to grow some legs, so an Edge loss to anyone outside of Rey Mysterio would be viewed as somewhat of a "back to the drawing board" move by the powers that be. 

4. The "Streak"

While Kane's storyline brother, the Undertaker, enjoys an acclaimed streak of never losing at WrestleMania, Kane, the consummate good hand, holds a pair of streaks of his own.  Both streaks will have been realized in back-to-back pay-per-views. 

Kane, while competing at his 13th consecutive Royal Rumble last month, has never won the Royal Rumble match.  Kane's streak of 13 appearances without winning is a WWE record. 

Kane is also tied for the record of consecutive Elimination Chamber appearances without winning, with Randy Orton, as both Kane and Orton will be entering their fourth Elimination Chamber match seeking their first-ever win.  

5. Drew McIntyre Is in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber

Actually, you really don't have to know or remember that.

6. WWE SmackDown Elimination Chamber Currently Advertised As Main Event

According to Wikipedia.org, SmackDown's Elimination Chamber is currently advertised as Elimination Chamber XIII, meaning it is scheduled to go on after RAW's Elimination Chamber (XII). 

It is unknown how Wikipedia feels it knows of the chronological order of the Chamber matches, but with things always changing on a dime in WWE, there are never any sure things.  

7. The Winner Faces Alberto Del Rio At WrestleMania XXVII

Alberto Del Rio has already secured his spot as the No. 1 contender for the World Championship by virtue of his Royal Rumble win last month. 

Del Rio will be competing against Kofi Kingston in a singles match while awaiting his WrestleMania XXVII challenger. 

8. SmackDown Elimination Chamber May Be Inferior to RAW's

RAW has the veterans (no first-time Elimination Chamber competitors) and the star power, not to mention John Morrison in an Elimination Chamber. 

Meanwhile, SmackDown will limp to its respective Elimination Chamber match with a banged up and aging Rey Mysterio, Edge (who is on the back end of his career), Kane (see Edge) and a pair of Elimination Chamber rookies in Wade Barrett and Drew McIntyre. 

Every advertised participant of the SmackDown Elimination Chamber is either a veteran with plenty of tread on his tires, or a wet-behind-the-ears newbie who lacks any semblance of Elimination Chamber experience. 

9. The Winning Edge

Edge is the only participant in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber to have won this type of match. 

Edge won the 2009 RAW Elimination Chamber Match at No Way Out as a surprise entrant and will be heavily favored to win this year's contest. 

10. Rey Mysterio Faces Giant Problems

The 5'6" Rey Mysterio will go into an Elimination Chamber match where every other advertised competitor is 6'5" or taller.  Edge stands at 6'5", Drew McIntyre stands at 6'5" and Kane stands at 7'0". 

Christian, who is now rumored to be a possible replacement for Dolph Ziggler in the Elimination Chamber, stands at a more manageable 6'2".