The Road to WrestleMania 29 hits its last speed bump in the form of Elimination Chamber today on pay-per-view.

The Rock defends the WWE Championship against CM Punk in a match which will see the title change hands in the event of a disqualification or a count out.

Royal Rumble winner John Cena joins forces with Ryback and Sheamus to face off with The Shield in six man action.

And six of SmackDown's toughest superstars step inside the demonic Elimination Chamber, with the winner of the match receiving a World Heavyweight Championship opportunity at WrestleMania 29.

Join the NZPWI Roundtable as we break down the card for Elimination Chamber.

WWE Championship:
The Rock (c) vs. CM Punk
[If The Rock is counted out or disqualified, CM Punk wins the WWE Championship]

Kirsty:
I think CM Punk's got a bit too much on his mind with the whole Paul Heyman thing. I know that he convinced Heyman not to leave, but I'm just not sure that the Punk/Heyman team is as cohesive as it needs to be to pull an upset over The Rock, who will be ready for anything they might try. Plus Rocky's only just got that title back - he's not giving it up.
Winner: The Rock

Dion:
I'm really looking forward to Rock vs. Punk II. But as great a Champion as CM Punk was, I just can't see him topping The Great One. Especially this close to Wrestlemania - you just know The Rock wants to be on the big stage as Champion more than anyone.
Winner: The Rock

Blake:
I would truly love for Punk to win back the WWE Championship, but I don't see it happening. Unfortunately, Rock is Rock, and he's gonna squirm another win out the bag.
Winner: The Rock

Luke:
After the ending at the Rumble, I still think that Rocky has to prove a lot to the WWE Universe that he is fit to be our champion. Punk will be hard to overcome again and perhaps more so that he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Rock will have to lace his boots up and perform old school if he wants to remain champion and head into WrestleMania 29 as champion.
Winner: The Rock

Craig:
The Rock receives unexpected 'help' from the Shield, disqualifying him and thus handing the strap back to Punk. That lasts five seconds until Mr McMahon appears again, restarts the match and Rock wins, further angering Punk.
Winner: The Rock

Zak:
The Rock is back and doesn't seem to be showing any signs of ring rust, so I imagine he'll retain here. Punk will have something up his sleeve though.
Winner: The Rock

Steph:
I would so dearly love to see Punk take it back ... but I think the fates are aligned against him.
Winner: The Rock

Stevie:
The odds seem a bit stacked against The Rock, considering all Punk would need is for him to get attacked by anybody - like Brad Maddox - but I feel Rocky is going to steamroll through another one.
Winner: The Rock

Scott:
I thought The Rock was a dead cert here, but the "lose the title on count out or DQ" stipulation's changed the game somewhat. And where's Brock? I'm finding this one hard to call, now, so I'm going to come down on the side of my head, not my heart.
Winner: CM Punk

David:
After what happened at Royal Rumble, I can't see CM Punk being unprepared for the disqualification-leads-to-title-change stipulation this time around.
Winner: CM Punk


John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus vs. The Shield

Kirsty:
If the Shield's debut is anything to go by, I'd say that Cena, Ryback and Sheamus have their work cut out for them here. I will in fact go so far as to say that I think that as talented as they are individually, the team is cobbled together whereas the Shield seem to think with one mind. Should be a great match though.
Winners: The Shield

Dion:
I like how quickly The Shield has risen to prominence. But the new kids on the block may have bitten off more than they can chew with this super team. Cena, Ryback & Sheamus to take it. In retrospect, it would've been good to see these six in the Elimination Chamber...
Winners: John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus

Blake:
I love The Shield, I love what they've done, they need to be taken down a rung or two. The fact that they're going up against the WWE's all-star team means that that will happen.
Winners: John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus

Luke:
The Shield continue to look strong and decimate everyone they touch. Cue John Cena! I'm thinking The Shield may lose this battle but the war is still not over.
Winner: John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus

Craig:
Cena is taken out early and has to be wheeled back stage by the medics. Ryback is then taken out and has to be wheeled backstage. Sheamus digs deep but can't beat The Shield.
Winners: The Shield

Zak:
As much as I love The Shield, they're going up against three absolutely dominant guys who are all gunning for blood. That's a big ask.
Winners: John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus

Steph:
Though I'm not a fan of randomly-thrown-together tag teams vs. established stables, the Ryback & Team Hell No match at TLC was amazing, so this could be a good one. The usual weak point for a random team is the internal ego battle, but these three guys should get along just fine - especially when there's The Shield to unite them.
Winners: John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus

Stevie:
Injustice will prevail.
Winners: John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus

Scott:
I'm still really hoping we see a last minute shift of this match into the Chamber itself. But, even so, this is another too hard to call match. Together Cena, Ryback and Sheamus bring the star power, the hard hitting and the experience, but The Shield have shown time and time again that when it comes to gang warfare they fight and win as a unit while their opponents struggle as individuals. Going to go with my heart again here; The Shield verbally ripping into Cena and his place in the WWE firmament on Raw really got my heart pumping, and I'd like to see the young upstarts continue their recently dominant run.
Winners: The Shield

David:
John Cena just won the Royal Rumble, overcoming 29 other men. He could easily handle three on his own. But he doesn't have to, because Ryback and Sheamus will be right there with him.
Winners: John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus


#1 Contender's Elimination Chamber Match to the World Heavyweight Championship:
Chris Jericho vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Jack Swagger vs. Kane vs. Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton

Kirsty:
You know who's been frothing at the mouth to get back into the main event... and I don't think he cares how he goes about it either. The Viper to strike.
Winner: Randy Orton

Dion:
I love the Elimination Chamber match. It's always full of unexpected twists. But I'm banking on Chris Jericho.
Winner: Chris Jericho

Blake:
I don't know if I see it happening or if I'm merely hoping, but Swagger has burst back into the scene with a fire we haven't seen in a superstar's eyes for quite some time. Here's hoping for a second and more meaningful World Championship reign.
Winner: Jack Swagger

Luke:
I would love to see Daniel Bryan capitalize in the chamber two years in a row and get another crack at the championship at WrestleMania. On a logical level, I think Orton is gonna be our survivor and headline WrestleMania this year.
Winner: Randy Orton

Craig:
Mark Henry crushes everyone.
Winner: Mark Henry

Zak:
Really tough one to pick. In theory, Kane and Bryan should be able to work together to take care of everyone else, but I doubt that'll work out. Swagger and Henry haven't really seemed like credible threats for a while, which leaves Orton and Jericho, and Jericho has probably been out of the game for too long to challenge just yet.
Winner: Randy Orton

Steph:
Calling it for match of the night. Never not picking Chris Jericho. But I'd be happy with Swagger.
Winner: Chris Jericho

Stevie:
This is a tough one to call. I reckon it's got to come down to Swagger, Orton or Jericho. I'm going to go with the best in the world at what he does.
Winner: Chris Jericho

Scott:
I can't go past Chris Jericho here. He both has more experience in the Chamber than anyone else in there, but he's also got form for being able to hang in there with gritted teeth to come out the winner.
Winner: Chris Jericho

David:
Jericho certainly looks to be the favourite, doesn't he? Randy Orton has been away from title competition for a while though, and this could be his ticket right back to where he desperately wants to be.
Winner: Randy Orton


World Heavyweight Championship:
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Big Show

Kirsty:
Although I wasn't very optimistic that Del Rio would hang onto the strap through the Rumble, his strength and stamina surprised me. I think Big Show's out of luck here.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Dion:
This feud has gotten real personal, real quick. Part of me can't see Del Rio toppling an angry Big Show, but it is Del Rio's destiny to walk in to WrestleMania as World Heavyweight Champion.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Blake:
My disdain for Del Rio is no secret, but the sneaky Mexican (just quoting Big Show) will have something up his sleeve once again.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Luke:
Alberto, please end our pain of watching this feud. Thanks.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Craig:
Del Rio wins again.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Zak:
Pack it in Big Show, your time is just about up.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Steph:
I'm a little bored with this feud, but not bored of Alberto Del Rio's new, exciting, carpark-ambushing personality.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Stevie:
I think Bertie has Show's number. I see him finally getting a pinfall on the big man here.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Scott:
I think Del Rio's got Show's number, and Show's constantly been shown up as a one-trick pony, confounded at every time by Del Rio's intelligence and creativity. I don't see a different outcome here. But (and I know I've been saying this for months now), but I still don't think Del Rio will hold the title by the time the show ends. C'mon Ziggler, you know you want to...
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

David:
Big Show hasn't had a great past month or so, and I don't see it turning around for him just yet.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio


United States Championship:
Antonio Cesaro vs. The Miz

Kirsty:
I think the Miz might get the job done this time.
Winner: The Miz

Dion:
Cesaro is growing on me - and I just get the feeling he's going to continue on the rise, heading in to WrestleMania with one of the biggest wins of his career.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro

Blake:
How did the US title suddenly mean more than the Intercontinental title? Anyways, I'm thinking Cesaro will pull out the victory once again. I like Miz, but he won't be winning the title after what Cesaro did on Raw; yowza!
Winner: Antonio Cesaro

Luke:
This should be the wildcard "match of the night". These two have ripped each other to shreds over the last few months. Could it be Miz's night?
Winner: The Miz

Craig:
Cesaro wins again.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro

Zak:
Cesaro to take the victory once again, though Miz will put up one hell of a fight this time.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro

Steph:
Antonio was vaguely interesting while he was going out with Aksana. Now ... not so much. You'd think I'd love a US Champ who so rubs his non-American-ness in the audience's faces, but I've just never liked him. And Miz with a belt is almost as good as Jericho with a title shot.
Winner: The Miz

Stevie:
Maybe we'll finally see if some of the Nature Boy did rub off on Miz.
Winner: The Miz

Scott:
Cesaro can't be defeated by an American.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro

David:
No American can do it!
Winner: Antonio Cesaro


Divas Championship:
Kaitlyn (c) vs. Tamina Snuka

Kirsty:
Kaitlyn's been a decent champion but she hasn't really experienced the brutality that Tamina is capable of.
Winner: Tamina Snuka

Dion:
It's great to see Tamina Snuka getting a title shot - I'm picking a new Champ!
Winner: Tamina Snuka

Blake:
Tamina has been kept out of the title picture for far too long. I predict she will win and claim her rightful place as queen bee in the WWE.
Winner: Tamina Snuka

Luke:
Kaitlyn had better turn me into a believer. Because I'm not.
Winner: Kaitlyn

Craig:
Snuka wins her first title.
Winner: Tamina Snuka

Zak:
I'm really, really hoping Snuka wins here, we need some new blood on top of the Divas scene!
Winner: Tamina Snuka

Steph:
This is actually the most difficult one for me, but I think if Tamina could pull it off she would be scarily dominant. If she got on TV at all.
Winner: Tamina Snuka

Stevie:
Time for Kaitlyn to continue proving herself. I think we've scratched the surface of what she can do.
Winner: Kaitlyn

Scott:
Two of the biggest hitters in the current women's division here, for sure, but I've been a Kaitlyn fan since day one, and will continue to support her. It'll be a slobberknocker, though.
Winner: Kaitlyn

David:
Tamina looks like one of the biggest threats to Kaitlyn in recent memory, but the reigning champ will find a way.
Winner: Kaitlyn


Brodus Clay & Tensai vs. Team Rhodes Scholars [Pre-Show]

Kirsty:
I have to say I'm disappointed to see Team Rhodes Scholars reduced to the pre-show, especially given how much trouble they gave Team Hell No. But I think they'll make short work of the big guys anyway.
Winners: Team Rhodes Scholars

Dion:
I'm not quite feeling the team of Brodus Clay & Tensai just yet. Team Rhodes Scholars to take out the big men!
Winner: Team Rhodes Scholars

Blake:
Tensai seems to be on an unbeatable path now that he's given up everything he believed in: integrity, respect, decency...
Winners: Brodus Clay & Tensai

Luke:
I'm pretty sure Team Rhodes Scholars would agree with me that this is a joke.
Winner: Team Rhodes Scholars

Craig:
Brodus and Tensai are the new Team Hell No and will gee up the crowd before the PPV starts.
Winners: Brodus Clay & Tensai

Zak:
Rhodes Scholars are a unified unit whereas Clay and Tensai are a bit more thrown together.
Winners: Team Rhodes Scholars

Steph:
Not loving the weird redemption-through-humiliation phase Tensai's going through. Love Team Facial Hair. Not a hard choice to make, just a weird choice of match.
Winners: Team Rhodes Scholars

Stevie:
Never bet against people who dance. Not even if the other team has a moustache.
Winners: Brodus Clay & Tensai

Scott:
Didn't Rhodes and Sandow go their separate ways just two weeks ago? I don't see them winning this impromptu reunion.
Winners: Brodus Clay & Tensai

David:
Clay and Tensai may spend a lot of time lately joking around, but they're both monsters when it comes down to it.
Winners: Brodus Clay & Tensai


Staff Picks Summary:

CM Punk: 2
The Rock: 8

John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus: 7
The Shield: 3

Chris Jericho: 4
Daniel Bryan: 0
Jack Swagger: 1
Kane: 0
Mark Henry: 1
Randy Orton: 4

Alberto Del Rio: 10
Big Show: 0

Antonio Cesaro: 6
The Miz: 4

Kaitlyn: 4
Tamina Snuka: 6

Brodus Clay & Tensai: 5
Team Rhodes Scholars: 5


WWE Elimination Chamber
SKY ARENA (channel 38)
Monday, February 18
2pm (replay 8.30pm)
Free For All preview show airs 1.30pm (replay 8pm)
Additional replays air Tuesday, February 19 (6am and 6pm)