In the build up to this Pay Per View Smackdown looked to have stuck to the more traditional Elimination Chamber format, with six men all battling for the World Heavyweight Championship.
However, late developments seem to have ruled 7-minute champion Dolph Ziggler out of the bout, and with no replacements being mentioned on WWE's official website, it looks destined to become the first ever 5-man Chamber match.
Edge (c) Vs Wade Barrett Vs Rey Mysterio Vs Drew McIntyre Vs Kane for the World Heavyweight Championship at Elimination Chamber 2011
So, with the Bleach Blonde Bombshell out, who is likely to take the gold all the way to WrestleMania, and who might fill the vacant slot in Smackdown's Chamber match?
Will Edge retain the World Heavyweight Championship at Elimination Chamber 2011?
Technically, and it's a big technically, Edge will only have been champion just over two days when he steps into the Elimination Chamber.
Of course, were it not for Vickie Guerrero's involvement he would now be on a title run that stretches right back to TLC in December, where he took the gold off fellow Elimination Chamber participant Kane.
Regardless of all that, with Alberto Del Rio being the set-in-stone challenger for whoever emerges with the belt, Edge has to be the all out favourite, barring any late surprise entrants.
Will Wade Barrett win at Elimination Chamber 2011?
There's no denying that Wade Barrett's push through the WWE ranks since winning the first series of NXT has been one packed full of momentum.
But the writers have already had a few chances to put a World Championship on him in much lower-key scenarios and didn't do it, presumably as they don't think he's ready to carry a brand.
So the chances of him taking the title to WrestleMania to face another out and out heel are extremely remote.
Will Rey Mysterio win at Elimination Chamber 2011?
Being one of only two face Superstars in this match, Rey Mysterio should be right up there in terms of favourite for winning this match.
The one thing working against him here is that he very recently worked a big program with #1 contender Alberto Del Rio and it's likely to disappoint a lot of fans if the WrestleMania main event is just another re-hash.
Expect Mysterio to add the high-flying pizazz to this bout, but ultimately come up short.
Will Drew McIntyre win at Elimination Chamber 2011?
Much like Wade Barrett, Drew McIntyre has been pushed almost constantly since he appeared on the scene a few years ago as Mr. McMahon's 'chosen one'.
However, also like Wade Barrett McIntyre seems to have been kept away from the World Championship, only having the odd shot at the gold in matches involving long odds, such as this one.
It's highly unlikely any of the heels will win this match, but McIntyre is likely to be bottom of the pile.
Will Kane win at Elimination Chamber 2011?
Kane very rarely wins anything meaningful around WrestleMania, and it's unlikely that will change come Elimination Chamber 2011.
Kane Vs. Alberto Del Rio is unlikely to be high on many fans list of dream main events, and barring yet another turn for The Big Red Machine it would be a nightmare to build, especially with only just over a month to do so.
Just what Kane will be doing come Mania is unclear, but the chances of it involving the World Heavyweight Championship are extremely slim.
Who might fill Dolph Ziggler's space at Elimination Chamber 2011?
With Dolph Ziggler being 'fired' just two days before Elimination Chamber, speculation has been rife as to who might fill the sixth slot, with some obvious and rather strange candidates being suggested.
The most obvious of these is Christian, who is reportedly there or thereabouts in terms of being back to fighting fitness.
It would make sense for Christian to take the title and go on to face the person who put him on the shelf; Alberto Del Rio.
However, WWE have never put any real stock in Christian, and rumour has it they already rejected a proposed Edge Vs. Christian bout at Mania, which would have been a far bigger draw.
Other suggested names are Kevin Nash following his Rumble appearance, The Undertaker (who is more likely to return on Raw the night afterward), Sting, Booker T, Dolph Ziggler in a huge swerve on the fired storyline and Tyler Reks, who has been putting in some big performances on Superstars.
Who will win Smackdown's Elimination Chamber at Elimination Chamber 2011?
Edge seems the most likely candidate to leave the Chamber with the title, as a rivalry against Del Rio has been teased while not done to death, like with Rey Mysterio.
Barring a surprise entrant none of the other Superstars look likely to face The Mexican Millionaire at WrestleMania, so The Rated R Superstar has to go down as a shoe-in for victory.
Read more about the Raw Elimination Chamber match.
Read more about the other matches set to take place at Elimination Chamber 2011.
Find out more about Elimination Chamber 2011 including Live Results!
Jay Davies - Jay Davies is a 25 year old graduate of the University of Lincoln's School of Journalism, currently residing in South Yorkshire, ...
