Speculation on WWE Booking a Handicap Match for Intercontinental Title to Protect Lashley

– During this week’s edition of The Wrestling Observer Radio (via Ringside News), the Observer’s Dave Meltzer spoke on the booking of the Intercontinental title match at Elimination Chamber. At the event, Lashley will defend his Intercontinental title along with Lio Rush against Finn Balor in a handicap match.

Meltzer was not a fan of the booking, calling it “completely stupid.” He speculated that it was set up as a handicap match in order to protect Lashley in the event of a loss. In other words, Balor will pin Rush in the handicap match in order to win the title. Meltzer stated the following:

“Doesn’t that suck? I mean like realistically, a handicap match? I don’t mind a handicap match, but the title shouldn’t be at stake in a handicap match. I think the idea is that Finn Balor can pin Lio Rush and win the title and that way they protect Lashley because of maybe the idea that Vince thinks you know, maybe Vince thinks it’s unrealistic for Finn Balor to beat Lashley, but it’s very realistic for him to beat Lio Rush.”

WWE Elimination Chamber 2019 is set for Sunday, February 17. The event will be held at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The event will be broadcast live on the WWE Network.