Maybe it's just me, but the chain champion was probably already teased

I think that's a thin connection, if I'm being totally honest.

On the other hand, I also thought it was thin that people assumed Neeko was a shape-changer based on her teaser, so maybe I'm just bad at making those kind of connections.

I do think the similarities in aesthetic can tell us something about the backstory of this new champ. The teaser shot is mainly of the floor, and I would say that the floor in the video still you show is significantly more worn. Nevertheless, both are somewhat consistent with Demacian style. I think it's likely the new champ was/is a prisoner of Demacia.

Just looking at the ground between the 2 pictures is completely different. One is smooth and polished, like a typical Demacian place while the other looks rugged and cracked.

I'd assume that's just a coincidental aesthetic that's completely unrelated. It's so ambiguous it's hard to tell but I don't think Riot would intentionally give a teaser that's so vague, it's borderline unrelated to the champ.

Pretty sure the top picture is in relation to Morgana. I remember somewhere a post including this image and her.

If you are right, then holy shit. And the vault is located in Demacia so it matches the aesthetic....

if u look at the top pic, you will notice the champs feet are facing TOWARDS the viewer.......so...is the champ holding them? or is this person and observer?

Ryze's chamber has a rough and worn floor. The "chain" in the background also looks like its petracite not actual chain. Interesting still.

Yeah, who wouldn't chain someone dangerous next to the most dangerous magical artifacts of Runeterra? /s