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What's the story?
Wrestlinginc.com is speculating that the main event of WWE Survivor Series may have changed over the past few days. It is being reported that the 'Champion vs. Champion' match between AJ Styles and Brock Lesnar will now close the show, as opposed to the RAW vs. SmackDown 5-on-5 Traditional Elimination Match.
In case you didn't know
One week ago, the 2017 Survivor Series card was looking uninspiring, to say the least. WWE was promoting a 'Champion vs. Champion' match that would see WWE Champion Jinder Mahal go up against WWE Universal Champion AJ Styles, and despite Jinder's improvement in 2017, it wasn't filling the fans with much in the way of enthusiasm.
The original plan went out of the window on this week's episode of SmackDown Live. Styles overcame Jinder and the Singh Brothers to become a two-time WWE Champion, replacing the "Modern Day Maharaja" in the marquee Survivor Series match in the process.
The heart of the matter
If reports are to be believed, the original plan was for the RAW vs. SmackDown 5-on-5 Traditional Elimination Match to close the show. The lack of buzz surrounding Mahal vs. Lesnar necessitated in, and the star-power on display in that match certainly warranted it.
WrestlingInc is reporting that the plan may have changed with Styles' championship win. Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles now seems to be in pole position to close out the show. The showdown has been a dream match for many for at least a decade, and it truly does feel like a match worthy of headlining one of WWE's Big Four.
There is a chance that plans can change again between now and November 19, as both matches are viable main events. Team RAW will consist of Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Finn Bálor, Braun Strowman and Jason Jordan, while the blue team will be represented by Shane McMahon, John Cena, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura and Bobby Roode.
That is a total of 42 WWE, WCW and NXT Championships for those counting, not to mention the titles won in TNA and NJPW. Is it a bigger bout than AJ vs. Brock?
What's next?
Just nine days lie between now and the 2017 Survivor Series, with one week's worth of WWE TV to go. There is plenty of time for things to change, and WWE certainly has options when it comes to the closing match of the event in Houston.
Author's take
Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles absolutely should finish the show. It is one of the biggest matches available to WWE, a true dream match for the ages. It deserves to take precedence over an elimination match featuring two authority figures who shouldn't be in the ring at this point in their lives.
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