Hell in a Cell, 2016, came with a life so elementally ambitious, that it fell after flying too close to the sun. Unlike pay-per-views outside of the ‘Big Four’ umbrella, this extravaganza came romping in the shadow of a pro-wrestling symbol, the eponymous monstrosity, then inadvertently tripped on its own tail.
While the Hell in a Cell is one of the most iconic and feared match scenarios in the WWE’s teeming gallery, it was desperately overutilized to the point of becoming repetitive, drawing a lot of the main event’s steam out before that even came to pass.
With Bragging Rights out of the equation, Survivor Series is the only inter-brand pay-per-view, except the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania of course, that could shift the compass of brand supremacy in either direction. However, there has been negligible buildup around this feud, especially considering how this will be the first Survivor Series after the brand split.
The generic, categorical division of the 5-on-5 elimination matches and the complete lack of an inter-brand buildup whatsoever, begs one question.
While the WWE is definitely attempting a clinch at ratings (after a lacklustre 2015) by exploiting the entertainment value of a star-studded match card, how are three matches rooted only on a traditional format and not storylines supposed to revive the repute of Survivor Series?
Perhaps, instead of being a culmination of slow building histories, the show at Toronto would be a beginning, to set wheels turning, with possible interferences, double crosses, brand jumps, and even reunions.
Here are five things the WWE should accomplish at Survivor Series to ensure that there isn’t a repeat of Hell in a Cell’s slightly-better-than-average reception.
#5 Sami Zayn is put over by Ziggler:
The WWE Universe has exhibited a consistent endearment towards Sami Zayn. He is one of the performers who has had to climb several rusty rungs to reach the main roster of the WWE, yet appears outside most match cards for pay-per-view events (Hell in a Cell, a kickoff appearance at SummerSlam and a defeat at Clash of Champions).
Having stood up to Braun Strowman recently, he has exemplified the angst and fearlessness of a David who, despite being overlooked, stays his ground because “no one else will”.
While a potential feud with the former Wyatt seems on the cards, it would have been remiss on the WWE’s part not to present Zayn with a title opportunity, particularly when the event is taking place in Canada.
Ziggler’s open challenge is the first instance of a possible inter-brand rivalry. However, it is debatable if The Miz will sit through this and that Ziggler will drop the title after having worn it for just about a month, especially with his career closing stipulation.
Moreover, bringing the IC belt to Raw would only diminish Smackdown’s limited reserve. On the other hand, the chances of Ziggler putting Zayn over are quite strong. Perhaps Zayn’s move to SmackDown Live! can be postponed, since an inter-brand rivalry could rattle the state of both shows as they currently are.
#4 Going all the way with every match and making deserving Superstars shine:
There had been rumours about the WWE’s initial reluctance in having Sasha and Charlotte close the Hell in a Cell show. While the match was groundbreaking on two levels, one of the two had been ignored altogether.
It was heavily promoted as the first Hell in a Cell match featuring female performers, yet, as the first of its kind to headline the pay-per-view, it was caught in the reeds of indecision. Whatever this might be indicative of, the results are for everyone to see.
Survivor Series 2016 requires the company to give it the full measure, irrespective of a match’s position on the card.
If clumsy writing and hasty decisions can make performers of Sasha and Charlotte’s pedigrees flounder, one can imagine the momentum that would entail a ten-person elimination match with almost no buildup and thus, no stipulated consequence (except outdoing their teammates), to fall back on.
This leaves the WWE with the sole option of promoting the 5 on 5 matches on every medium possible. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the ten-man tag elimination match move to the front of the card, despite the showmanship of some of its participants.
Considering the thriving popularity of some of the talent on both shows, this could be an opportunity to exhibit their chops, make them stand out in the melee and set up possible feuds. Performers who have been excellent on their respective brands, such as Alexa Bliss, Cesaro and Naomi, should be allowed their moments, while also staying true to their characters.
Lone forces such as Nia Jax and Braun Strowman, disgruntled with a team dynamic, need to be booked accordingly.
A four-hour long event containing not more than five matches, (thus far) is going to be teeming with spots and bookable turns. If written with such factors in mind, instead of solely focusing on the end spectacle (main event), both matches which had a probable chance of being passable could end up being entertaining and engaging by several degrees.
#3 The need to appease a home audience and its effect on the Goldberg/Lesnar match:
Hell in a Cell took place in Boston. It also had Sasha Banks drop her belt to Charlotte, in Boston. While the WWE had justifications galore for such a booking, it was foolish not to pander to the thousands rooting for their resident Superstar.
Not even an oddly sold stretcher spot could redeem the loss of a Championship that had been built so minutely around her face character. A week before, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman entered the Target Center in Minneapolis, anticipating a heated heel response.
The sequence that followed was, instead, a discomfiting display of jarring back and forth exchanges between Heyman and Lesnar’s home crowd.
The importance of the role that Toronto had to play in previous blockbuster fights cannot be understated. A match such as Hulk Hogan versus The Ultimate Warrior back in 1990 was nothing more than a dreary show of heavyweights punching and slamming one another.
However, with both performers’ connection with the Toronto crowd and its electric participation, the match was resuscitated into one of the greatest ever.
When talking about favourable crowd reception, one cannot help but notice the number of Canadians in the match card. However, another Superstar speculated to receive a flattering reception, with whom the WWE might put its wrong foot forward is, Brock Lesnar.
Going into his Survivor Series match against Goldberg, Lesnar is the obvious heel. Meanwhile, Goldberg is the returning face with a family sentiment attached to his first grand fight in 12 years.
Lesnar, having settled in Saskatchewan in Canada, had represented the country at UFC 200 during his fight against Mark Hunt. Goldberg, on the other hand, has been blamed for ending Bret Hart’s in-ring career with a botched mule kick.
While logic calls for a clean finish over Lesnar, given that it is Goldberg’s purported “last” fight, such a booking would prove detrimental to the repute of the show, and not particularly because of the live audience. Goldberg’s long absence would factor into his performance, as would the booking potential of a Brock Lesnar victory.
For someone who has splintered through The Streak, Lesnar would make for an incredibly imposing opponent to put new talent over somewhere down the line. Losing to Goldberg, despite his legendary WCW status (also a cause for Vince’s disdain, ala Sting) would taint his credibility, something clearly bad for business.
#2 Having the right people make the pin:
For all her talent inside and outside the WWE ring, Sasha Banks has never had the chance to close a Raw Women’s Championship match at a pay-per-view. Her reigns have not lasted one day beyond 27, which is ridiculous considering her participation in more than a handful of headlining matches.
Most recently, her Hell in a Cell match with Charlotte ended on a falling curve, while her weekly tributes to Eddie Guerrero serve no purpose than drawing cheap pop from the attending crowd. If there is anything Sasha needs right now, more than the belt, it is to bring legitimacy to her character as “The Boss” of the division.
Therefore, it is incumbent that Sasha administers the winning pin. Though Survivor Series could be the perfect setting for breakout stories from Bayley, Alexa Bliss and Carmella (all of whom are already involved in their respective feuds), it is Sasha who needs a cementing act.
Considering how the Smackdown Tag Team division has only a smattering of talent, their pin, if booked to win, should come in the hands of American Alpha. However, if Raw wins, then the must should go to The New Day. As they inch towards Demolition’s outstanding record, The New Day are also inching away from clean wins and proper finishes.
The Raw Tag Team title is going to change hands very soon, possibly to Anderson and Gallows. For all their dizzying shenanigans, The New Day ought to make one final statement before they leave the proverbial pulpit.
#1 The question of an interference:
Seeing how the 5-on-5 matches are without any storyline support, an interference can never harm the tension of the match. However, Triple H’s intrusion does not logically stand, since it is a Raw versus Smackdown bout, and would not further his personal interests, as he had exemplified by the swerved ending of that one episode of Raw.
While his return was anticipated at HIAC, there is no ground for Creative to rectify that, by having The Game interfere and take out Rollins at Survivor Series. One point, though, can be made, that Triple H turns on Kevin Owens himself, apparently dissatisfied with his Championship run.
However, that wouldn’t find a place beside the brewing and inevitable Jericho-Owens feud, later on.
The Undertaker is slated to appear on the SmackDown Live! episode before Survivor Series. While this could be a basic commemorative move to draw audiences, given how The Dead Man made his debut at Survivor Series 1990, his presence on the show could also set in motion his swansong at WrestleMania 33.
A feud with the Wyatts and Randy Orton can be speculated, as Bray Wyatt seems to have assimilated The Viper into his Family, against Kane. The last time Orton squared off against a part timer, his head was split open with elbow shots. Therefore, feeding him to another part timer would be a poor idea.
As for The Undertaker assisting Team Smackdown to a victory, it would be a wastage of Superstar power, and leave a lot to be desired from the consequences of such a booking.
However, with Lesnar’s F5 on Shane McMahon (who had earned Taker’s respect at Mania, last year) still fresh on everyone’s mind, there is a slight possibility of The Undertaker interfering in Brock Lesnar’s brawl with Goldberg. This would earn Goldberg a win, albeit not a clean one, leading him to fight a few more matches before retiring for good.
With WrestleMania a good six months away, The Undertaker’s return in an active capacity needs to be accounted for. Rehashes are not especially welcome, so there are a number of ways other than a Lesnar feud by which Taker’s part-time presence can affect the blue brand.
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