Fantasy warfare is about to get real, and so are the expectations pinned onto the first cross-brand PPV of the New Era. Goldberg and Brock Lesnar get another shot to make-up for their snoozefest at WrestleMania XX, while the rest of the roster fight for bragging rights for their respective brands.
Survivor Series is shrouded in unpredictability and we the fans, can’t be more grateful. The three Traditional Survivor Series Elimination matches are brimming with top-tier talents, interesting sub-plots and never-seen-before show-downs that would make any independent wrestling junkie rub his eyes in disbelief.
With the alluring prospect of titles and superstars; more aptly put, an entire division switching their allegiances within a span of hours, the PPV known for its swerves should be able to match all the hype. For a PPV that lost its sheen due to persistent negligence, WWE has done a great job of giving it a ‘big four’ feel to it this time around.
So before the show gets underway in a few hours, here are the final predictions for the PPV:
#1. Brian Kendrick (c) vs. Kalisto (WWE Cruiserweight Championship match, if Kalisto wins, the CW division moves to SmackDown)
The word going around is that WWE has plans on bringing the Cruiserweight division to SmackDown in a bid to boost the thin roster. While the decision makes sense, having Kendrick drop the title this early in his reign would not be the right move.
Nevertheless, the seeds for the switch may have already been planted with WWE Network’s new Cruiserweight exclusive show, ‘205’ being scheduled to air on Tuesdays. According to reports, the Network exclusive show will be taped right after SmackDown, which might be a hint of the possible title change at Survivor Series. For this very reason coupled with SmackDown’s thin roster, the Luchador is the favorite to go over The Man with a Plan.
Prediction: Kalisto wins and becomes the new Cruiserweight Champion, and in turn, takes the Cruiserweight division along with him to the blue brand.
#2 The Miz (c) vs. Sami Zayn (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
What was initially set to be a face vs. face battle transformed into a classic heel-face dynamic after Miz regained the Intercontinental title from Dolph Ziggler. We all know how WWE is apprehensive about babyfaces going up against each other and Miz winning the title further acts as proof of the notion.
It seems like the perfect setup for Sami Zayn to win his first main roster title and take the IC title back to RAW. The move of having the IC and the United States title on RAW could draw widespread backlash, but it could all be counteracted by Zayn’s feel-good moment.
Prediction: Sami Zayn wins to become the new Intercontinental Championship
#3 Team Raw Vs. Team SmackDown Live: 10-on-10 Elimination Tag Teams Survivor Series Match
On one side you have two of the most over tag teams on the WWE roster – New Day and Enzo & Cass – leading the pack, and on the other, you got a coalition that is not completely over as their counterparts from RAW.
The predictable outcome would be for RAW to walk away with a win here, but what would make things interesting is if WWE began teasing the inevitable split of the New Day. The act has reached its point of exhaustion, and we could see the initial stages of the separation at Survivor Series. Expect Rhyno and Slater, or The American Alpha to do the honors and notch up a win for the blue brand.
Prediction: Team SmackDown wins with either Rhyno and Slater or the American Alpha as the sole survivors
#4 Team RAW vs. Team SmackDown Live: 5-on-5 Elimination Women’s Survivor Series Match
The Charlotte-Sasha Banks rivalry plays a pivotal role in shaping up the fortunes of team RAW. On the flipside, the SmackDown team also has its fair share of combustible elements. All in all, this is a tough one to call, but the blue army gets the upper hand here as the RAW unit is helmed by the egoistic Queen, Charlotte; who would find it tough to get along with perennial rivals Sasha and Bayley.
SmackDown wins this one to balance the scales out after RAW’s Tag team triumph. The veteran Nikki Bella or Becky Lynch could get it home for Shane McMahon and co.
Prediction: Team SmackDown wins with either Nikki Bella or Becky Lynch as the sole survivors
#5 Team RAW vs. Team SmackDown Live: 5-on-5 Men's Survivor Series Match
This is the most-anticipated bout after the behemothic clash between Brock Lesnar and Goldberg, with its implications on future storylines laying the foundation. A loss seems highly unlikely wWhen you have a monster of a man in Braun Strowman among your ranks,
Survivor Series could be Strowman’s breakout PPV where he announces himself as the real deal. It’s not like we don’t know it already, but a standout performance would solidify him as a main event level superstar. Even Shane McMahon won't be able to hold his troops together as the chances of implosion are high with the bad blood between Styles and Ambrose and the unpredictable Orton-Wyatt alliance.
Not to forget the bromance between Owens and Jericho could be on the cusp of breaking down after tonight’s show. The reds will see this one through despite the soaring chances of dissension. Reigns and Rollins’ reignited brotherhood could steady the ship for RAW while SmackDown could see their' sink.
Also, Undertaker coming out to confront the superstar who costs SmackDown a win would be the icing on the cake.
Prediction: Team RAW wins with Seth Rollins as the sole survivor
#6 Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg
The second round of the infamous WrestleMania XX encounter is sadly the most predictable match of the night. Handing Lesnar a loss at this stage in his career will be a major misstep on the WWE’s part.
Goldberg is just in this match for the nostalgic value and to show his family a glimpse of the superhero he once used to be. WWE could have Lesnar win this one to settle the scores and set up a rubber match at Royal Rumble or WrestleMania. The other option would just be to get Lesnar more momentum before some up and comer eventually takes him down. Rumor has it that Lesnar could go after the Universal Title next with a massive Royal Rumble match against Kevin Owens being on the horizon.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar wins
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