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In November, the WWE will host the final of it's 'Big Four' Pay Per Views of the year: Survivor Series. The November tradition has been around for decades and has seen plenty of action over the years.
In 2019, the state of wrestling is interesting to say the least. Whilst WWE once sat unchallenged on top of the wrestling world, falling ratings and the rise of AEW have shaken things up in a major way.
With the new promotion ready to launch their own TV show on TNT next month, there are some steps that WWE should take, as well as plenty of things they really should avoid.
Here are three things WWE must do before Survivor Series in November this year, as well as three things they should avoid.
#3: Must do: Finn Balor joins the OC
The OC is one of the most dominant groups in WWE right now, at one point holding both the United States and RAW Tag Team Titles. But for as good as the grouping of AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson is, there is always room for one more.
Following his loss to The Fiend at SummerSlam, Finn Balor hasn't been in the fray, and reportedly asked for a few months off to recharge. Balor could be back just in time for Survivor Series and could be a great addition to the OC as a surprise partner.
Most fans know of Balor's past with Styles, Gallows and Anderson in New Japan, and turning the Irishman heel for the first time in his WWE tenure could be the new edge the former Universal Champion needs.
#3: Should avoid: Kofi Kingston as the WWE Champion
One of the most entertaining points about Survivor Series is the huge multi-man tag team matches that have become synonymous with the show. In 2019, there are no shortage of teams who could be representing their brands at the Pay Per View, though two of the most popular groups are the OC and the New Day.
If these groups were to square off at Survivor Series though, Kofi Kingston would presumably have to lose the WWE Title at some point down the line, and it's arguably for the best. Don't get me wrong. I was as thrilled as everyone else when the Ghanian Superstar captured the title at WrestleMania 35, but in the months since, his title reign has failed to deliver. On SmackDown Live, Kingston is rarely the main focus of the show, as that role has gone to the likes of Kevin Owens or the King of the Ring combatants.
Simply put., Kofi’s reign has become stagnant. If nothing else, the WWE Championship is overdue for a change, and there is no better venue than Clash of Champions prior to Survivor Series.
#2: Must do: More stable building for Survivor Series
Survivor Series is known for its elimination tag matches, as they have been a staple of the show since the debut show. For the past three years, we have seen the factions for the themed matches as Team SmackDown versus Team RAW in a battle of brand supremacy.
This is a trend which is likely to continue, and though it's interesting to see red vs blue, this battle of the brands often means pressing pause on the current storylines. In a perfect world, we will see a return to the old faction-versus-faction format in 2019, but that would require lines that haven’t currently been drawn.
If WWE does intend on sticking with the RAW Vs. SmackDown idea, then it would definitely help them to incorporate many of their current stables. The OC for example, are known for their work together, and could easily make up three members of Team RAW for the November Pay Per View.
This would certainly be a lot better than putting five random stars from RAW together, to battle five random stars from SmackDown Live after all.
#2: Should avoid: AJ Styles losing the United States Championship
When AJ Styles lost the WWE Championship in November last year, many fans were worried for him. After a phenomenal reign that lasted over a year, Styles would come up short in his title rematch, and for a while, seemed to be a star without direction.
After battling Randy Orton at WrestleMania, Styles was moved to RAW and turned heel, the best decision for him at the time. Reuniting with the Club (now called the OC), Styles has done wonders on the Red Brand's mid-card scene, even capturing the United States Title.
As Champion, Styles has been a highlight of the Red Brand, and though there will be a time when he loses the gold, it shouldn't come before November. Styles has always been a consistent performer, and his feud with Ricochet has only shown that the 41-year-old former World Champion can still go in the ring.
Having Ricochet be the one to topple Styles for the title could be a passing of the torch moment for the two athletic Superstars, but perhaps wait for this one to be delivered at Christmas.
#1: Must do: Another feud and match for The Fiend
The debut of The Fiend at Summerslam 2019 was truly spectacular. Since his appearance at the Biggest Party of the Summer, the headlines have been dominated by news of Bray Wyatt’s new character and questions of whether or not he will be on RAW or SmackDown week in week out.
As great as Wyatt’s attacks on legends feel each time, they have to be building to something, right? In the long term, especially given Wyatt’s recent social media activity, the hope is that he will face off against Sting or Undertaker, maybe at WrestleMania 36.
But WrestleMania is still a long way away, and right now, what does The Fiend need? Another squash.
What perfected Wyatt’s re-debut in 2019 was the decisiveness of his victory over Finn Balor, who had been pushed strong this year, with two Intercontinental title reigns. Before entering a long-term feud, Wyatt needs one more quick squash to really set up something big at Survivor Series.
If done right, there's no limit to what The Fiend could achieve at the Pay Per View, in 2020 and beyond.
#1: Should avoid: A title reign for The Fiend
Bray Wyatt's return to WWE was practically perfect. Returning after several months away, Wyatt returned as The Fiend at SummerSlam, crushing Finn Balor with relative ease and has become one of the hottest acts in all of the wrestling world since then.
But though Wyatt is clearly a star, WWE must be careful not to go too fast with the Eater of Worlds. Part of the Fiend's mystique is not knowing his motives or methods, as every appearance by the former World Champion is truly a treat.
With rumors of a custom championship being designed for him, many fans are speculating that a Wyatt-title run is around the corner, and though there will no doubt be a time for it in the future.
Bray needs to dominate for a few months to come. Ideally, The Fiend won’t lose a match before WrestleMania. And while we all hope he gets pushed to the stars; he should not be inserted into the title hunt yet. The direction doesn’t make sense for the character yet, and the 50-50 booking which tends to accompany these runs would kill his momentum
