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After a terrific Crown Jewel PPV, the focus now shifts to Survivor Series, which is scheduled for November 24th, 2019. Survivor Series marks NXT's arrival on the bigger main roster stage with WWE announcing that it would be NXT vs RAW vs Smackdown at the marquee PPV.
While Survivor Series is viewed as one of the most significant events in the wrestling fraternity, the last few editions haven't quite lived up to the billing. Although WWE has a supremely talented roster, the writing has let the company down on more than one occasion. Nevertheless, a shift in paradigm is underway since the brand split.
Fresh content and marquee signings involving The Fiend, Cain Velasquez, and even Tyson Fury have pushed WWE's stock higher. With Crown Jewel being a significant hit, WWE has a tough task to follow it up with another crowd puller. Vince McMahon couldn't have asked for a better follow up to sustain the company's newfound momentum that Survivor Series.
The traditional Survivor Series bouts are a feature of the PPV although there is more to this year's edition. Here are five reasons why the upcoming Survivor Series PPV will set the benchmark for WWE and be the best in recent history.
#1 Dream Matches
The beauty of the Survivor Series PPV is its ability to serve up dream match-ups between some of the best in the business. Over the years, the WWE Universe has seen WrestleMania worthy moments such as Daniel Bryan against Brock Lesnar and Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey going all out for their respective brands.
With the inclusion of NXT, a couple of spots and match-ups are in the offering with the likes of Johnny Gargano, Velveteen Dream, and Shayna Baszler knocking on the doors of the main roster. WWE Creative has already given fans a preview of what's to come with Adam Cole having faced Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins on SmackDown and RAW respectively. The battle between the OC and Undisputed Era is also one worth mentioning .
With the past week just being tip of the iceberg stuff, the WWE Universe is in store for a number of thrilling match-ups with Brock Lesnar and Rey Mysterio already confirmed for the marquee PPV. Several possibilities pop up such as the long awaited Fiend vs Demon King or even Johnny Gargano and Daniel Bryan fighting it out for their brands. Only time will reveal what WWE has in store for its fans.
#2 Inclusion of NXT
Not long ago, WWE struck a deal with FOX to air SmackDown on the national television network. This move saw the announcement of a brand split and the ensuing WWE Draft. While it did go slightly under the radar, NXT got themselves a couple of superstars as well with Finn Balor already having turning heel.
While the brand split has nullified the Wild Card Rule, tension is still prevalent on either side in terms of bragging rights. Although RAW has traditionally been viewed as the superior show, the FOX deal has positioned SmackDown well.
With the inclusion of NXT, WWE added a whole new dimension to the PPV. With most of the current WWE Superstars making their mark through NXT, a couple of past storylines might also pop up.
The rich dividends of NXT's inclusion are already visible. NXT's first invasion of SmackDown was a pleasant surprise with viewership increasing in leaps and bounds.
The inclusion of NXT is a win-win situation for WWE. While this move automatically garners more attention for NXT, which airs on the same day as AEW, fans get to see the likes of Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano up against opponents they wouldn't have even dreamed of. All in all, the inclusion of NXT is a masterstroke and will surely serve Survivor Series well.
#3 Build-up to Survivor Series
This year's Survivor Series pits all three brands against one another. While NXT has already made a mark, SmackDown and RAW are yet to respond with an invasion of their own. While such promos are left for the last week before the PPV, these are the times when a WWE fan truly livens up.
The ensemble of Superstars opens up a wide range of unlikely pairings with rivals also consistently booked on the same team over the past few years. In 2016, WWE Universal Championship rivals Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, and Seth Rollins had to co-exist on the same side. The Survivor Series PPV is also the perfect platform for returning Superstars and even legends to compete and add value to the entire program.
The Women's Division is also a benefactor of the build-up, which generally pits the champions of either brand against one another. Last year, Becky Lynch's assault on Ronda Rousey saw her stock go up rapidly. It sowed the seeds for a feud between the two which ultimately main-evented WrestleMania.
With the current Seth Rollins and Triple H saga also playing well with the theme, who wouldn't want to be a WWE fan heading into Survivor Series?
#4 Scope of Storytelling
Survivor Series has consistently provided the goods over the years. One factor to its overwhelming success in the past is the amalgamation of storylines. Although it is a tough task to inculcate so many Superstars into the same match, WWE has pulled it off on more than one occasion.
With the 2019 Survivor Series being a battle of the brands, WWE could bring in a few Superstars who have been out injured to add spice to the match. With the likes of Samoa Joe and Sheamus on the verge of returning, they could utilize such spots to add more value to the match.
As previously mentioned, WWE has pulled this off on more than one occasion. Team Alliance vs Team WWE in 2001 is an instant class for the mini-battles within the match. What truly captivated the minds of the audience was Kurt Angle's assist to WWE as they triumphed over the Shane and Stephanie McMahon led Alliance.
With shades of the above mentioned visible in the upcoming NXT vs RAW vs Smackdown battle, all signs point towards a successful PPV in terms of quality of content and storytelling.
#5 Rich History of the PPV
Often regarded as the most eagerly anticipated PPV after WrestleMania, Survivor Series has a rich and vibrant history. Superstars such as The Undertaker and The Rock have also played their part. Survivor Series has also served up its fair share of iconic moments to cherish. For instance, the first-ever Elimination Chamber match in Survivor Series 2002 saw Triple H and Shawn Michaels conclude their epic feud, apart from the daredevilry of Rob Van Dam, and fear-inducing Kane throwing Chris Jericho through the chamber cage.
Several Superstars have broken through the ranks via the Survivor Series PPV. Becky Lynch, who is now the face of the Women's Division, rose to prominence in the build-up to the PPV. Another such candidate is Randy Orton, who has become a regular in the five on five matches in the PPV.
These historic bouts are still fresh in the minds of the WWE Universe. Be it Undertaker's debut in 1990, or The Rock vs Mankind for the WWF Championship in 1998, or even the Montreal Screwjob in 1997, Survivor Series is in a world of its own with the Superstars of yesteryear doing their part in carving a legacy that sets the benchmark for years to come.
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