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It's that time of year where WWE throws caution to the wind and pits their rosters against each other to see who has the best brand at Survivor Series. For the WWE Universe, this means nearly anything - from champion versus champion matches, to five on five elimination matches, which both serve to give the event a once in a lifetime feel to it.
Beyond that, Survivor Series is a time for dream matches that fans weren't expecting and maybe even the genesis for an overarching storyline that travels all the way to WrestleMania. Either way, this is a very unique pay per view for fans and offers limitless possibilities when it comes to how it can be booked.
With that being said, and with one of WWE's big four pay per views almost upon us once again, here are five things WWE hinted at doing at this year's Survivor Series.
As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to tell us what you think the company is hinting at doing.
#5 Matt Riddle versus Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn has a habit of running his mouth at the absolute worst time and, unfortunately, he did so again during last week's Friday Night SmackDown. Luckily for the WWE Universe, he ran his mouth in earshot of Matt Riddle and Keith Lee, which resulted in them laying a beat down on Zayn.
Maybe it was just a warning shot in a series of warning shots that would ultimately become the war between the three brands, but this would be a perfect first test for Riddle if WWE wanted to go in that direction. In fact, between Riddle's carefree attitude and Zayn's smugness, this could turn out to be a very interesting story.
In the end, it's not a match that's going to set the world on fire (or is it?), but it definitely gives Riddle and Lee the pay per view showcase they deserve.
#4 Triple H targeting NXT originals
Is Triple H targeting former NXT Superstars? It certainly seems that way after The Game outright threatened Seth Rollins with a beat down if he didn't join NXT and this could very well be the beginning of him doing the same with other Superstars.
Furthermore, with NXT not having the roster strength that Raw and SmackDown do, it almost seems impossible for them to do it any other way.
The best part about all this, however, is that it allows WWE to tease certain alliances between brands and keep the fans on the edge of their seats in the process. Who will stay loyal to Raw and SmackDown and who will break rank to go back ot their stomping grounds?
These are all interesting questions for fans to ponder throughout the next couple of weeks, especially with Superstars like Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Roman Reigns still not officially spoken, which should create some very interesting situations.
It could even be what leads to some of the most unpredictable heel and babyface turns in the company's history.
In all honesty, WWE has made it clear that everything is on the table at this upcoming pay per view and that's probably the best part about all of this!
#3 Raw and Smackdown teaming up
Isn't it interesting how WWE keeps leaving Raw and SmackDown outnumbered against NXT? At the very least it's a very intriguing storytelling device that makes NXT look like an unstoppable force, but it also begs a very important question. What will it take to finally neutralize NXT?
Beyond that, is it even possible to neutralize the powerhouse that has become NXT to begin with? Although some might see that as an absolutely ridiculous assertion, the way the brand is being booked against Raw and SmackDown honestly seems to point to NXT coming out on top when all is said and done.
With that being said and neither Raw nor SmackDown Live able to take down NXT by themselves, it feels like their only option is to team up and take down the former developmental brand together.
Now this probably won't happen in every single match at Survivor Series and might just be a side piece of sorts, but it's still a subject the company keeps broaching.
In the end, it would be a very unique twist to see Raw and SmackDown team up to take on NXT and would make the them untouchable in the process.
#2 Holding off on The Fiend versus Brock Lesnar
The Fiend versus Brock Lesnar - that is what The WWE Universe has been ranting and raving about ever since The Fiend became Universal Champion at Crown Jewel, but will it actually end up happening at Survivor Series? Unfortunately for fans, the company seemed to answer that question this week on Raw by having Rey Mysterio challenge Lesnar for his WWE Title.
Not only is that evident by the unlikelihood of WWE wanting to put Lesnar in two matches on the same night, but also by the stark contrast that is presented when you look at a matchup between The Fiend and The Beast. If nothing else, it's just going to force WWE into some very complicated decisions and muddy the waters with both characters..
But that doesn't mean it won't happen. Take the match that was supposed to happen between Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch at last year's Survivor Series, for example. WWE was forced to delay that match due to Becky Lynch suffering a real life concussion during the invasion angle and the fans went nuts over it.
It really seems like WWE did this intentionally in order to try to capture lightning in a bottle once again and create a must see match somewhere down the line. At least that way, WWE can script the narrative the way they want, play up the contrasts between the characters in a way that hurts neither Superstar and ultimately keep fans engaged throughout the whole way.
For those upset about The Fiend versus Lesnar not happening at Survivor Series, it's just a matter of time before WWE finally pulls the trigger on this. The question is when, though?
#1 Shawn Michaels versus Daniel Bryan dream match
Isn't it funny how the smallest of moments can create mountains of speculation? Interestingly enough for WWE however, they hinted at a Shawn Michaels versus Daniel Bryan dream match and fans went absolutely nuts for it. Of course it was just a tease to set up Adam Cole versus Bryan for later in the night, but the reaction to the idea might just make it happen.
Not only would it be a guaranteed way to get fans invested in the once in a lifetime nature of the pay per view, it could also be used to further the feud between SmackDown and NXT. In fact, if Michaels were to represent NXT and Bryan was to represent SmackDown, they could have the dream match, it would serve a purpose and the fans would pop like crazy!
In all honesty, fans have waited for this dream match to happen for a long time and the company should definitely pull the trigger on it. If they don't follow through with it, however, it would mark the second time that the company hinted at doing the dream match and didn't follow through with it.
