8 predictions for the elimination order of the men's 5-on-5 traditional Survivor Series match

WWE’s top two brands, RAW and SmackDown Live, will collide in direct head-to-head competition tonight, and after NXT Takeover: War Games II, it is the main roster’s turn to steal the show.

The main attraction of this edition of Survivor Series is the traditional 5-on-5 match between the top male superstars of the main roster. Though the build-up for this match has been quite underwhelming, the presence of superstars like Rey Mysterio, Finn Balor, Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre, The Best in the World Shane McMahon, and Samoa Joe, guarantees an epic match.

The 2017 match between the two brands was one of the most lacklustre matches in Survivor Series history, and WWE Creative would be keen to make up for its mistakes of 2017.

This year Baron Corbin is the captain of Team RAW which comprises Dolph Ziggler, Finn Balor, Drew McIntyre, Braun Strowman, and Bobby Lashley. Team SmackDown Live comprises Shane McMahon, Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe, Rey Mysterio, and is led by The Miz.

While all the superstars are in top form heading into this match, here’s what the elimination order of the match should be.

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#1 Bobby Lashley - eliminated by Jeff Hardy

Lashley seems to be the likeliest one to be eliminated first

Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush have formed one of the most irritating duos on WWE TV, and have the potential to cross all limits on the flagship show if booked properly. But looking at their recent altercation with Elias, it does not look like WWE sees Lashley as a big draw.

After 5-6 minutes of all superstars tagging themselves in the match, Bobby Lashley could take the pin after getting hit with a Swanton Bomb at the hands of Jeff Hardy.

Jeff Hardy (SD Live) eliminates Bobby Lashley (RAW)

Score: RAW 4 - 5 SD Live

#2 Samoa Joe - eliminated by Braun Strowman

Samoa Joe has received 50/50 booking on SmackDown Live

After failing to capture the WWE Championship on multiple occasions from The Phenomenal AJ Styles, Samoa Joe looks set to do battle with Jeff Hardy next on Tuesday nights. The Destroyer could tag himself in while Hardy celebrates the elimination of Bobby Lashley, just to find Finn Balor at the other end.

The arena would go nuts chanting “NXT! NXT! NXT!” and the former NXT champions would come to blows, ripping each other apart. Samoa Joe would lock Balor inside The Coquina Clutch, just for The Monster to save The Extraordinary Man.

Finn would counter Joe, then hit him with a Pele Kick, and then tag Braun. Strowman would execute a Running Power Slam and keep Joe down till the 3 count.

Braun Strowman (RAW) eliminates Samoa Joe (SD Live)

Score: RAW 4 - 4 SD Live

#3 Rey Mysterio - eliminated by Drew McIntyre

Mysterio will be the third superstar to be eliminated from the match

Rey Mysterio would enter the match after Braun Strowman eliminates Samoa Joe, and would gain the upper hand over Strowman for two minutes.

Rey would even hit him with a 619, and try to pin him, but The Monster would kick out at 2 and a half. Mysterio would climb to the turnbuckle to execute a high-flying move, but Dolph Ziggler would interfere and deter the masked superstar’s momentum, which would cause Strowman to hit him with a kick.

Braun would make the crowd go wild with his “Get These Hands” chant, and would prepare to hit a Power Slam to Mysterio, but McIntyre would tag himself in and execute a Claymore to eliminate Mysterio from the match.

Drew McIntyre (RAW) eliminates Rey Mysterio (SD Live)]

Score: RAW 4 - 3 SD Live

#4 Braun Strowman and Drew McIntyre engage in a brawl which results in Strowman's elimination via count-out

Mark my words, this will happen once again

Braun Strowman would tag himself in after McIntyre would boast of eliminating Mysterio, and Shane McMahon would come in for the blue brand after the elimination. Shane O' Mac would hit some punches to Strowman, which would make no difference to The Monster, leading to McMahon executing an Irish Whip on Braun.

Braun while going towards the side where his teammates are standing would accidentally take out The Scottish Psychopath.

Strowman would counter McMahon's Irish Whip, and hit him with a Dropkick. He would then go out to check on McIntyre who instead would hit him with a headbutt, leading to a brawl between the two.

Team SmackDown would join in and ultimately lay down The Monster over the announce table, just for Shane to execute a mesmerising Coast to Coast through the commentator's desk. The referee would easily count to 10, leading to Strowman's elimination.

Braun Strowman is eliminated via count-out.

Score: RAW 3 - 3 SD Live

#5 Shane McMahon - eliminated by Dolph Ziggler

A repeat of WWE Crown Jewel, but this time Dolph would have the upper hand

An exhausted Shane McMahon would be put inside the ring by The Miz and Jeff Hardy, and Finn Balor would enter for team RAW.

Jeff would tag, and the fans would get a dream showdown between Finn and Jeff Hardy. The two would exchange some blows, and the first ever Universal Champion would hit Hardy with a ‘Coup de grâce’ after executing a Sling Blade, but The Charismatic Enigma would shockingly kick out at 2.9999.

Finn would not be able to believe it, and prepare Hardy for another Sling Blade, but would meet with a Twist of Fate.

With both competitors tired, they would tag in Dolph Ziggler and Shane McMahon respectively, and the fans would get a repeat of the World Cup final.

This time Shane will be much more tired than Ziggler, and thus Dolph would have the upper hand. When Shane goes near the ropes, Baron Corbin would distract him just for The ShowOff to hit him with a ZigZag and keep him down till 3.

Dolph Ziggler (RAW) eliminates Shane McMahon (SD Live)

Score: RAW 3 - 2 SD Live

#6 Dolph Ziggler - eliminated by The Miz

Ziggler's celebration will lead to The Miz hitting him with a Skull Crushing Finale

Dolph Ziggler would be celebrating wildly and calling himself the Best in the World after eliminating McMahon, giving the team captain of SD Live an opportunity to strike.

The Miz out of nowhere would hit the former RAW tag team champion with a Skull Crushing Finale to eliminate him from the match.

The Miz (SD Live) eliminates Dolph Ziggler (RAW)

Score: RAW 2 - 2 SD Live

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#7 Jeff Hardy - eliminated by Drew McIntyre

Jeff Hardy would be Drew McIntyre's 2nd victim

Drew McIntyre would walk in from team RAW to replace Dolph Ziggler, which would scare The Miz and lead him to tag Jeff Hardy in.

Jeff Hardy would try his best to give McIntyre a fight, but would be too tired to gain the upper hand. He would prepare for a Twist of Fate, but McIntyre would counter, sending Hardy towards the ropes and hitting him with a Claymore to seal the deal.

Drew McIntyre (RAW) eliminates Jeff Hardy (SD Live)

Score: RAW 2 - 1 SD Live

#8 The Miz - eliminated by Finn Balor - team RAW wins

The Miz would be eliminated by Finn Balor

The Miz would be the only superstar left on team SD Live, and would try his best to gather some strength to step foot in the ring with McIntyre waiting.

However, Finn Balor, who is having issues with Drew would tag himself in, leading to The Miz coming inside the ring as well. An altercation between the Scot and the Irishman would lead to The A-Lister trying to eliminate Balor via roll-up, but Finn would kick out at two.

Finn and McIntyre would collaborate shockingly for a few seconds, and would eliminate The Miz after Drew hits a Claymore to help Finn hit him with the Coup de grâce as well to pick up the victory for team RAW.

However, McIntyre would then show his true colors and execute a vicious beat down on Balor to stand tall at the end of the clash of the two brands.

Result - Team RAW wins with Drew McIntyre and Finn Balor as the sole survivors.