WWE Survivor Series 2018: 5 last-minute predictions

Survivor Series, the one time of year when RAW and SmackDown Superstars do battle, traditionally, in the name of brand supremacy. This year's card was shaping up to be absolutely incredible until this week's go-home shows, then we had many a spanner thrown in the works!

Has it affected the card? Were the changes upgrades or downgrades? And may we see any surprises at the fall spectacular?

On Sunday, at the Staples Center, alongside the traditional RAW vs SmackDown Men's, Women's and Tag Team Elimination Matches, the WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar will go one-on-one with new WWE Champion Daniel Bryan after the Yes Man won the title from Lesnar's last Survivor Series opponent, AJ Styles, on SmackDown.

The card has been switched up, but one enforced change trumps the rest

One match that could have easily main evented the show was RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey vs SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch - but an injury has seen us get what may be the world's greatest consolation prize in exchange as Rousey does battle with Charlotte. While we'd all have been clamouring over the idea of that match just a few months ago, the Lynch-Rousey feud was the hottest rivalry heading into the show right up until the end of RAW.

As well as those great matches, it's incredible to think we'll see another first-time match in the form of Seth Rollins vs Shinsuke Nakamura, as well as the clash of the Tag Team Champions when the Authors of Pain face off against The Bar and what should be an incredible match between Buddy Murphy and Mustafa Ali for the Cruiserweight Championship.

This one will be huge and, in this article, we're taking a look at five last-minute predictions for the show.

---

#5 Dean Ambrose makes his presence felt

Dean Ambrose has made a habit of taunting Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins vs Shinsuke Nakamura firmly falls into the category of "dream match" for many. A first-time match will see RAW's Intercontinental Champion face off against SmackDown Live's United States Champion - but Dean Ambrose seems to have taken a line out of Seth Rollins' book recently when it comes to burning things down.

With Seth Rollins as face and Nakamura as a heel, you wouldn't put it past The Rockstar to try and pick up a win through nefarious means - and those means may just come in the way of a Lunatic.

This past week on RAW, Ambrose cut a promo sat on the hood of a car where he said The Shield made him weaker before symbolically burning his vest. With Seth Rollins tweeting that he needs to try and get his mind off Ambrose and onto Nakamura, you'd have to think that Ambrose may very well make sure Seth Rollins doesn't get a chance to forget about him with an appearance at Survivor Series to cost Rollins the match.

There aren’t words to properly convey the way this made me feel. I’d love to be putting more energy into the dream match I’ve got with @ShinsukeN at #SurvivorSeries on Sunday, but this image is all consuming. I’ve got to find a way. pic.twitter.com/1UvO4lUJ11

— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) November 14, 2018

#4 Daniel Bryan pushes Brock Lesnar to the limit

In a huge change to the card, we have a new Champion vs Champion match

Speaking of dream matches, not only is this one for the WWE Universe, but it's one Daniel Bryan has openly spoken about for a long time.

This match is an odd one with both men typically now portraying heels, so the dynamics of this match may make for some awkward watching - but you can bet it'll be a lengthy one. Don't be surprised if the crowd is behind Bryan as he pushes Lesnar to the limit - but falls just short of getting the win.

The Beast Incarnate's unstoppable run in WWE was halted at the hands of Roman Reigns at SummerSlam, but the former UFC star has picked up where he left off. Last year's match against AJ Styles was an instant classic, and this one may very well fall into the same bracket!

Needless to say, it'll most likely be a Lesnar win, but I predict not an easy one - with this match going the distance with Daniel Bryan's fighting spirit seeing the patience of the Beast well and truly tested.

Of course, if WWE wanted to get Daniel Bryan truly over as a heel, cheating to beat the top dog could very well cement that role...

#3 Betrayal in the main event

Could Shane and The Miz butt heads?

Well, needless to say, this kind of ties in with the last point for me.

Let's take you on a little trip here. I think WWE are positioning us for a face Miz vs heel Daniel Bryan feud leading up to WrestleMania where we see Miz and Asuka win the MMC, with The A-Lister winning the Royal Rumble and taking on Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania.

I think that all starts here. With The Miz being replaced by Shane McMahon in the WWE World Cup at Crown Jewel, the seeds have been planted - not to mention Miz captaining Team SmackDown going into Survivor Series and Shane O'Mac already trying to undermine the former Intercontinental Champion in the build up.

I think we get somewhat of a double turn in the main event, with the "Best in the World" Shane McMahon disagreeing with Miz's tactics and ambushing him, either before the match, during or after, to cement his place as a heel - setting up some interesting television where he and Paige play good cop/bad cop on TV, and Miz garners sympathy, establishing him as a fan favourite for his inevitable resurrected rivalry against the WWE Champion.

I mean, Shane's in front of his team captain on the poster. Figure that one out...

Could this be foreshadowing division in Team SmackDown?

#2 Kurt Angle returns to help Team SmackDown

Drew McIntyre defeated Kurt Angle in shocking fashion

WWE have been teasing an end to Kurt Angle's career over the past few weeks on RAW since his shocking loss to Drew McIntyre where we saw a rare tap-out from the Olympic gold medallist - to his own finishing move!

When you look at Team RAW, there are more enemies than friends for Kurt Angle in Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler, with Baron Corbin likely to be ringside, too. This week, Ziggler and McIntyre even taunted the former RAW GM by playing his theme before making their way to the ring.

I think we may see Team SmackDown get some help in the form of one of the blue brand's legends when Angle returns to make amends for his loss, and for him being released as General Manager when the WWE Hall of Famer shows up at Survivor Series.

#1 Four Horsewomen vs Four Horsewomen

Could an iconic scene close out the show?

While the Men's Elimination Match is probably a stick-on to close out the show, you wouldn't bet against Charlotte Flair vs Ronda Rousey main eventing.

Whether this impromptu match does or doesn't, though, I think SmackDown Live gave us a little hint as to precisely where this match may be heading.

With Becky Lynch unable to face off against Ronda Rousey herself, the SmackDown Women's Champion placed her trust in former rival Charlotte with a handshake and a hug when she selected Flair to take her place in the match.

Rousey vs Lynch WILL happen eventually

With bygones seeming to be bygones between the pair, and Ronda Rousey's three fellow Horsewomen all signed to WWE contracts and competing in NXT, I think we may very well see an iconic scene after what promises to be a classic of a match.

There's no doubt we'll see Ronda Rousey take on Becky Lynch in the future and, while Lynch may be unable to compete, a legendary staredown between the Four Horsewomen and the supposed 'Faux Horsemen' would be a headline-grabbing moment across the globe!

What do you think will happen at Survivor Series? Let us know in the comments.