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It's that time of the year again - the one time of the year where RAW and SmackDown Live face each other in head-to-head competition (as WWE like to remind you a million times). The Men's elimination match is a safe bet to be the main event of the show (with Lesnar vs Bryan being the potential main event as well).
Here's how the teams look like:
RAW: Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre, Dolph Ziggler, Finn Balor and Bobby Lashley
SmackDown: The Miz, Shane McMahon, Rey Mysterio, Samoa Joe and Jeff Hardy
On paper, RAW does undoubtedly look to be the stronger team, especially with three powerhouse superstars in Strowman, McIntyre and Lashley. However, what it won't be is a one-sided affair. What SmackDown Live's team may lack in power, they compensate for in experience.
All of them (minus Shane McMahon) are veterans of the business. It's going to be an intense match and there are many ways it could end. We reveal five possible outcomes.
#5 Rey Mysterio is the sole survivor for Team SmackDown
Rey Mysterio is not just a veteran but he probably has the most Survivor Series match experience among the ten superstars. While he may be the smallest physically, there are few superstars with the heart and persistence of the legendary luchador.
He might be the one superstar that everybody is sleeping on because he knows how to escape the trickiest of situations, and in this case, that happens to be elimination. It's highly possible that after being down and out, perhaps even being 2-on-1 (or 3-on-1), Mysterio uses his incredible agility and skill to prevail, bringing the win for team blue.
The Miz didn't want him on the team but he defeated the captain to keep his spot.
#4 Drew McIntyre becomes the sole survivor for RAW
Drew McIntyre has to be the single hottest prospect on the main roster, let alone RAW. We all know the story of his first run but he's come back since his time on RAW, hasn't been pinned or submitted.
It isn't just the fact that McIntyre is a physically imposing superstar - he's a deceptively agile athlete with an entire arsenal of moves that we're yet to fully witness. He's been on an absolute tear on Monday Night RAW and it's certainly going to be hard to eliminate him.
Don't be surprised if McIntyre has a "Randy Orton"-like moment at Survivor Series, where he steals the show and wins the match for team red, becoming the sole survivor in the process.
He's certainly well-equipped enough to do it and while Strowman is naturally the biggest threat on team red, don't sleep on McIntyre, because he could have a career-defining performance.
#3 Braun Strowman gives RAW a clean sweep
In 2017, Braun Strowman along with Triple H were the survivors for Team RAW. However, what happened after didn't favour The Game as he stole the glory for himself and suffered the consequences at the hands of The Monster Among Men.
But don't overlook Strowman's performance. He eliminated the likes of Bobby Roode, Shinsuke Nakamura and even Mr. Survivor Series himself - Randy Orton.
As we mentioned, Strowman is by and far the biggest threat, so it's very possible that he could end up eliminating the members of team blue by himself and give RAW a dominant victory.
That wouldn't however, be a wise decision. But the best way to get Strowman eliminated is by a count-out (or goad him into DQing himself). Regardless, he's been on a tear for a while now and though he may have come short with regards to Brock Lesnar, he still is the most dominant full-time superstar on RAW.
#2 Shane McMahon saves the day in a weird way
Shane McMahon seems to be well-loved by the SmackDown Live locker room but the fact of the matter is he kind of comes across as a glory hog. The World Cup was the latest example, where he let his ego come in the way and just inserted himself in the finals to win the trophy.
Though he admitted that he wasn't the best in the world (not that anyone thought he was), it's odd that he's taken a Survivor Series spot for the third year in a row. Either way, last year he was the final member of Team SmackDown and somehow or the other, the same could happen this year.
Don't be surprised if the SmackDown commissioner saves the day and secures the victory for team blue. It doesn't change the fact that there are better options for the team, but it's still possible regardless. This could further lead to a heel turn from Shane McMahon.
#1 Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman implode to cost their team
Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman may be the two biggest threats on Team Red, and if they work together, victory is nearly guaranteed. But if it doesn't, the result won't be something that will please Stephanie McMahon.
Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman were in an alliance not too long ago, but as expected, it didn't last too long. McIntyre attacked Strowman after the latter attacked Dolph Ziggler, with the trio seemingly coming to an end.
We all know how easily tensions and egos can rise when it comes to these kinds of elimination matches and with all the glory on the line, the egos of Strowman and McIntyre could clash.
This would result in the two practically eliminating each other and taking a huge burden off of team blue. Granted that enough members of SmackDown aren't available, they could have a relatively easier victory!
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