'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The build-up to Survivor Series 2021 has been widely criticized by WWE fans. While the start of the build-up to the pay-per-view should have begun a night after Crown Jewel 2021, the company delayed it, not even having Survivor Series team qualifying matches.
Instead, they did it the other way around, by simply announcing the men's and women's teams beforehand and replacing two members on the RAW men's team, and one each on the SmackDown men's and women's teams.
Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio were replaced by Austin Theory and Bobby Lashley, while the Blue brand's teams have yet to announce the replacements as of this writing.
The pay-per-view should be a good one regardless because it isn't an overstacked card with too many matches. This list looks at five superstars who desperately need to win at Survivor Series 2021:
#5. Big E - An unlikely candidate to walk out of Survivor Series victoriously
In a match that could headline Survivor Series 2021, Big E of RAW will face Roman Reigns of SmackDown. In the last few years since 2017, the WWE Champion vs. Universal Champion bout has been the tradition at the event. In that time, the Universal Champions have walked out victoriously, with Brock Lesnar having two wins and Reigns having one.
The matches always seem to deliver, and Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre in 2020 was another great example of that. This year, Big E, in the early stages of his WWE title reign will look to topple Reigns, who has now held the Universal title for over 444 days.
The Tribal Chief hasn't been pinned since December 2019 when Baron Corbin was the last man to do so at TLC. By the time Survivor Series is here, he will have crossed 705 days without getting officially pinned.
Big E has been great on the Red brand as the WWE Champion, but Roman Reigns isn't lying when he said that he's operating on a whole different level. He is almost guaranteed to walk out the victor, but the New Day member desperately needs the win.
Perhaps the company could go with a controversial finish to protect both men, but it will end a string of incredible WWE vs. Universal Champion matches at Survivor Series. It's a tricky encounter to book, but E undoubtedly needs the win more.
It all boils down to the finish. If it isn't a good one, Big E won't be presented on the same level as Roman Reigns.
#4. Shinsuke Nakamura - A forgettable champion at Survivor Series?
Survivor Series has never been a good pay-per-view for Shinsuke Nakamura. In 2017, he was eliminated quickly by Braun Strowman in the traditional five-on-five bout, and in 2018 he lost a US Champion vs. Intercontinental Champion battle to Seth Rollins.
The following year, he lost in a triple threat match to NXT North American Roderick Strong, also involving AJ Styles. This year, he enters the pay-per-view as the Intercontinental Champion once again, and he takes on one of the most-pushed superstars in WWE this year, United States Champion Damian Priest.
Priest has had incredible momentum this year, starting with his storyline with Bad Bunny, and then US title victory at SummerSlam 2021. He's even pinned the likes of Drew McIntyre and Sheamus on RAW.
Nakamura, on the other hand, has had yet another underwhelming reign as the Intercontinental Champion. It's not his fault, because he has had the title for nearly 100 days with zero title defenses. It's more about WWE's handling of his title reign, which hasn't been good.
Shinsuke Nakamura desperately needs the win, but the chances of him beating Damian Priest at Survivor Series 2021 seem slim to none.
#3. RK-Bro - A big tag team match at Survivor Series
RK-Bro is set to face The Usos in a clash of tag team champions at Survivor Series 2021. Randy Orton and Riddle have undoubtedly been of the highlights of RAW in 2021, with their odd-pairing captivating the WWE Universe.
They had a big moment at SummerSlam when they won the RAW Tag Team Titles, and this is undoubtedly their biggest match since then as they take on all-time greats in The Usos.
Jey and Jimmy Uso have been dominant after capturing the SmackDown Tag Team titles from The Mysterios, and their primary role has been accompanying Roman Reigns and doing all his dirty work.
They step out of The Tribal Chief's shadow as they take on RK-Bro in a match that they're highly likely to win. But despite their veteran tag team status, Orton and Riddle need the win a lot more at Survivor Series 2021.
It would elevate RK-Bro as they likely get ready for a feud heading into WrestleMania 38. It would also add an element of dissent on SmackDown between Roman Reigns and The Usos.
#2. Finn Balor - Bad momentum heading into Survivor Series 2021?
When looking at the RAW and SmackDown men's teams at Survivor Series, it's clear that the Red brand has the stronger side. The team comprises of Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, Austin Theory, and Bobby Lashley, while the Blue brand's team comprises of King Woods, Drew McIntyre, Happy Corbin, Jeff Hardy, and a vacant spot to be filled this Friday.
Balor was the right pick for the RAW men's Survivor Series team, but his momentum hasn't been great heading into the pay-per-view. He lost to Roman Reigns twice before getting drafted to the Monday night show and then lost to Xavier Woods in the King of the Ring final.
On the go-home episode of RAW before Survivor Series 2021, Kevin Owens snapped his three-match losing streak by beating Finn Balor for the first time in over six-and-a-half years. There's a high chance that The Prince will be one of the first in the five-on-five bout to get eliminated, as WWE has shown no sign of wanting to protect him.
However, he desperately needs the win and a good showing to keep his momentum alive. The sole survivor role would be best-suited to Balor on RAW, or Drew McIntyre on SmackDown.
#1. Becky Lynch - Worthy of headlining Survivor Series 2021?
Some have argued that Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair should headline Survivor Series 2021. Two years ago, The Man lost to Shayna Baszler in the main event of Survivor Series in a match that also included then-SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley.
This year, Lynch takes on long-time friend and rival Flair in a battle of the women's champions. It's only been three months since Becky Lynch's return to WWE, and she has dominated the women's division ever since.
The reason why many feel the Women's Champions match should headline the event is that there isn't any other clash with as much heat on it. The real-life confrontation between the two superstars backstage on SmackDown last month fueled the rumor mill, and both women having been playing it off nicely.
Using it as a chance to blur the lines between fiction and reality, many fans still seem unsure of the real animosity between Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair, who were best friends only a few years ago.
Lynch has been one of WWE's hottest stars since her return, and she desperately needs to win the match more. However, in what could be a potential spoiler for the pay-per-view, the company may not be planning a very good finish.
