Tommorow night is the last “Big Four” Pay-Per-View of 2016: Survivor Series. Debuting over 30 years ago, this even has been known for the traditional Survivor Series tag team match, which is usually a 5-on-5 elimination match. This time around, Survivor Series is all about SmackDown vs. Raw. Each brand has put up their best male, female, and tag team units that they have to offer (even if they don’t get along) for these traditional tag matches. Along with that there are two title defenses that could drastically change which show has the Intercontinental Championship or the Cruiserweight Championship. To top is all off is the match that has been hyped for about two months now: Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg.
Team Raw (The New Day, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Sheamus, Cesaro, Enzo Amore, Big Cass, and The Shining Stars) vs. Team SmackDown (Heath Slater, Rhyno, The Usos, The Hype Bros, American Alpha, & Breezango) – Traditional Survivor Series Tag Match (Tag Team)
This is the first of the three Survivor Series tag team matches, and this one features 10 superstars. SmackDown has worked for the last few months on their tag team division, including the tournament to crown the inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Heath Slater and Rhyno. On Raw, The New Day still holds the gold and has steamrolled every team they have faced (except in non-title matches).
Prediction:
Like Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows have accurately said, the Monday Night Raw tag team division is a joke. SmackDown has taken teams like the Hype Bros and the Usos and have given them new life. With SmackDown’s only weak link being Breezango, it seems like they have this one in the bag. Winners: Team SmackDown
Team Raw (Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Nia Jax, & Alicia Fox) vs. Team SmackDown (Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Bella, Carmella, & Naomi) – Traditional Survivor Series Tag Match (Women)
Monday Night Raw picked their team because other than Dana Brooke, these are all the women that are active on the roster. This puts rivals like Charlotte and Sasha Banks on the same team, although it showed last week that they have on intentions on working together. SmackDown featured a qualifying match that made Nikki Bella captain and Natalya coach. The rest of the blue team would then consist of the SmackDown women who aren’t Eva Marie.
Prediction:
SmackDown’s team seems to realize that they don’t have to get along, but they have to be on the same page. Raw’s team is at risk for downfall when the Women’s Champion and The Boss let their egos get the best of them. While it could easily go either way, I’m going to give the win to team blue. Winners: Team SmackDown
Team Raw (Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, & Braun Strowman) vs. Team SmackDown (AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, & Shane McMahon) – Traditional Survivor Series Tag Match (Men)
SmackDown’s team tried to sneak attack Raw’s team last Monday, but that plan backfired, since it was the first time that Owens and company worked together. There are some explosive elements in the match like Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, and Dean Ambrose, as well as the very risky decision to pit Shane McMahon against Braun Strowman (or any member of the Raw roster, for that matter).
Prediction:
The Undertaker returned last Tuesday to give a warning: if someone ruins Team SmackDown’s chances of winning, they are going to have to deal with the Deadman. That alone makes it seem pretty clear that Raw is getting the win here. Winners: Team Raw
The Miz (c) vs. Sami Zayn – Intercontinental Championship
Before Dolph Ziggler lost the Intercontinental Championship to The Miz, he issued an open challenge to Monday Night Raw. Whoever wanted to challenge him for the title would have a chance to take it from Ziggler and bring it to Raw. Sami Zayn won this opportunity by defeating Rusev, but he is not facing Dolph Ziggler. The Miz had his contractually obligated rematch on Tuesday, and Maryse helped him win back his (now 6th) Intercontinental Championship.
Prediction:
The Miz likes the Intercontinental Championship, but he hates Daniel Bryan. I can see the prestigious championship going to Raw, but around the Miz’s waist. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
Brian Kendrick (c) vs. Kalisto – Cruiserweight Championship
This match was made because of Dolph Ziggler’s open challenge. Since SmackDown was risking losing a title to Raw, Mick Foley did the opposite. If Brian Kendrick loses the Cruiserweight Championship to the recently returned Kalisto, the entire cruiserweight division will also head to SmackDown.
Prediction:
Raw has had almost no use for the cruiserweights, other than giving them 5-minute matches and purple ropes. SmackDown focuses on the in-ring storytelling aspect of pro wrestling, and the cruiserweight division would fit in perfectly. Also, 205 Live airs right after SmackDown starting November 29, so why not have them on the show that airs the same day? Winner, and NEW Cruiserweight Champion: Kalisto
Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg
Before both Brock Lesnar and Goldberg left wrestling for several years, they wrestled each other at WrestleMania 20. Goldberg won that match, and would end up being one of the only people to be undefeated against Brock Lesnar. In a SportsCenter interview with Jonathan Coachman (promoting the video game WWE 2K17), Goldberg said that he owes the Beast Incarnate a rematch. Shortly after that interview, Goldberg returned to Monday Night Raw for the first time in 12 years and said that not only was Lesnar next, he’s last.
Prediction:
I’m not a huge fan of either Goldberg or Lesnar, but Goldberg’s promo when he returned was a hundred times better than I expected. He just wants his wife and son to actually be able to see him wrestle in person, and he could cap off a legendary career with another win over Lesnar. However, WWE pays Lesnar a lot of money and gives him way more wins that he should have (Remember WrestleMania 32 against Dean Ambrose?). Winner: Brock Lesnar
