Don't look now, but the annual Survivor Series PLE is right around the corner, set for Chicago's Allstate Arena on Saturday, November 25. Apart from the typical CM Punk speculation that you can expect at any wrestling event in the Windy City, fans can anticipate the usual, stale brand warfare-based build that will surely personal storylines put on hold as we see Raw and SmackDown superstars unite against their rival brand.
RELATED: 7 Things WWE Fans Should Know About Survivor Series 2000
In recent years, this has prompted some rebuke from fans who enjoy the traditional five-on-five Survivor Series match structure but would prefer to see it used to further existing feuds rather than manufacture brand-based enmity that will disappear after the event. Theoretically, the central appeal of the concept comes in seeing matchups not allowed by the brand split, but the split has been so loose of late that there is no longer much novelty to it. While that concept doesn't seem to be going anywhere (the early promotional poster would suggest as much), there is a way to use the same format while furthering feuds and crafting a compelling, meaningful card. Let's take an early, predictive look at the card and see how that might be achieved.
10 New Day vs. Imperium
Three-on-three isn’t exactly a typical Survivor Series match structure, but fans would be more than happy to overlook that if everything else aligns to allow for a true New Day vs Imperium feud. Of course, the biggest domino in such a program is the health of Big E.
The latest reports on the former WWE Champion in his recovery from neck surgery are incredibly encouraging, with the big man claiming to feel 100%, albeit with no return timetable for clearance. Returning in a six-man tag would help ease him back into in-ring competition while potentially kickstarting a dream program with Gunther.
9 Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Chad Gable
Considering their consistently stellar work and upward trajectory of late, both Shinsuke Nakamura and Chad Gable are deserving of matches on the PLE, so why not pair them together? By the time Survivor Series rolls around, they should both have wrapped up their current feuds with Seth Rollins and Gunther, respectively.
Whether either man has gold around their waist remains to be seen, but this match would offer a featured, upper mid-card slot for both favorites of hardcore fans. Gable would also give Nakamura a true, red-meat babyface to work with, not to mention someone capable of delivering great matches.
8 Women's Survivor Series Match
The women’s division on both brands has suffered lately from rather thin booking. Still, we are at a point with enough fresh faces in the mix that a Raw vs. SmackDown five-on-five would carry excitement. On Raw, such a match would represent a showcase opportunity for the likes of Raquel Rodriguez and the returning Nia Jax, while giving more exposure to the budding tandem of Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark, with Becky Lynch likely assuming alpha duties. A match like this could be a traditional 5 vs 5 elimination tag match, or take place inside WarGames.
SmackDown would be able to counter with the return of Bianca Belair along with veterans Asuka, Charlotte Flair, and Bayley. The big looming question: where does Jade Cargill fit into the mix?
7 Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar (United States Championship)
Things between LWO stablemates Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar seem to be building slowly for now, but it seems like only a matter of time before Mysterio’s status as US Champion causes a rift.
RELATED: 10 Harsh Realities About Rey Mysterio His Fans Need To Realize
It’s possible that WWE opts to feature the LWO in a traditional Survivor Series match, but the faction hasn’t really been built up sufficiently to make them a threat against, say, the Bloodline or Judgment Day. The compelling feud here is Mysterio and Escobar battling for the US Title, whether as friendly rivals or enemies.
6 Men's Survivor Series Match
Currently on Raw, the compelling "can Jey Uso be trusted?" storyline has taken center stage. Depending on how things play out, there's no reason that storyline can't last into the men's Raw vs. SmackDown Survivor Series (maybe WarGames) match. Those currently involved with the storyline (Uso, Drew Mcintyre, Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn) could form an in-fighting Raw side.
Meanwhile, the match could represent a perfect opportunity to further elevate the heel trio of Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits. By throwing in reluctant brand allies like AJ Styles and Sheamus, ready-made trios battles could be forged with the likes of Styles' Club and Sheamus' Brawling Brutes.
5 LA Knight vs. Logan Paul
LA Knight and Logan Paul are no strangers to each other, having crossed paths in the build for the Money in the Bank ladder match back in July.
With Knight in the midst of a major babyface push on SmackDown and Paul serving as an effective heat-generating special attraction, now is the time to put them in a one-on-one feud. Just hand them a pair of mics and let the two motormouth superstars go.
4 John Cena & The Rock vs. Austin Theory & Grayson Waller
The September 15th edition of SmackDown saw special appearances by both John Cena and The Rock, even featuring a backstage reunion between the two icons and former rivals. Could their association be more than a one-off? As a result of the ongoing Hollywood writer's strike, Cena is expected to be a mainstay on WWE for a little while and The Rock has some availability and seems keen on a WrestleMania appearance.
A showcase match against Austin Theory and Grayson Waller would offer a buzzworthy spectacle and call back to their tag pairing at the 2011 Survivor Series against Miz and R-Truth. While there would be little doubt over the outcome, Theory and Waller would benefit from being associated with the mega-star duo.
3 Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky
Another facet of Survivor Series that often proves problematic is the battle of brand champions. For all the appeal of seeing the Raw and SmackDown champions do battle, issues arise when it comes to keeping both competitors strong and sacrificing a future marquee feud at the expense of a match with no backstory.
Although WWE has better options than other possible champion vs. champion encounters (Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins, Gunther vs. Rey Mysterio), Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky makes sense. The two women can lean on their NXT history to build a feud and losing to the dominant Ripley shouldn't damage Sky too much, given their respective booking.
2 Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk
Yes, there are surely plenty of forces within WWE fighting hard against the return of CM Punk. But money talks and the buzz generated by the controversial star's return to the company would mean big business - particularly in Chicago. And a program with Seth Rollins would be ready-made, given their shared history from a decade ago and the World Heavyweight Champion's disparaging comments about Punk.
RELATED:10 Things Everyone Gets Wrong About CM Punk
It goes without saying that there would be plenty of obstacles to overcome in order to make a reunion happen. If the plan is to get people talking about WWE under the new Endeavor / TKO Group ownership banner, this might just be the way to do it.
1 Bloodline vs. Judgment Day
Traditional five-on-five aside, WWE has a perfect match on its hands to deliver a fascinating faction showdown while remaining true to the Survivor Series brand-minded warfare. Previously separate heel entities occupied with dominating their own show, Judgment Day and The Bloodline have engaged in some cross-brand interaction in recent weeks.
Though civil for now, the desire for faction supremacy could soon see things turn hostile between the groups. The feud could also further internal issues among both groups while teasing a possible Money in the Bank briefcase cash-in by Damian Priest on Roman Reigns.
