Out of the Big Four, Survivor Series has been regarded as the weakest of the bunch. In the past, this wasn’t much of an insult. The other three PPV’s simply had bigger hype. At the end of the day, Survivor Series was still a big show, especially next to the In Your House events.
Now that WWE produces a huge PPV each month (sometimes two in one month), the Survivor Series’ rank has fallen. It’s still considered a part of the Big Four, but generates little buzz and interest yearly. Shows such as Money in the Bank have garnered more intrigue and business, tarnishing this show’s reputation. It was even cancelled after last year’s event, only to be brought back to the lineup a few months later.
This year is the first in many to create a buzz. It all lies on one man’s shoulders. That man being The Rock. Whether you’re a fan of his or not, you can’t deny his presence at this year’s Survivor Series will make an impact. All he did was host this year’s Wrestlemania and that helped increase sales. Imagine how his first match in over seven years will do for business.
Read on for my predictions of his match, as well as the rest of the card.
Never Before, Never Again
Rock N Jock Connection (The Rock & John Cena) vs. The Awesome Truth (The Miz & R-Truth)
Most people have deemed this match predictable. They cite that John Cena has easily dispatched The Awesome Truth by himself. Since he can beat them alone, teaming with The Rock should make for an easy victory. Though I won’t dispute their theory, I will say I don’t think this match is so cut and dry.
If anything is predictable, the outcome being either Cena or Rock screwing the other would be my bet. It’s happened before and surely can happen again. Rock has already screwed John once by costing him the victory against The Miz in the main event of this year’s Wrestlemania. Who’s to say he won’t do it again here?
Then again, maybe John Cena will be looking for payback. He did specifically ask for The Rock to be his partner, even after finishing off The Awesome Truth. Maybe asking for his “help” is a trap. Knowing it’s the only way he’ll grace the ring again before Wrestlemania season kicks in, he planned this scheme in order to get a few licks on him.
Of course, they could simply work together and easily dispatch The Awesome Truth. Afterward, one attacks the other or they celebrate and have a stare down. This wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, but I don’t see it happening.
Winners: The Awesome Truth
WWE Championship
Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk
The fact that WWE is using ADR cashing in on Punk to win the WWE Championship back at Summerslam as a selling point for this match is a bit asinine. Punk, on many occasions, has stated he holds no ill will towards Del Rio for cashing in on him. Hell, he’s done it twice now in his career. The only reason it’s being brought up now is to give this feud some fuel for the fire.
That’s not to say this feud is boring. Both men, especially Punk, have done their best to make it interesting. The Best in the World has made it his duty to make his sole reasoning for anger towards ADR is not because of the cash in, but simply that he never got his one-on-one title shot. This makes more sense, even if it is a tad rudimentary.
As much as I like Alberto Del Rio, I will admit him being champion isn’t doing anything for me. Maybe it’s because his run came after a highly entertaining feud in Punk/Cena. That or he simply hasn’t been giving much to work with. I expect this match to be entertaining, but actually kind of hope he loses the title.
Not that I see this happening, at least not yet. Though putting the title on Punk would be better for business (in my opinion), it would hurt Del Rio’s stock. Since his first title reign was so abrupt, having another short one won’t do him any favors. A victory here, even if via cheating, would be good for him. It may even lead to more intriguing developments in this feud with Punk, if it continues.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
World Heavyweight Championship
Mark Henry vs. The Big Show
With their match at Vengeance ending in a no contest, I was certain their encounter here would have a special stipulation added. This being another simple one-on-one contest shocked me, though also relieved me a bit. It’s refreshing to see a feud not have to resort to gimmicks. That and the only one that would be fitting for them right now would a Last Man Standing match. Since ADR and John Cena already did that a month ago, it would come off as redundant.
I’m just curious to see how this match plays out. I’ve heard rumors circulating that these two will have a Tables match at TLC next month, which actually makes sense. If that’s the case, we either get another screwy finish or Big Show winning the title. That’s the only way I see these two clashing again, as Big Show getting another title shot after losing cleanly wouldn’t make sense.
Big Show winning the World title here would make for a good prediction, but I don’t see it happening. His role right now seems to be fodder for Henry. I figure Kane will be the same thing when he returns, keeping the World’s Strongest Man busy until Randy Orton wins the title back at Elimination Chamber or if Mark actually goes in to Wrestlemania with the title.
This being WWE, I can’t rule out that Henry will lose the title, only to win it back at TLC. I’m not a fan of constant title changes such as this, but it’s the only way I see these two having a Table Match next month happening. Since I don’t see anything else that can be set up (and that would make sense), I almost have no choice but to go with The Big Show here.
Winner: The Big Show
Team Orton vs. Team Barrett
Randy Orton, Kofi Kingston, Sheamus, Sin Cara & Mason Ryan vs. Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger & Hunico
First and foremost, why Wade Barrett is the team captain and not Cody Rhodes baffles me. It makes no logical sense within the confines of the storyline and comes across as random. The only reasoning I’ve heard that makes sense is that these two headlined last year’s event together and are now assembling their own teams for the anniversary.
Complaining about the team captains isn’t what I’m here to do, though. I’m here to predict this match, which won’t be easy. Face teams generally win these matches, though that’s only when they’re the underdogs. Most of Team Orton have been on a hot streak recently, not necessarily needing this victory.
Team Barrett, on the other hand, could use the rub. Mainly the team captain himself. Now that the spotlight is briefly back on him, he needs to make a mark and get back in to the main event scene here. A loss will only knock him down again. Granted, this just being a traditional Survivor Series elimination match won’t do too much damage.
For some reason, I just don’t see Team Barrett coming out on top. There’s no reason behind it, honestly. I just don’t see it happening. Call it WWE’s ego stroke, but I see Randy Orton being the sole survivor of his team, dispatching two or three men to earn the victory.
Winners: Team Orton
United States Championship
Dolph Ziggler vs. John Morrison
I’m hoping that this match changes into a triple threat involving Zack Ryder by the time the PPV occurs. That’s the match that’s been hinted at for the past few weeks and makes much more sense than John Morrison challenging for the title. Nothing against The Shaman of Sexy, but he hasn’t done much in the past few weeks to garner a title match. Then again, he did nothing to earn an Intercontinental title match at Hell in a Cell, but he got one there.
I do like the fact that Zack Ryder being bumped off the card builds his feud with Dolph Ziggler. Having a midcard feud with this much hype is tremendous and hasn’t been seen in awhile. My only fear is that the crowd will turn against this match, doing severe damage to John Morrison. At the very least, they could add Ryder to the mix and make it a triple threat.
Whether or not that happens will have to be seen. Since this match is currently one on one, I can’t predict a victory for Ryder. Even if he’s added to the match, I do see Dolph squeaking out the victory, leading to an eventual title change. I just wish the one on one contest was happening instead, as Ryder winning the title in Madison Square Garden would evoke a huge pop.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Divas Championship
Beth Phoenix vs. Eve Torres
It looks like Eve is taking Kelly’s place in facing Beth at consecutive PPVs. I guess WWE has forgotten that there are other women on the roster for Beth to face. To be fair, the division has been booked so poorly that a constant rotation of Beth Phoenix, Kelly Kelly, Natalya and Eve Torres seems to be the only way to generate marginal interest.
I had a brief thought that Eve might pull out the victory here via a rollup. Remembering that Kelly still plays a huge role in this feud, that thought was immediately scrapped. I see Beth not only defeating Eve here, but injuring her, as well. This gives Kelly more motivation in her next encounter with The Glamazon.
Winner: Beth Phoenix