Tonight continues WWE’s takeover of Chicago with the 4th & final major PPV of the year in Survivor Series. For the 1st time ever NXT will go head to head against RAW & SmackDown for brand supremacy. Here are The CTJ Report’s picks for the pay-per-view:
WWE Championship: Brock Lesnar(c) vs. Rey Mysterio
Brock Lesnar has wreaked havoc on Rey Mysterio & his family for weeks on end. This is supposed to be the classic story of the Goliath that goes up against the scrappy underdog David. The problem is Mysterio’s story has been underwhelming. He is supposed to be the guy who never gives up but had to have Cain Velasquez fight his battle? I don’t expect this to be a great match but rather a glorified squash. WWE is not interested on taking the top title off of Lesnar as they begin their march to WrestleMania.
Who wins: Lesnar
Universal Championship: The Fiend Bray Wyatt(c) vs. Daniel Bryan
The Fiend is one of the most over Superstars in WWE and his win over Seth Rollins in Saudi Arabia is supposed to begin the Era of Wyatt. His first victim in his reign appears to be Daniel Bryan who is going through some sort of transition himself. He began the year as the environmentalist heel but now is being positioned as a “mentally unstable” face. The angle that these two know each other because of their mental instability is not the best story to tell but I expect their in-ring chemistry to continue clicking.
Who wins: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt. Wyatt could keep the belt all the way to WrestleMania.
The Viking Raiders vs. The New Day vs. The Undisputed Era
What do you get when you put three of the best tag teams in all of wrestling together? A potential masterpiece if WWE is lucky. The New Day, Undisputed Era & Viking Raiders all will bring their brand of tag team wrestling to this fight and this match could steal the show if they’re left to do their thing. While I was hoping The Revival could’ve remained SD Tag Team champs, I understand why New Day was inserted into this triple threat tag match.
Who wins: The Undisputed Era. I think this will be one of two wins NXT will get tonight.
NXT Championship: Adam Cole(c) vs. The Bruiserweight Pete Dunne
After the brutal Triple Threat match that Dunne had & the amazing carnage that was left in WarGames it’ll be amazing if these two men will even be able to walk. Both Cole & Dunne absorbed a tremendous amount of punishment last night but both will put on a bruising match. Dunne’s pulverizing style should mesh well with Cole’s style.
Who wins: Pete Dunne by DQ. UE comes in to interfere and Kevin Owens makes the save.
United States Champion AJ Styles vs. North American Champion Roderick Strong vs. Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
Here’s another match with three strong in ring performers in Styles, Nakamura and Strong that could end up being the best of the night. While Strong’s run as North American champion has been good, both Styles & Shinsuke’s runs have been underwhelming. A great match here could boost the US & Intercontinental Titles. The IC Title could use a boost given the lukewarm reception at best to the new design of the title.
Who wins: AJ Styles
RAW vs. NXT vs. SmackDown Women’s Elimination Match
Participants: Charlotte(Captain), Natayla, The Kabuki Warriors & Sarah Logan[RAW]; Rhea Ripley(Captain), Bianca Belair, Io Shirai, Candice Lerae & Toni Storm[NXT]; Sasha Banks(Captain), Nikki Cross, Lacey Evans, Carmella & Dana Brooke[SmackDown].
WWE has told a good story involving NXT’s invasion to prove brand supremacy. Rhea Ripley has come out looking fantastic and should be prominently featured. On paper this looks to be a good match if booked correctly. All of these women will have their moments to shine and show that the women’s division across all brands just may be the most exciting thing about the WWE today.
Who wins: NXT Women’s Team
RAW vs. NXT vs. SmackDown Men’s Elimination Match
Participants: Seth Rollins(Captain), Drew McIntyre, Ricochet, Randy Orton, Kevin Owens[RAW]; Roman Reigns(Captain), Chad Gable, Mustafa Ali, Braun Strowman, King Corbin[SmackDown]; NXT Team to be announced tonight by Shawn Michaels.
The NXT men’s team has yet to be announced but it’s almost certain that Tommaso Ciampa, Matt Riddle and Keith Lee will be on it. Both the RAW & SmackDown teams look strong and much like the women the invasion angle of NXT has been effective. The big question is whether Kevin Owens, who joined Team Ciampa in last night’s WarGames, will betray his team and not only join Team NXT but go to the Yellow & Black brand permanently.
Who wins: Team SmackDown. Owens betrays RAW but Roman Reigns will be the last man standing.
RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley
This match should be the Main Event. Whether it is or not is up to Vince McMahon. This match has the most heat, the best story and is by far the most interesting match on the card tonight. You have Lynch who has been the face of women’s wrestling for the past year. In Baszler you get a woman who just wants to inflict pain on anyone who stands in her way. In Bayley you’ve got a woman who feels overshadowed by the stardom of the other two. Bayley will be out to prove that she’s not just the third wheel while both Becky & Shayna will want to prove who the best women’s wrestler in the world is.
Who wins: Becky Lynch… but I am salivating a Lynch/Baszler singles’ match.
Who do you think wins tonight and which brand will reign supreme?
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