I've got a really good feeling about this. This is probably the first time since Wrestlemania that I've had that nervous/sick/excited feeling in anticipation for a WWE PPV. Only it's not a PPV, is it? It's #FreeFreeFree for all new Network subscribers. Which would be super helpful if we had a Network to subscribe to. But lets not get into that. The reason I'm excited is simply because there's a chance that by the end of this show, The Authority will no longer be in power. It may sound childish, but I really hate those party-pooping, evil-grinning, stupid heads. After all we went through with Daniel Bryan leading up to Wrestlemania, and ultimately having to see them getting the better of the likes of Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, John Cena etc etc. The list goes on. FINALLY there's a chance that they could be gone, and who could blame any fan for not being at least a wee bit buzzing at the prospect. The "Reality Era" patter fell flat on it's face. The "best for business" gimmick has been ran into the ground. It's about time there was a change in authoritative figure. Who, you may ask? Well, I'll get to that, but for now there is a wrestling show to preview.
Kick-Off Show
I'm not a fan of the kick-off show concept. To me, it just seems as though they're trying too much to be like American Football in that sense. Having special guests and "analysts" (and let's face it, Alex Riley isn't anything resembling an analyst) is just a bit cliched. Predominately, my problem lies within the fact that they do it every week for RAW. I do, however, have much less of a problem with it occurring at PPV's, because it works. And it runs away an extra hour or half an hour until the show actually starts. This one in particular is an interesting thing, as we kick off Survivor Series with a show consisting of Paul Heyman saying words, and there isn't anyone who really says words better than Paul Heyman. We also see the returns of a "new and improved" Fandango, with new dance partner Rosa Mendez... and Bad News Barrett. As far as we've been told, this will feature Fandango in action, but it hasn't been confirmed that his opponent will indeed be BNB. It seems logical though, and I'll be surprised if it works out any other way, as Barrett seems well overdue a stint as a babyface. This should set us up nicely for the main show. With, if it pans out that way, Barrett picking up the win. If the two square off, it will be a solid match though, as can be expected for them both.
Goldust & Stardust (c) vs The Usos vs Los Matadores vs The Miz & Damien Mizdow (Fatal 4-Way WWE Tag Team Championship Match)
It's tragic how much of a downward spiral the tag division has been on recently. I genuinely thought for a while that after the implosion of The Shield, all the tag teams would be stepped up and really help build on what was left for them. To an extent, The Usos done exactly that as champs. They were exciting, innovative and basically everything that the tag titles required. Complete rejuvenation. Then came the seemingly inevitable break-up of Cody Rhodes and Goldust. Instead, we got Stardust and all of a sudden there was another unique tag team. The problem with them though is that it's gotten stale. The weird promos were great at the start but now it's just getting uneasy, watching two brothers genuinely looking like they want to pump each other. It doesn't make for nice viewing. Somehow, the tag division has been made the ultimate filler match go-to, and it's a shame. The booking of this match here is erratic, and only makes sense because there's ONLY FOUR FUNCTIONAL TAG TEAMS ANYWAY. Like seriously. Bring up The Ascension or something and actually try and inject some life back into the tag title scene. Los Matadores seem to be in it through lack of better options, and it seems increasingly likely that Mizdow will turn on Miz, who's been robbing Mizdow of wins in their tag matches recently. Makes sense with how over Mizdow is to have him turn face. That leaves it between the Dusts and the Usos, with hopefully Jimmy and Jey bringing the shiny belts back home. Don't get me wrong, I still think this will make for a belter of a match, but the whole 4 teams thing isn't really a personal preference.
Prediction - The Usos win.
AJ Lee (c) vs Nikki Bella (Divas Championship Match)
I tend to enjoy anything that AJ does. Her rivalry with Paige never really took off entirely the way it should have, and now both have moved onto pastures new. The only reason that this is happening is so that there's at least some form of relevance brought to the ongoing rivalry between Nikki and Brie Bella. Neither of these two are great in the ring, although AJ has some cracking finishers and there has been marked improvement from Nikki. No matter how good the match is, we'll still be treated to awkward silence broken by CM Punk chants and the occasional middle-aged man wolf-whistling at AJ's arse. It will center around Brie, who will no doubt be at ringside for the match. With her time as Nikki's assistant coming to an end soon, we'll see one of two things happen. Either Brie helps Nikki win the title, or costs her the match. Whether it be on purpose or not, that's the way this one will go. With that in mind, it makes it almost impossible to make a solid prediction. Should be an average to passable match, with Nikki taking the title after some unfortunate circumstances lead to Brie distracting AJ long enough for Nikki to steal it.
Prediction - Nikki Bella wins.
Natalya, Alicia Fox, Naomi & Emma vs Paige, Cameron, Summer Rae & Layla (Divas Survivor Series Match)
I don't hate the idea of this match. If I remember correctly, they done one of these last year, and it was no bad, so I'll reserve proper judgement on this until it happens. The fact that Natalya still isn't seeing anything in the way of a Divas title run is ridiculous, so I'm counting on her shining here to get herself right into the picture. I seemed to have missed the moment that Alicia Fox turned face, unless she's just tweening because Paige fell out with her. There's interesting dynamics in the match. Paige and Alicia will no doubt put on a clinic in pulling each other's hair and being decidedly raging at each other. Throw in a northern lights suplex or ten. Cameron and Naomi still won't have made up from the break-up of the Funkadactyls so we can expect to see them have a set-to. Nattie and Summer just plain hate each other, as seen on Total Divas (shut up, you watch it tae, don't fuckin' lie) and Emma can go with the best of them. Layla is there as well, presumably just because she's Summer Rae's pal. Should be a fairly exciting match, especially if it actually gets a chance as a wrestling match and we can watch the gurls do their thang. My heart says Team Nattie wins, and you should always follow your heart.
Prediction - Nattie and Co. wins.
Dean Ambrose vs Bray Wyatt
Easy to assume this will be match of the night by a country mile. One thing that gives an interesting perspective is that with his former family otherwise engaged, and no longer brothers - Bray will have to go it completely alone. No distractions, no kids in sheep masks, just Bray and an opponent bell to bell. The problem is that his opponent is the greatest man that ever lived. That's right folks... AUSTIN ARI- aw wait wrong promotion. 'Tis of course the resident Titty Master and father of bastard children across the world - Dean Ambrose. When Bray cost our Dean the HIAC match last month, there were doubters. Surprisingly quite a lot of them actually. For those of us who saw it for the bigger picture and the genius that it was, it's safe to say we've been proved right. We knew that we wouldn't see much in the way of physical confrontation between the two, and instead it would be a psychological stalemate between two of the best characters in wrestling... ever. The promos haven't disappointed, as would be expected. The whole idea that Wyatt knows things about Ambrose's past grates away at Dean, and we've seen that with each passing week. Anytime they've had to get physical, it's been for the right reasons, and under the right circumstances, which is a rarity in wrestling nowadays. The match itself will be brilliant. These are two of the best storytellers that WWE has to offer, and to put them in a match with no stipulations or consequences, just a straight-up brawl, should see this have everyone on the edge of their seats. We all, of course, want to see Ambrose overcome the big bad guy. His tormentor. Lets not forget though, there's no way in hell that this is a one PPV program these two are working, so this is just the beginning. I reckon that Bray will win this, and they'll go on to fight it out until Royal Rumble time before we have a definitive winner. Probably with a few twists and turns along the way. This is the one to look forward to.
Prediction - Bray Wyatt wins.
Team Cena vs Team Authority (Traditional Survivor Series Match)
This is what it's all about. The main event. The big one. The one where everything is on the line, and I can't wait. On one side - John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, Erick Rowan and Ryback. On the other - Seth Rollins, Kane, Rusev, Mark Henry and Luke Harper. This match got made important since the moment that Vince McMahon himself announced that if the Authority loses this match, they would lose their power. That's what made an otherwise boring old Survivor Series match interesting. It was a struggle for John Cena to build a team strong enough to go into this war, with Jack Swagger and Sheamus falling victim to brutal attacks at the hands of Team Authority. With Dolph Ziggler and Big Show standing their ground on Monday, it looked as though they were going it alone, that was until Erick Rowan took, lets face it, everyone, by surprise and joined Team Cena. Followed by the geek crushing, cold beer drinking, bigger and better than ever Ryback. With the stage set for the final showdown, it really is anyone's game. Triple H made the announcement on Smackdown that if Team Cena loses, everyone on the team barring Cena himself will be fired. Refusing to back down though, Team Cena stood tall, and big Rowan put it perfectly. Freedom. It's a match every fan can be invested in, as we were with Bryan, Reigns and Ambrose through their struggles with the Authority. It would be the ultimate pay-off to see them stripped of their power. As is always the case with the Survivor Series match though, it won't go down without a few swerves. The one thing that everyone is talking about is Rusev maintaining his unbeaten record. The general consensus seems to be that that alone means The Authority are a shoe-in to take it. Personally, I think he may be counted out or DQ'd. I can also see seeds being planted for Ziggler challenging Rusev for the US title at the next PPV. With everyone else somewhat preoccupied (ie. Cena with Rollins, Ryback with Kane, Big Show with Henry and Rowan with Harper) it may open the doors to ignite a feud between the two. As always, expect the troupe to be there. Mercury, Noble, Lana and, of course, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. What role they will play throughout the match will be seen on the night. For now though, lets enjoy it as it is, and do our best not to be biased.
Predction - Team Cena wins... lol.
#DownWithTheAuthority
Other Things
We all know of course by now that the rumor mill has been in overdrive at the prospect of Sting finally making his much anticipated WWE debut. Whether or not that will happen, only time will tell. Maybe he'll play a part in the downfall of The Authority, thus putting his name forward as new GM. If he does turn up, expect the internet and/or the world to explode.
Randy Orton has reportedly been given a day off filming his new movie to make an appearance in front of his hometown crowd. The idea is that this will solidify his face turn. Again, with the problems he's had with The Authority, and in particular, Seth Rollins, him turning up would only be to have some involvement in the outcome of the main event. Be nice to hear the pop for him.
Keeping in the context of turns, I had the idea that Sheamus may be involved at some point through the course of the night, turning heel in the process. How that would work into anything, I don't know. The idea I had though was that he would attack Bad News Barrett, during or after his comeback match on the pre-show. Would be one of the most physical feuds around and I won't say no to it. Stranger things have happened.
With Roman Reigns confirmed for house shows next month, and now being advertised for the TLC PPV, we may see a cameo of him at some point. Whether it be a vignette promoting his return to action or another interview at some point, I can't really see past him being mentioned in one way or another.
In Conclusion
I expect this to be one of the better PPVs of the year. Not really much else to say, as anything and everything that needs to be said, has already been said. Except maybe...
#DownWithTheAuthority