WWE Survivor Series 2018 Match Card And Predictions

It's the one night of the year where Raw and SmackDown...you know how it goes.

Source: WWE

Well, this is shaping up to be an interesting event. Survivor Series has undergone not one, but two last minute match changes in a matter of days. On the one hand, it’s made certain bouts easier to predict, on the other, it’s frustratingly deprived us of intriguing parts of the card.

Putting that aside, this is still a strong show on paper. The last two years have been somewhat of a renaissance for WWE’s second-oldest PPV. It’s essentially a mix of exhibition one-on-one matches and chaotic, story-driven elimination tags. At best, this could be a strong show. At worst, well, we’ll at least have NXT TakeOver: WarGames to fall back on. Here are our predictions for Survivor Series 2018.

 

Tag Team 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match

Team Raw Vs. Team SmackDown

You thought I was writing 20 names down in a large font? Think again! This is a pre-show affair and probably should be. The build hasn’t been all that interesting and the stakes are as low as ever. Raw’s team is made up predominantly of the dregs of their tag division, SmackDown could win this with The Usos and New Day alone.

Prediction: Pretty safe bet to say SmackDown have this one. The two most protected tag teams in the company are on their side and Raw have…The Ascension.

 

Cruiserweight Championship Match

Buddy Murphy (C) Vs. Mustafa Ali

Source: WWE

The only match that isn’t brand vs. brand and it’s gonna be a good one. So far, it’s not been advertised for the pre-show, could we be seeing that illusive main card Cruiserweight Championship match? Here’s hoping. These two had a series of acclaimed matches on 205 Live this year that I urge you to watch. They’ll want to bring the heat and show the world just what they’re about.

Prediction: Mustafa’s been long overdue his chance at the top, but Buddy Murphy looks to be WWE’s top priority right now. Cedric Alexander was built as an unbeatable champion and Buddy put an end to that. He’s 205 Live’s blue chipper and I don’t see that changing so soon after his title victory.

 

Champions Vs. Champions Tag Team Match

AOP (Akam & Rezar) (with Drake Maverick) vs. The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) (with The Big Show)

Source: WWE

This could be a real sleeper hit. I’ve got plenty of praise on reserve for AOP’s work down in NXT, and we know that The Bar can go. Just four heavy hitters duking it out to determine brand dominance. The added novelty of Drake Maverick and The Big Show at ringside should also make for a hilarious visual when the former squares up to the latter. I fully anticipate a good old fight with a sprinkling of comedy. The perfect recipe.

Prediction: The Bar took the L to The Usos last year as representatives of the Raw brand, and I think it will sadly be the case this year as well. AOP only just won the belts and haven’t had a televised match since then. They need to be established as the top dogs far more than Sheamus and Cesaro do. I just wish they’d call them the Authors of Pain on TV.

 

Women’s 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match

Team Raw Vs. Team SmackDown

Source: WWE

If we’re being honest, there’s very little heat on any of the elimination matches this year. Maybe it’s lack of star power or just poor build, I don’t know. What I do know is that in the wake of Evolution, it’s sad to see a women’s match with such little thought put behind it. It just looks like a field of bodies with the express purpose of gaining a point for the respective brand. Call me cynical, but it’s hard to be invested in matches that don’t have much in the way of stakes behind them.

Prediction: The SmackDown women have yet to announce their final member and we might not find out until the night. It could be a free agent like Brie Bella, but then it could also just be someone like Mandy Rose. The Raw side has more members who currently have any active angles going on right now, and they were bested by the blue brand on the go-home show. Based on that logic, I’m picking Team Raw.

 

Champion Vs. Champion Match

Seth Rollins Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Source: WWE

 

This is kind of a dream match. Rollins and Nakamura have surprisingly never crossed paths before, in WWE or otherwise. We know they’re both more than capable in the ring and most people will be expecting something spectacular. There’s not a whole lot to say regarding the two men fighting though, it’s who isn’t booked for the show that makes this interesting.

Prediction: Dean Ambrose is absent from Survivor Series. Considering the fact that his hatred of Seth Rollins runs deep, why would he miss an opportunity to screw his former brother over once more? I’m almost certain that Dean will insert himself into this match somehow and cost Rollins, granting Shinsuke Nakamura the upset victory.

Men’s 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match

Team Raw Vs. Team SmackDown

Source: WWE

This one’s got some stuff riding on it, so that’s an improvement. The focal points of this match are Shane McMahon having the best midlife crisis in the world and Braun Strowman having it in for Baron Corbin. Corbin won’t actually be in the match but is serving as team captain. Expect major developments in both stories.

Prediction: Strowman isn’t allowed to touch Corbin as per Stephanie McMahon’s decree, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be shenanigans. Drew McIntyre is the true wildcard on the Raw side. He’s trying to strike out on his own and has unfinished business with Strowman. I can see descension among the ranks to lead Team SmackDown to victory. Shane McMahon can use this to further his claim of utter dominance (imagine if he got the final pin).

 

Ronda Rousey Vs. Charlotte Flair

Source: WWE

Well, this is unfortunate. The original pairing of Ronda and the SmackDown Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch had more interest than anything else booked for Survivor Series. Sadly, Becky’s come down with a case of broken face (WWE’s words, not mine) and is unable to compete. With Ronda advertised for the show and the need for a money match, Charlotte Flair has stepped up to the plate. What’s interesting here is that many had this match pegged for WrestleMania next year, some even speculating on it closing the show. Sure, they could do it again, but this might be the only time we see this for a while.

Prediction: Much like with the only remaining match to predict, the last-minute replacement makes this far easier to call than it was before. Charlotte isn’t going to hand Ronda Rousey her first loss in WWE in a match that was only made official on Tuesday. She’s there to make Ronda look good and do the honours of losing. My “don’t bet against Ronda Rousey until Mania” rule seems to be holding true.

 

Champion Vs. Champion Match

Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan

Source: WWE

The other match that was a midnight hour bait and switch, Daniel Bryan turned heel on SmackDown and won the WWE Championship from AJ Styles this week. Raise your hand if you saw this coming. Right, now put your hand down for lying. This came out of nowhere and grants Bryan the match with Brock that he’s been lobbying for since 2014. I’m a little concerned that a man who had to retire due to brain injuries is wrestling a man who drops people on their head for a living, but hey, it might be a good match.

Prediction: We don’t have to worry about speculating on AJ winning to make up for last year’s event. Bryan just took the cowardly route towards title gold and is going to be served up a punishment in the form of many, many suplexes. Brock Lesnar to win, thus granting Raw an overall 4-3 victory on the night.

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