Predicting the 2014 Traditional Survivor Series Match
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As announced on the latest episode of RAW, Survivor Series will not be headlined by the WWE Championship match fans expected to witness between Brock Lesnar and number one contender John Cena. No, instead Cena will lead a team of superstars against a team representing the Authority at Survivor Series in a traditional elimination match. Now, while it may not be the match many were expecting, and means that for another month we are meant to disregard the lack of a world champion, it now means fans can speculate as to who will be representing each team.
The traditional Survivor Series match has always provided a number of controversial and exciting moments, and this year’s should be no different, especially considering the involvement of Cena making this a main event caliber bout. So, here is my take on which superstars will fill in the gaps on Team Cena and Team Authority.
Team Cena
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John Cena – Obviously, John Cena is the captain of this team, so it hardly needs to be said that he will be in the match.
Dolph Ziggler – The Intercontinental Champion drew the ire of the Authority on Monday night, defeating Kane in a match, before being assaulted by the Authority. Cena came out to make the save, and Ziggler attempted to return the favor at the close of the show before the entire locker room charged out to the ring. His cocky attitude and unwillingness to quit make him an ideal addition to Team Cena.
Ryback – Only recently returning from injury, Ryback was on fire Monday as he squashed Bo Dallas, with the crowd lapping up every move he landed. This would be a great chance for Ryback to demonstrate that he is back and wants to repay the fans, by assaulting the Authority and siding with former rival John Cena. Ryback could be in line for a monster push in the near future, and an appearance in this match would certainly go a long way to cementing it.
Chris Jericho – According to reports, Chris Jericho will be returning to the WWE in November to be part of the European tour and some television appearances. However, it is yet unclear whether he will be wrestling at these events, and whether he would be able to compete at Survivor Series due to his commitments to Fozzy. But, if Cena was looking for a tough veteran that has no love-lost towards any of the Authority, particularly Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, than he would struggle to find anyone more apt than Y2J.
Team Authority
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Seth Rollins – Seth Rollins is the poster boy for the Authority, and Mr. Money in the Bank has had his fair share of issues with Cena in recent months. There would be nobody more fitting to lead out the Authority, especially in the mind of Rollins, and he will be nailed on to be one of the final men remaining at its climax.
Kane – The second secured member of the Authority that will line-up against Cena’s team, Kane has been enhancement talent ever since he shed the mask earlier this year. But, his is still a name that carries a great deal of weight and importance, and with few other main event stars lining the Authority, he is a shoo-in to make their team for the match.
Cesaro – Although the possibility of Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury wrestling again would be intriguing, it is more likely that the Authority will begin stretching their field of vision after Rollins and Kane. And who better to select than the Swiss Superman Cesaro, who isn’t in any particular feud at the moment beyond his battles with Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship. Cesaro would see this as an opportunity to progress his career through the Authority and make a name for himself in another high-profile outing.
The Miz – With his feud with Sheamus seemingly done and dusted for the time being, unless he and Damien Mizdow get dragged into a rivalry with the Usos, it seems likely that the Miz will take a spot on Team Authority. The Miz and his stunt double have been getting stronger week after week, and recently Stephanie McMahon praised the Miz on an episode of RAW. With other top tier stars either unavailable or feuding with other stars, it would be a shame not to see the Miz added to this important match.
The Wild Card
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Randy Orton – Randy Orton will undoubtedly be part of this match, but the side that he ends up participating for is less clear-cut. Orton is just off the heels of a vicious Hell in a Cell match with John Cena, and the two have a clear distaste for each other. However, Orton’s focus has been preoccupied with pulling Seth Rollins down a few rungs of his ladder, and the RKO on his former ally on RAW could be the signal for his long-awaited face turn. But, as things stand, it is still decidedly foggy as to which side he will be competing for at Survivor Series.
If Orton is on Team Cena – Bad News Barrett joins Team Authority. Barrett is set to be making a comeback in the coming weeks, and if he is fit and available for Survivor Series, he would be an ideal component of Team Authority. The big, bad, British brawler has had his fair share of misfortune on his ascent to the top of the WWE, but this could be another welcome launch pad toward stardom.
If Orton is on Team Authority – Big E joins Team Cena. Big E has been floundering on Main Event and being fed to Rusev since losing the Intercontinental Championship back in May. But, with Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan injured, Cena would be scraping the bottom of the barrel in babyfaces, and Big E is a step up from Adam Rose. In a fantasy world, I would be overjoyed if John Cena looked to NXT for his final member for either Adrian Neville or Sami Zayn, but the choice of Big E seems the more likely selection.
Notable Absentees
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Dean Ambrose – Although he would seem a perfect fit for this match due to his recent problems with Seth Rollins and the Authority, Ambrose should concentrate on his animosity towards Bray Wyatt, as that feud could be something special.
The Stooges – Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury were both great wrestlers in their day, and would probably be willing to perform if asked as long as their health was good. But, they wouldn’t make for convincing opponents against Cena and his crew, so should stick to the sidelines.
Sheamus – The United States Champion is popular and has shown he would side with John Cena in these battles against the Authority. But, with the Intercontinental Champion already involved in the bout, it would seem likely Sheamus will be defending his title instead of taking part in the elimination match.
Rusev – If Sheamus is to defend his United States title, he will need a fitting challenger. And now he has disposed of the Big Show, Rusev appears finally ready to bite the bullet and conquer the American championship for his own.
Big Show/Mark Henry – These two could transition their rivalry into opposite sides of the Survivor Series teams. But, they have been dwindling in relevance, and should fill the card with their own singles match instead of taking spots in the main event.
Brock Lesnar – Whilst it would be an incredible spectacle to see Triple H introduce the final member of his team on the night, and here the Beast’s music blaze through the arena, it would be a fanciful prospect to say the least. Also, would Lesnar realistically tag with Seth Rollins after he attempted to poach the belt at Night of Champions?
So, those are my predictions for which superstars will be taking a place in the traditional Survivor Series match. A mix of the realistic and speculative, but this would be a match that would certainly help the crowd forget about the lack of a world title match in its place.
Who do you think should be in the match? Sound off in the comments below.