WWE Survivor Series 2017: Defending Invasion Logic

After years of mediocrity, it appears that WWE Survivor Series 2017 will be an exciting, interesting show. Despite questionable booking, the build makes sense so far.

When discussing the proverbial “Big Four” pay-per-views WWE produces during a calendar year, Survivor Series is the most forgotten.

The company touts SummerSlam as the biggest party of the summer. The unpredictability of the Royal Rumble will always pique fans’ interests. WrestleMania seems itself. But Survivor Series has just been Survivor Series.

In years past, the event has been bogged down with bad booking and an overall apathetic feel.

Last year’s iteration took steps toward bucking that trend, however. Utilizing the built-in rivalry between Raw and SmackDown, the 2016 edition of Survivor Series churned out a fantastic five-on-five match, and one unforgettable moment.

This year, the positive moves from a year ago seem to have been built upon.

SmackDown superstars –as well as SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon–invaded Raw on Monday night, claiming the flagship show to be “under siege.” SmackDown superstars added to the fire by posting tweets after the show.

Despite not being the first time this has happened, it was the most convincing brand invasion since 2005.

Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, The Usos, Randy Orton, Jinder Mahal and Charlotte all sat the ambush out. Despite that, heavy hitters like AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura and The New Day made their marks.

SmackDown striking first makes sense, too. Despite arguably possessing more talented superstars, it’s hard for the blue brand to shed the “B-Show” persona.

The aforementioned McMahon punctuated that point Tuesday when he said Kurt Angle sealed his fate when he underestimated SmackDown‘s talent.

While some appear to be upset with the storyline holes, it’s hard to hate this move. It’s really the best way to build an event centered on Raw vs. SmackDown.

WWE Survivor Series 2017 is set to feature a slew of inter-promitional matches that would otherwise be inconsequential sans Monday’s transgressions. Seeing superstars from the two brands square off sans meaning would be fun, albeit somewhat lacking.

The WWE built up this event more in one night than it did in about four weeks leading up to last year’s show. Promos and insults only go so far, and having things turn physical from the get-go gives the storylines much more meat.

Furthermore, when an angle like this was used back in 2005, the same dynamic featuring heels and faces co-existing was on display. Smackdown’s team boast Batists, Bobby Lashley, Rey Mysterio (all three faces), Randy Orton and JBL (both heels).

That feud started because then-Raw general manager Eric Bischoff shut the lights off on SmackDown stars, enraging them in the process.

The angle also worked because of early physical assaults, and pride. JBL and Orton even seemed keen on protecting Batista, the team’s captain.

The lack of title matches is fine, too. Matches receiving an enhanced feel because of inter-brand nature is more compelling than a one-off feud for a mid-card championship.

Suddenly, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose vs. The Usos has more juice, as does The Miz vs. Baron Corbin.

I think it’s fair to compare the storyline flaw to regional pride. Fans are upset that guys like Baron Corbin and Tye Dillinger are now fine with being teammates, if only to beat Raw. For comparison’s sake, look at the different boroughs of New York. By and large, people from Manhattan think they’re better than people from Queens, and vice versa.

However, all of the boroughs come together to bash people from New Jersey, because they have the shared trait of being from New York.

That’s what we have with this Survivor Series 2017 build. The WWE writing team actually doesn’t have to offer much more explanation than that, in my opinion.

It kind of writes itself. Raw has three hours, SmackDown has two. Raw has always been live, while SmackDown just recently moved to a live format. There are certainly very real undertones from an angle featuring SmackDown superstars feeling underrated.

And the logic as to why heels and faces are working together can be short and sweet.

Dolph Ziggler could say something as simple as: “Bobby Roode, I can’t stand you. Hell, I can’t stand most of the people in the SmackDown locker room. But you know what? It is the SmackDown locker room, and I am sick and tired of this being seen as the little brother!”

It can be that simple. The storyline here should be about SmackDown‘s superstars feeling underrated, and Raw‘s superstars wanting to prove they’re, in fact, better.

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There’s no need for over elaborate explanation. SmackDown should want respect, and Raw now seeks payback.

If you still don’t buy into the logic, that’s fine, as the matches on the card should more than make up for that caveat. However, it’s easy to say this is the most interesting build to a usually forgotten pay-per-view we’ve received in quite some time.