Blogtrest Wrestling Talk: WWE Survivor Series 2017

WWE SURVIVOR SERIES

PREDICTIONS

Despite being a PPV that WWE touts as being one of the 'Big Four' in the company, I find Survivor Series to be a PPV that always gets a 'meh' reaction from me during the lead up to it and when the card is being formed and announced, and it's pretty much due to the way in which the WWE over the years has seemed to sweep this PPV under the rug and treat it like any other PPV outside of the big four, heck there was even rumours around about 2010-2011 that the WWE were even thinking of ending the Survivor Series PPV.

But it's not just perception neither, some of the Suvivor Series PPV's over the years have been very much less than stellar in my opinion, I'd probably have to go all the way back to Survivor Series 2003 to remember the last time I was truly excited or enjoyed a Survivor Series PPV (The Team Bischoff vs Team Austin 5 on 5 Survivor Series Elimination Match was truly epic!).

I will however give due credit to the Survivor Series 2014 5 On 5 Survivor Series Elimination Match main event though as it really had a 'big time' 'big stakes' feel and let's not forget the first ever appearance of the Icon Sting in a WWE arena and ring!

Fast forward to this years Survivor Series and I must say for the first time in a very long time, I truly feel some hype going into this PPV as WWE have done a very good job of booking a brand 'war' between Raw and Smackdown going into the brand vs brand 5 on 5 Survivor Series Elimination Match main event over the past weeks we have seen Smackdown put Raw 'under siege' with a brutal attack by Smackdown superstars on the entire Raw locker room and we have also seen Raw 'return the favour' with a similar attack on the Smackdown locker room, which are most definitely two of the best segments that I've seen from WWE in quite some time and really got me pumped and invested into this 'brand war'.

Also add in the late inclusions of Triple H on Team Raw and John Cena on Team Smackdown, the 5 on 5 Survivor Series Elimination Match main event truly has a big time feel to it this year, and I can't wait to see how things play out in that match, (which as usual I have a few theories and shenanigans predicted for, that I will get into a bit later)

Another 'big feel' match on the card is that of the WWE Universal Champion vs WWE Champion non title clash between Brock Lesnar and AJ Styles (who bumped Jinder Mahal out of this clash), it's a match we've not seen before between two of the biggest in ring anomalies in all of pro wrestling, and i'm expecting it to be a long competitive one unlike many matches that have featured Lesnar as of late and it's another example of WWE doing the right thing by putting on fresh match ups that generate excitement and curiosity.

The Battle of the wrestling Anomalies: AJ Styles vs Brock Lesnar is most definitely a dream match of sorts and I will be glued to what should be a superb thrill ride

Overall I can genuinely say that I am truly looking forward to watching Survivor Series 2017.

Now without further ado let's look at the rest of the match card and get into my predictions for what I feel will happen on the night and also what I would personally like to see happen.

WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match:

Enzo Amore(c) vs Kalisto

Will The 'Realest' Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore (left) silence the haters with a successful title defense?

I've stated many times that Enzo Amore has been truly excellent in his new heel role as the cocky Cruiserweight champion who puts down and taunts the division at every chance he gets and it's been a masterstroke by WWE as it has somewhat got eyes on the lacklustre Cruiserweight division and has bolted some energy into it while taking Enzo Amore to the next level in the company.

I also feel that the Cruiserweight Championship should be kept on Enzo Amore for a very, very long time as at the moment there is no one in the Cruiserweight division that can generate interest in the division or come close to being the great personality and character that Enzo Amore is at the moment.

This match should be a fun little high flying opener. I'm also expecting this to be the last match between these two also.

What Will Happen: Enzo Amore will retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.

What I Want To Happen: Same as above

Non Title Champion vs Champion Tag Team Match:
Raw Tag Team Champions The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus vs Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Usos

Will The Bar (Cesaro & Sheamus) (left) continue to set the bar for the Tag Team Division by coming away with a victory for Raw? Or will the rough and tough determined Usos (right) prove that they are the best tag team in the world?

It pretty much safe to say that this is going to be one hell of a tag team match, as we have the two best in ring tag teams on the entire roster going at it, which should provide a superb high flying smash mouth affair.

The Usos for me are still the best tag team in all of pro wrestling and their heel persona has worked wonders for them, it was inevitable that the Smackdown Tag Team Championships would find their way back around their waists eventually.

Where as The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus) have been in some of the most thrilling and exciting tag team PPV matches that I have seen all year, they have really carried the Raw tag team division on their backs and should be commended big for it, which is why i'm delighted that the Raw Tag Team Championships have found their way back around their waists.

This match has every chance of being the tag team match of the night, and I'm expecting to see some hard hitting and jaw dropping action between these two teams, this has got fun written all over it.

What Will Happen: The Usos will defeat The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus)

What I Want To Happen: Same as above

Non Title Champion vs Champion Match:
WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs WWE United States Champion Baron Corbin

Who will prove to be the true 'Workhorse' Champion of the WWE?

Here is a very fresh match up between two top midcard talents who are both at the top of their game at the moment on their respective brands at the moment, but I'm not quite sure how this match up is going to translate well in the ring, as this has the potential to be a slow dragged out affair.

The question here also is who; needs the momentum coming from this match more? The case can be argued for Baron Corbin who has had a miserable 2017 for the most part having that glimmer of being a main event main stay shattered by losing his Money In The Bank briefcase opportunity and being so easily dispatched in his biggest match to date against John Cena at SummerSlam.

A win for Corbin carries on his new found momentum as WWE United States champion. Which he really needs.

Where as the case can be argued that the The Miz does not need a win here as he is a already cemented character and top midcard main stay of the company.

I'm not expecting this match to be anything special.

What Will Happen: The Miz will defeat Baron Corbin with help from The Miztourage.

What I Want To Happen: Baron Corbin defeats The Miz.

5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match:

Team Raw (Alicia Fox, Nia Jax, Asuka, Sasha Banks, and Bayley) vs Team SmackDown (Becky Lynch, Carmella, Naomi, Tamina, and Natalya)

Which Women's division will prove to be the most dominant?

Women's 5 on 5 Survivor Series Elimination matches have not showcased the potential that they seem to have when they are announced over the years, as they always seem to be all over the place messy affairs that end up with sudden quick, blink and you'll miss it pin falls.

I do have great expectations for this one however, as we have some great female talent on each team, that will very much guarantee a competitive bout here.

This should be a fun one with the characters and talent involved here.

What Will Happen: Team Raw (Alicia Fox, Nia Jax, Asuka, Sasha Banks, and Bayley) will defeat Team Smackdown (Becky Lynch, Carmella, Naomi, Tamina, and Natalya)

What I Want To Happen: Same as above.

Interbrand Six-Man Tag Team Match:

The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins) vs. The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods)

Will The Shield (left) be able to deal with a Unorthodox trio unlike any they've faced before in The New Day (right)

Another fresh and intriguing match up sees The Shield take on The New Day in what is pretty much a clash of the biggest most impactful wrestling duos ever in the WWE.

It will be very interesting to see how The Shield and The New Day interact with each other in the ring as we have a technical smash mouthed team in The Shield going against a technical unorthodox team in The New Day.

I don't think this match will be a highlight of the night, but it has potential to be the dark horse match of the night depending on how many gears these teams take it to in the ring.

What Will Happen: The Shield will defeat The New Day.

What I Want To Happen: Same as above.

Non-Title Champion vs Champion Singles Match:
Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss vs. SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair

Who is the true 'Queen' of the WWE?

I most definitely think we're in for a treat here and one hell of a women's clash between the two great modern day women characters of the WWE.

It's taken Charlotte Flair quite a long time to get back on top of the women's division since moving to the Smackdown roster and she now joins her opponent in holding both the Raw and Smackdown Women's Championships.

This will surely prove to be the classic former cocky heel  now turned beloved babyface WWE champion Charlotte Flair looking in the mirror of what she used to be in Alexa Bliss the current cocky arrogant heel Raw Women's Champion.

And I feel it will translate into a great match and in ring storytelling.

What Will Happen: Charlotte Flair will defeat Alexa Bliss.

What I Want To Happen: Same as above.

Non-Title Champion vs Champion Singles Match:

WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) vs. WWE Champion AJ Styles

The Beast vs The Phenomenal One: Who is the true champion of the WWE?

This match is the very example of giving fans a truly exciting and unpredictable match up at a big PPV and I hope the WWE continue with this trend going forward.

We have the first time ever clash between WWE Universal Champion and The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar and The newly crowned WWE Champion and The Phenomenal One AJ Styles.

Let's not forget (well lets forget) that this bout was originally intended to be Jinder Mahal as WWE Champion going against Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, which despite being a visually interesting match up, would most likely have ended up being a very flat dud of a match that would probably see Lesnar beat Jinder Mahal and make him look like amatuer hour in the space of 6 to 10 mins and that would of been a disaster. Which would of proven that WWE force feeding a match on fans is not the way to go about things when promoting a big PPV.

This match will most certainly be an exciting and competitive thrill ride that will prove to the WWE that it is good to listen to the fans more times than not.

I cannot simply wait for this one, and it also has every right to be match of the night.

What Will Happen: WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar will defeat WWE Champion AJ Styles

What I Want To Happen: WWE Champion AJ Styles defeats WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar.

5-on-5 Survivor Series elimination match:

Team Raw (Kurt Angle, Braun Strowman, Finn Bálor, Samoa Joe, and Triple H) vs. Team SmackDown (Shane McMahon, Randy Orton, Bobby Roode, Shinsuke Nakamura, and John Cena)

Which brand will win the ultimate war of supremacy at the end of the night?

And here we have it, the big all out brand war 5 on 5 Survivor Series Elimination Match, that truly feels big time, for the first time in a very long time I can say that looking at the talent on each team, we really have the feeling of a talent pool not seen in the WWE in one match in many many years.

The ingredients here are just sublime as we have two great in ring performers with great history in Kurt Angle & Shane McMahon leading each team, we have two top midcard main stays in Randy Orton and Braun Strowman, four top midcard talents on the rise in Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, Sinsuke Nakamura & Bobby Roode, and to top it all off, we have the icing on the cake with two veteran 'franchise players' in Triple H an John Cena.

This match feels truly stacked when talking about the talent involved here.

The only thing that concerns me about this match is; what are the true stakes and consequences leading out of this match?

There is also the question of the forgotten and dumped man who was on the verge of taking part in this match: Jason Jordan. I very much feel that he will play some kind of part in the outcome of this match and trigger the long awaited heel turn that he so badly needs.

What Will Happen: Team SmackDown (Shane McMahon, Randy Orton, Bobby Roode, Shinsuke Nakamura, and John Cena) will defeat Team Raw (Kurt Angle, Braun Strowman, Finn Bálor, Samoa Joe, and Triple H) with the assist of Jason Jordan.

What I Want To Happen: Same as above.




And there you have my predictions for what should be a very fun and exciting Survivor Series PPV, and the best Survivor Series in a long time.

Feel free to leave your comments and predictions on how you feel things will play out on the night.


-Simeon Barrett

Blogtrest Wrestling Talk: WWE TLC 2017

WWE TLC 2017

PREDICTIONS

WWE TLC this year, will be taking place at the Target Centre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and on paper I've got to say that this PPV card looks very awkward and weak, very much the definition of a throwaway PPV that I'm sure WWE management are looking at as a throwaway event before we get to this years Survivor series.

We've had the very sudden and surprise news that Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns who were key figures on this PPV will no longer be participating at the event due to 'medical reasons'which is reported to be some kind of viral infection that has plagued a number of WWE superstars.

This in turn has thrown a big spanner in the original plans for this show as Kurt Angle will be taking the place of Roman Reigns in what is sure to be the main event 5 on 3 Handicap Tables, Ladders and Chairs match and AJ Styles taking the place of what was to be the debut of Bray Wyatt in his Sister Abigail gimmick, (which I must say I was intrigued about)going against the Demon Finn Balor.

Both Kurt Angle (left) and AJ Styles (right) could either change WWE TLC 2017's dynamic for the better or make it less eventful

I'm not sure whether these changes will make for a PPV that would be any better than the original plan or whether they will in fact make this PPV any worse than what it would of been.

I am not totally convinced that Kurt Angle will actually be wrestling tonight, which I will get to in more detail a bit later in my predictions.

So without further a do let's get into those predictions for what I personally feel will be a weird and lackluster PPV offering:

Pre Show Singles Match:

Sasha Banks vs Alicia Fox

Will 'The Boss' Sasha Banks (left) gain revenge on a vicious and determined Alicia Fox? (right)

WWE TLC 2017 seems like it is going to be a night with a big emphasis on the women's division as we have not one, not two, but three! Women's matches, and the first of these matches will be kicking off the Pre Show.

I'm not quite sure what to make of this match at all as it just seems randomly thrown together as Sasha Banks for some reason is yet again feuding with Alicia Fox much like earlier this year when it appeared that Sasha Banks was getting a big demotion down the roster on Raw, and it seems like Sasha Banks is lost in the shuffle yet again with Alicia Fox also holding a pinfall over Sasha Banks.

This match will most likely be a slightly entertaining smash mouth affair for what it is, but it's very unlikely to hold my attention.

What Will Happen: Sasha Banks will defeat Alicia Fox.

What I Want To Happen: Same As Above.

Tag Team Match: 

Cedric Alexander & Rich Swan vs Brian Kendrick & Gentleman Jack Gallagher

Which Cruiserweight pairing will gain momentum with a win in what should be a fast paced tag team match?

Another randomly thrown together match on the card is this Cruiserweight tag team match, which also seems to be thrown together out of no where, and i'm not sure why these guys have been put against each other in a match as I am not a regular 205 Live viewer.

I'm also not very intrigued by the way that the WWE has booked the Cruiserweight division ever since it's new inception, the only bright spark of the entire division is Enzo Amore who i'll get to a bit later.

As for this match, it should provide some nice high flying fast paced action, and I am a big fan of Brian Kendrick, so there will be a reason to get invested into this one somewhat.

What Will Happen: Brian Kendrick & Gentleman Jack Gallagher will defeat Cedric Alexander and Rich Swan.

What I Want To Happen: Same as above.

   

WWE Raw Women's Championship Match:

Alexa Bliss(c)vs Mickie James

Will Mickie James mark a triumphant return to the Women's division by defeating a determined Alexa Bliss for the WWE Raw Women's Championship

I've got to say that this is a match that i'm looking forward to seeing on the card as we have the returning women's division veteran Mickie James vying for the WWE RAW Women's championship currently in the possession of the excellent Alexa Bliss.

This match has eerily got a Trish Stratus vs Mickie James vibe to it and that is a good thing for sure.

The possibility of Mickie James capturing the WWE Raw Women's Championship makes this one a must see and with Alexa Bliss's good chemistry with Mickie James, I can see this one being a gem of a match on the card.

What Will Happen: Mickie James will defeat Alexa Bliss to become the new WWE Raw Women's Champion.

What I Want To Happen: Same as above.

 Singles Match:

Demon Finn Balor vs AJ Styles

Who will emerge victorious in a long awaited battle between two of the most athletic men in the business?

In what was supposed to be a 'demonic' showpiece battle between Finn Balor and Bray Wyatt under the Sister Abigail gimmick, we now have AJ Styles randomly slotted from Smackdown into Bray's place.

As much as it will be interesting to see AJ Styles and Finn Balor finally clash on the big stage that is WWE, I can't help but feel in the back of my mind being intrigued for how the whole Sister Abigail angle would of played out in this match (even if it would of ended up being ridiculous).

I do expect a thrilling showpiece between two very athletic men in the ring who will surely turn up the action and make the most of the situation.

What Will Happen: Finn Balor will defeat AJ Styles.

What I Want To Happen: AJ Styles defeats Finn Balor

WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match:

Kalisto(c) vs Enzo Amore

Will 'The Realest Guy In The Room' Enzo Amore (right) claim back the Cruiserweight Championship from a determined Kalisto? (left)

I was very confused as to why the WWE decided to put the Cruiserweight championship on Kalisto out of seemingly nowhere 2 weeks ago on Raw when he suprisingly defeated Enzo Amore because Kalisto despite WWE's constant attempts to push him as the second coming of Rey Mysterio, just does not connect with the crowd or in the ring, he is just not wrestling's next big luchador.

Turns out the reason behind putting the strap on him was due to Neville leaving the company.

Enzo Amore on the other hand is a diamond of a talent in the WWE and his inclusion into the cruiserweight division is one of the smartest things the WWE have done as his presence and character automatically injects life into what is pretty much a very dry division.

I fully expect the Cruiserweight belt to return to the waist of Enzo Amore here. And this should be a fun little bout.

What Will Happen: Enzo Amore will defeat Kalisto to once again become WWE Cruiserweight champion.

What I Want To Happen: Same as above.

Singles Match:

Auska vs Emma

Will Asuka (left) begin another dominant undefeated run on the main roster underway by defeating Emma (right)?

Here is another match on the card that should prove to be a interesting clash, as Asuke will finally be making her big PPV debut after being such a dominant force in NXT as NXT Women's Champion, which the WWE have officially billed as being the longest undefeated streak in WWE history.

It's also not hard to see just why Emma was booked to win the opportunity to face Asuka here, as it is clear that the WWE have no big plans for her and want her to be the first opponent that Asuka knocks down on what will be another strong run for her on the Raw brand.

In doing this booking decision they avoided having Auska meet the likes of Sasha Banks, Bayley and Nia Jax so soon into her run.

This is also not the first time that Asuka and Emma have met, as they had a very highly praised match all the way back in December of 2015 at NXT Takeover London which I feel WWE want to try and recreate here for Asuka's first big match.

What Will Happen: Asuka will defeat Emma.

What I Want To Happen: Same as above.

5 on 3 Handicap Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match:

Kurt Angle, Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins vs The Miz, Braun Strowman, Kane, Sheamus & Cesaro

Which team will be victorious in this unpredictable battle which will see the in ring return of a much loved veteran?

And here we have it, perhaps one of the most randomly thrown together and booked main event matches that I can remember in a long while.

It also marks the big in ring return of Kurt Angle, who hasn't performed in a WWE ring since 2006.

I am however not entirely convinced that we are going to see Kurt Angle take part in this match as we could well see a bait and switch scenario which sees Kurt Angle 'taken out' backstage before he even has the chance to compete possibly leading to Jason Jordan replacing him and facilitating a much needed Jason Jordan heel turn and feud with his 'dad' Kurt Angle down the road.

A second possibility could be that Jason Jordan offers to join his dad Kurt Angle, making the match a 5 on 4 Tables Ladders & Chairs match.

Or a third possibility could be that Kurt Angle surprises us all and puts on a showpiece in the ring, taking bumps and all for good measure which would see the crowd give a insane nostalgia pop.

Whatever happens, this randomly thrown together main event should provide some great thrills, excitement and bumps.

It's also great to see The Miz finally being involved in a main event feud too, as I believe this is a place he belongs long term as he has really become a seasoned performer and character in 2017.

What Will Happen: The Miz, Braun Strowman, Kane, Sheamus & Cesaro will defeat Kurt Angle, Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins.

What I Want To Happen: Same as above.

And there you have my predictions for what will be a weird PPV which has the potential on Paper to disappoint, but let's hope it doesn't.

Feel free to leave your comments and opinions on how you feel things will play out on the night.

-Simeon Barrett