Fantasy Booking 2016: Survivor Series

Hello Fantasy Bookers. It’s time to predict who the lone survivors will be at WWE’s Lone Pay-Per-View this month so let’s tackle Survivor Series head on. WWE is giving us 4 hours of show and 2 hours of pre-show to cover 6 matches, this … this could be bad.

MATCH 1: Brian Kendrick vs. Kalisto for the Cruiserweight Title

The winner of this match gets not just the title but the entire cruiserweight roster will move if the title is won by Kalisto.

WHO WILL WIN:
Matt – There’s almost no chance Kendrick wins this. I’m confident that Kendrick only won the title last month to lose to Kalisto. With WWE announcing the all Cruiserweight show 205 Live airing after smackdown on the network it’s basically written in the stars that Raw is giving away the Cruiserweights to smackdown.

Derek – The Cruiserweights are headed to Smackdown. With 205 Live launching on the same night, having Cruiserweight matches on Smackdown will be a great lead-in. Kendrick’s fight for the belt has been an interesting one, but now that he has it… I’m not really sure what he does with it. Kalisto wins.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:
Matt – While the Cruiserweight title seems designed specifically for someone like Kalisto I think he will only be champion for a month or two. By Royal Rumble the title will be on someone a bit more marketable in the WWE sense. I’m thinking Rich Swann or Cedric Alexander. The real question is where the fuck is Jack Gallagher!?

Derek – I don’t know what Raw does with that extra time (and how Smackdown manages to fit in even more content), but I’m excited to see 205 Live launch, and a Cruiserweight match right before will certainly get me in the mood for it.

MATCH 2: The Miz vs Sami Zayn for the IC Title

This is the other title at risk of trading shows. The Miz just won the title on Tuesday completely changing the direction this match could go.

WHO WILL WIN:
Matt – This is a tough call. One part of my brain says that Sami Zayn wins this. WWE trading the Cruiserweight title to Smackdown in exchange for the IC Belt on Raw. The other part of me thinks we won’t have every title match be a title change. I’m going to stick to my original opinion though and I see Sami Zayn getting the win. Sami needs the title more than Miz at this point (But props to MIz for elevating this title in a HUGE way). It would be wrong of me not to quickly shout out Geekscape favorite Mega-Ran for his prediction that Miz retains by a Dolph assist. If Miz is retaining on Sunday, I want that to be the reason.

Derek – Sami Zayn. He deserves to be champion. I loved The Miz’ last run at the IC title, and The Miz v. Ziggler was probably my favourite match of 2016 so far, but it would be a super neat dynamic to see the title change brands.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:
Matt – The Miz is going to return to Smackdown empty handed. It will be more fuel for the verbal lashings between him and Daniel. This will also keep a Dolph and Miz feud going a little longer, but let’s hope both of them are out of the IC title picture by the Royal Rumble in favor of a different challenger.

As for Sami I can really see Sami continuing the amazing work done by Dolph and Miz to make the title matter. Raw doesn’t have much going in the mid-card however so I believe his first challenger would have to be Bo Dallas or Curtis Axel but … that could be a good thing. It’d give Sami a few decent wins while making both of those guys who currently have nothing to do… have something to do. I don’t see anyone taking that belt of Sami on Raw though.

My dream scenario is for the next few months Daniel trying to bargain a trade with Raw to get Sami and the belt back on Smackdown. Sami will stay at Raw, Owens will lose the Universal Title before Wrestlemania and in jealous rage try to take the belt from Sami. When sami goes over Owens at Wrestlemania he will decide he has tackled all the competition on Raw and agree to trade to Smackdown for new competition.

Derek – Hmm. Owens and Zayn continue their forever rivalry and Owens tries to hold two belts at once? Or Jericho goes after Zayn so that he and Owens can both have belts.

MATCH #3 – SURVIVOR SERIES TAG TEAM EDITION

There’s nothing at stake besides bragging rights in this (or any) Survivor Series matches. For that reason I’m not going to be breaking down the “What happens next” portion and instead focusing on how I think the match will play out.

TEAM RAW: New Day, Sheamus/Cesaro, Gallows/Anderson, Enzo & Cass & Shining Stars
TEAM SMACKDOWN: Slater/Rhyno, American Alpha, Hype Bros, The Usos & Breezango

Matt – I’m thinking this is going to go to Raw. They have a more stacked tag-team card right now. I think Shining Stars will be the first time eliminated. Followed by the Hype Bros. Next I could see the Usos going out, Enzo and Cass will follow shortly after (They can take an early elimination).

Here’s where I think things will get wacky. I think Slater and Rhyno get eliminated. This will be a way for American Alpha and Breezango to have bragging rights and reasons to go after the Smackdown titles. Why Breezango you might ask? They’ve been getting a lot of attention and praise on Talking Smack, I think it’s possible we see a bigger push for them shortly… even if it’s just for them to be the Heel Tag Team Champions that American Alpha defeats for the titles at a later date (probably Royal Rumble).

Once Slater and Rhyno have been removed. Breezango will follow shortly after. American Alpha will get New Day Eliminated but their elimination will come via Anderson/Gallows walking out on the teams when Big E is reaching for a tag. Sheamus and Cesaro will be the lone survivors though taking out American Alpha and earning another title shot at New Day’s belts.

Derek – How this match will even work I have no idea. 10 on 10 is freaking insane, and with Heath Slater refreshed and renewed thanks to his new double-wide, team Smackdown is going to take this one thanks to The Beauty and the Man-Beast. Also, where is the Golden Truth? After the PPV The New Day will continue to entertain us (though they’re for sure going to lose the titles soon). Gallows and Anderson continue to be boring as hell, and Breezango take the Smackdown titles.

MATCH #4 – SURVIVOR SERIES WOMEN’S EDITION

Again there’s nothing at stake besides bragging rights in this (or any) Survivor Series matches. For that reason I’m not going to be breaking down the “What happens next” portion and instead focusing on how I think the match will play out.

TEAM RAW: Charlotte, Bayley, Nia Jax, Sasha Banks and Alicia Foxx
TEAM SMACKDOWN: Nikki Bella, Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, Carmella & Naomi

Matt – I think this one will be a shocker and end up going to team Smackdown.

Early eliminations will go to Alicia Foxx, Carmella and Naomi. From there I see Nia Jax going out unexpectedly follow by Alexa Bliss and Nikki Bella… you should see where this is going.

It’s going to turn into a Four Horsewomen 3 on 1 match between Banks, Bayley and Charlotte vs Becky. Bayley will be first to be eliminated. Banks will come in next but when things get rough she’s going to reach out to tag Charlotte and … Charlotte will already be halfway up the ramp. Team Raw might lose, but Charlotte’s “never pinned at a PPV” streak will remain intact. Banks will eat the pin and Becky will stand tall as both Smackdown Champion and the lone survivor for Team Smackdown.

Derek – Just looking at the promo image for this match – Bayley, Fia, Sasha, Charlotte… This one has to go to RAW. I think that we’ll see Charlotte vs Becky to finish the match off, though I’d love to see the insane power of Nia Jax shown off in this one.

Hopefully in the future Becky can keep the Smackdown belt forever (and I’m also a Natalia fan, so if she’s going to lose it, it would be neat to see Natalia get a shot). Sasha and Charlotte keep trading the belt forever and it’s super entertaining.

MATCH #5 – SURVIVOR SERIES MEN’S EDITION

For the 3rd and final time, there’s nothing at stake besides bragging rights in this (or any) Survivor Series matches. For that reason I’m not going to be breaking down the “What happens next” portion and instead focusing on how I think the match will play out.

TEAM RAW: Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Brawn Strowman
TEAM SMACKDOWN: AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton and Shane McMahon

Matt – This should go to Smackdown, but I just can’t see a situation where Vince won’t let Raw stand tall. Just like Nexus or WCW … Vince needs to make sure his baby looks best at the end of the day. That being said, we can still make it compelling.

I think Shane McMahon is in this match to take the first pin and Chris Jericho won’t be far behind. I think it’s revealed that Bray has control over Strowman early on and he has Strowman walk out (I know I’ve predicted a walk out in every match but when every team is filled with people who hate each other it’s bound to happen more than once). Bray is out next… potentially via Orton backstab (but it’s too damn early for that if you ask me).

Owens, AJ and Randy will be next to go because much like the women’s needed a Four Horsewomen moment, this needs a Shield mini-reunion. Dean will eventually eat the pin with Rollins and Reigns both standing tall.

Derek – This is actually my first Survivor Series… I’m not overly sure how things work, or how the booking generally goes. Based on the brands alone, I see Team RAW taking this one, and I’m pretty sure it’s not going to happen, but a Bray vs. Braun finish would be absolutely incredible. This could also be a great moment for Chris Jericho to turn on his best friend Kevin Owens in order to get some well deserved time in the spotlight. Randy continues to become a Wyatt, things fall apart between Chris and Kevin, and AJ continues to be an annoying champion.

MATCH #6 – Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar

The match designed because of a video game. Goldberg and Lesnar happened years ago and from everything I’m told was a huge disappointment. So now it’s time for a rematch.

WHO WILL WIN:
Matt – So I’m not sure if Brock is going to win, but Brock isn’t going to “lose” for real if that makes sense.

WWE has invested a lot of energy into making Brock Lesnar this unbeatable monster. You don’t end that to Goldberg in a one time appearance. There’s rumors of a Shane McMahon vs. Brock match at wrestlemania, if that’s true than I see Shane fucking things up for Brock in order for Goldberg to get the win… but I don’t think that will happen. If anything Brock wins this clean.

Derek – Goldberg. It has to be Goldberg. It’s his last match ever, and I’m sure that he didn’t agree to come back just to job to Brock. After Brock’s less than stellar Wrestlemania and Summerslam performances, I just hope that The Beast doesn’t phone this one in, and gives Goldie the respect that he deserves. If this week’s Raw was any indication, it should be a good one.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:
Matt – Depending how bad this match goes will determine if we get a “Round 3” of this match up in the future. I don’t expect that though, I’m thinking it’s a one and done match. I think soon we need someone to beat the Beast and I (like most of the internet) believe Nakamura is the man for the job. I”m hoping with all my heart that we get that at Wrestlemania this year. I even put it on my Christmas list. Please Santa Baby! I’ve been pretty good for the most part.

Derek – Goldberg is gone for good, and Brock disappears for awhile. Maybe we’ll get a neat Brock vs. Braun storyline whenever he comes back again.