WWE Survivor Series 2013: Last-minute predictions
Survivor Series is considered one of the "big four" pay-per-views for WWE along WrestleMania, Royal Rumble and Summerslam.
It holds that distinction for good reason as a number of memorable events occurred at the even, including Undertaker's and The Rock's debuts in 1990 and 1996 respectively; Bret Hart's return in 1996; The Rock's first WWE Championship in 1998; the thankful end to the Invasion storyline in 2001; Shawn Michaels' World title win in the first Elimination Chamber in 2002; and even The Shield's debut in 2012.
The event has also seen its share of infamous ones as well such as the "Montreal Screw Job," and the debut of the Gobbledy Gooker.
The 2013 edition will more than likely not have anything memorable happen.
Unfortunately, poor booking and a rather lackluster main event give this edition of WWE's fall classic no momentum whatsoever. Could it turn out to be a memorable show? Anything is possible. But as of this writing there isn't much that would warrant a $55 purchase of the show.
Nonetheless, predictions have to be made and the 27th annual Survivor Series features seven announced matches.
Here's what I think will happen Sunday night at the TD Garden in Boston:
Main Event: Randy Orton (c) vs. Big Show – WWE Championship
Remember that lackluster main event I mentioned earlier? Well, this is it. I don't know anyone that would put down their hard-earned money to see these two go at it on top of the card no matter how hot the angle is heading into it.
And this particular angle is lukewarm at best. That's why it wouldn't surprise me if this match winds up either in the middle of the show or in the semi main event in favor of John Cena's match because he's wrestling in front of his hometown.
As for a prediction, with the way the angle has been booked so far, Big Show would have to win, but I don't believe that will happen.
For one, I just can't imagine Big Show as the WWE Champion, which is the WWE's top title. I simply can't picture the company handing him that title in 2013. The last time he held the title was 2002 and the time before that was 1999. Neither time was very successful.
Secondly, Triple H told Orton that he would receive no help during the match, which would leads me to believe that he will indeed receive help or that WWE is purposely going trying to make Orton look like a credible a credible champion with a clean victory.
Either way, Orton retains the title.
Prediction: Randy Orton RETAINS the WWE Championship.
John Cena (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio – World Heavyweight Championship
Let's get the prediction part out of the way. Cena will win.
With that settled, here's a match that us fans have seen time and time again and we're apparently receiving a treat by seeing it for the 195th time Sunday night.
Whatever thought that Del Rio could actually win this match occurred after he locked Cena in the cross arm breaker with a steel chair a couple of weeks ago, but went right out the window when Cena seemed perfectly fine this past Monday and even beat up his challenger.
Hopefully, after Cena beats Del Rio, Del Rio is given some time off. If there's one victim of overexposure it has been Del Rio.
He's on almost every show during a given week and doesn't do anything particularly show stopping to justify it. It's nothing against his talent. I actually like Del Rio and believe he has an immense amount of it.
But most fans, including myself, are fatigued of him. He's been in a World title match either as the challenger or as the champion on every pay-per-view this year except one, Extreme Rules in May. That only happened because the champion, Dolph Ziggler, was injured.
Prediction: John Cena RETAINS the World Heavyweight Championship.
CM Punk & Daniel Bryan vs. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan
Although CM Punk and Bryan are essentially being relegated to the mid card for this match, it should still be an entertaining one nonetheless.
I expect great in-ring work from all four men involved and the match could possibly steal the show, which would not be hard to with on this card.
As far as a winner, Bray Wyatt being at ringside tempts me to picking the Wyatts. But since Wyatt is at ringside, he does not have to be pinned because he isn't in the match.
Therefore, I see CM Punk and Bryan, two former WWE Champions, to defeat Rowan and Harper to gain some measure of revenge. The angle will more than likely continue after Sunday night.
Prediction: CM Punk and Daniel Bryan defeat Luke Harper and Erick Rowan.
Cody Rhodes, Goldust, the Usos & Rey Mysterio vs. The Shield, the Real Americans – Traditional Survivor Series match
This one was kind of tough to predict, but the deciding factor for me was Mysterio. Since this will be Mysterio's first match in a very long time, I wouldn't expect him to do a whole, but still be involved in the finish and win the match for his team so there could be that feel good moment for him.
This should be a great match with a lot of action.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes, Goldust, the Usos & Rey Mysterio defeat the Shield and the Real Americans
Total Divas vs. Non-Total Divas – Traditional Survivor Series match
The only thing that would prevent the non-Total Divas from losing this match is Divas Champion AJ Lee.
But I doubt that will matter in the eyes of WWE because they feel s though that promoting the reality is more important than logical booking.
Thus, the Total Divas will in.
Prediction: Total Divas defeat the non-Total Divas
Big E Langston (c) vs. Curtis Axel – Intercontinental Championship
Since Langston just won the title last, I doubt WWE would take it off him this quickly. It should be a solid match, but expect Langston retain his newly won championship.
Prediction: Big E Langston RETAINS the Intercontinental Championship
Pre-show match: Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz
Since The Miz thankfully turned back into a heel on this past Monday's Raw, I expect WWE would not have him lose this quickly, especially to Kingston. No disrespect to Kingston.
Expect The Miz to win and move on to greener pastures as a heel.
Prediction: The Miz defeats Kofi Kingston