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LOOKING AT HOW THE SURVIVOR SERIES WILL SHAKE UP THE WWE BRAND SPLIT

How will Survivor Series shape after WWE’s brand split?

Nearly twenty years after the infamous ‘Screwjob’, Survivor Series will return to Canada on November 20th. The Canadian fans in attendance will certainly be raucous, but will WWE provide the necessary fireworks to appease fans elsewhere? The event has been arguably the most disappointing of the ‘Big 4’ PPVs in recent years, but WWE has a chance to change all that this year.

The recent Brand Split has had a mixed response so far, with neither Raw nor Smackdown really yet setting down their markers in the ‘new era’. Survivor Series was thought to be the first real shot for the company to shine a light on the inter-brand rivalry, as Summer Slam came too soon after the split. Instead, WWE have used a tried and tested formula, bringing out the big guns in Brock Lesnar vs. Bill Goldberg. Whatever your thoughts on part-time wrestlers, this promises to be a thrilling encounter. Goldberg is in fantastic shape, and the outcome of the match is really in doubt; something that has been lacking from WWE in recent times. Moreover, what direction WWE will take with Goldberg after the bout is even more intriguing. Will it set up a series of matches between the pair? Or will they take Goldberg in another direction, potentially setting something up for Wrestlemania next year.

While it has been somewhat overshadowed by the Goldberg vs. Lesnar match, the Men’s Team Smackdown vs. Team Raw elimination match could be the highlight of the night. The sub plots of having former members of the Shield and the Wyatt family in the ring on opposing sides should be fascinating, and potentially lead to an interesting finish. The mixture of heels and babyfaces on the same team has been a staple of Survivor Series in the past, and it should provide the platform for several storylines going forward.

The Women’s Division has been getting more and more exposure in recent times, and the Women’s Elimination Match will probably offer a bit of respite from the pulsating Champions programme between Charlotte and Sasha Banks. The fact that Survivor Series is being held in Canada is sure to be significant. We all know that WWE loves to reference its past, so expect Natalya to perform some symbolic role highlighting what happened to her uncle Bret in 1997, or someone getting ‘screwed’ by the referee after a Sharpshooter.  Perhaps the Hitman himself will make an appearance at the event?

The truth is that WWE has done a good job of providing some mystery around this year’s Survivor Series event. The Brand Split has helped create a number of matches that are not foregone conclusions, which can only be seen as good for the business. If you feel the matches are predictable and you crave other types of wrestling and fighting, perhaps you should check out wrestling betting odds at William Hill, who take bets on UFC/MMA. Whatever happens at Survivor Series, it should set the tone for what is going to take place inside the squared circle for the next six months or so. WWE has the chance to set up some intriguing rivalries for the near future - hopefully they take that chance and run with it.

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