Sunday night is the last Big-4-PPV 2018 with the Survivor Series. At the Staples Center in Los Angeles, everything will revolve around the battle between Raw and SmackDown. Universal Champion Brock Lesnar meets the freshly crowned WWE Champ Daniel Bryan and Charlotte Flair represents the injured Becky Lynch in the match against Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey.
Schlauchy: How bad is the current Raw Tag Team Division? Here only the SmackDown team can win on principle. SAnitY are at least in theory an absolute top team. In addition, the Usos and New Day are the two best teams of recent years. In no other area you can see such a big gradient between red and blue as in the Tag Teams. Should be an unambiguous story. Is that how you feel about it?
Kneisel: You take the tip from me completely, I don’t have much to add. It looks like a jobber vs. All Stars Match, the appointment is ridiculous and accordingly rightly in the kickoff – as unfortunate as it is for the Usos, New Day and SAnitY. The fact that the latter is suddenly sent to the PPV after months of practically forgetting it is funny. With regard to the Raw team, I just wish they could do something with Chad Gable and Bobby Roode, because they are also sold well below value. Clear case: Team SmackDown gets the 1-0, everything else would be absurdity on Crown Jewel level.
Kneisel: Even as a big AOP fan I wasn’t really happy about her title win. A 2-on-1 handicap match, where Akam & Rezar was zero, but Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose was the sole target – and this after the two ex-NXT-Tag-Champs had already been booted weakly or not at all since the call-up (but still marginally better than SAnitY). Accordingly, her title win feels meaningless and I fear that it will lead her nowhere in perspective. Since Cesaro & Sheamu have Big Show at their side, it’s clear to me: Victory for The Bar, 1-1 equalization. How do you see the title of AOP?
Schlauchy: Similar to you, just very bitter. A first title win should be hard fought for and not be an accessory to another feud. The Authors of Pain were a dream at NXT. But in the Main Roster everything has been done so far to push them into oblivion. Sadly, winning the title doesn’t change anything. Somehow they seem to keep the title warm just for somebody (whoever). On the other side are The Bar, which were ridiculed by WrestleMania and don’t inspire me very much anymore. Nevertheless, I didn’t give up hope that the title win for the AOP would be the starting signal for a demonstration of power. That’s why Akam & Rezar are my tip. SD 1, Raw 1.
Schlauchy: Mustafa Ali has been one of my favorites at 205 Live for quite some time. Meanwhile he has been so close to the title so often that his time should come. At the same time, I have never been a supporter of Murphy and continue to be so. All in all, I hope and believe that Mustafa has taken Ali’s hour and he will be the new Cruiserweight Champ.
Kneisel: I can’t understand how you can watch Murphy’s matches and not become a fan! The same is true for Mustafa, which is why this match is my personal highlight on the card. But as it has the lowest priority from WWE’s point of view, you almost have to hope that it will end up in the kickoff after all. Regardless, I’m convinced that these two fantastic wrestlers will get the most out of the possibilities they’ve got and burn down a firework display. Murphy deserves a longer run from my point of view, but I also like Mustafa Ali, who simply has more charisma and without a doubt has earned the title for quite some time.
Kneisel: Daniel Bryan out, Shane McMahon maybe out, Baron Corbin maybe in, Finn Bálor shouldn’t be in at all, but Kurt Angle – in view of all these last-minute changes and rumours about possible others, it’s incredibly difficult for me to make a forecast about this match. Since Raw with Braun Strowman vs. Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Lashley, who could be distracted by the absurdly missing Elias on the card, the conflict potential is much higher, I guess Team SmackDown (SD 2, Raw 1). Besides, the blue brand has the freshly crowned Best in the World in its ranks, doesn’t it?
Schlauchy: Of course you’re talking to me about that. But on principle, it has to be said here again: Best in the World forever: CM Punk. Unfortunately this will not show up on Sunday. My argumentation on the winning tip is very similar to yours: The cracks in the red team are simply too obvious and I am sure that during the match a few feuds will develop/continue. I wouldn’t rule out an intervention by Angle either. On the blue side, the match will serve to place Shane McMahon (if he is) further as Heel Best in the World by somehow dusting off the victory for Team SmackDown, giving them a 2-1 lead.
Schlauchy: It’s impressive how unattractive a raw roster can be, even though there are so many top talents in it. Bayley, Sasha Banks or Ember Moon – I would have loved to have seen all three of them. Now by far the most interesting woman remains with Raw Natalya. SmackDown is making the most of Becky’s injury. Nevertheless, I don’t see a chance for the blue fire. Nia, if she doesn’t smash straight faces or distribute concussions, will destroy them all and with at least Tamina win the thing for Team Raw. In my personal Raw vs. SD Count it’s 2:2. I have no desire for the match and expect a Botch-Fest. How’s your anticipation?
Kneisel: It’s not much higher than yours. Thanks to Captain Alexa Bliss, Raw has the “harmonious” Heel Team at the start, where I wouldn’t be surprised if the four of them turn against Natalya at some point to show that they don’t need them. My need to see Nia, Tamina or Mickie James is just under zero and Ruby Riott is the only one on the raw team next to Natalya whose matches I don’t want to switch off immediately. SmackDown has the much more talented team, but will – as you mentioned before – lose pretty much, because you don’t protect Asuka or Carmella in any way. In the end, probably Natalya will be destroyed by Nia, victory and 2:2 compensation for Team Raw.
Page 1: Tag-Team Matchups and Murphy vs. Ali
Page 2: Rollins vs. Nakamura and Lesnar vs. Bryan