This Sunday, WWE presents one of the original four PPVs -- the Survivor Series.
This pay-per-view accomplishes two things that other PPVs do not. First, it gives us unique pairings and matchups. Second, it really paves the way for WrestleMania, as titles and feuds are established.
Let's examine each match.
WWE Champion Triple H vs. challengers Vladamir Kozlov vs. Jeff Hardy. PICK: Since Smackdown was taped early last week, most everyone knows by now Hardy will officially be added to this match after Friday's Smackdown airing. It's obvious WWE didn't have faith in Kozlov being able to have a respectable one-on-one match vs. Triple H. So, WWE has thrown in the wild card in Hardy. Hardy has twice failed WWE's Wellness Policy. One more strike and he is gone from the company. So, WWE's dilemma is whether or not to give him a run with the title. I'm 50-50 on this. As much of a push WWE is giving Hardy right now, I think they actually will give him a run with the title. Of course, HHH would get it back, probably, by January.
Undertaker vs. Big Show in a casket match. PICK: I'm going with the Big Show here, since Undertaker will probably take a few months off before WrestleMania XXV.
Team Batista (with R-Truth, Matt Hardy, CM Punk, Kofi Kingston) vs. Team Orton (with Cody Rhodes, William Regal, Shelton Benjamin, Mark Henry). PICK: As I said last week, Orton's team is a little strong on paper. R-Truth, Punk and Kingston have been in depushes of late, while Hardy has a real injury. While Orton's team has some chemistry story line issues, the other teammates will send them to victory. I see Batista being left to face Orton and Rhodes by himself before Batista is eliminated.
Team HBK (with Rey Mysterio, The Great Khali and Cryme Tyme) vs. Team JBL (Kane, MVP, The Miz, John Morrison). PICK: Again, the heel team (JBL) has a slight edge on paper. But JBL isn't the strong link as captain -- HBK is. And The Great Khali will be difficult to eliminate. On that note, expect Khali, HBK and Mysterio to be left in the ring with JBL, The Miz, John Morrison and Kane. Eventually, expect Michaels to somehow be the last man standing.
Team Raw (Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Candice Michelle, Jillian) vs. Team Smackdown (Michelle McCool, Maria, Maryse, Victoria, Natayla. PICK: Team Raw seems to have the edge on paper, but the wild card is how Phoenix will co-exist with her team which has three faces. For that reason, I see McCool and Natalya to be left standing as Phoenix and Mickie or Candice are the final Raw eliminations.
Chris Jericho vs. John Cena. PICK: Remember how CM Punk was a short-term champion. Expect the same with Jericho. A main event for WM XXV (Cena-Orton or Cena-Batista) needs to start being put into action, and that can only be done with Cena as champion.
