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Countdown to WWE Survivor Series
By
SLAM! Wrestling
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SURVIVOR SERIES HISTORY
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From the SLAM! Wrestling archives:
Nov. 19, 2007: Survivor Series ends with an Edge
Nov 27, 2006: WWE kills 'Survivor Series'
Nov 28, 2005: Smackdown wins, but Undertaker the real Survivor
Nov 15, 2004: Orton survives at Survivor Series
Nov 17, 2003: Goldberg survives, Austin doesn't at Survivor Series
Nov. 19, 2001: WWF pulls out Survivor Series win
Nov. 20, 2000: Weak stunt ruins Survivor Series
Nov. 15, 1999: Booking blows Survivor Series
Nov. 16, 1998: The Rock wins Survivor Series tourney
Nov. 10, 1997: Survivor Series screws the fans
1997-2008 Pay-per-view-reports
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It wasn't too long ago that the Survivor Series was solely the elimination
matches. I guess WWE, at one point or another, wised up and realized that no
one would want to see the same gimmick match five or six times in one night
(TNA, are you reading this?). Now, we get a suitable number with three such
matches, though I'll say that I'm disappointed. This would be the perfect way
to get some of the younger ECW guys some PPV exposure and experience. A guy
like Jack Swagger could really benefit from the Series.
Since that's not going to happen, let's see what will (oh, and for those who
are wondering why the World Title match is last on the list, ask WWE. This is
the order as it appears on wwe.com).
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WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH (Triple Threat)
Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Vladimir Kozlov |
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WHAT YOU THINK
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Who will win the WWE Championship Match at Survivor Series?
Vladimir Kozlov - 39%
Triple H - 61%
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SLAM! Predictions
Brian Elliott
The addition of Jeff Hardy to this match may be a positive, but the fact that
it is Triple Threat match is not. A cynic would say that such a match would
allow Triple H to lose the title without being pinned, and with that in mind,
I see Kozlov taking the title.
Andy McNamara
This is where Jeff Hardy finally gets his world title...but it comes by pinning
Kozlov not The Game. If he does not win it here then WWE has to take Hardy out
of the title picture as his journey for the gold has gone on for way too long.
Jon Waldman
To me, this has to be the point where Jeff wins the belt. We all know that he's
headed for a heel turn, but there is no better time than to do it after he gets
the biggest pop of his life. The Series is a big enough show for the moment
to happen. I'm guessing that he'll steal the victory from Triple H after Hunter
Pedigrees Kozlov, to start the heel turn, leading to the full move to the dark
side on Friday.
Matt Mackinder
Kozlov is Vince’s latest brag piece, so it’s not out of the question
for him to take the belt here. However, Hardy has had chance after chance and
never gets booked to win anything, so he’s probably on the outside looking
in. My pick? Triple H, of course, retains. His daddy-in-law said so.
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GRUDGE MATCH (Casket)
Undertaker vs. The Big Show
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SLAM! Predictions
Brian Elliott
Having The Undertaker wrestle giants was passé almost 15 years ago, which
shows you the progress WWE has made. Undertaker to win.
Andy McNamara
This is the rubber match for these two, and hopefully the end to a mediocre
feud. Survivor Series is where Undertaker first debuted many moons ago and there
is no way he is losing this one. It would have been cool to see a classic coffin
making vignette with Paul Bearer like in the good ol' days.
Jon Waldman
I have yet to care about this feud. After Friday night's antics, I'd expect
'Taker to lose and go on his regular sabbatical, only to be reborn just prior
to the Royal Rumble. Show wins.
Matt Mackinder
This is the time to go grab a bite to eat or head to the can. Casket matches
have no luster any more and this feud is another recycled feud that shows how
thin the WWE talent roster really is. ‘Taker wins, the purple light shines
down, blah blah blah.
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SURVIVOR SERIES MATCH
Batista/Kofi Kingston/CM Punk/R-Truth/Matt Hardy
vs.
Randy Orton/William Regal/Cody Rhodes/Mark Henry/Shelton Benjamin |
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SLAM! Predictions
Brian Elliott
In wanting to keep both on an even keel, I can see Batista and Randy Orton battling
to a double count-out. CM Punk will ultimately be the sole survivor.
Andy McNamara
Batista and Kofi are the survivors for their team as Kofi gets the pin to eliminate
Orton thanks to an assist from Batista.
Jon Waldman
Explain, please, why Manu isn't wrestling here. Is he
that bad? I'm betting
that it's here that Matt Hardy is put out of action. Of the two men's matches,
this is the one that makes more sense for the heels to win, and I'll take Orton
and Rhodes as the survivors.
Matt Mackinder
Hopefully, Henry gets eliminated first so we don’t have to look at this
sweaty heffer. The bookers can’t even book a singles match right, so how
in the world does this get done? Here’s how – Matt Hardy survives,
gets a huge ovation (oh sorry, a huge “pop”) and continues his rapid
push to nowhere. Oh wait, he IS the ECW champ, right? Right. That’s why
I said nowhere.
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SURVIVOR SERIES MATCH
Shawn Michaels/Rey Mysterio/Cryme Tyme/Great Khali
vs.
JBL/Kane/The Miz/John Morrison/MVP |
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SLAM! Predictions
Brian Elliott
I don't see any surprises in this match, and expect HBK, Rey, and Khali all
to survive.
Andy McNamara
JBL is the sole survivor for his team, which pushes him strong for his feud
with HBK.
Jon Waldman
The intriguing part here is that John Morrison could be launched into a whole
new realm of superstardom. I'd have him pin everyone except Michaels, who could
get his revenge Superkick from Monday and lead-in to a great feud. HBK will
be the sole survivor here.
Matt Mackinder
Cryme Tyme and Khali in the same ring at the same time and on the same team?
This match looks like an afterthought. MVP wins the match for his team and ends
his losing streak. Wow. Some genius writing there.
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SURVIVOR SERIES MATCH
Beth Phoenix/Mickie James/Jillian Hall/Candice Michelle/Kelly Kelly
vs.
Victoria/Natalya/Michelle McCool/Maria/Maryse |
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SLAM! Predictions
Brian Elliott
In what has the potential to be the worst match of the year - it will likely
only be saved by being very short indeed - McCool will be the sole survivor.
Andy McNamara
This is really a pick'em, so I'll go with the Raw Divas for no particular reason.
Mickie and Candice are the survivors.
Jon Waldman
This one's a tough call, but you get the feeling that Kelly Kelly will survive
since she's the one getting the big push on Raw these days. I'd like to see
Beth Phoenix survive as well.
Matt Mackinder
The bounciest team wins and gets a free visit to the plastic surgeon. This might
be a good time to call the pizza guy or get a quick nap in. And oh yeah, the
Raw gals win and Beth and Mickie survive.
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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
John Cena vs. Chris Jericho |
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SLAM! Predictions
Brian Elliott
Though I can't help but feel that it is going to be over before it has run its
course, Cena will come back and take the title from Jericho, and will soon begin
the build for a Wrestlemania match with Batista.
Andy McNamara
This one will go on last and the pop for Cena in his hometown return should
be deafening. It would make sense to have Jericho retain to make this a real
feud, and everyone is expecting Cena to win. I'm going with Y2J, although doing
what makes sense doesn't always go hand in hand with the WWE writing team.
Jon Waldman
This one just reeks of a Cena win, but I get the feeling that WWE's holding
back his big victory until at least the Rumble. Jericho needs the win here,
but it will definitely involve shenanigans, maybe even from Batista.
Matt Mackinder
Cena’s big return. In Boston. On pay-per-view. For the World title. Of
course he wins.
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman
