One of the biggest PPV events of the year is set for Saturday night in Illinois. WWE returns to Rosemont, Illinois for Survivor Series on Saturday night where some massive storylines are set to play out. The event will feature two WarGames matches that will take place just outside of Chicago.
One of the WarGames matches will feature a team consisting of Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, Seth Rollins, and the returning Randy Orton facing off against JD McDonagh, Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, Finn Balor, and Dominik Mysterio. The other match will include Damage CTRL’s team of Bayley, Asuka, Iyo Sky, and Kairi Sane facing off against the team of Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, and Shotzi.
Rhodes, Uso, and Rollins have had ongoing conflicts with the Judgement Day faction, using their numbers advantage to gain the upper hand. In the women’s match, there have been discord among Damage CTRL, but with Asuka turning heel and joining the team along with a returning Sane, things seem to be on more level terms. The event will be streaming live on Peacock at 8 p.m. ET with a kickoff show one hour prior.
WWE Survivor Series 2023 predictions
Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, Seth Rollins & Randy Orton vs. JD McDonagh, Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, Finn Balor & Dominick Mysterio (WarGames Match)
As is the case with most WarGames matches, there are about 30 sub-plots at play here. Still, it’s hard to get past just the idea of Randy Orton returning from his long layoff and not having his hand raised at the end of the match. The only real way I can grasp that mentally is Orton turning on his team to align with Judgment Day. Pick: Rhodes, Zayn, Uso, Rollins & Orton win — Brent Brookhouse (also Shakiel Mahjouri)
Damage CTRL (Bayley, Asuka, Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane) vs. Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch & Shotzi
Damage CTRL is looking overcrowded but it’s imperative the company makes good on this reset. The original group had a lot of potential but was plagued by inconsistent booking. The sense is that Bayley will eventually get ousted from the group. If WWE wants anyone to care about the story, they need to believe that Damage CTRL is a big deal. Pick: Damage CTRL win — Mahjouri (also Brookhouse)
Intercontinental Championship — Gunther (c) vs. The Miz
The most interesting part of this match is just how easily WWE fans can go with a somewhat random turn. Miz has been almost exclusively a heel for years and years now but by winning a single fatal five-way and standing up to Gunther, he’s now being presented as — and more importantly accepted as — a babyface. Pick: Gunther retains the title — Brookhouse (also Mahjouri)
Women’s World Championship — Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Zoey Stark
This match is meant to extend Ripley’s reign of terror and showcase Stark’s in-ring talents. The outcome is not in doubt. Ripley’s eventual defeat requires much more than a short build and a battle royal to crown the challenger. Pick: Rhea Ripley retains the title — Mahjouri (also Brookhouse)
Carlito vs. Santos Escobar
WWE has a chance to turn Escobar into a legitimate player. It would make no sense to have him lose to a midcard veteran like Carlito. Escobar should overcome Carlito’s initial fire and get a clean victory as he begins a new chapter as an emerging top heel on the main roster. Pick: Santos Escobar wins — Brookhouse (also Mahjouri)
