(Note: All images courtesy of WWE.com. I own nothing.)
Ryback, Erick Rowan, & Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins, Big Show, & Kane
I could have sworn Survivor Series was a few months ago. So why am I watching it again? Really this should be Ziggler vs. Rollins in a one on one match, but they did it on Raw and SmackDown, so they decided to add the other two formerly unemployed members of Team Cena, and what's left of Kane and Big Show's careers. I really don't have a whole lot to say about this match, so I'll just go ahead and say the babyfaces take the win.
Winners: Ryback, Erick Rowan, & Dolph Ziggler
Goldust vs. Stardust
This Goldust/Stardust breakup has needed to happen for a long time now, as the team is currently treading water right now. The fact that Stardust has finally been outed as Cody Rhodes tells me that the return of the young Rhodes is imminent. With that said, I didn't understand at first why they finally set up the brother vs. brother match at a throwaway PPV, but I kinda do now. Goldust should go over in this match, causing Cody to renounce Stardust and revert to being himself. Goldie would then challenge his brother to a match at WrestleMania; Cody accepts under one condition...Goldust must put his career on the line.
Will that play out exactly like that? I doubt it, but nonetheless, Goldust is my pick.
Winner: Goldust
Intercontinental Championship Match: Bad News Barrett (c) vs. Dean Ambrose
While I am certain that these two men will put on a pretty good match, the buildup was a little too hokey for my taste. It really is a shame how far the IC Title has fallen, especially when your five time champion BNB has lost nearly every non-title match he has ever competed in, plus the injuries didn't do him much justice either. I believe Ambrose will be the next IC champ, but I think that won't happen until WrestleMania. Until then, I pick Barrett to retain.
Winner: Bad News Barrett
Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos (c) vs. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd
This should be one of the two sleeper matches of the night if given a considerable amount of time. The other sleeper match? More on that shortly. With the looming reunion of the Prime Time Players and the recent debut of The Lucha Dragons, putting the tag titles on a heel team doesn't sound like such a bad idea. But with Rikishi being inducted into the Hall of Fame next month, it would look good for The Usos to induct their dad as champs, so the brothers retain here.
Winners: The Usos
Divas Championship Match: Nikki Bella (c) w/ Brie Bella vs. Paige
I'll let you all in on a little secret...that other sleeper match that I was referring to? This is it.
Okay, put down your torches and pitchforks and let me explain for a minute. Even though the storytelling leading up to this match was downright brutal as hell (Pale vs. tan? Seriously?), these two proved that they can have a good match earlier this year when they faced off on Main Event. If they can get about the same time they did in that match, things should go pretty smooth from there. I don't think Paige regains the Divas Title just yet, maybe post-Mania. Nikki retains after hopefully a solid near 10 minute match.
Winner: Nikki Bella
United States Championship Match: Rusev (c) vs. John Cena
Oh boy.
I've been going through three possible outcomes in my head ever since this match was announced. I, like I assume most of everyone, was expecting this match to take place at WrestleMania, but was wrong. Since it is taking place here with the U.S Title at stake, here are the three possible outcomes:
Outcome #1 - Cena beats Rusev and wins the U.S Title. The title is held by the number one guy in the company, giving the title a renewed standing. Rusev gets his rematch at Mania, where he defeats Cena and regains the title. Rusev gets a HUGE rub from defeating The Guy at WrestleMania. Likely since this is John Cena we're talking about, but not what I'm going with.
Outcome #2 - Rusev actually beats Cena clean, making him pass out to The Accolade. Notice I didn't say tap out. Cena never gives up after all, right? The loss takes its toll on Cena, with him believing he let his fans down. He is then not seen or heard from for weeks. Rusev and Lana claim they have finally drove Cena out of WWE, but he shows up a week before Mania with a new serious attitude. He invokes his rematch clause for Mania and defeats Rusev for the title. My personal scenario, but not likely.
Outcome #3 - The match never actually happens, and the two fight to a no-contest. A rematch is set for WrestleMania, where Cena subsequently beats Rusev in a likely no-disqualification match.
So...uhh. Two out of three of those scenarios result in Cena beating Rusev at WrestleMania.
...Yeah.
Best of luck in your future Cendeavors, Rusev.
The match ends in a no-contest.
#1 Contender's Match: Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan
I'm about to make what may either be the smartest or the dumbest things that I have ever said as a wrestling fan.
Okay, here goes. (Deep breath.....)
...Roman Reigns should win this match.
Here's the deal, if Reigns was positioned to win the Royal Rumble and face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, then honestly Daniel Bryan should not have been anywhere near the Rumble unless he would win. Announce Bryan's return after the Rumble so that way it would not overshadow Reigns's victory. But what's done is done, so here we are now. The end of show brawl between these two on Raw was excellent, and I have no doubt that they will put on a hell of a match.
With that said, I believe that this match was set up to make sure Reigns is prepared for the beast by going 20 or so minutes with arguably the best wrestler in the company. And if there's anyone who can get Reigns the rub he needs, Daniel Bryan can do it. Reigns wins after a hard-fought battle after which both men shake hands and Bryan raises Roman's arm out of respect. Will Roman make it out of the WrestleMania fire? Only time will tell...
Winner: Roman Reigns
Well folks, that will just about do it for me. As always, follow us on Twitter @PWManifesto and follow me @MrShadowAcers. Until next time, thanks for reading.
