WWE has finally put the fraught and much-maligned Crown Jewel event behind it. Now, the road is clear for its annual fall spectacle – Survivor Series.
The build had begun as early as October, and it only intensified on Monday’s episode of Raw. Two more matches were announced, and even then, there is still space for one or two more.
That being said, here is a projected order of the matches that are expected to take place at Daikin Park on November 28.
Opener: Team Mexico Vs. Team USA – Traditional Survivor Series match
Survivor Series has had not had its titular five vs.five match since 2021, which was the last year of the event’s brand supremacy format before Triple H carried over the WarGames theme from NXT. Thus, a sizable number of fans were pleasantly surprised when Rey Mysterio announced such a match during an appearance on Stephanie McMahon’s What Your Story? podcast.
What is unique about this, however, is that it will be based around nations. Mysterio will lead a Mexican side, while Cody Rhodes will do the same with an American side.
As for their teammates, new World Tag Team Champions Penta and Je’Von Evans could find themselves opposing each other. It is an interesting dynamic that has been seen in other promotions like New Japan and STARDOM, but in WWE? That is new.
Match Two: Women’s WarGames match
The challenge for this was set last Friday: Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Tatum Paxley, and Bayley against Fatal Influence, Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab.
As it stands, the faces are one person short, but there is one obvious candidate to complete their side – Iyo Sky. “The Genius of the Sky” has participated in every WarGames match since the concept was first introduced in 2019. In 2023, she began the annual tradition of having a spot with her trusty garbage can, and another should be expected this year.
Here is hoping, however, that the heels actually win this time. For the past four years, women’s WarGames has has been basically a glorified house show match that the faces have to win for a “cute” moment afterward. Enough of that “fanservice” – things need to change for once.
Match Three: Sami Zayn (C) Vs. Kevin Owens – WWE Championship match
Almost no one expected Sami Zayn to be a major player in WWE – and then he got the WWE title this year. Now, he is expected to enter Houston with a marquee defense.
His opponent should be none other than frenemy Kevin Owens, and it comes with an interesting backdrop. Years ago, back when they were in NXT, “The Prizefighter” was the brutal heel challenger who turned on his best friend to get what he wanted. Now, the roles have been reversed – Zayn is the embittered heel champion; Owens is the fiery tweener challenger.
Title matches do not get any more personal than this. Expect a mix of emotion and technical skill with this one.
Co-Main: Liv Morgan (C) vs. Becky Lynch – Women’s World Championship match
Liv Morgan’s current reign as Women’s World Champion has been widely condemned as one of the worst of all time, given the constant interference and disastrous booking of her opponents. Luckily, her next defense should hopefuly be straightforward.
On Monday’s episode of Raw, General Manager Adam Pearce told the Judgment Day that Lynch would be defending her title against Becky Lynch. Their match two weeks abo ended in a disqualification after the rest of the Judgment Day attacked Lynch. Now, there needs to be a deterrent – if Morgan’s allies are caught interfering, she will lose the title immediately.
Regardless of whoever wins, Stephanie Vaquer should be a particularly interested observer. “La Primera” is still in the periphery despite taking time off because of an illness, and her return should have her seeking the title straight away.
Main Event: Men’s WarGames match
The Bloodline has been a core part of WarGames since the concept made its main-roster debut for Survivor Series 2022. Every even-numbered year, it has formed one side of the titular match.
2026 will the faction’s most formidable opposition yet, as the 946 have risen to challenge its hegemony. Royce Keys, Lucien Price, Bronco Nima, Carmelo Hayes, and Cruz Montana are a band of “street thugs” who can cause chaos everywhere. One need only look at how they decimated Chad Gable, Rey Fenix, and Big Cass after the trio’s Intercontinental Championship contender match.
Nothing else presents a more fitting finale to this show than this war of factions. Much hatred will be shed inside the cage, and it will be a sight to behold.
End Of My Survivor Series Rant
Now, there are two matches that just missed the cut for Survivor Series. One is Finn Balor vs. GUNTHER – which was supposed to happen at Crown Jewel, only for the Austrian to refuse to travel to Saudi Arabia. Theoretically, it could open the go-home episode of SmackDown.
The other match is the WWE Women’s Championship rematch between Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green. This one had a hot start, as Stratton betrayed her friend with a cash-in at Crown Jewel. How Green reacts to this will be a crucial point in her career, as she was apparently booked weekly during her reign. Will she rise above the pain, or will Stratton permanently crush her dreams?
