And then there was Survivor Series, the time of the year when WWE’s brand split “means something” and members of each roster go head-to-head to show which brand is… the best? Ignore the fact that both this year and last year we had brand drafts a month before so a good amount of the wrestlers representing each brand were on the other brand a month ago.
So on the plus side, in theory the card writes itself - each brand has 4 championships (discounting the WWE 24/7 title and the brand-floating WWE Women’s Tag Team titles) so they face off along with a men’s and women’s classic survivor series style matches. On the minus side, despite the card writing itself my backgrounds for each match became far more complicated as each match called for material from both shows instead of just one per match. On the minus minus side, does “brand supremacy” mean anything? When bundles with the brand draft only being a month ago, it really doesn’t mean anything. Do the wrestlers really care what color shirt they wear now?
This year especially there seems to be far more in-fighting between the survivor series teams, though that may be chalked up to the surprisingly refreshing lack of brand-against-brand attacks on each show. Usually those become just a clusterfuck in most cases. Not all cases - it really made The Man Becky Lynch back in 2018 when Nia Jax accidentally broke Lynch’s face (re: clusterfuck) mid-brawl giving us the best wrestling visual of easily the last 5 years, snowballed into stopping the planned Becky Lynch/Ronda Rousey match due to legitimate injury which then gave us that match (plus Charlotte Flair because Charlotte Flair) in the fucking main event of WWE WrestleMania 35. In fact, the likely main event, Drew McIntyre vs Roman Reigns, has that same WrestleMania-calibur feel to it. But overall? It mostly feels like we’re killing time until WrestleMania-season starts with the Royal Rumble.
How do we make it feel important? My proposal would be to add stakes to the men’s and women’s survivor series matches by giving each brand (and presumably the surviving wrestlers of each team) the chance at getting the #30 spot in the Royal Rumble. Does the #30 spot always win the Rumble? No, only three times (Undertaker in 2007, John Cena in 2008, and Triple H in 2015), but it’s always presented as a coveted spot. And what about the singles titles matches? How about the winning champion gets to main-event one of the WrestleMania nights (because we should continue WrestleMania being a 2-night affair). This guarantees we have both a men’s and women’s title matches as the main event and gives more than just “bragging rights.”
Now, before we get to our staff stats, how about some Survivor Series stats - you know, for the brand supremacy. Since the current brand-split began in 2016, there have been 4 Survivor Series shows. Raw defeated Smackdown 2-1 in 2016, Raw defeated Smackdown 4-3 in 2017, Raw defeated Smackdown 6-0 in 2018 (Smackdown did win a match on the pre-show but for some reason it doesn’t count), and then out of nowhere NXT defeated both Smackdown and Raw 4-2-1 in 2019. Because NXT was so awesome last year they have not been invited back, and to be fair I’m pretty sure Bobby Lashley and Sami Zayn would straight-up murder NXT North American champion Leon Ruff. Or maybe Ruff would comedically win due to amazingly botched interference from Johnny Gargano. Aw man now I want that.
Oh and we’re celebrating the Undertaker’s 30-year anniversary after debuting at the 1990 Survivor Series. Give us an Undertaker/Fiend interaction of any kind, you cowards!
With WWE’s stats out of the way, let’s check in with Quixotronic’s Wrestling Shame Challenge™. What with how long the #quixotine is taking, right now I think we’ll run the challenge through WrestleMania to give us 1) a natural ending spot for stats, and b) plenty of time to figure out how best to share the shame with you. As of right now, the loser will need to rap the AWA WrestleRock Rumble rap at you, our dear readers. For a horrible horrible preview, please see below. I regret nothing.
Previously on Fanboy Wrestletronic…
Standings going into AEW Full Gear 2020
First Place: Kyle, 61% (62-39)
Second Place: Tim, 56% (36-28)
Third Place: Ryan, 47% (21-24)
AEW Full Gear results & scores:
NWA Worlds Women’s Title Match: Allysin Kay vs Serena Deeb ©
Your Winner: Serena Deeb
Kyle: Serena Deeb (1-0 / 63-39)
Ryan: n/a
Tim: n/a
AEW World Title Tournament Final: Adam Page vs Kenny Omega
Your Winner: Kenny Omega
Kyle: Kenny Omega (2-0 / 64-39)
Ryan: n/a
Tim: n/a
John Silver vs Orange Cassidy
Your Winner: Orange Cassidy
Kyle: Orange Cassidy (3-0 / 65-39)
Ryan: n/a
Tim: n/a
AEW TNT Title Match: Darby Allin vs Cody Rhodes ©
Your Winner, and NEW AEW TNT Champion: Darby Allin
Kyle: Cody Rhodes (3-1 / 65-40)
Ryan: n/a
Tim: n/a
AEW Women’s Title Match: Nyla Rose vs Hikaru Shida ©
Your Winner: Hikaru Shida
Kyle: Hikaru Shida (4-1 / 66-40)
Ryan: n/a
Tim: n/a
AEW Tag Team Titles Match: Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood ©
Your Winners, and NEW AEW Tag Team Champions: Young Bucks
Kyle: FTR (4-2 / 66-41)
Ryan: n/a
Tim: n/a
Elite Deletion Match: Matt Hardy vs Sammy Guevara
Your Winner: Matt Hardy
Kyle: Sammy Guevara (4-3 / 66-42)
Ryan: n/a
Tim: n/a
Chris Jericho vs MJF
Your Winner: MJF
Kyle: MJF (5-3 / 67-42)
Ryan: n/a
Tim: n/a
AEW World Title I Quit Match: Eddie Kingston vs Jon Moxley ©
Your Winner: Jon Moxley
Kyle: Jon Moxley (6-3 / 68-42)
Ryan: n/a
Tim: n/a
And now the conclusion…
New standings after AEW Full Gear 2020
First Place: Kyle, 62% (68-42)
Second Place: Tim, 56% (36-28)
Third Place: Ryan, 47% (21-24)
Who will survive!?
If you want to watch WWE Survivor Series 2020 live on Sunday, you’ll want to subscribe to the WWE Network. Until then, here’s your Quixotronic preview of the show.
WWE Survivor Series 2020
Raw vs Smackdown Battle Royal
The Background: It was announced on Twitter there would be a duel-brand battle royal before the November 20th Smackdown. It will be on the pre-show. No penalties for predictions - a point for both brand and wrestler.
Fanboy Fantasy: I’m still Team Andrade (see Fantasy WrestleMania 37) so I’d give the win to him. Mustafa Ali, who I think may win w/ Retribution help, would also be welcome.
Quixotronic Bullpen Predictions:
Kyle: Team Raw, Mustafa Ali - basically I think Smackdown will get the most wins so I’m going with Raw so it’s “close”. I assume we want to set up McIntyre’s next feud.
Ryan: TBD
Tim: Team Raw, Elias.
Raw vs Smackdown Women’s Survivor Series Match: Team Raw (Dana Brooke Lacey Evans, Lana, Mandy Rose Peyton Royce, & WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler) vs Team Smackdown (Bayley, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Natalya, & Ruby Riott)
The Background: On Team Raw, WWE Women’s Tag Team champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler as well as Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose were all named to the team. Lana then won a fatal four-way against Lacey Evans, Nikki Cross, and Peyton Royce to qualify for the fifth spot, all happening on the October 26th Raw. However, Jax & Baszler have been actively trying to murder their teammates - Jax and Baszler each defeated Lana in matches on the November 2nd Raw and November 9th Raw (and also keep putting her through tables) while all five members (plus Asuka, because when possible you always plus Asuka) met in a 6-woman tag team match which led to Baszler and Jax demolishing both Brooke and Rose leading to their removal from the team. Also Lana was put through another table. Brooke and Rose are now dead and Evans and Royce are now subbed in. For the easily-more-cohesive Team Smackdown, Bianca Belair qualified on the October 30th Smackdown by defeating Billie Kay and Natalya, Ruby Riott qualified on the November 6th Smackdown by defeating Zelina Vega and Natalya (again?), Liv Morgan qualified on the November 13th Smackdown by defeating a debuting Chelsea Green, Tamina, and Natalya (still?), and Bayley was awarded a spot while Natalya won her first fourth chance (seriously?) by defeating Tamina on the November 20th Smackdown.
Fanboy Fantasy: Baszler/Jax refuse to tag in whenever the other three on Team Raw go for a tag - they simply laugh at them and act as directors of Team Raw. Bayley, also acting as Team Captain, works with her team and Team Smackdown is able to eliminate Lana, Royce, and Brooke in that order. Baszler and Jax now are visibly excited because it’s time to work! Bayley is able to direct quick tags to take care of Jax and Baszler with Riott and Morgan making each of the pins. No members of Team Smackdown are eliminated and Riott Squad are your new #1 contenders to the tag titles.
Quixotronic Bullpen Predictions:
Kyle: Team Smackdown - Baszler & Jax have proven they don’t want to cooperate with anyone and that should lead to their team and their own downfall. Natalya will also either be first eliminated or the sole survivor.
Ryan: TBD
Tim: Team Raw.
Raw vs Smackdown Men’s Survivor Series Match: Team Raw (AJ Styles, Braun Strowman, Keith Lee, Matt Riddle & Sheamus) vs Team Smackdown (Baron Corbin, Jey Uso, Kevin Owens, Otis Dozovic, & Seth Rollins)
The Background: On Team Raw, AJ Styles, Keith Lee and Sheamus qualified for the team on the October 26th Raw by defeating Jeff Hardy, Elias and Matt Riddle respectively. Braun Strowman then defeated team-members Lee and Sheamus in a triple threat match to join on the November 2nd Raw. Matt Riddle last joined Team Raw Hoss on the November 9th Raw by defeating Jeff Hardy and Elias. Later that night, Raw team captain Styles refereed a team-building tag team match between Riddle and Lee against Sheamus and Strowman. For Team Smackdown, both Kevin Owens and Jey Uso qualified on the October 30th Smackdown by defeating Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan respectively, and Baron Corbin and Seth Rollins qualified by defeating Rey Mysterio respectively on the November 6th Smackdown that also saw Uso defeat Owens in a singles match, and Otis was given the final spot on the November 20th Smackdown.
Fanboy Fantasy: One by one AJ’s hosses are taken down - Riddle gets pinned by Otis, Sheamus gets pinned by Uso, and both Braun and Lee get pinned by Owens (somewhere in there Otis and Corbin are eliminated also). AJ, now hoss-less, does his best and is able to take out Rollins, leaving Owens and Uso who start arguing a bit. This gives AJ a chance to eliminate Uso when Owens runs in to break the pin… but doesn’t. Uso once eliminated, stares down Owens as he leaves the ring. AJ and Owens get 5 more minutes and Owens hits the Stunner on Styles for another win for Team Smackdown. His trouble with Uso leads to trouble with the Tribal Chief Roman Reigns and we get a Owens/Reigns title match at next month’s TLC.
Quixotronic Bullpen Predictions:
Kyle: Team Raw - there is far too much power on Team Raw Hoss to not win.
Ryan: TBD
Tim: Team Smackdown.
Raw vs Smackdown Tag Team Champions Match: Raw Tag Team Champions New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) © vs Smackdown Tag Team Champions Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) ©
The Background: The Street Profits have been WWE Raw Tag Team champions since the March 2nd Raw when they defeated Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy. They have since survived Rollins/Murphy again at WWE Elimination Chamber 2020, Angel Garza & Austin Theory at both WWE WrestleMania 36 and the April 6th Raw, War Machine on the June 17th Raw, and Angel Garza (again) & Andrade at both WWE SummerSlam and WWE Clash of (the) Champions 2020. Since then, Austin Theory has been sent to NXT, Hanson of War Machine is out with an injury, and Garza/Andrade have split up and lost their manager Zelina Vega who also just recently got future-endeavored due to making more money via Twitch. Wrestling! She may be right about needing a union (Arrested Development voice: she is). On the other side, New Day just won their WWE Smackdown Tag Team titles after both Kingston and Woods returned from injuries on the October 9th Smackdown, also known as the day WWE tried to break up the New Day (never in our hearts) and led to our fantasy-booking of WrestleMania 37. Oh, and our title-check is working - the teams were sent to the opposite brands in the brand-draft and literally exchanged their titles to be brand-appropriate. It was delightful. Because we’re all friends, the Profits and New Day teamed up on the November 20th Smackdown to defeat Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, and Robert Roode.
Fanboy Fantasy: They start off slow, but as the match goes on the two teams realize they have similar styles and start trying to one-up each other with each move. Eventually New Day score the pin, but then they help Street Profits up and shake their hands because they put up a good fight. The four begin a dance party until they realize that Big E is in the back and E comes out to dance with his New Day brothers. Everyone is happy until Tribal Chief™ Roman Reigns begins making New Day’s lives hell after the Royal Rumble.
Quixotronic Bullpen Predictions:
Kyle: Street Profits - New Day don’t need the win and the Street Profits have everything to gain with a win over Kingston and Woods.
Ryan: TBD
Tim: New Day.
Raw vs Smackdown Men’s Champions Match: Raw United States Champion Bobby Lashley © vs Smackdown Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn ©
The Background: Bobby Lashley retained his title against Retribution member Slapjack Shane Thorne at WWE Hell in a Cell 2020 after back-to-back wins against Apollo Crews at September’s WWE Clash of (the) Champions 2020 and August’s WWE Payback 2020. However, Sami Zayn has (technically) been WWE Intercontinental champion since February’s before-times WWE Elimination Chamber 2020 which just so happened to be the first show we previewed! Sure Zayn was “stripped” of the title when he elected to stay home early in the #quixotine, had a false champion crowned when AJ Styles defeated Daniel Bryan on the June 12th Smackdown, had another false champion crowned when Jeff Hardy took the title on August 21st Smackdown, but Zayn returned and retained his title in a ladder match against both false-champions at WWE Clash of (the) Champions 2020. More recently Zayn joined Lashley by also defeating Apollo Crews on the November 13th Smackdown via countout, a completely legal method of winning.
Fanboy Fantasy: Lashley comes down with MVP and Zayn immediately complains to the referee, so MVP is ejected right away. They then spend 10 minutes of Zayn running to the outside, Lashley chasing him, Zayn getting back in the ring, and then repeating. Lashley, who is now the face in the match due to Zayn’s chicken-shit antics, begins to get visibly frustrated. MVP returns with Alexander and Benjamin to argue with the referee to get Zayn to actually have a match. This brings out Cesaro and Nakamura who intimidate the Hurt Business into staying on the outside while Nakamura slides in and attacks Zayn in full view of the referee. Everyone looks confused as the ref calls for the bell. Zayn hugs Nakamura and celebrates his DQ win. Zayn runs to the back with his title while Nakamura and Cesaro stay between Zayn and Hurt Business who are not pleased at how Zayn “won” the match.
Quixotronic Bullpen Predictions:
Kyle: Sami Zayn - Bobby Lashley seems so so obvious but I believe in chicken-shit heel Sami Zayn’s ability to sneak out a win.
Ryan: TBD
Tim: Bobby Lashley.
Raw vs Smackdown Women’s Champions Match: Raw Women’s Champion Asuka © vs Smackdown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks ©
The Background: Sasha Banks defeated sometimes-friend and always-bloodrival Bayley to win the WWE Smackdown Women’s title last month at WWE Hell in a Cell 2020 while Asuka took a rare night off. However, despite Sasha Banks being a Smackdown performer, she spent a good deal of time messing with Asuka on Raw while she and sometimes-friend and always-bloodrival Bayley were WWE Women’s Tag Team champions which gave them the ability to perform on all three brands (because I like when there are reasons for things). In fact, the two most recently fought at WWE SummerSlam when Asuka regained the WWE Raw Women’s title from Banks who had defeated her for the title earlier on the July 20th Raw. But now Banks is a face and doesn’t have Bayley to help her defeat the Empress, and in fact it’s likely Bayley will show up to cost Banks the match despite Banks already winning their rematch on the November 6th Smackdown. Asuka most recently defeated Nia Jax on the November 9th Raw via DQ when Baszler jumped in to help her teammate.
Fanboy Fantasy: Give these two 20 minutes and let them just go. Banks tries to work friendly but Asuka hasn’t forgotten how Banks acted over the summer. Soon Banks gets more and more aggressive which (shock) makes Asuka more and more aggressive. Asuka locks the Asuka-Lock, Banks reverses into a Banks Statement, reverse again, reverse again, for like five minutes. That’s a lot longer than you think it is. Finally Banks taps, and Asuka offers her hand post-match - this solidifies that Banks is still a face. No Bayley interference or any interference. Just let these two go.
Quixotronic Bullpen Predictions:
Kyle: Asuka - with the always-looming threat of Bayley, Banks doesn’t stand a chance. Also: plus Asuka.
Ryan: TBD
Tim: Asuka.
Raw vs Smackdown World Champions Match: Raw WWE World Champion Randy Orton Drew McIntyre © vs Smackdown WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns ©
The Background: The two champions left WWE Hell in a Cell 2020 under different circumstances - Roman Reigns retained his WWE Universal title against Jey Uso and officially became the Tribal Chief™ that we all knew he could be. Drew McIntyre, on the other hand, actually lost his WWE World title to now-14-time world champion Randy Orton. McIntyre, after gaining momentum™ by defeating Money in the Bank holder(s?) Miz and John Morrison on the November 2nd Raw followed by regaining the WWE World title for his second title run on the November 16th Raw. Oh, but before that McIntyre teased us all by showing up on the November 13th Smackdown and defeated Jey Uso in an unsanctioned match - hey, sometimes WWE pretends the brand split means something!
Fanboy Fantasy: Before the match Finn Balor joins the commentary team just so I can have a little NXT in my Survivor Series. He doesn’t interfere or anything, he’s only here to talk and point his dick at things. Remember - Balor Club is for everyone. They go at each other immediately with a spear and Claymore in the first minute of the match and both kick out because we’re treating this as if either of them is facing Brock Lesnar - as we should. Let them go for a while until McIntyre hits two more Claymores and is about to get the pin when Heyman pulls Roman’s leg onto the rope for a rope break - but otherwise Drew would have had the win. Drew stares down Heyman when from out of nowhere The Miz hits him in the back with the Money in the Bank briefcase (we also see that the ref is now distracted with John Morrison). Roman allows Miz to beat up on Drew for a minute or two until he decides he doesn’t really like Miz either so he grabs the briefcase and whips it into the stands. Morrison runs into the stands to look for it, comedically popping up between the Thunderdome screens because Johnny Mondo will make it work. Roman gives Miz a Superman punch, wakes Drew up and allows him to hit a Claymore on Miz. As soon as McIntyre gets up he’s hit with a spear from Roman, followed by another spear, and another, and another. Roman places his foot on Drew for the pin, shakes his motionless hand, and heads to the back. Don Roman is pleased.
Quixotronic Bullpen Predictions:
Kyle: Roman Reigns - I’m all for “McIntyre just keeps winning” but sorry, this is Tribal Chief™ Roman Reigns.
Ryan: TBD
Tim: Roman Reigns.
That’s it for our WWE Survivor Series 2020 preview. We’ll be back next month with NXT Takeover 32 WAR GAMES on December 6, 2020 and WWE TLC on December 20, 2020.
Thanks for joining us again and be sure to subscribe on Facebook and follow https://www.quixotronic.com/ for more questionable content.