Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 Preview
Date: November 26th, 2023
Time: 11am AEST Pre Show, 12pm AEST Main Show
Location: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
How to Watch: YouTube (Pre Show only), Binge, Kayo, Foxtel
Match Card:
• Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) vs The Miz
• Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs Zoey Stark
• Men’s WarGames match: Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin’” Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and Randy Orton vs The Judgement Day (Finn Bálor, JD McDonagh, “Dirty” Dominic Mysterio, and Damien Priest), and Drew McIntyre
• Women’s WarGames match: Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Shotzi, and Bianca Belair vs Damage CTRL (Bayley, Kairi Sane, Iyo Sky, and Asuka)
• Singles Match: Dragon Lee vs Santos Escobar
The final WWE PLE of the year, Survivor Series looks like to be a banger. Let’s get into it.
1. Intercontinental Championship
Gunther (c) vs The Miz
How good has Gunther been as Intercontinental Champion? This rivalry has a very familiar feel about, a certain All Elite professional wrestler vs sports entertainer feel. They’ve made it work, though. The Miz had proven, yet again, that he can work with anyone and can cut a great promo, conveying all the right emotions at all the right times, and Gunther has improved immensely since joining the main roster. It’d be good to see The Miz win, but I don’t think Gunther is finished as champion yet.
Winner: Gunther
2. Women’s World Championship
Rhea Ripley (c) vs Zoey Stark
Rhea Ripley has been quite distracted by Judgement Day business for the better part of this reign, and Zoey Stark is looking to capitalise on that. Zoey Stark has made quite the impression since being called up, hopefully she can hold on during the match, but my money is in Rhea retaining, just to keep Judgement Day momentum rolling.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
3. Men’s WarGames match
Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin’” Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and Randy Orton vs The Judgement Day (Finn Bálor, JD McDonagh, “Dirty” Dominic Mysterio, and Damien Priest), and Drew McIntyre
Ahh, WarGames. This match will be hectic. Drew McIntyre won advantage for Judgement Day on the go home episode of Raw, which left Rhea Ripley quite happy. After that match, it was announced that Randy Orton will be part of the match (albeit, without saying his name), which got the crowd excited. I have Judgement Day winning, partially due to Team Rhodes being at odds with each other.
Winner: The Judgement Day
4. Women’s WarGames match
Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Shotzi, and Becky Lynch vs Damage CTRL (Bayley, Kairi Sane, Iyo Sky, and Asuka)
Kairi Sane surprised everyone by returning at Crown Jewel, helping Iyo Sky retain her championship, and Asuka turned on Team Bianca and joined Damage CTRL, meshing then a force to be reckoned with. A fan vote will be used to determine who gains advantage in this match. Fun fact: Iyo Sky is the only wrestler to compete in all women’s WarGames matches across NXT and the main roster. Team Bianca seem to all be on the same page, where as Damage CTRL look to be pushing Bayley to the side slightly, that will factor into the match. My money is in Team Bianca
Winner: Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Shotzi, and Becky Lynch
5. Singles Match
Dragon Lee vs Santos Escobar
The most personal match on the whole card. This stems from an incident at Crown Jewel, in which, Santos Escobar “inadvertently” left a pair of brass knuckles on the apron (originally given to Logan Paul) during the United States Championship match between then champion, Rey Mysterio and current champion, Logan Paul, in which, Paul would use them to counter a springboard senton by Mysterio to win. Rey tired placing the blame on Logan Paul, but Carlito said the blame should be on Santos Escobar, leading to Santos turning on LWO. Santos would explain his actions by saying that you should never meet your heroes and that it should have been him holding the United States Championship. Carlito came out and challenged Santos to a match, which was made official. A week later, Santos and Carlito brawled and Carlito got injured, and Dragon Lee came for the save, who also replaced Carlito in the match up. I have Santos Escobar winning and solidifying his heel run.
Winner: Santos Escobar
Final Thoughts
WWE have put on some great shows, and this won’t be any different. WarGames matches are always action packed, and this year won’t disappoint.
