RJ's Two Cents - Survivor Series WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament

By RJ Marceau

The news of Seth Rollins being injured was devastating but it opens many options for WWE creative to make new stars. When the news broke I was skeptical that the WWE would call Brock Lesnar and John Cena since other WWE talent, Rusev and Randy Orton are out with injuries. Luckily they didn’t and there will be a new WWE World Heavyweight champion at Survivor Series. When the tournament was announced I was shocked by some of the names included in the tournament. I have nothing against Kalisto or Titus O’Neil but why wasn’t Big E or Kofi Kingston included in the tournament.

​Even if one of them made it far they still could challenge The Usos at Survivor Series. Other than that some matches make little sense with Stardust vs. Del Rio which are two heels, Ryback vs. Kalisto which are two faces and Tyler Breeze lost to Dean Ambrose in his first WWE match.

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My predictions for the tournament go as follows:

• Roman Reigns vs. Big Show: Reigns won on Raw
• Cesaro vs. Sheamus: Cesaro won on Raw
• Alberto Del Rio vs. Stardust: Del Rio wins on Smackdown
• Kalisto vs. Ryback: Kalisto wins on Smackdown

• Titus O’Neil vs. Kevin Owens: Kevin Owens won on Raw
• King Barrett vs. Neville: Neville wins on Smackdown
• The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler: Dolph Ziggler wins on Smackdown
• Tyler Breeze vs. Dean Ambrose: Ambrose won on Raw

Quarterfinals

Reigns vs. Cesaro: This should be a great match but I don’t see Reigns not making the finals of this tournament. Cesaro was a dark horse for me before the brackets were released but seeing Cesaro on the same side as Reigns he has a snowball's chance to win. Reigns beats Cesaro in a great match to advance to the Semi Finals.

Del Rio vs. Kalisto: Kalisto in this tournament is the WWE's chance to see him as a singles competitor. Del Rio was re-signed since they have no Mexican stars but I see Kalisto beating Del Rio and being put in a feud with Del Rio. Kalisto beats Del Rio to advance to the Semi Finals.

Owens vs. Neville: Neville is a joke, Owens wins. Owens advances to the Semi Finals.

Ziggler vs. Ambrose: This match is a tough one. I could see Tyler Breeze getting involved since he has a small feud with Ziggler and Ambrose just beat him in the 1st round. If this match finishes clean I want Ziggler to win. Ambrose can turn in the main event even though people want Reigns to turn. Breeze interferes and Ambrose advances due to DQ.


Semi Finals

Kalisto vs. Roman Reigns: I might be the only person picking Kalisto to beat Ryback in the first round but Kalisto can shine on his own. Unfortunately he will run into the Roman Empire and lose in the Semi Finals. Kalisto can show off his skills in this match but he will fall victim to Roman Reigns. Reigns advances to the Finals.

Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose: Owens is a star and having him not make the finals would be a shame. Ambrose or Reigns seem like they will go heel but they both don’t need to be in the Finals for this to happen. Owens beats Ambrose and advances to the Finals.

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​Finals

Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns: Reigns is the obvious answer and going heel is predictable as all hell. Owens and Reigns have a hell of a match and Reigns can’t put Owens away. The referee gets knocked down and HHH slides Reigns a sledgehammer. Before he can use it Dean Ambrose comes out and hits Reigns with Dirty Deeds. Owens gets the pin and is the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Ambrose will feud with Reigns and Reigns aligns with the Authority and goes heel without the title. Owens issues an open challenge at TLC which is answered by John Cena which Owens can get his win back over Cena.