Survivor Series 2018 preview: Live stream, start time, match card & predictions

Women’s 5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match

Team RAW: Nia Jax, Tamina, Natalya, Mickie James, Ruby Riott

Team SmackDown: Asuka, Carmella, Naomi, Sonya DeVille, TBA

The SmackDown Live team still isn’t complete heading into Sunday as there still needs to be a replacement for Charlotte Flair, who as we know has taken Becky Lynch’s place in the match against Ronda Rousey. Personally, I think that woman should be Nikki Cross, who debuted on the main roster recently to answer an open challenge from the SmackDown Women’s Champion. She would be a good answer to Ruby Riott, who took the last spot on the RAW team this past Monday.

Alexa Bliss’ team took a beating this past Monday in the Becky-led invasion but still looks very strong, especially with Nia Jax and Tamina leading the way. This is a big spot for Riott and the veteran presence of Natalya and Mickie James is a nice touch.

Prediction: It’s hard to see both Nia Jax and Tamina being eliminated in a match like this and in these predictions, I’m really trying to play the numbers game as it pertains to each side getting wins. With what I have going on in some of the other matches, this is one that the blue brand should win but it’s hard to go against Nia and Tamina right now, especially since the SmackDown roster doesn’t have as much going on as far as storylines are concerned.

Men’s 5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match

Team RAW: Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley

Team SmackDown: The Miz, Shane McMahon, Rey Mysterio, Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe

So we once again have Stephanie and Shane in the spotlight as the battle for brand supremacy continues in the men’s traditional Survivor Series matchup. Shane, of course, doesn’t trust his roster and had no problem accepting a spot on the team when it was offered up and he’ll likely be one of the last people in the match again. I mean, he is the best in the world, right? Blah. I was thoroughly enjoying The Miz and Daniel Bryan as co-captains but that’s gone now. And why isn’t AJ Styles on this team now? Perhaps Randy Orton takes out Rey Mysterio before the match and he’s put in that way. It could happen.

As for the Monday Night RAW team, the focus here is obviously Braun Strowman, who’s been promised all sorts of things by Stephanie McMahon if he can lead the team to victory, namely a shot at Baron Corbin (nobody cares) but more importantly, another chance at Brock Lesnar and the WWE Universal Championship. The big problem here is that he’s no longer the most interesting big man on this team. That title now belongs to Drew McIntyre, who vaulted back into main-event status recently with his performances.

Prediction: Strowman will be around at the end of this match. That I can almost guarantee. And please, oh please, if Mysterio does stay in this match, can we have just one instance where he and Strowman are in the ring together? I just want to see some sort of distance record. This should be a fun match. I think the tension with McIntyre and Ziggler is going to come up at some point, which may cost one or both of them. Or perhaps McIntyre and Strowman get into it? Honestly, I’d love to see The Miz somehow be the sole survivor here if the red brand implodes. Just the promo on Tuesday night alone would be worth it. And speaking of which…cheap plug coming…if you missed my interview with The Miz this week, you can check it out here.