B/R Wrestling Staff Predictions for WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 Match Card

Survivor Series is coming to Chicago on Sunday, but the traditional elimination matches have been tossed out the door to make room for the WarGames stipulation.

Two rings will be surrounded by one massive cage. Two teams will enter the ring one competitor at a time at regular intervals until both teams are fully in the ring, at which point, the match actually begins and someone can get the win.

In addition to a men's and women's WarGames bout, we also have a few other matches planned for Survivor Series.

As always, we have our panel of contributors here to answer questions and offer predictions.

• Chris Mueller (CM) (@BR_Doctor)
• Erik Beaston (EB) (@ErikBeaston)
• Graham Matthews (GM) (@WrestleRant)
• \Donald Wood (DW) (@RingRustRadio) 
  
• Jeff J (JJ) (@JeffJSays)

Match Card

Here is the lineup for Sunday's show:

• Zoey Stark vs. Rhea Ripley (Women's World Championship)
• Gunther vs. The Miz (Intercontinental Championship)
• Carlito vs. Santos Escobar
• Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso and Randy Orton vs. Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Drew McIntyre
• Bianca Belair, Shotzi, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley, Iyo Sky, Asuka and Kairi Sane

Donald Wood

Damage CTRL vs. Team Babyface

If this was going to be a 5-on-5 match, who should be the final members of each team and why?

Bayley and her stablemates should have recruited Nia Jax for the heel team to bring unbridled power and brute force to the squad. As for the faces, the group should have called on an industry veteran, Trish Stratus. While Stratus was a heel the last time we saw her, she is beloved by the fans and could have been coerced into returning for the face team.

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Team Judgment Day vs. Team Babyface

Who do you think will be the person to get the win for their team, and who will they defeat on the other team?

With the returning Orton, the babyface team will earn the win at Survivor Series, with The Viper stealing the pinfall victory. What better way to sell the WWE Universe on the importance of the returning former champion? As for who he pins, JD McDonagh is the weak link in The Judgment Day, and he should take the pinfall.

Graham Matthews

Carlito vs. Santos Escobar

Since this will be Escobar's first PPV match since turning heel, most people expect him to win. Offer a satisfying scenario that sees Carlito get the win here.

Rey Mysterio will be out for at least six to eight weeks, so it's entirely possible Carlito wins here to extend the program. He wouldn't have to do so decisively, but a simple roll-up win would pop the Chicago crowd and allow Escobar to snap afterward and attack Carlito to build toward a rematch.

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Rhea Ripley vs. Zoey Stark

If you were the booker, would you book a title change here?

Ripley should absolutely hold onto the gold until it's time for her to feud with Lynch, which will likely be around WrestleMania season. Stark has had a solid run so far on Raw, but it's too soon for her to be a singles champion on the main roster. That said, a strong showing against Ripley would go a long way in boosting her credibility ahead of an eventual title win.

Mr. Jeff J

Gunther vs. The Miz

What is your honest assessment of The Miz as a babyface in 2023?

I think transforming the Miz into a tweener style babyface reinvents him in a realistic way. Although fans love to troll Miz, the entire WWE Universe respects his accomplishments, his position in the company, and his indefatigable work ethic. Building a connection to the fans through mutual respect takes the Miz's character into unchartered waters for the first time in a long time.You can see the fan adulation during his LA Knight feud.

Mike's taking points made everyone realize that The Miz was more than a Hollywood elite: He was a future Hall of Famer who's impressive resume could no longer be denied. The corwd booed Miz because they "should" since he's a "heel". You can only keep Kayfabe alive for so long, brother. Allowing the Miz to build on his organic relationship with the WWE Universe will elevate his character to another level.

Carlito vs. Santos Escobar

Does Escobar leaving LWO hurt its chances to stay together long-term?

Every faction is bound to disband at some point. I don't think Santos will be the immediate downfall of the LWO. You still have Carlito, a recovering Rey, Zelina, and Joaquin Wilde/Cruz Del Toro. I think they feud with Santos and eventually, Escobar decides to reform Legado with some new members to continue the faction warfare in 2024.

Erik Beaston

Damage CTRL vs. Team Babyface

How do you see the end of this match playing out? Who gets the win for their team and who takes the pin?

On the surface, it would seem like Damage CTRL should get the win but the story has been Bayley's loosening grip on the faction. As a result, she eats the pin as Belair wins the match for her team. Afterward, we get a three-on-one beatdown to start Bayley's road to redemption and return to the babyface side.

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Rhea Ripley vs. Zoey Stark

Do you think it's the right time to give Stark a championship push?

No, at least not at the expense of Ripley. She's not over enough yet, nor does she have enough momentum on her side to justify beating one of the most popular and relevant stars in the company. This will be a nice showcase but it's not nearly time yet.

Chris Mueller

Team Judgment Day vs. Team Babyface

If it wasn't going to be Randy Orton, who would have been the best choice to be the fifth team member?

Kevin Owens is the obvious choice and WWE even hinted at it by having Zayn pretend to call someone from SmackDown in case they were available. While he would be the clear choice, an unconventional option would have been more interesting. Throwing someone like Ricochet in there would produce some great spots using the cage, or someone like Dragon Lee could really be elevated by being included in this bout.

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Gunther vs. The Miz

Is The Miz the right person to take the IC title from Gunther?

Absolutely not, and that is coming from someone who regularly defends The Miz. There is no doubt that The A-Lister has earned his spot in the Hall of Fame and has been a great asset for WWE, but having him be the one to dethrone Gunther after a record-setting reign would be unwise. Whoever beats Gunther should be someone who will benefit from the huge win, and at this point, The Miz is already beyond that. He's been to the top of the mountain.

Predictions

B/R Wrestling writers' predictions are represented by their initials:

• Stark vs. Ripley (EB, GM, CM, JJ, DW)
• Gunther (EB, GM, CM, JJ, DW) vs. The Miz 
• Carlito vs. Santos Escobar (EB, GM, CM, JJ, DW)
• Rhodes, Rollins, Zayn, Uso and Orton (EB, GM, CM, JJ, DW) vs. Balor, Priest, Mysterio, McDonagh and McIntyre
• Belair, Shotzi, Lynch and Flair (GM, JJ, DW) vs. Bayley, Sky, Asuka and Sane (EB, CM)