WWE Survivor Series 2016: Matches with Biggest Historical Implications

Although the spotlight will fall firmly on the traditional elimination matches at WWE Survivor Series 2016 on Sunday, the big historical implications for the company will come from the night's other bouts.

Can Goldberg make it two consecutive wins against Brock Lesnar? Or will Lesnar avenge that loss in 2004?

Will any of WWE's championships move brands, getting new owners in the process? Can the cruiserweight division find a new home on SmackDown with a Kalisto victory?

All of these questions and more will be answered at one of WWE's last pay-per-views of 2016.

Here are the matches on the card with the biggest historical implications.

Dolph Ziggler or The Miz vs. Sami Zayn

There are multiple implications involving Sami Zayn's quest to win the Intercontinental Championship on Sunday night.

Most importantly, it could signal a new start for the title, with a victory for Zayn giving him a huge platform with which to move into 2017.

It could ensure he finally breaks through as a top star on Raw, as it would be impossible to ignore The Underdog from the Underground if he has a major piece of hardware over his shoulder.

Additionally, the IC title could go from SmackDown to Raw, sending a major shock wave throughout WWE.

Will Zayn cause a major shake-up? Or will Dolph Ziggler or The Miz—whichever man is the champion come Sunday—ensure the blue brand keeps a major asset?

The Brian Kendrick vs. Kalisto

A match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship would normally slide under the radar—but not this weekend.

The historical implications of The Brian Kendrick's defense against Kalisto are huge. If Kendrick wins, he keeps hold of the title and ensures the division remains on Raw for the foreseeable future. 

But defeat, and the division goes through a radical overhaul and moves to SmackDown—and that would be a big deal.

There's arguments for and against the cruiserweight division moving to Tuesday nights, and if the division does switch, it will signal the start of a new era for a group of guys who have yet to make their marks on WWE.

Kendrick losing the title so soon after winning it would be a blow, but in terms of what it would do for the division as a whole, it would perhaps be more interesting if Kalisto prevailed.

Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg

Goldberg's legacy in WWE can either be enhanced or hampered this Sunday as he steps foot inside a WWE ring for his first match in 12 years.

In terms of historical implications for WWE, no match is bigger on the Survivor Series card this weekend than his bout with Brock Lesnar.

Will the two men be able to put their first clash back in 2004, a largely forgettable bout that proved to be both Superstars' last matches with the company at the time, to bed?

Or will Goldberg's ring rust be too much of a problem, and will the former WCW heavyweight's second stint in WWE be a one-time, unforgettable match for all the wrong reasons?

It promises to be a fascinating watch either way. It's a match many WWE fans thought they'd never see again.