WWE Survivor Series 2016 Men's Traditional Match Preview and Prediction

WWE Survivor Series is featuring more traditional matches on November 20 than in previous years, and those contests are in the same vein as those that gave the event its name. One of those bouts involves the best five men from Monday Night Raw and the best five men from SmackDown Live.

Kevin Owens leads Team Raw, and he's joined by Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Braun Strowman. AJ Styles captains Team SmackDown, which also includes Dean Ambrose, Shane McMahon, Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt.

Jericho, Reigns, Rollins, Styles, Ambrose and Orton have a total of 25 world championships between them. Owens is the top titleholder on Raw. McMahon is the SmackDown commissioner, and Wyatt is perhaps the greatest character WWE could ever turn babyface, if that's indeed the long-term plan.

Strowman has a world of potential and is getting over where other big men before him have struggled just to establish themselves. Then there's the fact The Shield is booked in this match, and there's a lot of anticipation among fans regarding a possible reunion.

This bout may not steal the show, but it won't be for lack of trying.

The Preview

WWE has thrown everything it has at Survivor Series and especially at this match. Both teams feature an impressive mix of veteran leadership and the next generation. Fans know they're getting the best of the best, and that's reason enough to be optimistic about how the contest will go.

The individual matchups are perhaps the most intriguing part of the bout.

AJ and KO are the team captains, and they will surely square off in the ring. Much has been said about the booking of both men as it pertains to their title runs, mostly because WWE doesn't seem to be taking either one seriously.

Fans are certainly entertained by Owens and Jericho on Raw. The same can be said of James Ellsworth on SmackDown. But in both cases, the primary championship seems to be lost in the shuffle. The universal and world belts just do not seem to be all that valuable.

The company seems more preoccupied with comedy than with championships.

This match will be Styles and Owens' opportunity to show what they can do in a serious environment. They will certainly be in top form, as each man attempts to lead his team to victory. They should set the example for everyone else to follow.

Jericho and Orton have had more than one rivalry in the past, and they will bring that familiarity to this match. They're ring generals, and they've been involved with many Survivor Series matches in the past. When they lock up, it will surely be automatic heat and excitement.

Reigns and Wyatt have a great rivalry in their past as well. The Big Dog has ventured into the psychotic realm The Eater of Worlds inhabits on more than one occasion, and their time in the ring together should be intense.

Rollins may be babyface, but that probably won't stop him from mixing it up with Ambrose. The former Shield teammates traveled the roads and worked together for so long that they should be perfect against each other.

Strowman is the wild card in the match, as he is still an unproven talent with virtually no history to draw from. But he's shown tremendous promise as an old-school big man who could absolutely dominate in the ring.

Considering Shane has no fear, he's perhaps the perfect man to challenge Strowman. It's a matchup that may not last long but will be entertaining nonetheless.

The Prediction

Fans should expect this to be a well paced bout. There's no need to rush here, as the match is not booked with high-flying New Era talents performing one death-defying stunt after another. This match may be the best wrestled of the night, and could end up being the best of the pay-per-view.

As the eliminations happen, fans will soon see the top guys stepping up for their brands.

This match should come down to Owens and Styles. The only way to remedy the booking woes fans have grieved over in the past few months is to showcase the champs. AJ and KO are the two top guys in the company, and they should look the part at Survivor Series.

When it's time to take the match home, Owens is the one who should be the last man standing.

KO needs the win more than anyone else involved, as his title needs the most shine. When the final bell rings, fans need to see Owens on his feet and celebrating with the WWE Universal Championship above his head.

The time for improving his booking as champ will come afterward. Survivor Series can be the beginning of a major turnaround for him as WWE refocuses its efforts on getting the universal title over as a true top championship.

Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Bleacher Report. His podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here.