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    Match Card, Potential Spoilers, Picks and More for WWE Survivor Series 2018

    Donald Wood@@Donald_WoodFeatured ColumnistNovember 17, 2018

    Brock Lesnar celebrates after winning the WWE Universal Championship match as part of as part of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Crown Jewel pay-per-view at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on November 2, 2018. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images)
    FAYEZ NURELDINE/Getty Images

    The build to the 2018 edition of Survivor Series has been marred by injuries and last-second changes to the card, but the WWE Universe is excited to see how the event shakes out in Los Angeles on Sunday.

    With Becky Lynch's need to be replaced in her match against Ronda Rousey because of facial injuries and a concussion, as well as Daniel Bryan's WWE Championship triumph on SmackDown to earn the right to face Brock Lesnar, this is not the show wrestling fans were expecting.

                  

    Card

    MatchStipulationPredicted Winner
    Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte FlairSingles matchRousey
    Daniel Bryan vs. Brock LesnarChampion vs. Champion matchLesnar
    Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke NakamuraChampion vs. Champion matchNakamura
    Team Raw (Mickie James, Nia Jax, Tamina, Natalya, and Ruby Riott) vs. Team SmackDown (Carmella, Naomi, Sonya Deville, Asuka and ?)5-on-5 Survivor Series elimination matchTeam Raw
    Team Raw (Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Braun Strowman, Finn Balor and Bobby Lashley) vs. Team SmackDown (The Miz, Shane McMahon, Rey Mysterio, Jeff Hardy and Samoa Joe)5-on-5 Survivor Series elimination matchTeam SmackDown
    AOP vs. The BarChampion vs. Champion matchThe Bar
    Buddy Murphy vs. Mustafa AliSingles match for the Cruiserweight ChampionshipAli
    Team Raw (Bobby Roode and Chad Gable, The Revival, The B-Team, Lucha House Party and The Ascension vs. Team SmackDown (The Usos, The New Day, Sanity, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, and The Colons)Preshow 10-on-10 Survivor Series tag team elimination matchTeam SmackDown

                    

    When Did WWE Decide to Turn Daniel Bryan Heel?

    During the go-home episode of Smackdown, Bryan defeated AJ Styles for the WWE Championship by turning heel and attacking the former champion. The sudden character change came as a shock to the WWE Universe, but it was reportedly in the works for weeks.

    Match Card, Potential Spoilers, Picks and More for WWE Survivor Series 2018
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    According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Akhilesh Gannavarapu of Wrestling Inc), Bryan and WWE Creative had been pitching the idea of turning heel for weeks, and CEO Vince McMahon finally pulled the trigger on the idea Tuesday.

    Meltzer also speculated the injury to Lynch on Raw may have influenced McMahon's decision to go through with Bryan's heel turn. The belief was that WWE hoped Bryan would be the biggest storyline heading into Survivor Series instead of Lynch's removal from her match against Rousey.

                     

    Becky Lynch to Drop Title Despite Not Being Cleared?

    The bloody invasion of Raw led by Lynch was one of the most iconic moments in WWE this year, but it resulted in the SmackDown women's champion's removal from Sunday's card because of her injuries.

    According to PWInsider (h/t Marc Middleton of Wrestling Inc), the idea was pitched that Lynch would drop the SmackDown title Tuesday and that the winner would face Rousey, but that did not come to fruition because the champion was dealing with a concussion and short-term memory loss.

    PWInsider also reported that WWE Creative had considered Mandy Rose or one of The IIconics as a possible challenger for Rousey at Survivor Series. After the incredible build to the champion vs. champion match, Rousey vs. Mandy Rose would have been a massive let down.

                    

    Trouble Brewing for Braun Strowman?

    Despite standing toe-to-toe with Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at Crown Jewel, multiple reports suggest Braun Strowman is dealing with injuries to his knees and major heat from company officials behind the scenes.

    Meltzer reported that Strowman is dealing with knee injuries that are affecting his ability to run (h/t Middleton of Wrestling Inc). Meltzer described Strowman's knees as "shot."

    In addition, PWInsider is reporting Strowman is also dealing with backstage heat because of reportedly coming into work late and leaving early. His backstage etiquette is also said to be lacking, which has caused tension between the Superstar and management.

               

              

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