WWE Survivor Series 2011: Rock's Return and 11 Other Things We're Stoked for

Survivor Series is almost here, and it's going to be huge.

Though the pay-per-view was nearly scrapped early last year, Vince McMahon and the WWE seem to have a new focus on what has historically been one of the WWE's biggest pay-per-views of the year.

It looks like McMahon realized the tremendous name value that Survivor Series has, and he isn't holding back for this year's show.

The Rock's coming back, the pay-per-view taking place in Madison Square Garden and the current storylines make it seem like we're headed for a huge 5-on-5 tag team match in the "World's Most Famous Arena."

I don't know about you, but I'm more excited about this Survivor Series pay-per-view than I have been about the last three or four. Combined.

So, let's take a look at 11 reasons why we're absolutely stoked for Survivor Series in 2011.

11. A Championship Scramble Match?

Many of us have been wondering who will be wrestling for the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series, and now, we might know.

From the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via SEScoops.com):

"

Aside from the big Survivor Series main event that will see The Rock and John Cena teaming up, there will be a Scramble match involving Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Big Show, Sheamus, Christian and Kane.

"

I realize that—like many things in the WWE—there's likely a solid 50/50 split on the Championship Scramble match: Half of you probably like it, and half of you probably hate it.

While I'm not the biggest fan of the match, I do think it provides something unique and different from the standard one-on-one match.

With so many competitors in the ring at the same time, you get the sense that anything can happen, which typically means that the fans are really into this type of match.

10. Kane's in-Ring Return?

You probably noticed on that last slide that one of the competitors listed for that rumored Championship Scramble match was Kane.

I'm not a huge fan of The Big Red Monster—especially now that he's lost a step in the ring—but I know there are a ton of diehard Kane marks who will defend the guy to the day that he dies and think he should always be in the main event scene.

Well, those guys are probably celebrating right now, because it looks like Kane is going to be returning to the ring at Survivor Series for a main event run.

That's fine with me, as long as he's not wrestling Mark Henry in a singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship.

9. The Rise of Cody Rhodes

I've been riding on the Cody Rhodes bandwagon for almost a year now, and it's getting really crowded beside me.

After bringing back the old school Intercontinental Championship and getting into a fierce rivalry with Randy Orton, Rhodes is absolutely on fire at the moment, and we're all anxious to see just how far his current push will go.

Is he going to be wrestling Orton? Is he going to jump to the main event? Will he be the last surviving member of his Survivor Series team?

We have no idea what the answer to any of those questions is, but we all can't wait to see what's next for one of the WWE's fastest rising stars, Cody Rhodes.

8. The Buildup

The buildup is where the WWE often fails miserably.

Crappy booking, stupid storylines and short gaps between pay-per-views are three reasons I can come up with off the top of my head as to why the buildup toward WWE PPVs often completely sucks.

But this is Survivor Series, one of the "Big Four" pay-per-views, and Vince McMahon has to realize that the only way people are going to buy this show—aside from The Rock's return—is if the buildup is done well.

Can we actually get some decent booking as we work toward the pay-per-view? I don't know, but either way, I'll be excited to see what the WWE has in store for us before we get to Madison Square Garden.

7. Fresh Faces Wrestling for the World Titles

This could obviously change, but it looks like we'll see Alberto Del Rio and Mark Henry holding the WWE's two World titles at Survivor Series this year.

Obviously, that's a big change from the previous year.

If you go back and look at the last four or five Survivor Series pay-per-views, you'll see the same names wrestling for World titles over and over again: Triple H, Edge, John Cena, Randy Orton, The Undertaker, Batista, etc.

But this year we'll likely see a new crop of guys holding and challenging for the titles, such as Alberto Del Rio, CM Punk and Mark Henry.

That's fine by me, because the WWE can't rely on the big-name veterans forever.

6. The Potential for a Major Face or Heel Turn

Sheamus, Christian and R-Truth have all benefited from huge heel or face turns this year, and it seems like it's about that time when we see another big star switch sides.

With the 5-on-5 matches and the ongoing storyline between Triple H and John Laurinaitis, Survivor Series presents the perfect opportunity for a major star to join the other team and turn heel or face.

I know we all want John Cena to do it, but that's not happening.

On the other hand, I could certainly see someone like Triple H, Jack Swagger or Dolph Ziggler turn in some fashion or another.

I'd bank on at least one star screwing his team or fans over by turning to the dark side.

5. The Next Step in the John Laurinaitis/Vince McMahon/Triple H Saga

I don't think many of you will disagree with this statement: The WWE has completely dropped the ball on the conspiracy/walkout storyline so far.

Triple H's reign over Raw was far too short, Vince McMahon returned to TV far too soon and the walkout angle has logic gaps all over the place.

But—and I may be an idiot for saying this—I'm going to have enough faith in the creative team, Triple H and Vince to think that they can salvage a storyline that has turned into a big pile of cow dung.

We have to get some sort of big payoff for this angle at Survivor Series.

At this point, I don't even really care what that payoff is. All that matters is that something huge happens at the pay-per-view that regenerates interest in this angle between Triple H, Vince and Laurinaitis.

4. The Madison Square Garden Crowd

Does Madison Square Garden typically have the absolute best wrestling crowds? You betcha.

Aside from crappy wrestling, nothing hurts a pay-per-view more than a dead crowd. But when it comes to the "World's most famous arena," you know that's not going to happen.

The fans in New York are arguably the rowdiest and craziest fans in the entire country, and you know you're going to hear from them all night.

Whether they're booing or cheering, they definitely make their voices heard, and it makes everyone involved—the wrestlers, the other fans in attendance, the fans watching at home—enjoy the pay-per-view so much more.

I can't wait to hear that raucous crowd scream all night. It's truly something special.

3. The Possibility of 2 HUGE Traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series Matches

The traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series match has become somewhat of a lost art in recent years.

Yeah, we've seen at least one every ear, and the WWE has tried to make them seem incredibly important. But back in the olden days, these 5-on-5 bouts meant so much and were the highlight of the show.

Now? They don't seem all that unique and are often just randomly thrown together.

That doesn't appear be the case this year, however, as The Rock and John Cena will team up in what should be an epic 5-on-5 match that will likely feature a number of other top stars.

Consider me happy if we get even one big 5-on-5 match, but if we actually get two (Team Orton vs. Team Rhodes perhaps?), I'll throw a freaking party. 

2. The Return of the Undertaker?

The Undertaker is damn near synonymous with Survivor Series, and though he was forced to miss last year's show because of injury, he typically plays a huge role in the pay-per-view.

He wrestled for the World Heavyweight Championship in 2007 and 2009, and he competed against The Big Show in a casket match in 2008.

The theme here is that the WWE loves to highlight The Undertaker at Survivor Series, and I think we could very well see him make his triumphant return at the pay-per-view.

Maybe he does it for a match with Mark Henry, or maybe he attacks Mark Henry after his match—it doesn't really matter.

But I think the likely scenario is that Taker does indeed come back, and that he'll do so in a very memorable way that will blow the roof off of Madison Square Garden.

1. The Rock's Return

The main reason I'll be watching Survivor Series is to see The Rock back in action, and no other reason is really even close.

Sure, I'm excited about plenty of other things that could/should/will happen on the show, but seeing The Rock wrestle for the first time in seven years is why I'm buying this pay-per-view.

I know that some people think it will cheapen his WrestleMania match with John Cena, and I originally thought the same. But I honestly don't think we'll see him in the ring that much, and even when he is in it, it'll likely be just so he can hit his signature moves.

Whatever. I don't care what he does.

As long as I hear that classic music hit and see The Rock walk down that ramp, I'll go to sleep a happy man that night.