4 reasons why Samoa Joe must be the sole survivor at Survivor Series 2017

A smart competitor in an elimination match is a competitor, that has assessed the landscape of their challenge, repeatedly have formed strategies to outsmart their opponents and is resilient enough to outlast the rest of the combatants. That superstar is the last man left standing, he is the sole survivor. When taking the above characteristics into account, that competitor at Survivor Series 2017 is none other than, Samoa Joe.

The “Samoan submission machine” has been in the right place at the right time this year. Firstly, he cashed in his ticket to suplex city, by outsmarting four other competitors at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view. Joe then assessed his mammoth of a challenge against Lesnar and strategically planted doubt in “the beast’s” mind every week. And Joe has been resilient enough to hold his own against the likes of Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns in their epic wars for the Universal title. Therefore, Samoa Joe is the most ‘dangerous player’ in the men’s elimination match at Survivor Series 2017.

There are other strong possibilities for the title of sole survivor at the marquee PPV. The first choice would be the “monster among men” Braun Strowman. But since Strowman sent Kane through the ring this past Monday night on Raw, “the big red machine” will be out to cost Strowman the win. Also, the fact that Smackdown Live picked up the victory last year and that Kurt Angles job is on the line, Raw is more than certain to pick up this crucial win. And the man to do it is Samoa Joe.

Here are four reasons why Samoa Joe should be the sole survivor at survivor series 2017.

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#1 Kick off his feud with John Cena in a momentous manner

John Cena is at a point in his career that every match is a dream match

‘'The destroyer” Samoa Joe vs “the face that runs the place” John Cena is one of those dream clashes fans thought they would never witness inside a WWE ring. Both men have been World Champions and the ‘top dogs’ in their respective promotions for over the last decade.

Now that Samoa Joe has stepped into the company where Cena is the proverbial measuring stick, there is no reason that WWE cannot miss this tremendous opportunity to ignite this dream feud. And at Survivor Series 2017 is where this potentially heated rivalry must begin.

While WWE may present brand unity leading up to Survivor Series. They have cleverly insinuated that there are personal civil wars brewing beneath the surface between the superstars. Thus, WWE can easily have Joe and Cena be the last two men standing the ring representing their brands.

With the narrative of bragging rights at stake. After a back-and-forth teaser, Joe locks in the coquina clutch and secures a crucial victory for his brand. Which is the best possible outcome WWE can take advantage of. And present this rivalry of two different worlds colliding in a never seen before dream match. Also, this critical victory for Joe will allow him to re-enter a familiar scene…

#2 Gives Joe leverage to return into Universal Title contention

To say Samoa Joe gave Brock Lesnar a 'run for his money ''is not even defining the magnitude of this feud

With bragging rights up for grabs at the marquee PPV, WWE have also raised the stakes by putting Kurt Angle’s Raw general manager job at risk if his team loses. Thus, Samoa Joe being sole survivor will allow for Angle to keep his position and allow him to continue building towards his inevitable showdown with Triple H at Wrestlemania 34.

WWE should take full advantage of these circumstances and present Joe as a calculating a** kicker, whose plan was all along was to become sole survivor. Which puts him in a favourable position to take advantage of Angle’s indebtedness for saving his job. Therefore, demanding a one-on-one rematch with Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship.

Samoa Joe’s intense pursuit of Lesnar instantly made him the hottest superstar in the company. Whether it was his subtle silent warning whispered into Paul Heyman’s ear, which resulted in explosive consequence for the advocate. Or his willingness to find and assault Lesnar every passing week. Joe’s every action made him feel legitimately dangerous.

“Fear begets fear” and Samoa Joe showed with regards to Lesnar’s intimidation factor, he does not fear “the beast” instead “the beast” must fear him. WWE should create efforts to make Brock Lesnar’s Universal Title reign feel in jeopardy heading into Wrestlemania season. And who better to create that unpredictably than the “Samoan submission machine” himself.

#3 Allows Joe to move past being Triple H’s mercenary

There is no denying that Samoa Joe's debut was nothing short of explosive

Samoa Joe exploded onto the main roster scene this year as Triple H’s “right hand of destruction”. And he literally took Seth Rollins out of action as per the COO’s command. Although WWE have not fully expanded the alliance between the two men, at Survivor Series 2017 WWE cannot make Joe once again be the mercenary of “the game”.

As Joe is too valuable of a superstar to be treated as one of Triple H’s henchman. Kurt Angle and Triple H evidently have their arising dilemmas with one another. Thus, setting up Joe as the sole survivor will allow Angle to keep his job. Therefore, causing tension in his association with Triple H. WWE can develop that tension between “king of kings” and the “Samoan submission machine” and slowly build this never seen before feud post Wrestlemania 34.

Having been on the main roster for just a couple of months, Samoa Joe has verified that he can ‘swim with sharks’. Thus, proving he is the true lone wolf of WWE, who is a no-nonsense world beater that does not need a partner to watch his back. Therefore, being saddled in the rungs of Triple H’s autocratic passé will do no good for “the destroyers” bada** aura.

#4 Gives Joe his first major milestone on the main roster

NXT was Samoa Joe's yard when he was NXT Champion

Team Raw at Survivor Series 2017 has a star-studded lineup. WWE’s prompt exclusion of Jason Jordon has allowed Team Raw to have an excellent blend of WWE legends and ‘hot’ new talent. Each of these superstars and legends have impressive accolades attached to their names.

Kurt Angle is an accomplished World Champion who is one of the greatest in-ring performers in wrestling history. Triple H is a fourteen-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion and has headlined Wrestlemania multiple times in his illustrious career. Braun Strowman is a monster who is arguably WWE’s 2017 highlight reel. And Finn Balor is the first man ever to hold the Universal Title in the company. That is why at Survivor Series Samoa Joe must reach his first main roster milestone.

Although being derailed by injury for the last couple of months, the Samoan bada** returned to a thunderous ovation. Technically being a heel, but so often treated as a face by the WWE universe, Joe has rampant momentum that WWE needs to capitalise on. And that momentum was evidently clear in his hot pursuit of the Universal Championship. Unfortunately, WWE did not pull the trigger.

Thus, at Survivor Series 2017 WWE must highlight Joe as the sole survivor, as he is a key player in the company moving forward. As Joe said in a recent interview he is the “most dangerous player” in the men’s elimination match. And that statement is true, as Joe exhibits excellent calculating in-ring work and intense promos. Therefore, it is easy to realise why every time his music blasts over the PA system, the arena is filled with loud thunderous chants of Joe! Joe! Joe! Now the only thing left is for WWE to stand up and listen.