5 surprises that could happen at Survivor Series

Survivor Series is fast approaching and in its 32nd edition, the second oldest PPV promises to pack a punch. Ever since the brand split came into force in 2016, Survivor Series has gained tremendous importance.

If we remove the abysmal main-event of 2017, both 2016 and 2017 produced some fiery match-ups and gave us a clash of champions. The same format is set in stone this year as well and has a stacked card from top to bottom.

WWE made two last-minute changes to the two biggest matches on the show. AJ Styles shockingly lost his title to Daniel Bryan, while Becky Lynch was deemed unfit to compete at the PPV.

WWE already surprised us with two big changes just two days before an-all important pay-per-view. How many surprises they have in store at the PPV itself remains to be seen.

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Wrestlemania season has always been the peak of WWE programming, and November-April produces some of the best matches and storylines WWE has to offer.

With that in mind, let's take a look at five potential surprises we could see at this year's Survivor Series.

#1: AJ Styles replaces Shane McMahon

AJ Styles holds a unique record of featuring in every single PPV since his arrival to WWE. He has featured in most of them as WWE Champion, or a WWE contender, which bears a testimony to the faith WWE has in the Phenomenal One.

Styles is currently off the card for Survivor Series after his shock defeat to Daniel Bryan. Styles was scheduled to face Brock Lesnar in a rematch from last year's Survivor Series, where he came close to defeating The Beast but was put down by an F5.

AJ Styles is one of the top superstars in the company, and his absence from the PPV will be a major deterrent for the WWE Universe. Survivor Series is one of the Big 4 PPVs of the year, and The Phenomenal One needs to feature on it some way or the other.

#4: Nikki Cross joins the Smackdown Live team

She's the Nikki that can actually wrestle!

Nikki Cross made her much-anticipated main roster debut earlier this month on Smackdown Live. Cross made her way into the ring along with her Sanity team-mates and challenged Becky Lynch in a haunting promo.

Cross is one of the best superstars in NXT women's division and will be a major addition the Smackdown Live roster. Her heel persona is one of the creepiest in the business today.

Charlotte Flair leaving the SmackDown women's team has opened up a spot, and Nikki Cross coming out along with the other superstars will surely echo a cheer from the Staples Center.

Fans who follow NXT religiously are well-aware of Cross' abilities and WWE could use Survivor Series to make the audiences aware of Nikki Cross.

Smackdown's Roster is in terrible shape when it comes to proper heels, and Nikki Cross could be the perfect answer for that!

#3: Daniel Bryan beats Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar has not lost on the main roster in a clean finish since Goldberg annihilated him in 2016. Lesnar is due for a return to UFC soon, and that could mean him working a lighter schedule.

Daniel Bryan turned heel for the first time in almost six years, leaving behind his YES MAN gimmick and turning into his ruthless self. WWE should be smart to capitalize on Daniel Bryan's momentum and let him do something no one has ever done!

Daniel Bryan needs a legitimate run at the top, and defeating Brock Lesnar will put him in a position that only superstars like Reigns and Cena have achieved. Daniel Bryan v Brock Lesnar was a major missed opportunity back in 2014, but this time it could end up being a major coronation.

Bryan winning the match, even with shenanigans, will definitely create headlines.

#2: Bobby Roode finally chooses the dark side

One of the hottest acts in NXT, Bobby Roode made his way to the main roster in glorious fashion. However, his face run quickly made him an afterthought and led to a low card position for the former NXT champion.

He is currently in a team with Chad Gable for inexplicable reasons and his scheduled to captain the RAW Men's Tag Team Squad. Bobby Roode and Chad Gable are far better singles wrestlers and need to have a good feud on RAW.

Roode turning heel will finally make a lot of fans happy, and also help revive Roode's failing main roster run. Bobby Roode has a personality that screams of a narcissistic heel, and he should be given exactly that role to play.

Although the match is scheduled to be on the pre-show, it could be a major move for the RAW singles division nonetheless.

#1: The Four Horsewomen of MMA v The Four Horsewomen of WWE

Could this become a reality come Survivor Series?

Ronda Rousey and her partners from MMA, collectively called the Four Horsewomen, have teased a major feud with the Four Horsewomen of WWE quite a few times. Bayley, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch are all currently off the show at Survivor Series and could get a taste of the action.

Jessamyn Duke, Shayna Baszler and Marina Shafir have constantly made appearances with Rousey in WWE. Plans of a tag team match-up between the two factions have constantly shown up in the rumour columns.

Flair and Rousey both are super protected currently, with Ronda Rousey still undefeated in WWE ring. Their match is highly unlikely to end in a clean finish and could end up having a massive brawl between the two factions.

It could potentially mean a heel turn for Ronda Rousey and will send shockwaves among the WWE Universe.

Edited by Liam Hoofe