Survivor Series 2019: 5 Shocking scenarios that could forever alter the WWE landscape

Survivor Series weekend is finally upon us, but this time the annual battle for brand supremacy will involve NXT. No longer a mere developmental brand, the changing autumn leaves bring transformation to NXT and the rest of WWE, as well. This time, Survivor Series is for keeps and when it's all said and done, like fall into winter, WWE is certain to undergo an enduring metamorphosis.

With several matches already booked featuring WWE's top talents from NXT, RAW, and SmackDown, no one knows for certain what will happen next, but that won't stop thousands of online prognosticators from giving their best guesses.

With this year's build topping any other Survivor Series in recent memory, wrestling fans should be in store for something special, as WWE gears up for one of its big four pay-per-views. Could we see a new brand reign supreme? Will there be some shocking returns? How about title changes? We take a look at five scenarios that could forever alter WWE's landscape.

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#5 Brock Lesnar drops the WWE Championship

Rey Mysterio dominates 'The Beast' with the aid of a pipe

Paul Heyman is a merciless and unscrupulous businessman that will do anything to benefit himself and his client. This is why he changed the stipulation in Brock Lesnar's Survivor Series title defense against Rey Mysterio to a No Holds Barred Match. Heyman believes that the new stipulation will only benefit his client, but his logic may be fatally flawed.

Rey Mysterio is known as one of the kindest men in pro wrestling history, a team player committed to playing by the rules. However, he showed a couple weeks ago on RAW that simply won't be the case when it comes to defending his family.

Lesnar suffered the consequences of his actions when Mysterio ruthlessly beat him with a pipe before WWE officials were forced to intervene. All gloves are off for Mysterio when it comes to his son Dominick and Lesnar crossed a dangerous line.

While Heyman believes that a No Holds Barred Match will benefit his client, he is likely playing right into Mysterio's hands. Mysterio comes into the bout overmatched and undersized. Dwarfed by Lesnar's superior size, Mysterio was at a serious disadvantage, but now that he is allowed to utilize any weapon at his disposal, Heyman may have just evened the odds in favour of The Ultimate Underdog.

There's also another noteworthy element to this bout. Brock Lesnar was drafted by SmackDown before mysteriously removing himself from the Blue Brand to join the RAW roster. There were no penalties and RAW gave up no compensation for the WWE Champion. Oddly enough, this strange move occurred just before Survivor Series.

What has been understated is that Lesnar's much talked about transition could simply have been made for one match only, his upcoming Survivor Series bout against Rey Mysterio. After dropping the WWE Championship to Mysterio, Lesnar could return to SmackDown to engage in the feud he was rumoured to participate in before leaving and that is against newly crowned Universal Champion, The Fiend.

#4 Ronda Rousey closes the show w/ The 4-Horsewomen

MMA's 4 Horsewomen

Inter-brand warfare leads to some interesting scenarios with long-term implications. This was true last year when Survivor Series saw the very beginnings of the Ronda Rousey/Becky Lynch/Charlotte Flair feud. The three Superstars eventually went on to headline WrestleMania 35 and make history as the first women to ever do so.

This year, Marina Shafir, Jessamyn Duke, and Shayna Baszler have engaged in heated pre-Survivor Series battle against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. Lynch will be facing Baszler and Bayley in a Triple Threat Match. While such a match is definitely a worth-while attraction all on its own, could it be the final match on the card to lead to something even bigger? After all there is one key name missing from this feud.

Bayley, Lynch, Flair, and Sasha Banks make up WWE's 4 Horsewomen and it has long been speculated that they would clash with MMA's version at WrestleMania or some other pay-per-view extravaganza. With every Horsewomen engaged in a Survivor Series feud, could Ronda Rousey soon follow?

According to a recent report, Rousey is in constant contact with WWE and ready for a WrestleMania return. Could the rumored Survivor Series main event lead to a 4-Horsewomen vs 4-Horsewomen clash that will be settled at WrestleMania 36? Fans will have to tune in on Sunday to find out.

#3 CM Punk makes an appearance before his hometown faithful

CM Punk captures the WWE Championship in Chicago, Illinois

CM Punk is back, sort of, kind of, maybe. Punk recently returned to the world of wrestling via FS1's WWE Backstage program, but has been abundantly clear that his deal is with FOX and not WWE.

The Voice of the Voiceless has returned to do what he does best and that is drop pipe bombs in the form of nuanced opinionated promos that set the wrestling world ablaze. His first appearance didn't go unnoticed and may have immediately changed the culture, as he promised to do.

CM Punk has already drawn the attention of former Universal Champion Seth Rollins, who has challenged Punk to a fight. The Second City Saint responded by telling Rollins to stay off Twitter. Then, later in the evening, when cutting a promo on Tom Arnold, Punk made a Freudian slip regarding Seth Rollins, "Go search for relevancy somewhere else." Mic and drop.

There are rumors galore about CM Punk returning to the wrestling ring, but that likely won't happen for awhile. He did chuckle when Renee Young suggested him as a possible Royal Rumble entrant, but also said he had not been in contact with anyone at WWE. He may or may not have been honest with his response, but it's difficult to imagine him in his current position without WWE's blessing. We'll all just have to wait and see.

Of course, CM Punk doesn't have to get in a wrestling ring to steal Seth Rollins' thunder or prove that he is still the best in the business. If Chicago had a Mount Rushmore, it would probably include Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Mayor Dayley, and CM Punk. A mere appearance by Punk would pop the arena and cause the Chicago faithful to absolutely lose their minds. Furthermore, a Punk appearance would ensure that WWE would be the talk of the sports world and ratings would certainly increase in reciprocation.

Rollins will likely endure some "CM Punk" chants anyway, but how much better will they be, if CM Punk makes an appearance and receives the loudest ovation of the evening, louder than anyone on the roster including 'The Architect?'

The reception Punk receives in Chicago might be the final push he needs to get back in the ring. As the old saying goes, if you give a mouse a cookie, chances are he will want a glass of milk. A warm welcome from the Chicago faithful might just draw Punk back into a WWE ring.

#2 The Undertaker makes his return

The Undertaker

The legend of The Undertaker began at Survivor Series nearly three decades ago. Debuting at Survivor Series 1990, The Phenom pinned WWE Hall of Famers Koko B. Ware and Dusty Rhodes before being unceremoniously counted out. It was the very beginning of The DeadMan's story, a legacy which saw 25 WrestleMania matches in 30 years.

While WWE often makes mention of The Undertaker during this time of year, outside of his upcoming interview with Steve Austin, there hasn't been much buzz regarding any 'Taker appearance at this year's annual fall classic. It should be noted, however, that The Undertaker is scheduled to be in Chicago, Illinois for Survivor Series weekend.

On Saturday, November 23rd, The Deadman will be making an appearance at the Chicago Sports Spectacular. The Undertaker will sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans, which all leads to one question. We know what he's doing on Saturday, but what will The Undertaker's schedule look like on Sunday?

Already in Chicago, it isn't difficult to imagine The Undertaker showing up at WWE's annual fall extravaganza and if he does, could he confront The Fiend? Wyatt's new alter-ego has been described as a modern day Undertaker, leading to rampant speculation that the two will square off at the upcoming WrestleMania 36. If this is indeed true, it could all begin this Sunday at Survivor Series.

Meanwhile, fans interested in purchasing tickets to meet The Undertaker may do so HERE.

#1 NXT sweeps Survivor Series

Triple H and the NXT roster

NXT is no one's little brother anymore. The Black and Yellow brand has made it abundantly clear: they play second fiddle to no one and in recent weeks especially, have proven to be on par with RAW and SmackDown. At Survivor Series, Triple H's brainchild will have the opportunity to prove that they are WWE's superior brand.

With a ratings war looming, this could all lead to NXT sweeping Survivor Series in spectacular fashion. It isn't as shocking as it seems on the surface. NXT is already going head to head against WWE's chief Wednesday night competition and in an effort to gain viewership, Finn Balor has already committed to the brand with more names rumored to follow.

Triple H has already made overtures toward Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens, but both seem destined to stay with the Red Brand. Ultimately, NXT will likely seek to prove that they need no one from the "main roster" to assert their dominance at Survivor Series.

With fans often critical of WWE Creative, this could be an opportunity for the company to commit to change and say publicly in a huge way, "We agree with you and we are going to get our act together."

With SmackDown on FOX reportedly committed to a more athletically driven product, the rest of WWE may follow NXT's lead and move away from some of the silly theatrics and back to NXT-style professional wrestling.

There would be no better way to announce a newfound commitment to giving fans what they want then by allowing NXT to sweep Survivor Series and put on full public display that the brand is the future of WWE.

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