Tag: WWE Survivor Series

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 predictions — Who will triumph in Chicago?

Who will win the WarGames this matches at Survivor Series? And what other match might steal the show in Chicago?

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”https://cdn5.anyclip.com/RPsU7YsBIyWJbpfqTk8-/1700489667084_248x140_thumbnail.jpg” playlistId=”undefined” content=”PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnBvcHRvay5jb20vYW55Y2xpcC13aWRnZXQvbHJlLXdpZGdldC9wcm9kL3YxL3NyYy9scmUuanMiIGRhdGEtYXI9IjE2OjkiIGRhdGEtcGxpZD0ia2ppaGd2anhsZnp1ZXNsems1ZmdlNGRnb2ZrZ3dvYm4iIHB1Ym5hbWU9IjE5OTgiIHdpZGdldG5hbWU9IjAwMTZNMDAwMDJVMEIxa1FBRl9NODMzMCI+Cjwvc2NyaXB0Pg==”][/anyclip-media]

I can’t believe I am about to type this, but for the second year in a row, I am looking forward to watching Survivor Series.

It’s been a while for me, as I have been firmly on the bandwagon to just get rid of Survivor Series all together. The fact that there are two WarGames matches and no Survivor Series matches on a show called Survivor Series tells me the people in charge at WWE don’t care that much about it either. I don’t blame them.

As far as the card itself, it’s carried mostly by a pair of what should be exciting WarGames matches. However, most of the talk surrounding the show is about who may or may not be in the building Saturday night. 

Of course I’m talking about CM Punk, which even bringing his name up in this context feels very speculative, but we can’t ignore the elephant in the room, even if it’s merely a figment of our collective imagination. 

Regardless, I try to only make predictions on things that are actually advertised and we’ve got a short list to get through.

Signs still point to no CM Punk at Survivor Series, but fans find one last hope in music

A remastered version of his entrance theme is keeping hope alive for some fans who want CM Punk at WWE Survivor Series.

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”https://cdn5.anyclip.com/RPsU7YsBIyWJbpfqTk8-/1700489667084_248x140_thumbnail.jpg” playlistId=”undefined” content=”PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnBvcHRvay5jb20vYW55Y2xpcC13aWRnZXQvbHJlLXdpZGdldC9wcm9kL3YxL3NyYy9scmUuanMiIGRhdGEtYXI9IjE2OjkiIGRhdGEtcGxpZD0ia2ppaGd2anhsZnp1ZXNsems1ZmdlNGRnb2ZrZ3dvYm4iIHB1Ym5hbWU9IjE5OTgiIHdpZGdldG5hbWU9IjAwMTZNMDAwMDJVMEIxa1FBRl9NODMzMCI+Cjwvc2NyaXB0Pg==”][/anyclip-media]

What’s the day before WWE Survivor Series: WarGames in Chicago without one last check on the CM Punk situation, right? Like it or not, the possibility of Punk showing up at the Allstate Arena continues to hang over Saturday night’s show.

The most well-connected and respected pro wrestling insiders still think it’s unlikely that Punk is at the show. Dave Meltzer said in his latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required) that he’s seen “no evidence this is happening but admits it’s not impossible.

Of course the biggest question regarding the show probably involves C.M. Punk. If WWE was to bring in Punk, this night or Smackdown the night before would be the place to debut him. We’ve seen no evidence this is happening and those close to the situation have denied it, but it is possible it’s a well-kept secret.

Sean Ross Sapp wrote a lengthy Q&A running down everything he knows about Punk for Fightful Select (subscription required). His stance is essentially the same, noting that the facts point to no unless it is a very well-kept secret.

We’ve not reported one way or another that he will or won’t. He’s not featured on any graphics, rundowns, plans that we’ve heard of as of yet. We’ve heard nothing as of today to indicate he is, and so far, only solid information that would indicate he isn’t.

“Plans change” is an oft-made fun of thing, but that’s the nature of scripted pro wrestling. It can be scripted to change, and often does. Karrion Kross wasn’t signed at the start of the week when he returned. Will Ospreay signed his AEW contract after arriving at the venue last week. Dakota Kai was contacted for a return the day before Summerslam 2022.

WWE’s claim is that CM Punk won’t be there. Punk’s claim to friends is that he won’t be. This does not permanently close the door.

So the best hope for Punk fans invested in seeing him return in his hometown would seem to be a last second agreement. And in what is either foreshadowing or a massive coincidence, depending on how Survivor Series plays out, a remaster of Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality,” Punk’s most famous entrance theme was released to music streaming services today — though there are also signs this isn’t actually a brand new remaster at all.

Even for those who are tired of the seemingly ceaseless circus that surrounds Punk, Survivor Series will be interesting as a test for whether WWE feels pressure to deliver something some segment of its fanbase wants and/or expects, or if it feels confident to stay the course during a time when most observers agree the company has been on a hot streak. It’s going to be an intriguing event either way.

[lawrence-related id=41453]

WWE WarGames rules: How the WarGames match works (this year)

A quick refresher on the rules for the WarGames matches at WWE Survivor Series 2023.

As Michael Cole has reminded us during WWE broadcasts, the rules to WarGames have changed slightly over the years, but the gist of it remains the same. It’s a brutal affair between two teams, taking place in two rings surrounded by a super-sized steel cage. Weapons are legal and anything goes.

That doesn’t mean there are no rules whatsoever. Here’s the rundown on the WWE WarGames match rules for this edition of Survivor Series:

  • Two participants start out the match, one for each team. The other members of each team are inside shark cages, waiting for their turn to enter.
  • At “equal intervals,” a new superstar enters the match. This is where WWE can tweak things if desired, because the time between entrants can and has changed over the years. The important thing to remember here is that the team with the advantage will often have a numerical advantage, because it’s always one of their members who will enter before the other team (so they’ll have 2-on-1, 3-on-2, 4-on-3, etc. for several minutes). The Judgment Day won the advantage for the Men’s WarGames match on the Nov. 20 episode of Raw, while the advantage for the Women’s WarGames match is being decided by a fan vote.
  • The actual match doesn’t end until every member of both teams has entered the cage. So there’s no point to going for a pin before everyone has entered, and submission holds are only good for wearing people down during that time.
  • The only way to win is by pinfall or submission, and it only takes one fall: WarGames isn’t an elimination-style match.

One final note is that the Men’s and Women’s WarGames matches don’t have the same number of combatants per team, as the former is 5v5 and the latter 4v4. But that doesn’t make a difference except that the women’s match will likely be shorter since both teams will end up in the cage sooner.

You can see these rules in action soon enough, as WWE Survivor Series: WarGames is set for the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont on Saturday, Nov. 25.

[lawrence-related id=41457]

How to watch WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 — Live stream US, international

A quick holiday week reminder on how to watch WWE Survivor Series: WarGames this weekend.

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”https://cdn5.anyclip.com/RPsU7YsBIyWJbpfqTk8-/1700489667084_248x140_thumbnail.jpg” playlistId=”undefined” content=”PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnBvcHRvay5jb20vYW55Y2xpcC13aWRnZXQvbHJlLXdpZGdldC9wcm9kL3YxL3NyYy9scmUuanMiIGRhdGEtYXI9IjE2OjkiIGRhdGEtcGxpZD0ia2ppaGd2anhsZnp1ZXNsems1ZmdlNGRnb2ZrZ3dvYm4iIHB1Ym5hbWU9IjE5OTgiIHdpZGdldG5hbWU9IjAwMTZNMDAwMDJVMEIxa1FBRl9NODMzMCI+Cjwvc2NyaXB0Pg==”][/anyclip-media]

It’s nearly Thanksgiving, so it’s that time of the year again where WWE presents Survivor Series, the long-running premium live event that usually pits teams and brands against each other, although the latter isn’t happening this year.

Instead, two WarGames matches will headline Survivor Series, as it’ll take two babyface groups trying to take down heel stables that are running rampant across Raw and SmackDown.

Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair and Shotzi will compete against IYO SKY, Kairi Sane, Bayley, and Asuka in WarGames. Over the last few weeks, Damage CTRL has increased in membership to five, but Bayley has been noticeably marginalized within the group. If tensions arise during the match, it could potentially end her involvement with the stable she once formed.

The other WarGames match pits Jey Uso, Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn and probably Randy Orton against Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Drew McIntyre.

On the go-home episode of Raw, Rhodes clearly hinted at the Viper, who has not wrestled in over 18 months, being their mystery partner. It’s hard to believe it could be anyone else, even with the internet buzzing about CM Punk’s theme music playing at the Allstate Arena. When Orton emerges from behind the curtain, it will undoubtedly be a special moment for one of WWE’s iconic figures.

Survivor Series features a small match card otherwise since WarGames will dominate the night. Gunther vs. The Miz, Rhea Ripley vs. Zoey Stark, and Carlito vs. Santos Escobar all have the chance to potentially shine with more time, though, to make the undercard intriguing and entertaining.

These matches will grace Survivor Series. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the action this weekend.

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023
  • Location: Allstate Arena, Chicago, Illinois
  • Start time: 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT
  • How to watch: On Peacock in the U.S., and on WWE Network in the rest of the world

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 betting odds — Could be a good night to be bad

The heels are expected to win most of the matches on the card for WWE Survivor Series: WarGames on Saturday.

Survivor Series: WarGames is set to hit the Chicago area this weekend, and it’s looking like a fun show.

Just don’t expect it to be the feel good event of the year.

With just five matches on the card thanks to the two extra long WarGames bouts, there should be more chances for fan favorites to shine. But oddsmakers don’t expect that to be the case.

In fact, according to Betfair, the only faces expected to see their hands raised in victory are the anti-Judgment Day coalition of Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, and in his long awaited return from injury, Randy Orton. Heel champions Gunther and Rhea Ripley should both retain their titles, and Damage CTRL is the betting favorite over a team of good guys led by Bianca Belair and featuring heavy hitters Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch.

Like we always do about this time, a disclaimer: We don’t recommend wagering on pro wrestling matches since you don’t have info that others might. But we do enjoy examining the lines as an indicator of what the masses think might happen at a big event.

It would be fun as well if Betfair set a line on whether CM Punk will show up, but alas. Here’s a look at the latest betting odds for Saturday’s show, expressed as U.S.-style odds.

Latest update: Nov. 21, 2023, 6:00 p.m.

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 betting odds:

WWE Intercontinental Championship match
  • Gunther (c): -715
  • The Miz: +400
WWE Women’s World Championship match
  • Rhea Ripley (c): -1425
  • Zoey Stark: +550
Singles match
  • Santos Escobar: -300
  • Carlito: +200
Women’s WarGames match
  • Damage CTRL (Asuka, Bayley, IYO SKY and Kairi Sane): -150
  • Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair and Shotzi: +100
Men’s WarGames match
  • Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn and Seth Rollins: -300
  • The Judgment Day (Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor and JD McDonagh) and Drew McIntyre: +190

Why some WWE fans are still convinced CM Punk will show up at Survivor Series

Even with Randy Orton announced for WarGames, some fans still think CM Punk could make his WWE return on Saturday.

WWE doesn’t generally give away big returns. There have been any number of times where a match called for a mystery or surprise partner whose identity was hidden until their music hit. Cody Rhodes is probably the most prominent relatively recent example, with WWE not confirming reports that he had signed with the company and leaving him to appear as Seth Rollins’ mystery opponent at WrestleMania 38.

With that in mind, it was a tad unusual that WWE chose to reveal Randy Orton as the fifth member of the Rhodes-led team of faces that will go up against The Judgment Day and Drew McIntyre in the men’s WarGames match this weekend at Survivor Series. Though Orton has been reportedly close to a return for a while, WWE could easily have left his participation a question right up until his spot in WarGames actually comes up.

So why didn’t it? Fightful Select (subscription required) has the answer.

Randy Orton’s reveal was done intentionally as to not make fans believe CM Punk would be the partner.

That’s a smart move because it’s pretty clear that many fans did actually think Punk would be added to the match. It’s not hard to imagine the Allstate Arena just echoing with “CM Punk” chants while the first nine men in WarGames are fighting it out, and avoiding that is best for everyone.

(It’s also worth noting that WWE didn’t pick Chicago as the site for Survivor Series expecting that this was going to be an issue. The company announced the venue in July, while Punk didn’t have his All In confrontation until August. He was officially fired in early September.)

Almost every well-connected wrestling insider has stated that they don’t expect Punk to show up on Saturday. Fightful says “WWE’s stance hadn’t changed on CM Punk at Survivor Series,” and has consistently said that stance is something like “not opposed to it, but not right now.” Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer has said much the same thing.

But that doesn’t mean Punk fans have given up. One theory is that the Orton reveal is a ruse, and that the Viper will be beaten up backstage or something of that nature, causing Rhodes and company to need a late substitute.

Even more people have zeroed in on the cryptic messages that Shinsuke Nakamura has been recording. The end game, they figure, is that Nakamura — who isn’t currently scheduled for a match at Survivor Series — will call out the person he’s been referring to in Chicago … and Punk will be the one to answer.

At this point, almost every WWE fan falls into one of three buckets. One is tired of the constant CM Punk tea leaf reading and just wants to enjoy Survivor Series. The second is confident Punk will make a WWE return at some point, so if not on Saturday, they won’t be bothered because hey, there’s always Royal Rumble. And the final group is really invested in seeing Punk back in WWE in his hometown.

How disappointed will the last batch be if, as looks like it will be the case, Saturday’s show is Punk-free? We’ll know in just a few days.

WWE Survivor Series: Wargames 2023 card — Randy Orton returns

An updated look at the full match card for WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023.

WWE Survivor Series returns to the Allstate Arena in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 25, continuing its tradition as an annual premium live event. It usually serves as the last big event before Royal Rumble, often featuring Raw vs. SmackDown matches, but WarGames has recently become the headlining bout.

Among the matches confirmed for Survivor Series 2023, Zoey Stark, who won a battle royal on the Nov. 6 episode of Raw, will challenge Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship.

Trish Stratus’ former protege lost the Fatal Five-way match at Crown Jewel for Ripley’s title, but she’ll have her chance at redemption in a singles championship match — her first since her promotion to the main roster following WrestleMania 39.

During Raw, it was mentioned that the winner of the No. 1 Contenders match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship would face Gunther at Survivor Series. The Miz claimed that opportunity by defeating Bronson Reed, Ricochet and Ivar, to set up a match for a title often associated with him.

WarGames will also happen, as WWE confirmed in a promotional video package for Survivor Series. They didn’t set anyone for it at the time, but on Raw, after a wild brawl to close the show, Adam Pearce announced that Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn will face Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh of The Judgment Day in this two-ring match of chaos.

Just this week, that match got two more twists. Drew McIntyre allied himself with The Judgment Day, while it was revealed that Randy Orton will return after more than a year recovering from injury to join the other team.

Survivor Series goes down on Saturday, Nov. 25 from the Allstate Arena near Chicago.

Latest update: Nov. 20, 2023, 11:55 p.m. ET.

WWE Survivor Series 2023 card:

  • Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn and Randy Orton vs. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh) and Drew McIntyre – WarGames match
  • Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Shotzi and Becky Lynch vs. Damage CTRL (Asuka, Bayley, IYO SKY and Kairi Sane) – WarGames match
  • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Zoey Stark – Women’s World Championship match
  • Gunther (c) vs. The Miz – WWE Intercontinental Championship match
  • Santos Escobar vs. Carlito

Who might still be added to the men’s WarGames match at Survivor Series? We think we know

If the teams for the men’s WarGames match get expanded to 5, there are a few candidates for who could join the fray at Survivor Series.

This week on Raw, GM Adam Pearce finally got fed up enough at the ongoing battle between some of the brand’s top fan favorites and The Judgment Day — which exploded into a wild, show-ending brawl — that he told them all they’d be facing each other in a WarGames match at Survivor Series in Chicago later this month.

On the surface, it seemed like a pretty straightforward setup. The Judgment Day has four men in the group (if you include JD McDonagh, whose status is somewhat tenuous), and there are four men who have been tussling with them on a regular basis: Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn and Seth Rollins. Four on four, pretty cut and dried.

But while there’s no set number of participants on each side of a WarGames bout, the most common format for it is 5v5. Someone brought that up to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp on Monday night, and he had a telling response.

So if the men’s WarGames match will eventually end up a 5v5 affair, who will join each side? Let’s take some educated guesses.

Who might join The Judgment Day for WarGames?

The Judgment Day seems like it might have a problem finding someone to join up with them. Despite Rhea Ripley’s recruiting efforts, Raw stars like Uso and Rollins have chosen to stand against them. McDonagh, as noted, is barely accepted by the other members (especially Damian Priest).

But there’s one obvious choice who would fight beside them even if it’s somewhat reluctantly: Drew McIntyre.

The Scottish Warrior is in the middle of what appears to be a slow-motion heel turn, driven by some of the most realistic motivations in pro wrestling right now. Not only is he desperate to get the world championship moment in front of crowds that the pandemic denied him, McIntyre simply can’t let go of the person he feels cost him that chance last fall: Uso, when he was a loyal member of The Bloodline.

McIntyre isn’t the joining type, so he’s probably never going to officially join The Judgment Day (who, as Zayn just pointed out, is close to becoming Bloodline 2.0). Could he be so consumed by bitterness toward Uso for his role in the recent past, and Rollins, for defeating him at Crown Jewel, that he’d be willing to team with the stable at Survivor Series?

Absolutely.

That gets us to five on the heel side, but what about our heroes? That spot seems likely to be filled by someone we haven’t seen around WWE for a while … but which one is the question.

Who might join the anti-Judgment Day side for WarGames?

There’s one person who would certainly join the faces to battle The Judgment Day if asked, and that’s Kevin Owens. His friendship with Zayn remains intact, he came around on Uso and he at least tolerates Rhodes and Rollins.

Still, this WarGames matchup feels like it’s going to be a Raw-only deal, and KO is on SmackDown now. It’s still possible he could be summoned just for this, but it doesn’t seem likely.

So that increases the chances that the face side will have a mystery partner, and if that turns out to be the case, a returning Randy Orton would make a lot of sense. He’s been rumored to be close to coming back for a bit, and WWE would obviously want to roll him out at a big moment. This certainly qualifies.

Like any big star who’s been absent for a while (Orton hasn’t wrestled May 2022), he’s best positioned as a fan favorite for his initial appearance because the crowd will want to cheer for him anyway. If they’d save him for the last person to enter the match without revealing him, the fans in Chicago will lose their minds as soon as they hear “I hear voices in my head … ”

Of course, there’s another theme song that would take a Chicago crowd to another level of frenzy, and that’s “Cult of Personality.” Is there still a chance that CM Punk could be the fifth member of this team?

It’s wrestling, so sure, anything is possible. There’s definitely a lot of people out there who believe he will show up, spurred on by what they feel are intentional references seeded throughout WWE programming over the past month or so.

Let’s put it this way: WWE is definitely trying to dissuade people from expecting Punk to be at Survivor Series. The most connected pro wrestling insiders believe that right this second, he isn’t coming in. But if he comes to some sort of agreement with WWE over the next few weeks, there wouldn’t be a better time or place to unveil him.

If the good guys go into the event with a mystery slot on their team, there’s definitely going to be a ton of anticipation over who might fill it.

CM Punk on WWE Survivor Series rumors: ‘I don’t want to burst anybody’s bubble’

CM Punk said taking care of his injured dog and enjoying the Chicago weather are his current priorities.

One of the ideas that has fascinated segments of pro wrestling fandom over the past few months is the idea that CM Punk will return to WWE at Survivor Series. Why? Probably because the circumstances just seem too perfect: After being fired by AEW earlier this year, Punk showing up at a premium live event in his hometown of Chicago for the company he once seemed certain to never work for again would just be peak pro wrestling.

Despite credible reports that it’s not going to happen, the belief persists. So much so that a Chicago radio show simply asked Punk if he was going to appear.

Punk appeared Thursday as a guest on the Bernstein & Holmes show, where he gave a humorous answer to whether he would be at Survivor Series.

They’re asking if I’m going to be there? I think it’s sold out. I think tickets are hard to get.

OK, so how about straight up inquiring if he would be part of the show? Punk suggested that taking care of his injured dog, Larry, was his priority.

I don’t want to burst anybody’s bubble. I’m kind of just sitting at home right now enjoying this beautiful Chicago weather. I have an injury in the family, my dog blew his little dog ACL. So I’m literally just spending my time with him. And I know that sounds a little crazy, but he is my son and I take care of him and treat him as such. So everything has kind of stopped. I’m fortunate to be able to just take time off from everything. I’ve canceled a couple of things I have coming up. Traveling is just, it’s hard trying to leave him here with my wife April. So if there’s two of us here taking care of him, it seems to be easier.

Of course, Punk wouldn’t simply reveal to the world if he was going to be at Survivor Series anyway, which means that the truest of true believers aren’t going to give up hope. Still, on the very likely chance that he isn’t involved in the show, at least he did tell us all that himself.

WWE needs to book WarGames for Survivor Series — and it needs to feature The Judgment Day

A WarGames match at Survivor Series would be the perfect way to show off The Judgment Day’s growth, and they don’t even need to win.

When WWE Hall of Famer Edge was unceremoniously booted out of The Judgment Day due to a real-life injury in June of 2022, it felt like the rest of the group was suddenly rudderless in the treacherous sea known as WWE creative.

After all, Edge founded the group and was by far its most notable member, as the others — Finn Balor, Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest — had yet to reach the heights of stardom as their former leader.

What a difference a (little more than) a year can make.

Today, Balor, Ripley, Priest and now “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio are arguably the most valuable players in all of WWE.

They have been routinely showcased on all three of WWE’s television programs — Raw, Smackdown and NXT — as essentially the high school bullies who incessantly pick on the other kids, which makes them great opponents for WWE’s good guys to go up against on a weekly basis.

The have had feuds with seemingly everyone on the roster from stars of yesteryear like Edge and Rey Mysterio to current stars such as Cody Rhodes and now Jey Uso.

[lawrence-related id=36418]

The potential addition of JD McDonagh will only add another dimension to a group that has proven to be a vital and versatile piece of WWE’s weekly storytelling. 

McDonagh’s addition would also get The Judgment Day one step closer to assembling a team for … (in my William Regal voice) … WarGames!

In case you forgot, WWE brought WarGames, which began back in the 1980s in Jim Crockett Promotions, from NXT to the main roster in 2022 at Survivor Series. Survivor Series is WWE’s second-oldest premium live event, but the overall concept of the show, the multi-person Survivor Series elimination match, had grown quite stale over the years.

WarGames, along with the enthralling Bloodline story, helped give the event a much-needed boost last year and reportedly made it the most watched Survivor Series of all time, along with setting new live gate records for the city of Boston. It would make sense for WWE to run it back with another WarGames in 2023.

But as of this writing, WWE has yet to confirm whether it is bringing the two-ring spectacle back for this year. Maybe that has been by design, as WWE didn’t want to promise the match before it even had a proper angle to utilize it with. When watching Raw lately, however, it looks like WWE has the pieces in place to produce another edition. 

One major piece would be a heel faction for a group of good guys to go up against. WWE does not have to look any further than the Judgment Day to fill that role. WWE also has a great group of heroes for the villainous collective to go up against in Drew McIntyre, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes. 

The last name in that group is the most notable because the WarGames match was created by his father, Dusty Rhodes. Despite his father creating the match, Rhodes has never taken part in a proper WarGames match. During his first stint in WWE, WarGames was nothing more than a collection of matches for the promotion to package together for a home video release.

Even when Rhodes helped start up All Elite Wrestling, he never took part in the promotion’s version of the match. With Cody Rhodes being heavily involved in a story involving the Judgment Day, it would make sense to include him as a homage to the American Dream.

If a WarGames match were to come to fruition, there would be the issue of the group needing to add a fifth member. That is, unless WWE goes to a four-on-four or even a three-on-three format, the latter of which it has used before in NXT.

If the group were to add a fifth (assuming that McDonagh would be the fourth), who would that person be? Bronson Reed? What about a heel McIntyre to even the odds?

Speculation aside, The Judgment Day doesn’t even have to win the WarGames match. Outside of Ripley, the group has taken its fair share of losses over the last year and change and has managed to rebound from all of them. 

I personally thought the group was finished when Balor lost to Edge at Extreme Rules in October of 2022. Let’s not forget Priest losing to non-wrestler Bad Bunny at Backlash, albeit after a great match.

[lawrence-related id=29837]

Yet, here they are stronger than ever with championship titles around the waist of every member. Not to mention, Priest is still the holder of the coveted Money in the Bank briefcase, which grants him a world title opportunity whenever he chooses. Whether Priest actually wins the title or not is a different story.

Suffering a loss at WarGames, which if it does come to fruition I would fully expect, won’t hurt The Judgment Day one bit. The group didn’t fall apart after Edge was sidelined due to injury, nor did it dissolve after a slew of losses in big matches. If the group could survive that (no pun intended), it could get through taking a loss inside of WarGames.

Now, all WWE has to do is book it.