This Saturday, WWE presents its Thanksgiving weekend tradition: Survivor Series! This is the second straight year that WWE’s fall classic has merged with one of WCW’s greatest match concepts to create Survivor Series: WarGames, and there are two double-cage matches that are sure to be incredible on the card for tonight. On top of that, there’s also the faintest of chances that tonight could be a homecoming of sorts for a certain Straight Edge Superstar…
WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 date and start time
WWE Survivor Series: WarGames will air live on Saturday, November 24, 2023 at 8pm ET from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL.
How to watch WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023
WWE Survivor Series: WarGames will stream on Peacock in the United States, and the WWE Network elsewhere.
WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 full card and predictions
Bonus Question: Will CM Punk appear?
Jay: I say no, but it I’ll agree it is a possibility. WWE has gone out of their way to make sure that no one is anticipating Punk to show up, that has included openly stating that Randy Orton is the fifth member for Team Rhodes at War Games and to reach out to wrestling journalists to make sure that they at least reported that it was a no. WWE has always been guilty of many things, but, they rarely – if ever – advertise someone or something that was not going to appear. Evidence of this can be seen with Stone Cold returning for a match at WrestleMania 38, when the entire angle was pitched that Austin was returning for a talk show segment with a graphic that solidified that to ensure that fans did not get their hopes up if a match did not end up happening. Contrast this with Cody Rhodes returning at WrestleMania 38 against Seth Rollins. They never announced his return prior to the event, but made it clear on television that Seth Rollins would have a mystery opponent for Mania and leaked to journalists that it was Cody Rhodes in that spot. So judging by prior behavior, no, Punk is not returning. However, who the hell is Shinsuke teasing? So who knows?
Prediction: Probably not, but maybe? Idk?
Shane: It sounds so cliche to say “never say never” in the world of wrestling, but, that statement holds a lot of weight. You really never can say never in the world of sports entertainment. If Punk was to ever return to WWE, this would be a lay up, but I’m still not sold on it yet. Until the opening chords of Living Colour’s Cult of Personality rips across a WWE-booked arena, my answer is going to be no.
Prediction: No, but not a confident no.
Carlito vs. Santos Escobar
Jay: As Carlito would say, SANTOS ESCOBAR. Escobar is taking this to solidify his heel turn and to drive further dissension in the LWO. It should be a great match as Santos and Carlito have not had a chance to spread their wings in the ring for quite some time and there is a decent enoch story to go along with it.
Winner: Santos Escobar
Shane: Carlito is my boy. I might be the biggest Carlito mark out there. Unfortunately, it makes no sense for him to win this match on Saturday. Santos needs to look strong leading to his clash with Rey and a victory here moves him in the right direction.
Winner: Santos Escobar
Gunther (c) vs. The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship
Jay: Gunther. This is the easiest match of the night to call and it will exceed expectations. Style clashes make for good matches and Gunther and Miz are diametrically opposed on the wrestler vs. sports entertainer spectrum as anyone on the roster. Both have a great amount of respect and familiarity with the opposing style and work well when faced with it. Gunther will take it but the question is then what? Lesnar?
Winner: Gunther
Shane: Gunther. Next.
Winner: Gunther
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Zoey Stark for the Women’s World Championship
Jay: Rhea. Rhea is, undoubtedly, a star and in many ways has grown beyond being a champion. She is in that top star category where she doesn’t need the title to be the focal point of the division ala Charlotte, Becky, and Bayley. With that said, her reign has been awful. The title is a prop for her, she has had no notable defenses aside from facing Zelina Vega in Puerto Rico which only gets attention because of the reaction Zelina got, she has not elevated the title or the division in stature, and she, honestly, would be in the same place with or without the title because her ascension has come from her association with The Judgment Day. So yeah, Rhea will win because the title is something for Rhea to pose with.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Shane: I do agree with Jay – Rhea has surpassed her championship. I don’t know if I would say her reign has been awful, but it definitely hasn’t been as strong as it could be. The only problem is, who in the division is a big enough star to take the belt off of her? Becky seems like the most obvious answer, but I don’t know if I like that or not. Time will tell, I guess. But yes, another dominant Rhea Ripley victory.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Shotzi, and Becky Lynch vs. Damage CTRL (WarGames)
Jay: Team Bianca. Damage CTRL is very clearly going to turn on Bayley and this will likely be the catalyst for it. It has been four years since we have seen Bayley as a face so it will be refreshing to see her work in that way. Regardless though, this is going to be a hell of a match. IYO always shine in matches like this, Charlotte has never put on a stinker, and I expect Shotzi to have a breakout moment.
Winners: Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Shotzi, and Becky Lynch
Shane: I don’t think Damage CTRL is turning on Bayley here quite yet. In fact, I think it will be Bayley who pins Shotzi to win the match for her team to give her a little more confidence in her position in the group overall. The turn is coming, no doubt, just not on Saturday night. And plus, I think the babyfaces are winning the men’s match so the baddies will win here.
Winners: Damage CTRL
Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and Randy Orton vs. The Judgment Day and Drew McIntyre
Jay: Team Cody. This match heralds the return of Randy Orton so, if for nothing else, this match will serve as a welcome home party for the Viper so expect them to take the win. But more so, WrestleMania season is just around the corner and it is time to reheat Cody Rhodes to face Roman. As of now, I would guess that no one really wants to see that rematch but Cody and Roman can work wonders with a microphone so we’ll see.
Winners: Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and Randy Orton
Shane: I agree with Jay, again. This is Randy’s coming home party at an event that has come up smelling Orton on more than several occasions. I didn’t realize how much I missed Randy RKOing fools so I’m really looking forward to that moment inside WAR GAMES! And then there’s that whole argument about reheating Cody heading into Rumble and WrestleMania season that can’t be ignored. Unless CM Punk actually does return…
Winners: Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and Randy Orton
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