In less than two weeks’ time, WWE will hold its annual Survivor Series event. Previous editions of this premium live event have featured superstars from Monday Night RAW going up against members of the Friday Night SmackDown roster for brand supremacy. This time around, things will be a little different as the event has been billed as “Survivor Series WarGames”.
On this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW, WWE finally unveiled the official rules for the Survivor Series WarGames matches. The following looks at the history of the match itself, the official rules and an update on the teams that will (or are expected) to do battle at Survivor Series WarGames.
History of the WarGames Match
As avid wrestling fans undoubtedly know, the WarGames match is not a new phenomenon. The WarGames match was first used in Jim Crockett Promotions and later in the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) promotion. For the last five years, WWE NXT has held an annual premium live event built around the WarGames match.
Since taking over as WWE’s Chief Content Officer in the wake of Vince McMahon’s retirement, Triple H has done plenty of great things. Survivor Series will soon become his latest achievement as this marks the first time ever that a WWE main roster event will feature the WarGames match stipulation.
The onset of Survivor Series WarGames also brought an end to the annual NXT WarGames premium live event.
WWE Survivor Series WarGames Official Rules
So, just what can fans expect at WWE Survivor Series WarGames? Per the graphic displayed on the November 14th episode of Monday Night RAW, the following is a list of the official rules for the main roster debut of the WarGames match.
– Two teams of five superstars each will be contained in separate cages with one member of each team starting the match.
– After five minutes, a member from the “advantaged team” will be released to enter the match.
– After a three-minute period, alternating members from each team will enter the match until all competitors are inside the cage.
– Once all competitors have entered, WarGames officially begins.
– The only way to win the match is by pinfall or submission.
Teams Competing at Survivor Series WarGames 2022
At the time of writing, the match card for WWE Survivor Series WarGames is still very much coming into focus. In fact, on the men’s side, there has yet to be any official word on teams or superstars that will partake in a WarGames match.
With that being said, it’s pretty obvious that Roman Reigns and The Bloodline will form one of the teams. Given how last week’s episode of SmackDown ended, one has to figure that Sheamus, The Brawling Brutes and Drew McIntyre will comprise 80% of the opposing team.
Meanwhile, on the women’s side, nine of the ten superstars who will do battle at Survivor Series WarGames have already been revealed. RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair will lead a team of her friends up against Bayley, Damage CTRL and a few intriguing add-ins.
The following outlines the entire full Survivor Series WarGames match card, including confirmed matches and superstars well as the speculated participants for the Men’s WarGames match. Fans will want to keep a close eye on both SmackDown this Friday and RAW next Monday as the full match card and WarGames teams continue to be revealed.
Women’s WarGames Match
Bianca Belair, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, Mia Yim and TBD vs. Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky, Nikki Cross and Rhea Ripley
Men’s WarGames Match
Note: Participants have yet to be officially confirmed and thus are purely speculative at this time
Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa and Sami Zayn vs. Sheamus, Ridge Holland, Butch, Drew McIntyre and TBD
SmackDown Women’s Championship Match
Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Shotzi
Men’s Singles Match
AJ Styles vs. Finn Balor
