Raw Five-Point Preview: Nov. 16, 2015

Raw Five-Point Preview: Nov. 16, 2015

There are returns, and there are returns. The second coming of The Brothers of Destruction at the end of last week’s Raw was the latter. As The Undertaker & Kane’s unholy war against The Wyatt Family reaches its crescendo, the tournament for Seth Rollins’ vacated WWE World Heavyweight Championship has taken a tour into four must-see matches. What awaits the WWE Universe as the road to Survivor Series rounds its final bend? WWE.com previews Monday’s Raw.

Cesaro and the Romans

Roman Reigns vs. Big Show - WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Match: Raw, November 9, 2015

The Big Dog chooses to starts over, taking on the giant in the first round of the tournament to crown a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion at Survivor Series.

In perhaps the biggest wild card of all the quarterfinal tournament matches taking place Monday, Roman Reigns faces Cesaro in a match that may well leave a crater in the Earth when all is said and done. A battle of grassroots support — expect the Cesaro Section to get rowdy for their boy — and what could very well be manifest destiny, the match already has both Superstars, and the WWE Universe, on the edge of their seats. Will fan favorite Cesaro uppercut his way to the semis? Or is the Roman Empire simply too powerful to overthrow?

Let's get nuts

Dean Ambrose vs. Tyler Breeze - WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Match: Raw, November 9, 2015

The Lunatic Fringe faces off against Prince Pretty in the first round of the tournament to crown a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion at Survivor Series.

In an odd twist of fate, Tyler Breeze missed the opportunity to face off with his rival Dolph Ziggler in the semifinals after falling to Dean Ambrose in the round of 16. Now, The Lunatic Fringe has The Showoff in Round 2, and both Superstars are banged up. Ambrose is sporting a sore shoulder; Ziggler’s swiveling around on a wonky leg. It’ll take an especially gritty effort for either man to make it through, and even then, there’s no telling what shape they’ll be in come the semifinals. And that’s if a jilted Breeze doesn’t decide to get involved …

Little Big Guy

Ryback vs. Kalisto - WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Match: SmackDown, November 12, 2015

In a match of pure power vs. high-flying speed, The Big Guy goes head-to-head with Kalisto in the tournament to crown a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion at Survivor Series.

The biggest upset of the tournament yet occurred when Kalisto surprised Ryback on SmackDown to advance to the quarterfinals, where Alberto Del Rio is lying in wait. Given that some of Del Rio’s most timeless confrontations came against Rey Mysterio, it’s safe to say that Kalisto, whose style resembles The Ultimate Underdog, will give the U.S. Champion a terrific fight. But can The King of Flight clear this obstacle to stick his landing in the semis?

Fight or flight

Titus O'Neil vs. Kevin Owens - WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Match: Raw, November 9, 2015

The Intercontinental Champion looks to add the World Title to his accolades in the first round of the tournament to crown a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion at Survivor Series.

Fans of NXT should be salivating over this one: The last quarterfinal contest pits two former NXT Champions against each other when Neville (who bested King Barrett) and Kevin Owens (who beat Titus O’Neil) butt heads in a match that has occurred only a handful of times. These two NXT alumni make magic whenever they set foot in the ring, but it’s highly unlikely they’ll be satisfied with simply having a great match. Who will advance to the semis is anyone’s guess, but at least we know that, win or lose, KO’s post-match interview will be on point.

Hell on earth

Bray Wyatt challenges The Brothers of Destruction for Survivor Series: SmackDown, November 12, 2015

Three days after The Brothers of Destruction returned and took them down on Raw, The Wyatt Family roars back on SmackDown with a huge Survivor Series challenge.

“Survivor Series” may end up becoming a very literal name when all is said and done. After The Brothers of Destruction were regurgitated from Hell or wherever Bray Wyatt sent them to, the storied Superstars accepted The Eater of Worlds’ challenge for the fall classic: Two of them against two of his. The Deadman and The Devil’s Favorite Demon's opponents have yet to be selected from Wyatt's flock, but expect the battle lines to become clearer come Monday at 8/7 C, live on USA Network. Then rest in peace … until Survivor Series, of course.

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