During those first two rounds, none of the matches really got main-event focus. I thought that was a bad move by the WWE. This tournament finally got a small taste of that on Smackdown this week. The final four men in the tournament faced each other in a tag match. Better than nothing.
Onto who wins. Going by dirtsheet reports, many people backstage supposedly want Dean Ambrose to win. Of course, those reports leave a little wiggle room by saying Vince McMahon will have the final say. In other words, anything can happen.
It is pretty obvious whom the WWE will put in the final match. Two of the men in this tournament are holding titles already. Alberto Del Rio is the United States Champion. Kevin Owens is the Intercontinental Champion. It isn't likely they pick up another title. We just saw a World Champion holding a midcard title very recently. I doubt the WWE goes there again. Is it likely one of the current Champions even makes it to the final round? Again, I think not. It would be great for the sake of a swerve, but it looks like it will come down to Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose.
Assuming Reigns and Ambrose are the final two, what will that look like? This is Shield vs. Shield, although it would not have gotten the build Reigns vs. Rollins would have gotten. These are two faces. These are two friends that are as close as brothers. The situation is just ripe for a heel turn. It would probably be disappointing if there was not one. With the WWE losing someone they were pushing as a top heel, they might feel they need to plug someone else into that position.
The Authority obviously needs a new chosen one if they are going to continue the facade that they are a stable. They have not hidden the fact that they are looking for someone. Not only are you likely to get a heel turn, or possibly someone already a heel getting elevated to a bigger push, but you are likely to see them with The Authority.
Reigns or Ambrose? A lot of people keep on suggesting that Reigns turn heel. He is over with certain fans, but hated by those critical wrestling fans. I don't think it will be an easy answer like some people suggest. The issues with Roman Reigns go beyond a bad character. As for Dean Ambrose, I have seen it mentioned that Ambrose turning heel and joining The Authority would not make sense. It doesn't match his character. That would make the turn even better. Why would Dean Ambrose do that? It would get people talking. And it would be an opportunity for Dean Ambrose to evolve. I will go with Ambrose being the one to turn and win the title.
If there is a heel turn, it should not be a prolonged heel turn. I have seen some fans suggest the WWE plant the seeds of a heel turn and build to it later. No. The WWE just did that kind of thing with Paige and it was sloppy. After her doing a promo that made it obvious she was turning heel, they had her get back with her stable, then turn on them by attacking them. It was just awkward. It was not handled properly. It was like "frenemies" all over again. It wasn't developed like Randy Orton pretending to rejoin The Authority to strike Seth Rollins when the moment was right. If there is going to be a heel turn, let it be like Seth turning on The Shield. No turning back. Have someone sell out.
And then there's Sheamus. He can cash in. The WWE could have him be The Authority's new guy. Keep both Ambrose and Reigns face and just elevate someone that is already a heel. Problem is, I do not think many fans buy Sheamus as an A or A+ player. I doubt even the WWE would be willing to elevate him into that position. I will stick with Ambrose turning and winning the title. As for Sheamus, unless the WWE starts developing him better, I can only imagine him failing when he does eventually cash in.
Last year's Survivor Series featured the WWE debut of Sting. That created buzz and led to Raw the next night getting a nice ratings boost. I expect something shocking to happen at Survivor Series. To just have either Roman Reigns or Dean Ambrose win cleanly, shake hands, and leave it at that would not be intriguing. There has to be some kind of swerve somewhere. Will it be a heel turn? Sheamus cashing in? Either Del Rio or Owens winning another title? Someone shocking getting involved in the main event? Let's see if the WWE can pull off the unexpected.
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