WWE Survivor Series Preview: Matching wrestlers with hockey counterparts

The 37th annual Survivor Series will take place this Saturday, November 25 live from Chicago, streaming on the WWE Network or Sportsnet+ Premium in Canada. The show will be headlined by a pair of War Games matchups.

The War Games match has become the new normal at Survivor Series. Where the annual U.S. Thanksgiving Premium Live Event used to always include a four-on-four or five-on-five elimination match, they have now been done away with in favour of the former staple of WCW programming. This is not to say that the War Games match is inferior to the traditional elimination matches, as many, if not all, of the recent WWE and NXT War Games matches have been met with universal praise.

Since War Games returned to the modern-day pro wrestling landscape, it has featured the usual accoutrement associated with no-holds-barred matches: tables, ladders and chairs, and of course the usual physical pageantry associated with wrestling inside of two rings surrounded by a steel cage. This is all to say, the match requires a level of toughness not all athletes are able to provide. Most fans of both pro wrestling and team sports would agree that hockey players would be able to sustain the punishment inflicted inside a War Games matchup. With that understanding, this column will seek to match the participants of both the men’s and women’s War Games matches with their hockey player counterparts.

Men’s War Games match

Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, Randy Orton vs. Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, Drew McIntyre

Cody Rhodes: Sidney Crosby

A franchise player in the ring and on the ice. Cody Rhodes represents the face of WWE, whether he is champion or not. Sidney Crosby, meanwhile, has been the face of the NHL since he first stepped on the ice nearly 20 years ago. If you need a big moment, both of these athletes will deliver.

Seth Rollins: Nathan Mackinnon

A champion, universally recognized as an exceptional player and an individual that anyone would want on their team at any given time. But there is still that underlying thought that, while great, they aren’t the absolute best. There is no question that Nathan MacKinnon is one of the best in the NHL, ditto for Seth Rollins in WWE. However, there will always be someone just above them in the pecking order.

Jey Uso: Leon Draisaitl

While exceptional, these two athletes will always play second fiddle to a superstar in their family/on their team. While Jey Uso has justifiably garnered the moniker, “Main Event Jey Uso” thanks to his tireless work on the top of the card, he will never carry the gravitas that his cousin, WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman Reigns does. Uso is respected as a top wrestler, but Reigns is the top wrestler. Leon Draisaitl, meanwhile, is part of the most dynamic duo in hockey, playing alongside Connor McDavid, but will likely never be considered better than McDavid.

Sami Zayn: Brendan Gallagher

For those uninitiated, Sami Zayn is a massive fan of the Montreal Canadiens. It’s with this knowledge that Zayn’s hockey player match had to be a Hab. Brandon Gallagher has been a heart and soul type of player of the Canadiens since first donning the bleu, blanc et rouge in the 2012-13 season. A diminutive, scrappy forward who has had to fight for everything he has earned, the veteran Canadien is a great match for Zayn, who has scratched and clawed to earn his way to the top of the card in WWE.

Randy Orton: Alex Ovechkin

Certifiable legends. Randy Orton is set to return this weekend after an 18-month layoff due to injury. Orton will go down as one of the most memorable WWE wrestlers of all time when his career comes to a close. Similar will be said about Alex Ovechkin, who has a shot to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. Before Orton officially hangs up his boots, he will likely make another run at a world championship, as he has mentioned wanting to break Ric Flair’s record of 16 world title reigns. Therein lies the similarity between these two athletes. Two all-time legends winding their careers down chasing a record many thought was unbreakable.

Damian Priest: Matthew Tkachuk

Damian Priest has taken a leadership role with his Judgement Day stable, seemingly taking over from the more veteran Finn Balor. Matthew Tkachuk, meanwhile, is one of the most noteworthy captains in the NHL, leading a massive turnaround for his Panthers last season en route to a Stanley Cup Final appearance. Tkachuk feels like a superstar on the precipice of something special, with his Panthers entrenched in the top portion of the league standings. Priest’s role within Judgement Day has a similar feel, with the stable headlining a tentpole PPV, while he holds a contract for a potential future world championship.

Finn Balor: Mitch Marner

Small in stature, but not skill. Finn Balor has long been heralded as one of the top wrestlers in WWE. He was the first Universal Champion before an injury took that opportunity away from him, but has since slotted himself at or near the top of the card on a consistent basis. Mitch Marner, meanwhile, plays a similar role both on his team and in the NHL. Where Balor has somewhat relinquished the leadership role within his Judgement Day stable, but still plays an important role, Marner too works within that blueprint. The winger is a mainstay on a contending Toronto Maple Leafs, with an integral role alongside superstar Auston Matthews. Marner is trusted to perform, and will consistently demonstrate his ability to lift his teammates with exceptional play of his own.

Dominik Mysterio: Brad Marchand

There is no eloquent way of describing the main similarity between Dominik Mysterio and Brad Marchand. Dominik’s father, Rey Mysterio, would likely use the word: la rata… a rat. Dominik has become a detestable figure within WWE, but has played the role to perfection. Marchand has orchestrated his career in a similar fashion. Never one to simply toe the line, Marchand crosses back and forth with questionable on-ice play, but does so while also competing at a level befitting that of superstar status.

JD McDonagh: Garnet Hathaway

This was the toughest comparison to draw. JD McDonagh has slotted himself into a complementary role within Judgement Day after several years of fighting to prove he belonged in a noteworthy role within WWE. McDonagh comes across on television as a skilled and scrappy member of the stable, but also able to contribute when necessary. Garnet Hathaway, meanwhile, came into the NHL as an undrafted free agent, fighting his way on the Calgary Flames roster before parlaying that opportunity into multiple contracts across multiple teams across the NHL. Both McDonagh and Hathaway possess that certain je ne sais quois that makes them valuable to their organizations.

Drew McIntyre: Nazem Kadri

Nazem Kadri entered the NHL as a highly touted prospect in the league's biggest market, but never quite lived up to the expectations set by many within that market before moving on and winning a championship. Drew McIntyre was tabbed as the literal future of WWE, before flaming out and needing to leave the company to reinvent himself before returning to capture a world championship. Both Kadri and McIntyre can now be considered solid in what they do on a night-in, night-out basis. Never a top-tier superstar, but always noteworthy and noticeable.

Prediction: Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, Randy Orton DEF. Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, Drew McIntyre

Women’s War Games match

Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Shotzi vs. Bayley, Asuka, Iyo Sky, Kaori Sane

Charlotte Flair: Marie-Philip Poulin

No one has won more Women’s Championship titles than Charlotte Flair, and her presence within the women’s division will always cast a shadow thanks to her ability and success. Charlotte is no better represented within pro hockey than by that of the undisputed active G.O.A.T of women’s hockey, complete with three Olympic gold medals and three World Championship gold medals, Marie-Philip Poulin.

Becky Lynch: Megan Keller

Week in and week out, Becky Lynch has demonstrated that her place within pro wrestling, one of the best to step inside the squared circle, is justified thanks to her tireless work ethic. Becky has elevated every superstar that she has worked with, and has done it as consistently as anyone in wrestling. It’s apropos, then, to relate Lynch to Megan Keller who anchors the Team USA blue line every time she’s called upon. Keller played more than 29 minutes in the gold medal game, eventually falling to Team Canada, carrying her teammates with her every step of the way.

Bianca Belair: Sarah Fillier

It has been a meteoric rise to the top of the pro wrestling world for Bianca Belair. So too has the rise been quick for Sarah Fillier. Both athletes, though, have demonstrated that their successes are justified thanks to exemplary performances. Fillier, at just 23 years old, has already captured an Olympic gold and two World Championship golds, while Belair captured championship gold after just one year on the WWE roster.

Shotzi: Abby Roque

Shotzi and Abby Roque aren’t afraid to get in your face. In a recent players poll conducted by The Athletic where they spoke to more than 30 players, Roque was voted both as the biggest trash-talker and the most annoying to play against. Shotzi brings a similar vibe both inside and outside of the ring, chastising opponents, referees and management.

Bayley: Hilary Knight

A veteran who defines themselves with consistency and leadership can describe both Bayley and Hilary Knight. Each athlete is a student of the game within their discipline and have been trusted to help usher in the next generation on their teams. Bayley has been trusted to mentor other members of her Damage CTRL faction by shepherding them through the nuances of being a WWE Superstar, while also playing the role of lead voice by cutting promos. Knight has captained Team USA at multiple major international events and will lead the Boston PWHL team in their inaugural season.

Asuka: Kendall Coyne Schofield

Explosive in the ring and explosive on the ice. Asuka’s in-ring style is recognized by fans as hard-hitting, fast and formidable, while hockey fans will never forget the speed Kendall Coyne Schofield showed at the 2019 NHL All-Star festivities competing in the fastest skater competition. Coyne Schofield uses that speed as part of an intense forecheck, hemming opponents deep in their own zone. Both athletes are relentless in their pursuits to win.

Iyo Sky: Sarah Nurse

The current and future face(s) of the game. Iyo Sky captured the WWE Women’s Championship for the first time in her career in August at SummerSlam, cementing herself as the face of women’s wrestling within WWE. Nurse, meanwhile, became the first woman to appear on the cover of the NHL video game series in 2022. In addition, Sky and Nurse have a long list of international accomplishments, with Sky capturing numerous championships in Japan, while Nurse has been a mainstay on the Canadian women’s national team, winning an Olympic gold and two World Championship golds.

Kairi Sane: Nela Lopušanová

If you’re looking for a jaw-dropping feat of athleticism, look no further than Kairi Sane and 15-year-old phenom Nela Lopušanová. Sane turns heads with her Insane Elbow finishing maneuver, while Lopušanová made headlines across the hockey world this year with viral, highlight-reel goals at the World Championships.

Prediction: Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Shotzi DEF. Bayley, Asuka, Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane

Other Matches

Intercontinental Championship match: GUNTHER (C) vs. The Miz

GUNTHER has now far surpassed Honkey Tonk Man as the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time. The question on the minds of wrestling fans, now, surrounds how long his record reign will extend. WWE has teased that The Miz, an eight-time IC Champion himself, could be the one to dethrone GUNTHER. From a storytelling perspective, this makes sense. Over the course of his career, The Miz has been portrayed as a very credible champion, evidenced by his previous title reigns, so should GUNTHER lose his championship to Miz, it wouldn’t hurt the Austrian in a significant way. He would also then be free to pursue a world championship. The Intercontinental Championship has, arguably, not looked better on anyone else since the likes of The Rock and Stone Cold were wearing the belt. Would it be a significant step back to put the title back on The Miz?

Prediction: The Miz DEF. GUNTHER (C)

Women’s World Championship match: Rhea Ripley (C) vs Zoey Stark

Rhea Ripley is one of the biggest stars in wrestling, while also demonstrating that she is one of the best wrestlers on the entire WWE roster on a weekly basis. While Zoey Stark has shown plenty of promise and could work herself into consistent main event territory, it does not seem like the right time to remove the world title from Ripley. This will be a solid matchup, but Ripley will prevail.

Prediction: Rhea Ripley (C) DEF. Zoey Stark

Carlito vs Santos Escobar

This is the least hyped match on the Survivor Series card, meaning it has little to no expectation to be memorable, meaning it has a shot at doing something special. Santos Escobar has long been hyped as one of the most under-utilized wrestlers on the WWE roster, and now he has something to sink his teeth into with a match against a veteran in Carlito.

Prediction: Santos Escobar DEF. Carlito