John Cena Will Be The Final Member Of Team SmackDown At Survivor Series

Shane McMahon took to Twitter today with a big Survivor Series announcement - the identity of the fifth member of Team SmackDown:

https://twitter.com/shanemcmahon/status/928276028165971968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cagesideseats.com%2Fwwe%2F2017%2F11%2F8%2F16623288%2Fshane-mcmahon-announces-john-cena-fifth-member-team-smackdown-survivor-series

Cena will join Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Roode, and Shane himself on Team SmackDown. At Survivor Series (November 19th) they will face off against the Raw team of Kurt Angle, Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, and Jason Jordan. The match will be one of two traditional elimination tag bouts on the card, the other being another clash of the brands with representatives from the women's division.

While Cena will always be a big addition to any card, this decision has prompted confusion from many fans on social media. Several have pointed out that Cena is technically a free agent in terms of brand affiliation, and has been since the Superstar Shake-Up in June. Indeed, his last match was at No Mercy - a Raw-exclusive pay per view - where he lost to Roman Reigns.

Prior to the announcement, online speculation had Cena down as a potential special guest referee for the champion vs. champion clash between Brock Lesnar and Jinder Mahal - along with Steve Austin and The Rock. That match has been changed, given AJ Styles' capture of the WWE Championship this week on SmackDown - and it looks as though rumours of Cena's potential involvement will change too (if there is to be such a stipulation at all, of course).

There are currently seven bouts announced for Survivor Series, including both men's and women's elimination matches, and Lesnar vs. Styles.

Elsewhere on the card we'll see further champion vs. champion clashes. Assuming all title-holders remain as they are until November 19th, Intercontinental Champion The Miz will face United States Champion Baron Corbin, Shemaus and Cesaro will take on fellow tag champs The Usos, and Alexa Bliss will square off against Natalya.

These are all listed as non-title matches, but WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore will defend his gold against Kalisto.