SPOILERS AHEAD: IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE RESULTS RUINED, DON'T READ ON!
If you've never seen The CC Network's video reviews of WWE events before, then my review system will be new to you. Matches are given star ratings in accordance with an average, accumulated score of 5 rating factors: Psychology (In-ring story), Move Variety, Crowd Reaction, Match Length and Pacing, as well as my overall enjoyment as a result of those factors.
Now time to get into the show. As I don't review the Pre-Show Match as part of the whole televised package, here's the result of that match
Team Goldust (Goldust, Neville, Titus O'Neil & The Dudley Boyz) def Team Stardust (Stardust, The Miz Bo Dallas & The Ascension) in a Traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series Tag Team Match (18:10... longest match of the night)
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ROMAN REIGNS def ALBERTO DEL RIO TO ADVANCE TO TOURNAMENT FINAL (14:01)
PSYCHOLOGY: 2
MOVE VARIETY: 1
CROWD REACTION: 2.5
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 2
MY ENJOYMENT: 1.5
CORRECT PREDICTION?: YES
FINAL RATING: **
Going into the match, I was expecting Roman Reigns to destroy Alberto Del Rio, leave him in a pile and soldier on this his inevitable victory later in the evening. Based on how the match was executed though, it wasn't going to be as simple as that.
With Del Rio on the offensive for long periods, targeting the shoulder injured earlier in the week with most of his attacks, the match portrayed Reigns as a man that against the right opponent could find it difficult to keep momentum squarely in his corner. The commentary team also had fun trying to convince the fans at home that Reigns didn't need to become champion, listing off numerous Hall Of Famers who never won the big one but still had legendary careers. This, when combined in contrast with Reign's steely determination in his facial storytelling (even swearing into camera to show it) showed how much he wanted it. While Reigns got offence in the beginning, it was quickly neutered whenever Del Rio went for the arm. This allowed the pace to go at a steady rate and not have the match be too slow throughout its near 15 minute run time. While that may be considered too long, it was needed to give fans the impression that Del Rio had a chance. He used that time to showcase himself nicely as the consumate, all-round performer we know he is. The crowd were behind Del Rio for most of the match, and with the mat offence he instigated, the crowd were waiting for the inevitable rise of Reigns to come. When the near falls from both men came into the matches' latter stages, the crowd were receptive and understanding of Reigns fight from the brink and when he won, didn't mind it because they saw a good performance out of him.
Overall, while the move variety was no where to be seen minus Del Rio keeping the Cross Arm Breaker on that shoulder while over the top rope, the match was much more than expected. While I wasn't sure which shoulder Reigns was selling properly by the end, it gave us a good showing by both men that was more than nessecary. While the match did have something to shout about, the pace of the match didn't sit well with me, and with the predictable result still coming through, it felt like a match that went through the motions more than usual to come to its end.
Going into the match, I was expecting Roman Reigns to destroy Alberto Del Rio, leave him in a pile and soldier on this his inevitable victory later in the evening. Based on how the match was executed though, it wasn't going to be as simple as that.
With Del Rio on the offensive for long periods, targeting the shoulder injured earlier in the week with most of his attacks, the match portrayed Reigns as a man that against the right opponent could find it difficult to keep momentum squarely in his corner. The commentary team also had fun trying to convince the fans at home that Reigns didn't need to become champion, listing off numerous Hall Of Famers who never won the big one but still had legendary careers. This, when combined in contrast with Reign's steely determination in his facial storytelling (even swearing into camera to show it) showed how much he wanted it. While Reigns got offence in the beginning, it was quickly neutered whenever Del Rio went for the arm. This allowed the pace to go at a steady rate and not have the match be too slow throughout its near 15 minute run time. While that may be considered too long, it was needed to give fans the impression that Del Rio had a chance. He used that time to showcase himself nicely as the consumate, all-round performer we know he is. The crowd were behind Del Rio for most of the match, and with the mat offence he instigated, the crowd were waiting for the inevitable rise of Reigns to come. When the near falls from both men came into the matches' latter stages, the crowd were receptive and understanding of Reigns fight from the brink and when he won, didn't mind it because they saw a good performance out of him.
Overall, while the move variety was no where to be seen minus Del Rio keeping the Cross Arm Breaker on that shoulder while over the top rope, the match was much more than expected. While I wasn't sure which shoulder Reigns was selling properly by the end, it gave us a good showing by both men that was more than nessecary. While the match did have something to shout about, the pace of the match didn't sit well with me, and with the predictable result still coming through, it felt like a match that went through the motions more than usual to come to its end.
DEAN AMBROSE def KEVIN OWENS TO ADVANCE TO TOURNAMENT FINAL (11:19)
PSYCHOLOGY: 2.5
MOVE VARIETY: 1.5
CROWD REACTION: 3
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 2.5
MY ENJOYMENT: 2.5
CORRECT PREDICTION?: YES
FINAL RATING: **1/2
Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens, two of the years best performers in-ring who have had polarising fortunes. Ambrose has been playing second fiddle to Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, notching up wins here and there. Kevin Owens on the other hand, has won pretty consistently since coming to the main roster. With both coming to a head here, I was expecting a physical match that gave a lot of variety. They delivered... somewhat.
With Owens keeping Ambrose grounded for most of his offence, focusing on mat work, it was the antithesis of what I would expect from both men in a match of such magnitude. However it worked in showing Owen's meticulous ability to wear an opponent down, and that he could change how he does it depending on the opponent. This keeps his matches fresh for sure. With Ambrose selling this hard hitting, but unathletic offence, his rise back into the match was set in stone. While it was predictable, it was needed for momentum to shift, which this match did easily despite like Reigns/Del Rio, having the heel take over proceedings. Owen's liberal mouthing off about who is 'the guy', scream CHIN LOCK CITY BABY, and telling Cole to tell Ambrose to stay down were very entertaining. Owens is a Punk-like heel on the mic and a classic one in the ring. Fantastic switching of styles. The crowd were into both men, even when the match only featured rest holds, but again as the match progressed with its inevitable finish, the petered off but still gave both men a good response for their reversal sequences and near falls, which was better than the preceding match for sure.
The match had more substance than the previous Semi-Final Match, mostly thanks to the two men involved, even if Owens did most of the work. I would have liked to have seen more hard-hitting moves like both men showed in their prior tournament matches to make it feel more special, with Ambrose's Top rope elbow/clothesline proving to be the only highlight. These two kept it very traditional in-ring. Which wasn't what I wanted or expected from them, but it was a nice change from the norm. Even with that, this match got just over 11 minutes and didn't feel like a match that had enough to substantiate it. Which, when you look at the two competitors, IS disappointing. It was average... but needed more to really bring it to higher areas, a little body selling and antagonism from Ambrose would have helped. At least we had King wanting Cole to be replaced by a fish tank, with bitterness about Wrestlemania XXVII being used as an excuse for why he feels this way... classic.
Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens, two of the years best performers in-ring who have had polarising fortunes. Ambrose has been playing second fiddle to Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, notching up wins here and there. Kevin Owens on the other hand, has won pretty consistently since coming to the main roster. With both coming to a head here, I was expecting a physical match that gave a lot of variety. They delivered... somewhat.
With Owens keeping Ambrose grounded for most of his offence, focusing on mat work, it was the antithesis of what I would expect from both men in a match of such magnitude. However it worked in showing Owen's meticulous ability to wear an opponent down, and that he could change how he does it depending on the opponent. This keeps his matches fresh for sure. With Ambrose selling this hard hitting, but unathletic offence, his rise back into the match was set in stone. While it was predictable, it was needed for momentum to shift, which this match did easily despite like Reigns/Del Rio, having the heel take over proceedings. Owen's liberal mouthing off about who is 'the guy', scream CHIN LOCK CITY BABY, and telling Cole to tell Ambrose to stay down were very entertaining. Owens is a Punk-like heel on the mic and a classic one in the ring. Fantastic switching of styles. The crowd were into both men, even when the match only featured rest holds, but again as the match progressed with its inevitable finish, the petered off but still gave both men a good response for their reversal sequences and near falls, which was better than the preceding match for sure.
The match had more substance than the previous Semi-Final Match, mostly thanks to the two men involved, even if Owens did most of the work. I would have liked to have seen more hard-hitting moves like both men showed in their prior tournament matches to make it feel more special, with Ambrose's Top rope elbow/clothesline proving to be the only highlight. These two kept it very traditional in-ring. Which wasn't what I wanted or expected from them, but it was a nice change from the norm. Even with that, this match got just over 11 minutes and didn't feel like a match that had enough to substantiate it. Which, when you look at the two competitors, IS disappointing. It was average... but needed more to really bring it to higher areas, a little body selling and antagonism from Ambrose would have helped. At least we had King wanting Cole to be replaced by a fish tank, with bitterness about Wrestlemania XXVII being used as an excuse for why he feels this way... classic.
TEAM USO'S (Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Kalisto, Sin Cara & Ryback) def TEAM NEW DAY (Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, Big E, King Barrett & Sheamus) IN A TRADITIONAL 5-ON-5 SURVIVOR SERIES ELIMINATION MATCH (17:33)
PSYCHOLOGY: 2
MOVE VARIETY: 2
CROWD REACTION: 1.5
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 2
MY ENJOYMENT: 2
CORRECT PREDICTION?: YES
FINAL RATING: **
This match was made at random earlier in the week, with no competitors announced until the pre-show mere hours before the event. Even with the lack of obvious care by WWE to build this yearly tradition up properly, it was obvious who would partake in it. It was equally predictable on who would win.
The Uso's, having just returned, needed to build momentum. By winning this match and heaping pressure on The New Day, the main mission for this match was achieved. I do have to question the decision to have Jimmy eliminated while his brother survived? If it plays to the arm injury limiting his in-ring time then fine, but as he competed in a match last week at good health, it won't be accepted as a logical reason. The New Day, with Xavier Woods sporting a new hairdo that was immediately attack as the match started, were non-equations in this match, only really building to their departure and displeasure in Sheamus for ruining their opening promo (in hilarious fashion), but also for him pinning Jey Uso after Big E did all the work. Leaving Sheamus to be taken down by Kalisto, Jimmy and Ryback was good to put him down knowing he could;t have overcome the speed, the strength and the combination between the two. The eliminations all through this match happened way too quickly, and to have the The New Day leave while it did keep them strong even when one of them got put down, them being counted out without it being acknowledged was irritating, along with all THREE winners being proclaimed as sole survivors. It made the match look like a mockery of itself at its close. In those 17 minutes, the team that stood out were The Lucha Dragons, who did their best with their flashiest of moves to excite the crowd, who were for the most part apathetic about the whole thing outside of them and Xavier Woods getting his trumpet back to good working order.
While this match did have its moments to excite, and succeeded in planting seeds for future rivalries going forward, the match didn't feel entirely complete primarily due to its lack of build. It didn't have the aura of previous traditional Survivor Series matches of the past. Which when you look at what little the match offered in-ring, you'll be surprised it even achieved the rating it did. It was enjoyable to an extent for how little it was given to work with, I will give all 10 men credit for that. However, it is a lesson for WWE to have this kind of match mean something to ensure it gets the reaction they deserve.
This match was made at random earlier in the week, with no competitors announced until the pre-show mere hours before the event. Even with the lack of obvious care by WWE to build this yearly tradition up properly, it was obvious who would partake in it. It was equally predictable on who would win.
The Uso's, having just returned, needed to build momentum. By winning this match and heaping pressure on The New Day, the main mission for this match was achieved. I do have to question the decision to have Jimmy eliminated while his brother survived? If it plays to the arm injury limiting his in-ring time then fine, but as he competed in a match last week at good health, it won't be accepted as a logical reason. The New Day, with Xavier Woods sporting a new hairdo that was immediately attack as the match started, were non-equations in this match, only really building to their departure and displeasure in Sheamus for ruining their opening promo (in hilarious fashion), but also for him pinning Jey Uso after Big E did all the work. Leaving Sheamus to be taken down by Kalisto, Jimmy and Ryback was good to put him down knowing he could;t have overcome the speed, the strength and the combination between the two. The eliminations all through this match happened way too quickly, and to have the The New Day leave while it did keep them strong even when one of them got put down, them being counted out without it being acknowledged was irritating, along with all THREE winners being proclaimed as sole survivors. It made the match look like a mockery of itself at its close. In those 17 minutes, the team that stood out were The Lucha Dragons, who did their best with their flashiest of moves to excite the crowd, who were for the most part apathetic about the whole thing outside of them and Xavier Woods getting his trumpet back to good working order.
While this match did have its moments to excite, and succeeded in planting seeds for future rivalries going forward, the match didn't feel entirely complete primarily due to its lack of build. It didn't have the aura of previous traditional Survivor Series matches of the past. Which when you look at what little the match offered in-ring, you'll be surprised it even achieved the rating it did. It was enjoyable to an extent for how little it was given to work with, I will give all 10 men credit for that. However, it is a lesson for WWE to have this kind of match mean something to ensure it gets the reaction they deserve.
CHARLOTTE (c) def PAIGE TO RETAIN THE WWE DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP (14:15)
PSYCHOLOGY: 2.5
MOVE VARIETY: 1.5
CROWD REACTION: 1
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 2
MY ENJOYMENT: 1.5
CORRECT PREDICTION?: YES
FINAL RATING: *1/2
This match had the ingredients to be something great, a hot rivalry, two technically proficient competitors and personal animosity stemming from one particular nugget of slander. When you watch this match back, you will see those two technically proficient competitors wrestle an intense, physical match with momentum shifting well and it being given a good amount of time. So why do I feel so empty while watching it instead of feeling fulfilled to get what I wanted from this match? One simple reason: The Crowd.
It was this match that made me realise the crowd in Atlanta at this point only either cared about the tournament matches and the Taker Match, or they were protesting about what Paige said about Reid Flair. I don't know which one is correct, but when you have Charlotte and Paige beating each other up with physical grappling, mat and striking work and the crowd don't lift an octave or barely even open their mouths, it impacts on how the match comes across to the viewer. Sure, Paige didn't sell the beating well, and momentum shifted too easily just to make it seem matched, but Charlotte did what the script asked for and beat Paige within an inch of her life, hurting those legs in the process, while scream that this is her house. After that match, I wouldn't blame her.
However, this crowd killed the heat for a match that had it all in the build-up to be great on the night. Therefore, the match doesn't stand up nearly as much as it should do. Atlanta made everything seem meaningless, even with all that body psychology and aggressive working on show. With 15 minutes dedicated to it... it felt a LOT longer thanks to a flatlining Atlanta, who acted a lot more like ISIS ideologically than a wrestling crowd of 2015, by not giving these women the respect their deserve, making their effort look like it doesn't matter. Stay classy Atlanta, WWE doesn't need a crowd like you ruining their product.
This match had the ingredients to be something great, a hot rivalry, two technically proficient competitors and personal animosity stemming from one particular nugget of slander. When you watch this match back, you will see those two technically proficient competitors wrestle an intense, physical match with momentum shifting well and it being given a good amount of time. So why do I feel so empty while watching it instead of feeling fulfilled to get what I wanted from this match? One simple reason: The Crowd.
It was this match that made me realise the crowd in Atlanta at this point only either cared about the tournament matches and the Taker Match, or they were protesting about what Paige said about Reid Flair. I don't know which one is correct, but when you have Charlotte and Paige beating each other up with physical grappling, mat and striking work and the crowd don't lift an octave or barely even open their mouths, it impacts on how the match comes across to the viewer. Sure, Paige didn't sell the beating well, and momentum shifted too easily just to make it seem matched, but Charlotte did what the script asked for and beat Paige within an inch of her life, hurting those legs in the process, while scream that this is her house. After that match, I wouldn't blame her.
However, this crowd killed the heat for a match that had it all in the build-up to be great on the night. Therefore, the match doesn't stand up nearly as much as it should do. Atlanta made everything seem meaningless, even with all that body psychology and aggressive working on show. With 15 minutes dedicated to it... it felt a LOT longer thanks to a flatlining Atlanta, who acted a lot more like ISIS ideologically than a wrestling crowd of 2015, by not giving these women the respect their deserve, making their effort look like it doesn't matter. Stay classy Atlanta, WWE doesn't need a crowd like you ruining their product.
TYLER BREEZE def DOLPH ZIGGLER (6:40)
PSYCHOLOGY: 1.5
MOVE VARIETY: 1
CROWD REACTION: 1
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 2
MY ENJOYMENT: 1
CORRECT PREDICTION?: YES
FINAL RATING: 1/2
Dolph Ziggler, a man who last year was the sole survivor in the team who beat The Authority. Fast forward one year, and here he is losing to a new main roster member in another match that thoroughly disappointed, in a year in which "The Show-Off" hasn't impressed on multiple PPV events.
The match itself had a completely dead crowd, no move variety and came across as a stepping stone for Breeze, who had a good showing here, with his athleticism and gimmick shining through in its cockiness. He also showed his prowess in-ring by targeting Ziggler's leg, which could have been sold better by the now 10-year veteran. The momentum shifted very easily keeping a fast pace in its short run time, making it keep everyone on their toes. Which is disappointing, considering there wasn't anything in particular to get people excited for. Which sums up the problem with putting two exciting performers into a match with no real direction. Both men seemed lost, and with the dead crowd not giving them directions, it showed.
I expected way better from both men. With these two sharing the same type of gimmick in different stages and visual signifiers, did the crowd react badly to remind the wrestling world that booking two wrestlers in the same way is a bad idea? Or did they just not enjoy the story the match had built up to begin with, where the match couldn't justify itself? I will take the latter to be the adequate response. This match had a month of build, and with the WWE Championship tournament taking the chance at any real meaning building on the weekly show, this lacklustre match was the result of it not having the space to develop properly. Hey, at least the right guy won. That says something at least. As for Dolph Ziggler, you've had the worst match at four different events this year (Extreme Rules, Summerslam, Night Of Champions and now Survivor Series). You need to improve. While you do try, maybe your irritation with your booking should be complained about a little louder, as you deserve better.
Dolph Ziggler, a man who last year was the sole survivor in the team who beat The Authority. Fast forward one year, and here he is losing to a new main roster member in another match that thoroughly disappointed, in a year in which "The Show-Off" hasn't impressed on multiple PPV events.
The match itself had a completely dead crowd, no move variety and came across as a stepping stone for Breeze, who had a good showing here, with his athleticism and gimmick shining through in its cockiness. He also showed his prowess in-ring by targeting Ziggler's leg, which could have been sold better by the now 10-year veteran. The momentum shifted very easily keeping a fast pace in its short run time, making it keep everyone on their toes. Which is disappointing, considering there wasn't anything in particular to get people excited for. Which sums up the problem with putting two exciting performers into a match with no real direction. Both men seemed lost, and with the dead crowd not giving them directions, it showed.
I expected way better from both men. With these two sharing the same type of gimmick in different stages and visual signifiers, did the crowd react badly to remind the wrestling world that booking two wrestlers in the same way is a bad idea? Or did they just not enjoy the story the match had built up to begin with, where the match couldn't justify itself? I will take the latter to be the adequate response. This match had a month of build, and with the WWE Championship tournament taking the chance at any real meaning building on the weekly show, this lacklustre match was the result of it not having the space to develop properly. Hey, at least the right guy won. That says something at least. As for Dolph Ziggler, you've had the worst match at four different events this year (Extreme Rules, Summerslam, Night Of Champions and now Survivor Series). You need to improve. While you do try, maybe your irritation with your booking should be complained about a little louder, as you deserve better.
THE UNDERTAKER & KANE def THE WYATT FAMILY (Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper) (10:19)
PSYCHOLOGY: 2
MOVE VARIETY: 1.5
CROWD REACTION: 2.5
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 2
MY ENJOYMENT: 1.5
CORRECT PREDICTION?: NO
FINAL RATING: *3/4
Here it is. Undertaker's 25th Anniversary. The entrance was grand, the build-up put both teams as equals, who had positives and negatives that could be exploited in the match, it looked set to excite! So, even with that in tow, why did the match play out like the New Faces of Fear, didn't have a leg to stand on? Blame the occasion, not the creative team.
I got this prediction wrong simply because I expected both teams to have an even contest, with maybe a surprise to be Taker's sign of him being on his way out. What we got instead was Taker & Kane having one last hurrah, showing the world how dominant they are, to remind them of what they have been to the WWE over their 25 & 18 year careers respectively. It showed throughout this matches surprisingly short run time. Wyatt & Harper weren't given a chance, even though they kept their heads held high, taunting their adversaries with massive cojones, only to have it thrown back in their faces. Even their dominant bull, Braun Strowman, who showed his presence throwing Kane over the announce table later got put through that Spanish table by the two veterans in the biggest spot of the night. The crowd ate it up, giving Taker the respect he deserved, while the match stay relatively quick in spite of a few slow periods.
It delivered what many expected, for Taker to look strong, especially coming out of that loss to Lesnar at Hell In A Cell. However, it wasn't an enjoyable match to watch for me. I love Taker, he's the reason I fully got into wrestling 12 years ago along with The Rock. However, when you have a match like this, where you benefit a 50-year old man whose best times are behind him, rather than giving his opponents a good platform to rise up to replace him, you have serious issues. If this wasn't Taker's 25th Anniversary with WWE, would they have had the match end like this? Probably not. While that is understandable, it is still irritating considering that Wyatt has now lost two major matches at two consecutive PPV's and lost to Taker at Mania to compound his misery. Thankfully, it was Harper who took the pin fall off the double chokeslam, which neuters its full effect. Lets hope this feud continues, if it doesn't, you will be hearing the one wrestling fans/reviewers voice grow ever louder.
Here it is. Undertaker's 25th Anniversary. The entrance was grand, the build-up put both teams as equals, who had positives and negatives that could be exploited in the match, it looked set to excite! So, even with that in tow, why did the match play out like the New Faces of Fear, didn't have a leg to stand on? Blame the occasion, not the creative team.
I got this prediction wrong simply because I expected both teams to have an even contest, with maybe a surprise to be Taker's sign of him being on his way out. What we got instead was Taker & Kane having one last hurrah, showing the world how dominant they are, to remind them of what they have been to the WWE over their 25 & 18 year careers respectively. It showed throughout this matches surprisingly short run time. Wyatt & Harper weren't given a chance, even though they kept their heads held high, taunting their adversaries with massive cojones, only to have it thrown back in their faces. Even their dominant bull, Braun Strowman, who showed his presence throwing Kane over the announce table later got put through that Spanish table by the two veterans in the biggest spot of the night. The crowd ate it up, giving Taker the respect he deserved, while the match stay relatively quick in spite of a few slow periods.
It delivered what many expected, for Taker to look strong, especially coming out of that loss to Lesnar at Hell In A Cell. However, it wasn't an enjoyable match to watch for me. I love Taker, he's the reason I fully got into wrestling 12 years ago along with The Rock. However, when you have a match like this, where you benefit a 50-year old man whose best times are behind him, rather than giving his opponents a good platform to rise up to replace him, you have serious issues. If this wasn't Taker's 25th Anniversary with WWE, would they have had the match end like this? Probably not. While that is understandable, it is still irritating considering that Wyatt has now lost two major matches at two consecutive PPV's and lost to Taker at Mania to compound his misery. Thankfully, it was Harper who took the pin fall off the double chokeslam, which neuters its full effect. Lets hope this feud continues, if it doesn't, you will be hearing the one wrestling fans/reviewers voice grow ever louder.
ROMAN REIGNS def DEAN AMBROSE TO BE CROWNED THE WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION (9:02), SHEAMUS def ROMAN REIGNS VIA MONEY IN THE BANK TO WIN THE THE WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (0:34)
PSYCHOLOGY: 2
MOVE VARIETY: 1.5
CROWD REACTION: 2.5
MATCH LENGTH AND PACING: 2
MY ENJOYMENT: 1.5
CORRECT PREDICTION?: YES (both the match result and cash-in)
FINAL RATING: *3/4
The Tournament final was a match everyone saw coming. What the fans wanted to know was which direction would WWE take, and how would the match deliver knowing both men were facing for the first time after going through a match each earlier on. The match like its tournament predecessors gave off an aura of excitement but in the end didn't deliver on all it promised it could be.
Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns looked like wrestlers who not only lacking of energy, entering with caution rather than facial optimism (which is good psychology), but looked like they were holding back on what they could to so they could save all they have for a future bout between them. For a match whose sold aim was to determine the new champion, something was missing. It didn't have the gravitas it should have. While the crowd were partially to blame having given Taker a good send off on the match prior, they were seemingly apathetic towards the inevitable happening, just sat back and accepted it. The near falls that almost gave Ambrose the win got them back into the fold but once Reigns won they resigned their voices and left them silent. While the crowd didn't give them the time of day, Ambrose and Reigns showed desire by brawling out of the gate, forgetting their friendship for now, with Reigns dominating, giving doubt for Ambrose on whether he could possibly win at all. Thankfully, both men switched momentum about 5 minutes in to have them kick out of each others finishers proving they were a match for each other. They reprised that aggression to compound how much they cared about the title, have Reigns shoulder worked briefly and with their embrace upon the matches conclusion, no heel turn for either man like many predicted was going to happen.
Reigns got his moment, albeit for 5 minutes until he speared Triple H and Sheamus took it all away. The entire match despite the heart that both men showed, the atmosphere of a 'big time' match wasn't present. It didn't have the gravitas that Savage VS DiBiase or Mankind VS Rock had before it. It felt like it was meandering and served to helps conclusion become a reality. Its short run time did little to doubt that theory, as if it had longer, both men could go full whack and show the WWE fans why the company has so much riding on both of them right now. Too bad this match, where a new face of a generation was (almost) crowned wasn't the place for it. For what this match did outside of it running through the motions, it should be given plaudits for entertaining enough. Which a story this show will have attached to it for years, juts by looking at the reaction two thirds of the card got from a supposed "HOTlanta"
FINAL THOUGHTS
I went into this show with quite high expectations. The build was much bigger due to the tournament and with the Divas Match & Taker's anniversary looming over it, it seemed like this event had the ingredients to really be a Survivor Series to remember. What we got on the night was matches that felt like they were smaller than the occasion the event was celebrating. All a showing of a lack of substance to compensate for the style in which the show was hyped and presented. It had everything, yet went out and gave nothing. Even with the crowning of a new WWE Champion, the entire card could easily be seen coming, with every result pretty much being what we expected. WWE played this event safe and it paid the price for it in terms of overall match quality and lack of crowd interest. The 29th Survivor Series didn't feel like the defining card it should have been, and for that I'm disappointed. They had a chance to really surprise us, and give us the great wrestling we have been seen weekly on RAW for the last few weeks. However, upon stating that, maybe we got complacent, got lost in the good wrestling that we forgot what WWE does on PPV, and sticks to a plan that they think will get people interested but instead turns many against them.
As a fan and reviewer, I've been trying to see the positives in what WWE does weekly, using the PPV events as a way to give them a chance to deliver what little their television programme did every week. Now its the opposite, where RAW has the wrestling quality that this event lacked. Based on what I saw last night, it shows. Survivor Series 2015 fell flat because of how restrictive and hastily booked a lot of the matches were in the wake of Seth Rollins' injury. Now with Cesaro out as well, WWE's going to have a harsh winter if this show stands as the best they can do under pressure. When all the matches together average out at *1/2 the show doesn't look good at all, and it continues the alarming trend of inconsistency in PPV's dating back to Fast Lane, where one show is bad and the next is good. After Hell In A Cell's 6.75 out of 10, that trend keeps steamrolling through this year. TLC is the last chance to have WWE's PPV offerings end on a high. I patiently await what they give, hoping for my frustration at the show to subside.
Lets hope it does... because after this show, my patience is wearing thin.
The Tournament final was a match everyone saw coming. What the fans wanted to know was which direction would WWE take, and how would the match deliver knowing both men were facing for the first time after going through a match each earlier on. The match like its tournament predecessors gave off an aura of excitement but in the end didn't deliver on all it promised it could be.
Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns looked like wrestlers who not only lacking of energy, entering with caution rather than facial optimism (which is good psychology), but looked like they were holding back on what they could to so they could save all they have for a future bout between them. For a match whose sold aim was to determine the new champion, something was missing. It didn't have the gravitas it should have. While the crowd were partially to blame having given Taker a good send off on the match prior, they were seemingly apathetic towards the inevitable happening, just sat back and accepted it. The near falls that almost gave Ambrose the win got them back into the fold but once Reigns won they resigned their voices and left them silent. While the crowd didn't give them the time of day, Ambrose and Reigns showed desire by brawling out of the gate, forgetting their friendship for now, with Reigns dominating, giving doubt for Ambrose on whether he could possibly win at all. Thankfully, both men switched momentum about 5 minutes in to have them kick out of each others finishers proving they were a match for each other. They reprised that aggression to compound how much they cared about the title, have Reigns shoulder worked briefly and with their embrace upon the matches conclusion, no heel turn for either man like many predicted was going to happen.
Reigns got his moment, albeit for 5 minutes until he speared Triple H and Sheamus took it all away. The entire match despite the heart that both men showed, the atmosphere of a 'big time' match wasn't present. It didn't have the gravitas that Savage VS DiBiase or Mankind VS Rock had before it. It felt like it was meandering and served to helps conclusion become a reality. Its short run time did little to doubt that theory, as if it had longer, both men could go full whack and show the WWE fans why the company has so much riding on both of them right now. Too bad this match, where a new face of a generation was (almost) crowned wasn't the place for it. For what this match did outside of it running through the motions, it should be given plaudits for entertaining enough. Which a story this show will have attached to it for years, juts by looking at the reaction two thirds of the card got from a supposed "HOTlanta"
FINAL THOUGHTS
As a fan and reviewer, I've been trying to see the positives in what WWE does weekly, using the PPV events as a way to give them a chance to deliver what little their television programme did every week. Now its the opposite, where RAW has the wrestling quality that this event lacked. Based on what I saw last night, it shows. Survivor Series 2015 fell flat because of how restrictive and hastily booked a lot of the matches were in the wake of Seth Rollins' injury. Now with Cesaro out as well, WWE's going to have a harsh winter if this show stands as the best they can do under pressure. When all the matches together average out at *1/2 the show doesn't look good at all, and it continues the alarming trend of inconsistency in PPV's dating back to Fast Lane, where one show is bad and the next is good. After Hell In A Cell's 6.75 out of 10, that trend keeps steamrolling through this year. TLC is the last chance to have WWE's PPV offerings end on a high. I patiently await what they give, hoping for my frustration at the show to subside.
Lets hope it does... because after this show, my patience is wearing thin.
SURVIVOR SERIES 2015 GETS A 3 OUT OF 10!
In relation to other 2015 events, it lines up as follows:
WRESTLEMANIA 31: 8.75/10
HELL IN A CELL: 6.75/10
MONEY IN THE BANK: 6.75/10
MONEY IN THE BANK: 6.75/10
SUMMERSLAM: 6.5/10
PAYBACK: 6/10
ELIMINATION CHAMBER: 4.5/10
ELIMINATION CHAMBER: 4.5/10
ROYAL RUMBLE: 4/10
NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS: 3.5/10
EXTREME RULES: 3.5/10
SURVIVOR SERIES: 3/10
BATTLEGROUND: 3/10
BATTLEGROUND: 3/10
FAST LANE: 2.5/10
(WWE Network Specials and the NXT Takeover Events aren't taken into consideration).
I've been Freddy Thomas, you've been people reading, this has been the Survivor Series 2015 Review for The CC Network Blog, and I'll see you next time.
I've been Freddy Thomas, you've been people reading, this has been the Survivor Series 2015 Review for The CC Network Blog, and I'll see you next time.
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