Mac's Survivor Series Review

So here we are the 31st Survivor Series, not the 31st anniversary no matter what Micheal Cole says tonight. Some good matches on this card, some hastily thrown together due to unforeseen circumstance, however, both of them are now firsts, Ronda Rousey vs Charlotte Flair and Brock Lesnar vs Daniel Bryan. A quick word on the Becky Lynch situation, I feel Nia Jax did us a favour, not that Charlotte is bad quite the opposite, but Becky is better and if Rousey can keep her win streak alive then WrestleMania should have its first female main event. So thanks Nia. Back to the case in hand both have the potential to be excellent but everyone will have to be in top form to equal the performances at War Games as NXT knocked it so far out of the park they are still scoring off it. We shall see if it is the normal high Saturday to be dragged back down Sunday. However, this show does have Shane McMahon, who after all is the best in the fucking world.

Once again, the tag division is regulated to Pre-Show nothingness, I have no idea why Vinnie hates tag teams so much, every team should just go to NXT where the tag division is as important as the heavyweight title, to great results. I suppose at least the talented 205 roster isn't being disrespected again, that will come at WrestleMaina I suppose.
Smackdown out first, New Day to lead the way in their entertaining style, and they go and introduce each Smackdown team it was fun, The New Day are gold on the mic. It is such a shame that The Revival are on Raw, a great team tragically under used on Raw, I also have to question why The Ascension are here. Raw is getting booed at the slightest mention of their name. Not a lot happened really the best bit came when Gable hit a beautiful German Suplex off the top rope on Jay Uso. It came down to The Usos vs The Revival which would be awesome given 20 minutes, this will be more like a five minute teaser. Revival hit a Power Plex in what I can assume is a nod to Survivor Series super performer Hercules however it isn't enough for the win. the end comes with the Snuka Splash on Scott Dawson giving Smackdown the win. Nothing fantastic, some lovely work from Gable and Roode, a team I think has legs. I also liked that The Revival looked strong, to quote Mr. Marshall "That tag elimination match would have been much better if it was just The Usos & New Day vs Revival & Gable/Roode." The man isn't wrong. 2 stars

Bayley and Sasha Banks are now on team Raw in place of Ruby Riott and Natalyta. Riott in particular deserves better, Tamina and Mickie James could have been sacrificed instead.

Nia Jax gets booed out of the building. Two quick eliminations of Naomi and Tamina. Carmella has a dance break and then legs it from Nia Jax. Mandy Rose, who is the new fifth member for some reason, not that Nikki Cross would have been so much better. She floors Nia Jax mind. Asuka is in, and Micheal Cole completely ignores the fact that Micky James and Asuka have had a match and plays up the magic of Survivor Series. The Prick. Asuka tags in Sonya Deville, who I quite like. Deville gets owned by Mickie and tags in Bayley, who doesn't do much before tagging in Sasha, who hits some knees and James tags herself back in. Deville hits big running knees, but has been tagged by Mandy Rose who takes the pin on Mickie James, perhaps sowing some seeds there, we shall see if they keep that up or just forget it like they did with Bayley and Banks. Bayley hits one of Leah's favourite moves, the Bayley to Belly and pins Carmella. So we are down to Jax, Bayley and Banks vs Asuka, Deville and Rose. Scratch that, Banks eliminates Rose with the Banks Statement. Asuka and Deville I think make an impressive team. The crowd seem very flat for this one. Jax is getting booed everytime she moves, until Asuka kicks her face off, biggest cheer of the match. The match quality will have to improve massively to get even half as good as War Games. Bayley to Belly on the outside leads to a double count out for Bayley and Deville. Asuka is the only women close to the level of "The Man" Becky Lynch, she kicks nearly as hard as Aleister Black and throws a suplex that Brock Lesnar would be proud of. But she is foreign, so Vince will never get it. Big Asuka chant ring out. This exchange between Banks and Asuka is the most entertaining portion of the match. Jax has vanished which means she is winning. Just as I type that she inexplicitly pushed Sasha Banks off the top straight into a rear naked choke, Banks taps. Then Nia Jax squashes Asuka, again to quote Ian, "Break someone's face. Get rewarded" Michael Cole is pissing me off as he cant even remember the kickoff show. The prick. Smackdown 1- 1 Raw. The match felt rushed, and like it was inconvenience, to stay with the theme, the women deserve more. 2 stars

Its backstage skit time, Baron Corbin is actually quite good, it didn't annoy me, which things with Shane McMahon normally do. I actually prefer Steph to Shane. However, Steph did demand a clean sweep, tough shit lady, Raw lost the first match or does nobody watch the pre show.

One of the more exciting prospects of the evening. I love these two. Nakamura in particular needs a strong performance, he seemed to have peeked in WWE at his debut against Sami Zyan. Rollins is a delight in the ring, and the only time I felt robbed was the terrible Iron Man match against Dolph Ziggler. This really is a Smackdown crowd tonight, still singing Nakamura's theme, and Rollins is a popular guy. Slow start, feeling out process. While this is going on, will just mention Nakamura came down dressed completely in blue, nice touch. Rollins mocking Nakamura was great. So far the best thing about this match is Michael Cole isn't calling it. The Prick. Quite surprised these two are out before the Cruiserweights, which could be a good or a bad thing, because if a match needs to lose time, we all know which on that will be. Is it just me that thinks Good Vibrations is one of the most ridiculous moves about at the minute? A good way into this match and it seems flat, some good strong kicks and knees from Nakamura but after Black and Gargano kicked and kneed each other to hell last night, I am afraid they raised the bar on what is expected from striking. A boring chant from a lone man is quite audible, which just proves how flat the crowd are I would wager that they all wish they had tickets to War Games instead. Two Suicide Dives from Seth raises a one more time chant from the crowd, he obliges and then gets a two count when they head back in the ring off a top rope clothesline. Nakamura back on top and gets his own two from a knee to the belly. When in doubt, hit a superkick, which Rollins does and gets another two. Shinsuke should go back to NXT, he would be more appreciated for one and would have a freer reign on his matches, this still seems like it is in second gear. A triangle choke from Nakamura is reversed into a buckle bomb by Seth, its okay. Seth tunes up the band does everyone do this since HBK rode off into the sunset? A superplex/falcon arrow combo is very nice from Seth for another two. Reverse exploder from Nakamura but misses his Kinshasa and gets hit with a rip cord knee- two count- missed Frog Splash and a Kinshasa that hits and its a two count. A great closing stretch of two superkicks, missed stomp, missed Kinshasa and then a hit stomp gives Seth a win. It seems that tag teams just don't matter as it is announced Raw are 2-0 up and the clean sweep is on. Well I like tag teams so fuck you propaganda its Smackdown 1-2 Raw. I thought that the match was boring, nothing really happened until the closing minute. Second time I have now felt robbed by Seth Rollins. 1.5 stars

Backstage once again and Braun hates everyone, except Finn, because only Vince hates Finn.

This match has to turn the tide of disappointment, The Bar are great to quote a legend, Nuff Said. AOP are probably one of my favourite teams ever, from being super green but protected and slowly climbing to show stealers (of course that was against super opponents) on NXT, to not being given a chance to shine on Raw. However, this is that time, and I hope they do shine. A viscous knee from Razar on Cesaro is great. A brief flurry from Cesaro hitting some big uppercuts is quickly shut down. Cesaro flys off the ropes and gets the tag to Sheamus, who comes in like a house on fire battering both AOP. Razar takes the ten shots to the chest, Sheamus comes off the top for the two. Brogue Kick, another Leah favourite, off an uppercut gets a two, only because Drake Maverick puts Razars leg on the rope. At some point during this match the commentary team actually take time out to bury AOP, that is nice of them. For some reason Maverick pisses himself and AOP pins The Bar. Smackdown 1- 3 Raw. The whole match is now played for comedy, Big Show should retire, a he added nothing to this other than laughing when a 7ft man threatened a 4ft man, and the 4ft man got scared, no idea why. Can somebody tell me why tag teams are second class. 2 stars

Backstage with The Miz and his Smackdown buddies. Co-besties is a great line to Shane. I tuned out then because instead of Miz talking, he lets Shano Mc ramble about nothing. Truth pops up, it isn't funny. However, I actually prefer Truth to Shane, cant he piss off again.

Please give these men a chance to shine, please give them a decent time, please let them do what they do which is just put on great wrestling matches. I wont hold my breath mind. At least the announcing should improve in comes Nigel McGuinness who has replaced Corey Graves as the best announcer in WWE. That isn't a discussion point, just a fact. This match has started off 100% better than anything else on the card, it bodes well. Ali hits a nice spinning move on Murphy on the outside. Murphy shoves Ali off the buckles into the barricade, it looks awesome and McGuinness actually does the job of announcer and sells the match to the TV audience. Murphy on top and hits some strong stiff offence. Crowd are actually into this match, not as much as they should be but they have been non-existent until now. Ali turns the tide with a slingshot into the corner, that is until Murphy blokes the role through X-Factor and just throws Ali out of the ring and then Murphy gets so much air that a family from Romford just booked a trip to Spain on his back. Back in the ring and Ali hits a Spike and gets a two. The crowd is slowing waking up. A stunning DDT from Ali draws a long two. You will have to see the DDT to know what I mean. Ali is thrown off the top for the third time in this contest, the story these men are telling is wonderful. A bicycle kick from Ali stops Murphy smashing him through the announce table, into a Spanish Fly and finally the crowd come alive with a 205 chant. Ali goes up top for his 405 but Murphy blocks with a Superkick through Ali's legs to his head two powerbombs and a two count. Into the closing section and Ali gets caught with a big knee from a crossbody attempt into the Murphy's Law. Great match. 4 Stars

Backstage is Daniel Bryan. Bryan acts like knob to the interviewer. It's classic heel work.

Lars Sullivan is nowhere near ready for the main roster. But he is massive, and they do love a massive guy.

Micheal Cole is back, and annoys me straight away with his ignoring the pre-show non sense. The Prick. Team Raw vs Team Smackdown. I am not excited about this match, I have a bad feeling that the wrong people are going to look strong. Please let Finn McIntrye and Joe look strong in this one, they are the future. Please don't make it about Shane Fucking McMahon. It has just been pointed out to me that this match maybe long, I need a brew. A big Joe chant. It is nice to see Rey Mysterio back, personally I think he would have been better on 205 Live and I also think that his spot in this match should have gone to someone else, someone who needed the rub. Braun is still shouting at everyone. McIntrye tags himself in and Joe straight in with the rear naked choke, however, McIntyre recovers and hits the Claymore. and Joe is eliminated. A Bullshit chant is loud. and I agree. Left on Smackdown now is Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio, The Miz and Shane McMahon. Way to plan for the future. I have lost interest in this match already, literally any other member of that team could have eaten that pin. Shane McMahon has slid in while I have been moaning, and he is throwing the worst punches in Wrestling. And then he kicks out Dolph's fameasser, which I believe beat Seth Rollins in the Ironman match. Miz saves McMahon after a Zig Zag. The Prick. Braun is in, until McIntyre tags himself in again, a fight breaks out between the two big men and it all goes to shit. Braun blasts all of Smackdown, but still gets hit with the 619. Shane rips apart the announce table so guess he is jumping off something, and he does off the top rope onto the prone Strowman. So lets get this right, Strowman goes through everyone like water until the physically imposing Miz, Rey and Hardy take him down, quite easily and non wrestle Shane puts him out, and they eliminated Joe for this shit. A this is awesome chant is heard, they must be watching something else. Balor is in, after hoofing McIntyre, which probably means he is the next one out. Miz moves from the Coup De Grace but Balor follows him and takes everyone out. Miz tags Rey, this is the best portion of the match. Rey misses a 619 and Finn hits a Slingblade on Rey, then Balor misses his double foot stomp, a 619 and splash and Balor is eliminated. Told you, bull shit. McIntyre destroys Balor on the way out. Lashley is in so this break time for me. Ziggler is in now so I am back. Rey makes the tag to Hardy so its Hardy and Ziggler. Not a lot happens, a tornado DDT to McIntrye on the floor. Cole says "I have to give it to Smackdown, a gutsy performance" way to bury Smackdown. The Prick. Dolph avoids a Swanton by getting his knees up. Shane is back great. He is going for his "coast to coast" and it is still shit. And he pins Ziggler. I am sick of this match, now Shane and Lashley are in this is like torture to me. Beth Phoniex offers some hope by saying "Shane won't be able to walk tomorrow" figures crossed. Strowman just destroyed Shane McMahon, remind me to send that man a Christmas Card. Jeff Hardy pinned by Braun. Rey Mysterio pinned by Braun. Miz legs it from Strowman but is caught and pinned. Shane is the last man left on Smackdown. I think I may have said this, but this match is bull shit. Braun kills Shane in quick time. Smackdown 1-4 Raw. That match was wank. Just wank. Corbin attacks Strowman from behind after the bell, I couldn't care less. 0 stars

So far the dominant brand is 205 Live, on this show anyway. NXT is obviously the better show. A lot rides on this match, this event needs something special. With that being said, this could be special, Flair is excellent and very rarely fails, plus she has to be happy that she avoided the shit show of the women's Survivor Series match, and Ronda Rousey has taken to wrestling better than anyone expected. A big Becky chant greats both athletes. I am not claiming to be a make up expert or anything, but what is going on with Ronda's face tonight. A quick armbar attempt reminds everyone how dangerous Ronda can be. A quick start by both bodes well. Duelling chants from the crowd who seem more up for this match than any of the others so far. Ronda goes to the top rope after some good wrestling but loses her advantage, only for a moment slamming Charlotte down and then going for a rolling armbar off the top, into a triangle and Flair counters into a Boston Crab, it is great stuff. Rousey no sells natural selection into another armbar attempt. These two are holding nothing back. Finally, Flair halts the Ronda attack, sells the arm for a minute, and goes for a Moonsault, which Ronda blocks again into another roll through armbar attempt, Ronda gets caught with a big spear after pandering to the crowd. Flair locks on a figure four, which Ronda reverses the pressure of and both women roll out of the ring. This is non stop as Flair gets launched into the barricade. Ronda goes full badass and rag dolls Flair and hits some lefts and rights, but Flair is back in with some stiff chops. Ronda blokes the chops and Judo throws Flair, who is straight up and hits a big boot. Another this is awesome chant, this time, I agree. Charlotte goes for a body slam and gets rolled straight into another armbar attempt, a Pipers Pit from Ronda leads to yet another armbar attempt. Flair rolls to the outside and takes the count to seven selling the arm, Ronda legs it around the ring straight into a Kendo Stick shot from Flair. DQ finish. It isn't over as Charlotte Flair batters Ronda Rousey with the kendo stick, she finishes that onslaught in the ring and then grabs a chair and smacks Ronda again for good measure. She goes to leave but comes back in with Natural Selection on the chair, refs flood the ring to get Flair out, and Flair lays waste to them, she puts the chair over Ronda's neck and before the inevitable stomp she pushes the final ref out. Jamie Noble and chums now hit the ring. A thank you Charlotte chants breaks out as Flair finally leaves the ring. Smackdown 1-5 Raw. Although it was another Smackdown loss, Flair came out looking like a complete badass. The match itself was great, very quick paced, back and forth reversals, a great story and most importantly intensity. The sight of a broken Ronda Rousey after the match added to the emotion of it all. As Ronda walks up the ramp, the fans chant for Becky and you deserve chant can be heard, I think Ronda sold this really well looking shocked, confused and angry at the reaction, WWE have a great opportunity and a story handed to them on a silver platter. Really good stuff. 4 stars

Well here we are. The main event, following that match is going to be no easy task, however Daniel Bryan could have a great match by himself and if we talk intensity its Brock Lesnar who is intensity personified. I think Joe Rogan summed it up best when he said "We have to look to Brock Lesnar to save the heavyweight division". Now with the DC fight not happening until probably March due to USADA rules UFC loss is WWE gain, Lesnar, no matter what people think, draws money and Daniel Bryan vs Brock Lesnar is a money match, I am looking forward to this. Daniel Bryan is out first, he started his "YES" chant then stopped, kinda mocked a UFC entrance crawling a small way. The heel in Daniel Bryan is working to full effect as a "We want AJ" shout can be heard, and Brock gets a cheer on his arrival shows what a professional wrestler Daniel Bryan is. He looks cool and relaxed, smiling and mocking Lesnar it is enthralling to watch. It is also great to see Daniel Bryan with the heavyweight championship again. Paul Heyman begins his intro, swerves everyone by looking like he will actually pay Daniel Bryan but puts Lesnar over. Bryan straight after the knee, looks like Daniel Bryan is going to play the cardio game or trying to frustrate the Beast. Bryan goes for a kick, it gets caught and his head gets taken over, first German Suplex of the night quickly follows. Brock tries to start his own chant, I think the crowd join in because they are afraid. Second German Suplex. Heyman is doing a grand job of selling concern. A huge Belly to Belly from Brock. Then another one. It isn't going well for Daniel. Brock parades with the Universal title, and then heads out to maul Daniel Byran some more. So far this is a one-sided killing. I hope it goes the way of last years match with AJ. A bear hug from Brock after throwing Bryan up by his head. Michael Cole is still being a prick, just for the record. German Suplex number 3. Another bear hug from the Beast which turns into a Belly to Belly, Bryan up for the F5, and he picks Daniel Bryan up from the two to continue this mauling. Daniel Bryan is selling like a champ, and finally hits a kick to a head, followed by another one, F5 into the ref, allows Bryan to hit a low blow followed by a knee to the head. Bryan is up and his kicking the shit of Lesnar, straight stomps to the face of Lesnar, Bryan is back in this and Brock is struggling up. Bryan runs into an F5 but escapes and sends a charging Lesnar over the top. Bryan jumps over the top and Lesnar catches him, but Bryan escapes again and sends Brock into a ring post. a Big knee off the apron floors The Beast. However, rally over as Bryan again tries to launch himself at Brock, Brock this time catches him and slams him back first into the ring post. A missed stairs shot from Brock puts Bryan back in control. Back in the ring and Daniel Bryan hits a huge running knee and gets a close two, a chopblock followed by wrapping Brocks knee around the ring post and a missile dropkick. Running knee, running dropkick and Brock has Daniel Bryan up for an F5, but Bryan reverses into the YES lock, Brock breaks it, but Daniel hits some viscous crossface shots to reapply the Yes lock, Brock rolls through but Daniel Bryan applies a Triangle (sort of) but Brock powers through and hits an F5 for the three count. Smackdown 1-6 Raw Great, great match, told a great story, much the same as the one told with AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan looked every bit Brock Lesnar's equal. I really enjoyed that, match of the night. 4.25 stars.

Well, with the exception of the Cruiserweights, Ronda vs Charlotte and Brock vs Bryan, that was a pretty terrible card. So many wasted opportunities, from what they did to Joe, ignoring the Tag Team match completely all through the night, to turning AOP vs The Bar into a comedy effort so many bad booking decisions. The talent that WWE has available to them, and what they choose to do with said talent is nothing short of criminal. NXT more than won the weekend, again, however because of the efforts of Buddy Murphy, Mustafa Ali, Charlotte Flair, Ronda Rousey, Brock Lesnar and Daniel Bryan, it drags the rating of this PPV up. Overall 3 stars.