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SURVIVOR SERIES REVIEW
LONG STORY SHORT: I AM KEEPING THIS BOOK + UPDATING IT EVERY SO OFTEN AS I DO STILL WATCH WRESTLING FROM TIME TO TIME. I GATHER BITS & BOBS FROM SMACK DOWN LIVE AND RAW, BUT ALWAYS TUNE IN FOR THE PPV'S.
TODAY, I'LL REVIEW SS, BUT TOMORROW, I REALLY HOPE I CAN FIND THE TIME TO RANT ABOUT NXT TAKEOVER TORONTO BECAUSE GOD DAMN IT WAS BEAUTIFUL + SOMETHING THAT KEPT ME ENTERTAINED FOR THE WHOLE SHOW.
WARNING: SPOILERS UP AHEAD
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Before I begin the review, I just want to say:
I WAS NOT THE BIGGEST FAN OF THE OUTCOME OF MANY OF THESE SS MATCHES. I WAS TEAM SMACK DOWN ALL THE WAY, BUT REGARDLESS OF THAT, I WILL GIVE PRO'S AND CON'S TO ALL THE MATCHES (UNLESS I START RANTING AND YEAAAAH).
DRINK IT IN, MAAAAAAAAAN!
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1) NOAM DAR, RICH SWANN, & TJ PERKINS
VS
ARIYA DAIVARI, DREW GULAK, & TONY NESE.
WINNERS: NOAM, RICH, TJ.
GRADE: B-
I love the Cruiserweight division, but watching these matches can be so cringe-worthy because the crowd is usually pretty fucking dead for them.
I hate to say this, but Brian Kendrick asides, these guys have no storylines going on. Even TJ who has a storyline with Kendrick can't seem to grasp onto it. I feel like either Kendrick is way too good in the mic + at acting that he always leaves TJ looking like an amateur when it comes to promos.
I know that every match can't have the story telling element of that precious Battleground war fest between destroyer Canadians Owens + Zayn ( I WILL FOREVER REFERENCE THAT MATCH), but I do hope that all these amazing wrestler's get a bit more momentum and storylines to make the matches more interesting.
My favorites thus far are Rich Swann + Tony Nese. I need something to develop between these two because I love their chemistry + ARSEnal. (HA, SEE WHAT I DID THERE).
I'm sorry, but the inner fangirl in me can't help but to point out that Tony Nese is packing on some major cake,
okay, bye ...
2) KANE vs LUKE HARPER
WINNER: KANE
GRADE: C-
I can't even with the outcome of this match— seriously, Kane won?
I LOVE EVERY OG MEMBER OF THE WYATT CLUB, AND EVERY TIME THAT THEY GET THE SHORT END OF THE STICK ( WHICH IS NEARLY ALL THE FUCKING TIME) I LOSE IT!
To me, Luke Harper (along with Baron), has all the potential to really become the next BIG DESTROYING MACHINE, the new Taker and Kane if you will.
AND YET, they always fail to capitalize on Harper's freakish strength, his amazing portrayal of his gimmick, and ACTUAL GOOD FUCKING WRESTLING.
Ugh.
Kane just surfaces back from outta nowhere to clash against Luke. I know people always make fun of John Cena for 'burying' superstars, but god damn someone give that crown to Kane. I swear, nearly ever person they always put him against ends up jobbing to a man that just needs to hang it up already.
3) WOMEN'S RAW TEAM
VS
THE KICKASS WOMEN OF SMACKDOWN
GRADE: A+
WINNERS: TEAM RAW
Title alone, I think you can guess who I was rooting for.
I genuinely love all the women WWE Superstars (except Eva Marie and that'll never change). Heck, I even like Dana Brook. I often times find her to be very annoying, but I do think that her ring skills are improving + think she'll be great in a few more years as she's already a natural with her gimmick.
Again, the outcome to this match was pretty disappointing.
I really wanted the Women of Smack Down to win because:
1) EVERY SINGLE WOMAN IN SMACK DOWN IS GIVEN THE SPOTLIGHT, SOME MORE THAN OTHERS, BUT THEY ARE ALL FAIRLY FEATURED.
2) ALL OF THE WOMEN IN SMACKDOWN HAVE A SOLID HOLD ON THEIR GIMMICKS!
I love Carmella, but I do have to admit that she's the weak link in her team. Regardless of that, whether you love or hate her, she is so nailing her character.
If someone told me that Alexa Bliss was once sweet and a baby face, I would not believe you.
3) IN RAW, THEY ALWAYS AND ONLY MAKE SUCH A BIG DEAL ABOUT SASHA BANKS AND CHARLOTTE!
While I adore them, (Charlotte not so much but she is imo, the best in ring woman's wrestler atm), THERE ARE OTHER WOMEN IN RAW!
I want more of Alicia Fox + Nia.
I WANT SOME BAYLEY!
With that said,
I did love this match. I adore that they got more than 10 minutes + everyone got their little moment to shine.
SIDENOTE: Nia Jax supplexing both Bliss + Lynch was pretty freakin' cool.
NOT COOL: BECKY LYNCH getting pinned.
4) SAMI ZAYNVSTHE MIZ
WINNER: THE MIZ.
GRADE: A
WHO THE FUCK HATES SAMI ZAYN SO MUCH BACKSTAGE?
Ever since BG, Sami's booking has been fucking horrible. I lowkey hope that Zayn losing somehow leads to Stephanie, 'firing' him, only so that precious splash of sunshine can be hired by god, Shane McMahon.
Listen, OF COURSE I will ALWAYS ROOT FOR SAMI ZAYN, but that doesn't mean I'm going to shit on the Miz, because I actually do semi-like the guy.
In the past year, the Miz has REALLY seized every opportunity that he's given and proven to be more than a, "pretty hollywood a-lister."
To me, the past year has been his prime. His wrestling is actually good + the guy has proven to be one of the best on the mic + at cutting promos.
To me, he does outshine Zayn in that department, BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT
my heart just really wanted Sami Zayn to win.
RANDOM BITS + BOPS:
- Sami's blue thunderbird is a thing of fucking beauty.
- Sami's selling to me, is better than Ziggler's and he kind of needs to stop because it aches my heart every time I see him sell so hard I'm confused as to whether he's ACTUALLY OKAY and BARELY BREATHING.
- THE RECEPTION SAMI GOT, THE 'LET'S GO' at the start- CHILLS!!
All in all, I thought this was a pretty great match and hope that SOMETHING COMES OF IT. Maybe Sami will start a feud with the Miz, maybe not.
I adore Maryse, but If she keeps interfering. god.
Side note, the best part of this match:
Sami may have lost,
but worry not,
he still holds the "SASS MASTER CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE".
Flips off Lana, then does this.
This ginger knows no bounds.
5) THE NEW DAY, SAWFT, LUKE GALLOWS + DOC,
SHEAMUS AND CESARO AND THE SHINNING STARS
VS
AMERICAN ALPHA, SLATER AND RHYNO,
BREEZANGO,THE HYPE BROS, AND USOS.
WINNERS: TEAM RAW.
GRADE: B+
I am still not 100% sure how to feel about this match. Again, like (most matches) I was rooting for Team SmackDown because I really fucking hate the Shinning Stars. I'm sorry, they just bring nothing to the table.
To me, the teams on Raw are a little better represented, which made me sad to see them win because this could have really boosted a momentum push for all of SmackDown's amazing tag teams.
I love Cesaro + Sheamus and really enjoyed their battle against the Usos, but I couldn't help but to feel a little cheated out of the match by how much lack of American Alpha there was.
Sure, they had their little moment, but I wish they'd of been more highlighted since to me, they are the most complete team in Smack Down.
All in all, the match was good + I swear, I will never get tired of the NEW DAY being Tag-Team Champions.
If they are to lose it, I hope it's against SAWFT, and that afterwards, they go heel.
Those men can do no wrong.
6) THE BRIAN KENDRICK
VS
KALISTO
GRADE: B+
WINNER: BRIAN KENDRICK
god yes.
i love brian kendrick, like, a whole lot.
I like his galaxy pants, I like his hair, I just love him.
I felt kinda bad for Kalisto bc Kendrick just exudes personality and Kalisto ... he's almost as boring as Sin Cara.
ALMOST.
I think Brian as the Cruiserweight Champ is the way to go + that ending with Baron coming out,
I DIG!
7) TEAM SMACKDOWNORTON, AMBROSE, SHANE GOD MCMAHON,
BRAY WYATT, ELLSWORTH
VS
TEAM RAW
ROLLINS, REIGNS, OWENS,
JERICHO, BRAUN
WINNERS: TEAM SMACKDOWN.
GRADE: A++
I feel like this has been one of the best Team vs Team match in a long time, and it just warms my heart.
While I enjoyed every minute of this match, I did feel like it was awfully long. Anyone else feel that way?
I'm not complaining, but damn!
Just when I was losing all hope + patience thinking that they booked this entire PPV for Raw, Team Smack Down wins.
I don't even know where to begin because there was so many damn good moments.
Kevin Owens and AJ Styles started things out, and I'll just never get tired of all the insults KO has towards AJ for his, "SOCCER MOM" hair cut.
Kevin using, 'THE LIST OF JERICHO' as a weapon was priceless, even if it got him disqualified. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE DAY THAT JERICHO STABS KEVIN. MARK MY WORDS, KEVIN WILL DISCOVER THAT CHRIS HAS HAD OWENS NAME ON THE LIST, IT WILL HAPPEN AND WHEN IT DOES, REMEMBER MY NAME!!
Random segment: SHANE MCMAHON IS A GOD.
I swear, Shane is about the only McMahon I have 100% respect for. I know that on RAW he was called out for 'hogging the spotlight' by being on Team Smack Down, but nope nope nope.
The only other person I really would have liked to see on Team Smack Down was Baron Corbin, but hey, he got his moment + appearance when he interfered in Kendrick's match.
With that said, Shane just made this match THAT much better. This man takes all the bumps and hits that a wrestler does and I love it.
I'm sad that he was taken out of the match AFTER Reigns speared him, but I just hope he's okay. From what I read / saw, he did seem to bounce his head pretty hard off the matt, but Shane's indestructible man.
RANDY ORTON WAS A BEAST in this match. I sincerely think that Orton is one of the most gifted atheletes in all of the WWE. He's got that strength + insane quickness.
Smoothest man in the ring for me, I mean look at this RKO's,
LITERALLY OUT OF NOWHERE.
ALSO,
Kudos to Randy for this:
As tumblr has it, Randy went over to Shane's kid to assure him that his daddy was OKAY.
Randy in general for this PPV:
I'm sorry to tell you guys that I'm not as Shield crazy as I used to be, so seeing the three interact didn't do too much for me.
I am all for Ambrose, but I'm kinda tired of this Reigns - Rollins things.
I was much MORE into everyone else to be floored by the Shield powerbombing Styles. It's expected, and we've seen it.
P.S.
MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS MATCH?
BRAY FUCKING WYATT GOT THE PIN AND MOTHERFUCKER YEEEEES!
8) GOLDBERG
VSBROCK LESNAR
GOLDBERG DID NOT LOSE! I REPEAT, GOLDBERG DID NOT FUCKING LOSE!!
Among ALL THE FUCKED UP SHIT that has happened this year, Goldberg losing is not one of them.
Holy fuck you guys.
The WWE fucking trolled us and I am not even mad. When this match came on, I was ready to just watch a few minutes of it, considering I thought they'd just keep the boring Brock Lesnar trend of always winning,
BUT HOLY FUCK.
I didn't even have to sit and watch my hero get destroyed because in less than 5 minutes, my hero DEFEATED BROCK LESNAR.
I'm not going to get into a rant about how much of a big Goldberg fan I am because there is always some negative nancy who'll be like, 'ermaigod you only like him bc he returned blah blah'
Nah, I grew up on that guy.
But I'll rave about him some other day.
The important thing is --- GOLDBERG BROKE THE CYCLE! HE DEFEATED BROCK! IN FRONT OF HIS BEAUTIFUL SON AND WIFE AND SWEET BABY JESUS, IT WAS ALL UNDER FIVE MINUTES!!
Somewhere on tumblr + other wrestling forums, I read how this match was horribly graded, booked, etc,
BUT I HAVE TO DISAGREE.
BOTH Brock + Goldberg are slower moving guys. Brock is much younger than Goldberg, but still, Brock gets pretty winded and much slower after a few minutes.
Realistically speaking. Goldie is still in terrific shape and could no doubt run a couple miles as a warm up exercise, but can he last in a ring for that long?
I don't think so.
I think it was smart to have the match be short and sweet because that way, we get to see the BEST of Goldberg before he gets winded.
I personally give ZERO fucks that Goldberg defeated the guy who ended Taker's WM streak in no time. I don't care that Brock has been booked as an untouchable god and then outta nowhere comes a veteran to destroy that image.
I LOVE IT ALLLLLL!
I read somewhere that GB is heading to the Rumble, and if that is so, I hope he doesn't win,but I do hope he clashes with Brock once more.
- - -
ALL IN ALL (DAMN HOW MANY MORE TIMES CAN I SAY THAT) I enjoyed Survivor Series. I didn't agree with the outcome of some matches, but the actual matches themselves weren't bad.
OVERALL GRADE: B+
As always, make sure to leave your input. What did you think about Survivor Series?
What do you disagree with?
Let me know down below.
xo, bloodsen.