“The only night that Raw and SmackDown goes head-to-head in direct competition” happened last night but let’s be real, we will probably see interbrand matches tonight and any other night.
Survivor Series has been on quite the streak of being meaningless but fun and this one doesn’t dwell on that accomplishment. We got to watch some thrilling matches such as Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre and New Day vs. Street Profits. However, tonight and over on SmackDown, nothing that was seen here will play into the stories, and therefore, was it worth it?
I guess a few things such as Jey Uso disappointing Reigns will brew further but personally, I’m fed up with brand supremacy being the show’s gimmick. It pauses storylines, confuses characters, and never leads to anything. There wasn’t even a scoreboard this year. It was like they were trying to ignore the fact they have put Raw and SmackDown head-to-head.
This show was all built towards saying farewell to the Undertaker. That job was a success.
Let’s discuss the ‘Six Biggest Takeaways From WWE Survivor Series 2020’:
6. The Undertaker Finally Retires
Why not we begin with the huge story coming out of the 34th Survivor Series event. A place that was well-known for being home to the Deadman. It was finally time for Mark Calaway to put the Undertaker to rest.
This was a better time than any. Thirty years ago at Survivor Series 1990, The Undertaker made his debut. After multiple Championships, a WrestleMania streak and the biggest character and spectacle in Sports Entertainment, this felt like a fantastic bookending place for the Phenom. And that is why we were all skeptical if it will be true.
The entire show was created to say thank you to the Undertaker for his dedication and life he seeped into the WWE. The character became larger than the show and ultimately, needed an impactful ending. This did not feel like it was happening here.
When it got announced as the closing angle, myself and many others believed this was to lead to some angle which will see the actual final match of the Deadman. Maybe to pass the torch onto the next global phenomenon such as The Fiend or to have a must-see match with Sting.
Nope. WWE turned off the lights on their biggest creation. Legends filled the ring, such as Triple H, Godfather, Mick Foley and Kane, only to name a few. After another mindblowing video package by the WWE production team, they all strangely disappeared leaving a teary Mr McMahon ready to give a speech like a Dad at his son’s wedding day.
You could see in McMahon’s eyes how much love he has for the man behind the Deadman. The fame and heights Undertaker succeeded to bring the company too was unfathomable and there may not be another one like him.
Undertaker then came out for one last stroll to the ring. After the heavy dongs of his theme song, Taker said goodbye. No Fiend. No Sting. The Undertaker can now “Rest In Peace”.
This moment has been swirling in every WWE fan’s mind for at least the last decade. However, when the final dong hit, this still felt surreal. Thank you, Taker, for everything and us all here at WrestleTalk wish you a healthy retirement.
Hopefully, we can see him rise into the Hall of Fame next year.
5. Raw’s Male Team Wins With Clean Sweep
The Main Show of Survivor Series opened up with their traditional five-on-five elimination tag team match. Team Raw (AJ Styles, Sheamus, Keith Lee, Braun Strowman & Riddle) vs. Team SmackDown (Jey Uso, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, King Corbin & Otis).
This had much hype. Look at the talent in the ring at the same time! Styles, Riddle, Uso and Owens have an all-around skillset and can put on a performance with anyone. Rollins is exceptional with anything he is given. Strowman, Lee and Otis were big hungry men ready to walk a path of unbeaten destruction. Then there were the brute natures of Sheamus and King Corbin. How could WWE mess this up?
By overbooking everything, the WWE way.
Just when the match looked like it could go somewhere, Seth Rollins decided he couldn’t be bothered today and sacrificed himself for the greater good. Allowing Sheamus to brogue kick and eliminate him from the match. This left the match in disarray, however, I enjoyed this moment.
Rollins is on his way out for a well-deserved break soon due to Becky Lynch nearing time to give birth to their first child. This could’ve been the last appearance from the Messiah for some time.
Further, into this match, we saw the entire SmackDown field eliminated, leaving Jey Uso to put on a beautiful showing before being spirit bombed by Keith Lee. Speaking of Keith Lee, he had new theme music! It isn’t as good as his ‘Bask in my Glory’ theme but at least he provides his charming voice to this one.
Ultimately, this clean sweep is going to be a treasured piece of storytelling in the Reigns-Uso storyline. Reigns has been let down by his cousin after he promised to work for the Tribal Chief. I am excited to see this story continue further. Despite this, the clean sweep was more detrimental to the power of Team SmackDown. It made them look weak and way too reliant on Seth Rollins surviving. They were more cohesive than Team Raw, however, they got beaten.
At least Survivor Series losses never matter and the members will just be away doing their own thing once SmackDown rolls around, this Friday.
4. The Street Profits Earn The New Day’s Respect
One of the better matches of this show saw the respective brand’s Tag Team Champions go head-to-head. The New Day vs. The Street Profits can easily be considered a dream match and something WWE has stayed away from as they know it has the potential of being a show-stealer.
Which was exactly what this match portrayed. After Street Profits got the smoke and New Day played cosplay as Gears of War characters, they went at it and had a tag team classic. I’ll let this video do the talking but I hope this is only a teaser for the exceptional bouts we can have between the two teams in the near future. This could reach blood-feud levels of New Day vs. The Usos and I wish someday it does!
After the match, both teams displayed respect for one another. Solidifying Street Profits as not only a credible act but a team that can easily reach New Day heights in their careers. This match showed why WWE needs to trust in the brilliance of tag team wrestling once more.
3. Sasha Banks Beats Asuka
To no surprise, Asuka and Sasha Banks proved there is an overflowing test tube of chemistry between the two. They put on a physical wrestling match, alongside technical abilities and multiple submission counters. It was neat to watch.
This match ended with many near falls, leaving me on the edge of my seat, prepared for the end. Banks managed to slide away with a victory which was great to see! Banks hasn’t had the greatest title runs and thus this one is already her best.
Asuka deserves more though!
2. Lana Is The Sole-Survivor
In the other Survivor Series tag match, Raw going in had another broken team made of misfits and aggressors. How can they defy the odds?! This memo always hints that they will do exactly that.
In the beginning, Lana was instructed to not get in Nia Jax’s way. She obeyed this and stood away like a child on the naughty step. As much as this should have been Raw’s downfall. Lana listening helped gain them the victory.
After Bayley was shockingly eliminated first by Peyton Royce of all people, SmackDown reached frantic mode once more. It finally got down to Bianca Belair resisting the forces of the Women’s Tag Team Champions. In a battle on the outside, the ref rang for the ten count eliminating both Jax and Belair.
By process of elimination, this left Lana as the sole-survivor. This was meant to be a feel-good moment and something that is a proud accomplishment for Lana, after a hard battle with mental health conveyed on her Chronicles episode. However, similar to the men’s tag match, this left no one looking dominant.
The match was won by someone who wasn’t even involved in the match. Another case of the WWE overbooking.
1. Roman Reigns Beats Drew McIntyre
In the main event, we got to watch a Stomping Grounds rematch between Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre. The difference now, is both men are draped in gold.
In a fierce display of fiery Scottish attitude and tactical thinking from a Tribal Chief, this match was just as good as it had any right to be.
The two biggest stars in the company having a brawl not just for brand loyalty but to see who is better. A wrestling match of standard implications but this never needed to be overbooked like the rest of the show.
Put McIntyre and Reigns in the ring, give them time to spear, scratch and claw each other until they couldn’t take it any more!
Jey Uso got involved near the end, ignoring Reigns’ demanding for him to go home. When the ref took a bump, Jey superkicked McIntyre for Reigns to hit a low blow and lock him in his deadly guillotine submission, passing him out in the process.
Due to this not being the final segment of the show, it ended with Reigns and Uso hugging hinting that Uso has redeemed himself. Surely this was an illogical ending as with McIntyre being the most beaten he has been in some time, this was the greatest opportunity for a Miz cash-in. He isn’t very awesome in choosing his time wisely.
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