Survivor Series go home week: Is the show salvageable?

[the_hoff]

:gusta:

:notsure::lool::lool:

 

[Lockard 23]

This Survivor Series will be horrible and looks to be just a further example of how far Survivor Series has fallen as a concept. It's a stretch to even call it one of the big four PPVs at this point when it's apparent that WWE doesn't value it that much at all, as evidenced by it consistently being one of the worst PPVs of the year. To be fair though, Orton/Show will be alright, Cena/Del Rio will be a pretty good match (even if I don't care a lick for the build) and if they do book an elimination match between Punk/Bryan/Rhodes/Usos-Shield/Wyatt Family, then that will be just all kinds of awesome. The rest of the card will be shit, but it won't matter. If your top three matches (which showcases both world championships being on the line as well as an awesome traditional elimination match) isn't enough to convince people to buy the show, then nothing will be.

As for the possibility of them not doing the 6-on-6 elimination match, I could see Punk and Bryan being forced to team with Ryback and Axel (who will want a piece of the Wyatts as well for attacking them on Smackdown) while Harper and Rowan are forced to team with Rollins and Reigns (while the "leaders" of both groups - Wyatt and Ambrose - stand close to one another backstage to see how well their respective teams cooperate with one another.) It's an interesting proposition because half of both teams would have tension with the other half and both teams could end up exploding on each other at any minute. Seeing enemies team with each other on both sides is interesting. In this case, the Rhodes could defend the tag Team Championships against the Real Americans.

 

[Snowman1]

This Survivor Series will be horrible and looks to be just a further example of how far Survivor Series has fallen as a concept. It's a stretch to even call it one of the big four PPVs at this point when it's apparent that WWE doesn't value it that much at all, as evidenced by it consistently being one of the worst PPVs of the year. To be fair though, Orton/Show will be alright, Cena/Del Rio will be a pretty good match (even if I don't care a lick for the build) and if they do book an elimination match between Punk/Bryan/Rhodes/Usos-Shield/Wyatt Family, then that will be just all kinds of awesome. The rest of the card will be shit, but it won't matter. If your top three matches (which showcases both world championships being on the line as well as an awesome traditional elimination match) isn't enough to convince people to buy the show, then nothing will be.

As for the possibility of them not doing the 6-on-6 elimination match, I could see Punk and Bryan being forced to team with Ryback and Axel (who will want a piece of the Wyatts as well for attacking them on Smackdown) while Harper and Rowan are forced to team with Rollins and Reigns (while the "leaders" of both groups - Wyatt and Ambrose - stand close to one another backstage to see how well their respective teams cooperate with one another.) It's an interesting proposition because half of both teams would have tension with the other half and both teams could end up exploding on each other at any minute. Seeing enemies team with each other on both sides is interesting. In this case, the Rhodes could defend the tag Team Championships against the Real Americans.

Damn good idea, Lockard for WWE Creative, so you can come up with brilliant ideas like this and Vince will laugh at you for them.

It looks like the show itself shouldn't be bad. The 5-on-5 should be great, Punk and Bryan vs the Wyatts should be pretty good if they let it, Cena and Del Rio will have a similar match to the one at HIAC and Big Show and Orton will outperform low expectations, and the Divas will be there too. Can't see how it's worth the $50, but they've done a good enough job to make it worth the three hours. Guess that's the best we could have hoped for.

As you say, the main selling points to the show are the top three matches, and there's more intrigue in storylines than just wrestling. Cena vs Del Rio should get the kids-with-rich-parents' buys just because of Cena, but doubt it'll draw many other people. Maybe the 5-on-5 will get a few with so many great talents colliding (crowd was really hot for them on Raw), but with the WWE Title match I can't see doing much. They filled out the card, yay, but this show feels really skippable. Guess I just expect too much.

When was the last big Survivor Series? Some may say 2011, but even that show was pretty lousy going in outside of the intrigue between Rock and Cena + the lingering hope that Punk could win the title (Yay!). Seem to remember enjoying 2009, but reading that the build left a lot to be desired. But we thought the same with Summerslam for the past few years too, but this year they delivered. After going through the doldrums with the Battleground and Night of Champions shows we saw this light at the end of the tunnel with Survivor Series right around the corner, and it's a flop. What's the big deal about Survivor Series anyway... Hey @Senhor Perfect, if you have a spare hour or so and want to make some forum cash, if you want to (at least link or) type out some Survivor Series history about how this show's a big deal, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Lockard 23]

When was the last big Survivor Series? Some may say 2011, but even that show was pretty lousy going in outside of the intrigue between Rock and Cena + the lingering hope that Punk could win the title (Yay!). Seem to remember enjoying 2009, but reading that the build left a lot to be desired. But we thought the same with Summerslam for the past few years too, but this year they delivered. After going through the doldrums with the Battleground and Night of Champions shows we saw this light at the end of the tunnel with Survivor Series right around the corner, and it's a flop. What's the big deal about Survivor Series anyway... Hey @Senhor Perfect, if you have a spare hour or so and want to make some forum cash, if you want to (at least link or) type out some Survivor Series history about how this show's a big deal, I'd appreciate it.

if Senhor Perfect doesn't mind, I'll answer...

Survivor Series was the first major PPV right after Wrestlemania back in the day (not counting the Wrestling Classic in November of '85, which was a one-time thing.) Wrestlemania came first in '85, then Survivor Series in '87, then the Rumble and Summerslam in '88. These were known as the Big Four back then and by default, having less PPVs means each one that you do have will be treated with more diligence and hype and prestige and whatnot than they would be if there was one every month. Survivor Series also had a unique gimmick to give it a special attraction, which was every match on the card being an Elimination match.

The inaugural Survivor Series was also based largely off the attraction of seeing Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant in the same ring with each other again. Andre hadn't wrestled even once since the iconic Wrestlemania 3 event earlier in the year and the Hogan/Andre feud was still hot, and the PPV was sold off the idea that Hogan and Andre (on separate teams, of course) would be crossing paths with one other again, making people further anticipate another one-on-one match between the two. As it turns out, the main event actually set up their rematch in '88 and the large tournament that Wrestlemania IV was based on.

if you look at the event over the years, it actually has just as many (arguably more) significant and memorable moments as Summerslam does (Summerslam being what they like to call their biggest PPV outside of Wrestlemania, although in reality the Rumble is, but that's another story.) At Survivor Series, we have seen:

-the first Hogan/Andre confrontation since WM3 (as already mentioned)
-Undertaker's debut
-Rock's debut (though he debuted as the shitty Rocky Maivia persona)
-Undertaker and The Rock's first ever WWF Championship wins
-Ric Flair's first appearance on a WWF PPV
-the beginning of the Steve Austin/Bret Hart feud
-the Montreal Screw Job (the most infamous ending in wrestling history, and one that single handily created the Mr. McMahon character, albeit unintentionally)
-Austin being run down by the car
-Austin dumping Triple H inside a car from like 40-50 feet in the air
-the climax of the WWF vs WCW invasion angle
-the first ever Elimination Chamber match and HBK's first world title win in five years (and what would prove to be his last in the long run)
-Brock's first defeat and the reuniting of the Dudleyz (I'm grouping them together because they happened to be at the same event... same event as the previous mention actually)
-the end of Undertaker's American Bad Ass character
-the Raw/Smackdown inter-brand war
-the beginning of CM Punk's 434 day title reign
-The Rock's first match in almost eight years that saw him teaming up with his upcoming Wrestlemania rival John Cena, etc.

It's a shame the event doesn't mean as much as it used to because it actually has a lot of historical importance to the company. Looking at the card for this Sunday, I can't see anything that will likely end up deserving of being added to this list.

 

[Senhor Perfect]

Lock beat me to it, not much I can add to that.

 

[Aids Johnson]

I'm going to avoid the Smackdown spoilers, and hope for a big show before Sunday's ppv. The announcing of the survivor series matches was done so badly.

In fact, the best part of the main two matches were both during commercial breaks.

 

[the_hoff]

I'm going to avoid the Smackdown spoilers, and hope for a big show before Sunday's ppv. The announcing of the survivor series matches was done so badly.

In fact, the best part of the main two matches were both during commercial breaks.

Ouch, I'm realllly gonna have a hard time not looking at the spoilers. Just about every week I check 'em out. Dammit Hoff. :aries:

 

[Aids Johnson]

Ouch, I'm realllly gonna have a hard time not looking at the spoilers. Just about every week I check 'em out. Dammit Hoff. :aries:

Same here, it's easy to avoid, though. Before the thread title there will be a red Spoiler. You'll thank yourself, or hate yourself. I'm not sure how good/bad the show will be.

 

[Snowman1]

Same here, it's easy to avoid, though. Before the thread title there will be a red Spoiler. You'll thank yourself, or hate yourself. I'm not sure how good/bad the show will be.

Just posting a simple "how bad does it look":

Spoiler

It looks pretty good, worth a watch for sure.

Hope it'll help lease:

 

[the_hoff]

Same here, it's easy to avoid, though. Before the thread title there will be a red Spoiler. You'll thank yourself, or hate yourself. I'm not sure how good/bad the show will be.

Already gave in and looked at 'em. Dammit do I hate myself for looking. Why Hoff why? I told myself I would not look. What do ya go and do? LOOK.