WWE Survivor Series 2024: A Comprehensive Review

This year's WWE Survivor Series, themed around WarGames for the third consecutive year, delivered a mixed bag of exhilarating matches and questionable storytelling. From the high-flying action of the women's WarGames match to the surprising championship victory by Shinsuke Nakamura, the event certainly kept fans on the edge of their seats. However, some matches fell flat, leaving viewers wanting more. Let's delve into the highs and lows of this year's spectacle.

Women's WarGames: A Spectacular Match, Lacking Story

The women's WarGames match opened the show with a whirlwind of impressive spots and high-octane action. However, despite the incredible in-ring performances from all participants, including WWE Women's Champion Nia Jax, Women's World Champion Liv Morgan, and Miss Money in the Bank Tiffany Stratton, the match suffered from a lack of compelling storytelling. The pre-match build-up failed to create any significant rivalries or meaningful narratives, leaving the match feeling somewhat disjointed. This was particularly noticeable in the absence of a significant one-on-one showdown between Morgan and IYO SKY, the number one contender for Morgan's championship. The lack of storyline progression left the match feeling like a spectacle without substance, despite SKY's death-defying jump off the cage while wearing a trash can; even with the sheer athleticism, the absence of a compelling narrative detracted from the overall impact. This was particularly disappointing given the potential for the match to establish new rivalries between these talented women. The match, while visually stunning, lacked the emotional depth necessary to elevate it beyond a mere collection of impressive wrestling moves.

Missed Opportunities

The lack of a clear narrative arc within the match presented several missed opportunities. The storyline between Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax, centered around their uneasy alliance and Jax's less than respectful treatment of Stratton, felt stale and predictable, with Stratton's hesitation in cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase further highlighting this. The storyline between Morgan and SKY also lacked development and felt lost amidst the chaos of the WarGames match. The absence of any meaningful build-up to future title matches further contributed to the feeling that this match lacked direction. Several moments felt arbitrary or lacked the impact they could have with more careful story development.

Shinsuke Nakamura's Surprise US Title Win: A Breath of Fresh Air

The victory of Shinsuke Nakamura over LA Knight for the United States Championship was a truly unexpected, and pleasantly surprising, moment. Many anticipated a longer feud, perhaps a three-match series, between these two talented wrestlers. However, Nakamura's decisive victory, achieved with a perfectly executed Kinshasa, was a welcome shock. This win served as a potent reminder of Nakamura's exceptional talent and charisma. His new darker persona, complete with dark theme song and face paint, added a fresh dimension to his character, which injected a revitalizing energy into the mid-card scene of “SmackDown.” This win is precisely the type of refreshing mid-card storyline that “SmackDown” needed to balance out the dominance of the Bloodline storyline, and it is hoped that Nakamura will bring the needed flair to Friday night programming. This surprising turn of events suggests a shift in WWE's creative direction, demonstrating a willingness to embrace unexpected outcomes and potentially set up new storylines.

A New Chapter for Nakamura

Nakamura’s victory signifies a potential turning point in his WWE career. In recent years, his talent has been underutilized, with prior storylines falling flat. While this latest win marks a new path, the narrative surrounding his renewed vigour and skill needs further development. This win also opens the door to potential future championship matches and opportunities. His prior feud with Cody Rhodes, which was poorly executed through use of video packages, is a stark contrast to the renewed hope surrounding this win. The hope is that this renewed narrative around Nakamura will lead to a successful championship reign, exceeding that of his previous, less than successful efforts, and he indeed deserves a lengthy and successful run with the title.

Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: A Masterclass in Wrestling

Bron Breakker’s successful defense of the Intercontinental Championship against Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser stood out as a true highlight of the event. This high-octane triple threat match showcased the impressive in-ring skills and chemistry of all three participants. In stark contrast to the previous two matches, this match exhibited superb technical precision and coordination between the wrestlers, creating a fluid and highly engaging contest. The match was particularly impressive due to the fact that it stood out against the relative chaos and lack of coordinated athleticism in the preceding two matches. This match was a reminder that professional wrestling, when performed at its highest level, can be a breathtaking display of athleticism and technical mastery.

A Testament to Teamwork and Skill

The impressive coordination between the three wrestlers should not be overlooked; such coordination requires incredible teamwork and precision. The clean execution of moves and the seamless transitions between wrestling styles highlight the dedication and skill of all three men. This match serves as an example of how effective teamwork, practiced and polished coordination, and seamless transitions between different wrestling styles can come together to create an exceptional wrestling match. Even the seemingly small details, such as Kaiser pulling out referee Eddie Orengo at the right moment, demonstrate a commitment to excellence. Everything about this match was carefully planned and executed, showcasing a level of expertise that was sadly lacking in the other bouts.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: A Case of Déjà Vu

The rematch between Damian Priest and GUNTHER for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship felt remarkably similar to their SummerSlam 2024 encounter. While both wrestlers are exceptionally talented, the match's lack of originality, coupled with the predictable interference by Finn Balor, left it falling flat. This match is a stark example of how a rematch can easily fail to engage viewers. The repetition of in-ring spots, out-of-ring interference, and the match's overall structure is a failure to add new and engaging elements into a championship match, despite the wrestlers' skill.

The Problem with Predictability

The lack of innovation in this match was particularly disappointing given the opportunity to elevate the feud between Priest and GUNTHER. The almost identical interference from Finn Balor and GUNTHER’s predictable win left the match feeling redundant and uninspired. Even the narrative built around Balor’s interference felt underwhelming, failing to add new elements to an already familiar storyline. There were many opportunities to add new elements to this match; changing the match to No Disqualification, or even Extreme Rules, could have breathed new life into the match. This match demonstrates that even great wrestlers can deliver a lackluster performance with poor creative direction. The re-hash of their SummerSlam 2024 storyline lacked innovation and failed to deliver a meaningful progression for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

The Bloodline Saga Continues: A WarGames Epic

The main event, the men's WarGames match featuring Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa's teams, delivered an intense and emotional encounter, further developing the ever-evolving Bloodline saga. This match featured an unlikely alliance between Reigns and CM Punk, orchestrated by Paul Heyman. The match showcased the complex and evolving dynamics within the Bloodline, highlighting the strained relationships between brothers and the unexpected alliances formed under pressure. The match provided a compelling narrative that kept fans engaged throughout. The addition of Punk added an unexpected element to the match; the temporary alliance was believable and engaging. The character development and nuanced storytelling made this match a success.

A Triumphant Turn

While some viewers might have been disappointed by the lack of a sustained alliance between Reigns and Punk, the match's overall success is in its development of character. The climactic moments, such as Reigns’ impressive plancha off the top of the cage and the ultimately triumphant cooperation between Reigns and Punk, highlight the strategic brilliance of this wrestling match. Even the relatively quick resolution to the match only serves to further highlight this pivotal moment in the Bloodline story arc. While the story is far from over, this match provides a meaningful, if temporary, resolution to the immediate conflict, setting up the next chapter in this ongoing saga. The match successfully advanced the overall narrative, delivering an engaging and unpredictable encounter while simultaneously progressing this long-standing and highly regarded rivalry.

The Missing Pieces: Owens, Rhodes, and More

Despite the overall excitement, the absence of some key wrestlers, such as Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes, left a noticeable void. Their absence is particularly noteworthy considering their strong storylines with The Bloodline and Roman Reigns. The fact that Kevin Owens was not included, despite the fact that the show took place in Canada, is quite jarring. Their exclusion raised questions about WWE's creative choices, leaving viewers craving more of their involvement in the ongoing Bloodline saga. The lack of even a brief appearance or promo from Owens seemed especially odd given his past interactions with Sami Zayn, one of Reigns’ close allies in the match. While there are many opportunities and stories waiting in the wings, the absence of Owens left this show feeling somewhat incomplete. It would have only taken a short video segment or cameo appearance to address this absence, particularly when the match has so many potential players whose stories intersect.

This is, overall, a very successful show, demonstrating the power and enduring popularity of WWE programming. While several areas left viewers wanting, the highlights stand out and leave viewers anticipating future programming. This year's Survivor Series certainly delivered memorable moments, both in the ring and outside of it.