3 Things the WWE got right at Survivor Series

The 32nd edition of Survivor Series took place at the Staples Arena in Los Angeles. In front of a packed house, the Superstars put on some memorable matches to the ecstasy of the WWE Universe.

While the superstars’ performances were top-notch, the booking decisions made by the WWE left a lot of the Universe scratching their heads. With numerous Raw vs SmackDown matches on the cards, many believed the brands to be equally competitive with the eventual winner winning by a margin of two, at the most.

However, the WWE made sure that the adage ‘Expect the Unexpected’ rings synonymously with the 2018 edition. Raw trounced SmackDown 6-0 on the main show. The only success the Blue brand enjoyed on the night was on the kick-off show.

Though the booking left a lot to be desired, it would be too harsh to just remember Survivor Series 2018 for its inglorious moments. Thus, through this article, we would look at the three things that the WWE got right on the night and why they were strokes of genius.

Here is a look at them:

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#3 Charlotte turning ‘Heel’

One of the most exciting matches on the cards was the encounter between Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair. Both women have enjoyed chequered careers in the squared circle till now and were primed to put on a show for the ages.

The duo impressed with their moves in the ring with both competitors not giving their opponent an inch. While one always knew that the pairing would come up with sumptuous performances, not many expected the WWE to pull off a masterstroke with their booking.

The match ended with Rousey getting the win courtesy a DQ. Whereas it counts as a win for Rousey, the WWE have ensured that Charlotte has not lost the momentum she has built over the past few months. Had the latter lost cleanly, the former would’ve gained substantial bragging rights as the most dominant female Superstar on the roster.

Additionally, the result means that the door for a rematch between the two is open. Rousey doesn’t really have anyone of Charlotte’s calibre on Raw to feud with and hence, setting up a future clash between the pairing makes complete sense.

Moreover, Charlotte has turned in her best performances as a ‘heel’ in the company. Therefore, it is a win-win situation for the WWE, where it has kept her sheen intact, given her the role she seems more suited to, while also teasing a future match between her and Rousey.

Maybe the best move going forward for Charlotte is to continue as a ‘heel’. Thus, it is no surprise that the WWE got their booking absolutely spot on with this decision.

#2 Portray Strowman as the dominant force on Raw

Braun Strowman in action at Survivor Series

The traditional Survivor Series elimination match between Raw vs SmackDown started amidst much fanfare. While the likes of Shane McMahon and Samoa Joe headlined the Blue brand, Raw was powered by Strowman and McIntyre.

However, for those expecting the match to go down to the wire, it turned out to be a bit of an anti-climax. Raw won comfortably as they dispatched their opponents with three of their members surviving.

While the overwhelmingly easy victory for the Red brand raised a few eyebrows, the WWE pulled a rabbit out of the hat when they displayed Strowman as the dominant figure.

After Samoa Joe was eliminated by McIntyre, Strowman took it upon himself to single-handedly decimate SmackDown. The Monster Among Men eliminated four of the Blue brand’s finest with Shane McMahon becoming his last victim.

Recently, Strowman went head to head with Lesnar and the match ended with the latter trouncing the former to lay his hands on the ultimate prize. Looking at Strowman, you get the feeling that he is still seething from that mauling. Thus, by displaying him as the dominant figure, the WWE has built up a head of steam, a head of steam which could help him exact revenge on the Universal Champion, Lesnar.

While critics would always question the WWE’s decision to throw up such a one-sided contest, they surely can’t argue with their decision of getting Strowman to eliminate four rival team members.

Though other debates regarding the show might go deep into the night, this is one decision the WWE got absolutely right.

#1 Getting Shane McMahon to be eliminated last

For many a week, rumours have been doing the rounds that Shane O'Mac wants to spend more time with his family. With him acting as the commissioner of the Blue brand, his travel schedule left that aspect potentially problematic.

Wrestling fans were left scratching their heads after it emerged that Shane would lead SmackDown for another year at the traditional tag-team match. However, once more water has flown under the bridge, one can probably understand the rationale behind it.

Shane was the final Blue brand superstar to be eliminated by Strowman. The fact that he fought till the end before finally surrendering could be seen as a potential changing of the guard. He later tweeted that things didn’t go as planned and that changes would occur come Tuesday.

With the signs so seemingly obvious, one can’t help but believe that the WWE has handled the situation expertly. The image people now have of Shane is one of a fighting commissioner, who stayed in the fight as long as he could.

The door is now open for a new commissioner to take over SmackDown and infuse some energy. Names such as Hulk Hogan and Edge have been doing the rounds recently.

The prospect of ‘Hulkamania’ running wild on SmackDown is as exciting as any, and the WWE with their booking decision might just have made that transition seamless.

Hence, they deserve credit for coming up with this idea.