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Survivor Series has just concluded, and we have mixed opinions about the show. We are certain, so do you. Most of the show scores a solid thumbs up from our end, but there were some segments, decisions, and botches that kept us from enjoying the show to the absolute fullest.
At the conclusion of nearly six hours of action, we bring you a recap of the peaks and valleys that inundated the evening.
Bear in mind that our opinions may differ from yours, so we invite you to post your thoughts about the show in the comments below. We would love to hear what you thought about Survivor Series 2017.
While Survivor Series was not a bad show really, let's just say that NXT Takeover: WarGames was a far superior show in comparison.
#1 Best: A really hot start
After what had been an underwhelming Kickoff show, the first match in the main show featured a clash between The Shield and The New Day. From the word go, the two teams showed us why they're so popular with the entire WWE Universe at this moment.
While the record books will say that The Shield defeated The New Day to kick off the pay-per-view in the best way possible. The truth is that it takes two to tango, and both teams absolutely stole the show.
It is a shame that both teams will return to their brands, and this feud will be forgotten. We think that it had the legs to go for some more time, at least.
All said and done, this was a great opener!
#1 Worst: A disappointing Kickoff show
There was a gaping hole in logic during the WWE Survivor Series 2017 Kickoff show. If the whole purpose of the pay-per-view was to pit one brand against another, why was Matt Hardy from RAW taking on Elias from RAW? Why were Zayn and Owens taking on Breezango from SmackDown Live?
Nothing of any real significance happened during the Kickoff show, and in many ways, if one had gone straight to the main card, they would not have really missed much. It's a shame that talents like Rusev and Tye Dillinger could not even make it to the Survivor Series Kickoff Show.
Owens and Zayn took far too long to defeat Breezango as well. It was a lopsided and pointless match, with no real storyline consequence.
The match between Kalisto and Enzo Amore was also extremely botchy indeed. Kalisto even botched his leaping entry into the ring, as he got entangled in the ring ropes. It was quite hilarious!
#2 Best: Protecting the 'monsters'
It happens far too often that someone who looks absolutely bulletproof and impregnable ends up getting pinned or submits, because of questionable booking decisions. We're glad to report that this was not the case, at Survivor Series 2017.
Triple H and Braun Strowman were the two Survivors in the match, and the monster stood tall at the very end of the night. Lesnar, as one would expect, steamrolled through AJ Styles, picking up the win. But the best part of the evening was how WWE protected Asuka.
Far too often it so happens that someone who looks great in NXT is brought up and made to look weak. Look no further than Shinsuke Nakamura. We're glad to report, Asuka seems to be faring better for now.
#2 Worst: Booker T
If you thought that Shawn Michaels struggled as a pre-show announcer, you must have torn your hair out by the roots, when Booker T called the matches through the night.
Not only does he not make sense more often than not, the other announcers correct him a lot of times, distracting from the action in the ring. In many ways, Booker T calling the action with Byron Saxton next to him makes us realize that Saxton really wasn't bad!
At one point during the action, Michael Cole even referred to Triple H as Stephanie McMahon's wife, much to the amusement of everyone who was tuned in.
Compare the commentary during the show to Mauro Ranallo's expert announcing skills from NXT Takeover. The difference is clear for all to see.
Somehow, Booker T's current run on commentary tarnishes his amazing legacy in the ring, considering just how good he was as a sports entertainer, over the years!
#3 Best: An even contest
When the match between Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and WWE Champion AJ Styles first began, it looked like it would be a squash match. Lesnar was absolutely manhandling AJ Styles, from the moment the match began.
However, AJ Styles got some offence in, and actually grasped Lesnar in a Calf Crusher submission manoeuvre, for which Lesnar sold and how!led It is extremely rare to see Lesnar sell for anyone, much less a guy of AJ Styles' size.
Whenever Brock Lesnar puts in any sort of effort into a match, the match is good. Unfortunately, we hardly see him sell for anyone at all, these days.
As for AJ Styles, he proved once again why he's the best wrestler in the world, playing the part of David perfectly, against Goliath.
#3 Worst: Predictable outcome?
When Charlotte Flair defeated Alexa Bliss after their solid clash, there were only two matches to go. SmackDown Live had the lead, while RAW was trailing by one point. This would mean that RAW would win the next match, to even the scores.
The next contest was the one between Lesnar and Styles. While Styles made us believe at certain points that he had a chance against The Beast Incarnate, nobody really believed it because they knew that the scores had to be tied going into the main event.
We wonder then, if the scoreboard did more harm than good, in this particular case. It's not like the winning brand gets any sort of reward anyway and hence there was hardly a point in maintaining a scoreboard, really.
And no match is fun to watch if you already know who's going to win.
#4 Best/worst: The finish
The star-studded main event of the evening was going off well when Triple H decided to pedigree his own teammate, Kurt Angle. We're certain that this is to set up a match between the two men, possibly at WrestleMania 34.
However, this match seemed a little strangely booked, when all was said and done and the finish was awkwardly executed. The crowd seemed more confused than enthused when the massive twist played out.
In any case, we have arrived at the end of our analysis. Kindly note, that The Usos vs. The Bar would have made our 'best' list, but there was far too little crowd heat for it, so it was eventually left out.
In case that decision offends you, we apologize and pray to our Goddess, Alexa Bliss.
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