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I found very little to complain about from Survivor Series 2019, which in my opinion, was a pretty solid show all around. When WWE invests its time and effort into making a show special, they do a pretty commendable job, in my opinion.
I would say that as good as Full Gear was, this was probably my favorite pay-per-view from the tail end of the year, across any promotion. Honestly, Bound For Glory was probably one of the best PPVs of the year, but the scale of a WWE show cannot be matched.
It's a wonder then that WWE can do such a great job with their pay-per-view events and yet falter when it comes to their weekly shows. NXT does a far better job and the 'third brand of WWE' got its moment in the sun at Survivor Series, where they came out on top!
So let me begin by asking you guys what you thought about the pay-per-view.
And now, I will offer my take in this article. You can also click here to leave a rating for your favorite matches. Let us know your view in the comments section!
#1 Best: Keith Lee shines bright
I wonder if there are people in 2019 who think that Roman Reigns cannot work a good match. He was absolutely the star of the men's traditional Survivor Series elimination match and worked so brilliantly with Keith Lee that a new star was made on this day!
Seth Rollins put him over strong as well, and it is clear that Lee is on the verge of a big push. Considering how well the man can move for a man his size, it's no surprise that he's being groomed for the top spot in WWE. Could he be a future Universal Champion someday soon?
#1 Worst: A botch-ridden Kickoff Show
Somehow, the Kickoff show did not do justice to the main show at all. Shawn Michaels read the names of the Survivor Series team for NXT out of order, and it was hilarious to see him reading names with the wrong graphics appearing on the screen.
And then Charly Caruso said that the first point had gone to NXT when it was actually SmackDown who had won the first match of the said night. I'm sure my colleague Phillipa Marie will bring more botches to light very soon.
Everything in WWE is so choreographed and precise that such botches stand out and leave a sour taste in everyone's mouth. Also, do you guys think that WWE needs to do a 2-hour long Kickoff show when the show itself is so very long?
Brevity may be the name of the game and this is something every wrestling promotion needs to learn.
#2 Best: Match of the year candidate from NXT?
We all know that NXT Superstars can steal the show when they're allowed an opportunity to do just that. Adam Cole and Pete Dunne met in the middle of the ring with the most prized possession in the black and gold brand on the line, in a match that was incredible. It seemed like the crowd had died and then they just came back alive after witnessing this thrilling affair between two world-class professional wrestlers.
I did not think that any match in the card would be able to eclipse the match between Styles and Strong and Nakamura, but I have to admit that this match was probably better. Okay, it was definitely better than the highly-anticipated affair. It just showcases just how much freedom Triple H gives to the men of the brand he looks after, to go out and have a great match.
#2 Worst: A disappointing finale to the show?
To be quite honest, Bayley vs. Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Baszler may have been the weakest match on the card, at least when it came to execution. I mean they had an okay match but there were far better matches in the undercard, with better stories. Yes, Shayna Baszler going over clean was a good thing, but the match overall was just 'meh'.
And when I say this, I don't mean that these women are not capable of putting on good matches. I've seen each one of these women steal the show with absolutely incredible feats of sports entertainment. And the rumor that was doing the rounds just made the end seem even more disappointing.
Many believed that Ronda Rousey would show up at the end of the show. That did not happen and the end was a disappointment. A mediocre end to a good show.
#3 Best: Mysterio's son
This has to be the coolest moment from Survivor Series this year. As good as the match between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura and Roderick Strong was, and as amazing as Pete Dunne vs. Adam Cole was, Brock Lesnar vs. Rey Mysterio was also special in its own way.
I've penned down my thoughts as to why Brock Lesnar is still WWE Champion at this particular link. But what I found beautiful about this match is how the storyline came full-circle with Rey Mysterio's son interfering.
We all knew that there would be interference thanks to the 'No Holds Barred' clause at Survivor Series. What we didn't know is whether it would be the younger Mysterio or Cain Velasquez or even Dio Maddin showing up to the dance.
The synchronized 619s where a treat to behold. It was cool of Brock Lesnar to agree and be a part of the big moment!
#3 Worst: No title changes
Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan clashed for the WWE Universal Championship in a match that was won by the fiendish one, to nobody's surprise. Lio Rush beat two men from two different brands on the Kickoff show to remain the WWE Cruiserweight Champion as well.
And then, Brock Lesnar made short work of Rey Mysterio, not being intimidated by either foreign objects or his athletic son. Adam Cole and Pete Dunne went back and forth but the outcome was truly undisputed!
When you have four matches on the card with titles on the line and none of them change hands, it can be a little strange for fans. While an argument can be made for each of the Champions retaining their titles, it almost feels like nothing came out of the pay-per-view.
When Full Gear ended, you had MJF's heel turn as the hook for the weekly AEW Dynamite show. RAW and SmackDown have given no reason for viewers to tune in and follow the action, honestly!
#4 Best/Worst: Roode and Ziggler win the battle royal
I thought that the Battle Royal on the Kickoff Show was a bit of a disappointment. I mean clearly, from the crowd reaction, the audience was firmly behind Otis and Tucker. For some weird reason, Heavy Machinery is super over with the WWE Universe right now. Roode and Ziggler performed brilliantly but should the two have ideally won?
I'm guessing that this win puts them in a position where they can potentially challenge The New Day for a tag team title feud. Could that not have been achieved without Ziggler and Roode winning the Battle Royal at WWE Survivor Series?
Honestly speaking, I do think that Street Profits or Heavy Machinery could have used the win a lot more. Both Roode and Ziggler are established stars already!
In any case, who else is upset at the fact that Alexa Bliss is not actively competing at this point in time?
