Random Network Reviews: Survivor Series 2010

Survivor Series 2010
November 21st, 2010 | American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida | Attendance: 8,000

Of all of the Pay-Per-Views available on the Network, I’ve pulled Survivor Series more than any other. This edition came during the hot streak of the Nexus and Wade Barrett. He was fresh off of beating John Cena and forcing him to join the group. Cena would be the guest referee in the title match here. In a rather interesting note, the WWE planned to scrap Survivor Series with this edition but due to fan outcry, it was reinstated into the PPV lineup.

The opening video package focuses on John Cena’s tough decision on whether or not to count the three for Wade Barrett in the WWE Title match tonight. Commentary is Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and Matt Striker.

WWE United States Championship
Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Ted Dibiase w/ Maryse
There is zero reaction for Ted Dibiase, partially because his auto-tuned theme music is a disaster. The lights go randomly dim during the early exchange like it’s a Sin Cara match or something. Dibiase nails the first big move by suplexing Bryan from the apron to the outside. Bryan tries to get in some strikes inside, but Dibiase takes him down and wails on him. Dibiase works a chinlock for a bit before Bryan makes the babyface comeback. Bryan fires off some kicks and his running elbow. Cole says that Nexus doesn’t want Bryan, so Lawler shuts him up by mentioning that Bryan has a title, so they’d obviously want him. Bryan overshoots Ted on a suicide dive and lands ugly. How his shoulder is not hurt is beyond me. Bryan gets two on a missile dropkick and small package, before going for the LeBelle Lock. Dibiase blocks and turns him inside out on a rebound clothesline for two. He goes for the Million Dollar Dream but Bryan counters like Bret Hart at this even in 96 for two. They go up top, and Bryan pulls out a GORGEOUS top rope back suplex. He only gets two, but is able to apply the submission and Ted taps.

Winner and Still WWE United States Champion: Daniel Bryan in 9:58
Neither guy was very over here, and Ted Dibiase can be a charisma vacuum, but they managed to get the crowd going. Perfectly acceptable opener as the crowd enjoyed it, but they didn’t overdo anything. ***

As Daniel Bryan raises his title in the entrance, Miz attacks him from behind with the Money in the Bank briefcase. He and Alex Riley then stroll to the ring. Miz cuts a promo comparing the hometown Heat to the Nexus, saying they’re arrogant and mediocre. He kind of just rants about LeBron James leaving Cleveland for Miami, before threatening to cash in his briefcase tonight.

John Morrison vs. Sheamus
I had no idea this match happened here, but I know they had a great ladder match the following month. Unlike the opener, this starts as a brawl. It’s Sheamus’ style and John Morrison was angry with him. Morrison does a sweet corkscrew dive outside but gets grounded by the “Celtic Warrior”. Sheamus works over Morrison for an extended period of time, stopping him at every near comeback. They go up top where Morrison knocks Sheamus off, but he gets up quickly and just wails on him with clubs to the back. Morrison fights back, flying off the top with a cross body. Sheamus, being great at the strong heel role, rolls through and slams him for two. He avoids a Brogue Kick before hitting an enziguri. He’s too sure to capitalize, leading to the Irish Cruse from Sheamus. He should bring that move back. Sheamus attacks the leg, busting out a sick over the shoulder leg slam. I don’t even know what to call it. Sheamus makes a mistake, toying with Morrison, allowing him to hit another enziguri. Morrison escapes the High Cross and a Brogue Kick. He connects on Shining Wizard to earn the slight upset.

Winner: John Morrison in 11:14
I rather enjoyed this. Sheamus is fantastic as the bully heel, and John Morrison sold well throughout. Some of the work was innovative and I liked that it was a mistake by the over confident Sheamus to cost him. I wish Morrison found a different way to win that didn’t involve using the legs though. ***¼

Backstage, R-Truth offers to set up an “accident” to help John Cena out while he referees the main event. Cena wants to do this straight up and declines.

WWE Intercontinental Championship
Dolph Ziggler (c) w/ Vickie Guerrero vs. Kaval
It was an odd pairing, but I truly miss Kaval with LayCool. Kaval opens hot, only for Dolph Ziggler to get a neck snap. Instead of focusing on the match, Matt Striker and Michael Cole discuss which girl is hotter, Kaitlyn or Vickie Guerrero. Kaval hits a handspring cross body though he whiffs a bit. Dolph grounds him a bit, but he rallies with some of his unique offense. He springboards in with a moonsault but none of it is looking as crisp as he’d probably like. They miscommunicate on a whip, leading to Kaval hitting a huge kick to the skull that reportedly gave Dolph a legit concussion. Dolph applies a sleeper on the top, but Kaval fights out and tries a corkscrew splash. He misses and eats a Fameasser that Cole incorrectly calls the Zig Zag for two. Now that Kaval has stopped flying around the ring, the fans seem disinterested. Ziggler steals this with a handful of tights.

Winner and Still WWE Intercontinental Champion: Dolph Ziggler in 9:36
A few things hurt this match for me. On one hand, Kaval looked off with his timing. On the other, once Dolph Ziggler got kicked in the face, the match began to slow, which took the crowd out of it. **½

Todd Grisham interviews Jack Swagger and it’s the best thing on the show so far. He wants the team to be called “The All-American Americans.” He then calls Miami “Little Cuba” and says “JACK SWAGGER DON’T HABLA ESPANOL”. The rest of the team comes in to interrupt, with Alberto Del Rio bringing them together as best as he can.

Team Del Rio (Alberto Del Rio, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Jack Swagger and Tyler Reks) vs. Team Mysterio (Rey Mysterio, Big Show, Chris Masters, Kofi Kingston, and MVP)
I don’t ever recall MVP having the theme he has here. Again, commentary bickers about something irrelevant, discussing if Ricky Henderson is the best baseball player ever. Cody Rhodes and Rey Mysterio have a fun exchange early, in a preview of their WrestleMania match coming in a few months. Most of the guys get to work with each other for a bit, with MVP getting the biggest pop due to him being in his hometown. Props to Team Mysterio for all wearing blue in a show of unity. MVP hits the Ballin elbow on McIntyre, but Del Rio holds his legs on a suplex attempt, allowing McIntyre to eliminate him at 5:35. Masters tries the Masterlock, but Del Rio gets free and applies the Cross Armbreaker to get rid of him at 6:44. Big Show comes in, and the crowd comes alive. Del Rio does his best to avoid Show, tagging in both Swagger and McIntyre so they get beat up. He does come in and get knocked out by Show and officials take him out. He’s gone but is never officially eliminated.

Cody Rhodes gets pissed after getting hit in the face. He goes outside, demanding the timekeeper to hold his jacket, which has a mirror on the back. Great character work. He avoids the WMD to protect his “dashing” looks, but ends up hit with one anyway and he’s gone after 10:57. Reks takes Show down before Swagger comes in and applies the Ankle Lock. Commentary actually puts over that Show called that the most painful hold he’s ever been in. Show makes the tag while in the move and Rey enters. He ends up in the Ankle Lock as well, but is able to counter and tag Kofi. CONTROL FRENZY! A year earlier, Kofi sole survived one of these by beating CM Punk and Randy Orton within about ten seconds. He’s able to eliminate Reks after 15:08, but his Trouble in Paradise is caught by Swagger, who make shim tap to the Ankle Lock at 15:55. He does battle with Swagger for a bit, ending in a 619. Rey leaps from Show’s shoulders to pin Swagger at 17:34. Drew McIntyre is all alone now, attacking quickly. He however, eats a 619 and chokeslam to finish this.

Winners: Team Mysterio (Survivors: Rey Mysterio and Big Show) in 18:11
Basic Survivor Series match here. Nothing too exciting, but an all-around fun effort, highlighted by some of the perfect character work from Cody Rhodes. About what you’d expect from a Survivor Series match. ***

WWE Divas Championship
LayCool (c) vs. Natalya
LayCool were the co-champions here. They are fantastic at making fun of Natalya and her dad’s beard. Michelle McCool starts by exchanging mat work with Nattie. They try a double suplex but Natalya counters by taking them out with one. Outside, McCool misses a big boot and is thrown into the crowd before Layla is tossed into her. The crowd doesn’t seem to care about this. Inside, Natalya causes them to bump into each other before making McCool tap out.

Winner and New WWE Divas Champion: Natalya in 3:36
Nothing special here. The crowd didn’t care, it was short and it lacked drama. Natalya cries after the match, but the match too short for anyone to care. *

After the bell, LayCool attacks Natalya until Beth Phoenix returns to make the save. This would lead to a fun Divas tag team Tables match the following month.

World Heavyweight Championship
Kane (c) vs. Edge
Edge had recently returned to Smackdown and hoped to end Kane’s reign, which began after cashing in Money in the Bank in July. The build involved ridiculous stuff with Edge kidnapping Bearer. Edge brings out an empty wheelchair to taunt Kane because that’s what he had Bearer tied up in. That gives Edge the upper hand as it takes Kane off his game. While I didn’t like the angle, I’m glad they are at least trying to use it in the match. Kane uses his power to change the tide, shouting that he wants to know where Bearer is. Edge hits a cross body for two but the crowd is pretty dead. It doesn’t help that both guys are going through the motions. Edge counters Kane’s flying clothesline with a dropkick. They exchange some more stuff until Edge is crotched on the ropes and Kane clotheslines him. Edge comes back with the Edgecution but can’t cover in time. The spear is blocked with a big boot and he hits the chokeslam for two. Edge reverses the Tombstone and hits the spear. He covers but all four shoulders are down, resulting in a tie.

No Contest in 12:50
This was completely uninspired. The crowd didn’t care and it looked like these two didn’t either. I appreciate the efforts to make sure the Bearer storyline played into the match but the action was dull and lackluster. One of the worst matches I’ve ever seen Edge have. *½

After the match, Kane attacks but Edge ends up throwing him throw the guardrail in the wheelchair.

WWE Tag Team Championship
Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel (c) w/ Nexus vs. Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov
At this point, the Nexus members outside include David Otunga, the future Curtis Axel and the future Bray Wyatt. For the third straight match, the crowd really seems disinterested. I can understand it here though as this isn’t the best booked match. Kozlov tosses his opponents around early but ends up as the face in peril. I feel like that’s kind of backwards considering his size. The crowd comes alive a bit for Santino before the warm tag comes. He attempts the Cobra but a Nexus distraction allows Slater to put him down.

Winners and Still WWE Tag Team Champions: Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel in 5:10
See why we couldn’t take Nexus seriously? They couldn’t have just won this clean? It’s not like Santino and Kozlov needed to be protected. Dull stuff here. *

WWE Championship
Randy Orton (c) vs. Wade Barrett
As noted earlier, John Cena is the special referee. If Wade Barrett wins, Cena is free from the Nexus, but if he loses, Cena is fired. The competitors feel each other for a while, with neither man really gaining an upper hand. It’s fine, basic stuff, but it’s rather uninteresting. Cena looks ridiculous with his Nexus armband to go along with his 17 purple wristbands. The fight goes outside, where Wade takes over and throws Orton into the steel steps. Cena is being a fair referee, but nobody is biting on the near falls since they know we have to see some Cena drama before this can end. Orton goes into his FIVE MOVES OF DOOM, but sends Barrett outside instead of going for the RKO. Barrett hits the Winds of Change shortly after, but Striker calls it the Bossman Slam and the Black Hole Slam. YOU CAN’T MENTION TNA DUDE! Barrett hits Wasteland but Orton grabs the ropes to break the pin. This leads to an argument between Cena and Barrett. Barrett shoves him, so Cena strikes him right into an RKO that ends it.

Winner and Still WWE Champion: Randy Orton in 15:18
Underwhelming to say the least. Partially because Wade Barrett wasn’t entirely ready for this spot and partially because he didn’t click with Orton. The Cena stuff also made it so the fans couldn’t really get into this until something of note with him actually happened. **¼

Nexus arrives to attack, but Randy Orton and John Cena fight them off because the WWE made them worthless. Cena hands Orton the title and does an extended goodbye since he was fired. He’d be back on TV within weeks.

4.5

The final score: review Poor

The 411

I have to say, I was very disappointed in this show. The first half led me to be think it would be good. It features solid to really good action that had the crowd into it. After the traditional Survivor Series match though, the crowd dies and the efforts seem to diminish. It made for a very boring second half. Considering the first half was solid and not great, that means this show leaves a lot to be desired.