John Laurinaitis comes out to open the show with a short promo, talking about how it’s the 25^th year anniversary of Survivor Series but also the 10^th year anniversary of his tenure in the WWE. He tells us to sit back and enjoy the show. Live I could barely hear any of this because the crowd was booing so much.

• United States Championship match: Dolph Ziggler(c) vs. John Morrison

Despite the fact that the fans in attendance spent the majority of this match cheering for Zack Ryder, these two delivered a very solid effort and had a really nice match to open up the show. They lock up and Ziggler scores a takedown before slapping Morrison’s head and bailing to the floor. Ziggler comes back inside and they do some more grappling with both guys going for the arm before Ziggler hits some punches and stomps Morrison in the corner. Ziggler hits a dropkick and a headlock takeover, but Morrison gets up and they run the ropes. Ziggler avoids a hip toss but Morrison catapults him into the corner, clotheslines him to the floor, and hits a twisting plancha over the ropes. Morrison gets distracted with Vickie Guerrero, allowing to Ziggler to hit a neckbreaker for 2. Ziggler hits an elbow drop and applies a modified chin lock. Ziggler throws Morrison down by his head and chokes him with his boot. Morrison gets fired up after a slap from Ziggler and attacks him in the corner, but Ziggler scores with a half nelson frontal slam for 2. Morrison blocks a sleeper attempt and hits some clotheslines, a dropkick, and the moonlight drive for 2. Ziggler scores with a roll up out of the corner for 2 but Morrison counters a German suplex attempt and hits the flash kick for 2. Ziggler applies the sleeper, Morrison counters with one of his own, Ziggler tosses him off, and Morrison hits a tilt a whirl DDT, only for Vickie to put Ziggler’s foot on the ropes during the pin attempt. The referee then ejects Vickie from ringside and Ziggler gets a small package for 2. Both men go for roll ups and Morrison misses the flash kick, allowing Ziggler to hit a famouser for 2. Morrison blocks the sleeper hold again and hits a shining wizard, but Ziggler gets his knees up to block Starship Pain. Ziggler hits the Zig Zag for the win. After the match Ziggler started to cut a heel promo before Zack Ryder came out, much to the happiness of the crowd. Ziggler started to beat him down but Ryder hit his finisher and celebrated. This was a strong opener with a hot crowd and a lot of near falls and back and forth action. Match Time: 10:43     Star Rating: ***1/4

• Lumberjill match for the Divas Championship: Beth Phoenix(c) vs. Eve Torres

Thankfully they got this out of the way early. The crowd was mostly unresponsive to this, and for the most part it was a typical short Divas match. They lock up before Eve punches Beth and jumps at her, only for Beth to catch and drop her. Eve hits a kick for 2 and Beth goes outside, but the lumberjills roll her back in. Eve hits a neckbreaker and a standing moonsault for 2. Eve is distracted by the heel Divas, allowing Beth to hit a kick, some stomps, and a catapult into the bottom rope. Beth applies a facelock, but Eve fights up, hits a kick, and launches Beth into the corner. Eve hits a dropkick and a running elbow strike, but Beth gets her knees up to block a senton attempt. Eve counters the Glam Slam and applies the modified triangle hold, which still looks awful. Both girls go for roll ups before Eve heads up top for a moonsault, only for Beth to trip her up to prevent it. Beth then hits a crazy looking Glam Slam off the top rope for the win. Awesome finish to an otherwise forgettable match. When is Kharma coming back to give Beth some legitimate competition? Match Time: 4:34     Star Rating: *3/4

• Survivor Series Elimination match: Team Barrett (Wade Barrett, Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, Hunico, and Cody Rhodes) vs. Team Orton (Randy Orton, Sheamus, Sin Cara, Kofi Kingston, and Mason Ryan)

This was very disappointing given the talent involved. Ziggler and Kofi start the match with a bit of grappling before they run the ropes. Ziggler avoids the Trouble in Paradise and hits a dropkick for 2. Ziggler blocks the SOS, but Kofi tags in Orton, who instantly hits the RKO to eliminate Ziggler. The heels then huddle up, but Orton attacks them and the faces all clear the ring. Kofi and Cara then go for stereo planchas to the floor, but Cara totally botches his dive and crashes and burns to the floor. Everyone is then left standing around as trainers aid Cara, who is badly injured. Justin Roberts announces that Cara is eliminated. Rhodes and Orton then resume the match, with Orton hitting an uppercut before tagging in Ryan. Ryan drives Rhodes into the corner, shoulders him, and hits a flying knee strike. Rhodes then bails to the floor and tags in Hunico. Ryan tosses Hunico and tags in Kofi, but Hunico launches Kofi into the corner and covers for 2. Barrett enters and applies a chin lock. Kofi eventually fights out before both men clothesline each other. Ryan and Hunico get tags, with Ryan hitting 2 backbreakers and a fall away slam followed by a military press drop. Rhodes gets a tag and hits the beautiful disaster kick followed by Cross Rhodes to eliminate Ryan.

Sheamus enters and locks up with Rhodes before attacking him in the corner. Sheamus hits a clothesline, a back elbow, and the clubbing blows in the ropes followed by a suplex for 2. Rhodes sends Sheamus to the floor, where Barrett clotheslines him and drives him into the apron. Barrett hits some punches in the ring before Hunico hits a slingshot dropkick followed by some shots to the back. Sheamus hits a back body drop before tagging in Kofi, who hits a big clothesline off the top to Barrett. Kofi hits a dropkick and the Boom Drop before knocking Rhodes off the apron. Kofi rolls up Barrett with a sunset flip for 2 before hitting the rope assisted Pele. He then hits the move to Swagger, but Barrett big boots him in the ropes and hits the Wasteland to eliminate him. Orton then comes in with punches, but Barrett sends him to the floor, where Hunico hits a suicide dive. Swagger and Rhodes then work over Orton with stomps and punches in the ring, and Rhodes hits a front suplex before applying a face lock. Orton shoves off a bulldog attempt and tags in Sheamus. Sheamus hits some shots to Swagger and a shoulder block off the top rope before tossing Hunico outside. Sheamus hits the Irish curse backbreaker but Swagger avoids the High Cross and Barrett runs into the ring. Sheamus then gets disqualified for attacking Swagger in the ropes and not breaking at 5. After being eliminated, Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick to Swagger and Orton covers for the elimination.

Rhodes then stomps Orton in the corner repeatedly and hits some punches, but Orton comes back with a clothesline, knocks the other heels off the apron, and hits a snap powerslam followed by the spike DDT. Barrett distracts Orton on the outside and Hunico gets set on the apron, but when he springboards in Orton catches him with a mid air RKO to eliminate him. Orton hits his signature backbreaker to Barrett and the RKO to Rhodes, but Barrett surprises him with the Wasteland to eliminate Orton and win the match. The match reads a lot better than it was executed. On the PPV it came off a little bit better than it did live but the crowd really died after the Sin Cara botch, and it took them a long time to get back into the match. The match was not structured very well, with the faces getting an instant advantage with the quick elimination of Ziggler as well as the fact that there were way too many slow moment and rest holds for a match like this. The Sheamus disqualification also came off very flat. There were a lot of talented workers here but this just didn’t deliver. Kudos to WWE for doing the right thing and putting over Barrett and Rhodes but the match was just alright. Match Time: 22:10     Star Rating: **3/4

• World Heavyweight Championship match: Mark Henry(c) vs. The Big Show

Well, this certainly ended the streak of overachieving Mark Henry matches. This dragged heavily and was very dull. They go to lock up a couple times, with both guys shoving each other off before Henry bails to the floor. Show gets a takedown in the ring but Henry gets the ropes. Show surprises Henry with an arm drag and Henry goes to the floor. Show attacks Henry in the corner but Henry dives at Show’s knee, slams his knee down, and applies a knee bar. Show eventually kicks Henry off but Henry hits a clothesline. Show hits a DDT as the “Boring” chants rain down. Show comes back with head butts, clotheslines, a corner splash, and a shoulder block, but Henry blocks the chokeslam and hits the World’s Strongest Slam for 2. Henry gets 2 more near falls off a splash and an elbow drop. Henry then runs Show into the post on the outside and shoulder tackles him through the barricade into the timekeeper’s area. That got the crowd excited. Show beats the count in the ring and Henry hits some head butts, but Show shoves off a superplex attempt and hits a superkick. Show then heads up top and hits a huge diving elbow drop that the place goes insane for. Henry kicks out of the cover, dodges the big punch, and hits a low blow for a disqualification. Show knocks out Henry after the match and hits an elbow drop with a chair around Henry’s leg. The DQ finish felt very flat considering the match was finally getting momentum. Overall the match was fairly boring, but at least live it was fun because of all the random chants the crowd entertained themselves with. On the PPV it was just…bad. I hate these DQ finishes in PPV world title matches, especially on a big PPV like this. Match Time: 13:04     Star Rating: *3/4

• WWE Championship match: Alberto Del Rio(c) vs. CM Punk

This undoubtedly stole the show, and saved it as well. Punk was hugely over here; with the crowd red hot from the get go. Howard Finkel even makes an appearance at the start to announce Punk’s entrance. They lock up at the start and break in the ropes, and then Del Rio applies a side headlock before they run the ropes. Punk hits an arm drag and targets the arm with an arm bar and a hammerlock. Punk hits a shoulder block and an arm drag before going for the Anaconda Vise but Del Rio escapes to the floor. They lock up again and break in the corner, where Del Rio lays into Punk with kicks before Punk retaliates with some of his own. Punk hits a hip toss and a dropkick before Del Rio goes outside again, but Punk hits a suicide dive to the floor. Back in the ring Punk hits a cross body off the top for 2 before cinching in a key lock. Del Rio fights out and beats on Punk in the ropes, and Ricardo Rodriguez scores with a cheap shot as Del Rio distracts the referee. Punk chases Ricardo around ringside and Del Rio kicks Punk through the ropes. Del Rio slams Punk’s arm onto the steel steps on the outside and hits a big forearm off the top rope in the ring for 2. Del Rio applies an arm bar, but Punk hits an arm drag and goes for the Go to Sleep. Del Rio escapes the GTS and hits an arm DDT before applying another arm bar. Punk eventually fights up and boots Del Rio in the corner, but Del Rio hits a tilt a whirl backbreaker for 2 followed by a diving clothesline off the top rope. Del Rio misses a kick through the ropes and crashes to the floor. Del Rio snaps Punk’s head over the ropes from the apron, but Punk big boots a charging Del Rio and both men are down.

They get up and trade punches and kicks before Punk hits a neckbreaker for 2 followed by the high knee/bulldog out of the corner combo. Punk hits a springboard clothesline for 2, but Del Rio again escapes the GTS and hits a back stabber for 2. Punk blocks a German suplex attempt and rolls up Del Rio for a near fall. Punk misses another high knee in the corner and Del Rio hits an enzuigiri for 2 followed by a double knee arm breaker. Both guys go up top and Punk shoves off Del Rio before teasing the Savage elbow drop, but Del Rio crotches him and kicks his arm. Punk avoids a charging Del Rio in the corner and hits the Savage elbow off the top for 2. Del Rio counters the GTS, Punk counters the cross arm breaker, Punk misses a kick, and Del Rio catches Punk in the cross arm breaker. Punk makes it to the ropes and goes for the GTS, but Del Rio shoves him off, only for Punk to big boot Ricardo off the apron. Del Rio then rolls up Punk for 2 and Punk hits a roundhouse kick for 2. Punk then applies the Anaconda Vise, and after struggling and clawing at Punk’s face, Del Rio finally taps out. After the match Punk jumped into the crowd to celebrate with the fans and really sold the title win. This was a really good, almost great match with some awesome false finishes and great technical work. Live it was even better because of how hot the crowd was for Punk. Here’s hoping that the WWE gives Punk a nice, lengthy run with the belt to restore some prestige to the title. Match Time: 17:16     Star Rating: ***3/4

• The Miz and R-Truth vs. John Cena and The Rock

First let me say that the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden was electric for The Rock’s big return to the ring after a 7+ year absence. Just seeing The Rock back was amazing and a truly special moment for all wrestling fans. However, as far as a wrestling match goes, this wasn’t exactly stellar. The crowd was booing Cena all the way through and couldn’t care less about the heels. Rock and Miz start, with the Rock applying a headlock and hitting a shoulder block before they run the ropes. Rock then busts out arm drags to Miz and Truth before sending Truth to the floor and catching Miz with a La Magistral cradle. The heels regroup on the outside before Truth tags into the match. Rock applies a headlock to Truth before both men try to target the other’s arm. Truth does a cartwheel before missing a kick, and Rock hits a punch followed by a fisherman’s suplex. The referee is distracted with Cena and doesn’t count the pin though, leading to Rock having words with Cena. Miz and Cena then tag in, with Cena hitting a couple snapmares, a monkey flip, and a dropkick. Truth tags in, and Cena hits his shoulder blocks and the side suplex, but stops the Five Knuckle Shuffle to taunt Rock, allowing Truth to hit a clothesline and stomp Cena in the corner. Miz then stomps Cena and hits a boot to the head, leading to a near fall for Truth. Truth applies a chin lock and tosses Cena into the ring post when he fights up. Truth slams Cena’s head on the apron on the outside and applies a seated head scissors in the ring. Truth kicks Cena to the floor and gets a 2 count. Miz tags in, escapes the Attitude Adjustment, and hits a low DDT for 2 followed by a corner clothesline. Truth hits a cheap shot and tags in, hitting a double suplex with Miz’s help. Truth applies a reverse headlock and hits some shots in the corner before Miz comes in with some punches.

Cena tries to fight back but Miz clotheslines him for 2. Truth hits an elbow drop for 2 followed by a leg drop. Truth leaps off the top and Cena catches him, but Truth counters the AA and hits a reverse falcon arrow for 2. Miz hits a pair of boots to the head, but misses a third and Cena applies the STF, only for Truth to break it up. Truth tags in and Cena hits the AA. Miz comes in, knocks Rock off the apron, and applies a chin lock while Truth drops Rock on the barricade on the outside. Miz and Truth hit a double flapjack to Cena for 2 and Truth applies a reverse headlock. Truth misses a leg drop, and both men make tags. Rock hits a DDT to Miz and the Rock Bottom to Truth. Rock puts Miz in the sharpshooter, but Truth breaks it up by hitting the Shut Up. Cena hits a belly to belly slam to Truth and takes him to the floor. Miz hits some shots to Rock, but Rock drops him with a spinebuster and hits the People’s Elbow for the win. After the match, Rock and Cena had a posedown of sorts and had some words with each other before Rock laid out Cena with the Rock Bottom. Rock’s offense looked good and the last few minutes of the match were well executed, but the majority of the match dragged badly. Miz and Truth’s repetitive and generic offense made this a very dull and boring match for the most part. This match is going to be praised heavily because of The Rock’s involvement, but when he wasn’t in the ring the match was not very fun to watch. Miz and R-Truth felt completely out of place and Cena looks completely weak now. The whole match felt like something that could have main evented a Raw leading up to Wrestlemania XXVIII. It didn’t even progress the storyline, as we are pretty much exactly where we were before the match. It wasn’t bad, and seeing The Rock wrestle again was a memorable moment, but the match itself wasn’t very good. Match Time: 21:32     Star Rating: **3/4

Overall PPV Rating: 6.75/10

1.    United States Championship match: Daniel Bryan(c) vs. Ted DiBiase

As has been the case with the last few WWE PPVs, Daniel Bryan was able to rise to the occasion once again and deliver one of the best performances of the evening. Bryan locks up with DiBiase to start and goes to work the arm, but DiBiase counters out. Bryan hits a dropkick as the arena lights briefly go out. DiBiase is able to put Bryan on the apron and shoulder him in the stomach before suplexing him to the floor. DiBiase hits some elbows back in the ring and hits a double sledge off the top. DiBiase gets a near fall but Bryan comes back with some uppercuts. Bryan lands a kick but Ted puts him down to pound on him. Bryan fights out of a rear chin lock but eats a backbreaker before being caught in a rear chin lock. Bryan fights out and hits a dropkick in the corner followed by some more kicks, and then does the big back flip out of the corner before hitting a sliding lariat. Bryan tosses Ted to the outside and does a suicide dive, but ends up going shoulder first into the barricade because Ted didn’t catch him properly. They return to the ring where Bryan hits a missile dropkick and some more kicks followed by a small package for a near fall. Bryan goes for the LeBell Lock but Ted fights out and hits a huge clothesline. DiBiase tries for Dream Street but Bryan pushes out of the corner into a pin for a two count. DiBiase holds onto the cobra clutch before setting up Bryan on the top rope. Bryan is able to counter a superplex attempt and hit a massive back suplex off the top. Bryan tries for the LeBell Lock and DiBiase catapults him into the corner, but Bryan counters out of a cover into the LeBell Lock, forcing Ted to tap out. Very fun opener, not at the level of Bryan’s match with Ziggler last month but still really good for the time they got. Probably Ted’s best singles match ever. Match Time: 10:02     Star Rating: ***1/4

As Bryan was walking up the ramp, The Miz came out and clocked him with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Miz then came down to the ring with Alex Riley, where the lights again briefly went out, to cut a brief promo where he talks down LeBron James and the Miami Heat. He teases cashing in and says he’s awesome. This would have been enjoyable if Miz didn’t cut the exact same promo on Raw every single week cutting down the local sports teams.

2.    Sheamus vs. John Morrison

This seemed to be going on a bit early, given how everyone is used to Sheamus being up toward the main event. They lock up to start, but Sheamus backs Morrison into the corner and slaps him in the face. Morrison fights back but gets his head slammed into the turnbuckle. Morrison hits a hurricanrana and a dropkick, which sends Sheamus to the outside where Morrison hits a corkscrew plancha. Sheamus is able to send Morrison into the barricade and hits a double sledge before getting a near fall back in the ring. Sheamus hits some knee drops and a clothesline before applying a rear chin lock. Morrison is up but Sheamus puts him down and stomps on him. Sheamus sets Morrison up on the top rope to club at his back until he hits a reverse DDT backbreaker. Sheamus puts on a shoulder-based hold but Morrison fights out and hits some punches. Sheamus hits a knee strike and beats on Morrison’s chest, scoring another near fall. Sheamus lands a punch and puts Morrison up top, but Morrison punches him away. Sheamus comes back with some blows of his own and tries for a superplex, but Morrison holds on and hits a forearm, sending Sheamus to the mat. Morrison dives at Sheamus with a cross body, but Sheamus holds on and rolls through before hitting a huge powerslam. Sheamus goes for the bicycle kick, but Morrison moves and hits a kick of his own. Sheamus comes back with a backbreaker and tries for the High Cross, but Morrison counters with a slingshot into the corner. Sheamus trips Morrison off the second rope and beats down on Morrison. Morrison tries for Starship Pain but gets crotched. Sheamus tries for the bicycle kick but Morrison moves, hits a kick to the head, and a shining wizard for the win. Match wasn’t that well paced but it told a decent little story and was overall enjoyable. Not the best Sheamus match but hopefully this win can help elevate Morrison a bit. Match Time: 11:06     Star Rating: **3/4

3.    Intercontinental Championship match: Dolph Ziggler(c) vs. Kaval

I was very excited to see Kaval finally make his WWE PPV debut, and he delivered with one of the better performances on the show. This was a pretty good fast-paced match between two very athletic wrestlers. They trade some offensive bits at the start until Kaval hits a springboard cross body. Kavla beats on Ziggler in the corner, but Ziggler trips him up, sending him face first into the top turnbuckle. Ziggler hits a neckbreaker but Kaval comes back with a kick to the head and some flying forearms. Kaval hits some impressive kicks to put down Dolph before doing a dive into the corner followed up by a moonsault. Kaval hits a chop and a big kick to the face but Dolph catches him in a sleeper up top. Kaval fights him off and tries for a Phoenix splash and misses, but lands on his feet. Dolph hits the Zig Zag for a near fall, but Kaval hits a unique kick off the second rope. Ziggler charges in the corner but gets caught in a roll up for a two count. Kaval comes off the ropes with a roll up, but Ziggler reverses into a sloppy victory roll for the win. The idea was that he was hooking the tights, but it looked like he was grab-assing him. The match seemed to end just as it was hitting its stride, but I’m fine with that if the feud will continue. These guys have a ton of chemistry together and had a really fun match, though it did seem to be cut a bit short. Match Time: 9:38     Star Rating: ***

4.    Survivor Series Elimination match: Team Mysterio (Rey Mysterio, Big Show, Chris Masters, Kofi Kingston, and MVP) vs. Team Del Rio (Alberto Del Rio, Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre, and Tyler Reks)

The nice stretch that the PPV opened up with continued with a traditional Survivor Series Elimination match, the show’s signature match over the years. This wasn’t a great match given the talent involved but it was very enjoyable and the second best match on the show. Mysterio and Swagger look to start things off but Del Rio jumps in, only to tag in Rhodes. He trades holds with Mysterio before putting him down with a shoulder block. Mysterio hits a kick to the chest but Rhodes hits a big kick of his own. Del Rio tags in and lands a ton of kicks, but Mysterio hits a hurricanrana and a dropkick to a seated Del Rio in the corner. MVP is in next and hits a single leg drop kick before landing more kicks on Del Rio in the corner. MVP blocks an enzuigiri and hits a yakuza kick in the corner, and then tags in Kofi who hits a double sledge to Del Rio’s arm. Masters and Reks are in next, with Reks beating down Masters in the corner before tagging in McIntyre. McIntyre hits some forearms and clotheslines, but eats a boot when he dives off the top. MVP tags in and hits some dropkicks, and exploder suplex, and the Ballin’ elbow. MVP tries for a suplex, but Drew reverses and gets a cover, successfully eliminating MVP, the most over guy in the entire match, as Del Rio pulls the foot. Del Rio and Masters are in next, with Masters trying for the Master Lock only to be caught in the cross-arm breaker, which he taps out to for another elimination. Big Show enters to square off with Swagger, who hits a chop block before tagging to Del Rio. Del Rio gets scared and forcefully tags in McIntyre, who isn’t happy. Del Rio gloats at Show, who responds with a Knockout Punch. Del Rio then leaves the match, but it was one of those deals where you figured he’d return at the end.

Show beats on Drew, but Drew hits a kick and tries for his finisher. Show fights out and hits a clothesline before slamming Kofi, who just tagged in, onto Drew. Rhodes is in and gets slapped in the face, so he freaks out and starts tearing apart the announce table. He has one of the ringside geeks hold up his jacket, which has a mirror in the back, so he can make sure his face is alright. Rhodes returns only to eat another slap before Show gets a tag. Show hits a slap to the back and a Knockout Punch to eliminate Rhodes. Reks enters and hits a shoulder block to Show and takes turns with Swagger working the big man over. Show tries to chokeslam Swagger but gets caught in the Ankle Lock. Show crawls to the corner to tag in Rey, who hits a seated senton. Swagger comes back with a big boot and cheap shots Kofi, but Kofi drop toeholds him into the ropes. Rey tries for the 619 but gets caught in the Ankle Lock. Mysterio is able to counter and swing Swagger into the ropes, but Reks tags in. Kofi gets a tag as well and hits a kick to the face followed by a diving cross body. Kofi gets caught in the tree of woe but is able to fight out and hit a big kick to eliminate Reks. Swagger tries to catch Kingston in the Ankle Lock and the gutwrench powerbomb, but Kingston fights out of both. Kingston tries for the buzzsaw kick, but gets caught in the Ankle Lock and taps out. Show works over Swagger before tagging in Mysterio, allowing him to climb on his shoulders, but Drew kicks Show’s legs and Mysterio falls. Swagger hits a Vader Bomb for a near fall but gets sent into the ropes and takes the 619. Mysterio eliminates Swagger after a splash off of Show’s shoulders. Drew gets hit with the 619 from Rey and a chokeslam from Show for the finally elimination, so the faces go over. Del Rio never came back, but it was a fun match nonetheless, with nice sequences involving Swagger, Del Rio, Rey, and Kofi. I felt like the young heels could have really used this win a lot more than the established veterans Rey and Big Show. Match Time: 18:18     Star Rating: ***1/4

5.    Handicap match for the Divas Championship: LayCool(c) vs. Natalya

Some matches on this show were rushed, so I question the need for the obligatory Divas match. This didn’t belong on a PPV. Michelle quickly takes down Natalya and hits some right hands followed up by an uppercut. Michelle hits a kick to the back before tagging in Layla, who hits a running clothesline. Layla hits some forearms and a kick before tying up Natalya in the corner. Layla gets pulled back by the ref and then pulled out of the ring by McCool. The heels try for a double suplex but Natalya reverses it. Natalya rolls out and is attacked by McCool, but Natalya is able to send her over the barricade. After a brief awkward sequence, Layla ends up thrown into McCool on the outside. Natalya and McCool return to the ring, where Natalya forces a submission with the Sharpshooter to win the title. Well that was…short. LayCool attacks post-match but Beth Phoenix made her return, attacking the heels and celebrating with Natalya. I didn’t have a huge issue with this but it felt really pointless and there wasn’t much there. Match Time: 3:39     Star Rating: *

6.    World Heavyweight Championship match: Kane(c) vs. Edge

After the bathroom break Divas match, the PPV’s first world title match represented the true low point of the night from which it never recovered. Kane tries for a clothesline but Edge slaps him in the face, hits some punches, and then rolls out to sweep Kane off his feet. Edge rolls around the empty wheelchair to piss off Kane, but Edge lands a baseball slide and sends Kane into the barricade. Edge ducks a big boot back in the ring and puts Kane down where he pounds at him. Edge wraps Kane’s legs around the post and stomps away at the knees before applying a leg lock. Kane fights out and hits some leg drops before kicking Edge to the floor. Edge tries to come back in but Kane drags his head over the apron and punches him. Kane irish whips Edge into the corner and chokes him against the bottom rope while asking where Paul Bearer is, repeatedly. Kane gets a near fall off a kick and applies a chancery, still asking about Bearer. Kane hits a snapmare and a low dropkick before returning to a LONG chancery. Edge hits some shots to the gut, slams Edge into the turnbuckle, and hits a cross body off the top.

Kane reverses a whip and a hits a slam. Kane dives off the top turnbuckle but eats a dropkick on the way down. Edge ducks a clothesline and hits a running forearm before sending Kane into the corner with a drop toehold. Edge gets a two count with a roll-up and hits a big boot, but gets caught with a right hand when he jumps off the second rope. Edge reverses out of a suplex into a neckbreaker, but takes a sidewalk slam. They fight up top, with Edge getting crotched. Kane hits a diving lariat off the top for a near fall and tries for the chokeslam, but Edge counters and hits the Impaler DDT. Kane kicks out of the cover and tries for a Tombstone, but Edge fights out and hits a spear. Both guys are down, each with an arm over the other’s chest, and the ref counts the pin which is followed by Edge’s music playing. It is announced that the match is a draw. The two continue to fight outside the ring, with Edge eventually putting Kane in the wheelchair and rolling it through a gimmicked barricade. I hate endings like this on PPV, especially on a BIG FOUR PPV. This is not a throwaway PPV to build angles; this is the show where big things are supposed to happen. We did not get big things with this match; we got a complete snorefest that was capped by a terrible finish. This match was unbelievably boring and one of the worst world title matches you’ll see this year. Match Time: 12:49     Star Rating: *3/4

7.    WWE Tag Team Championship match: Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater(c) vs. Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov

This was your definition of a nothing match. It was meant to cool down the crowd, but there was nothing to cool down after the sleep-inducing world title match. Santino misses with a clothesline on Slater but hits a throw before Slater tags in Gabriel. Kozlov gets a tag and throws Gabriel around the ring, hitting a chop and a big boot. Kozlov hits a head butt but gets taken off his feet by Gabriel, who tags in Slater. Nexus trade tags as they work Kozlov over in the corner. Kozlov fights out of a Gabriel front chancery, but takes a knee to the chest and gets caught in a headlock. Kozlov tries to push back Gabriel and make a tag but Slater takes out Santino before tagging in to apply a headlock of his own. Kozlov hits a clothesline and makes a tag, and Santino hits some right hands. Santino teases the cobra but Nexus swarm ringside for a distraction, allowing Slater to hit his jumping neckbreaker for the win. Why Nexus needed help to beat Santino Marella is beyond me. After the match, Michael Cole reads an e-mail from the GM, which states that any member of Nexus who interferes in the main event will be suspended indefinitely. I assume that post-match segment was the reason for this being on the card. Short and pointless. Match Time: 5:15     Star Rating: *1/2

8.    WWE Championship match with John Cena as Special Guest Referee: Randy Orton(c) vs. Wade Barrett

As everyone already knows, the pre-match stipulation was that if Barrett won the title, Cena would be free of the Nexus, but if Barrett lost, Cena would be fired from WWE. The match could also end only by pinfall or submission. This was the match the entire PPV was promoted around and it was a huge letdown. Barely a step up from last month’s main event. Orton locks up with Barrett and backs him into the corner where he breaks. Orton applies a headlock and hits a shoulder block after being pushed off. Barrett eats a second shoulder block and they lock up again. Barrett kicks at Orton in the corner but Orton hits a kick and a clothesline. Orton hits a big uppercut and pounds away at Barrett in the corner. Cena pulls off Orton, allowing Barrett to hit a kick to the face. Barrett slams Orton’s head into the turnbuckle and works him over in the corner. Cena pulls off Barrett and Orton capitalizes with a dropkick. Orton hits some mounted punches, a knee drop, and a kick to the shoulder. They go outside where Barrett tosses Orton into the barricade before sending him into the steps. Barrett hits some more punches back in the ring, sends Orton into the corners, and steps on his neck.

Orton fights out of a rear chin lock, but Barrett hits a high knee and a kick for a near fall. Barrett applies another rear chin lock, this one lengthy, but Orton fights out with a back suplex. They trade shots in the middle of the ring but Orton takes the advantage with some clotheslines, a powerslam, and a clothesline to the floor. Barrett sends Orton into the post on the outside and targets his eye for a bit, but Orton hits his signature backbreaker in the ring. Barrett hits a big boot, an elbow drop off the second rope, and the Wasteland, but Orton grabs the bottom rope. Barrett argues with Cena and shoves him, but Cena shoves him back right into an RKO from Orton. Cena hesitates at two but counts the three and Orton retains his title. Huh? Orton and Cena clear the ring of Nexus post match, and Cena awards Orton the title before embracing him. Cena removes all his gear and high fives all the fans around the arena. This was UNBELIEVABLY anticlimactic. They devoted months to this storyline and this was supposed to be the payoff, and it ends with a cliffhanger? We have to wait for Raw to see the fallout that the PPV was hyped around? Bullcrap. The match was just meh, not main event worthy at all. It was a really bad ending to a disappointing show that opened with a strong first half. Match Time: 15:21     Star Rating: **1/4

Overall PPV Rating: 6/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit. I am from Orange, CT and am a huge fan of pro wrestling. I mostly follow WWE and TNA but I also watch the smaller promotions such as ROH and DGUSA. I have been a lifelong WWE fan and have become a TNA fan over the past few years. Aside from wrestling, I also really love baseball and football and follow many other sports such as hockey and MMA. I have written for www.sportsgrumblings.com for over two years.

1.    Survivor Series Elimination match: Team Morrison (John Morrison, Matt Hardy, Evan Bourne, Finlay, and Shelton Benjamin) vs. Team Miz (The Miz, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre and Sheamus)

The night kicked off with the first Survivor Series elimination match as Team Morrison took on Team Miz. While it ran a bit too long and wasn’t the greatest match of its kind, it was still a fun opener. In the first few minutes, Bourne was mostly getting worked over by Swagger and Ziggler but gets the hot tag to Matt Hardy. Hardy and Bourne hit simultaneous second rope elbows to Ziggler’s head before Hardy connects with a Side Effect. Bourne hits a Shooting Star Press and eliminates Ziggler but afterward is instantly hit with a double arm DDT from McIntyre and eliminated. A couple minutes later Sheamus hits a big boot to Finlay to quickly eliminate him after a long staredown.  Hardy then gets worked over for a little while by all of Team Miz before getting the hot tag to Morrison. Morrison hits a springboard enzuigiri to Swagger but the attempted pin is broken up. He shortly after hits Starship Pain to eliminate Swagger.  Miz and Morrison go at it for a bit with Miz hitting a top rope double ax handle, but Shelton Benjamin gets tagged in. Benjamin hits Miz with a flurry of high flying offense and a couple suplexes, but is eliminated following a headbutt from Sheamus and a Skull-Crushing Finale from Miz. Hardy then fights with McIntyre and hits a second rope leg drop for a near fall, but gets eliminated after he misses a moonsault and McIntyre hits his double arm DDT. Morrison then does some back and forth with Sheamus for a while, but McIntyre and Miz beat on Morrison for a little while the ref’s back was turned. Morrison goes for his springboard enzuigiri but Sheamus counters with a kick. Sheamus then hits his running powerbomb on Morrison and Team Miz picks up the win, with Miz, McIntyre, and Sheamus being the survivors. This was a very good opener and did a great job establishing Sheamus and McIntyre, who needed this win badly. Match Time: 20:55    Match Rating: 6.5/10

2.    Batista vs. Rey Mysterio

After all of the hype, this was pretty much just a squash match. It was pretty entertaining for a Batista match but it was far too short. This match served its purpose to establish Batista as a monster heel, but it wasn’t what WWE would have hoped as Survivor Series took place in Batista’s hometown of Washington D.C., where he is always cheered. Mysterio is able to get some offense early on with a bunch of kicks but Batista rebounds with a big lariat. Mysterio gets momentum again and goes for the 619 but Batista blocks it. Batista goes for the Batista Bomb but Rey counters with a hurricanrana that sends Batista outside the ring and then hits a baseball slide to send Batista into the ring barricade. Mysterio hits the 619 and a seated senton before going for a frog splash, but Batista blocks it and then hits a spear. Batista then hits a spinebuster before hitting 3 consecutive Batista Bombs, causing the ref to stop the match and award Batista the win. After the match Batista gave Rey a spinebuster on a chair. This was a solid match but I just wish it had gone longer. Match Time: 6:49      Match Rating: 5/10

3.    Survivor Series Elimination match: Team Orton (Randy Orton, Legacy, CM Punk, and William Regal) vs. Team Kingston (Kofi Kingston, Christian, R-Truth, MVP and Mark Henry)

This was definitely the best Survivor Series elimination match of the night and the best match of its kind since Team Orton vs. Team Triple H back in 2004. Henry is thankfully quickly eliminated within the first minute after an RKO from Orton. A couple minutes later, R-Truth is distracted and falls victim to a Go to Sleep from Punk and is eliminated. DiBiase then went to work on Christian by hitting a top rope double stomp and a scoop slam. Both men went for their finishers and were denied, but Christian leaps off the top rope into a modified sunset flip powerbomb to eliminate DiBiase. Regal enters and starts brawling with Christian, who quickly gets the tag to Kingston. Regal this Kingston with an exploder suplex but MVP comes out of nowhere with the Drive-By kick to eliminate Regal. Rhodes goes to work on Christian, locking in a couple body-scissors, but Christian fights out and tags in MVP, who hits a series of clotheslines and an elbow drop. MVP is then distracted by Orton, allowing Rhodes to hit Cross Rhodes and eliminate him. Christian soon after hits the Killswitch to Rhodes for another elimination and it is now 2 on 2. Christian and Orton do some great back and forth for a while before Christian counters the RKO with a Killswitch, but the pin is broken up by Punk. Christian charges Orton in the corner, but hits the ringpost and is then caught with an RKO and is eliminated.Kingston and Punk then go at it, with both men trying for their finishers before Punk takes control with leg locks on Kingston’s neck and midsection. Kingston goes for a splash but Punk moves out of the way before hitting a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Both men fight on the top rope and Kingston is able to knock Punk off and connects with a huge cross body for a near fall. Punk tries for a victory roll on Kingston, but Kofi counters it into a roll-up of his own and Punk is out. Orton then charges the ring and is immediately caught with the Trouble in Paradise and Kingston wins! Kingston is the sole survivor and becomes elevated to main event status with this huge victory. This was a very good Survivor Series elimination match, mostly due to the great chemistry between Kingston and Punk. Match Time: 20:50       Match Rating: 7.5/10

4.    World Heavyweight Championship: Undertaker(c) vs. Chris Jericho vs. The Big Show

Many people were unsure of this match going in, but this ended up overdelivering and was a very enjoyable world title match. Jericho and Big Show team up against Undertaker in the early going, but thankfully this only lasts for a few minutes. Jericho hits Taker in the head with a mic outside the ring but Taker fights back by driving Big Show into the ring post and hits Jericho with a big right hand as Jericho tried for a move off the top turnbuckle. Taker tries for Old School but Jericho trips him up on the top rope and soon puts on the Walls of Jericho. Big Show reenters the match and chokeslams Jericho. He tries to chokeslam Taker, but Taker counters with a DDT. Jericho tries for a pin on each man but is unsuccessful. Taker and Big Show both try for a chokeslam, but Jericho smashes Show in the head with the world title belt. Taker hits a big boot and tries for the Last Ride, but Jericho has the belt again and hits Taker in the head. Jericho tries for a Tombstone and taker counter swith an attempt of his own, but Show catches both guys with Knockout punches. He tries to chokeslam Taker, but Taker counters with Hell’s Gate and Big Show spits up some blood before submitting. Very entertaining title match that was much better than expected. Match Time: 13:39       Match Rating: 7/10

5.    Divas Survivor Series Elimination match: Team Mickie (Mickie James, Melina, Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, and Eve) vs. Team Michelle (Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix, Alicia Fox, Layla and Jillian)

To provide a break in between the two title matches, we got the Divas Survivor Series elimination match. Much of the first half of the match consisted of very quick eliminations out of nowhere. Layla is out after a leg drop from Kelly and Gail is eliminated after a Faith Breaker from McCool. Eve hits a partially botched sunset flip on Jillian for an elimination as well. Phoenix then hits the Glam Slam on both Eve and Kelly to quickly dispose of them. Mickie enters and catches Beth with a crucifix roll-up for yet another elimination. All of these eliminations really did happen this quickly. Alicia hits a Northern Lights suplex, but Mickie hits a big splash and Fox is out. Mickie then did some good work with McCool for a bit, with McCool hitting a series of stomps and leg drops before Melina gets tagged in. Melina pounds on McCool before hitting a sunset flip and Team Mickie wins with the survivors being Mickie and Melina. The match got better once it was down to 2 on 2 but the first half was fairly sloppy. Match Time: 10:40      Match Rating: 4/10

6.    WWE Championship: John Cena(c) vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels

The main event started off with a bang with Michaels hitting Sweet Chin Music on his DX partner Triple H just after the bell. Michaels and Cena did some great back and forth work for a bit culminating in Michaels leaping over the ropes with a cross body on Cena on the outside. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment, but Triple H is back up and breaks it up. Triple H then hits a spinebuster to Michaels through the announce table. Triple H then goes to work on Cena in the ring, hitting a spinebuster and neckbreaker for a near fall. He goes for the Pedigree, but Cena catapults him into the corner. Cena hits his series of moves on Triple H and the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but HBK breaks up an AA attempt by sending Cena into the ringpost. Triple H and HBK then duke it out in the ring, with Michaels hitting some chops and atomic drops before Triple H comes back with a high knee and a facebuster. Michaels hits his flying forearm, but kips up right into a spinebuster from Triple H. Michaels goes for a flying elbow on Triple H, but Cena crotches him on the turnbuckle. Cena tries for his top rope leg drop, but Triple H moves out of the way. HBK then hits the elbow on Cena but is sent to the outside by Triple H. Cena puts the STF on Triple H, but HBK breaks it up by putting the Crippler Crossface on Cena. Cena fights out and puts on the STF but Michaels reaches the ropes. HBK hits Sweet Chin Music on both of his opponents before collapsing, but Triple H falls on Cena for a near fall. Cena catches Triple H with the AA but can’t initially make the cover. Minutes later, a wild ending sequence ensues with everyone trying to hit their finisher. Michaels hits Sweet Chin Music on Triple H, but Cena hits the AA to HBK on top of Triple H before covering The Game for the win. A great main event to close out an excellent show. Match Time: 21:14        Match Rating: 8/10

Overall PPV Rating: 8.25/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit. I am from Orange, CT and am a huge fan of pro wrestling. I mostly follow WWE and TNA but I also watch the smaller promotions such as ROH and DGUSA. I have been a lifelong WWE fan and have become a TNA fan over the past few years. Aside from wrestling, I also really love baseball and football and follow many other sports such as hockey and MMA. I have written for www.sportsgrumblings.com roughly a year now as well.