WWE Survivor Series Flashback - November 18

- Date: Nov. 18, 2012
- Significance: Debut of The Shield, plus John Cena and Ryback were feuding over the WWE Title (held by C.M. Punk) and Sheamus faced Big Show, which coincides with events on Monday's Raw.

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KELLER'S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT
NOVEMBER 18, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
AIRED LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW

-After an intro video, Justin Roberts announced there would be a bonus five-on-five Survivor Series elimination style tag match.

-Michael Cole introduced the show alongside JBL and Jerry Lawler. He said history is being made as it's the first time the three of them have ever worked together.

(1) Sin Cara & Brodus Clay & Tyson Kidd & Justin Gabriel & Rey Mysterio vs. Primo & Epico (w/Rosa Mendez) & Tensai & The Prime Time Players (Titus O'Neil & Darren Young)

(Quotebook - JBL on Cara, Kidd, Gabriel, and Clay: "You've got three high flyers and an air craft carrier." Cole cackled with uproarious laughter at that one-liner.)

Cole touted that Survivor Series is the second-longest-running PPV in WWE history. Cole talked about the history of the event, noting that the first four were held on Thanksgiving night. He said in 1996 "a man named the Rock" made his debut in a traditional Survivor Series tag match. Jerry Lawler remembered that he was in that match. Cole asked if he thought Rock was going to be a star that night. Lawler said he can't remember what he had for breakfast. JBL added something about Jerry almost passing away, so give him a break. Lawler did respond by saying that probably makes him the ultimate survivor.

(Quotebook - JBL on Justin Gabriel: "If he was a real thrill seeker, he'd dive out of a plane without a parachute.")

Primo leaped off the top rope, but Kidd caught him mid-air with a dropkick. JBL called Kidd an "anti-aircraft missile." Rey hot-tagged in and went to work on Primo at 16:00. Rey leverage pinned Primo with an Oklahoma Roll after avoiding a back stabber attempt. Young was the last member of his team, and he quickly fell prey to a 619. Rey tagged in Cara who flip dove onto Young. Gabriel then tagged in and springboard flipped onto Young. Kidd then springboard elbow dropped Young. Rey then tagged in for the period at the end of that sequence with a top rope splash. JBL declared that the high-flyers won. (**3/4)

(WK Reax: Enough good action in that 18 minutes to qualify as a strong opener. A good mix of personalities and definitely good athleticism, so the pace was good start to finish, and the Clay-Tensai stuff worked, too.)

-A commercial aired for WWE action figures at K-Mart.

-Backstage, Kaitlyn was getting ready for her match when a woman in a blond wig attacked her. Kaitlyn yanked it off and revealed Aksana. Eve ran up and asked if she was okay "because I'd hate for something to happen to you before our match." Kaitlyn then shoved Eve to the ground and repeated what she said to her.

(Quotebook - JBL to Michael Cole after talking about the Eve-Aksana-Kaitlyn angle: "Pure speculation. Would you quit feeding into that? You're like Candy Crowley monitoring a debate. Please, stop the bias.")

(2) Eve pinned Kaitlyn in 7:00 to retain the Divas Title. Lawler had to play mediator as JBL and Cole started to bicker. JBL touted the trainer Eve did at the Gracie Gym. In the end, Kaitlyn made a comeback by yanking the ring apron out to trip up Kaitlyn as she went after her at ringside. Then she gave her the neckbreaker for the win.

Then they cut to the Team Foley locker room. Miz and Kofi argued, Kane and Daniel Bryan argued, and sitting in the background Orton sat just shaking his head. Foley walked in and said he picked them because of their strong personalities. Miz told Foley he didn't pick him, the WWE Universe did. Foley said he did pick him. He then said they need to come together as a team or else they will all parish as one. He had everyone put their hands together and yell "Bang! Bang!" on three. When they did it, Orton refused. Orton then walked up to Foley and said, "I hate you." Orton walked away. Foley told Kofi, "That means he's ready." Then - IN THE MOST ANNOYING THING WWE DOES - the director stayed on Foley and Kofi for way too long so they had to stand there unnaturally holding their pose and facial expressions way longer than was comfortable for them or the viewers. STOP DOING THAT. (Deep breath.)

(3) Antonio Cesaro pinned R-Truth in 7:00. Before the match Cesaro walked out and asked what Americans have to be thankful for on Thanksgiving - a weak economy, a deteriorating infrastructure, or skyrocketing obesity? He said all they can be thankful for is having him represent their country as U.S. Champion. Cole talked about past U.S. Title holder who weren't Americans. He listed Nikita Koloff, Kensuke Sasaki (Cole called him "Sazagi," though), Bret Hart, Tajiri, Finlay, and Sheamus, "just to name a few." JBL took offense that he Cole didn't include him. Cole asked if JBL listens to him because he said he was listing non-Americans to hold the U.S. Title. JBL said, "I thought you said Great Americans."

Odd offensive attack by Cesaro, who held Truth down for several minutes with a rear waist lock. It took the crowd way down and led the announcers to getting even more off track. Truth made a comeback at 5:00, but Cesaro countered his attempt as a scissors kick and dropped him with an uppercut, then followed up with the Equalizer for the win. (1/2*)

(WK Reax: Not a showcase match at all. Disappointing pace and basically a rudimentary, boring ground attack by Cesaro.)

-A fake lawyer commercial aired with David Otunga pushing the "Tables, Ladders, and Chairs" match ending with Sheamus hitting him from behind with a chair.

-Cole pushed for fans to post a prediction on Tout telling whom they think will be Rock's opponent at the Royal Rumble - Cena, Ryback, or Punk. Then they threw to a video package on the A.J.-Vickie-Cena scandal.

-A.J. skipped to the ring. She had posted on Twitter that she'd reveal evidence of her own on Survivor Series. She opened the second hour explaining herself.

(Quotebook - Cole: "A.J. Lee emphatically stated that she and Cena are just friends." JBL: "That's what Paul Broadwell said, just writing a biography.")

A.J. said Vickie is a sad, lonely, vengeful, vindictive witch, "or a word that rhymes with witch." Then she realized that when you have a secret, the best way to hide it is accuse someone else. She said that's what Vickie has done. Vickie interrupted and asked what she's doing and "how dare you!?" Then A.J. showed a picture of Vickie and Ricardo eating burritos together. A.J. asked if she's supposed to believe it's an innocent business dinner. "You are really enjoying Ricardo's burrito, aren't you?" A.J. said. Vickie said she's her boss. A.J. said not for long if she keep having in appropriate relationships. A.J. produced on the big screen a photo of her and Jim Ross enjoying a BBQ meal together. A.J. said she has even more evidence. Then a picture showed up of Vickie dancing in a leopard print swimsuit with Brodus Clay in a hotel room.

(Quotebook - A.J. Lee: "It's like looking directly at the sun. You don't want to do it but you can't help it. I mean, look. Look at that giant sweaty dancing monstrosity.. and Brodus Clay.")

Vickie said this was ridiculous. A.J. said her accusations and so-called evidence was ridiculous. After a staredown, A.J. said the Board of Directors has said if Vickie puts her hands on her, she will be fired. Tamina then attacked A.J. from behind. She gave her a Samoan drop, then dragged her by her hair to mid-ring and gave her a top rope splash. Vickie gasped and then laughed under her breath. She feigned being upset and asked, "What is wrong with you?" Then she leaned over and laughed maniacally at A.J. Cole asked if that was supposed to be a coincidence. JBL said he's back to his conspiracy theories.

-A commercial aired for the Attitude Era DVD.

-Josh Mathews interviewed Paul Heyman backstage. He asked if Punk has any tactics left in his bag of tricks to retain his title later. Heyman asked him to name the tricks he used in his 364 days as WWE Champion. He said Josh is just another member of the WWE Universe who refuses to give Punk the credit he deserves.

(Quotebook - Paul Heyman: "While Ryback has been busy taking us back to the caveman era by dragging his knuckles across the ring, Punk has been making history by being the only man to ever beat Ryback.")

They went to the announcers at ringside. JBL said he thinks Punk is whistling past the graveyard with the odds against him later. Then they shifted into previewing the World Title match.

(4) Sheamus beat The Big Show via DQ in 15:00 so Show retained the World Hvt. Title. They exchanged punches mid-ring to start. Sheamus took early control including tying up Show's arms in the ropes. At 3:00 Show took over at ringside and stayed on offense for several minutes. He settled into an armbar at 8:00. At 12:00 Sheamus made a comeback and rallied with a running knee lift and a flying forearm, knocking Show off his feet. He then gave him a forearm to the forehead to knock him down again. When he went for the Brogue Kick, though, Show blocked it and went for a chokeslam. Sheamus then countered with White Noise for a near fall. Cole ruined the drama by declaring Sheamus the new champion during the early part of the count, so you knew Show would kick out because announcers never call the actual finish ahead of time like that.

Sheamus got up and played to the crowd, signaling for the Brogue Kick. Show stood up and Sheamus charged, but Show yanked the ref into the path of the kick. Ref Scott Armstrong went down and was out. Sheamus went to check on him, worried for his well being. The doctor entered the ring to check on him. Meanwhile, Show had time to recover. Show then got up and gave Sheamus the KO punch. A replacement ref made the three count. Cole protested the decision, saying Sheamus should have been DQ'd. He made the point that the only ref who could make the call to ring the bell was knocked out. Another ref, though, informed ring announcer Justin Roberts that Show was actually DQ'd.

After the match at ringside, Show protested, and got bleeped for most of his rant, although they did pick up on his saying to the ref, "This was a World Title match, you dumbass!" Sheamus grabbed a chair and attacked Show with repeated shots to Show's body. Cole said Sheamus was clearly livid. JBL said if he were Sheamus, he'd do the same thing right now. They replayed the finish, then went back to Show who was struggling to crawl up the ramp to the stage. The crowd chanted something at him.

(5) Team Ziggler beat Team Foley in 24:00. Cole said Miz can get along with anyone if he puts his mind to it. JBL said anyone can do that, saying he could get along with is ex-wife if he really put his mind to it. JBL said Otunga is 21-0 in the courtroom. Lawler said Otunga knows a lot of stuff that people don't care about. Kofi dove onto Otunga at ringside at 1:00. Bryan tagged in against Otunga at 2:00. The crowd really woke up for that and taunted Bryan.

Next in was Damien Sandow, who absorbed a series of kicks to the chest. Sandow had enough and tried to leave. Kane chased him down and yanked him back into the ring. Kane then tagged in and chokeslammed Sandow and pinned him. SANDOW ELIMINATED at 3:00.

Bryan and Kane argued. Bryan shoved Kane. Kane knocked Bryan to the floor. Ziggler surprised Kane with his Zig Zag for a surprise early pin. KANE ELIMINATED AT 4:00.

A few minutes later Barrett tagged in Otunga. He knocked Bryan into the corner, then charged into him. He went for a pin while posing. The ref had to tell Otunga that Bryan's shoulders weren't even close to the mat, so Otunga leaned back. The ref began the count, but Bryan countered with the Yes Lock for the win. JBL said Otunga's approach there was stupid. OTUNGA ELIMINATED in 10:00.

Miz and Orton argued over who would enter to replace Kane. Orton won the argument, but still glared back at Miz. Orton went to work on Ziggler. When Kofi tagged in, he monkey flipped Ziggler, and Ziggler took the monkey flip better than anyone has ever taken a monkey flip. He did an extra half flip and landed flat on his face. Lawler said he had never seen that before. They replayed it. At 9:00 Barrett finished off Kofi with his Bull Hammer elbow blow to the face. KINGSTON ELIMINATED AT 9:00.

JBL touted the matches Barrett and Orton had "on the A-Show, Smackdown, over the last month." Lawler asked, "The what show?" Lawler coughed and said under his breath, "Jealous."

(WK Reax: Is it unreasonable to wonder if Lawler has even heard of Smackdown?)

(Quotebook - JBL: "If you built a sports entertainer from scratch, it would look like Randy Orton." SAYING "SPORTS ENTERTAINER" INSTEAD OF "WRESTLER" WILL FOREVER SOUND RIDICULOUS AND STUPID AND MAKE PEOPLE ANGRY.)

(Quotebook - Jerry Lawler: "What about Ricardo's other relatives, Jose and Hose-B." Ugh. How do you even spell out a joke that awful?)

A few minutes later, after some three-on-three action, Del Rio forced Bryan to tap out to his cross armbreaker. BRYAN ELIMINATED at 13:00.

Miz got a big pop when he rallied against Barrett at 15:00. He knocked Ziggler to the floor, then set up the Skull Crushing Finale, but Barrett escaped and set up Wasteland. Miz, though, escaped and immediately hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the pin. BARRETT ELIMINATED AT 16:00.

It was down to Miz & Orton vs. Ziggler & Del Rio. Del Rio avoided a Miz charged in the corner, then gave him a running roundhouse kick to the side of the head for the pin. MIZ ELIMINATED AT 17:00.

(WK Reax: I enter into evidence that Cole DID NOT shout that it was over before the ref counted to three, so it was obvious it was going to be a three count, because if it was going to be a two count, he would have shouted it was surely over during the ref's first two slaps of the mat. It's so infuriating Vince McMahon insists on that stupid policy with announcers because once you realize it, it ruins damn near every fall in WWE.)

Lawler said things look bleak for Orton. Del Rio leaped off the top rope, but Orton caught him mid-air with a dropkick. Orton then got fired up and knocked Del Rio down, then knocked Ziggler to the floor, then powerslammed Del Rio. When Ricardo distracted Orton, Orton grabbed him and set up a DDT off the second rope. Del Rio kicked him from behind and scored a convincing near fall. Foley walked over to Ricardo and punched him, then pulled out Mr. Socko and got a big pop as he snuffed out Ricardo. Ricardo passed out and Foley yelled, "Bang! Bang!" Orton set up an RKO on Del Rio, but Ziggler entered the ring and threw a dropkick aimed at Orton. Instead he hit Del Rio. Orton then threw Ziggler shoulder-first into the ring post. Del Rio recovered and kicked Orton. He went for the cross armbreaker, but Orton countered with an RKO for the pin. DEL RIO ELIMINATED in 21:00.

It was down to Orton vs. Ziggler. Ziggler remained KO'd in the corner. Orton pounded the mat and then went for an RKO, but Ziggler held onto the middle rope. Orton flew to the mat. Ziggler hit the Zig Zag for a convincing near fall. The crowd popped and Foley applauded. Orton bled from his mouth and the director didn't shy away from a close-up. Orton gave Ziggler a DDT off the middle rope. He pounded the mat again. He noticed the bleeding and stopped. Lawler wondered what he was doing. Orton slowly stood up. JBL told him to pin him already. Orton drew out the moment, then walked back and set up the punt kick. Ziggler got up and surprised Orton with a superkick to the chin and scored the pin. ORTON ELIMINATED in 24:00.

(WK Reax: Good Survivor Series tag match. Well booked. In a match of this type, some of the eliminations will be forgotten shortly after they occur, but on a case by case basis they were booked well and fit the characters of the wrestlers. The Ziggler win over Orton qualifies as significant in that it was a big win for Ziggler on a big stage and also perhaps a character-changing moment for Orton, who hesitated too much and might change course because of it.)

-They aired several Tout videos made by fans predicting who Rock will face at the Royal Rumble. That had to thrill some WWE fans. Back at ringside, Lawler and Cole both predicted Cena would win. JBL predicted Punk.

(6) C.M. Punk pinned John Cena in a three-way with Ryback to retain his WWE Title in 18:00. Cena got a mixed reaction, which actually seemed a bit muted relative to normal perhaps based on the mic'ing of the building. JBL noted that Cena is 7-0 at Survivor Series, the second-longest streak at a PPV behind Undertaker and WrestleMania. Lawler said he liked Cena's new look, featuring black and yellow, celebrating his tenth anniversary.

JBL said Punk has held the title so long that the last time he was't champ, the Republican nominee hadn't been decided, Hostess was still in business, and Snooki still hadn't had a baby. That's quite a way to mark time passing. Punk's t-shirt and jacket actually matched Cena's color scheme. Lawler said Punk is facing the law of averages. Cole told JBL that a lot of people are saying Punk is paranoid because of how close he is to the one-year mark.

Ryback came out third. Also didn't seem like much of a pop. Could be the way everything is mic'd though. Punk resisted giving up his title belt to the ref. Ric Flair used to make a big production of that, and it's a great touch for a champion.

The bell rang 25 minutes into the third hour. Punk bailed out when the bell rang. Cena chased him down. Ryback then took over and chased Punk the others way around the ring. Back in the ring Ryback attacked Punk in the corner. Cena pulled Ryback away and hit Punk. Ryback took exception and pulled Cena away. They argued. Punk hit Cena from behind, knocking him into Ryback. Ryback came back to knock Punk to the floor.

Ryback and Cena squared off. It felt like a "big moment" in WWE. A loud battle chant began: "Let's Go Cena! / Cena sucks!" They locked up. Ryback overpowered Cena. Cena lifted Ryback for an early Attitude Adjustment attempt. Ryback escaped. Cole said a lot of people wonder about Ryback's stamina since his matches are typically short. JBL agreed he hasn't been tested at length. Lawler said it's a bigger test with two opponents to keep up with. Punk reentered and suplexed Ryback. He celebrated. Ryback got right up and pressed him above his head, then overhead tossed him. Cena entered and gave Ryback a belly-to-belly.

At 5:00 Punk flew off the top rope, but Ryback caught him. Punk came back with a flying leg lariat, though. Cena schoolboyed Punk as Punk celebrated. Punk kicked out and DDT'd Cena for a two count. Cole asked JBL for insight into holding the World Title for 280 days. JBL said the pressure built over time. Cena shoulder-tackled Ryback, but when he bound into the ropes for another, Punk at ringside yanked him to the floor by his legs, then rammed him into the ringside steps.

Punk springboard clotheslined Ryback. Ryback powered out of his pin attempt. Punk settled into a chinlock. Ryback backdropped Punk a minute later. Very little crowd heat or buzz for him. He did the shoulder shrug gimmick, though, and the crowd began to yell "Feed me more!" He nailed Punk with a Meat Hook Clothesline, then set up Shell Shock. Heyman yelled no, no, no. Cena broke it up from behind and applied an STF on Ryback at 9:00. Cole said this was a pivotal moment in Ryback's career, the first time they've seen him in this type of trouble. Punk climbed to the top rope and leaped off onto Cena with an elbowdrop.

Punk got up and signaled for the Go To Sleep. Cena escaped. Punk elbowed him in the face. They exchanged punches and kicks and the crowd chanted along to each blow. Ryback clotheslined both to break up that party. He tossed Punk to the floor, then tossed Cena to the floor, both over the top rope. He then followed them to ringside and yelled "Finish it!" He grabbed both Cena and Punk and set up a suplex on both. Punk and Cena, though, fought free from the overly long and slow set-up. Punk and Cena locked eyes, then duplexed Ryback onto the announce table together. Ryback flattened the table.

Back in the ring, Cena went into his finishing routine, but Punk escaped the AA and turned it into a Go To Sleep and scored a believable nearfall. Cena got up and surprised Punk with an AA for a near fall. Punk attacked Cena with some kicks. Punk then gave Cena a running knee into the corner. Cena countered a DDT attempt with an STF. Ryback returned, though, just as it appeared Punk was considering tapping. He yanked Cena to ringside and clotheslined him. He entered the ring and waited for Punk to stand. When he did, he gave Punk his Meat Hook Clothesline. Cole yelled, "There's no stopping Ryback now!"

Ryback marched around the ring and delivered Shell Shock. Cena entered just in time to stop the third slap of the mat. Cena set up Ryback for an AA, but Ryback escaped and gave Cena the Shell Shock. When he was about to make the cover, three men dressed as cops charged into the ring and attacked Ryback. Cole said they rushed through the crowd and attacked Ryback. They took Ryback to the floor and beat on him. Cole identified one of them as Roman Reigns from NXT, and also Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. They lifted Ryback and slammed him hard through the other announce table. Cole asked what they were doing out there.

Back in the ring, Punk crawled into the ring and covered Cena. The ref counted three. Lawler said he's not sure what he just watched happen. Cole said those three men have changed the course of WWE history. (***1/2)

(WK Reax: Good main event match. Not a great classic match, as it ultimately felt more like a finish devised to get out of a situation they got themselves into. Introducing three NXT wrestlers in this fashion puts them quickly into the mix in a meaningful way. Yes, it felt a little too much like Aces & Eights, but WWE isn't concerned about that.)

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

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