PWTorch.com - SURVIVOR SERIES RETRO - Nov. 24, 2013: How did last year's PPV main event tie in with this year's main event?

Torch Flashbacks
SURVIVOR SERIES RETRO - Nov. 24, 2013: How did last year's PPV main event tie in with this year's main event?

Nov 24, 2014 - 8:46:03 AM

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Survivor Series Flashback - November 24

- Date: November 24, 2013 (Last Year)

- Significance: In the early portion of The Authority's run, WWE switched up Daniel Bryan's WWE Title challenges to Big Show challenging Randy Orton for the WWE Title. Show lost to The Authority's Orton; one year later at Sunday's Survivor Series PPV, Show submitted to Triple H when he turned on John Cena and shook hands with Hunter.

Also one year ago, Cena beat Alberto Del Rio for the World Title, setting up the Orton vs. Cena "Face of WWE" unification match at the TLC PPV in December. As for Bryan, he was shifted to a tag match with C.M. Punk against the Wyatts.

WWE SURVIVOR SERIES REPORT
NOVEMBER 24, 2013
BOSTON, MASS.
AIRED LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW
BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR

KICKOFF SHOW

-Josh Matthews hosted the Legends Panel with Mick Foley, Bret Hart, and Booker T.

(A) THE MIZ vs. KOFI KINGSTON

WINNER: Miz with a roll-up in 8:00.

PAY-PER-VIEW

-After the standard WWE opening and a preview video for the card, Michael Cole introduced the show with Jerry Lawler and JBL.

(1) REY MYSTERIO & CODY RHODES & GOLDUST & THE USOS vs. THE SHIELD (Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns) & THE REAL AMERICANS (Jack Swagger & Antonio Cesaro w/Dutch Mantel)

When Rollins tagged in, he lifted Rey for a powerbomb, but Rey rolled through into a sunset flip for the pin. Reigns joined Rollins in post-pin two-on-one attack on Rey. Rollins returned to the back, leaving Reigns alone against Rey and Goldust. Reigns took control against Rey and shouted at him, “You came back for this? To get jobbed out?!” At 20:00 Rey surprised Reigns with a kick to the face. He crawled over and hot-tagged Goldust, but Reigns speared him a minute later for the pin. It came down to Reigns against Rey. Rey went for a 619, but Reigns got up and met the flying Rey with a sudden spear for the clean win. Cole immediately declared it one of the all-time great Survivor Series performances, eliminating four opponents with spears. JBL said this was the night Reigns stepped into the spotlight.

WINNER: Reigns in 22:00. (***1/4)

-A commercial aired for the WWE 2K14 video game.

-Backstage Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Kane were talking when Randy Orton walked in. He asked them if they were on the same page regarding his demanding respect as the Face of the Company. Stephanie sarcastically said she didn’t hear him knock. Triple H asked what he was demanding of them. He reminded Orton he is the WWE Champion, the Viper, the Apex Predator, and the Face of the WWE. “Now, go prove it,” said Steph. Orton clenched his face and walked away.

(2) BIG E. LANGSTON vs. CURTIS AXEL - WWE Intercontinental Title match

WINNER: Big E. in 6:00 to retain the IC Title. (*)

-Rene Young interviewed Big E. in the ring. He jokingly mentioned Boston by name a few times and got some cheap pops.

-Backstage A.J. Lee, with Tamina Snuka, bickered with the rest of her team. Kaitlyn stepped up and said A.J. practically ruined her life and has made enemies with every one of them on her team.

(3) TOTAL DIVAS (The Bella Twins, Natalya, Naomi, Cameron, Jojo, Eva Marie) vs. NOT TOTAL DIVAS (A.J. Lee & Tamina Snuka & Aksana & Kaitlyn & Alicia Fox & Rosa Mendez & Summer Rae)

A.J. and Natalya as the final two. Natalya immediately put A.J. in the Sharpshooter for the win.

WINNER: Natalya via submission in 11:00. (*1/2)

-Orton approached referee Charles Robinson backstage and hinted that he should favor him.

-They threw to their All-Star Panel. Mathews reintroduced Foley, Booker, and Bret to the audience.

-Ryback stood on the stage and said his favorite Survivor Series memory was when he came out and shut up those old-timers on that panel. He insulted the crowd and challenged anyone. “Come on out here and make my night!” he said. Mark Henry answered the challenge.

(4) MARK HENRY vs. RYBACK

Cole said Henry had been away for a while with a torn hamstring. Henry has a bald head and a big thick beard. The announcers said they like it. In the end, Ryback set up a Meat Hook clothesline, but Henry leaped at Ryback with a standing crossbody block. The announcers marveled at that unexpected move. Henry immediately gave Ryback the World’s Strongest Slam for the win.

WINNER: Henry in 5:00. (3/4*)

-A commercial aired for WWE stuff at K-Mart... The WWE panel discussed the World Title match... A video package aired on Cena... Then backstage the trainer checked on Cena’s elbow...

(5) JOHN CENA vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO - World Hvt. Title match

JBL acknowledged the death of Mad Dog Vachon last week at age 84. Del Rio dominated the first 11 minutes. Cena teased comebacks a couple times, but Del Rio cut him off easily. He worked over Cena’s arm. At 11:00 Cena made a comeback and did a rapid-fire “You Can’t See Me” routine including his fist drop and an Attitude Adjustment attempt. Del Rio escaped and hit a back suplex into a bridge for a two count. Late in the match Del Rio applied the Cross Armbreaker. Cena teased tapping, but instead he powered Del Rio up and slammed him hard to the mat. Cena then gave Del Rio an AA attempt. Del Rio countered with a Cross Armbreaker attempt. Cena countered that with an AA to retain the World Title. Cena hugged his father at ringside.

WINNER: Cena in 18:00. (***)

-Backstage Santino and R-Truth chatted about winning Money in the Bank leading to a skit with Los Matadores, El Torito, and Fandango. Then John Laurinaitis made a surprise cameo. Pointless.

(6) C.M. PUNK & DANIEL BRYAN vs. ROWAN & HARPER (w/Bray Wyatt)

Good match, but not great. Slow at the start, built nicely with Punk finishing Harper with the GTS.

WINNERS: Punk & Bryan in 17:00. (**3/4)

-A commercial aired for “Christmas Bounty.”

-Backstage the trainer iced Cena’s elbow in front of Steph, Hunter, and Kane, who were concerned if he’d be ready to go tomorrow on Raw. In walked Orton. They had a tense stare. Cena said he’s good to go, so he’ll let Orton and the Authority hash out some issues on their own. Orton asked jealously what Cena was doing there. They said nothing. Orton walked away. Hunter whispered to Steph and Kane, “Paranoid.”

(7) RANDY ORTON vs. THE BIG SHOW - WWE Title match

They brawled into the crowd at 8:00. Show gave Orton the KO punch during a ringside fight. At 10:00 Triple H’s music played. Hunter, Steph, and Kane walked onto the stage. Show looked over at them and smiled about the KO punch he delivered. Orton, meanwhile, recovered and surprised Show with an RKO. A “Daniel Bryan!” chant broke out again in this match. Were fans asking for Bryan to come out to even the odds or expressing that they wanted him in this match instead of Show. Orton delivered a Punt Kick which completely missed, but led to the pin anyway.

WINNER: Orton in 11:00 to retain the WWE Title. (*1/2)

-Cole said something didn’t feel right about that. The crowd just sat there as if it was unfathomable that that would be the end of the PPV main event and the end of the PPV. Hunter, Steph, and Kane walked to ringside applauding.

Cena’s music then played. He walked onto the stage and then to the ring. Cole wondered what he was doing out there. Cena and Orton stared at each other briefly. Cena raised his belt in the air and played to the crowd. Lawler said Cena was raining on Orton’s parade. Orton clutched his WWE Title belt. Cole said, “What a turn of events here at Survivor Series.” He said they were both proud champions, both believing they are the Face of WWE.

[Torch art credit Cory Gould (c) PWTorch.com]