By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

WWE's Survivor Series PPV drew an estimate of 212,000 buys, according to WWE's updated monthly business figures released Friday.

The PPV featured a sudden line-up change to C.M. Punk vs. John Cena vs. Ryback for the WWE Title, replacing a traditional Survivor Series match in the main event. This was Ryback's second WWE Title match on PPV, following the TLC PPV, which WWE said last month drew an estimate of 200,000 buys.

The final numbers for both PPVs - and the December TLC PPV - will be released in early 2013 when WWE announces fourth quarter earnings results.

Barring a sudden increase in the final 2012 Survivor Series total, this year's event will fall well short of last year, which drew 281,000 buys for The Rock's in-ring return teaming with John Cena. Also, the 2010 edition drew 244,000 buys.

Caldwell's Analysis: There are several ways to look at this performance. One is that Survivor Series should automatically draw more buys than Hell in a Cell because of Survivor Series's tradition and history as a Big Four event. However, that doesn't have as much of an effect as in past years. Worth considering why the number isn't higher is (a) the sudden line-up change, (b) Ryback losing in his first title match opportunity at HIAC the month before, (c) the grind of three-hour Raws starting to affect the audience, and (d) a big UFC PPV event the night before. It's not a terrible number, but it's not a great number.

If TLC comes in over 200,000 buys - which is possible, especially with replay buys after the buzz-worthy headline matches - WWE should be happy with three Q4 events drawing more than 200,000 buys in this era of an over-saturated TV market.

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