LECLAIR’S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES 2024 REPORT: Alt perspective, detailed coverage of men’s and women’s War Games, Gunther vs. Priest, more

LECLAIR’S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES 2024 REPORT
NOVEMBER 30, 2024
VANCOUVER, BC AT ROGERS ARENA
AIRED ON PEACOCK (U.S.), WWE NETWORK (Int.)

Announcers: Michael Cole & Corey Graves

-The show officially opened with a drone shot of Rogers Arena, high above Vancouver. Michael Cole welcomed the audience to the show, talking over shots of both women’s War Games teams heading toward gorilla. Several other wrestlers were shown arriving at the arena earlier in the day.

After a sweeping wide shot of the sold out Rogers Arena, the broadcast faded to an opening video package.

Fireworks exploded from inside and around the ring, filling the suspended cages with smoke. Cole re-introduced the show, noting over 17,000 in attendance. He said it’s the 38th edition of the Thanksgiving weekend tradition. He welcomed his broadcast partner, Corey Graves, who said this is one of his favorite shows of the year. Cole and Graves went over the official rules for War Games matches.

The cage was lowered into place over both rings as flames shot around ringside. Cole said six tons of steel will surround two rings.

-Bianca Belair’s music hit first. She skipped into view as Alicia Taylor introduced the women’s War Games match. Cole noted that Belair’s gear was inspired by a community creation in WWE 2K24. Naomi entered her next, entering her first War Games match. Iyo Sky followed. Cole said she’s been in every women’s War Games match. Bayley was out next. The announcers mentioned that she was serving as Jade Cargill’s replacement. Rhea Ripley entered last to a big reaction. She wore a horned protective mask over her injured nose. Bayley requested to begin the match for her team, and Ripley gave her the go-ahead.

Nia Jax entered first for the opposing team. She gave a look of disgust toward the babyface shark cage, then stepped to her side to make way for Candice LeRae. Cole mentioned that LeRae is “sneaky good”, with a record of 2-0 inside War Games. Tiffany Stratton was out next, competing in her very first steel cage match, let alone War Games match. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez entered together. Cole noted that the Women’s World Champion is entering her first War Games match, but her partner has been in two.

An on screen graphic showed that Team Rhea had a total of 18 prior War Games appearances, whereas Team Liv only had 9. Graves said it should theoretically give Team Rhea an advantage. Nia Jax chose to begin the match for her team.

(1) RHEA RIPLEY & BIANCA BELAIR & NAOMI & IYO SKY & BAYLEY vs. LIV MORGAN & NIA JAX & CANDICE LeRAE & TIFFANY STRATTON & RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ    – Women’s War Games match

Nia Jax took Bayley down to begin the unofficial portion of the match. Cole quickly pointed out that Bayley’s team will gain an advantage after the first five minute interval. Bayley hit the ropes, throwing herself into Jax repeatedly to try to knock her down. Jax brushed her off and grabbed her by the throat. Bayley broke free. Jax tried to lift Bayley, but she slid down the back looking for a sunset bomb. Jax stomped on her face to break it up.

“Hey, we want some Bayley!” the crowd chanted. Bayley guillotined Nia over the middle rope, sending her tumbling to no woman’s land between the ring. The two traded elbows on the steel plate between the two rings. The crowd came to life for Bayley again as the two wrestlers spilled into the right cage, trading more blows. Jax looked for a Samoan Drop, but Bayley slid down her back. Jax tried to twist Bayley’s arm, but the latter climbed the northeast turnbuckles and leapt onto Nia, finally taking her down. Bayley removed the single arm sleeve she had buckled to her chest and used it to whip Jax repeatedly. Nia eventually caught the sleeve, using it to rip Bayley to the mat. She began returning the favor.

Jax tossed Bayley in between the rings as the clock ticked toward 60 seconds. Back in the left ring, Nia wiped Bayley out with a leaping body blow. She tossed Bayley into the cage wall, then hip-checked her against the steel. The crowd counted down the first addition to Team Ripley. Naomi emerged from the cage, wearing a party hat. Graves noted that it’s her birthday. Naomi retrieved a Kendo stick and a toilet seat from underneath the ring. She cracked the stick over Jax’ back repeatedly, then landed a bicycle kick to the back of the neck as the match approached 6:30. The crowd began chanting “happy birthday” to Naomi. She clapped along with them as she and Bayley worked together to keep Jax on the mat.

Graves noted that both Naomi and Bayley have gone for covers out of instinct, even though the match hadn’t officially begun. Jax managed to get a hold of Naomi’s Kendo stick and use it to drop both Bayley and Naomi as the clock ticked down again. The babyfaces fought back quickly, downing Jax in the corner and then placing the toilet seat over the Women’s Champions’ head. Naomi shoved her backside in Jax’ face. Naomi and Bayley hit a double back drop as the clock ran out again.

Tiffany Stratton tried to enter next, but Candice LeRae slid underneath her and rushed out of the cage. LeRae retrieved steel chairs and slid them to a waiting Nia Jax. She hit both Bayley and Noami in the back. LeRae entered the ring, carrying one more chair. Bayley and Naomi ducked chair shots and took the heels down. They sandwiched Jax in the northeast corner, chair across her abdomen. LeRae fought them both off and rescued Nia. She gave Bayley a Codebreaker, letting her on body fall onto the back of Naomi. Jax clapped for her.

LeRae and Jax tossed chairs to the right ring, building a bridge. Bayley and Naomi fought back, trying to utilize LeRae’s creation. Jax cut it off. She laid Bayley across the chair bridge and LeRae hit a Lionsault off the middle rope onto Bayley and the chairs. Seconds later, Bianca Belair exited the shark cage and rushed to the ring. She retrieved a trash can, a fire extinguisher, and a table, much to the crowd’s delight. Naomi helped her load it in. LeRae grabbed the other end and ran Naomi into the corner, crushing her against the edge of the table. Candice ascended the southeast corner, trying to cut off the fresh Belair. Bianca slid underneath her, into electric chair position. She dropped LeRae on the turnbuckle.

Belair and Naomi worked together to corner Jax. They mounted her from opposing sides of the apron for punches. Meanwhile, Bayley and LeRae fought back and forth in the right ring. Naomi dropkicked a chair into Jax’ face. The clock struck zero again and Tiffany Stratton was released. She immediately charged at Belair, wielding a trash can lid. Belair flipped over her, but Stratton spun around and cracked her in the face anyway. Bianca stumbled to the southwest corner. Stratton caught her with her signature hand-spring back elbow. She and Nia shared a quick high five. They taunted the crowd to a chorus of boos as the match approached 16:00.

Stratton pulled Naomi into a backslide, holding her into position for a devastating leg drop from Jax. Nia put Belair on her shoulders and Stratton came off the middle rope for a Samoan Drop/Blockbuster combo. “Nia Jax and her team are just having their way right now,” Graves concluded. Stratton dropped Bayley hard on her leg just then. She recovered quickly, managing to guillotine Stratton across the middle rope just before the clock ran out again. Iyo Sky was released. She began frantically searching underneath each end of the ring for weapons. She found a multi-colored trash can with a string attached to the top, allowing her to carry the can around her neck.

Iyo Sky began scaling the cage from the outside, trash can in tow. Candice LeRae climbed to meet her from the inside. She and Sky teetered on the top, LeRae managing to drag Sky into position for a Superplex. Iyo transitioned into a Sunset Flip Powerbomb, but LeRae didn’t fall. She climbed back up and ripped Candice to the mat, then followed up with a dropkick from the middle rope. Now safely in the ring, Sky flipped through a clothesline attempt from Tiffany. Stratton did the same back to her. Sky grabbed a steel chair and hit Stratton first, then LeRae. With the two heels downed in opposing corners of the right ring, Sky hit running knees to both women before being cut off by Nia Jax and a Kendo stick.

The camera cut back to the shark cages on either side of the entrance way. Raquel Rodriguez released and the life was immediately sucked from the crowd. She circled the ring, looking for weapons, eventually settling on a table. Rodriguez was quickly overwhelmed by Bayley and Belair when she entered the ring. Jax cleared the ring and helped Rodriguez to her feet. The power duo tossed Belair and Bayley into opposite sides of the steel cage. A “we want Mami” chant broke out. Jax and Rodriguez Powerbombed Belair and Bayley onto the backs of Naomi and Iyo.

Rhea Ripley was shown pacing impatiently inside her shark cage. The clock struck zero and she rushed to ringside, quickly pulling another table from underneath the ring. Raquel tried to stop her from bringing it in, but Rhea overpowered her. Naomi caught Jax and Rodriguez with a double Rear View off the middle rope. Ripley helped Bayley and Belair to their feet, directing traffic. She broke the toilet seat over Rodriguez’ back. Belair began whipping heels with her braid. The crack to LeRae’s back was deafening.

Jax dropped Naomi with a clothesline. Ripley flattened Jax with a pair of hard headbutts from the protective mask. Ripley was the only woman left standing. She smirked as the clock reached zero and Liv Morgan was released from her shark cage. Instead of heading to the ring, the WWE Women’s Champion left through the entrance. She returned a short while later, wielding a baseball bat. Fans chanted “Rhea’s gonna kill you” as she walked confidently to the ring, swinging her weapon.

Alicia Taylor announced the official beginning of the match at about 27:45. Ripley removed her protective mask, smiling at Morgan. She pulled the champion in quickly, looking for Riptide. Jax attacked her from behind. The heels swarmed, tying up Ripley’s limbs and leaving her chest and abdomen open for Morgan’s incoming attack. Morgan hit Ripley repeatedly with her bejeweled baseball bat. Morgan pulled out a pair of handcuffs. The other babyfaces returned from the right ring, breaking up the attempt. Belair tossed LeRae into the cage. Rodriguez gave Belair a big side slam. Naomi dropped Raquel with a facebuster. Morgan hit Naomi with a second-rope Codebreaker. Bayley gave Liv a Sunset Flip bomb into the corner. Jax gave Bayley a Samoan Drop and the match’s first cover. Bayley kicked at two.

Ms. Money in the Bank, Tiffany Stratton, began ascending the left wall of the cage. Iyo Sky was already climbing the right side. They perched on adjacent platforms. Sky retrieved her trash can, still atop the cage. She placed the can over her head and delivered a Moonsault to a group of wrestlers waiting below. Stratton dove onto the rest of the women from the other side. Everyone was down, spread evenly across the two rings.

Stratton was the first to stand. She began digging through a trash can in the corner, retrieving her Money in the Bank briefcase. Tiffany looked at both champions, down next to each other in the ring. Raquel stepped in, trying to talk sense into her. Sky used the distraction to spray both women with the fire extinguisher. In the chaos, Ripley managed to cuff Raquel to the ropes. In the northeast corner, Belair and LeRae struggled. Bianca dropped Candice right across the top turnbuckle. Jax immediately took Jax down and gave her a leg drop for a cover and two count, broken up by Sky.

Sky and Bayley came face to face for the first time. Cole noted their history, having just wrestled each other at WrestleMania XL. Jax took them both down before anything could happen. She laid out Belair across a propped table near the southeast corner and began climbing the turnbuckles. Naomi cut her off. Belair rolled off the table and worked with Naomi to Powerbomb Jax through the table. They covered Jax, but Morgan broke it up by cracking Naomi in the back with the baseball bat. Belair ripped the bat away from her and gave chase, wielding a steel chair. Raquel kicked the chair into Belair.

Morgan caught Bayley with Oblivion and went for a cover, but Ripley quickly broke it up. She tried for Riptide again, but Rodriguez pulled Morgan down using her one free arm. Liv hit Rhea with a Codebreaker right into a steel chair. She laid Ripley across a table and climbed to the top turnbuckle. Ripley leapt off the table and rose to meet her. The two jockeyed for position against the steel as the match approached 38:00. Ripley managed to hook Morgan up and deliver Riptide off the top, through the table. She covered her for a three count.

WINNERS: Team Ripley in 38:08

(LeClair’s Analysis: This one took a while to get going, but I thought they delivered a relatively compelling, WWE-style cage match. The crowd was heavily invested in nearly all the wrestlers, though it was hard not to laugh a little at the pure audible deflation when Rodriguez was released from the heel cage. The intrigue here was largely built around Ripley finally getting some in-match revenge on Liv Morgan, and the crowd popped big every time the two of them locked up. Smartly, WWE limited their interactions until the big finish, which worked as a satisfying conclusion. I thought the Stratton cash-in was well done, and it seemed to catch the crowd off guard. WWE did a good job sort of hiding the possibility that it could come, which made it feel a whole lot more natural and exciting. Ultimately, I think the novelty of these War Games matches has worn off to some extent and they are starting to repeat a number of key spots, but the live crowd is still very much enjoying the spectacle of it all.)

-A commercial promoting Elimination Chamber in Toronto aired, promoting John Cena’s final appearance in the city.

-Cole tossed to a video package for the United States Championship match for Premium Plus subscribers.

Shinsuke Nakamura entered first, to another new remix of his theme song. The entire arena was darkened, with a blood red moon displayed on the entrance screens. Nakamura walked to the ring in darkness, wearing a new warrior’s mask. LA Knight entered to a strong initial reaction. He held the U.S. title high above his head as he marched to the ring. He dropped the title while entering the ring, which Graves said was an omen. Knight posed on opposing turnbuckles with his title.

(2) LA KNIGHT (c) vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA – WWE United States Championship match

Shinsuke Nakamura circled LA Knight slowly as the match began. He threw a quick kick, which Knight easily dodged. Cole said that Nakamura is in Knight’s head and will need to use that to his advantage. The two wrestlers locked up, with Shinsuke working the champion into the southeast corner. He gave Knight a knee to the gut, then worked him to the opposing corner. Knight exploded back with a big clothesline. He mounted Shinsuke and punched him repeatedly.

“Let it all fly, Knight,” Graves challenged. Knight covered Nakamura for a quick one count. Shinsuke the corner, and Knight stomped a mud-hole in him. LA looked for a running knee, but Shinsuke rolled to the floor for a reprieve. Knight followed, playing in Nakamura’s hand. The challenger caught Knight with a punch to the stomach, then multiple slams off the barricade. Knight and Nakamura brawled around to the entrance side. Knight took control, slamming Nakamura’s head off the edge of the ring repeatedly.

Back in the ring, the champion Suplexed Nakamura onto the top rope, then gave him a big elbow off the middle rope to topple him back into the ring. Nakamura used Knight’s own momentum to send him careening violently into the ropes. Nakamura caught the champion with a hard back elbow and a spin kick for a cover and two count just before 4:00. Shinsuke hoisted LA onto the top turnbuckle and caught him with a running knee. Knight fell to the outside, clutching his ribs and checking his nose for blood. He slid back in the ring, but was immediately taken down with short kicks from the challenger.

Knight managed to by himself a breath with a guillotine onto the top rope. He followed up with a DDT for a cover and two count. Nakamura stood and went for a roundhouse kick, but Knight telegraphed it and hoisted Shinsuke into the air. He delivered a modified Burning Hammer for a cover and near fall. Nakamura, shaking off the cobwebs, stumbled to the corner. Knight hoisted him onto the turnbuckles. He charged at Shinsuke, but Nakamura slipped to the mat and hanged Knight out to dry. The two traded elbows atop the buckles. Shinsuke got the better of the exchange with a kick to the back, and then a flipping back drop off the top. Nakamura covered for a near fall at 7:30.

Nakamura called for the Kinshasa, but Knight ducked it and delivered a spin-out backdrop. He leapt to the middle rope, then the top, delivering his signature elbow drop. Knight called for a finish, sizing up Shinsuke for the B.F.T. Shinsuke fell to the apron, saving himself. Knight followed and the two struggled between the gap in the two rings. They traded Suplex attempts. Nakamura raked Knight’s eyes and gave him a reverse DDT on the steel plate divider.

“That’s got to be it!” Cole called as Knight rolled into the ring, dazed. Nakamura sized him up and delivered a Kinshasa for a cover and three count.

WINNER: Shinsuke Nakamura in 9:42 to win the WWE United States Championship

(LeClair’s Analysis: A decent match, about the caliber you’d expect between these two at this stage of their respective careers. The crowd was invested in both characters, but it felt like they had assumed, like I had, that Nakamura was just another stop-gap for LA Knight. Instead, there seems to be some real commitment to this refresh of the Nakamura character. Graves and Cole sold hard the idea that Knight never really got out of the blocks and was constantly overwhelmed by Nakamura’s presence. The crowd seemed quite surprised by the finish. I thought Knight was a solid enough U.S. Champion, and the right guy to take the title off of Logan Paul at the time, but his reign hasn’t been particularly memorable. WWE has struggled with the booking of the secondary titles as of late, especially this one. I’m curious to see what, if any improvements a Nakamura title reign could bring.)

-After a break, Bron Breakker was shown warming up backstage. Cole tossed to a video package for the Intercontinental title match.

Sheamus entered first to a decent reaction. Referee Eddie Orengo was shown, wearing the ref cam. Ludwig Kaiser was next out. Cole wondered if tonight could be the night that Kaiser wins his first singles title. Graves said that Kaiser is the dark horse, and very underrated. Bron Breakker was last out, marching confidently through the smoke in the aisle way with his Intercontinental title proudly displayed around his waist.

(3) BRON BREAKKER (c) vs. SHEAMUS vs. LUDWIG KAISER – Triple Threat WWE Intercontinental Championship match

Both Sheamus and Bron Breakker looked to Ludwig Kaiser as the bell rang. Sensing danger, Kaiser rolled to the outside. Breakker quickly turned his attention to Sheamus and the two began trading punches. Breakker quickly overpowered Sheamus and delivered an overhead belly-to-belly. Kaiser slid back in the ring, steel chair in hand. Breakker dropped him with a clothesline before he could use it. Sheamus grabbed the champion and gave him a backbreaker. Kaiser was quick to return, kicking Sheamus’ leg out from behind and then tying the champion up in the corner. Ludwig delivered a pinpoint dropkick to the knee of Bron.

Kaiser propped a steel chair in the corner and flashed a cocky grin toward the crowd. Unbeknownst to him, Breakker and Sheamus were lying in wait behind him. They whipped him to the opposing corner, then back toward the chair. Ludwig slid on his knees, just narrowly saving himself. Breakker turned on Sheamus immediately, dropping him with a clothesline. Sheamus rolled to the outside and Bron dropped the floor, sizing his challenger up for a running spear. Breakker got cut off by Ludwig, who delivered a sliding dropkick to the champion. Kaiser picked up where Bron left off, circling the ring and kicking Sheamus into the steel steps.

While Ludwig celebrated, Breakker came flying into view like a bullet, toppling Kaiser. He worked Sheamus against the announcers desk. A big “let’s go Sheamus” chant broke out. In response, Breakker threw Sheamus to the floor and began punching him repeatedly. “You think you can beat me?” he asked, tossing Sheamus back in the ring as the match crossed 5:00. Sheamus battled back with kicks out of the corner, but Bron quickly cut him off with a knee. He covered, but Sheamus immediately kicked out. Breakker completed some push ups, laughing. Sheamus clutched at his abdomen while Breakker talked trash. He hit the ropes, but Sheamus caught him with a big body slam. He covered, but Kaiser broke up the attempt at two.

Sheamus and Kaiser traded blows, spilling to the floor in front of Cole and Graves. Sheamus tried for a Powerbomb, but Kaiser slid free. Suddenly, Breakker leapt off the ring apron, dropping both his challengers over the announcers desk. Breakker dumped Sheamus over the barricade and into the crowd. He hoisted Kaiser high above his head in a military press, but Kaiser raked Bron’s eyes. He shoved the champion into the ring steps and collapsed against the barricade. Sheamus rose slowly like a horror villain directly behind him. He hooked Kaiser and delivered the ten beats. Breakker tried to intervene, but Sheamus have him the beats, too. He finished the sequence with a leaping clothesline to both opponents off the barricade.

The Celtic Warrior returned Kaiser to the ring as the match approached 9:00. Ludwig rolled out the opposite side and fled to the timekeeper’s area, where he retrieved the Shillelagh. Sheamus clotheslined him over the barricade. From the ring, Breakker challenged Sheamus to fight him. Sheamus met the champion in the center and the two came to blows. The challenger managed to hoist Breakker onto his shoulders and deliver the White Cross for a cover and near fall.

Breakker and Sheamus fought into the northeast corner. Sheamus shoved Bron away and set up shop on the top turnbuckle. Bron charged for a massive Frankensteiner. Sheamus rose slowly. Breakker charged him for a spear, but Sheamus ducked. Bron speared the propped steel chair. Sheamus immediately dropped him with a Brogue Kick. Sheamus hooked the leg, but Kaiser pulled the referee out of the ring at the last possible moment. Sheamus left the ring to attack Kaiser, but Ludwig cracked him with the Shillelagh. He heat Sheamus repeatedly with it, then rolled him into the ring. Kaiser went for a knockout blow, but Sheamus caught him with a bicycle knee. He fell into a cover for a very close near fall at 12:45.

“This is awesome!” rang out from the Rogers Arena as the camera pulled back with all three men down. Sheamus was first to stand, now covered in welts. He tried for a Brogue Kick, but his leg gave out. Kaiser gave him him a rolling driver, then a turning DDT. Breakker exploded into view again, spearing Kaiser right out of the ring. Sheamus used the ropes to steady himself while Breakker stood poised. Sheamus walked right into a spear for a cover and three count.

WINNER: Bron Breakker in 14:23 to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship

(LeClair’s Analysis: Really fun, hard-hitting affair from the opening bell. All three of these guys have shown some pretty impressive chemistry together. Sheamus and Kaiser’s rivalry served as the backbone here, while Breakker got to enjoy several “holy sh–” moments thanks to his explosive offense often developing just off screen. Michael Cole helped a great deal here, selling Breakker’s offense as brutal and surprising. Sheamus was, as always, effective in his role. Good win for Bron, and an impressive showing for Kaiser in a major Pay-Per-View match.)

-After a break, Cole talked up next week’s NXT Deadline event and the announcers thanked Black Sabbath for “War Pigs”, the show’s official theme. They tossed to a video package for the World title match.

Damian Priest was out first to a solid reaction. Cole said that some would argue that Priest has rose to Superstardom only after losing the World Championship. Graves agreed with the sentiment. Gunther entered next, gazing toward each side of the arena. Cole talked about a number of eye-popping statistics for Gunther, but said he appears to have lost confidence since losing to Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel. Graves said it bodes well for his challenger. Alicia Taylor delivered Championship introductions.

(4) GUNTHER (c) vs. DAMIAN PRIEST – World Heavyweight Championship match

Corey Graves said Gunther looks like a “fallible champion.” Cole said that he looks nervous. Damian Priest and Gunther locked up in the center, and the challenger easily took control with a number of arm drags, out-wrestling the champion in the opening seconds. Gunther worked his way to vertical base and tripped up Priest, but Damian rolled over into an arm lock. Gunther grabbed the ropes to break, then missed wildly with a right. Priest threw a spin kick, but Gunther ducked it and rolled to the outside for a break.

The World Heavyweight Champion sauntered around ringside, hands on hips. The crowd taunted him, but he ignored their jeers. He climbed the steps and returned to the ring, circling his challenger. Priest went to lock up, but Gunther collapsed into the corner, ensuring a break. Gunther kicked Priest in the gut, then worked him to the adjacent corner. He whipped Priest across the ring, but Damian exploded out with a hard shoulder. Priest seemed to have tweaked his arm. Gunther looked on from the floor, amused.

Back in the ring, the two wrestlers teased locking up again. Gunther tried to beg off, so Priest caught him with a pair of quick kicks. Gunther missed wildly with a chop, and Priest clapped his ears. Damian tried to face-plant Gunther, but his shoulder gave out. The referee went to check on Priest, but he pushed him away. Gunther tried to approach and was temporarily held back. He ignored the referee’s plea and kicked Priest in the injured shoulder. Priest rolled to the outside but the champion followed, giving no quarter. He whipped Priest, shoulder first into the barricade of the timekeeper’s area. Priest screamed in agony. Damian fired a right hand, connecting with Gunther’s chin and creating separation. Gunther shrugged it off and dragged Priest back to the ring as the match approached 5:45.

Gaining confidence quickly, Gunther taunted the crowd and kicked at Priest’s injured shoulder. Priest pounded the mat in frustration with his good arm. He punched at Gunther’s abdomen, bad arm tucked closely at his side. Gunther continued to target the injured arm, ripping Priest to the mat and locking the arm behind his back. Gunther shouldered Priest to the mat, then turned it to open up his chest for a hard drop. Damian collapsed to the mat. Gunther tied Priest’s arms behind his back and pulled them straight into the air. Priest used his legs to power up and out of the hold. He used his good arm to punch Gunther away, but the champion would not let go of the injured arm.

Priest peppered the champion with hard elbows, then finally, a leaping kick to break Gunther’s grasp. The champion caught Damian with a hard chop at the same time. Both men were down in the center as the match crossed 9:00. Priest was first to rise, pounding the mat again in frustration. He picked up with more hard elbows, then rapid-fire chops. He dropped the champion with a hard right hand, then an elbow into the corner. Priest connected with a leaping Flatliner for a cover and two count. Priest hit the ropes for a clothesline, but Gunther ducked it and grabbed the Sleeper. Sensing an escape, Gunther tried to transition into a Powerbomb, but Priest blocked it.

Damian pulled Gunther in for a Razor’s Edge, but the champion dropped to his knees. Priest rolled Gunther to the mat and transitioned into a Triangle Choke. Gunther struggled momentarily, but slipped his arm into the challenger’s grip to break the hold. Priest stayed in control, hoisting Gunther into Razor’s Edge position. Priest’s arm gave out, allowing Gunther to slide down the back. Gunther grabbed the Sleeper again, but Priest kept his hands between his opponent’s. Gunther transitioned into a Powerbomb for a stack cover and two count.

Cole reset the stage as the camera pulled back. Back in tight, Gunther ascended the northwest turnbuckles. Priest rose to meet him. Gunther tried to apply the Sleeper from his leveraged position, but Priest slipped out and managed to hit a top rope Hurricanrana. He followed up with a successful Razor’s Edge for a cover and near fall at 13:15. Cole noted that Priest’s injured shoulder prevents him from effectively hooking Gunther’s leg.

Reaching out, Priest called for South of Heaven. Gunther slipped free of his grip and tripped Damian into a modified Kimura. Priest managed to drag his body just enough to drape an arm over the bottom rope. Gunther was exasperated. Cole wondered if doubt was starting to creep in. The crowd opened up a loud dueling chant. Gunther dragged Priest to his feet and gave him a short-arm clothesline. He lifted him and delivered another. He tried for a third, but Priest countered with one of his own. Cole said both men were exhausted. The challenger hit a running clothesline for a cover and two count right at 17:00.

“Was that Priest’s last gasp?” Cole wondered. Graves thought maybe Priest has realized he’s outgunned with the shoulder injury. The challenger climbed the northwest turnbuckles, but the champion rose quickly to meet him. He hooked Priest on the very top, looking for a Superplex. Priest held firmly onto the buckle and shoved Gunther to the mat. At the same time, Priest slipped and crashed onto the floor. The referee ran to check on him. “It’s out, it’s out,” Priest told him. Graves said Damian’s shoulder is done for.

The referee returned to the ring to check on Gunther. Finn Balor leapt to ringside from the crowd and gave Priest a Coupe De Grace from the steel steps. Gunther rolled to the outside and dropped Balor with a big boot. He grabbed Priest and rolled him into the ring, immediately applying a full-wrap Sleeper. Priest passed out.

WINNER: Gunther in 19:19 to retain the World Heavyweight Championship

(LeClair’s Analysis: Solid match with a compelling mid-match story to drive the turning of the tides. Cole and Graves were very effective in setting the stage for a World Champion down on his luck and, perhaps even questioning his ability to beat Priest again. Damian’s dominance in the early going set this apart from a normal Gunther title defense. Once Priest hurt his shoulder, the momentum shifted and you could steadily see Gunther’s confidence grow. Gunther was great here, letting his body language and interaction with the crowd spell out his growing advantage as the match progressed. I do wish that we could have moved on entirely from Damian Priest’s conflict with the Judgment Day, but Balor’s involvement here suggests otherwise. Additionally, I’ve been critical of the growing number of pass out finishes in both companies as of late, and I wish there would be a moratorium on that for a while.)

-Cole and Graves promoted Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Monday’s Raw, then tossed to a video package for the main event, including Sunday Night Football-like wrestler introductions.

The warning siren sounded again as the double cages lowered into place over the rings. Flames shot from around ringside as Cole quickly went over the rules.

The new Bloodline entered first, led by Solo Sikoa. Bronson Reed brought up the rear with Jacob Fatu as Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa flanked their leader. Cole said they’re entering together by design, to show solidarity. He talked up their “undying loyalty” as Solo gave Tama Tonga a hug and sent him off to the ring to begin the match. Tonga climbed around the cage walls like a spider.

Sami Zayn was first to enter for the original Bloodline. Cole mentioned that he’s 2-0 in the match. Zayn played to the Canadian crowd and stared down his opponents in their shark cage. Graves said that the original Bloodline entering separately says something. Jimmy Uso entered next. Sami danced to his theme. CM Punk was third out He walked right up to the heel cage and shoved Bronson Reed in the face. Jimmy kicked at the cage playfully. “Punk is poking the bear!” Graves said, but wondered if he was making a mistake. Punk received a big reaction.

Roman Reigns entered next, surrounded by a sea of fans holding a finger to the sky. Fireworks shot from the rafteras as his music kicked in. He walked right in front of the opponent’s shark cage and put up his own finger. Cole said this is a must-win match for Reigns. Reigns slapped hands with Jimmy and Sami, then looked on reluctantly toward Punk. Punk stood stoically, hands clasped at his waist. They shared another look as they stepped in the cage. Punk let Roman enter first. The referees locked the cage door.

“Yeet!” the crowd chanted in anticipation. Jey Uso entered last, through the concourse, down the lower bowl and straight to the ring to begin the match for his team. Once inside the cages, Jey climbed up to the corner platform to lead the crowd in his signature taunt.

(5) THE NEW BLOODLINE (Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Jacob Fatu) & BRONSON REED vs. THE OG BLOODLINE (Roman Reigns & Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn) & CM PUNK – Men’s War Games match

Jey Uso and Tama Tonga were in opposite rings to being the unofficial portion of the match. Tonga invited Jey into the right ring from his perch on the top turnbuckle. Jey stepped cautiously between the rings and into Tonga’s stronghold. The two circled each other slowly. Cole talked up Tonga’s history, including the Guerillas of Destiny. Tama settled into a corner and then crawled toward his opponent. The crowd rotated through multiple chants for the babyfaces as Jey and Tama finally began to engage.

After leaping over a running clothesline attempt, Jey caught Tonga with a step-up kick. He then went for an Enziguri in the center, but Tonga ducked it and then dropped Jey with a clothesline. Tonga gator-rolled Jey and popped him up into a snap Suplex. Tonga stood over the fallen Uso and hit him with several right hands. Tonga slid to the apron and leapt over the ropes with a Senton to Jey. He gave Jey a quick headbutt, then a shot to the gut. Jey fired back with rights, but Tonga reversed an Irish whip into the corner. “Tonga knows he’s got backup coming,” Cole said as the clock displayed about 60 seconds until the first release.

Tonga slid around on the mat, circling his prey. He charged for a clothesline, but Jey ducked and gave him a step-up Enziguri. The crowd counted backwards from ten, and the heel shark cage opened. After a brief deliberation, Bronson Reed marched out and toward the ring. He threw a whole stack of chairs into the ring and stepped through the ropes. Jey Uso began throwing chairs at Reed, knocking him off balance. He tried one too many and Reed punched the chair down, then dropped Uso with a body blow. Graves touted Reed’s speed and agility. Bronson shouted orders, bringing Tonga into the left ring. He tossed Tama onto the downed Jey Uso, then delivered a Senton himself. Cole mentioned that Jey will get some backup in just over a minute.

Downed in the corner, Jey covered up as Tonga and Reed fired off right hands. A big “Jimmy Uso” chant broke out, perhaps foretelling the next entrant. Reed whipped Tonga into Uso as the clock reached zero again. Jimmy Uso was released. He ran straight to ringside and into the ring, wasting no time aiding his twin. Jimmy hit Reed with a series of chops, waiting for Jey to recover and join in with some of his own. Tonga quickly overwhelmed Jey in the corner. Jimmy caught both Reed and Tonga with uppercuts, then dropped both of them with a corkscrew Moonsault off the top rope. Jimmy pulled his ailing brother to his feet and the two stalked Bronson Reed as the match approached 10:00.

“There’s something special about watching the Usos work together,” Cole said. Graves called them automatic. Jimmy tossed Tama into the steel cage wall, then he and Jey hit mounted punches to both opponents from opposing corners. Once finished, they hit Bronson with a tandem uppercut. They drove Reed into the cage wall as the clock counted down again. Tonga Loa was poised to enter, but Solo Sikoa held him back. He made room for Jacob Fatu instead. Fatu entered the ring and walked straight into an attack from the Usos. He got taken down quickly, but kipped up and dropped Jey with a big clothesline. He worked Jimmy onto the apron between the cage wall and slammed his head against the steel.

After shouting out Solo, Fatu threw his body into Jimmy against the cage well, then delivered a standing Moonsault to Jey. Cole and Graves marveled at Fatu’s ability. Reed and Fatu lifted Jey up by the arms and Tama Tonga ran threw him, back-dropping Uso. Fatu put his own face against the cage, shouting, “I love you Solo!” The crowd counted down to another entrant. CM Punk tried to burst out of the cage, but Roman Reigns put his arm out to block his path. Punk looked on with contempt. Reigns didn’t even glance his way. Instead, he motioned toward Sami Zayn. Sami exited reluctantly and rushed to the ring.

Sami Zayn entered with a flurry, cornering Reed and punching him to the mat as the crowd sang. Zayn stepped on Reed in no man’s land, but then leapt into the waiting arms of Jacob Fatu. Jimmy kicked Fatu to save Zayn. The reformed duo shared their signature handshake to the major delight of the crowd. The Usos and Zayn worked over Reed in the corner while Cole and Graves continued to talk up the clear dissent forming between Reigns and Punk. After another ten second countdown from the crowd, Tonga Loa exited the shark cage to a chorus of boos. He lifted the ring apron and retrieved the match’s first table. Fatu helped him slide it in the ring, then asked for another.

Tanga Loa entered the cages just after 18:00. He joined his partner, Tama and the team dropped Jey Uso, then Sami Zayn. Bronson Reed sat Jey Uso in a chair and booted him to the mat. Fatu slammed Jimmy head first into the cage wall. Loa tossed Zayn haphazardly into the adjacent steel wall. Fatu caught Jey with his signature springboard Moonsault, then the members of the new Bloodline talked some trash to the in-ring camera.

The camera cut to the original Bloodline shark cage. CM Punk stood slumped in the corner as Roman Reigns psyched himself up to enter. Just as Reigns took a step forward, Punk blew past him. He marched to ringside and climbed the steps. Punk looked back at Reigns, then turned around and walked back down the steps. The crowd was uneasy. Punk reached under the ring and pulled out a red toolbox. He entered the ring and immediately hit Tonga Loa with it over and over and over. He launched Fatu into the corner, then tossed Loa at him. Punk hit the running knee into the corner on both wrestlers. He followed up with a bulldog on Fatu, driving his face right into the toolbox.

CM Punk popped to his feet, calling for the Go To Sleep. He had no idea that Fatu completely no sold the bulldog and had popped to his feet immediately. The crowd popped big. Fatu dropped Punk and the heels began to take over. They worked over Jey in the corner and dropped Sami in the center. The clock hit zero and Solo Sikoa was released. He took his time, first turning to Roman Reigns. “I’m about to show you what a tribal chief does,” he told Roman. In the ring, the new Bloodline stood at attention, fingers to the sky awaiting their leader. Punk attacked them from behind, but was quickly overcome.

Solo Sikoa shouted orders from ringside. He swung the cage door into the head of Jey Uso repeatedly. Solo retrieved a steel chain and entered the ring. He immediately gave Zayn a Spinning Solo. Tama and Tanga hit their inverted Magic Killer on Zayn and Jimmy. The new Bloodline stacked the Usos and Fatu gave them both a Moonsault. On the opposite side of the ring, Reed gave Zayn a Tsunami. Punk tried to fight back, but was swarmed immediately. Solo pulled out the chain he brought into the ring and used it to lock the cage door. He taunted Reigns as the latter looked on just before his shark cage was opened.

Roman Reigns stepped confidently onto the ramp way and sauntered toward ringside, looking on as the carnage continued in the ring. Reigns struggled with the door. He asked the referees for a key. Reigns shook at the walls of the cage, trying to find an easy way in. Sikoa and company taunted him mercilessly. Reigns began scaling the cage. Tama Tonga met him at the top quickly. Reigns pushed him away first, then Tonga Loa. Reed climbed, but Reigns slammed his head off the cage. Fatu tried to stop his descent, but Reigns kicked him away. Solo, the last line of defense, got caught by a right hand. Reigns hit a leaping cross body off the top onto all five members of the new Bloodline.

Cole declared the match officially underway just after the 29:00. Reigns thwarted the incoming onslaught with uppercuts. He climbed into the left ring and began helping his guys to their feet. He brushed Punk off. CM Punk stood on his own and got into Reigns’ face. The new Bloodline stood waiting in the right ring. Paul Heyman appeared at the wall of the cage, begging Punk and Reigns to work together. They reluctantly obliged, turning away from each other and toward their opponents. Alicia Taylor announced the actual start of the match, despite Cole having already done so a couple minutes prior.

The two teams met in no man’s land, trading punches and kicks as the brawl spread out across both rings. The Usos downed Tama and Tonga and hit stereo Uso Splashes from opposing corners. Punk and Reigns were both down in the right ring. Solo and Fatu took down the Usos and then went to work on Punk and Reigns. Solo missed Reigns with a Spike. Punk hoisted Fatu onto his shoulders. Reigns hit the ropes, trying to Spear Sikoa. Solo ducked. Reigns speared Punk instead. Reed re-entered the fray and gave Punk a Death Valley Driver. Fatu went for a Moonsault on Punk, but he slipped and hurt his knee. Reed took Punk out with a standing Senton. Reed checked on the ailing Fatu in the corner.

Sikoa directed traffic, grabbing one end of a table with Reed. Fatu limped to his feet, but got low blowed by Roman. Reigns caught Solo with a Spear out of nowhere. Reed Superkicked Reigns, then laid him out on the table. Reed began climbing the turnbuckles, then, the cage. Reed stood atop the platform, looking down at his prey. Reed went for the Tsunami, but Punk leapt in at the last moment and pulled Reigns to safety. Reed went crashing through the table.

Reigns was the first to stand, shocked by Punk’s helping hand. He offered to help Punk up, and Punk let him. Fatu toppled Reigns immediately. Solo gave Punk a Samoan Spike, then turned and delivered one to Reigns. He hooked Roman’s leg, but Jey Superkicked Solo to break it up. The Usos each hit Fatu with a Superkick, then the 1D. The crowd popped big for the move. Jey dragged a table into position while Jimmy climbed to the top rope. Jey laid Fatu out on the table. Tanga Loa intervened, but ate a spear from Jey. Tama Tonga tossed Jey into the cage wall. Sami Zayn gave Tonga a Blue Thunder Bomb.

Jimmy Uso stood up on the top turnbuckle, then began ascending the cage. He delivered an Uso splash through Jacob Fatu and the table. Everyone was down. Paul Heyman cracked his sinister smile from ringside. Sami Zayn helped Jimmy to his feet first, then Jey. The trio climbed into the right ring, dragging both Punk and Reigns up. Reigns used the corner to steady himself. Solo Sikoa stirred to his feet at the same time. He stumbled around, unaware of what surrounded him. Roman Reigns stepped to center. Reigns seemed to offer him a truce. Instead, Solo reared his thumb back for a spike. Jey kicked him in the face. Jimmy did, too. Solo stumbled into the corner. Roman gave a nod to Sami. Zayn delivered a Heluva Kick. Sikoa stumbled out of the corner in a daze. Punk gave him a GTS. Before Sikoa could fall, Reigns charged and buried him with a Spear. Roman covered Sikoa for a three count.

WINNERS: The OG Bloodline & CM Punk in 41:54

CM Punk leaned back against the ropes, looking on at Reigns. The Usos and Sami Zayn surrounded him and the four shared handshakes and hugs. Punk came out of the pile still staring at Reigns. After replays, The Usos and Sami Zayn stood between Reigns and Punk. Sami told Roman that they won with Punk at their side. Punk and Reigns stepped to center, staring each other down. Reigns offered his hand and Punk shook it. The Original Bloodline posed with fingers in the sky. Punk put his clasped hands to his cheek. The five men left the ring together, where Paul Heyman was waiting.

Heyman and Punk embraced. “When I need the favor, I’m going to come ask,” Punk told Paul. “It’s all yours,” Heyman said with gratitude. Reigns was last to leave the cage. He put a loving hand to Heyman’s face, then led his team back up the ramp. Jey and Sami stood on either said of a limping Jimmy. At the top of the stage, the original Bloodline turned back toward the ring and posed once more. Punk returned, sliding between Sami and Roman to hit his GTS pose again. The show faded to a recap video.

(LeClair’s Analysis: Despite a relatively small sample size, I’ve found that WWE’s best presentations of War Games matches come when there is a large, overarching story between two relatively cohesive teams. Examples like the women’s match earlier in the night, comprised of amalgamations of different feuds being sandwiched together for numbers, can work, but rarely prove as memorable or eventful as cohesive stories like the one we had in the main event. WWE has done an admirable job since Roman’s return in telling this iteration of the Bloodline story, and the late addition of CM Punk to the fold made logical sense because of Paul Heyman. It also effectively laid an Easter egg to remember down the road, solidified after the match tonight. Punk is owed a favor, and he will undoubtedly cash in at some point. The members of the OG Bloodline had some great moments, and the cache they’ve built over time as teammates, singles competitors, and opponents really allowed multiple moments in this match to hit big crescendos with the audience. Though this match won’t make waves the way the closing angle did at last year’s show, I do think the match itself was far more compelling in terms of story-telling and angle advancement.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: War Games has become a crowd favorite in recent years, and I do think the matches have more or less consistently delivered, even there is some repetitiveness at this point. This iteration of Survivor Series has managed to revitalize what felt like a dying event. Both War Games matches tonight were entertaining in their own right, though the men’s felt more consequential overall. The other three matches were all decent to very good, with the triple threat Intercontinental title match being the highlight. Like most WWE PLE’s these days, this was hardly groundbreaking or overwhelming, but managed to be a very entertaining 3 and half hour show.