WWE Survivor Series: WarGames PPV Review

November 26, 2022
Location: Boston, Massachusetts (TD Garden)
Attendance: 15,609

Champions Heading In

• WWE Champion: Roman Reigns [Day 237]
• Universal Champion: Roman Reigns [Day 818]
• United States Champion: Seth Rollins [Day 47]
• Raw Tag Team Champions: The Usos [Day 190]
• Smackdown Tag Team Champions: The Usos [Day 496]

Welcome to SmarkDown’s review of WWE’s first ever Survivor Series WarGames event! The Bloodline take on Sheamus and co. while on the women’s side Bianca and co. look to finally take down Damage CTRL for good!

Bianca Belair, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, Mia Yim, & Becky Lynch vs Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, & Iyo Sky,) Nikki Cross, & Rhea Ripley | WarGames Match

Becky Lynch def. Dakota Kai via Pinfall at 39:35

This isn’t the classic I’m sure everyone wanted from some of the best women’s wrestlers in the world, but I thoroughly enjoyed this opening contest and I think it was a fitting close to such a chaotic feud that I feel has sort of reignited the division after a bit of a gray period. We have some nice spots which got my attention. I feel the only problem that really effects this match is the pace and also the rather not so hard hitting action throughout. This had great wrestling, but rarely did I feel the hardcore feeling you usually get from this stipulation. ***

Finn Balor vs AJ Styles | Singles Match

AJ Styles def. Finn Balor via Pinfall at 18:23

I’m very disappointed that WWE put this match fresh off WarGames because this really needed a crowd to give it some light. Instead we got some decent action that felt entirely too long. This really could’ve been a classic, but who am I to want a good match from top tier wrestlers? **1/4

Ronda Rousey(c) vs Shotzi Blackheart | Smackdown Women’s Championship Match

Ronda Rousey def. Shotzi via Submission at 7:13

This was a terrible match. No substance, awkward exchanges, and a terribly done finish. Shotzi did not sell that armbar at all and it was EMBARASSING to see that. I keep wanting to get behind her as a performer, but she proves me wrong every single time. And Ronda? Well she was Ronda. Boring, samey, and annoying. What a piss poor match we have here. DUD

Seth Rollins(c) vs Bobby Lashley vs Austin Theory | United States Championship Match

Austin Theory def. Seth Rollins via Pinfall at 14:48

I’m shocked that Theory got the win here and cut Rollins’ title reign off early. The match itself took a little bit to get going, but ended up being very good with a fun and exciting closing stretch. Love the innovation done throughout this contest. Uniornically match of the night so far. ***1/4

The Bloodline vs The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Butch, & Ridge Holland,) Drew McIntyre, & Kevin Owens | WarGames Match

Jey Uso def. Kevin Owens via Pinfall at 38:32

I do think the story told here is very well done with Sami needing to prove that he is an asset to The Bloodline, especially to Jey who embraced Sami wholeheartedly. The action itself is just alright. Nothing groundbreaking, but it isn’t like I didn’t enjoy the match. I just feel more could’ve been done to spice it up action wise. But then again this is all about the story of Sami Zayn and his loyalty to The Bloodline. So good way to end the show. ***

Overall Thoughts: I feel like I had my expectations for this show way too high, or maybe I just didn’t get what I was supposed to get. The potential for a classic show was there with two WarGames matches, a dream match revisted, a cool triple threat, and a potential emotional story. But instead we got two “good” WarGames matches, a very average “dream match”, a horrible “tribute”, and very good triple threat match, not too disappointed there…a potential show of shows is just ok. sigh… 5/10