By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Survivor Series WarGames
Boston, Massachusetts at TD Garden
Aired live November 26, 2022 on Peacock, WWE Network, and pay-per-view
There were no Kickoff Show matches. The Kickoff show closed with the announcement that the women’s WarGames match would open the main show…
The main show opened with a video set to Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” with recent footage of Ozzy Osbourne sitting on a throne and lip synching his legendary lyrics while additional clips aired of WWE wrestlers. Osbourne closed things out by welcoming viewers to WarGames…
Pyro shot off on the stage, which had two shark cages on it for the WarGames matches. Michael Cole welcomed viewers to Survivor Series for the 36th time and said it was the first time that WarGames was featured on the event. Cole said there were 15,109 in attendance.
Corey Graves checked in with Cole at ringside and the duo spoke briefly about WarGames. Cole said Dusty Rhodes created the match back in 1987 for Jim Crockett Promotions. He listed the wrestlers in the original match and then a graphic listed the rules for the modern day version of the WarGames match…
Becky Lynch made her entrance while ring announcer Samantha Irvin handled the introductions for the opening match. Alexa Bliss, Asuka, and “Michin” Mia Yim made their entrances and joined Lynch inside one of the shark cages. Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair made her entrance and headed to the ring as the first entrant for her team. Cole said Belair is the only member of her team with WarGames experience.
Rhea Ripley made her entrance and waved at the babfaces inside their shark cage and then entered the heel shark cage. Nikki Cross followed and climbed on top of the heel shark cage while Ripley did pull-ups. “Damage CTRL” Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Iyo Sky came out together. Graves said Kai and Sky have the most experience in WarGames. Kai headed to the ring to start the match for her team while Cole noted that it was her fourth WarGames match…
1. Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, and Mia Yim vs. Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Nikki Cross, and Rhea Ripley in a WarGames match. Cole noted that the first two entrants would fight for five minutes until the next entrant arrived. Belair and Kai started the match for their teams. There was a cameraman inside the cage between the two rings. There was a countdown clock graphic that counted down the five minutes.
Kai hit a running boot to the face of Belair, who was seated on the apron a couple minutes into the match. Belair came back with a vertical suplex and then kipped up. Kai performed a nice overhead kick. Belair got Kai in powerbomb position and then dropped her face first before kipping up again. Belair ran Kai into the cage, then hoisted her up and powerbombed her into the side of the cage.
Iyo Sky was the second entrant for the heel team. The clock reset for three minutes until the next entrant would arrive. Sky performed a head-scissors takedown on Belair, who stood up between the two rings with Kai and Sky looking at her from different rings. Sky speared Belair through the ropes. Cole emphasized that the match hadn’t officially started, so there was no reason for anyone to go for pins or submissions. Sky performed a nice springboard dropkick on Belair, who was then thrown into the cage by both opponents.
Asuka was the second entrant for the babyface team. Asuka traded strikes with Sky. Asuka got the better of Sky and went to the ropes, but Kai climbed up the other side. Belair arrived and pressed Kai over her head before running her into the cage. Asuka followed up with a missile dropkick on Sky. Belair and Asuka took a moment to play to the crowd.
Nikki Cross was the third entrant for the heel team. Cross pulled several kendo sticks and garbage can lids from under the ring and tossed them inside the cage. Asuka came over to confront her, but Cross slammed the cage door on her head. The crowd chanted for tables and booed when Cross didn’t oblige. Cross beat Belair with a trashcan lid and then used a kendo stick to wrench her neck.
Alexa Bliss was the third entrant for the babyface team. Bliss ducked a clothesline and dropkicked Kai. Bliss performed a series of strikes on Cross. Asuka bulldogged Sky onto a trashcan lid. Kai and Sky used kendo sticks as weapons and then Asuka and Bliss returned the favor. Meanwhile, Cross climbed to the top of the cage. Cross sat on the edge of the cage and smiled. Cross eventually stood up and laughed before performing a crossbody block on a group of teammates and opponents in the ring. Cross sat up and laughed.
Bayley was the fourth entrant for the heel team. The crowd booed as Bayley walked to the ring, then cheered when she pulled a ladder out from underneath the ring. Kai helped Bayley by pulling the ladder inside the cage. The crowd chanted for tables. Bayley was cheered again when she pulled a table out from under the ring and slid it inside the cage.
Bayley entered the ring and performed a sunset bomb that sent Belair into a corner of one of the rings. Cross and Kai set up a table over the ropes between the two rings and then Bayley helped them slide it into Belair. Sky performed an assisted moonsault onto Bliss, who held her knee afterward. Kai followed up with an assisted double stomp on Bliss.
Mia Yim was the fourth entrant for the babyface team. Cole called her Mia Yim and Michin. Yim threw more weapons inside the cage before entering. Kai leapt from the ropes and Yim threw a trashcan at her. Yim cleaned house on the heels while her teammates recovered.
Yim dove through the ropes of two rings to spear Bayley. Belair recovered and started to set up a table until Bayley hit her from behind. All eight wrestlers paired off and fought on the ropes in various parts of the two rings. The countdown clock was removed from the screen. The babyfaces performed moves from the ropes and then the clock reappeared.
Rhea Ripley was the fifth and final entrant for the heel team. Ripley rushed to the ring and took shots at all four opponents. Bliss went to the ropes, but Ripley spotted her and hit her with a forearm. Ripley performed a German suplex on Belair, then suplexed Bliss. The countdown clock disappeared again. Ripley was put down in the corner with a trashcan in front of her when Yim performed a cannonball into the trashcan. Yim went for another double suicide dive, but the heels cut her off.
Becky Lynch was the fifth and final entrant for the babyface team. “And now, let the WarGames begin,” Samantha Irvin stated over the house mic. Lynch put a trashcan over Sky and then hit her with a leg drop. Lynch turned her attention to Bayley and they traded punches. Lynch got the better of it and then put the boots to Bayley.
Ripley approached Lynch and jawed at her. Ripley blocked two punches and then headbutted Lynch. Ripley set up for her finisher, but Lynch slipped away and threw punches at Bayley. Ripley grabbed Lynch and hit her with her Riptide finisher and had her pinned, but Asuka broke it up. Asuka sprayed mist into Ripley’s face.
Bayley performed a Rose Plant onto the steel plates that cover the opening between the two rings. Sky ran up the ropes. A bunch of women followed and then Belair set up for a tower of doom spot, but Cross hit her with a kendo stick. The other wrestlers were pulled down while Sky climbed to the top of the cage. Sky performed a moonsault from the top of the cage onto Belair and Yim, which drew a “holy shit” chant.
Cross ended up with handcuffs, which Graves said are legal in WarGames. Cross put one of the cuffs on Bliss while the broadcast team recalled their one-time friendship. Cross wanted to handcuff Bliss to the cage, but Bliss ended up with the other cuff and attached it to Cross’s arm. Bliss got Cross in electric chair position and then fell backward, causing both women to land on a trashcan.
Ripley caught Asuka as she was going for a move and then threw her into the cage. Ripley went for her finisher on Yim, who countered into a sleeper. Ripley fell back to drive Yim through a ladder that broke in half. Lynch and Belair squared off with the three Damage CTRL members and they all threw punches. Belair slammed Bayley onto a trashcan and then hoisted up Kai for her finisher. Kai landed on her feet, but Lynch was there to hit her with a Manhandle Slam. Belair performed a KOD on Sky.
Lynch and Belair placed a table near the corner of the ring. Belair placed Kai and Sky on the table while Lynch climbed the cage. Bayley tried to follow Lynch, but Belair stopped her and drover her into the cage with a KOD. Lynch performed a leg drop style fall from the top of the cage that put Kai and Sky through the table. Lynch covered Kai and got the three count…
Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, and Mia Yim defeated Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Nikki Cross, and Rhea Ripley in 39:40 in a WarGames match.
Powell’s POV: A fun WWE style WarGames match (yes, NXT counts as WWE). I could do without all of the weapons, but I wasn’t surprised to see them used after watching NXT WarGames matches. I was actually hoping that the finish would be a showcase for Ripley, but I’m not surprised they went the other way for Lynch’s return. Everyone involved worked hard and took part in some big spots, and hopefully they all avoided injuries.
Boston Imagery was shown and then footage aired from Smackdown of Jey Uso eavesdropping on the conversation between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, which Zayn lied about when he was asked if he spoke to anyone. They also showed the closing footage of the WarGames advantage match from Smackdown…
Roman Reigns was shown seated backstage while Paul Heyman sat behind him. Jey Uso entered the room and sat down next to Reigns. Jey said he knew since day one that Sami Zayn couldn’t be trusted. Jey told Reigns about Zayn lying to him. Jey said the only reason he didn’t go after Zayn was because Reigns didn’t give him the order. Jey asked what they were doing to do.
Reigns laughed at Jey asking what “we” would do. Reigns said he gives the orders. Reigns said he would look Zayn in the eye and would know where his loyalties lie. Reigns told Jey to focus. Reigns and Jey bumped fists and then Jey left the room. Reigns told Heyman to get him Zayn. Heyman picked up his phone to call Zayn…
The broadcast team set up a sponsored video game trailer… A video package set up the AJ Styles vs. Finn Balor match… Entrances for the match took place. Cole ran through the Bullet Club history and said the match was really about who is the best leader…
2. Finn Balor (w/Dominik Mysterio, Damian Priest) vs. AJ Styles (w/Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson). Cole said it was only the second time that Balor and Styles have met in a WWE match. Styles went for an early sunset flip that Balor rolled through before dropkicking Styles. Balor applied an abdominal stretch twice. Styles fought free the second time and used a hip toss. Styles hit Balor with a sliding forearm and then played to the crowd.
Styles hoisted up Balor and slammed him on his knee before covering him for a two count. Styles set up for the Styles Clash, but Balor slipped away. Balor threw knees to the head of Styles, who then gave Balor a dragon screw leg whip through the ropes. Priest climbed onto the apron and distracted the referee while Dom tripped up Styles to prevent him from hitting his Phenomenal Forearm finisher. Gallows and Anderson surrounded Dom. Gallows hit Dom with an uppercut. Priest ran over and got involved and the extras brawled on the floor and then into the crowd and then out of the arena area.
In the ring, Balor put Styles down with a sling blade clothesline. Balor played to the crowd and got the desired heat. Balor set up for a move, but Styles cut him off with a kick to the head and then suplexed him into the corner. Styles covered Balor for a two count. Cole noted that Balor was having left knee issues due to Styles targeting the knee. Balor then hit a standing double stomp and came up clutching the bad knee. Balor put the boots to Styles, who called for more. Styles rallied, but Balor cut him off again and then they cut to a closeup of Balor’s scraped up back.
Balor set up Styles for his own Styles Clash move, but Styles escaped. Styles went for a Calf Crusher, but Balor escaped. Styles hit a Pele Kick. Balor came right back with an overhead kick. Both men stayed down on the mat for a moment. Once they got up, Balor stuffed a Styles move and then hit him with a gutbuster and covered him for a near fall. Balor hoisted up Styles and slammed him onto his knee. Balor picked up Styles and went for a move, but Styles flipped onto his feet. Styles did a backflip off the middle rope into an inverted DDT for a near fall of his own.
Styles went up top and rolled through after Balor avoided a 450 splash. Balor caught Styles with a kick. Balor went for his Coup De Grace finisher. Styles rolled out of the way and Balor sold his bad knee. Styles put Balor in the Calf Crusher. Balor teased tapping out. Styles leaned into the hold, but Balor reached back, grabbed Styles’ head, and slammed it into the mat several times to break the hold. Balor sold the bad knee.
Both wrestlers stood up and then Balor worked over Styles with punches. Styles regrouped and they traded punches and chops in the middle of the ring. Styles caught Balor with a step-up enzuigiri. Styles went for a move, but Balor shot him over the top rope. Styles threw punches at Balor from the apron and then hit him with a Phenomenal Forearm and pinned him.
AJ Styles defeated Finn Balor in 18:25.
After the match, Styles celebrated and then looked down at Balor, who was seated in a corner of the ring. Styles jawed at Balor…
Powell’s POV: A good match that suffered from a lack of purpose. Sure, the two factions have been feuding, but this just felt like another match in the rivalry rather than a situation where the outcome truly mattered. Again, though, good work from both wrestlers.
A Royal Rumble ad aired for the January 28 stadium show… Among the various ads that aired was an Ozzy Osbourne ad that included Osbourne addressing the “WWE Universe” as part of a plug for his new album… A video package set up the Smackdown Women’s Championship match…
3. Ronda Rousey (w/Shayna Baszler) vs. Shotzi for the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Cole noted that Shotzi dedicated the match to her father, who died earlier this year. Samantha Irvin delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Rousey ducked a step-up enzuigiri and applied an ankle lock during the opening minute. Shotzi rolled out of the hold and sent Rousey into the corner. Shotzi performed a cannonball move in the corner.
Rousey went to ringside. Shotzi went for a suicide dive, but Baszler shoved Rousey out of the way and took the suicide dive for her. Shotzi stood up and ran Rousey into the ring steps before returning to the ring. Shotzi spotted Baszler on the apron and kicked her off. Rousey went after Shotzi from behind, but Shotzi saw her coming. Shotzi went for a top rope crossbody block, but Rousey caught her in mid-air and slammed her to the mat. It didn’t look good live, but it actually looked better on slow-motion replay.
Rousey started toying with Shotzi and then put her in an ankle lock. Shotzi stood up and hit a leaping enzuigiri to break the hold. Rousey rolled Shotzi into a submission hold. Graves said Rousey needed to be careful because champions get caught when they spend too much time playing with a challenger. Shotzi escaped the hold and was mauled by Rousey, who put her in a submission hold over the ropes and then released the hold before the referee’s five count.
Shotzi caught Rousey with a punch. The broadcast team made a big fuss over it, but the live crowd didn’t bite. Shotzi went for a DDT on the apron, but Rousey appeared to take the move poorly. Baszler got involved at ringside, but Shotzi took her out. Shotzi dumped Rousey and then Baszler over the barricade. Shotzi climbed onto the barricade and dove onto Rousey and Baszler, and they all tumbled onto a few men who were seated in the front row and their chairs fell over.
Shotzi tossed Rousey over the barricade and got her back inside the ring to beat the referee’s ten count. Shotzi went to the ropes, but Rousey joined her and performed a judo toss. Rousey covered Shotzi for a two count. Rousey powered up Shotzi on her shoulders and then performed Piper’s Pit. Rousey applied an armbar and got the immediate submission….
Ronda Rousey defeated Shotzi in 7:15 to retain the Smackdown Women’s Championship.
Powell’s POV: A clunky match at times. At least it didn’t overstay its welcome. There was no reason to view Shotzi as a threat to win the match and the live crowd clearly did not. I can’t help but feel that WWE would be better off using Rousey as a special attraction rather than having her work as frequently as she does.
Roman Reigns was shown seated in his locker room with Paul Heyman behind him when Sami Zayn entered the room. Reigns was all smiles and asked Zayn how he was doing. Zayn said he was doing great and said that it was a big night for The Bloodline. Reigns asked Zayn if he was talking with Kevin Owens. Zayn admitted that he had.
Reigns asked Zayn why he lied to Jey Uso. Zayn said he withheld information. He said he lied to Jey because he had a huge match and he didn’t want to put that on his plate beforehand. Zayn noted that Jey doesn’t trust him as it is. Zayn said the truth his that Owens spoke to him, and he merely listened.
Reigns asked Zayn what Owens said. Zayn recalled Owens saying that Zayn should turn on The Bloodline before The Bloodline turns on him. Reigns said he knew that Zayn was his friend, but he needs to understand that The Bloodline is his blood. Reigns told Zayn he needed him to look him in the eyes so that he knew whether he was with them or whether he would stab them in the back.
Zayn said he is with Reigns. Zayn said there are only five people in the world who are allowed to enter Roman’s dressing room and being one of them means the world to him. Zayn said he won’t let Reigns down on this night or any night. “I am with The Bloodline,” Zayn said twice while looking Reigns in the eye. Reigns glared at Zayn and there was a long pause before Reigns stood up.
Reigns told Zayn to get up. Zayn stood and Reigns glared at him, then smiled and said, “Let’s do it.” Reigns opened his arms and hugged Zayn, who thanked him. Reigns was facing the camera during the hug and was stone faced while Zayn thanked him again…
Powell’s POV: An outstanding segment. Zayn swore his allegiance to The Bloodline. Reigns made Zayn think that he believed him, but Roman’s stone face during the hug left things open. In fact, that segment was so good that it’s actually a shame that it didn’t play out on the go-home show because they may have sold a few Peacock subs.
Additional Boston imagery was shown and then Cole questioned whether Reigns believed Zayn. Cole also plugged the Survivor Series press conference that would be held after the event… Entrances for the U.S. Title match took place with ring announcer Mike Rome introducing each wrestler as they walked to the ring…
4. Seth Rollins vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Austin Theory in a Triple Threat for the U.S. Championship. The crowd chanted Rollins’ entrance theme as the match started. Lashley and Rollins both took shots at Theory to start, and then went at one another once Theory was at ringside. A short time later, Lashley performed a DDT/Flatliner combo on both opponents. Lashley hoisted up Theory and ran him into Rollins.
Lashley picked up Rollins and slammed him to the mat before covering him, but Theory pulled the referee out of the ring to break up the count. Cole recalled Lashley doing the same thing to Theory when he tried to cash in the Money in the Bank contract. Lashley went after Theory at ringside. Eventually, Rollins performed a flying knee off the apron that hit Lashley. Rollins ran Lashley into the ring steps. Theory cut off Rollins and then ran the top half of the ring steps into Lashley, then hit Rollins with the steps, then turned around and hit Lashley with them again.
In the ring, Rollins went for a Stomp, but Lashley returned and broke it up. Lashley performed a spinebuster and then put Rollins in the Hurt Lock. Theory hopped onto the back of Lashley and put him in a sleeper, causing Lashley to break the Hurt Lock. Lashley dumped Theory over the top rope. Rollins put Lashley down with a Pedigree and covered him for a near fall. A “let’s go Rollins” chant broke out.
Rollins went for a Phoenix Splash on Lashley, who moved. Rollins landed on his feet and was tossed to ringside by Theory. Lashley put Theory in the Hurt Lock. Theory used his feet to press off the turnbuckle and had Lashley pinned, but Rollins performed a top rope splash onto them to break up the pin. Great sequence. Moments later, Theory set up for a Pedigree, which Rollins avoided. Lashley caught both men in a simultaneous Hurt Lock, which they escaped.
Rollins ended up with both men down on all fours and looked like he was debating who to take out. Rollins leapt off the back of Theory into a Stomp on Lashley. Cool spot. Theory went after Rollins, who ended up superplexing him and then set up for his falcon arrow, but Lashley speared Rollins. Theory covered Rollins and got the three count…
Austin Theory defeated Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley in a Triple Threat in 14:50 to win the U.S. Championship.
Powell’s POV: An excellent Triple Threat. I’m not big on playing hot potato with title belts, but having Theory take the title from Rollins shortly after Rollins won the title made this a truly surprising outcome. This all played out so much better than if the old version of Theory had successfully cashed in the Money in the Bank contract. The new and improved Theory is great and the title helps him more than it helps the firmly established Rollins or Lashley.
Cole and Graves hyped the Royal Rumble event for January 28 as the beginning of the road to WrestleMania. They also thanked Ozzy Osbourne and all of Black Sabbath for supplying the WarGames theme…
The WarGames cage lowered around the two rings and then they cut backstage. Jey Uso asked Roman Reigns if Sami Zayn lied to him. Reigns said he saw everything he needed to see…
Samantha Irvin delivered the introductions for the WarGames match. Kevin Owens came out first wearing a Dusty Rhodes t-shirt. Drew McIntyre made his entrance, and then The Brawling Brutes came out together. Butch headed to the ring while Cole said he loved him starting because it’s his fourth WarGames match.
The Bloodline made their entrance as a group and were accompanied by Paul Heyman. Solo Sikoa stood in front of the babyface shark cage with his arms crossed and stared at the four men inside. Jey Uso headed to the ring to start the match for his team…
5. “The Bloodline” Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn (w/Paul Heyman) vs. Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Kevin Owens, Butch, and Ridge Holland in a WarGames match. Heyman remained on the stage and stood behind his team’s shark cage. Jey Uso and Butch started the match for their teams. Butch targeted Jey’s taped fingers. Cole recalled there being concern that Jey broke his wrist at one point and said that turned out to not be the case. Jey came back for a stretch, but Butch ended up placing his hand on the steel cover between the rings and then stomped Jey’s arm. Butch went for a Kimura, but Jey slammed him to the mat.
Ridge Holland was the second entrant for the babyface team. Butch slammed Jey to the mat and nearly stumbled. Graves said Holland wouldn’t score style points, but whatever he does would hurt. Butch recovered and joined Holland in double teaming Jey. Butch continued to target Jey’s bad hand. The clock expired and Jimmy was about to rush to the ring, but Reigns stopped him and motioned for Zayn to go to the ring instead.
Sami Zayn was the second entrant for the heel team. A “Sami Uso” chant broke out as Zayn tentatively approached the cage. Both babyfaces were waiting for Zayn, but Jey recovered and hit them both before Zayn entered the cage. Jey and Zayn spoke for a moment, allowing the babyfaces to recover. Butch performed a moonsault and then Holland slammed them to the mat. Holland went for a running splash on Jey, who was against the cage, but Zayn pulled Jey out of the way and then Holland crashed into the cage. Jey ran Butch into the cage.
Drew McIntyre was the third entrant for the babyface team. McIntyre entered the cage with both of his teammates down. McIntyre ran Jey into the cage. Zayn dove from the ropes, but McIntyre caught him and suplexed him. McIntyre followed up with another belly to belly toss of Zayn, then performed a spinebuster on Jey. “I’m feeling pretty Ucey right now,” McIntyre said. Zayn stuffed McIntyre’s attempt to superplex Jey. Holland ran Zayn into the cage. Jey fought off Holland and Butch while standing on the ropes, but McIntyre sat up and tossed Jey. McIntyre put Zayn down with a Future Shock DDT.
Jimmy Uso was the third entrant for the heel team. Jimmy pulled three tables out from underneath the ring and slide them inside the cage. Zayn went to set up one of the tables, but Jey shoved him away and said he had it. Jey shoved Zayn, who shoved him back while Jimmy tried to play peacemaker. They cut to a shot of a frustrated Reigns. The Usos ran McIntyre into the cage while Zayn brought one of the tables over to the other ring. Jimmy helped Zayn lean the table in a corner of the ring. Zayn and Jimmy set up to put McIntyre through the table, but he hit them both with Glasgow Kisses.
Kevin Owens was the fourth entrant for the babyface team. Owens pulled a few chairs out from under the ring. Owens tossed two chairs inside the cage and carried a third, which he used as a weapon. Owens performed a cannonball on Jey in a corner of the ring and then followed up with a top rope Swanton Bomb. Owens threw a chair both Usos. Zayn and Owens looked at one another, but Holland grabbed Zayn from behind and worked him over. One of the Usos hit Owens with a chair. Butch hit Jey with a chair and then stomped his hand onto a chair. Jimmy took out Butch with a punch. Owens came back and put Jimmy through a table.
Solo Sikoa was the fourth member of the heel team. Sikoa slapped his face and let out a primal scream as he walked toward the cage. Sikoa entered the cage and got the better of Holland and then turned Butch inside out with a clothesline. Sikoa ran Butch into the cage. Sikoa followed up with a Samoan Drop on Holland. Sikoa played to the crowd and oddly didn’t get much of a reaction.
Sikoa and Owens met in between the two rings and traded punches. Sikoa headbutted Owens, who then ran him into the cage. Sikoa no-sold it. Owens superkicked Sikoa, who didn’t go down. Owens tried again, but Sikoa remained on his feet. Owens went for a powerbomb, but Sikoa backdropped him. McIntyre motioned for Sikoa to bring it. Sikoa put McIntyre down in a corner of the ring and charged, but McIntyre got up and headbutted him. All of the wrestlers were down in the cage as the clock counted down.
Sheamus was the fifth and final entrant for the babyface team. Sheamus stopped and glared at Reigns before heading to the ringside area. Zayn held the cage door closed. Sheamus eventually opened it and slammed it on Zayn. Sheamus entered the ring and worked over both Usos with clotheslines and then hit an Irish Curse on Jey. Sheamus slammed Zayn to the mat. Sheamus went to the ropes and then clotheslined both Usos. Sheamus hoisted up Sikoa and then climbed to the middle rope and performed White Noise.
Roman Reigns was the fifth and final entrant for the heel team. Cole noted that Reigns had been a champion for 818 days. At 28:00, Samantha Irvin delivered the line, “And now, let the WarGames begin.” The two teams stood in opposite rings and looked at one another. The babyfaces entered the heel ring and they all traded punches. Reigns put Sheamus down with a Superman Punch. Reigns let out the war cry in the corner and went for a spear, but Sheamus kicked him.
Sheamus tossed Reigns over the ropes. The other Bloodline members tried to save Reigns from Ten Beats, but the other babyfaces intervened and they all hit the Ten Beats on The Bloodline members. Reigns and Sheamus ended up alone in one ring. Sheamus hit Reigns with a knee strike. Sheamus played to the crowd and set up for his finisher and hit the Brogue Kick on Sikoa, who apparently took one for Reigns (the production truck missed it).
Reigns speared Shemaus and had him pinned, but Butch dove to break up the pin. Zayn attacked Butch and asked him if he knew who Reigns was. “That is the Tribal Chief,” Zayn said. Jey tried to superkick Butch, who ducked, causing Jey to take out Zayn. Graves said it was friendly fire. An “asshole” chant broke out.
The Usos hit 1D on Butch and had him beat, but Holland broke up the pin. The Usos double superkicked Holland and then Reigns speared Holland through the table set up in the corner of the ring. They replayed footage of Sikoa saving Reigns from the Brogue Kick. Sikoa superkicked McIntyre.
Owens put Sikoa down with a Stunner and went for the pin, but Reigns broke it up. Reigns and Owens barked at one another. Owens said he’s not done with Reigns by a long shot and then slapped him. They traded punches. Reigns dodged a Stunner and then dropped Owens with a Superman Punch.
Reigns let out the war cry and went for a spear, but Owens cut him off with a kick. Owens followed up with a Stunner and covered Reigns, but Zayn stopped the referee from making the three count. Cole questioned if that was enough for Zayn to prove his loyalty. Owens glared at Zayn while a “Sami Uso” chant broke out.
“That’s your family?” Owens asked Zayn while pointing at Reigns. Jimmy went for a superkick on Owens, who blocked it, only for Zayn to hit Owens with a low blow. Zayn showed signs of remorse while Cole said Owens went low on the best man from his wedding.
Zayn knelt down and looked at Reigns, who nodded at him. Zayn performed a Helluva Kick on Owens. When Owens was going to fall down, Zayn caught him for a moment and then dropped him. Zayn looked at Jey and pointed to Owens. Jey performed a top rope splash on Owens and pinned him to win the match.
“The Bloodline” Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn defeated Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Kevin Owens, Butch, and Ridge Holland in 38:30 in a WarGames match.
Cole said he never thought he’d see the day that Zayn would shun Owens. Reigns stood up and opened his arms and then hugged Zayn while the Usos and Sikoa watched on. Once Reigns released Zayn from the hug, Jey walked over and hugged Zayn. Jimmy and Zayn did their hand shake. Zayn got fired up and yelled to the crowd while Cole questioned if Zayn had sold his soul.
The Bloodline members stood together. Reigns looked at Zayn and nodded. Cole said Zayn proved he’s much more than an Honorary Uce. Reigns looked down at Owens, who was still down in their ring, while the other babyfaces were down in the other ring. Zayn told Reigns he was with him tonight and is with him every night and then the show cut to black…
Powell’s POV: A very good WarGames match with some great storytelling regarding Zayn’s place in The Bloodline. I truly thought this might be the night that The Bloodline gave Zayn the boot, but they doubled down by having Zayn sacrifice his best friend to remain in the good graces of Reigns. The big hug between Zayn and Jey was awesome. As much as I look forward to what comes after the big split, I’m still enjoying the hell out of the Honorary Uce saga, so I’m happy they stretched it out even longer.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable event. Both WarGames matches delivered, and the U.S. Title match was a blast. I will have more to say when I get together with Jake Barnett and Will Pruett for the Dot Net Triple Threat same night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by voting for the best match and grading the overall event below.
Already several botches from Sky and Kai. Holy fuck they’re terrible.
Nice crazy bump by Nikki.
Could do without the weapons in a WarGames match, but now we’re getting the actual workers into the match and I’m just hoping we don’t see Bayley, Bianca, or anyone who is actually good getting hurt.
And a fucking stupid spot from the top of the cage by Sky just legit injured Belair. Hopefully it’s not too bad.
Looks like Belair and Lynch are calling an audible on the ground, wouldn’t be surprised if Becky gets the win doing whatever spot Bianca was supposed to do.
The greatestturd offering his expertise again. All his years of experience everyone should listen to him. He should know about botches. The biggest botch ever occurred when he was conceived
That opening match was crazy good. I was thinking Ripley would’ve figured into the ending. She got a good pop when she came in and her style was brutal. Asuka got her mist spot in and overall the ladies made it a fun match. WWE definitely has the deepest roster when it comes to ladies that can work.
That botch on the apron was bowling shoe ugly, but that was also the best I’ve seen Shotzi look. Ronda is what she is, and she draws eyeballs, but you may be right about keeping her more in the special attraction realm than regular worker realm.
So Solo is the new Umaga I see.
Kind of felt like a glorified house show. The Baylor and styles was was good. The triple threat was good and the war games didn’t go overboard.
Opening match was pretty rough, but the main event elevated the card to B status. The Zayn turn, whether he initiates it or gets kicked out, will be huge.
I liked the opening match a lot, the ladies had a lot of botches but it was still a great entertaining match that the crowd was really into. US had some crazy spots and the main event WarGames was very good. I think this was a lackluster Survivor Series overall but not terribly boring.
I am going to go ahead and say it – War Games sucks. Filler after filler after filler until the match starts. Having said, good storytelling in the main event.
Oh and that ring announcer is absolutely insufferable.
Agreed on the ring announcer. She’s every bit as bad as Justin Roberts.
War Games is good with really good brawlers and a red hot feud, hence the first few in Crockett being good. WWE turning them into weapons matches with no blood completely dilutes the concept.
So now we know why they decided who had the advantage in War Games.They wanted Lynch and Reigns to be the very last entrants..
I noticed that too. She seemed way over the top.
I was thinking if Rock doesn’t fight Reigns at Mania, will it be Seth Rollins? He is very over with the crowd.
I find the Zayn / Bloodline storyline boring zzzzzzzzzz it’s lasting longer then it should. Zayn should have been kicked out long ago and when it does happen I will not care. he never should have been part of the group to start with.
Of course you don’t like the most over thing that WWE has seen in the last 5-10 years.