By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Survivor Series WarGames
Vancouver, British Columbia at Rogers Arena
Streamed live November 30, 2024 on Peacock
WWE Survivor Series WarGames Countdown Show Notables
-Michael Cole, Big E, and Wade Barrett hosted the countdown show from an elevated desk set up outside the host venue. There were fans standing behind the panel. Cathy Kelley, Jackie Redmond, and Peter Rosenberg checked in from backstage.
-World Heavyweight Champion Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser were interviewed Cathy Kelley in the backstage area. Kelley asked Gunther about his confidence heading into his title match with Damian Priest. Gunther said it’s up to him to deal with it. Gunther praised Kaiser heading into his Intercontinental Title match. Kaiser said it’s a special night for him and Gunther, and the Intercontinental Title. Kaiser said it lost all the prestige they worked to give it, and now he’s the only man who can restore it.
-Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker was interviewed by Jackie Redmond about defending his title in a Triple Threat match. Breakker said he respects Ludwig Kaiser for trying to make a name for himself, and he respects future Hall of Famer Sheamus. Breakker said Kaiser will try to steal the title. Breakker took issue with Sheamus reading the internet “like a nerd” and believing he will win the Intercontinental Title just because he’s never won it before. Breakker said he played for the Baltimore Ravens and never won a Super Bowl.
-Footage aired of “New Day” members Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods handing out ice cream treats at WWE Headquarters. It’s unclear whether the New Day trio paid for the ice cream out of their own pockets or if TKO officials followed New Day around and billed the employees for the ice cream.
-Jackie Redmond replaced Michael Cole at the desk outside the building. Peter Rosenberg joined Big E and Wade Barrett on the panel for the final 45 minutes of the pre-show.
-William Regal was interviewed by Cathy Kelley in the backstage area. Regal said he was on the (Fall Brawl) WarGames card in 1993, but he never got to compete in a WarGames match. Regal said he wished he had because WarGames is the ultimate in final combat. Kelley set things up for Regal, who yelled “WarGames” to close out the interview. Nice.
-Redmond, Big E, Barrett, and Rosenberg were inside the building and standing on the main floor. Barrett said his attire was a tribute to Ludwig Kaiser and predicted that he will win the Intercontinental Title. The panelists played up OG Bloodline needing to win the WarGames match. Big E said it would be over for them if they fail to win and they’ll need to come up with a new name.
-Redmond announced that the women’s WarGames match would open the show.
-Elizabeth Irving performed the U.S. and Canadian national anthems to close out the pre-show. Let’s play hockey!
WWE Survivor Series WarGames Premium Live Event
Michael Cole checked in on commentary while shots aired of the two women’s WarGames teams, LA Knight, Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, Paul Heyman, CM Punk, Jey Uso and Sami Zayn, and Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso… A Survivor Series video package aired…
Michael Cole welcomed viewers to the 38th Survivor Series. He said the show was sold out and there were over 17,000 in attendance. Cole was joined on commentary by Corey Graves and they checked in from their desk at ringside. Cole read through the WarGames rules while a graphic also listed the rules…
The siren sounded and the WarGames cage was lowered around the two rings while pyro flares shot off from the ringside floor. Entrances for the match took place and they had shark cages set up on the main floor next to the small entrance area.
Bianca Belair made her entrance followed by Naomi, Iyo Sky, Bayley, and Rhea Ripley. Cole noted that it was Naomi’s first WarGames, and he added that Sky has been in every women’s WarGames match in WWE. Cole said this is Bayley’s third WarGames match and she has yet to win one. Bayley had “War” shaved on the side of her head, which should make for an interesting trip through customs. Ripley wore a horned mask.
WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax made the first entrance for her team while four of the babyface team members were locked inside their shark cage. The entrances of Candice LeRae, Tiffany Stratton, Raquel Rodriguez, and Liv Morgan. Cole noted that LeRae has been “sneaky good” by going 2-0 in WarGames matches. Cole said this was Stratton’s first WarGames and first overall cage match. A graphic noted that the babyface team worked a total of 18 WarGames matches compared to nine the heels…
1. Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky, Naomi, and Bayley vs. Nia Jax, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LeRae in a WarGames match. Bayley and Jax started the match while their teammates were locked inside shark cages. Cole noted that the babyface team won the WarGames advantage.
The crowd had multiple chants for Bayley, who performed a huracanrana on Jax after taking some early punishment. Bayley removed a leather piece of her gear and whipped Jax with it. Jax took the strap away and returned the favor. Jax hit Bayley with a Hip Attack. Jax ran Bayley through the ropes and into the cage. Jax hit Bayley with another Hip Attack that drover he head into the cage.
The second entrant for the babyface team was Naomi, who used a colorful kendo stick as a weapon. The broadcast team pointed out that there was a toilet seat in one corner of the ring. Naomi got the better of Jax until Jax took the kendo stick and beat both opponents with it. Jax put the toilet seat around Naomi’s neck while she was down in the corner. Bayley hit Jax with the kendo stick. Naomi hit her with the toilet seat and then put it around Jax’s head before she rubbed her ass in Jax’s face. Jax took a double back body drop.
The second entrant for the heel team was Candice LeRae, who cut in front of Stratton. The heels set up two chairs and then placed a third chair over the first two. Bayley was placed on the chairs and then LeRae hit a springboard moonsault that didn’t look very punishing.
The third entrant for the babyface team was Bianca Belair, who threw a trashcan at Jax and then slammed the cage door on LeRae’s head. Belair set a fire extinguisher and a table inside the cage before entering with a chair in her hands. Belair hit LeRae with the chair.
The third entrant for the heel team was Tiffany Stratton, who slammed a trashcan on Belair’s head and then did her handspring elbow on Naomi. Jax held up Belair and then Stratton jumped from the ropes and performed a Blockbuster, which turned out to be a combo Samoan Drop move. Naomi hit Jax with some weak chair shots.
The fourth entrant for the babyface team was Iyo Sky, who ran to ringside and searched under different sides of the ring before pulling out a painted trashcan. The trashcan had a string attached to it. Sky put the string strap over her shoulder and then climbed up the cage and placed the trashcan on the small platform in the corner. LeRae climbed the inside of the cage to meet Sky, who fought off a superplex attempt. Sky went for a sunset bomb, but LeRae held onto the side of the cage. Sky knocked LeRae down and hit her with a missile dropkick. Sky and Stratton showed off their gymnast skills and then Sky worked her over with a chair. Jax cut off Sky’s offense.
The fourth entrant for the heel team was Raquel Rodriguez, who pulled a table out from underneath the ring and left it there to taunt the crowd. Rodriguez didn’t find whatever she was looking for and simply entered the cage. The heels took offensive control and a “We Want Mami” chant broke out briefly.
The fifth and final entrant for the babyface team was Rhea Ripley, who wore her horned mask inside the cage. Naomi hit a double Rearview on Jax and Rodriguez. A “this is awesome” chant broke out from the generous crowd. The babyfaces battered the heels with weapons, including Belair’s braid. LeRae cut them off with a weapon shot. Ripley used her mask as a weapon by hitting Jax with several headbutts. Ripley looked at her wrist while the time counted down.
The fifth and final entrant for the heel team was Liv Morgan, who showed fear while Ripley motioned for her to come to the ring. Morgan turned around and walked to the back and then returned with a baseball bat.
Once Morgan was in the ring, the ring announcer said, “Let the WarGames begin” at 27:50. Ripley removed her Scapegoat mask. The heels ganged up on Ripley and held her arms out while Morgan hit her with repeated baseball bat shots to the rings and then the back.
There was a series of rapid fire spots that concluded with Jax hitting a Samoan Drop on Bayley for a near fall. Sky climbed to the top of the cage where her painted trashcan was waiting, and Stratton climbed to the top of the other side of the cage. Sky removed the string strap and then put the trashcan over her head and body and hit a moonsault onto a group of wrestlers below. Meanwhile, Stratton executed a Swanton onto another group of wrestlers. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Stratton removed various objects from a trashcan and then pulled out her Money in the Bank briefcase. Stratton looked down at Morgan and Jax, who were lying next to one another. Rodriguez confronted Stratton. Sky sprayed them both with a fire extinguisher. Rodriguez was handcuffed to the ropes by Ripley.
Jax performed a Samoan Drop and a leg drop on Belair and went for the pin, but Bayley and Sky broke it up. Bayley and Sky exchanged words until Jax put them both down with a double clothesline. Jax placed Belair on top of a table that was set up in one of the rings. Jax went to the middle rope for her finisher, but Belair got up and cut her off. Belair and Naomi powerbombed Jax through the table. Naomi covered Jax, but Morgan hit her with a baseball bat to break it up.
Belair took the bat away from Morgan. Belair chased Morgan with a chair. Rodriguez caught Belair with a kick. Morgan hit Bayley with an Oblivion onto a chair. Ripley broke up the pin and headbutted Morgan. Ripley set up for her finisher, but Rodriguez pulled Morgan down. Morgan used a chair while performing a Codebreaker on Ripley. Morgan placed Ripley on a table and went to the ropes, but Ripley recovered and joined her on the ropes.
Ripley blocked Oblivion from the top rope and then hit Morgan with a Riptide from the top rope through a table in the ring and covered her for a three count…
Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky, Naomi, and Bayley defeated Nia Jax, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LeRae in 38:15 in a WarGames match.
Powell’s POV: Hard work from everyone involved, but I still think they would have been better off going with a traditional Survivor Series elimination match. The story just wasn’t there to support this being a WarGames match. There were some slow moments before everyone entered the match, but they had some big crowd pleasing spots during home stretch. The wait continues for an old school WarGames match without all of the weapons. Every major U.S. company does a variation of the match and they all include weapons.
Cole said there were 17,828 fans in attendance… Ads/videos aired… A video package set up the U.S. Championship match and then entrances for the match took place. Ring announcer Alicia Taylor delivered the introductions from ringside…
2. LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the U.S. Championship. Knight clotheslined Nakamura and then hit him with repeated punches. Knight dropped an elbow and went for the pin, but Nakamura kicked out at the referee’s one count.
The match spilled over to ringside. Nakamura ran Knight into the barricade twice. Knight slammed Nakamura’s head off the apron several times before rolling him back inside the ring. Once Knight followed, Nakamura hit him with a double thrust to the throat.
Knight came right back and placed Nakamura over the middle of the top rope. Knight went to the ropes and dropped on elbow on Nakamura to knock him off the rope.
Nakamura caught Knight with a back elbow. Nakamura placed Knight over the top turnbuckle and then hit him with a knee strike. Nakamura threw kicks at a kneeling Knight, who got up and hit Nakamura with a Hot Shot. Knight dropped Nakamura with a DDT for a near fall.
Knight slammed Nakamura face first to the mat for a near fall. Knight placed Nakamura on the top turnbuckle and then joined him on the ropes. Nakamura knocked Knight off the ropes. Knight tried and failed to jump to the top rope and then Nakamura slipped away and threw a kick to the back of Knight’s head.
Nakamura stood on the middle rope and then flipped Knight from the ropes so that he landed face first on the mat, which led to a near fall. Nakamura set up in the corner for his finisher, but Knight avoided it and then slammed him to the mat.
Knight went to the ropes and played to the quiet crowd, which did chant along with him before he performed a top rope elbow drop. Knight set up for his finisher, but Nakamura rolled to the space between the two rings.
Knight joined Nakamura and performed a Scorpion Death Drop onto the steel plate that covers the opening between the two rings. Both men blocked suplex attempts, but Nakamura gouged Knight’s eyes. Nakamura drilled Knight with a Kinshasa and pinned him…
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated LA Knight in 9:45 to win the U.S. Championship.
Powell’s POV: The crowd was pretty quiet at times unless Knight was playing to them. I like the title change because it gives Nakamura a needed boost. Cole told the story that Knight didn’t look right from the start because Nakamura was in his head. I could be way off, but it left me wondering if Knight will take the title back as soon as the Saturday Night’s Main Event show.
Otis, Akira Tozawa, and Maxxine Dupri were featured in a t-shirt commercial. The punchline to the ad was that Otis was nude from the waist down… Ads/videos aired…
UFC fighter Belal Muhammad was shown in the crowd wearing a CM Punk t-shirt… A video package set up the Intercontinental Title match followed by entrances for the match…
3. Bron Breakker vs. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser in a Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship. Referee Eddie Orengo was given a graphic while Graves noted that he was wearing the Referee Cam.
Breakker avoided Kaiser’s early attempt to use a chair and then put him down briefly. Kaiser cut off Sheamus as he set up for a move on Breakker and then dropkicked Breakker’s ribs while Breakker was tied up in the ropes in a corner of the ring.
Kaiser wedged a chair between the ropes only to turn around and flinch once he saw both opponents waiting for him. Breakker and Sheamus worked over Kaiser. Sheamus threw him over the top rope and set up for Ten Beats, but Breakker broke it up and clotheslined Sheamus, who ended up at ringside.
Breakker went to ringside and set up to charge Sheamus, but Kaiser caught him with a sliding kick from the ring. Kaiser kicked Sheamus against the ring steps. Breakker came back and hit a flying shoulder block on Kaiser.
Breakker got Sheamus back inside the ring and worked him over while Kaiser was on the floor. Sheamus caught Breakker charging him and then powerslammed him. Sheamus went for the pin, but Kaiser returned to break it up.
Sheamus and Kaiser ended up fighting at ringside near the broadcast table. Breakker drove at them and clotheslined both men. Breakker dumped Sheamus over the barricade and then Kaiser took out Breakker.
Sheamus slowly stood up behind a self satisfied Kaiser and hit him with Ten Beats. Breaker swung at Sheamus, who avoided it and then hit Ten Beats on Breakker. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Kaiser grabbed a shillelagh, which Sheamus took away from him and used it to send Kaiser into the timekeepers area. Breakker called for Sheamus, who rejoined him inside the ring where both men traded punches.
Sheamus hit the Celtic Cross and covered Breakker for a near fall. A short time later, Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick on Breakker and had him beat, but Kaiser pulled the referee out of the ring.
Sheamus rolled out of the ring and charged Kaiser, who battered him repeatedly with the shillelagh. Both men returned to the ring. Sheamus drilled Kaiser with a knee strike and fell on top of him for the pin, but Kaiser kicked out at two. Another “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Sheamus set up for a Brogue Kick, but he sold his ribs. Kaiser put Sheamus down. Sheamus hoisted up Kaiser, who hit his injured ribs. Kaiser put Sheamus down again. Breakker came out of nowhere to spear Kaiser out of the ring. Breakker followed up with a spear on Sheamus and then pinned him…
Bron Breakker defeated Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser in a Triple Threat in 14:25 to retain the Intercontinental Title.
Powell’s POV: The best match of the night thus far with great work from all three wrestlers. The thing working against the match is that there was no reason to suspect a title change, so some of the near falls just weren’t as dramatic as they could have been under different circumstances. I love that Sheamus had the built in excuse of rib damage for taking the pin, which spared Kaiser from being pinned.
Ads aired for the Royal Rumble on February 1, and next Saturday’s NXT Deadline premium live event… Graves thanked the great Black Sabbath for “War Pigs” being the official theme of WarGames…
A video package set up the World Heavyweight Championship match and then ring entrances took place…
4. Gunther vs. Damian Priest for the World Heavyweight Championship. Alicia Taylor delivered in-ring introductions for the championship match. After some slow paced early action, Priest sold a left shoulder injury. Gunther targeted the injury with a kick.
Priest rolled to the floor. Gunther followed and ran Priest’s bad shoulder into the ring post. Gunther did it a second time and then broke the referee’s count. Gunther twisted Priest’s left arm and then took a shot at the shoulder.
Back in the ring, Gunther continued to target the bad shoulder. Priest battled back and went for a clothesline. Gunther ducked it and went for a powerbomb, but Priest slipped away and kicked him. Priest set up for a powerbomb, but he couldn’t do it with his injury.
Priest transitioned into a triangle submission hold. Gunther leaned onto him in a pin to force him to break the hold. Priest threw a kick at Gunther and then powered him up for the Razor’s Edge, but Gunther slipped out of it because of the injury.
Gunther put Priest in a sleeper and then powerbombed him for a two count. A short time later, Priest caught Gunther on the ropes and pulled him off with a huracanrana. Priest followed up with the Razor’s Edge and covered Gunther for a good near fall.
Priest went for his South of Heaven chokeslam, but his arm gave out. Gunther chopped the bad arm. Priest went for the move and couldn’t pull it off. Gunther put him in a Kimura lock. Priest struggled and eventually reached the bottom rope. Gunther showed frustration.
Gunther hit Priest with a short-arm clothesline. Gunther jawed at the live crowd and then hit another short-arm clothesline. Gunther went for a third, but Priest ducked it and dropped Gunther with a clothesline. Priest followed up with another clothesline and got a two count.
Priest went up top and was cut off when Gunther bounced into the ropes. Gunther chopped Priest and then joined him on the ropes. Priest grabbed him by the throat, but Gunther fought that off and went for a superplex. Priest held the rope and shoved Gunther to the match. Priest fell to the floor and sold his shoulder again.
Finn Balor came out and jumped from the ring steps to hit Priest with a Coup de Grace. Gunther went to ringside and drilled Balor with a big boot. Gunther brought Priest back inside the ring and powerbombed him. Gunther threw elbow strikes at Priest and then locked him in a submission hold. Priest faded and the referee called for the bell…
Gunther defeated Damian Priest in 19:20 to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.
Powell’s POV: The match started slow, but they told a good story with the shoulder injury. The injury combined with passing out in the submission hold rather than tapping was more than enough to protect Priest. Finn Balor’s interference felt unnecessary. To be fair, maybe it was just unwanted because I really don’t have any interest in seeing the Priest vs. Balor feud continue, but it looks like that’s where they are going. I’m more interested in what comes next for Gunther.
The broadcast team hyped Saturday Night’s Main Event for December 14 on NBC. They hyped the finals of the Women’s U.S. Championship tournament, and Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens for the WWE Championship. They also listed the following for Monday’s Raw: The ten-year anniversary of New Day, the start of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament.
Finally, they plugged the Survivor Series WarGames post show… There were NFL style introductions with each participant in the men’s WarGames match introducing themselves and listing a college or something else… They went to ads/videos. On the ad-free side, they aired a video package that set up the main event…
The siren sound played and then pyro flares shot off from ringside while the cage was lowered around the rings. Cole read through the rules of the match while they were listed in an onscreen graphic…
Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Bronson Reed all walked out together, which Cole said they did to show solidarity. Solo hugged Tama Tonga, who headed to the ring, while the other members entered a shark cage. Once in the ring, Tonga went Spiderman on the inner cage wall.
Sami Zayn made his entrance wearing a “Sami Uso” t-shirt along with his gear. Cole said Zayn was 2-0 in WarGames matches. Jimmy Uso made his entrance and bumped fists with Zayn. CM Punk made his entrance and walked over to the heel shark cage and shoved one of his adversaries.
Roman Reigns made his entrance and some pyro shot off. Reigns walked over to the heel cage and held up his index finger. Reigns slapped hands and did bro hugs with Zayn and Jimmy, and then just looked at Punk. The four wrestlers entered the shark cage and the referee locked the door. There was a great shot of Reigns side-eying Punk inside the shark cage. Jey Uso made his entrance through the crowd and headed to the ring…
5. Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and CM Punk vs. Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Bronson Reed in a WarGames match. Tama Tonga and Jey Uso started the match for their respective teams. The heel team had the WarGames advantage. The crowd chanted for the various babyface wrestlers who were in the shark cage while Tonga worked over Jey inside the cage. Jey came back with a step-up enzuigiri and hit Tonga with a hip attack.
The second entrant for the heel team was Bronson Reed, who slid several chairs inside the ring. Jey picked up chairs and tossed them at Reed until Reed swatted one out of the air. Reed put Jey down and then picked up Tonga and dropped him on Jey. Reed followed up with a senton on Jey. The heels took turns splashing Jey in a corner of the ring.
The second entrant for the babyface team was Jimmy Uso, who ran to the ring and entered without bringing weapons. Jimmy caught both opponents with kicks. Jimmy hit a corkscrew moonsault on both opponents. The Usos got the better of the heels and ran Reed into the cage wall.
The third entrant for the heel team was Jacob Fatu. Tonga Loa thought he was next, but Sikoa put his hand on Loa’s shoulder and then motioned for Fatu to go to the cage. Fatu entered the cage and worked over both Usos. A “f— you, Solo” chant broke out. He barked back at the crowd about being the Tribal Chief. Reed and Fatu held up Jey by his arms and then Tonga pushed his legs so that he flipped over and landed on his back in the ring.
The third entrant for the babyface team was Sami Zayn. CM Punk was going to storm out of the shark cage, but Roman Reigns put his arm up to block him and then nodded to Zayn. Punk glared at Reigns, who never made eye contact with him. Fatu caught a diving Zayn, but Jimmy superkicked Fatu. Jimmy and Zayn did their handshake and then hugged for a pop. Another “Sami Uso” chant broke out.
The fourth entrant for the heel team was Tonga Loa, who slid a couple of tables inside the cage. A CM Punk chant broke out. Fatu hit a split-legged moonsault on Jey. The heels dominated the babyfaces to set the table for the next entrance.
The fourth entrant for the babyface team was CM Punk. The door opened and Roman Reigns took a couple steps forward, but Punk stormed by him. Fatu, Reed, and Tonga waited for Punk in the first ring. Punk stood on the steps and looked back at Reigns, who shook his head. Punk dropped off the steps and the crowd gasped, but Punk grabbed a toolbox from under the ring and then brought inside the cage and used it was a weapon. Punk hit Fatu with knees in the corner and then bulldogged him on top of the toolbox. Fatu shot right up and hit Punk with a Samoan Drop.
The fifth and final entrant for the heel team was Solo Sikoa, who was booed loudly. Sikoa exited the shark cage and then turned and told Reigns that he was about to show him who the Tribal Chief is. Once Sikoa arrived at ringside, he slammed the cage door on Zayn, Jey, and then Jimmy while they were held in place by the other heels. Fatu performed a moonsault onto the Usos. Reed hit the Tsunami on Zayn. Punk got up and went after the heels, but he was immediately outnumbered and put down. Sikoa used his own lock and chain to lock the cage door from the inside.
The fifth and final entrant for the babyface team was Roman Reigns, who was greeted with loud “OTC” chants. Reigns pulled at the lock and asked the referee for a key. Roman found a loose part of the cage and then climbed the side of it. “No way,” Graves said as if climbing a fence was an impressive feat. Reigns fought off Reed and crotched him on the top rope and was able to enter the cage. Reigns dove from the ropes onto all of the heels and then hit them with punches one-by-one. Reigns helped Zayn and the Usos to their feet, but he declined to do the same for Punk, who got upset.
Paul Heyman walked out and yelled at Reigns and Punk that this is WarGames. The announcement that the match was officially on was made by Alicia Taylor at 30:35. The Usos hit stereo Uso Splashes on Tonga and Loa. Solo worked over Reigns while Fatu did the same to Punk in one cage. The babyfaces fought back. Punk hoisted up Fatu for his finisher, but Reigns accidentally speared him after Solo avoided him. Sikoa hit the Samoan Spike on Reigns and covered him for a good near fall.
Reed hoisted up Punk and gave him a Death Valley Driver. Fatu went for a move from the ropes and botched it, then came up hold his right knee. The referee and then Reed checked on Fatu, who eventually got back to his feet, yet was favoring his bad leg. Reigns low-blowed Fatu and then speared Sikoa, but Reed cut off Reigns with a superkick. Reigns was placed on a table.
Reed climbed to the top of the cage and went for a Tsunami, but Punk pulled Reigns out of the way, causing Reed to crash through the table. Fatu was down clutching his right knee. Reigns got to his feet and stuck his hand out to help Punk to his feet. Fatu shot up and hit Reigns from behind. Fatu was still favoring his leg and set up for a move on Punk, but Reigns broke it up with a superkick.
Sikoa hit Reigns with a Samoan Spike and covered him, but the Usos broke it up with a double superkick. Fatu ate superkicks. The Usos hit 1D on Fatu, who was able to run the ropes without limping before taking the move. Jey set up a table and placed Fatu on it while Jimmy stood on the ropes. Jey speared Loa. Tonga ran Jey into the cage. Zayn took out Loa with a Blue Thunder Bomb.
Jimmy climbed to the top of the cage and then Uso Splashed Fatu through the table. All ten men were down and Heyman was shown smiling. Zayn got back to his feet and then pulled Jimmy and Jey up. They went to the other ring while the fans chanted “this is awesome.” Zayn pulled up Punk while the Usos pulled Reigns up. “Let’s finish this shit,” Jimmy said.
The OG Bloodline surrounded Sikoa, whose teammates were all down. A “you f—ed up” chant broke out.
Sikoa said he’s still the Tribal Chief. The Usos both superkicked Sikoa and then Zayn hit him with a Helluva Kick. Punk hit Sikoa with a GTS and then Reigns speared and pinned him…
Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and CM Punk defeated Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Bronson Reed in 41:55 a WarGames match.
After the match, the Usos and Zayn shook hands with Punk and hugged him while Reigns watched. Punk and Reigns looked at one another and then highlights from the match played. The OG Bloodline and Punk lined up. Zayn told Reigns that they won the match and wanted Punk on their side. Reigns held his hand out and then Punk shook it while they stared at one another. The OG Bloodline held up their index fingers while Punk made the GTS sign. Cole noted that Sikoa still wears the Ula Fala.
Punk left the cage and shared a hug with Heyman, who thanked him. Punk mentioned that when he needs a favor, he’ll be coming to ask. Heyman told him it’s his. Reigns was the last to exit the cage. Heyman folded his hands while smiling at Reigns, who reached out and touched Heyman’s head. The OG Bloodline and Punk headed toward the entrance area. Jimmy was helped by Jey and Zayn. Reigns stopped and hugged Jimmy. The OG Bloodline held up their index fingers. Punk cut in the middle and made the GTS sign again…
A video package recapped the event…
Powell’s POV: A really good modern WarGames style match. The only thing that didn’t really work was Reigns being locked out of the cage and climbing over the side as if it was a big moment. Otherwise, they all worked hard and both Fatu and Reed took some big time dives. Hopefully Fatu didn’t do any major damage. I didn’t see what happened to Jimmy, so hopefully he was just selling.
Overall, the main event made the show. The rest of the card wasn’t bad, but the show was built around the men’s WarGames match and it delivered. Jake Barnett and I will team up for our same night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let us know what you thought of the event by voting for the best match grading the overall show below.
Can they please do a WarGames match without the fucking weapons? It’s already a double cage with teams of 5, that’s enough gimmicks for a single fucking match (that they’re doing twice).
Don’t hold your breath. I’ve bitched about it since TNA introduced the Lethal Lockdown match with all the weapons attached to the cage. Now every company has weapons in their WarGames style matches. Ugh.
I remember the OG war games matches from the NWA days but I simply don’t recall if objects were allowed
Either way. Can we please skip the 50/50 booking and not do a women’s war game match for a few years.
That was pretty awful
I think the wrestlers should know where all the weapons are b4 the match. Or maybe the prop guy messed up?
This crowd is pretty dead for Canadians. It is almost like they are in the US.
It’s Vancouver, everyone is high as a kite.
Is there a reason why You Can’t Wrestle still calls Fat Boy Ohtice?
That was it?
Probably one of the most disappointing Wargame matches I’ve seen. Too many high spots that had people standing around waiting for the move to happen. Would have bet the house that Fatu would have moved off the table before the Uso splash hit since he was moving so much on the table. Punk saving Roman was a good moment but there were far too few of them. Finally, what happened to teams actually needing help from the next member of the team coming in.
Sad to say the men’s Wargames wasn’t as good as the women’s. That’s gotta be a first.
First time in a while where a WWE PLE hasn’t been at least a solid B. Both WarGames matches were just garbage matches in cages with too many high spots. Women’s was slightly better than the men’s. Gunther and Priest put on the best actual pro wrestling match of the night.
Gunther vs Priest
Triple Threat
Knight vs Nakamura
Women’s War Games
Men’s War Games
Can’t say your wrong
I felt bad for the wrestlers who had to do any move set with Nia. She was botching or mistiming everywhere tonight.
It was a huge mistake to not have her come in last for her team. There’s only so much stamina you can have when you way 270 lbs and have 83% body fat.
Even those first few minutes, too. Bayley did her best, and deserved better all around.
Walking around looking for weapons, instead of entering the cage, was really bad, too. On top of it, it looked like they couldn’t find the right one. That was bad TV.
Nor was it explained why they could, why some took 1 weapon, and others took multiple.
Like Hell in a Cell, I find War Games boring. Glorified hardcore matches. Except for the high leap, you could have the exact same match without the cage. It adds nothing but a spectacle it can’t deliver on – the Magnum/Tully bloody for a reason I Quit match, or a Mick Foley dive everyone agrees should never be done again.
Even the original WarGames matches were a in a cage with a roof on it and just a normal street fight with no weapons and enough blood to sell the intensity. They were also to submission or KO, not pinfall.