Survivor Series Thoughts

Mr. Millions

Well, maybe it's just because I'm a relatively "old-school" fan (circa WM7)... or maybe it's just because the first WWF I ever really watched was Survivor Series 1990... but man, I think the WWF needs to stick to keeping the Survivor Series full of traditional Survivor Series elimination matches. And as I was thinking about it, here are two ideas that could keep that interesting (playing the role of WWE writer here).

Now, for those of you who have been watching as long as I have, perhaps you remember the premise from 1990. All of the survivors went on to a Final Survivor match, all the surviving faces teaming with all of the surviving heels (it ended up being Hogan, Warrior and Tito Santana vs. Dibiase, Martel, Warlord, and Power & Glory). So anyway, we could have a similar show-down, except this time make every match Raw vs. Smackdown, with all the Survivor's moving on to the Final Match. They could build up huge about how this will prove which show is better. Also, that allows for some inter-brand bashing, and the opportunity to see some match-ups we normally wouldn't get to see.

Another option would be to have every match be a Title Match. Here's how it would work: One match would feature just Smackdown! participants, in a 4-on-4 (or 5-on-5, whatever), including the WWE Champion. If anyone pins the Champion, they become the Champion; then if anyone pins him, they become the Champion, and so on. This of course causes a problem, that being that those on the same team as the Champion would want him to lose so that the Title would go to the other side, and give them a chance to win it. So one stipulation could be that whoever is on the surviving team would be guaranteed a shot at the Champ at the next PPV (which means it could be anything from singles match to a Fatal Four-Way). Of course, if someone is the champion, but gets DQ'd or Counted Out, they would stay Champion and just have to defend against whoever survived. This could be especially interesting for the Tag Team Titles, as two people who weren't normally Tag Champs could end up together, or one person with both Titles... and something would have to be worked out for that stipulation regarding the Survivors becoming the #1 contenders... but that could be worked out.

Another cool idea would be to have a Hardcore Rules Survivor Series match. But you know, whatever...

I also have some ideas regarding the Royal Rumble and the King of the Ring... but I'll save them for another time.

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The Dude

Thing is that whenever they try to do the Survivor Series type matches, they just throw two teams together randomly and expect the audience to enjoy the match.

No heat=no one giving a crap.

They literally take no time to build any of the SS matches. I'm glad they got rid of them for the most part now. If the writer's are that lazy, I say get rid of the matches until a better writing team comes around.

When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fullfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and be taken as prisoners to all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
...At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
Luke 21:20-28

Dr. Giganto

Thats a great idea. That would be awesome. It would add some unpredictability to the match as well

Mr. Millions

But see, since I took on the role of writer here, there would be a lot of build-up. For instance, in the Raw vs. SmackDown! scenario, it would force everyone on that roster to buddy up a little, and then cut promos against whomever they'll be facing. And the whole month leading up, a big deal could be made about how Survivor Series will prove which company is superior, etc. Sorta like that year where it was Alliance vs. WWF (I think that was at SS).

And if we went the Title Match way, you could simply play up the Title defense, having different superstars trying to get the GM's to put them in with the Superstar they want, etc.

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Papa Shango

But the early Survivor Series matches were NOT heatless. Nobody was thrown in for no reason every person on one team had a legitimate grudge with a member on the other team. The anticipation of two arch rivals getting in the ring at the same time added to alot of the excitement.

Heels could really excell in their act by refusing to get in the ring with their certain face rivals.. and sometimes they wouldnt have any interaction with them whatsoever. This of course served to simmer the feud over until the next PPV and made people want to see th heel lose even more.

I dont think todays fans can appreciate the psychology of a traditional survivor series match. I dont think they can stand 4 or 5 very long matches of wrestling and not a table in sight. Its a shame how the audience has been condition because Survivor Series was a perfect place to Settle, Continue and even Start feuds.

Survivor Series benefitted from a 3 month build up too. So you had 3 months worth of feuds all coming together in one PPV. Today you couldnt do that. You couldnt build up say 20 credible feuds in 4 weeks of TV. Granted the old feuds werent exactly brimming with drama and excitement but at least everyone was on the card for a reason. That would be impossible in the era of 12 PPVs and short title reigns.

Mr. Millions

All very good points Papa. But don't you think it'd be possible to build up that much heat in a month if there was something like Titles on the line, or the chance to prove the superior brand?

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Papa Shango

I suppose so yes, the heat would of course be tremendous But it all comes at a cost of course. Firstly there would be no interaction between people on the same roster. All time would have to be put into cross brand interaction to give each individual a reason for being on the card.

Secondly the match would have to be done to end the split. I dont think it would be very good for the losing brand to continue running independant shows, would you? Smackdown is already considered the lesser brand.. I dont think it would benefit the show if it was to lose an interpromotional contest with RAW.


I dont believe in putting titles in to substitute a feud either. While im all for people challenging for the title just because they purely want to be champion and they are not challening them because they accused them of sleeping with corpses... im afraid it doesnt work in todays climate. People seem to have to fight each other for a ridiculous reason now, and no one has the old fashioned desire to jsut be a champion. We have very rare cases in the likes of Benoit an Guerrero but outside of those can you think of anybody in recent years who has challenged a champion purely for a title shot?