I don't think that the trivia of Survivor Series is the longest premium live event after Wrestlemania ever gets old. It's sort of a novelty within the trivia because it's the PLE that somehow feels like it has lost something - anything. From the days of the traditional four vs. four survivor matches to dropping them, to now picking up some WCW tradition with annual War Games matches, the event now has a new life...somewhat.
Whatevs.
I'm still scarred from 1998. Poor Bret.
For me, Survivor Series 2024 was a good one. It carried along some great stories and provided some good matches. The five-match card continues to win me over. It really does give you time to breathe as a fan. Just my take.
Ultimately, I'm not in love with the War Games format (more on this in a bit). And as mentioned above, I wonder if it will run it's course soon. Hey, great idea?
Maybe bring back the "8-man survivor series" concept?
Here are a few more quick thoughts on Survivor Series 2024:
- My biggest issue with the War Games: Survivor Series is that they slowly become formulaic. Maybe too formulaic. You likely will have two - one for the men and one for the women. So, one will lead off the night, and the other will end the night. Like last year, I expected the women to steal the show and really leave nothing fresh for the men. And that's what we got here.
I enjoyed the women's War Games match most. But of course, the Men's match had the more sensible storyline for the match.
- Iyo Sky is insane. The garbage can on the head spot was insanely cool.
- The Riptide by Rhea Ripley on Liv Morgan was nice.
- Maybe next year just have one War Games match? If the women or men have the best storyline going in, they should get the nod.
- I was very surprised to see LA Knight take the loss to the returning Shinsuke Nakamura. I'm a big fan of Nakamura, but this one just came out of nowhere.
- The triple-threat match for the Intercontinental Championship was easily my favorite match of the night. It was so easy for Shameus to become your rooting interest in this one. Breakker continues to be special - there is another level I believe he needs to get to (he'll get there). Kaiser is an interesting talent, he opened up my eyes a bit more in this one. I appreciate the work.
- The men's match was once again storyline-driven. Punk saved Roman, and Punk gets his favor.
- The subtle touch of Punk coming from under to step in front of Reigns as the team poses was subtle and continued an interesting never-ending (and why would we want this to end?) storyline of the Bloodline.
- Last thought - and it's likely a hot take. I don't think War Games needs all of the plunder and weapons and tables. I think it takes away from the double cage itself, which should be the focus, much like Hell in the Cell. In watching old WCW War Games matches, they all ended differently, and they all felt different. It's the same for TNA's Lethal Lockdown when they picked up the format for a few years while it was shelved throughout the industry.
WCW's rule of surrendering was awesome.
- And finally, the new bloodline needs to go on a run if we're going to take them as threats going forward. They lost War Games. I fully expect them to turn up the violence and make them look dangerous going forward.