WWE held their 2024 Survivor Series in Vancouver, Canada, here are the top moments and highlights from the show!
Bayley, Rhea Ripley, Naomi, Bianca Belair, and Iyo Sky versus Nia Jax, Liv Morgan, Raquel Gonzales, Tiffany Stratton, Candice LeRae, and in a War Games Match
Phantom of the Opera Undertaker, eat your heart out! Rhea Ripley came out with an incredibly cool mask that made her look like a member of Slipknot. But even more hardcore. The rest of the Babyface Bayley was the first participant in the match, while the rest of her team was put in the cage. Nia Jax started off the match for her team, and the two put on the proverbial David vs. Goliath match that you would expect.
Nia dominated for much of the match and, in an unusual move, thanks to their win last night on Smackdown, Naomi next entered the match, giving the advantage to the Babyface team which, like, never happens. But if anyone could take on Bayley and Naomi, it’d be Nia Jax.
Nia Jax, channeling her inner-Hulk Hogan, picked up a steel chair and…I don’t even want to say she hit Bayley and Naomi with it. There’s a different word. A better word. Bonked. Nia Jax bonked them both with a steel chair.
Following that massacre, some more weapons were introduced into the match, including a kendo stick and, uhm, a toilet seat? Nia Jax tried to use it as a weapon, but Naomi stole it from her and bashed her over the head with it, which led to Nia sitting in the corner. You can see where this is going. Naomi, in homage to her father-in-law, gave Nia Jax the stinkface. And I’m so annoyed that it’s 2024 and we’re still doing the stinkface.
Luckily, Candice LeRae entered the match and the momentum shifted back to the heels. Candice and Nia set up a couple of chairs for later use, and topped it with another chair. They put Bayley on the chair setup, and then LaRae nailed a springboard Moonsault which looked to add more insult than injury.
Bianca Belair came out next who pulled a Sabu and threw a trash can at Nia, then pulled a Chyna (I’m such a wrestling nerd) and slammed the cage door on LeRae’s head, like it was Summerslam 1997. IYKYK.
Belair continued to set up her arsenal, which included a table, a fire extinguisher and, finally, a chair, which she used once again on LeRae. The women battled some more in, honestly, ways that are much too difficult to write about. Everybody punched each other. Then did some moves. One team got the advantage, and then the other one did. You get it.
Tiffany Stratton entered the matchup next, and surprisingly cleaned house. She nailed Belair with a trash can and then hit her handspring elbow on Naomi. Jax lifted up Belair for a Samoan Drop, and Stratton performed a Buff Blockbuster while Jax slammed her back.
Naomi paid Nia back with her chair shots, that also did not look very punishing. Iyo Sky came out next and went looking for her own weapons. She found one, in the form of a Banksy-esque trash can (IE – it was painted) that had some sort of strap attached to it. She put it in and climbed up the cage, before setting it down on the platform on the top of the cage, presumably for later use.
Sky and LeRae battled a bit on top of the cage. LeRae attempted to superplex Sky, who fought it off before trying to perform a sunset flip powerbomb. LeRae held on, herself. Sky eventually hit a dropkick on LeRae and then she and Tiffy Time did a lil gymnastics routine! Sky gained the advantage on Stratton, but Nia Jax intervened and broke it up.
Raquel Rodriguez came out next and she brought a table with her. She didn’t set it up, though, purposefully to taunt the crowd. Rodriguez helped the heels gain the advantage, and they dominated for a while while the crowd chanted that they wanted Mami. Don’t we all?
Eventually, they got what they wanted. Mami entered the match and began cleaning house. Naomi hit a rearview on both Jax and Rodriguez and the Babyface team went on the offensive, absolutely lambasting their opponents with weapons. Belair used her own hair as a weapon and ya know what? That was probably the most dominating one! Ripley even used her mask as a weapon, using it to headbutt Jax a bunch.
The time counted down as Ripley consulted her imaginary watch. Liv Morgan was the final entrant from the heel side and she was a’scared to come to the ring. At first, it looked as though she refused to go to the ring and was heading backstage, but she came back out with the oollld reliable — a baseball bat.
Morgan entered the match and “the match beyond” officially began! Ripley took her mask off and the bad guys attacked her, trying to break her face once again. Morgan used her bat to positively wallop Ripley all across her body.
This is when things really got started. All ten women went on the attack and battled, before both Iyo Sky and Tiffany Stratton ascended the cage. Sky put the trash can over her body and moonsaulted off of the cage onto her opponents below. At the exact same time, Stratton performed a picture perfect Swanton Bomb on her opponents!
“This is awesome,” the crowd chanted.
Stratton teased cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase, looking at both champions. Before she could make a decision, however, Iyo Sky sprayed her with a fire extinguisher! Then, Ripley handcuffed Rodriguez and taunted her like the little minx that she is.
Meanwhile, Jax hit a big Samoan Drop on Bianca Belair and went for the pin, but it was broken up by Bayley and Iyo Sky. The two former Damage CTRL members had a moment of tension between them, before Jax broke it up with a huge clothesline to both of them. It looked like Jax absolutely clobbered Bayley.
Jax set Belair up on the table and went to Vader Bomb her, but Belair escaped and she and Naomi powerbombed her through the table. Naomi went for the pin, but Morgan hit her with the bat to break the pin.
Belair grabbed the bat away from Morgan and then stalked her whilst holding a steel chair. She was interrupted by Rodriguez, who gave her a big kick. Liv Morgan hit her finisher on Bayley, but Ripley broke up the pin attempt. Morgan and Rodriguez attempted to gain the offensive on Ripley, with Morgan setting her up on a table and ascending the top rope. While the rest of the women were distracted, however, Ripley escaped the table and followed Morgan to the top rope. Ripley hit her Riptide on Morgan, through the table, and got the 1-2-3.
Rhea Ripley, Bayley, Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky, and Naomi defeated Liv Morgan, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, Candice LeRae, and Rachel Rodriguez in a War Games match.
Following the match, a promo videos for LA Knight vs Shinsuke Nakamura feud. While the feud sort of came out of nowhere, the video did a good job of building up Shinsuke as a credible threat. Hopefully he doesn’t lose his first match back.
LA Knight versus Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura made his entrance in cool, creepy samurai gear. He looked like a character from Mortal Kombat. Knight made his entrance and the two immediately got to work.
Knight clotheslined Nak and followed that up with a series of strikes. Knight performed an elbow drop and went for the pin, but Nak kicked out at one!
Tensions boiled as the two battled to the ringside area. Nakamura tossed Knight into the barricade a couple of times, and Knight responded by pounding his opponent’s head into the announce table. The two rolled back into the ring, and Nakamura karate chopped him in the throat! Nak had the advantage for a bit, but Knight recovered and hit an elbow drop. Nakamura responded with an elbow of his own. And then while Knight was strewn over the top turnbuckle, Nakamura hit his running knee. Knight attempted to get to his feet, but Nakamura threw some heavy kicks at him.
Knight gained the advantage again and hit his Hot Shot move, followed by a DDT for a two count!
The match continued, utilizing the top rope often. While Nakamura was perched, LA Knight tried to jump up to suplex him, but Nak escaped and threw a roundhouse kick to the back of Knight’s head.
Nakamura set up for his finishing move, which I don’t know how to spell, but Knight avoided it and hit his top rope elbow drop, a la Macho Man Randy Savage. Knight went for his finisher, but Nakamura rolled into the middle space between the two rings. Knight went to Nakamura and the two attempted to suplex each other but neither could. Nakamura eventually hit a reverse DDT/Scorpion Death Drop on Knight, then rolled him back into the ring, gouged Knight’s eyes and hit the *checks Twitter* Kinshasa for the win!
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated LA Knight to win the WWE United States Championship
A weird commercial featuring the former Alpha Academy aired. I’ll spare you the details but it ended with Otis walking backstage without any bottoms on, like the world’s largest toddler.
The camera focused on a UFC fighter whose name I don’t remember, but he was wearing a CM Punk t-shirt.
It feels like there are significantly less commercials on this show, which is very much appreciated.
Bron Breakker versus Sheamus versus Ludwig Kaiser for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
This is the match that I’ve been looking forward to the most, and it absolutely lived up to its hype. There’s just nothing like big, meaty men slapping meat.
Kaiser started the match wielding a chair but Breakker handled that quickly. Sheamus and Breakker briefly squared off, while Kaiser wedged a chair between the ropes. Like the cunning deviant that he is, Kaiser smiled broadly once he wedged the chair. But then he turned around and saw both of his opponents waiting for him. Breakker and Sheamus briefly teamed up to handle Kaiser. Sheamus attempted his chest beating routine on Kaiser, but Breakker clotheslined Sheamus over the top rope. Breakker followed Sheamus and was getting ready to ring around the Rosie (that’s what I’ve decided to call his charging tackle), but Kaiser hit a sliding kick to stop him before he could. Kaiser gained control of the match for a bit, and attacked the fightin’ Irishman against the steel steps, but Breakker hit a flying shoulder block on Kaiser to break that up.
Breakker rolled Sheamus back into the ring, and worked on him while Kaiser was out. Breakker went for his shoulder tackle, but Sheamus caught him with a power slam. He went for the pin, but Kaiser returned just in time to break it up.
The fight went back to ringside again, with Sheamus and Kaiser brawling near the broadcast table. Sheamus had Kaiser up on his shoulders, and Breakker ran at both men and performed his own version of a Doomsday Device. Breakker threw Sheamus over the barricade, and then Kaiser got the advantage on Breakker. With a smug smile on his face, Kaiser looked proud of himself. But then Sheamus slowly rose from the ashes behind him, and hit his chest beats on Kaiser over the barricade! The crowd chanted that “This is awesome,” and they were right. They were right.
Kaiser attempted to get the shilleleigh. Shilayla? Shilayleye. Shilalalalalalalala. *Checks Twitter* Shillelagh. Kaiser attempted to grab the shillelagh but Sheamus stopped him and took him out near the announce table.
Breakker motioned for The Celtic Warrior to join him in the ring, and Sheamus obliged. The two big men battled and made us desperate for another one-on-one match between them.
The two traded blows, and Sheamus eventually gained the upper hand. He hit a Celtic Cross on Breakker, followed by a Brogue Kick. Sheamus would’ve won, too, but right as the referee was about to count to three, Kaiser broke it up and broke the hearts of thousands. Sheamus chased after Kaiser, but Kaiser used the aforementioned shuleylee to beat the Irishman down. They made it back to the ring and Sheamus hit a Brogue…knee? He pinned Kaiser but Ludvig kicked out at two! Sheamus attempted the Brogue Kick but his ribs hurt. Kaiser attacked Sheamus’ ribs even more and started to gain the advantage once again, until Breakker hit a Spear Outta Nowhere! Kaiser was sent to the ringside area, and Breakker hit one more spear on Sheamus for the 1-2-3. Breakker is still the Intercontinental Champion and he is, absolutely, a made man.
Bron Breakker defeated Sheamus and Ludvig Kaiser to retain the Intercontinental Championship
Couple more commercials, followed by a video package setting up the World Heavyweight Championship Match.
Damien Priest versus Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship
The match started slow, as you might expect. Priest was selling an arm injury, which Gunther immediately targeted. Priest rolled out of the ring and, like a killer shark, Gunther followed and attacked. He ran Priest into the ring post a couple times, while making sure to roll back in and out of the ring to avoid a countout. Gunther kept attacking the shoulder, and held the offense for much of the match.
The two made their way back to the ring. Gunther attempted a powerbomb, but Priest got out of hit and hit a high kick, followed by a power bomb attempt of his own. But Gunther got out of that and locked in a sleeper hold, followed by the power bomb he was so desperately searching for. Gunther went for a pin, but Priest kicked out at two. Gunther went to attack further, but Priest locked in the Triangle Choke, possibly in honor of his dad, The Undertaker. Priest held Gunther in the Hell’s Gate, but Gunther leaned into it for a pin attempt. Priest kicked out, but had to let Gunther out of the choke. Priest kicked Gunther and attempted the Razor’s Edge, but his legs couldn’t handle it and Gunther escaped.
Gunther locked in another sleeper and another powerbomb. Priest kicked out again, rallied, and actually hit a huracanrana, followed by his Razor’s Edge. Alas, it was only good for a two-count.
Priest attempted his chokebomb move, but his arm gave out. Gunther focused his attack and put him in a Brock Lesnar-esque Kimura Lock. Priest luckily reached the bottom rope to break it up. But Gunther followed it up with a clothesline, followed by another clothesline. followed by another – wait! Priest got out of it and hit a clothesline of his own. Then Priest hit another clothesline. Priest went to the top rope, but Gunther bounced into the ropes, which crotched Priest.
Priest eventually shoved Gunther off the rope, but then he fell to the floor himself. All of a sudden, Finn Balor appeared and hit the Coup de Grace from the steel steps onto Priest who was ringside. Gunther ran off Finn Balor (perhaps furthering his eventual babyface turn?) before rolling Priest back into the ring. Gunther power bombed Priest, hit some elbow strikes, and locked in his submission, which eventually led to Priest passing out, giving Gunther the win.
Gunther defeated Damien Priest to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
Okay everything I said about them not doing as many commercials…it’s just because they saved them all for right now. Seriously, like 15 minutes of commercials took place, followed by another ten minutes for entrances. But finally, it was TIME FOR THE MAIN EVENT!
All ten men made their entrances for the Men’s War Games match. The interesting thing was that all of the OG Bloodline members entered separately. And it was Main Event Jey Usu who got the final entrance, as he was the first one in the match.
The OG Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Sami Zaye) & CM Punk versus The New Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu ) & Bronson Reed
Apologies ahead of time, but this is a match with a lot of moving parts that might be hard to keep up with. So this won’t feature as many move-by-move descriptions; rather, it will just focus on the most important parts of the match.
Jey Uso and Tama Tonga began the match. They traded blows for a bit but Jey eventually gained the upper hand and hit a step-up enzuigiri. Big Bronson Reed came out next, as the heels won the advantage on Smackdown when Jacob Fatu defeated Jey Uso. The two men double-teamed Jey after Reed entered the ring, with many chairs in tow. Reed dropped Jey and then picked up Tonga and dropped him onto Jey. Reed then hit a senton and the two heels took turns splashing Jey in the corner.
Jimmy came out next and helped out his brother. Jimmy hit multiple kicks and a corkscrew moonsault. The Usos ran Reed into the cage. The heels had their next entrant, but when Tona Loa went out, Solo stopped him and told Jacob to do it. Jacob followed orders and quickly went to the ring, challenging both of the brothers Uso. Jacob said he loved Solo, in case anybody had forgotten. The heels gained the advantage, but the OG Bloodline got to let their next guy go in. As CM Punk got ready to exit the shark cage Roman stopped him, and told Sami to go. Punk looked pissed and Roman looked nonplussed. Sami, reluctantly, entered the match to help out his brothers-in-arms. Zayn went to dive on the bad guys, but Jacob Fatu caught him. Luckily, Jimmy super kicked him.
Jimmy and Sami did their bro-hug/handshake thing and then Tona Loa got to enter the match. He brought a couple tables with him. Jacob Fatu nailed a split-legged moonsault on Jey and the bad guys gained the advantage just in time for CM Punk to enter the match! As Roman went to leave the shark cage, Punk acted like he wasn’t going to exit, but then he stormed out, much to Roman’s chagrin.
Punk stormed the ring as the bad guys waited for him. Punk looked back at Reigns, who shook his head condescendingly. But Punk, just when they think they have the answer, always changes the question. Or the culture. Or something. Whatever, the point is he grabbed his new best friend The Tool Box from under the ring and took on all-comers with it.
Punk laid out all of the bad guys and hit his running-knee/bulldog combo on Jacob Fatu, ON THE TOOLBOX. But guess what, dear reader? JACOB FATU GOT RIGHT BACK UP! This dude is a made-(mad)man. Fatu immediately hit Punk with a Samoan Drop. And finally, Solo Sikoa entered the match. On his way to the ring, Solo told Roman that he was going to show him who the real Tribal Chief was. Solo went to the ring and actually locked the cage, like the scallywag that he is.
Solo slammed the door on Sami’s head, and then Jey’s head, and then Jimmy’s head. The heels maintained the advantage, and Fatu did his moonsault onto the brothers Uso. Reed hit his tsunami splash on Zayn. Punk valiantly tried to fight back, but was immediately taken back out by the bad guys.
But then, the clouds parted. The waves rushed. The sun shined as it had never shined before. Roman Reigns entered the match and made his way to the ring. But the cage was locked! Roman Reigns, being a problem solver, scaled the cage like Spider-Man.
Reed tried to meet Reigns at the top, but Roman crotched him and then DOVE ONTO ALL OF THE HEELS! It was a cool sight to behold.
With the heels incapacitated, Roman helped all of his cousin brothers up to their feet. He also helped Sami to his feet, but he refused to help Punk up. My girlfriend, watching the match with me, said “Awww that’s so sad, why is being so mean to him?” And that is, indeed, the question, my totally-real-and-not-made-up-for-this-story girlfriend. That’s the question indeed.
Paul Heyman was wondering the same thing that my actual, real-life, in the flesh girlfriend was wondering. So he came out to give them a pep talk.
“One time,” Paul screamed at both of his charges. “THIS IS WAR GAMES!” And thus began the match beyond.
The Usos hit their splash on Tonga and Tonga. Punk lifted up Jacob Fatu for the GTS, but Roman accidentally speared Punk, at Solo’s behest. Fatu went for his moonsault, but almost missed it and landed very scary on his leg. Reigns hit Fatu with a low blow and speared Solo. But Reed hit a superkick on Reigns and put him on a table.
Reed went to hit his tsunami splash, but CM Punk snatched Roman off of the table, saving his life or, at the very least, the match.
Roman got up and then offered his hand to Punk, helping him up. Fatu tried to hit a move on Punk, but Reigns nailed a Superman Punch, this time saving Punk. The babyfaces finally regained the advantage, and took out all of the heels with a 1D, a Blue Tuunder Bomb, a spear, and more. This time, Roman helped up his brother cousins and then offered his hand to Punk. Punk grabbed it and it honestly felt like a scene from a Marvel movie. The babyfaces all got to their feet and, (So)lo’ and behold, it was Sikoa who was the last man on his team standing.
The OG Bloodline and CM Punk all swarmed around Solo, like noble vultures. The crowd chanted “You F*cked Up,” but Roman, showing his cousin mercy, opened his arms for Solo to embrace him. Blood is thicker than water, and just like Roman was forgiven, he is still willing to forgive Solo his transgressions. Solo considered it, but eventually went to hit a Samoan Spike. Before he could even loosen it from its holster, however, Jimmy caught him with a superkick. Then Jey did. Then Sami hit the Yakuza Kick. CM Punk picked him up for a GTS, hit it, and that led to one final move. Roman Reigns speared Solo and The OG Bloodline got the 1-2-3.
The OG Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn) & CM Punk defeated The New Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tonga Loa, Tama Tonga, and Jacob Fatu) and Bronson Reed
Following the match, the good guys celebrated together. Everybody in the OG Bloodline hugged, while Punk stood awkwardly on the outskirts, like me at every single junior high school dance I ever went to. Eventually, Jimmy, Jey, and Sami went over and hugged Punk. And then, finally, Roman came over and shook Punk’s hand.
The OG Bloodline left the ring, and gave their love to Paul Heyman. CM Punk walked up to Heyman and reminded the Wiseman that he owed him. Paul said “It’s yours.” The crew celebrated together at the top of the entrance, and that’s how the show ended. The good guys won. All is right with the world. Thank you for following your instincts, and joining us here at Instinct Culture for coverage of Survivor Series 2024!