WWE Survivor Series 2023 Review, Ratings, Key Points, Analysis And Impression
As the final WWE Premium Live Event of 2023, Survivor Series marked the end of a fantastic year in wrestling. Under Triple H’s leadership, the show delivered one of its best performances, highlighted by two thrilling WarGames matches. The night was filled with anticipation, not only for the matches themselves but also for the rumored return of CM Punk.
The event opened with the WarGames match between Team Bianca and Damage CTRL. This high-stakes bout set the tone for the evening with breathtaking action. IYO SKY stunned the WWE Universe with a death-defying trash can dive from the top of the imposing steel cage. The courage demonstrated by all the women competitors was admirable. Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair represented Team Bianca with athletic prowess. On the opposing side, the cunning Damage CTRL devised vicious attacks. In the end, Bayley absorbed multiple finishing moves from Team Bianca in a heroic attempt to grasp victory. Her remarkable resilience electrified the spectators but proved futile against the dominant Team Bianca. This exceptional display of fortitude and storytelling makes the match deserving of a 4.5-star rating.
In the following match, Gunther defended his Intercontinental Championship against The Miz. This unexpected bout surpassed expectations with The Miz nearly capturing the title on several occasions. Both superstars exhibited remarkable technique and resilience. Gunther unleashed his trademark chops while The Miz demonstrated veteran instinct by targeting Gunther’s left hand. In the end, Gunther’s dominance prevailed as he forced The Miz to submit with an excruciating Boston Crab. By pushing Gunther to the limit, The Miz proved he still belongs in championship contention. The bout was a testament to The Miz’s veteran skills, earning a well-deserved 3.5 stars.
The event continued with a spectacular clash between Santos Escobar and Dragon Lee. Marking Dragon Lee’s anticipated debut, this match created substantial buzz amongst spectators. The WWE Universe witnessed these world-class luchadores exchange a sequence of innovative aerial maneuvers showcasing exceptional athleticism. In the end, Escobar countered his opponent’s diving splash with the devastating Phantom Driver to emerge victorious. Both combatants deserve immense credit for their chemistry and death-defying moves in this 3.5-star classic.
The next match featured Rhea Ripley defending her WWE Women’s Championship against Zoey Stark. With the biggest opportunity of her career, Stark demonstrated admirable determination against the dominant Ripley. She utilized her technical skill and aerial dexterity to counter Ripley’s brute strength. In the climax, Ripley overpowered her opponent to land the Riptide for the decisive pinfall victory. By retaining her championship, Ripley solidified her status as WWE’s top competitor. Meanwhile, Stark proved she belongs in the title picture. The bout was an impressive 3-star affair.
In the main event, the hotly anticipated WarGames Match pitted Cody Rhodes and his allies against the villainous Judgment Day faction. This incarnation of WarGames amplified the stipulation’s brutality with an array of weapons raising the stakes. As expected, the bout featured no disqualifications and limited pinfalls, prompting both teams to exchange vicious attacks. After Riddle was carted off due to injury, a surprise return by Randy Orton shocked the spectators. His RKO on JD McDonagh elicited a massive ovation. In the closing moments, Orton handed Rhodes a sledgehammer wrapped in barbed wire for a conclusive blow. Rhodes then pinned Finn Balor amidst loud cheers to potentially end his bitter feud with The Judgment Day. This perfect blend of storyline progression and risqué action rightfully earned a 5-star rating.
In summary, Survivor Series 2023 brought a fitting conclusion to a milestone year in WWE programming under Triple H’s direction. The event balanced athletic wrestling and compelling storylines through two stellar WarGames matches. Meanwhile, the undercard bouts exceeded expectations by showcasing rising talent like Breakker. Moving into 2024, the road to WrestleMania shapes up to be even more exciting after this show. Survivor Series delivered on all fronts with a consistently great card capped off by Rhodes’ emotional WarGames victory.