WWE Survivor Series 2024 Results: OG Bloodline Reigns Supreme

WWE held the 38th edition of its second-longest-running PLE event on Saturday at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. Three title matches were bookended with the women’s and men’s WarGames matches. Due to increased ticket prices, Survivor Series marked Canada’s highest-grossing WWE event. 

Women’s WarGames Match: Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Naomi, Iyo Sky, and Bayley defeated Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LaRae. Rhea Ripley hit Liv Morgan with Riptide off the top rope through a table to pin the Women’s World Champion and secure the win for her team.

United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura defeated LA Knight to become the new champion. On one hand, Nakamura’s win was a surprise since he only returned to television nearly three weeks ago. On the other hand, it was almost expected since WWE put a lot into Nakamura’s new wayward samurai character. 

The closing moments of the bout saw Nakamura counter a vertical suplex from Knight and hit a Scorpion Death Drop on the steel plate between the two rings. Knight was rocked, and Nakamura drilled him in the back of the head with a Kinshasa for the win.

Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker defeated Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser in a Triple Threat Match to retain the title. Would Shaemus finally capture the one title that has alluded him throughout his career was the story that all three wrestlers served well. Kaiser is highly underrated and deserves his flowers here for a standout performance. 

World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther choked out Damian Priest to retain the title. In a repeat of SummerSlam, Finn Balor cost Priest the match when he hit the Coup de Grâce off the ring steps. Gunther kicked Balor in the face for the interference and applied the choke that ended Priest’s night. It was hard for me to get into this match because I never bought the storyline of Gunther being intimidated by Priest.

It’s easy to understand why Gunther was hesitant to fight Sami Zayn since he ended Gunther’s record-breaking IC Title reign. With Priest, there was nothing to be afraid of since he beat him to become the world champion. Commentary making a big deal of Gunther wanting to win the match without Balor’s help makes me wonder if a babyface turn is in store for the “Ring General.”

Men’s WarGames Match: (OG Bloodline) Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso & CM Punk defeated (The New Bloodline) Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Bronson Reed, Tama Tonga, & Tonga Loa. Action drama and suspense all led to Sikoa being alone with The OG Bloodline. Double Superkicks from The Usos and a Helluva Super Kick from Sami Zayn rocked Sikoa. CM Punk was next with a GTS before Roman Reigns finished Sikoa with the Spear. The natural tension between the two Bloodlines while wondering if Punk or Reigns would throw the first punch at the other kept fans on their toes in the best possible way. 

Will Okada Leave New Japan?

Perhaps the greatest Japanese wrestler in history could find himself stateside in 2024. Kazuchika Okada is reportedly “seriously entertaining,” leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and signing with another promotion.

Sports Illustrated broke the news that Okada’s contract expires at the end of January 2024. WWE or AEW are the two likely landing spots for the 36-year-old star. SI’s Justin Barrasso believes AEW would allow Okada to continue living in Japan with occasional matches in NJPW, while WWE is the biggest stage and can offer more opportunities.

For the uninitiated, Okada is the leading man in New Japan, the exact role Roman Reigns occupies in WWE. “The Rainmaker” is a five-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. His fourth reign as champion is the longest in NJPW history at 720 days.

Continue reading “Will Okada Leave New Japan?”

Well, They Officially Zigglered Nakamura

Shinsuke Nakamura lost to Seth Rollins in a last man standing match at WWE Fastlane on Saturday. It was another bid for the world heavyweight championship, and once again, the title eluded the “King of Strong Style.”

Honestly, Nakamura was never leaving Indiana’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse as champion. He’s never going to win a world title in WWE, but that’s not the issue.

Continue reading “Well, They Officially Zigglered Nakamura”

WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Great Muta set for New Year’s Day Clash

Pro Wrestling NOAH announced on Sunday that WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura will face The Great Muta at their Budokan Hall show on New Year’s Day.

Keiji Mutoh, otherwise known as The Great Muta, is in the process of setting up his retirement tour, with his final match scheduled for February 23, 2023, at the Tokyo Dome.

Most American fans were first introduced to Muta during his days in the NWA/WCW, where he debuted in 1989. Muta had a memorable feud with Sting, where he won the Television Title before dropping it to Arn Anderson on his way out of the promotion.

Continue reading “WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Great Muta set for New Year’s Day Clash”

SmackDown Tag Title Match Added to WrestleMania 38

Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs earned a SmackDown Tag Team Title match set for night one of WrestleMania 38. Boogs defeated “Main Event” Jey Uso on SmackDown Friday night after tricking him into thinking his leg was injured. Per the stipulation, Boogs and Nakamura get a title shot at the “Showcase of the Immortals.”

Continue reading “SmackDown Tag Title Match Added to WrestleMania 38”

Cesaro & Nakamura’s New Role In WWE

According to The Wrestling Observer, WWE told Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro their new roles are now to make new stars. This direction effectively erases any chance of either wrestler finding residency in the main event scene.

Continue reading “Cesaro & Nakamura’s New Role In WWE”

New WWE Intercontinental Title Belt Revealed

A new look WWE Intercontinental Championship belt debuted on SmackDown last week as Sami Zayn presented it as a gift to current titlist Shinsuke Nakamura. This is the second title inside of the last two weeks to get a makeover with the Universal Championship getting a blue strap to match the motif of its new home, SmackDown.

This marks the fifth renovation of the IC title throughout its forty-year history. Cody Rhodes introduced the previous version of the belt in 2011 in an attempt to rebuild the prestige of the championship by reintroducing the classic style with an updated white strap.

The new design has a black strap and a center plate with gold and yellow trim brandishing the WWE logo. Two smaller plates are extending outward with a split illustration of the globe. For the first time, the IC title has interchange side plates allowing wrestlers to customize the belt with their name and logo.

While the old school fan in me wants to hate the new belt, I have to admit, it looks pretty cool. It’s very 2019 and speaks to the aesthetic of WWE’s current presentation. Visually, it’s the literal definition of the Intercontinental meaning travel between continents.

The classic version will always be my favorite, however, and it pains me to say this; it looked outdated compared to the other belts in circulation.

Shinsuke Nakamura joins Cody, as mentioned earlier, along with Tito Santana and The Rock as wrestlers who have ushered in a new era for Intercontinental Championship. As they say, out with the old, in with the new.

Favorite Matches #1: Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kota Ibushi

For twenty-three years, Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin from the 1996 Survivor Series was my favorite wrestling match of all time. That all changed on January 4, 2015, at 5:30 A.M. EST as the IWGP Intercoientlal Title was defended in the co-main event of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s preeminent show, Wrestle Kingdom 9. Continue reading “Favorite Matches #1: Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kota Ibushi”

Can Nakamura Win at SummerSlam?

Two weeks ago, Shinsuke Nakamura beat John Cena, clean, with one Kinshasa after Cena couldn’t get it done with two Attitude Adjustments. While their initial outing was a fun time had by all, it will ultimately end up being one of two things. Either the first step in making a new star or an attempt to revitalize a diminishing asset.  Continue reading “Can Nakamura Win at SummerSlam?”

Is Tonight’s Cena vs. Nakamura Match a Mistake?

John Cena vs. Shinsuke Nakamura will happen tonight on SmackDown Live and the winner will face Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship at Summer Slam. This is an interesting turn of events because we’re getting a dream match on television as opposed to a pay-per-view event and everyone is wondering why.

Contrary to popular belief, not every first-time matchup is going to or needs to, occur at a major event. Raw and SmackDown are WWE’s two biggest revenue streams. Television content for the two programs needs to be solid in order for WWE to continue receiving rights fees from NBC Universal.  Continue reading “Is Tonight’s Cena vs. Nakamura Match a Mistake?”