Way back in 1987, the WWE would introduce its second major Pay Per View (PPV) behind Wrestlemania, as a way to continue to ‘cash-in’ on the Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant rivalry. The Survivor Series PPV was a chance for the WWE to focus on tag team wrestling, with a series of 5 on 5 elimination style tag team matches, which even included a 5 tag team on 5 tag team match (20 superstars involved) in the original Survival Series. The Survivor Series went on to be included in the WWE’s big 4 PPV’s along with Wrestlemania, Summer Slam and The Royal Rumble.
Over the years we have seen the Survivor Series change, through the elimination tag matches swapping between becoming 4 on 4 and 5 on 5, a ’Deadly Games’ tournament instead of the tag team matches, to a place where we have been over the past years where the Survivor Series is just another PPV, with the occasional traditional Survivor Series match thrown in for nostalgia sake. In fact in 2010/2011 the Survivor Series PPV was thought about being removed.
I for one feel that the WWE return the Survivor Series PPV back to its original form, as there are so many positives that can come out of the original concept for the WWE creative to work with, which as we have seen lately they need all the help they can get. So here are my positives of a tradition Survivor Series PPV:
- Gives the WWE a chance to showcase more of their wrestlers.
Just like the Royal Rumble, a traditional Survivor Series PPV can give all WWE employed wrestlers a chance to show their skills on a major yearly PPV. The first 4 Survivor Series had 50, 50, 40 and 40 superstars shown. This would the likes of Zac Ryder, Bo Dallas, The Miz, Damien Sandow and Fandango a chance remind WWE fans of what they can do. As like early on in Survivor Series matches, it only needs to be the team captains feuding, so their team mates can be sourced from the WWE lower card list.
- Elimination Tag matches are an excellent was for a wrestler to turn.
Having a superstar not tag in, beat down his own partner, beat up a partner for loosing, hog the spot light, walk away from his team etc, there are so many options in these matches to promote a face/heel turn if the WWE wants a wrestler to change direction. We witnessed it just last year (2014) when The Big Show turned on John Cena.
- A great way to push multiple superstars.
In each elimination match you can have one or two superstars shine, this could be they eliminate most of the opposition, come back from 1-5 or 2-5 down and win (or loose controversially). We have seen the WWE do this with Roman Reigns back in 2013, and on several occasions with Randy Orton becoming the sole survivor for his team/s
- A returning from wrestling can make an impact
Imagine if a Survivor Series team loses a member and just before the match start of the match Daniel Bryan’s music hits, and out he comes….. There have been a lot written on whether Daniel Bryan is ready to return, a 5 on 5 elimination match would be a great way to test the waters and see how he pulls up. Part time wrestlers such as Chris Jericho, or those on legends contracts such as Road Dogg could also be used.
- Showcase NXT and/or Diva’s
A great way to test if NXT stars are ready to move to the main roster is in the safety of an elimination tag match, whether it is 2 NXT teams battling out or a NXT vs. WWE team. A elimination tag match gives those fans not watching a NXT a way of being introduced to these fantastic wrestlers, and maybe then inclined to tune in.
As for the Diva’s, well unless your last name is a Bella, then you are very rarely seen on a PPV. A 5 on 5 or 4 on 4 Diva elimination match would again give those underused Diva’s a chance to show the fans what they can do.
- Introduce a new (Mystery Partner) wrestler
The Undertaker…..need I say more
So my plea to the WWE, even for one year, let us have a nostalgic trip down memory lane and have the 2016 Survivor Series a return to the original concept and have 4 Survivor Series matches on the one PPV………I can only hope….
Hooroo and see you next week
Craig Higham
http://www.amazon.com/Stop-Telling-Its-Fake-Wrestling/dp/1489585508
