The Problem With WWE Survivor Series [And How To Fix It]

WWE Survivor Series returns for the 39th time at the end of November, and unfortunately, the excitement for the show is once again not what it once was.

The second-longest-running show after WrestleMania, the Premium Live Event doesn’t have the same appeal as the likes of SummerSlam and the Royal Rumble, mostly because fans know it is not a show to get too excited about. Although the 2023 show famously saw CM Punk make his return, not much else from the event had any long-term effect on the main storylines. And this has been the same for a number of years now.

When it comes to show of the year or just match of the year, it’s rare that the historical show gets a mention as neither the fans nor the company are that invested. Although it was back in 2021, the mysterious case of the golden egg still lives fresh in many minds. For those unaware, The Rock’s action comedy Red Notice was a sponsor of the show, and had a night-long storyline that a priceless golden egg had been stolen. If The Rock made a live appearance, albeit for a throwaway segment, at least something would have been talked about on the show, which was also the 25th anniversary since his WWE debut. Instead, a lacklustre battle royal took place that was won by Omos, who ultimately received nothing for the accomplishment. This wasn’t a one-off either, as there is one major issue with one of the “Big 4” in WWE…

No Stakes At WWE Survivor Series

The main issue with the show over the past few years has been that most of the matches feel pretty meaningless. While WarGames is a spectacle with the cage and the double ring, the match is effectively meaningless in a few weeks’ time. With nothing at stake for the winners, stars are just thrown together as it’s November and teams are needed for the match. Ironically, the Triple H creative team decided to end the Hell in a Cell and TLC PLEs as the violent stipulations had been watered down, but WarGames has suffered the same fate. Additionally, with the top champions either in the WarGames match or left off the show altogether, there is little chance of a new champion being crowned. This is a far cry from the 2002 event, which saw title changes all night long.

On the subject of WarGames, the timings of the match have become a major point of contention among fans. With 5-minute intervals between entrants, there is a 30-minute waiting period where there is no chance of the match ending, meaning that WarGames remains in second gear for the majority of the duration, only picking up when everyone is inside the cage. Despite the fact that the 2025 men’s match is loaded with star power as Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre and Brock Lesnar are just some of the entrants, everyone knows the opening stage of the match is irrelevant no matter who is in the preliminary stages.

Even prior to WarGames, Survivor Series was far from perfect. Although some of the champion vs. champion matches were entertaining, especially Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles and then Daniel Bryan, they ultimately led to nothing. The winning champion didn’t see their stock raised, and the champion of the other brand looked weaker as a result.

How To Fix Survivor Series?

Why do Elimination Chamber and Money in the Bank remain so popular? Because the winner gets an opportunity at the World Championship. A simple fix that would create intrigue and tension would be to bring back the 5 on 5 elimination matches that would set up a future title match. If one team has a sole survivor, they get a one-on-one match with the champion, if there are two survivors, the match becomes a triple threat, and so on. It doesn’t necessarily have to be brand warfare, as that has also been played out multiple times, but 5 stars from each brand having to work together while also having a major individual prize at stake creates some fun how-will-they-coexist storytelling that actually works. Alternatively, the winners of each team could take the final spots in the Royal Rumble, and the losers start the match.

WWE doesn’t have to do away with WarGames as the match can work, much like many well-booked stipulation matches. However, the match doesn’t have to take place at Survivor Series every year. Faction warfare is a great story if told correctly, and storylines should culminate at a sensible point with a big match, and not have the big blowoff match three-quarters of the way into the feud. Survvior Series can have big matches because the feud warrants it, not just because it’s November.

Featured image: WWE