SmackDown Review: Survivor Series Hype, What Match Are You Looking Forward To The Most?

By Chris Featherstone

This SmackDown go-home show for the annual Survivor Series featured some participants of the scheduled pay per view matches in singles and tag team action. Namely, the tag team titles were on the line as Goldust/Cody Rhodes defended against the Real Americans, and Daniel Bryan competed against Luke Harper of the Wyatt Family.

The tag team match pitting Goldust/Cody Rhodes vs. the Real Americans was very good. The Rhodes brothers continue to amaze me in how they have been instrumental in reviving a longsuffering tag team division. The momentum needs to ride at least until Elimination Chamber, where they lose the titles and have a match at WrestleMania XXX. Until then, we will be delighted by great tag team matches while the Rhodes' are on top of the chain.

Survivor Series Prediction: Rhodes brothers/Usos/Rey Mysterio d. Shield/Real Americans


Ryback vs. The Great Khali was just another attempt to give some relvance to Ryback, although it did not do much. Yes, it was impressive that he put Khali in Shell Shocked (again), but it would have been more impressive if he would have failed to do it, Khali would have defeated him, and they would've had a buffer match at Survivor Series. At this point, Ryback needs to be built as much as possible, especially if there is a future with Goldberg or Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XXX.


The Funkadactyls vs. AJ Lee was a good way to showcase the rising talent of Cameron and Naomi. Although Naomi has been impressive ever since her days in FCW, Cameron is improving by the week. AJ Lee putting them over helps their stock in the traditional Divas tag team match.
Survivor Series Prediction: Total Divas d. "True" Divas


The Shield vs. Rey Mysterio/Usos was a high octane match, as normal for all participants. You can tell, though, that Rey Mysterio is not 100% recovered, as he came in the match very late and looked limpy afterwards. Honestly, the mystery man could have been someone other than Mysterio, as it seemed to have Mark Henry written all over it. Especially since he had some unfinished business with the Shield. We could see a possible Mysterio vs. Ambrose feud, which would put on good matches, put Mark Henry as United States Champion has a better ring to it.


Big E. Langston/Dolph Ziggler vs. Curtis Axel/Damien Sandow proved how much potential the midcard division has, and how Ziggler and Sandow should be feuding for a midcard title. They had a good match on Raw, continued their feud on SmackDown, but what's the payoff? A US title match at Survivor Series would have been ideal, but at least they can each lead a team for Survivor Series.
Team Ziggler: Dolph Ziggler, The Great Khali, Tyson Kidd, Los Matadores vs. Team Sandow: Damien Sandow, Ryback, Fandango, Hunico and Camacho.


Daniel Bryan vs. Luke Harper continued the hype for the tag team match for Survivor Series, and the match itself was well-done. This filler feud to keep Daniel Bryan and CM Punk out of the title picture has turned out to be successful. Moreover, this feud does not appear to be over after Survivor Series, and a six-man match at TLC with a stipulation would be a good culmination. There are many options for a third man to join Punk and Bryan that would suffice, and make the match even more of a show stealer. The Wyatt Family getting the upper hand at the end of the show is a good lead-in to the PPV, making Punk/Bryan look more like underdogs.
Survivor Series Prediction: Luke Harper/Erick Rowan d. CM Punk/Daniel Bryan


What match are you looking forward to the most? Sound off below.

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