| Date: November 14, 2004
| Venue: Gund Arena | City: Cleveland, Ohio
| Attendance: 7, 500 | Buys: 325, 000

| tweet me: @BastionBlogger

The 18th annual Survivor series may have the lowest buyrate for 7 years but it has a stacked card. The WWE Championship is set to be defended as John “Bradshaw” Layfield puts his title on the line against Booker T. Booker T teased teaming with JBL for a couple of weeks but when his decision was made clear, he pinned JBL in a 6 man tag match, making it the first time Layfield had been pinned since before Wrestlemania. Booker T then defeated Bradshaws chief of staff Orlando Jordan to earn himself a shot at JBL at Survivor Series. Josh Mathews has been the victim of bullying at the hands of JBL and Jordan in recent weeks and has snapped into joining Booker T in tag team action against the bullying duo. Tonight the WWE Championship will be on the line, a title that has changed hands at Survivor Series every time it has been defended in the last 10 years with one exception.

The main event for Raw is a traditional 8 man Survivor Series match with the winning team getting to be general manager of Raw for 4 weeks in Eric Bischoffs absence, one member of the team at a time. On one team will be World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, his Evolution buddy Batista, Edge and Snitsky and on the other team will be Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho and Maven. Evolution have already tried to run Raw when Bischoff took the night off but the whole Raw roster turned against the team and made sure that it didn’t happen.  Also from Raw, Trish Stratus is set to defend her WWE Women’s Championship against Lita, her old friend who she has been ripping into about losing her baby.

Smackdown also have a traditional 8 man Survivor Series match with team captains Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle told to put their teams together for the event. Kurt was quick to recruit his protegé’s Luther Reigns and Mark Jindrak and then found a fourth partner in the man who beat John Cena for the United States Championship on his debut, Carlito. Eddie Guerrero recruited Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio before general manager Teddy Long informed Guerrero that he had other plans for Rey Mysterio. Eddie then bought The Big Show into the fold due to his problems with Kurt Angle. The final man to join Guerrero was announced as John Cena, the man who was stabbed in an “after hours” club and has been gone for a month (he’s been filming a movie). So the teams are set as Kurt, Luther, Jindrak and Carlito go up against Guerrero, Van Dam, Big Show and John Cena.

Heidenreich demanded a match against The Undertaker after he cost the dead man the WWE Championship at No Mercy. Heyman sought out The Undertaker and got him to sign the contract for a singles match between the two at Survivor Series. Shelton Benjamin will be defending his Intercontinental Championship against the man that has attacked him a couple of times in the last few weeks in Christian. Christian is a former Intercontinental Champion who wasn’t voted to fight Jericho at Taboo Tuesday but has his opportunity tonight. Spike Dudley will be defending his Cruiserweight Championship in a fatal four way match against the man he beat for the title, Rey Mysterio as well as Billy Kidman and Chavo Guerrero. Billy Kidman put Guerrero on the shelf when he injured him with a shooting star press and has shown no remorse for what he did.

On Sunday Night Heat before the event La Resistance defeated The Hurricane and Rosey.

So let’s get to Survivor Series 2004.

The show kicks off with a nostalgic video package showing a bit of a history of Survivor Series and the controversy surrounding the event This transitions into a video of the current superstars hyping the event. Michael Cole and Tazz welcome us to the show and then throw to Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler.

Spike Dudley (c) vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Billy Kidman vs. Chavo Guerrero – Cruiserweight Championship Match

The Cruiserweight title match kicks off the show. Billy Kidman has a 1-1 record at Survivor Series PPV’s, Chavo has a 1-2 record, Rey Mysterio has a 0-1 record and Spike has a 1-0 record. The four men pair off in the early going with Rey Mysterio and Spike going at it in one corner and rivals Billy Kidman and Chavo in another. Spike and Kidman then double team Chavo before Kidman hits Spike with a dropkick. Mysterio hits a facebuster on Kidman before Mysterio and Chavo Guerrero go at it. Both men get near falls and then Rey hurricanrana’s Chavo across the ring. Mysterio arm drags Chavo out of the ring and in comes Spike, attacking Mysterio from behind. I’m really enjoying Spike as a heel.

Chavo goes after Spike and the two men knock each other down with clotheslines. Mysterio then hits an impressive hurricanrana on Kidman off the apron. Chavo then launches Mysterio out of the ring onto Kidman. Chavo then dives out at the two of them and Spike attempts to do the same but Chavo and Mysterio step out of the way. Back inside the ring and Chavo hits clotheslines and a back body drop on Kidman. Chavo hits a side suplex and covers Billy but Spike breaks up the cover. Spike has previously successfully defended his Cruiserweight title on pay per view against Nunzio. Spike sends Mysterio out of the ring and then the champion goes to the top but Chavo meets him up there for a superplex but Kidman stacks up Chavo on his shoulders and we get an electric chair superplex. Mysterio covers Chavo and gets a near fall and then pins Spike and gets another near fall.

Kidman hits the BK bomb on Mysterio and then drags him over to the corner. Kidman heads to the top but Chavo pushes him off! Spike then headbutts Chavo off the apron before hitting a running powerbomb on Mysterio. Spike attempts the Dudley dog on Mysterio but Rey shoves him onto the middle rope, nails the 619 and looks to hit the west coast pop but Kidman pulls him off the apron.  Chavo then hits Spike with the gorybomb and pins the champion but Kidman breaks it up with a slingshot legdrop. Mysterio disposes of Kidman and Spike then rolls on top of Chavo and gets the 3! Spike Dudley wins the match and retains his Cruiserweight Championship! Good match to kick things off between these three.

Rating: 6.75/10

Paul Heyman is backstage motivating Heidenreich. Heyman disappears off to get Heidenreichs straight jacket and Snitsky turns up. Snitsky tells Heidenreich that he likes poetry. Heidenreich tells Snitsky that he likes what he does to babies. Snitsky says he’ll see Heidenreich later and Heidenreich says he’ll see him soon. What have these two got planned?

Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. Christian – Intercontinental Championship Match

It’s a first time meeting between these two men and a first time PPV defence for Shelton Benjamin of his IC title. Christian is joined by his problem solver Tyson Tomko. Shelton makes his Survivor Series debut tonight. Christian has a 1-3 record at the event. The match starts with a bit of technical wrestling which Benjamin gets the better of. Shelton takes Christian down with a shoulder block and Christian starts to get frustrated. Christian throws Benjamin over the top rope but Benjamin skins the cat and then hits a springboard clothesline for a near fall. Christian hits Shelton with some right hands and chops and then a monkey flip but Benjamin lands on his feet. Christian escapes the ring and Benjamin follows but Tyson Tomko distracts Benjamin long enough for Christian sneak round the back only to be met with a right hand.

Tomko grabs the leg of Shelton as he tries to get back into the ring but Benjamin kicks him away. Christian then shoves Shelton off the apron and into the security barrier. Back in the ring and Christian hits some stomps and right hands. Christian has wrestled more PPV matches without main eventing a single PPV than anyone else in history. Benjamin hits a cross body from nowhere and gets a near fall. Christian takes the advantage back with a neckbreaker for a near fall. Christian then applies a chinlock before throwing Benjamin out of the ring where Tyson Tomko rams him into the apron. Tyson throws Benjamin back into the ring when Christian gets a near fall. Christian hits an inverted DDT off the middle rope for a two count. The two men slug it out until Benjamin hits a hard Irish whip on christian sternum first into the corner.

Shelton hits a couple of clotheslines and a flying forearm before hitting a side Russian legsweep for a near fall. Benjamin hits a reverse fishermans suplex for a near fall and then misses with a big splash in the corner. Christian hits a DDT for a two count. Tomko then slides the IC title belt into the ring and distracts the referee but Benjamin fights him off and then hits a clothesline off the top rope for a near fall. The referee then takes the title belt out of the ring allowing Tomko to get in the ring and his Benjamin with a big boot. Christian covers the champion but Benjamin kicks out at 2! Shelton sets up for a t-bone suplex but ends up kicking Tomko off the apron instead. Christian uses the distraction to attempt the unprettier but Benjamin counters it and hits Christian with the t-bone suplex which is enough for the three! Shelton Benjamin wins the match and retains his Intercontinental Championship tonight!

Rating: 6.25/10

Kurt Angle is walking backstage when he bumps into Edge backstage. Kurt isn’t happy about what Edge wrote about him in his book. Edge finds it funny but Kurt finds it funnier that Edge hasn’t been World Champion yet. Edge said that he took Shawn Michaels out at Taboo Tuesday and Kurt could never do that. Kurt then bumps into Eugene who tells him that he sucks.

There’s a “Wrestlemania Recall” next. Stone Cold Steve Austin winning the WWE Championship from Shawn Michaels. Some great Jim Ross commentary on that one.

Team Eddie (Eddie Guerrero, Rob Van Dam, The Big Show & John Cena) vs. Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Luther Reigns, Mark Jindrak & Carlito) – Traditional Survivor Series Match

Kurt Angle leads his team into battle with a 2-3 record at Survivor Series. The rest of Kurts team make their Survivor Series debut tonight which includes Carlito who is making his PPV debut tonight. Eddie has a 1-2 Survivor Series record, RVD has a 0-3 record, Big Show has a 2-2 record and John Cena has a 1-0 record. Big Show walks out with his boot taped which seems really strange. Surely it should be his ankle taped if he has a broken ankle? The heels come out together but the faces make their entrance separately. John Cena is last out and goes right after Carlito and his bodyguard Jesus. Cena battles the two of the all the way to the back! Carlito and Jesus get in a car and speed away! I can only assume that Carlito is eliminated from the match. Cena heads back to the ring.

Big Show and Mark Jindrak officially start the match and Big Show hits a big chop. Jindrak is looking for his first ever PPV victory tonight on the third time of asking. Big Show hits another big chop and then tags in Rob Van Dam who hits a spinning heel kick. Van Dam tags in Eddie Guerrero and he and Van Dam double team Jindrak. Guerrero hits a belly to belly suplex on Jindrak and then a flying head scissors. Luther Reigns gets involved but Guerrero disposes of him. Kurt Angle then hits a cheap shot on Eddie before officially tagging in. Kurt hits some big right hands and stomps on Guerrero before tagging in Luther Reigns who hits two backbreakers and a sidewalk slam for a near fall. Reigns tags in Jindrak who hits a reverse elbow for a two count.

Mark Jindrak applies a full nelson to Eddie Guerrero but Eddie gets out of it, sending Jindrak into the corner. Mark then tags Kurt Angle back in who stops Eddie from making a tag. Kurt hits a belly to belly and tags in Luther Reigns. John Cena yet to officially get involved with this match yet. Luther hits a double underhook suplex and tags in Mark Jindrak. Jindrak applies a chinlock but Eddie gets out of it by hitting a jawbreaker. Jindrak tags out to Kurt Angle and it’s the two team captains once again. Angle applies a front face lock and then takes him back over to his corner and tags in Jindrak. Jindrak hits an elbow drop and then some Rick Rude/Sable type dancing before dropping another elbow. Eddie hits a hurricanrana from nowhere and then tags in Rob Van Dam. Jindrak tags in Angle but it’s all RVD as he hits a monkey flip. Van Dam goes up top but ends up hitting Jindrak with a frog splash. Kurt then rolls up Van Dam and gets a three count from nowhere! Van Dam has been eliminated!

Eddie then rolls up Jindrak and eliminates Jindrak from the match! We’re down to Eddie, Cena and Big Show against Kurt Angle and Luther Reigns now. Big Show and Luther tag in and Luther hits some big right hands. Big Show then hits Reigns with a chop before booting Kurt Angle. Big Show hits a chokeslam on Reigns, eliminating him from the match! Big Show motions for a chokeslam on Kurt but Angle rolls through and applies an ankle lock on the big man! Big Show rolls Angle out of the ring and Kurt heads to the back! Rob Van Dam comes out from the back and forces Kurt back to the ring. Cena is in the ring now and he hits Kurt with the FU! Eddie comes off the top and hits a frog splash on Angle and then Big Show covers Kurt and gets the three! Eddie Guerrero, John Cena and Big Show win the match!

Rating: 4/10

Jonathan Coachman is backstage with Maven implying that he doesn’t deserve to be in the match tonight. Snitsky then attacks Maven from behind and throws him into a flight case before booting him in the face. Will Maven be able to complete tonight?

There’s a video package about Heidenreich and The Undertaker next. There’s something catchy about Heidenreichs music.

The Undertaker vs. Heidenreich

This is a pay per view debut for Heidenreich. Just like it was for Undertaker 14 years ago. Undertaker has a 6-6 record at Survivor Series pay per views. Heidenreich is joined by his manager Paul Heyman and makes his entrance in a straight jacket. Undertaker lays in some right hands early on and then a big boot to drop Heidenreich to the mat. Undertaker hits a couple of elbow drops for a near fall and then starts to work the shoulder. Undertaker then sets up for old school but Heyman jumps up on the apron and Heidenreich hits The Undertaker with a low blow. Heyman once again distracts the referee, this time allowing Heidenreich to crotch Undertaker around the ring post. Heidenreich lays into Undertaker on the outside but Undertaker gets back into it and throws Heidenreich into the ring steps.

Undertaker lays Heidenreich down on the ring apron before hitting him with a couple of big forearms and then a legdrop for a near fall. Undertaker then hits old school and then the facebuster move that Scott Steiner was using as a finisher. Undertaker then attempts a running big boot in the corner but Heidenreich steps out of the way and then elbows Undertaker down to the floor below. Back in the ring and Heidenreich gets a near fall and then applies a chinlock. Heidenreich hits a couple of clotheslines and drops a couple of elbows before attempting a suplex but Undertaker reverses it into a suplex of his own. The two men then slug it out and Heidenreich throws Undertaker out of the ring. Undertaker drops Heidenreich on the top rope before going up to the top and hitting a clothesline for a near fall.

Undertaker hits a clothesline, snake eyes, a running big boot and a leg drop for a near fall and then motions for a chokeslam. Heidenreich fights out of the chokeslam and then hits a sidewalk slam for a near fall. Heidenreich hits some lefts and rights in the corner but Undertaker lifts him up and hits the last ride! Undertaker hooks the leg but Heidenreich grabs the bottom rope. Heidenreich reverses an Irish whip and then applies a sleeper but Undertaker takes him down with a back suplex. Both men get up and Undertaker hits a big clothesline and then a chokeslam. Undertaker motions for the Tombstone and he hits it! Undertaker pins and beats Heidenreich tonight! A clean finish so surely the rivalry is over?

Rating: 5/10

Maria is backstage with Eric Bischoff asking him about an update on Maven. Bischoff says that it doesn’t look like Maven can compete tonight. There will be no replacement tonight so if Maven can’t wrestle then he is eliminated.

Video package next for Trish and Lita.

Trish Stratus (c) vs. Lita – WWE Women’s Championship Match

This is a first ever singles match between these two ladies on pay per view. Lita has a 0-3 record at Survivor Series PPV’s whilst Trish has a 1-2 record. Lita goes right after Trish and slaps her in the face. Lita then lays into the champion with right hands before taking the fight to the outside. Lita grabs a chair and smashes Trish with it a couple of times on the outside and the referee calls for the bell! This one is over before it started! Trish’s nose is bleeding and Lita throws her into the ringpost. Trish sells like a pro! And it’s Trish that wins the match by disqualification tonight!

Rating: N/A

John Cena is backstage and Teddy Long informs him that he will get a shot at Carlito’s United States Championship on Smackdown this week.

There’s a video package next for John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Booker T. This match is up next, why isn’t it main eventing?

John “Bradshaw” Layfield (c) vs. Booker T – WWE Championship Match

This is a first time meeting between these two men on pay per view. Bradshaw has a 0-4 record at Survivor Series pay per views whilst Booker T has a 0-3 record. One of those bad records will continue tonight. Orlando Jordan joins JBL from the outside in this one. Booker applies a hammerlock in the early going but JBL just wants to slug it out. Booker T hits some chops and then Layfield hits some right hands and then applies a headlock. Booker T gets out of the headlock and knocks the champion down with a clothesline. Booker then hits his reverse kick which sends JBL out of the ring. Booker T follows but gets suckered into the classic  rolling back in the ring trick. Layfield takes the advantage and hits a neckbreaker before dropping an elbow for a near fall.

Booker T reverses an Irish whip and then hits a back body drop and a clothesline sending JBL back out of the ring. Booker then sends JBL flying over the commentary desk and we lose commentary for a short time. Orlando Jordan gets involved and takes down Booker T with a clothesline. Back in the ring and Layfield applies a chokehold which Booker battles out of but runs into a knee to the middle section. Layfield hits a big boot and then drops a couple of elbows for a near fall before going back to the sleeper. Booker gets out of it but JBL knocks him back down and heads up to the top rope. Booker T meets him up there and hits the WWE Champion with a superplex. Booker then attempts to clothesline JBL out of the ring but JBL ducks it and Booker goes flying to the outside where Orlando Jordan lays into him.

Booker fights back and JBL then comes from behind but Booker T hits JBL with the book end! Booker goes back to work on Orlando Jordan, dropping him on the barricade and then throws JBL into the ring steps. Booker T hits his trademark scissors kick on Orlando and then throws JBL back into the ring. Back in the ring and Booker T comes off the top with a missile dropkick for a near fall. Booker T hits a sidewalk slam and then heads to the top but is distracted by Orlando Jordan which gives JBL time to roll out of the way as Booker flies off with a front flip. JBL covers him and gets a near fall. This time last year these two men were bit parts in traditional Survivor Series matches. JBL applies a sleeper but Booker T gets out of it with a side suplex.

Booker T hits a couple of clotheslines and then a spin kick before taking the champion down with a bicycle kick for a near fall. Booker then attempts to hit his scissors kick but Orlando Jordan grabs his foot as he bounces off the ropes which allows JBL to hit Booker with a DDT for a near fall. The referee gets knocked down to the floor and Orlando Jordan dives in the ring and attacks Booker T. Orlando then grabs a chair but Smackdown announcer Josh Mathews gets involved and dropkicks Orlando back out of the ring. Layfield then hits Mathews with a clothesline from hell but Booker is back up and hits JBL with his scissors kick! Another referee runs down and counts 2 but Orlando pulls the referee out before he can count 3. Orlando gets back in the ring with the WWE title belt but Booker T sees him coming and hits him with the book end. JBL grabs the title and smashes Booker T with it which gets him the 3! John “Bradshaw” Layfield wins the match and retains his WWE Championship tonight!

Rating: 6/10

Evolution are backstage and Batista says that Edge and Snitsky want Triple H’s title. Triple H says that Evolution will run Raw for the first two weeks. Batista tells Flair that he cannot wait to run Raw.

There’s a video package next for the main event.

Randy Orton, Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho vs. Triple H, Batista, Edge & Gene Snitsky

Randy Orton goes into this match with a 1-0 record at Survivor Series pay per views. Chris Benoit has a 2-1 record but is undefeated in traditional Survivor Series matches. Chris Jericho has a 0-5 record. Snitsky and Batista make their Survivor Series debuts tonight. Triple H has wrestled at 6 Survivor Series events and never won whilst Edge has a 1-3 record. Maven was supposed to be in this match but Snitsky took him out and so he’s not present. Ric Flair is ringside for his Evolution buddies. Edge and Chris Benoit start off the match, two rivals former two time tag team champions together. Benoit hits a running forearm and then a big chop, sending Edge out of the ring. Edge tags out to Snitsky who is undefeated on pay per view following his victory over Kane at Taboo Tuesday. Benoit tags in Randy Orton who lays into Snitsky with right hands. Orton tags in Chris Jericho who hits some boots until he gets caught with a clothesline.

Snitsky tags in Triple H who runs into an elbow courtesy of Jericho. Jericho tags out to Orton who grounds Triple H and lays in some boots. Triple H gets up and hits a high knee before tagging out to the last remaining man to have entered the match, Batista. Batista hits some big shoulder blocks in the corner and then some right hands. Batista hits a powerslam for a near fall and then tags in Edge. Edge drops an elbow and hits some right hands. Edge beat Orton for the Intercontinental Championship back at Vengeance in July. Orton hits some lefts and rights but Edge takes him down with a drop toe hold for a two count. Edge hits a dropkick and then takes a cheap shot at Jericho. Orton hits an uppercut and a clothesline and then tags in Benoit. Benoit takes down anyone moving, hitting a suplex on Triple H and a German suplex on Snitsky. Benoit also hits Batista and Triple H with German suplexes. He hits Triple H with three consecutive German suplex before suplexing Edge on to Triple H.

Benoit goes up top and hits a diving headbutt on both Triple H and Edge! He covers Triple H but in comes Snitsky to break it up. Jericho takes care of Snitsky whilst in the ring Benoit locks a sharpshooter on Triple H! Snitsky breaks up the sharpshooter and then intimidates the referee. Benoit applies a crippler crossface to Edge but Batista breaks it up. Triple H then hits a pedigree on Benoit and Edge rolls on top of him and the referee counts the 3 eliminating Chris Benoit from the match. It’s down to 4 on 2 now and in comes Jericho. Triple H takes a cheap shot at Jericho and Edge hits him with a swinging neckbreaker. Edge seems to tag Snitsky and Triple H at the same time and Snitsky and Triple H get into an argument! Batista gets in Snitsky’s face and Jericho locks a walls of Jericho on Triple H! Batista breaks it up but Jericho continues the advantage and tries for a lionsault but Ric Flair grabs his foot! The referee sends Flair to the back!

Batista gets involved and lays into Jericho but Randy Orton helps out Jericho and they double team the animal. Batista takes both men down with clotheslines and then disposes of Orton. Batista hits a big spinebuster on Jericho and then throws away one of his elbow pads but Orton smashes Batista with the World Heavyweight title belt! Jericho hits a running enzeguri which is enough to eliminate Batista from the match. All hell seems to break loose and Batista nails Jericho with a big clothesline. Snitsky tags in and lays some boots into Jericho and then chokes him. Snitsky has been the star of the show tonight. He tags in Edge who hits Jericho with some big right hands. Edge tags out to Snitsky who drops an elbow on Jericho then hits a cheap shot on Orton. Orton gets in the ring but Snitsky disposes of him. Triple H and Edge then lay into Orton on the outside.

Jericho hits Snitsky with a DDT and then from the back walks Maven! He gets up on the apron and Jericho tags him in! Maven lays into Snitsky with lefts and rights and then a big forearm. Maven then takes down Triple H and Edge. Snitsky is bleeding from the face after tha forearm. Maven hits a bulldog on Triple H after disposing of Snitsky and Edge. Snitsky then smashes a chair into the face of Maven which means Snitsky is eliminated due to disqualification. Snitsky smashes the chair into Jericho and Orton for good measure before leaving. Triple H pins Maven who is still out due to the chair shot and Triple H gets the 3 eliminating Maven from the match. We’re down to Triple H and Edge vs. Randy Orton and Chris Jericho. Triple H rolls Jericho back into the ring an Edge pins him but only for a two count.

Triple H attempts a pedigree on Jericho but Jericho back body drops him but only for Edge to hit him with a spear! Edge hooks the leg and gets the 3 eliminating Chris Jericho from the match! Triple H and Edge lay into Randy Orton, stomping him down to the deck. Orton was the sole survivor for his team last year. Edge hits a back suplex on Orton and gets a near fall. Triple H tags in and hits a DDT on Orton for a near fall. Triple H tags in Edge. Orton tries to fight both men and hits a powerslam on Edge. Orton dropkicks Edge into Triple H and rolls up Edge but only for a two count. Randy hits some jabs on Edge but Triple H gets in the ring and takes Orton down with a spinebuster. Edge then dives at Orton with a spear but Orton sidesteps it and Edge takes down Triple H! Orton hits Edge with an RKO and covers him, eliminating Edge from the match!

We’re down to Triple H and Randy Orton. Orton attempts an RKO but Triple H puts on the brakes and hits Orton with a low blow behind the referees back. Triple H then sets up for the pedigree but Orton gets out of it and hits the RKO out of nowhere! Orton hooks the leg and gets the 3! Randy Orton wins the match for his team! This was a really great Survivor Series match. Lots of action and I loved the dynamic of the two teams.

Rating: 8/10

And that was the 18th annual Survivor Series. It felt like an enjoyable watch for the most part with nothing standing out as awful. The Cruiserweights kicked off the show and it was Spike Dudley that retained his title. I like Spike as champion although without Bubba Ray and D-Von his gimmick isn’t as strong and if they’re not back soon then I can’t see his continuing too long as champion. Chavo has a bit of momentum after coming back from injury so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him getting involved in the title picture over the next month or so. Shelton Benjamin then retained his Intercontinental Championship against Christian in clean fashion which puts an end to this rivalry. Christian has cool new entrance music and he is just so damn good at the moment that he deserves to go up the card into the upper midcard. Your guess is as good as mine as to who will challenge Benjamin next.

I tend to love a traditional Survivor Series match but the Smackdown match was probably the weakest match on the show tonight. Carlito was quickly eliminated by forfeit/count out. It would have been good to see the whole face team win this but Rob Van Dam was eliminated, possibly just to make sure Kurt couldn’t escape later in the match. Reigns and Jindrak are essentially jobbers and were a little out of place in this match. I think I would have preferred to have seen the Smackdown tag team champions Rene Dupree and Kenzo Suzuki on the team instead. Big Show pins Kurt Angle again which makes me think there might be another match between these two men. Undertaker beat Heidenreich cleanly which makes me think this feud is over unless they end it with a gimmick match. I’m also inclined to think that this may be heading towards a tag team match at Wrestlemania between Undertaker and Kane and Heidenreich and Snitsky. They’re definitely starting to sow the seeds in any case.

Trish Stratus beat Lita by disqualification to retain her Women’s Championship. This lasted a minute and a half and was a bit of a waste of time. Lita injured Trish, looks like she broke her nose. This feud will keep on going probably until Wrestlemania. It just seemed like an angle you would see on Raw rather than a pay per view. I would have preferred to see a match between the two but maybe Stratus is genuinely too injured to have wrestled in this match. JBL retained his WWE Championship against Booker T in classic heel fashion, smashing him with the title belt. I like the chaos in this match with the referee’s and Orlando Jordan, it was reminiscent of the attitude era. JBL is having some title reign, ploughing through the likes of Eddie Guerrero, Hardcore Holly, The Undertaker and Booker T. I’m not sure who his next opponent is going to be. The Big Show or Rob Van Dam maybe? There are a couple of options on Smackdown for him. One thing I don’t like is this match not going on last. It’s for the biggest title in the company but isn’t on last. Poor.

The match that did go on last was the Raw Survivor Series match which in my opinion was the best match of the night. There was plenty of going on in this one, with Maven being taken out before the match but then returning half way through the match only to be eliminated by Triple H. Snitsky was the wild card and he got himself disqualified. The match was really about Triple H and Randy Orton and it came down to those men before Orton won the match. He’s currently barred from fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship but I can see him getting himself back into the picture even if it means winning the Royal Rumble match to do so. The faces win the match in any case and it’ll be good fun seeing Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho and Maven run Raw over the next few weeks. They’re all bound to give themselves a World title match, besides Orton who can’t, presumably?

Overall Rating: 60/100 (ranked joint 60th out of 172)

Match Of The Night: Orton, Benoit, Jericho & Maven vs. Triple H, Batista, Edge & Snitsky
Worst Match Of The Night: Guerrero, RVD, Big Show & Cena vs. Angle, Reigns, Jindrak & Carlito
Surprise Of The Night: Trish vs. Lita barely gets underway
Worst Booking Of The Night: The WWE title match not going on last
Superstar Of The Night: Snitsky
Survivor Series 2004 Will Be Remembered For: No idea.