Team Belair (Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Mia Yim, and Becky Lynch) vs. Team Bayley (Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Iyo Sky), Nikki Cross, and Rhea Ripley) – WarGames

Background: After Bianca Belair retained the Raw Women’s Championship against Becky Lynch at SummerSlam, Belair was confronted by a returning Bayley, accompanied by Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky, with Lynch standing with Belair. Lynch then took time off due to an injury, while Bayley’s team would dub themselves as Damage CTRL and began feuding with the trio of Belair, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka. While Belair and Bayley fought over the Raw Women’s Championship with Belair retaining in both encounters, Bliss and Asuka traded the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship with Kai and Sky, with Nikki Cross costing Bliss and Asuka the titles. On the November 7 episode of Raw, Belair, Bliss, and Asuka challenged Damage CTRL to a WarGames match at Survivor Series WarGames, which was accepted. Damage CTRL subsequently recruited Cross to their team. The following week, Mia Yim, who had returned to WWE the previous week, joined Belair’s team, while Rhea Ripley joined Bayley’s team. On the November 21 episode of Raw, Ripley defeated Asuka to give Bayley’s team the advantage in the WarGames match, and on the November 25 episode of SmackDown, a returning Lynch was revealed as the fifth member of Belair’s team.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first.

Survivor Series PPV Record: Bianca is 1-2, Alexa Bliss is 0-2, Asuka is 1-3, Becky Lynch is 1-3, Bayley is 1-4, Iyo Sky is 0-1, Nikki Cross is 0-1, Rhea Ripley is 1-1 and both Mia Yim and Dakota Kai wrestle at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: Bianca Belair and Dakota Kai kick off the match. This is Dakota’s fourth War Games match. Bianca is pretty dominant for the opening five minutes of the match but Dakota didn’t have a bad showing herself. Iyo Sky is the next entrant, her and Dakota double team Belair in a one sided beat down. Asuka enters next to even the odds and we get a nice back and forth between Asuka and Iyo. Nikki Cross enters next but not without throwing trash can lids and kendo sticks into the ring first. Alexa Bliss enters the match and gets caught up in a camera cable. She goes after her former tag team partner Nikki Cross. All of the women go at it with kendo sticks but Nikki climbs on top of the cage before flying off with a cross body, taking everyone out. Bayley is next and she bring a ladder into the match followed by a table to a big pop. As you’d expect, the heels are dominant when they have the numbers advantage but it’s even when the numbers are. 

Mia Yim enters next as all of her team are laid out. Mia brings in weapons and takes out everyone that moves. Rhea Ripley is the final member of her team to enter and she takes shots at everyone to take control for her team. There’s a double team move between Rhea and Iyo before Becky Lynch joins the match and the bell rings to officially start the match. Becky comes in like a house of fire before getting double teamed by Bayley and Rhea. Asuka sprays poison mist in the eyes of Rhea Ripley to slow her down. Iyo hits a moonsault off the top of the cage on Mia Yim and Bianca Belair. Nikki attempts to handcuff Alexa Bliss to the cage but instead Alexa handcuffs herself to Nikki! Mia locks a sleeper on Rhea but Ripley drives Mia Yim through a ladder. It comes down to Damage CTRL and Bianca & Becky as the only five girls standing. Lynch hits a manhandle slam on Dakota and Bianca hits Iyo with a KOD. Bianca then lays Iyo snd Dakota on a table before hitting Bayley with a KOD into the cage. Lynch then flies off the top of the cage with a legdrop on Sky and Kai before pinning Dakota for the victory!

Result: Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, Asuka and Mia Yim win by pinfall.

Review: This was a really fun match. It was chaotic, it was crazy, it was booked well and it was a great watch from start to finish. I had a feeling the babyfaces would win this (and I think the heels will win later). It was the right result, I think Becky may be involved with Ronda come Wrestlemania so it keeps her looking strong. WarGames did not disappoint tonight.

Rating: 8/10

AJ Styles vs. Finn Balor

Background: In early October, The O.C. (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson) began a rivalry with The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, and Rhea Ripley), but The O.C. were always at a disadvantage due to Ripley, who cost The O.C. their six-man tag team match against her stablemates at Crown Jewel. On the November 7 episode of Raw, The O.C. confronted The Judgment Day and introduced the returning Mia Yim as their solution to deal with Ripley. The following week, a singles match between Styles and Bálor was scheduled for Survivor Series WarGames, with their respective stablemates in their corners.

Previous PPV matches: Finn Balor previously beat AJ Styles at TLC 2017.

Survivor Series PPV Record: AJ Styles is 1-4, Finn Balor is 0-3.

Match: Both men walk out with their stables and both men walk out wearing masks. It’s a cagey start to the match, true feeling out process. AJ gets the first few effective strikes in. Finn soon takes control and works a moderate pace, not the quick pace he worked as a babyface. AJ lines up for a phenomenal forearm but Damien Priest gets up on the apron which distracts the referee and allows Dominik to pull AJ off the apron. This causes a brawl between the OC and Judgment Day with the four members not involved in the match fighting through the crowd. Finn hits a slingblade on Styles and then looks for a shotgun dropkick but Styles counters and suplexes Balor into the corner for a two count. Balor counters a calf crusher and hits a stomp. Finn sets up for a Styles clash but AJ counters. AJ hits a moonsault into reverse DDT for a near fall and then heads to the top but Balor avoids a 450 splash and hits a shotgun dropkick. Balor heads to the top now but Styles avoids the coup de gras. AJ locks on the calf crusher but Balor manages to smash Style’s head into the canvas to break it. AJ hits a phenomenal forearm which is enough for the three!

Result: AJ Styles wins by pinfall.

Review: I’m a little surprised by this result, I thought Finn Balor would take it. This was a good match, there were some nice spots and false finishes. AJ did need a win to be fair, he hasn’t had a meaningful one for a while. I’m not sure of Styles direction from here but I’m sure Edge will be back soon to avenge Finn Balor. A good match tonight.

Rating: 6.75/10

Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Shotzi – Smackdown Women’s Championship match

Background: On the November 11 episode of SmackDown, Shotzi won a six-pack challenge to earn a SmackDown Women’s Championship match against Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series WarGames.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two girls.

Survivor Series PPV Record: Ronda is 1-0, Shotzi is 0-1.

Match: Ronda Rousey is joined by her mate Shayna Baszler for this one. This could be a quick match. Shotzi starts scrappy with a flurry of fists but Ronda just fights her off with throws. Ronda applies an ankle lock but Shotzi gets out of it. Shotzi looks for a suicide dive but Shayna pushes Ronda out of the way and Shotzi hits Baszler. Shotzi throws Rousey into the ring steps and then back into the ring. Shotzi then has to kick Shayna off the apron before clotheslining Rousey, going to the top and looking for a cross body but Ronda counters with a belly to belly. Rousey just plays with Shotzi before applying another ankle lock. Shotzi gets out of it with an enzeguri. Ronda hits a stiff kick and right hands. Shotzi hits a right hand and then a bizarre DDT where Shotzi steps up to the top rope and sort of hits a DDT onto the apron. Shotzi has to fight off both Shayna and Ronda outside the ring, dumping them both over the barricade and then hitting them with a cross body. Back in the ring and Ronda hits a throw off the top for a near fall. Rousey hits Piper’s Pit and then applies arm bar causing Shotzi to tap.

Result: Ronda Rousey retains the Smackdown Women’s Championship by submission.

Review: This match was ok. It went a bit longer than I thought it would. It’s definitely Shotzi’s biggest match to date but it was a fairly standard defence for Ronda. I’m sure Rousey will hold the title into Wrestlemania. It’s nice to see Ronda defend against different opponents but it was a hell of a predictable match.

Rating: 5/10

Seth Rollins (c) vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Austin Theory – Triple threat match for the United States Championship

Background: On the November 7 episode of Raw, Seth “Freakin” Rollins held an open challenge for the United States Championship, which was answered by Bobby Lashley, who Rollins controversially won the title from a few weeks prior. The match, however, never commenced as Lashley instead attacked Rollins before the match could begin. After the beat down, Austin Theory ran out and cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on a weakened Rollins; however, Rollins retained the title thanks to interference from Lashley. The following week, Lashley said he would continue to target Rollins until he won back the championship, and later that night, Theory attacked Rollins. On the November 21 episode, it was announced that Rollins would defend the United States Championship against Lashley and Theory in a triple threat match at Survivor Series WarGames.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time triple threat match between these three men.

Survivor Series PPV Record: Seth Rollins is 3-5, Bobby Lashley is 3-2 and Austin Theory is 0-1.

Match: The bell rings and Lashley doesn’t waste any time clotheslining Theory out of the ring. Lashley and Rollins start the match against each other until Rollins gets knocked out of the ring and Theory throws him into the barricade. Lashley and Theory then go at it until Rollins gets involved again. Bobby dominates against both opponents. The fight goes to the outside where Rollins throws Lashley into the ring steps. It’s no disqualification so both Theory and Rollins attempt to bring weapons into the match. Theory smashes both men with the ring steps. Theory is showing a much more aggressive side as he takes control against both men. Seth then has his turn to take control, hitting multiple suicide dives on both challengers. Seth motions for a stomp on Theory but Lashley pulls Theory out of the way and hits Rollins with a chokeslam. Bobby applies a hurt lock but Theory jumps on Lashley’s back, applying a sleeper. Lashley breaks it up and Seth hits Lashley with a pedigree for a near fall.

Theory dumps Rollins out of the ring and then hits Lashley with a rolling blockbuster. Austin then looks for A-Town down but Lashley applies the hurt lock. Theory counters it before Rollins comes out of nowhere with a frog splash. Lashley manages to apply a hurt lock on both opponents at the same time but it gets broken up. Rollins uses Theory to springboard stomp Lashley. Rollins hits a superplex on Theory and then looks to follow it up with a falcon arrow but Lashley hits a (weak looking) spear! Theory lands on top of Rollins and the referee counts the 3!

Result: Austin Theory wins the United States Championship by pinfall.

Review: This was a good match. It was well put together and the timings were good for it. Austin Theory wins the match and the United States Championship, pinning Seth Rollins but it did come across as a fluke win. Bobby Lashley isn’t involved in the pinfall so he comes out of it looking unscathed. Theory is now technically the top champion on Raw. I’m not sure where this leaves Rollins and Lashley but it’s a big win for Austin Theory.

Rating: 7/10

The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland, and Butch), Drew McIntyre, and Kevin Owens vs. The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, Sami Zayn, and The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso)) – WarGames

Background: In mid-October, The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland, and Butch) began feuding with members of The Bloodline (The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn), including an unsuccessful attempt at The Usos’ Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. On the November 11 episode of SmackDown, the two teams brawled, which also involved Bloodline leader, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns; Drew McIntyre also joined the fray, siding with The Brawling Brutes. The following week, it was confirmed that The Brawling Brutes would face The Bloodline in a WarGames match at Survivor Series WarGames. Despite McIntyre’s past issues with Sheamus, they made amends and he joined Sheamus’ team as he had his own issues with The Bloodline. Later that night, the two teams brawled, after which Kevin Owens made his return from injury and revealed himself as the fifth member of Sheamus’ team with Owens also having previous issues with The Bloodline. On the November 25 episode of SmackDown, McIntyre and Sheamus defeated The Usos to get the advantage in the WarGames match.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first match involving these ten men.

Survivor Series PPV Record: Sheamus is 5-6, Pete Dunne is 0-1, Drew McIntyre is 2-4, Kevin Owens is 0-5, Roman Reigns is 7-2, Sami Zayn is 0-3, Jey Uso is 2-5, Jimmy Uso is 1-5 whilst both Ridge Holland and Solo Sikoa wrestle at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: Butch is the man to start for his team whilst Jey Uso starts for The Bloodline. Butch starts the match well after drawing Jey into the second ring. Jey soon takes control until Ridge Holland enters the match. Ridge comes in and dominates against Jey which allows Butch to recover. Butch and Ridge then double team Jey until it looks like Jimmy is going to join the fray but Roman pulls him back and sends in Sami Zayn. Zayn goes right to work on Holland before he and Jey Uso double team their opponents. Jey still doesn’t want anything to do with Sami. It’s back and forth until Drew McIntyre joins the match. McIntyre throws Sami and Jey around the ring single handedly. Drew hits Sami with a futureshock DDT.

Jimmy Uso is next to enter and brings a table into the ring before stopping Jey and Sami from coming to blows. The Bloodline take control until Kevin Owens joins the match with chairs. KO cleans house but we don’t get a showdown between Owens and Zayn yet. Owens puts Jimmy Uso through a table before Solo Sikoa joins. Solo lays out Butch and Holland before going toe to toe with Owens, a battle that Sikoa wins. McIntyre and Solo then go at it. With everybody down, in walks Sheamus. Sheamus takes control for his team and it’s a 5 on 4 beatdown whilst The Brutes, McIntyre and Owens have the numbers advantage. Sheamus hits Sikoa with white noise off the middle turnbuckle. Roman Reigns then slowly enters the match. All ten men go at it and with everyone else down, Roman Reigns stands tall. All members of Sheamus’ team hit ten beats of the bodhran on The Bloodline.

Solo eats a brogue kick but Roman drops Sheamus with a spear before Butch breaks up the pinfall. Jey accidentally wipes out Sami with a superkick after Butch ducked. The Usos then hit the 1D on Butch for a near fall. Reigns spears Holland through a table. Solo hits a urunage on McIntyre through a table. KO hits Solo with a stunner and Roman breaks up the pinfall. Owens hits Roman with a pop-up powerbomb and a stunner but Sami Zayn prevents the official from counting the three. Owens and Zayn get in each others face before Sami hits KO with a low blow. Sami hits a helluva kick and lays KO down for Jey Uso to hit a splash for the victory.

Result: The Bloodline win by pinfall.

Review: This was a great main event. The psychology was spot on. You obviously had the quality of the match and then on top of that you had the Sami Zayn storyline which was the big payoff at the end of the night. It was a well crafted match that had you hooked from beginning to end. There were some nice spots throughout, the crowd were big on table spots tonight. I’m surprised that Roman Reigns didn’t score the winning pinfall but I really like how it finished. The Bloodline were always going to win this one and I’m a big fan of how it went. The Sami Zayn/Jey Uso storyline certainly trumps any world title rivalry at the moment.

Rating: 8.5/10