Cageside Seats - WWE Survivor Series 2015 live streaming results, recaps, reactions, videos, more!Inside Pro Wrestlinghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48257/CSS-Logo-fv.png2015-11-29T13:00:02-05:00http://www.cagesideseats.com/rss/stream/95426332015-11-29T13:00:02-05:002015-11-29T13:00:02-05:00Cageside Speaks! We're all survivors edition
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<p>After WWE pay-per-view (PPV)s, and on other occasions of import, a panel of Cagesiders is convened to discuss. These conversations among members of the best dang pro wrestling community on the interwebs are called...</p>
<h5>CAGESIDE SPEAKS</h5>
<p>(get it?)</p>
<p>Yesterday, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BaconStrips">BaconStrips</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Tonya%20Rodgers">Tonya Rodgers</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/andrewmswift">andrewmswift</a> and - in our Survivor Series debut spot, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/14fizzpatrick">14fizzpatrick</a> - joined me for a conversation about an epically bad week for WWE and what we think it means for <em>TLC</em>, and the next few months of programming.</p>
<p>Also covered in this edition while trying to forget about the WWE champ, Dolph Ziggler and their asses:</p>
<p>- Tonya with a pipebomb on why she loves the man some smarks love to hate, Roman Reigns, and how WWE's crappy booking has ensured that he'll always be hated by half the audience.<br>- Sheamus, or how to make us not care about a WWE champ.<br>- The going on 17 year run for Triple H as the company's top heel.<br>- What would you give to never have to see Dean Ambrose do another rebound clothesline?<br>- Do you blame the Dudleyz or New Day for the sad state of the tag division?<br>- Is the Intercontinental champ more Dusty Rhodes, Daniel Bryan or Steve Austin?<br>- Possible career options for Charlotte since the whole pro wrestling thing doesn't seem to be working out for her.<br>- Has the Money in the Bank concept become a crutch (or a magic reset button) for WWE's bad booking habits?</p>
<p>Plus a few other tangents and side discussions as four fans with different views & opinions, likes & dislikes, do their best to show why our little corner of the internet wrestling community is so darn special.</p>
<p>Hope you enjoy the show, and please hit us up in the comments with your thoughts, feedback, questions or suggestions. We'll definitely be back after <em>TakeOver: London</em>, possibly with a cast of thousands</p>
<p>Stay tuned.</p>
<blockquote> <p><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/cagesideseats" target="_blank">Subscribe to Cageside Seats on YouTube.</a></p> <p>Cageside Speaks logo by <a target="_blank" href="https://instagram.com/thedannybaxter/">TheDannyBaxter</a>.</p> </blockquote>
https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2015/11/29/9812340/cageside-speaks-were-all-survivors-edition-wwe-survivor-series-2015Sean Rueter2015-11-29T11:00:02-05:002015-11-29T11:00:02-05:00Match Times: WWE Survivor Series 2015 Edition
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<figcaption><a href='http://www.wwe.com'>WWE.com</a></figcaption>
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<p>WWE's <i>Survivor Series 2015</i> lasted for 2 hours 46 minutes and 13 seconds (2h 46m 13s). Here is a breakdown of the timing for every single second of the show, in chronological order.</p>
<p id="paragraph1" class="pgh-paragraph">The matches are in bold. The "pre-match" segments include video packages, entrances, ring introductions, and any verbal promos that occur right before a match officially begins. The "post-match" segments include any celebrations, replays, angles, attacks, or promos that occur right after a match is finished.</p>
<ul>
<li>0m 19s: WWE's "Then, Now, Forever" opening</li>
<li>2m 33s: Lilian Garcia sings the national anthem</li>
<li>3m 24s: Video hyping <i>Survivor Series 2015</i> </li>
<li>0m 56s: Opening pyro as Cole welcomes you to <i>Survivor Series 2015</i> </li>
<li>3m 30s: Pre-match for Reigns vs Del Rio</li>
<li><b>14m 06s: Reigns vs Del Rio</b></li>
<li>0m 55s: Post-match for Reigns vs Del Rio</li>
<li>2m 23s: Backstage interview with Reigns, Ambrose, and Owens</li>
<li>2m 29s: Pre-match for Ambrose vs Owens</li>
<li><b>11m 20s: Ambrose vs Owens</b></li>
<li>1m 42s: Post-match for Ambrose vs Owens</li>
<li>0m 56s: Commercial and commentator hype for <i>TLC 2015</i> </li>
<li>2m 17s: Video celebrating 25 years of Undertaker</li>
<li>7m 19s: Pre-match for Usos, Ryback, Lucha Dragons vs New Day, Barrett, Sheamus</li>
<li> <b>17m 34s: Usos, Ryback, Lucha Dragons vs New Day, Barrett, Sheamus</b><br> </li>
<li>0m 36s: Post-match for Usos, Ryback, Lucha Dragons vs New Day, Barrett, Sheamus</li>
<li>0m 16s: Commercial for <i>Rolaids Advanced</i> </li>
<li>0m 26s: Commercial for Undertaker merchandise on WWE Shop</li>
<li>0m 31s: Filler commentary after Cole talks about Atlanta</li>
<li>5m 47s: Pre-match for Charlotte vs Paige</li>
<li><b>14m 15s: Charlotte vs Paige</b></li>
<li>0m 54s: Post-match for Charlotte vs Paige</li>
<li>1m 25s: Expert panel with Renee, Booker T, Graves, and Saxton</li>
<li>1m 18s: Backstage interview with Ambrose and Reigns</li>
<li>1m 00s: Commercial for <i>WWE 2K16</i> </li>
<li>2m 43s: Pre-match for Ziggler vs Breeze</li>
<li><b>6m 40s: Ziggler vs Breeze</b></li>
<li>0m 53s: Post-match for Ziggler vs Breeze</li>
<li>0m 31s: Commercial for <i>Create A WWE Superstar</i> </li>
<li>0m 16s: Commercial for <i>Rolaids Advanced</i> </li>
<li>0m 25s: Plug for PPV theme song</li>
<li>14m 18s: Pre-match for Brothers of Destruction vs Wyatt and Harper</li>
<li><b>10m 20s: Brothers of Destruction vs Wyatt and Harper</b></li>
<li>4m 21s: Post-match for Brothers of Destruction vs Wyatt and Harper</li>
<li>2m 22s: Commercial for upcoming content on <i>WWE Network</i> </li>
<li>0m 34s: Commercial for <i>Breaking Ground</i> </li>
<li>3m 21s: Pre-match for Ambrose vs Reigns</li>
<li><b>9m 03s: Ambrose vs Reigns</b></li>
<li>4m 16s: Post-match for Ambrose vs Reigns</li>
<li>0m 20s: Pre-match for Reigns vs Sheamus</li>
<li><b>0m 38s: Reigns vs Sheamus</b></li>
<li>4m 31s: Post-match for Reigns vs Sheamus</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Match Times</b></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph3">The 8 matches combined for a total time of 1h 23m 56s. This means that 50.5% of the show was devoted to bell-to-bell action. This is the 30th highest percentage in this category out of the 36 WWE events in my data set, which begins with <i><a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/cageside-seats-features/2013/11/20/5080006/match-times-wwe-royal-rumble-2013-edition" target="_blank" data-ref-index="7"><i>Royal Rumble 2013</i></a></i>. Out of the 32 three-hour events in my data set, the total match time of 1h 23m 56s ranks 29th highest.</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph4">Here is the sorted list of match times for<i> Survivor Series 2015</i>. This also includes where each match time ranks out of all 257 matches in my data set.</p>
<ul>
<li>17m 34s: Usos, Ryback, Lucha Dragons vs New Day, Barrett, Sheamus (64th longest)<br> </li>
<li>14m 15s: Charlotte vs Paige (94th)<br> </li>
<li>14m 06s: Reigns vs Del Rio (97th)<br> </li>
<li>11m 20s: Ambrose vs Owens (136th)<br> </li>
<li>10m 20s: Brothers of Destruction vs Wyatt and Harper (149th)<br> </li>
<li>9m 03s: Ambrose vs Reigns (167th)<br> </li>
<li>6m 40s: Ziggler vs Breeze (213th)<br> </li>
<li>0m 38s: Reigns vs Sheamus (252nd)<br> </li>
</ul>
<p>Reigns versus Ambrose is the second shortest main event match in my data set. Rollins versus Lesnar from <i><a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/2015/7/26/9038673/match-times-wwe-battleground-2015-edition" target="_blank">Battleground 2015</a></i> still holds the distinction for shortest main event match with a match time of 8m 16s.</p>
<p>Main event matches in 2015 have collectively been shorter than main event matches from 2013 and 2014. There are 36 main event matches in my data set, and only three matches from 2015 rank in the top half of the longest match times from that group. The median time for a main event match from 2013 to 2014 was 24m 38s, and the median time for a main event match in 2015 is 19m 09s. The most recent 5 main event matches are the primary culprits here, as they all rank below that 2015 median time.</p>
<p>Charlotte versus Paige is now the longest one-on-one Divas match in my data set, beating out Charlotte versus Nikki from <i><a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/2015/9/27/9401677/match-times-wwe-night-of-champions-2015-edition" target="_blank">Night of Champions 2015</a></i>. This was the first time a Divas match ranked as one of the two longest matches on the main card of a PPV.</p>
<p>I don't include pre-show matches in my data set. However it is worth noting that if the match time that is listed on <a href="http://profightdb.com/cards/wwe/survivor-series-3915-23003.html" target="_blank">ProFightDB</a> <a href="http://profightdb.com/cards/wwe/survivor-series-3915-23003.html" target="_blank"></a>is accurate, then the pre-show match time of 18m 03s was actually the longest match of the night.</p>
<p>The cash-in match made <i>Survivor Series 2015</i> the first 3-hour PPV in 2015 to fit 8 matches on to the main card. However this event still came up just short of 84 minutes of total match time, which is about as low as it gets. Every PPV in my data set has at least 1h 22m 30s of total match time. <i>Survivor Series 2015</i> essentially provided the bare minimum content in this regard.</p>
<p>The total show time of 2h 46m 13s ranks 27th longest out of the 32 three-hour events in my data set. WWE clearly could have extended the main event match by at least 5 minutes and still would have had plenty of time available for the cash-in angle.</p>
<p><i>Survivor Series 2015</i> joined <i><a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/2015/5/24/8647883/match-times-wwe-payback-2015-edition" target="_blank">Payback 2015</a></i> as the only PPVs of the year without a 4-star match, as judged by Dave Meltzer.</p>
<p>The Roman Empire lasted for 5m 14s.</p>
<p>John Cena had no match time on PPV for the first time since <i><a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/2013/10/11/4819304/match-times-wwe-battleground-2013-edition" target="_blank">Battleground 2013</a></i>, which was just over 2 years ago.</p>
<p>Seth Rollins also had a long streak of PPV matches snapped, depending on how you judge his forfeit victories over Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns in 2014. If you count those forfeits as matches, then the last time Seth Rollins did not have a match on the main card of a PPV was <i><a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/2013/8/21/4642498/match-times-wwe-summerslam-2013" target="_blank">SummerSlam 2013</a></i>.</p>
<p>Kevin Owens has now wrestled on the main card of 7 consecutive PPV events, and with Rollins and Cena out of the mix, that makes him the active leader in this category. Roman Reigns would be the leader if it were not for missing out on a match at <i><a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/2015/6/7/8736843/match-times-wwe-elimination-chamber-2015-edition" target="_blank">Elimination Chamber 2015</a></i>. I'm not sure if that event technically qualifies as a PPV since it may have been exclusive to <i>WWE Network</i>, but for the purposes of my data set it is treated no differently from any of the other PPV events.</p>
<p>The survival times for Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are unclear because they voluntarily left the arena after Big E's elimination. There was never an announcement of their official elimination, and the commentators were talking as if the New Day could return at any point. I chose their elimination point as the moment when they were last seen on camera as they walked back up the entrance ramp.</p>
<p>With that choice in mind, here are the survival times for the wrestlers who participated in the traditional <i>Survivor Series</i> elimination tag team match:</p>
<ul>
<li>17m 34s: Jey Uso, Kalisto, Ryback, Sheamus</li>
<li>12m 27s: Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods</li>
<li>11m 23s: Big E</li>
<li>10m 43s: Sin Cara</li>
<li>9m 23s: Jimmy Uso</li>
<li>7m 47s: King Barrett <br> </li>
</ul>
<p><b>Pre-match Segments</b></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph13">The pre-match segments combined for a total time of 39m 47s, which is 23.9% of the show. This is the 12th highest percentage in this category out of the 36 events in my data set. Out of the 32 three-hour events in my data set, the total pre-match segment time of 39m 47s ranks 14nd highest.</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph14">Here is the sorted list of pre-match segment time for all 8 matches. For some context, keep in mind that the median pre-match segment time in my data set is 4m 51s and the average time is 5m 40s.</p>
<ul>
<li>14m 18s: Brothers of Destruction vs Wyatt and Harper</li>
<li>7m 19s: Usos, Ryback, Lucha Dragons vs New Day, Barrett, Sheamus</li>
<li>5m 47s: Charlotte vs Paige</li>
<li>3m 30s: Reigns vs Del Rio</li>
<li>3m 21s: Ambrose vs Reigns</li>
<li>2m 43s: Ziggler vs Breeze</li>
<li>2m 29s: Ambrose vs Owens</li>
<li>0m 20s: Reigns vs Sheamus</li>
</ul>
<p><i>Survivor Series 2015</i> included 17 separate pre-match superstar entrances. These 17 entrances took up a total time of 24m 11s. Here is the sorted list of these 17 entrance times:</p>
<ul>
<li>5m 24s: The Undertaker</li>
<li>1m 57s: The Wyatt Family</li>
<li>1m 45s: Del Rio with Colter (with a 0m 12s intro of Spanish announce team and 0m 31s inset Colter promo)<br> </li>
<li>1m 40s: Reigns (semi-finals, with a 0m 14s intro of Cole's announce team and a 0m 11s bracket update)</li>
<li>1m 34s: Tyler Breeze (with a 0m 31s <i>Smackdown</i> recap of his debut)<br> </li>
<li>1m 27s: Kevin Owens</li>
<li>1m 25s: Reigns (main event, with a 0m 12s bracket update)</li>
<li>1m 04s: The Usos (with a 0m 15s plug for <i>Hulu</i>)<br> </li>
<li>1m 04s: Charlotte (with a 0m 14s Becky Lynch tweet)<br> </li>
<li>1m 04s: Dolph Ziggler (with a 0m 13s Ziggler tweet)<br> </li>
<li>1m 03s: New Day, King Barrett, and Sheamus</li>
<li>0m 58s: Kane</li>
<li>0m 57s: Paige (with a 0m 17s Paige tweet)<br> </li>
<li>0m 55s: Dean Ambrose (semi-finals, with a 0m 11s plug for <i>Rolaids Advanced</i>)</li>
<li>0m 42s: Dean Ambrose (main event)</li>
<li>0m 39s: Lucha Dragons</li>
<li>0m 33s: Ryback</li>
</ul>
<p><i>Survivor Series</i> <i>2015</i> also included one other entrance outside of these 17 pre-match entrances. When you add on the entrance time for the Triple H (0m 29s) after the main event ended, it results in a total entrance time for the show of 24m 40s.</p>
<p id="paragraph17" class="pgh-paragraph">In addition to 17 entrances, the pre-match segments also featured 2 extended video packages. The video packages for Charlotte versus Paige (2m 16s) and Undertaker's match (3m 16s) add up to 5m 32s.</p>
<p id="paragraph18" class="pgh-paragraph">So when you combine the 17 pre-match entrances (24m 11s) and the 2 dedicated video packages (5m 32s), that accounts for 29m 43s of the overall pre-match segment time on the show.</p>
<p>The New Day's promo lasted 3m 07s. I ended the clock on their entrance time at the beginning of their promo. The reason I do this is because when I measure entrance time the idea is to see how much time is spent on non-essential content. As soon as a promo begins during an entrance, I consider that as essential content for the show, and so I try to exclude it from entrance time.</p>
<p>The cutoff point that I chose between the post-match segment for the main event match and the pre-match segment for the cash-in match was the moment when Triple H's back hit the mat from Roman's spear. There is some ambiguity here, as it could be argued that Triple H's entire appearance was part of the pre-match content for the cash-in match. But I judged it as part of the post-match content for Roman's championship victory. This is one of those cases where things get dicey due to my decision to make all pre-match and post-match segments mutually exclusive.</p>
<p>Most of the pre-show segments on this card really weren't that long. But the pre-match segment for the Undertaker's match was a behemoth and more than made up for the shorter pre-match segments elsewhere on the card. Undertaker's entrance alone is giant time-filler, and Bray Wyatt's entrance is also one of the longest on the roster.</p>
<p>It can't be emphasized enough how long the pre-match segment time was for the Brothers of Destruction versus The Wyatt Family. Clocking in at 14m 18s, this pre-match segment was actually longer than all but one match on the main card of the PPV. This is tied for the 4th longest pre-match segment in my data set out of 257 total pre-match segments.</p>
<p>One of the consequences of having a 10-man elimination tag team match is lengthy entrance times, particularly because Ryback's team did not come out as a unified unit with just one entrance.</p>
<p>Dean Ambrose is once again the king of short entrances. This man power walks to the ring and is ready for business. His two entrances combined for 1m 37s. The only reason his first entrance even lasted as long as it did is because WWE snuck in a 0m 11s ad for <i>Rolaids Advanced</i> while Dean was waiting in the ring with his entrance music still playing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Post-match Segments</b></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph26">The post-match segments combined for a total time of 20m 03s, which is 12.1% of the show. This is the 6th highest percentage in this category out of the 36 events in my data set. Out of the 32 three-hour events in my data set, the total post-match segment time of 20m 03s ranks 7th highest.</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph27">Here is the sorted list of the post-match segment time for all 8 matches. For some context, keep in mind that the median post-match segment time in my data set is 2m 01s and the average time is 2m 29s.</p>
<ul>
<li>4m 31s: Reigns vs Sheamus</li>
<li>4m 21s: Brothers of Destruction vs Wyatt and Harper</li>
<li>4m 16s: Ambrose vs Reigns</li>
<li>2m 50s: Reigns vs Del Rio</li>
<li>1m 42s: Ambrose vs Owens</li>
<li>0m 54s: Charlotte vs Paige</li>
<li>0m 53s: Ziggler vs Breeze</li>
<li>0m 36s: Usos, Ryback, Lucha Dragons vs New Day, Barrett, Sheamus</li>
</ul>
<p>There were no post-match replays for Charlotte versus Paige, Ziggler versus Breeze, or the elimination tag team match.</p>
<p>This event featured some of the longest and some of the shortest post-match segments in my data set, with not much in the middle. Only 23 post-match segments out of 257 in my data set have lasted under 60 seconds, and 3 of them came from this event.</p>
<p>The post-match segment for the elimination tag team match is tied for the second shortest post-match segment in my data set. The post-match segment for Titus O'Neil versus Darren Young from <i><a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/2014/2/27/5448118/match-times-elimination-chamber-2014-edition" target="_blank">Elimination Chamber 2014</a></i> is the shortest, with a post-match segment time of 0m 26s.</p>
<p>On the opposite end of the spectrum, only 38 post-match segments have lasted longer than 4 minutes, and 3 of them came from this event. The Undertaker sure knows how to fill time by slowly walking.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Miscellaneous Segments</b></p>
<p>That leaves about 13.5% (22m 27s) of the show for everything else. This is the 13th highest percentage in this category out of the 36 events in my data set. Out of the 32 three-hour events in my data set, the total miscellaneous segment time of 22m 27s ranks 12th highest.</p>
<p>WWE spent 2m 33s of the show on Lilian singing the national anthem, which was perhaps a response to the rumors that <i>Survivor Series 2015</i> may have been a terrorist target.</p>
<p>The backstage segments featuring Reigns and Ambrose combined to take up 3m 41s.</p>
<p>There were commercials or hype for things like <i>Breaking Ground</i>, <i>TLC 2015</i>, <i>Rolaids Advanced</i>, <i>WWE Shop</i>, <i>WWE 2K16</i>, <i>Create A WWE Superstar</i>, and <i>WWE Network</i> content. The sum of these times was 6m 56s.</p>
<p>The rest of the miscellaneous time came from the opening hype video for the event, the expert panel, a video celebrating Undertaker's career, filler commentary, and a plug for the PPV theme song.</p>
<p><b>Summary</b></p>
<p>Here is a listing of how much total show time was allocated for each match when you add up all 3 components: pre-match time, match time, and post-match time. This list also includes where each total time ranks among the 257 entries in my data set.</p>
<ul>
<li>28m 59s: Brothers of Destruction vs Wyatt and Harper (65th longest out of 257 entries)<br> </li>
<li>25m 29s: Usos, Ryback, Lucha Dragons vs New Day, Barrett, Sheamus (83rd)<br> </li>
<li>20m 56s: Charlotte vs Paige (111th)<br> </li>
<li>20m 26s: Reigns vs Del Rio (117th)<br> </li>
<li>16m 40s: Ambrose vs Reigns (157th)<br> </li>
<li>15m 31s: Ambrose vs Owens (164th)<br> </li>
<li>10m 16s: Ziggler vs Breeze (225th)<br> </li>
<li>5m 29s: Reigns vs Sheamus (255th)</li>
</ul>
<p>Now here is a look at the "Match Time Percentage" for each match. For any given match, this percentage shows how the match time compares to the combined pre-match and post-match segment time. For some context, it's good to know that the median result here since 2013 is 63.0%.</p>
<ul>
<li>73.0%: Ambrose vs Owens</li>
<li>69.0%: Reigns vs Del Rio</li>
<li>68.9%: Usos, Ryback, Lucha Dragons vs New Day, Barrett, Sheamus</li>
<li>68.1%: Charlotte vs Paige</li>
<li>64.9%: Ziggler vs Breeze</li>
<li>54.3%: Ambrose vs Reigns</li>
<li>35.7%: Brothers of Destruction vs Wyatt and Harper</li>
<li>11.6%: Reigns vs Sheamus</li>
</ul>
<p>The percentages for Ambrose versus Reigns and Reigns vs Sheamus could drastically change depending on where the cutoff is made for the post-match segment of Roman's win and the pre-match segment for the cash-in. If you instead lump all of the data for those two matches into one block, the overall Match Time Percentage would be 43.7%.</p>
<p>The low percentage for Undertaker's match was a result of the triple whammy - extremely long pre-match and post-match segments, and a short match time.</p>
<p><i>Survivor Series 2015</i> spent a lot of time on Undertaker walking. If you are a big fan of Undertaker you probably considered this time well spent, otherwise this show was lacking in exciting content until the cash-in angle. The match times were about as low as it gets, and the overall show time was also relatively short. However the Divas continue to assert their rising prominence when it comes to individual match times.</p>
<p><b>Final Results for <i>Survivor Series 2015</i><br></b></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph49">Match - 50.5% - 1h 23m 56s</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph50">Pre-match - 23.9% - 39m 47s</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph51">Post-match - 12.1% - 20m 03s</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph52">Miscellaneous - 13.5% - 22m 27s</p>
https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2015/11/29/9806250/wwe-survivor-series-2015-match-timesCain A. Knight2015-11-26T19:30:39-05:002015-11-26T19:30:39-05:00The magic of blissful innocence
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<p>While our weeks are often full of disgust over tasteless angles, ratings woes, and disappointment in the choices a company makes about its top stars, here's a story that reminds us why we care so much in the first place.</p> <p>On Sunday in Atlanta, I attended Survivor Series along with my two radio co-hosts, as we knew we were guaranteed to see history. In the run-up to the event, the tournament underwhelmed, then provided three very entertaining semifinal matches, but the surprise factor had dissipated. You see, we thought the quarters, semis, and final should have formed the Survivor Series card along with the Undertaker showcase match with the Wyatt family. We wanted to see it happen our way, and when it didn't, we were critical.</p>
<p>But, after entering past the metal detectors and the extra layers of security and finally taking a seat, two people made our night, and neither was somebody we actually came to see.</p>
<p>What is your first lasting memory as a pro wrestling fan? Think back to that time, maybe that moment where you recognized that this concept was really for you, or when you watched it with your father, or when you first saw Hogan, or Andre, or Austin, or Rock, or Thesz, or Bockwinkel, or Dusty, or Cena, or whoever it might have been. The one thing to which we can all agree is that we weren't worried about congruency, decimal points, or the long term ramifications on the promotions we loved.</p>
<p>At that minute, we didn't realize that those companies might not be around forever. It never dawned on me that Jim Crockett Promotions wouldn't be there for me until my dying days. Perhaps for you it was ECW, or maybe you were a WWE guy or gal, through and through.</p>
<p>As we sat inside Philips Arena, we discussed the various scenarios for WWE Champion and what the best and worst business options were for Vince McMahon. We talked about what a mistake it would be to overthink it and get it wrong, and we shared our hopes for a Roman Reigns turn, but the potential likelihood of a Dean Ambrose turn.</p>
<p>All the while, a father sat next to us with his two sons. But first, before we talk about them, let me tell you about another father we met that night.</p>
<p>CNN Center was jammed most of the afternoon, full of WWE fans, mixing with dejected Atlanta Falcons fans after the home team lost a tough one to Matt Hasselbeck and the Indianapolis Colts. When the line was unthinkably long and prior to the doors being opened, we were finishing a quick dinner in the food court. Seats were at a premium, so we ended up welcoming a young father and his son to our table. We talked a bit about the terrorist threat, about the weather, and as we did so, the boy wielded a mile-wide smile.</p>
<p>At one point, the father asked us how long these shows usually last. We told him the show would be ending at 11, and the look on his face was priceless. We immediately knew who the fan was in the family, and who hated to be missing the Sunday Night Football matchup between the Bengals and the Cardinals.</p>
<p>But, I remembered being that kid. I remembered my father taking me to a WCW house show in Winston-Salem in 1990, then asking five heels <i>(Sid Vicious, Dutch Mantel, the Nasty Boys, and the Iron Sheik)</i> for their autographs as I was too nervous the next day when we encountered them at the Shoney's breakfast buffet.</p>
<p><i><b>*Plus, I was wearing my new Sting "Fatal Encounter" shirt, and he had worked Sid the night before. I was terrified. But Sid was generous, asking me to come over and say hello after my father went the extra mile.*</b></i></p>
<p>I also remembered my mom tagging along with me in 1996, just for the fun of it, and cheering the heels at Fall Brawl, particularly for some reason Diamond Dallas Page, because he was the biggest jerk.</p>
<p>Now in my late 30s, I respect and appreciate what my parents were always willing to do to support whatever nonsense I was a fan of, particularly pro wrestling. When I was a super-mark, they were there. When I started writing about it, they were there. When I became a part of the industry, they were there.</p>
<p>Flashing back to our original story, the lights went out and the Undertaker made his five minute entrance in Atlanta. Next to us, the two boys, as their father just sat back and watched, said the following, which, as the journalist that I am, I transcribe exactly as it happened:</p>
<p><b>"Ohhhhhhhhhh God. Ohhhhh my God. Yessssssss. Ohhhhhhhhhh. I can't believe ohhhhhhhh my God!"</b></p>
<p>Eloquence aside, these two children were in heaven, ironically while watching someone who always talked of sending his enemies straight to hell. The term "marking out" may never have been more accurate. They were blown away, because this was the Undertaker. I started to think "Wait a second, they've never seen the Phenom before in person." This was probably the one and only time these two boys would get to see him live, as his retirement appears imminent. Their reaction was at first loud and irritating, but quickly became endearing and hopeful, because they cared. They cared a lot.</p>
<p>Then to the main event, as Roman Reigns won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The two kids went crazy, screaming at the top of their lungs, jumping on their chairs, hugging each other and their dad, who celebrated right along with them. Their favorite pro wrestler, their hero, he finally DID IT! Pure elation.</p>
<p>As the party continued next to us, we knew what was coming. For, as the pessimistic, often jaded fans many of us are, we looked at the clock.</p>
<p>It was 10:37.</p>
<p>The show wasn't over.</p>
<p>These two innocent kids had no idea what 10:37 might mean or what was about to happen to Roman Reigns. Then, Triple H came out. When Roman speared him, you'd have thought it was Christmas morning in seats 8-10 in 301. Not only had Roman won, he also laid out that dastardly mean bad guy.</p>
<p>Cue Brogue One. Stunned. Reigns kicks out, and the boys were excited.</p>
<p>Here comes the spear...no.</p>
<p>Brogue Two. 1-2...3.</p>
<p>The older son, who was likely ten years old, first sat up straight, mouth agape, motionless. His little brother had already begun to cry a bit. Then, the eldest broke down, as his arms clutched the sides of his head like the saddest pair of Beats by Dre in history, and he doubled over in agony. His head in his hands and bent over to his waist in a seated position. The two boys were devastated. Their father sat silently, checking on them, but letting them work through the emotions of the moment.</p>
<p>At the same time, we were firing out tweets decrying the logic behind putting Sheamus in that role. We were less than thrilled, because we had no interest in any match Sheamus could have as WWE Champion. We wanted the RTs, the likes, and the agreement of the opinion community, which was out in force.</p>
<p>But, as we left, we had to step back to the row behind us to exit, because these two kids were still suffering and weren't able to stand up and climb steps. When we walked into the concourse, we noticed one final thing. Another young boy, sobbing uncontrollably as his dad hugged him and told him "It's going to be okay. I promise."</p>
<p>The point of all this is simple. While we always look for the worst, anticipate the mistakes, laugh at 2.16, make fun of false promises in Orlando and Nashville, these kids believed. They believed all of it.</p>
<p>While we were forced to look at Hogan's unfortunate past, or Jimmy Snuka, or deaths of legends seemingly left and right, these kids believed. They believed all of it.</p>
<p>As we rolled our eyes at Sheamus, because "Ugh, what a stupid decision that was," these kids cried, because their hero lost the WWE Championship he so desperately deserved.</p>
<p>Once again, close your eyes and think back to that first moment you fell in love with professional wrestling. As video games have taken over, as DVRs and Netflix subscriptions and so many other a la carte options are out there, fewer and fewer kids are experiencing those things. The fan base is aging, and the optimism often feels fleeting and in a state of rapid disappearance.</p>
<p>But that seven year old in 1985, that young chap that watched in awe of Ricky and Robert, Hawk and Animal, Ric, Arn, Tully, Dusty, Magnum, and the flashier guys from up north that competed with them, I don't want to fully lose that part of myself. We saw a bad finish to a pay per view event. Those kids saw their favorite wrestler lose. And, he was cheated.</p>
<p>If only we could go back and be our younger selves again. We can't (at least not for long), but it's helpful and cathartic to keep in mind that through all of what you may deem garbage, even if with good reason...</p>
<p>Three boys are out there somewhere living and dying based on every match, every word, every entrance, and every move.</p>
<p>That's a nice thought.</p>
https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2015/11/26/9805262/the-magic-of-blissful-innocence-as-a-wrestling-fanGuyNamedJason2015-11-23T17:06:28-05:002015-11-23T17:06:28-05:00Let's watch Barrett dance with New Day
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oMz-zvtz29GC6mmrLl81pBjyLMQ=/4x0:583x386/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47727347/Barrett_New_Day.0.0.jpg" />
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<p>Last night's <a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2015/11/23/9781470/wwe-survivor-series-2015-results-recap-reactions-tournament-final-roman-reigns-sheamus-cash-in" target="_blank"><i>Survivor Series</i> pay-per-view in Atlanta certainly isn't getting great reviews</a> but there isn't a soul alive who would give this GIF (via <a href="http://wrestling-giffer.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Wrestling-Giffer</a>) anything less than five stars:</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LsI0vJOhwM6pSeNzqPsBH-_hfDQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4293985/tumblr_ny9xzoSQ5K1sbzhteo1_400.0.gif">
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<p>It's just so beautiful, though not <a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/2015/11/22/9780702/xavier-woods-hair-survivor-series-gaston" target="_blank">as beautiful as Xavier Woods' hair</a>.</p>
https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2015/11/23/9787744/king-barrett-new-day-dancing-gif-wwe-survivor-series-2015Geno Mrosko2015-11-23T16:23:16-05:002015-11-23T16:23:16-05:00Reigns is now doing his best John Cena impression
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<figcaption><a href='wwe.com'>WWE.com</a></figcaption>
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<p>After <a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2015/11/22/9781136/survivor-series-2015-results-sheamus-cashes-in-money-in-the-bank" target="_blank">Roman Reigns lost the WWE world heavyweight championship to Sheamus</a> just minutes after <a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2015/11/22/9780920/survivor-series-2015-results-roman-reigns-win-wwe-world-heavyweight-title-dean-ambrose" target="_blank">winning it last night at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia</a>, he cried. That was <a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/2015/11/22/9781222/roman-reigns-reaction-survivor-series-sheamus-crying-face" target="_blank">the lasting image from <i>Survivor Series</i></a>, the battered and beaten big dog breaking down in tears in the middle of the ring just moments after his greatest triumph had become his greatest tragedy.</p>
<p>How is he responding to it not even a full day later?</p>
<p>By doing his best JOHN CENA (doo duh doo doooooo):</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Not how I pictured it, but I'm still in the picture! Two things to do...Get Up and Fight Back! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RomanEmpire?src=hash">#RomanEmpire</a> <a href="https://t.co/GGkODd0Z2v">pic.twitter.com/GGkODd0Z2v</a></p>
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWERomanReigns/status/668799352131952640">November 23, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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<p>He isn't John Cena, of course, because John Cena made an entire career out of being the guy who won the big matches without immediately losing his title on a lame Money in the Bank cash-in. In fact, he once beat a guy who tried to cash said contract in on him with one functioning arm.</p>
<p>But I digress.</p>
<p>It appears the image of Reigns' heartbreak will be replaced by that of an unshakable optimism as quickly as possible. He will never give up, that Roman Reigns. He'll hustle, he'll show loyalty, and he's always respectful, that guy. And, no, he will not embrace the hate, thank you very much.</p>
<p>He just won't, you know, win.</p>
https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2015/11/23/9786894/roman-reigns-john-cena-impression-survivor-seriesGeno Mrosko2015-11-23T15:14:38-05:002015-11-23T15:14:38-05:00Ambrose hates the Money in the Bank cash-in
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<figcaption><a href='wwe.com'>WWE.com</a></figcaption>
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<p>As you undoubtedly know by now, Roman Reigns defeated Dean Ambrose in the tournament final at <i>Survivor Series</i> last night in Atlanta, Georgia to win the WWE world heavyweight championship. Immediately after, Sheamus cashed in the Money in the Bank contract and pinned him to take the title for himself.</p>
<p>Where did Ambrose disappear off to?</p>
<p>When asked by <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://bearhugitout.sportsblog.com/posts/7753939/the-dean-ambrose-interview.html" target="_blank">the Bear Hug It Out podcast</a>, Ambrose answered that question before cutting one hell of a promo on both Sheamus and the Money in the Bank contract:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I was putting ice on my swollen head. I was just giving the ring to my brother after a war, you know? It was a sabotage! It was a hit! It just happened. But that's the thing, man. I was just talking about this: These briefcases are ruining the tradition of our industry. What would Jack Briscoe, Dory Funk... you think Dory Funk Jr. ever cashed in a briefcase on somebody? This is not how men won championships. This is not the foundation that our business was built on. Pat Patterson battled through 16 men on one hot, sweaty night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to become the Intercontinental champion. He was backstage last night, probably with a tear in his eye, probably disgusted that a man would just jump a man who had already wrestled twice that night and sabotaged his way to a championship. How can you be proud of that? How can you be proud? These briefcases... I hate the whole briefcase thing. This man is not a champion, a man's champion of men, this Irish punk.</p>
<p>What I have done -- this has nothing to do with the WWE championship, this is a matter of principle. This is a matter of righting a wrong. When I see Pat Patterson in tears that his business has been reduced to men cashing in briefcases, I feel like I have to do something. So I have challenged Sheamus tonight at 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Bridgestone Arena. Get your tickets to Monday Night Raw but show up early. I will be in the parking lot of Bridgestone Arena at 2 p.m. People of Nashville, spread the word!"</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That works so well because he's fully within kayfabe and he makes a great point about the Money in the Bank contract. It's exciting and unpredictable, sure, but it also handcuffs the WWE world heavyweight title and that's as lame as Ambrose says it is.</p>
<p>Or do you disagree with him?</p>
https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2015/11/23/9786256/dean-ambrose-hates-the-money-in-the-bank-cash-in-challenges-sheamus-parking-lot-fight-rawGeno Mrosko2015-11-23T11:03:03-05:002015-11-23T11:03:03-05:00CSL: John Wick edition
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<p>Two shows in under 24 hours! Two different co-hosts! Same dang Sean!</p>
<p>The General is too busy actually running the site to talk about WWE pay-per-views (PPVs) immediately after they go off the air, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have thoughts, jokes and hot takes to share with you, the best damn pro wrestling community on the internet.</p>
<p>Monday's after PPV Sundays mean a special edition of #CSL. We'll talk about last night's <em>Survivor Series</em> show, how unenthused he is by the prospect of a Sheamus' title run of any length, what he thought about the celebration of all things Undertaker and the pity-party they threw for Roman Reigns.</p>
<p>Which will also serve as a nice segue into previewing tonight's <em>Raw</em>, where we're all bracing ourselves for a twenty minute Triple H promo to open the show.</p>
<p>We might even get to some of your questions from the comments below & <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/cagesideseats?lang=en">Twitter</a> (those we can make time for around the non sequitors, ranting, cat walk-bys and general flirtation) when the show starts at 1PM Eastern.</p>
<p>While you're waiting, subscribe to<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRB3iArUr2OQ3WT3zRRZ0w"> our YouTube channel</a>!</p>
https://www.cagesideseats.com/2015/11/23/9782676/cageside-live-geno-wants-to-talk-about-wwe-survivor-series-editionSean Rueter2015-11-23T10:30:00-05:002015-11-23T10:30:00-05:00Survivor Series highlights & fallout are here!
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<figcaption><a href='http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2015/charlotte-paige-divas-championship-match-photos'>WWE.com</a></figcaption>
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<p>It was big night for WWE, and fan reaction is mixed at best. See what has folks talking, revisit highlights of the big matches and see if the fallout videos the company released with some of the night's big winners change your mind.</p>
<p>Here's what you'll get in our playlist of match footage and backstage interviews from November 22, 2015's <i>Survivor Series</i> pay-per-view (PPV) in Atlanta, Georgia:</p>
<p>- The Dudleyz, Neville, Titus & Goldust vs. Miz, Bo, Stardust & Ascension: <i>Survivor Series</i> Kickoff</p>
<p>- Goldust describes how it feels to be back in WWE</p>
<p>- Roman Reigns vs. Alberto Del Rio: WWE World Heavyweight title semifinal</p>
<p>- Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens: WWE World Heavyweight title semifinal</p>
<p>- 5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series Elimination match</p>
<p>- Charlotte vs. Paige</p>
<p>- Charlotte reveals the importance of her match against Paige</p>
<p>- Tyler Breeze interviews...himself after his win</p>
<p>- The Undertaker enters Philips Arena on a historic night</p>
<p>- Dean Ambrose vs. Roman Reigns: WWE World Heavyweight title final</p>
<p>- Sheamus reveals his strategy for becoming the new champion</p>
https://www.cagesideseats.com/2015/11/23/9782540/wwe-survivor-series-2015-highlights-fallout-videosSean Rueter