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For the first time ever, Survivor Series will feature both WarGames and the traditional five-on-five match. Cody Rhodes and Rey Mysterio will lead Team USA and Team Mexico, respectively, as WWE revives the classic Survivor Series format on Nov. 28. Plus, The Bloodline and 946 engage in WarGames.
WarGames has taken precedence over Survivor Series' eponymous match. And while WWE will deliver WarGames this year, a clash between The Bloodline and 946, the company will also bring back the match that made the event famous. On Monday Night Raw, Rhodes and Mysterio were revealed as team captains for a showdown between American and Mexican superstars. Rhodes also has his first teammate: CM Punk.
Speaking of The Bloodline and 946, the feuding faction came into conflict again on Monday. Roman Reigns and Royce Keys, the leaders of their respective groups, met in the show's closing segment. A chaotic scene broke out, as expected, culminating with the announcement that the two teams would battle inside WarGames.
CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.
Survivor Series hosts traditional five-on-five match after five-year absence
Many people were wondering what business Rhodes, a SmackDown superstar, had on Monday Night Raw. "The American Nightmare" revealed that he would lead Team USA in a traditional five-on-five Survivor Series match against Team Mexico, captained by Rey Mysterio. The announcement marks the first time in five years that WWE has hosted the traditional version of the match at Survivor Series. Since 2022, the company has pivoted exclusively to WarGames, a match innovated by Cody's father, Dusty Rhodes.
A sportsmanlike exchange between Mysterio and Rhodes was interrupted by the legendary luchador's son, Dominik Mysterio. Dominik, accompanied by Judgment Day cohort JD McDonagh, demanded that he and his estranged father set their differences aside. After all, Team Mexico shouldn't suffer from Mysterio family in-fighting. Rey declined the offer, not so politely. Rhodes had no interest in acquiring Dominik's services either.
Cue CM Punk, who would become Team USA's first member. Things got physical after some back-and-forth between Dominik and Punk. Rey delivered 619s to both Judgment Day members, who stumbled helplessly into a Cross Rhodes and GTS.
Later backstage, Rey found a suitable counter to Punk after enlisting Penta.
The Bloodline were more prepared than 946 in Monday's closing segment. Reigns and Keys' conversation served as the backdrop for an unruly battle. The Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Jacob Fatu set 946's box truck on fire backstage. Inside the ring, Reigns unleashed a flurry of Superman punches on the 946 members who made their way into the ring. The Bloodline sprinted to the ring to assist their leader, concluding with Fatu putting Hayes through the commentary table.
Forcing WarGames matches every year has watered down the stipulation. However, the tone of The Bloodline and 946's feud makes it an appropriate setting. Plus, purists can enjoy a traditional Survivor Series match. The relatively short build to Survivor Series is off to a good start. Grade: B+
What else happened on WWE Raw?
- Oba Femi def. Bron Breakker via disqualification after The Vision's Austin Theory and Logan Paul attacked Femi. Penta and Je'Von Evans, who were attacked by Breakker before the match, returned the favor and rescued Femi. Femi vs. Breakker should feel like a big deal, but two inconclusive matches have taken a lot of the shine from it.
- Rey Fenix def. Chad Gable and Big Cass via pinfall in a No. 1 contenders match for the intercontinental championship. Fenix pinned Gable with a frog splash. Post-match, the 946 laid out everyone involved. The superstars' contrasting styles gelled well. Fenix's speed, Gable's technical prowess and Cass' size gave the trio a lot to work with.
- Bayley def. Michin via pinfall after hitting a diving elbow drop. Bayley beat one half of the reigning WWE women's tag team champions in a solid match that benefited from no interference. Two quality veterans delivered a refreshing performance. Post-match, Jade Cargill and B-Fab put down Bayley. Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and Tatum Paxley, attempted to rescue Bayley, but were thwarted by Fatal Influence. The segment ended with Jade Cargill and Jacy Jayne shaking hands, teasing another Survivor Series match.
- Iyo Sky and Becky Lynch def. Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez) via pinfall after Sky hit Rodriguez with an Over the Moonsault. Lynch was Sky's mystery partner, putting Judgment Day in the disadvantageous position of preparing for an unknown opponent. Lynch received a warm crowd reaction, and the match did what it needed to for weekly television.
