WWE SmackDown Review for November 19, 2010: Survival Instincts Run Wild

MVP def. Drew McIntyre

Before I get to the match, I was impressed with MVP's promo with Alberto Del Rio. When Alberto is done feuding with Rey soon enough, a good feud with MVP (maybe overt the IC Title) will certainly help both of them.

It was a decent match, but it wasn't as great as it could have been. McIntyre's spotlight has really shot out as of late, so he treated it as a sideshow in this match.

Impact-full finish with the Drive By Kick. Really glad to see this finisher make its return.


Jack Swagger def. Chris Masters

Mediocre and useless contest. Masters never defeats anyone at a higher rank than him, so why should I be surprised?

The finish was predictable, and was really something that should stay on Superstars.


Kaval def. Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler (non-title)

Fun match, but wasn't really solid because it was so short. I understand that it was short to save the real match for Sunday, but it was still a nice preview.

I was psyched to see Kaval get his first win, and it seemed like the crowd did too. It would be lame for Kaval to win on Smackdown only to lose at Survivor Series, so I hope WWE doesn't drop the ball on Kaval.

This looks to be a standout contest on Sunday, but it should have been hyped a while ahead of time to make the feud seem more worthy.


"Dashing" Cody Rhodes def. Kofi Kingston

Since Kaval and Dolph Ziggler's match didn't go long, I'm making this Match of the Night. This is the first time these two have fought to an actual winner, so it was something that was unpredictable and fresh.

Both men hit a lot of great spots, and the end was especially suspenseful. I loved how the Cross Rhodes came so suddenly, and made it more unpredictable.

I would have liked to see Kofi Kingston win since he needs more wins nowadays, but I can see that Cody won to make the Team Advantages equal at 2-2. It also gets heightens Cody's chances of being put in the IC Title angle if Kaval wins Sunday.


Co-Divas Champions Lay-Cool def. Natalya and Kelly Kelly

Terrible match, and did nothing to sell their feud for Sunday. First off, Natalya was pinned in a tag team match, so how can she expect to win in a Handicap match at Survivor Series?

Natalya has no choice but to win on Sunday. The division needs new opponents and feuds, and burying her will be the end of Natalya. Horrible booking done so far.


Big Show def. Tyler Reks

OK, was this really necessary? Obviously, this made Worst Match of the Night. Why didn't WWE have Swagger vs. Show and Reks vs. Masters? That would have made more sense.

Reks gets these wins for nothing? Just to let Big Show make him look very, very weak and put an end to his undefeated streak? Disappointing.


Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio Went to a No Contest / Big Show and Rey Mysterio win Battle Royal

I know Mysterio is hurt, but ANOTHER battle royal? They just had one on RAW for the Bragging Rights pay-per-view with the same format. This match was even worse.

If this Sunday marks the end of the Mysterio vs. Del Rio feud, I don't want it to go out like this. I was hoping for a Ladder Match at TLC, but it seems unlikely with Mysterio having a minor injury.

This match did nothing to sell Survivor Series. It was very predictable to see Big Show and Mysterio to win again, and pushes the heels down further if they don't win Sunday.


Edge, Kane and Paul Bearer Promos

Don't get me wrong, I love Edge, but these little segments were not funny. I think I actually felt bad for Bearer for being tortured.

These promos were ridiculous, so how the hell does it make me want to see Edge vs. Kane? Good acting by Kane, but REALLY? Kane cries?! I think hell has frozen over.
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Final Review

Overall, the show made me want to buy Survivor Series even less. The entire hype for the pay-per-view over the last month has been terrible, even adding FIVE extra matches at the last minute.

The Advantage Challenge matches were useless because none of the men are feuding except for the Captains, so the match seems like filler to get them on the show. The only hope left is that the matches themselves aren't as bad as the build-up.