5 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2024 (Results & Review)

1. What Shaken Confidence?

In recent weeks on Raw, Gunther began showing cracks in his armor, doubting himself and lacking confidence in going up against Damian Priest.

From a logistical and narrative standpoint, the story at Survivor Series felt like it would hinge on Gunther unloading his clip at Priest, with Damian continuing to kick out and come back. Gunther would run through a series of finishers, looking for the right “kill shot” to put his challenger down before finding the winning move, which would help restore that confidence.

Instead, Gunther and Priest had a very simple (but also very solid) World Heavyweight Championship match that centered on a Priest shoulder injury that the Ring General exploited and attacked throughout the match. Damian fought through the injury to stay in the match, but he clearly was a wounded animal hanging on until Gunther could find the right formula to finish him.

Then Finn Balor interjected himself into the mix, hitting a Coup de Grace off the ring steps onto the floor to further injure Priest. One powerbomb and sleeper later, and Gunther had retained his title. No self-doubt, no conflict. Priest never felt like he was in Gunther’s head or had one up on the champ at any point.

So, what was the point of that entire build for the title feud? Why have Gunther walking around doubting himself if he was going out there to have a Gunther-style title defense – with Balor interference thrown in?