7 Match Star Ratings For WWE Survivor Series 2021
1. Roman Reigns Vs. Big E
A match with zero personality and very suboptimal subtext.
It was a WWE main event that laid itself out automatically via the expected clichés. Finisher kick-outs. Additional finisher kick-outs. A lot of methodical rest holds to arrive at the tacked-on action set-pieces. The plodding monologuing of the Roman Reigns main event is wearing thin, and his push while committed is so oppressive at this point that the result is never in any doubt. Structurally, this was indistinguishable to last year's main event, and for a long time, that extended to the atmosphere. Last year's match opposite Drew McIntyre was held in the ThunderDome. That's not good.
The match actually was, just to be clear, but the customary prolonged heat sequence only brought into focus the idea that there was no reason for the match to happen. Beyond the usual complaints over can they co-exist tropes and the dire timing of the draft, at Survivor Series, a World Champion is pinned for no purpose and with no follow-up. This is damaging, and the intrigue of an inter-brand match doesn't justify it - particularly since the audience had already A) seen Big E and Roman work exchanges in a RAW Triple Threat not too long ago and B) Big E and Roman were both SmackDown talents for much of 2021. It didn't resonate at all like an elusive dream match attraction.
If there was one Roman Reigns match that justified the interference of the Usos, this was it. It didn't happen. Roman won cleanly, diminishing Big E's not-great WWE Championship reign all the more.
There was one legitimately creative and excellent spot: Roman trapped Big E in the guillotine to counter the spear to the outside. This sparked high, unpredictable drama and conveyed the idea that well thought-out strategy was needed to win, but otherwise, this was almost every WWE main event you've seen in recent years.
Star Rating: ★★★¼