7 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE Survivor Series 2017

by Andy H Murray

1. Predictable Excellence

Brock Lesnar AJ Styles
WWE.com

Professional wrestling really isn't all that complicated. Take two great wrestlers, put them in a spotlight, stay out of their way with regards to the booking, and they'll probably deliver a great match. That's exactly what happened with Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles, which was far and away the best thing on the show.

Lesnar looked more motivated than he has since facing Samoa Joe, and Styles was his usual excellent self as he flew around the ring like a madman, taking a number of hefty bumps for his monstrous opponent. 'The Beast' rag-dolled SmackDown's champion, took him to Suplex City, and generally beat the tar out of him, but it wasn't plain sailing. AJ came within a hair of winning on several occasions, and while the outcome was never in doubt, it was hard not to buy into 'The Phenomenal One' and his many pinfall attempts - such was the strength of his performance.

There were a couple of sloppy moments, but each actually added to the match, lending it a gritty, real fight feel. The finish was great, too, with Brock catching AJ's attempted Phenomenal Forearm, hoisting him up, then drilling him with a single F5.

This contest was everything fans could've hoped it'd be, and after a lethargic showing against Braun Strowman at No Mercy, exactly the kind of performance Lesnar needed to justify his lengthy Universal Title reign.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.