Comparing WWE Survivor Series 2016 To NXT TakeOver: Toronto

I’m going to have to lump the Dusty Classic finals in here against the Cruiserweight and Intercontinental Championship matches, as both served a similar purpose in their respective shows.

Brian Kendrick has been excellent as the wily veteran champion of the Cruiserweight Division, showing he will do anything to hold on to his title against his younger, faster peers. Similarly, The Miz has been fantastic since his wife joined his act, doing some of the best work of his career in being a completely unlikable heel. Kalisto and Sami Zayn were both great choices to challenge for the belts, adding some intrigue as to whether the championships would end up on the opposite show.

However, both bouts suffered due to poor finishes, especially the Cruiserweight championship. Kendrick and Kalisto, along with the division as a whole, did not deserve to be sacrificed in yet another attempt to put over Baron Corbin, who has been lukewarm at best ever since his premature NXT call-up. The finish in the Miz-Zayn match was also weak, although it was at least more creative than relying on Maryse directly interfering with a spray to the eyes, as has been the case in too many Miz matches.

TM-61 and the Authors of Pain had a good tag-team match to finish up the second Dusty Classic tournament, with the Australian duo especially showing off some great high-flying spots as well as displaying their power against the larger AOP. Akam and Rezar have also developed well during this tournament, and at no point looked out of place in a match much longer than their usual squashes. However, despite the finishes leaving a bad taste, the great action from Sami Zayn and The Miz edges the undercard slightly ahead of the Dusty finals.

Winner: WWE