WWE Survivor Series 2016: 10 Reasons To Be Concerned

4. Uninspiring Cruiserweight Title Match

Kendrick Sin Cara
WWE.com

The Cruiserweight Classic was a mouthwatering proposition because everything about it was novel.

The real sports presentation was antithetical to the contrived RAW layout, where feuding opponents just happen to have gathered around the Gorilla Position minutes before show time. Eclectic and often unprecedented ring styles (for WWE) were celebrated for their diversity. There were so many new talents involved that the company had to produce a show (a gripping one, at that), Bracketology, to introduce them.

Fast forward to Survivor Series, and WWE decides to book its most overexposed talents under the 205 lbs weight limit in a feature match at their most hyped show since SummerSlam.

The feel-good factor surrounding Brian Kendrick's winningly relatable CWC redemption arc has fast dissipated. He exists now as another example of WWE's favoured chickensh*t heel trope. WWE has ignored the shelf life and left the milk to curdle. His dull and botched Hell In A Cell match with TJ Perkins doesn't bode well for match quality, either. Kalisto meanwhile was selected because he was the only guy on the SmackDown roster who looked sufficiently Cruiserweight-y.

That the brand split afterthought has been pushed to the forefront is symbolic of the laziness inherent to the Pay Per View.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!