WWE Survivor Series 2018: Star Ratings For All 8 Matches

1. WWE Champion Daniel Bryan Vs. Universal Champion Brock Lesnar

Five Stars
WWE

A manipulative match laid out so perfectly to trigger an emotional response demands the first person.

I travelled from the UK to the USA to attend WrestleMania XXX live in person; I was that invested in Daniel Bryan’s story. So, when I was subjected to the sight of Brock Lesnar German suplexing him half to death, my heart broke a little bit, as numb as it is to WWE’s disposability. So this was it. This was Daniel Bryan’s punishment for refusing to attend Crown Jewel. It wasn’t enough to just have the guy get squashed like a pissant. With the smirking, delusional pre-match posturing, they just had to make him look like a geek, too.

I had the tweet drafted. I was ready to go on the internet within minutes to register my disgust throughout the world. Worst. Burial. Ever!

“Q: How does WWE attract new fans?

A: They don’t.”

That would f*cking show 'em.

And then, with a glorious narrative shift, and the best tweener performance of all time, I realised that he got me. That f*cking Bryan boomed me. He’s so good, he’s so good, he’s so good, he’s so good.

Bryan, after smashing Lesnar in the balls, strategised a comeback as credible as it was vicious as it was perfect. Lesnar sold the running knee perfectly. Bryan caved Lesnar’s face in with kicks before scraping it off his boot. This was awesome. The blood was pumping. And I believed every second of this much smaller man’s near-victory.

The notion of Daniel Bryan tapping out Brock Lesnar is ludicrous, in theory. In execution, that spot—which I was literally on my feet for—was incredible in how believable and life-affirming and well-built it was. You don’t get to that spot, with that dynamic, without a sensationally crafted story making it iconic. This is lame, but I don’t care: when Lesnar broke out of the Yes! Lock, and Bryan battered Lesnar with punches in response, I punched the air alongside him.

Getting worked is amazing. Daniel Bryan is amazing. Brock Lesnar is amazing. This story was perfect.

Halfway through the match, I thought this was a cruel and counterproductive -***** disgrace. By its conclusion, I thought this was one of the very best, most unique, and well-sold stories ever seen in a WWE ring.

Star Rating: *****

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential 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 former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current 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!