Survivor Series Results 2010

WWE Champion Randy Orton def. Wade Barrett (with special guest referee John Cena)
“A little integrity is better than any career.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

For John Cena, that sentiment may prove to be his undoing. Despite the threat of termination, Cena, acting as special guest referee, refused to compromise his integrity in order to keep his job. Instead, he called the WWE Title Match straight down the middle, allowing champion Randy Orton to retain – and possibly ending his own career in the process.

For weeks, Wade Barrett, leader of The Nexus, had threatened Cena, reminding the group’s reluctant warrior that if he were to lose to The Viper, Cena would be terminated from WWE. The Legendary star, however, refused to forfeit his principles. In fact, so determined was Cena that he rejected an offer before the bout from R-Truth, who had volunteered to hobble Orton.

Once the match got underway, though, the Englishman appeared to hold his own against The Viper, despite the fact that The Nexus was banned from ringside. As frustration and fatigue crept in, however, Barrett focused his fury on Cena. When the Englishman shoved the special guest referee, Cena shoved back. Orton recognized the opportunity and quickly leveled the Nexus leader with an RKO. Although Cena appeared hesitant, fully aware of the consequences, he nonetheless remained true to his word, counting to three and raising Orton’s hand in victory.

In the wake of his win, the WWE Champion took a rare moment to acknowledge the selfless act of his longtime rival. As one man’s career continues to flourish, the other man’s may well be drawing to a close. And though Cena may no longer be a Superstar, he will always be a champion in the hearts of the WWE Universe.

World Heavyweight Champion Kane vs. Edge (Draw)
At WWE’s second longest running pay-per-view, a controversial ending left the fiery conflict between World Heavyweight Champion Kane and his No. 1 contender Edge without a resolution

Edge threw Kane for a loop before the match even began, emerging with an empty wheelchair – the very instrument of intimidation that had held Paul Bearer just two days earlier on SmackDown. Once the intense battle commenced, the ruthlessness that ensued became as much about the fate of Kane’s father as that of the coveted title. Absolute brutality dominated every moment, making it impossible for the WWE Universe to predict a clear winner. Kane countered the Spear. Edge kicked out after the chokeslam. Then, in the midst of endless turmoil, The Rated-R Superstar dug deep, finally hitting the Spear and falling onto Kane for the pin attempt. But, as he did, he did not realize that his shoulders were also on the canvas. As a result, the referee pinned both Superstars and declared the match a draw.

The battle continued after the match, when an enraged Edge dropped Kane into the vacant wheelchair and hurled him through the ringside barricade.

Kane has indeed proven himself to be the “Devil’s Favorite Demon.” After burying The Undertaker alive at WWE Bragging Rights, Kane stood unchecked to utilize the full “power” of the underworld. And with Paul Bearer by his side, The Big Red Monster has been virtually unstoppable. However, even against the evil Kane, The Rated-R Superstar seemed able.

Edge captured his World Heavyweight Championship opportunity in a whirlwind Triple Threat No. 1 Contender’s Match against Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio on the Oct. 29 episode of SmackDown.

No stranger to battling the forces of darkness – winning two of his nine World Titles from Kane’s legendary brother – The Ultimate Opportunist immediately launched into a maniacal psychological assault on his frightening foe. Abducting Paul Bearer on the Nov. 12 episode of SmackDown, The Rater-R Superstar caused the champion to lose to Big Show and showed the WWE Universe a kink in the champion’s demonic armor.

On the final SmackDown just 48 hours before Survivor Series, with Paul Bearer still in Edge’s clutches, The Ultimate Opportunist’s unpredictable actions continued to produce their desired results. While the irate Kane pursued his No. 1 contender, Edge introduced “The Father of Destruction” to a new kind of hell. As Kane headed into Survivor Series, the tactics of his crazed adversary appeared to be causing him to become both unfocused and unglued.

Despite World Heavyweight Champion Kane’s dark determination and Edge’s calculated madness, it was the unforeseen element of chance that was destined to prevail at Survivor Series. And on the event that marked the twentieth anniversary of The Undertaker’s WWE debut, his horrific brother walked away with the “holy grail” by default.

United States Champion Daniel Bryan def. Ted DiBiase
In the opening match of Survivor Series, Daniel Bryan managed to defeat a motivated Ted DiBiase with his patented LeBell Lock and retain the United States Championship. However, Bryan’s celebration after the fierce competition was short-lived when his former WWE Pro and rival, The Miz, used the Money in the Bank briefcase to knock the U.S. Champion out cold, citing that at any time he could cash in his title opportunity.

The Miz’s attack on Daniel Bryan only adds to the tense history between the two competitors. On the inaugural season of WWE NXT, The Awesome One was the current United States Champion’s WWE Pro and their relationship was anything but friendly. After being fired from The Nexus after their first appearance, Bryan would return to WWE and take Miz’s place on Team Raw at SummerSlam.

Finally, at Night of Champions, Daniel Bryan’s journey from WWE NXT alum to full-fledged WWE Superstar was complete, defeating Miz for the United States Championship. Bryan would then go on to successfully retain the title at Hell in a Cell by defeating The Miz and John Morrison in a Triple Threat Submission Match.

As Bryan continued to build momentum as U.S. Champion, Ted DiBiase spent weeks chasing Goldust and the stolen Million Dollar Championship. However, he decided it was time to forge his own path when the Million Dollar Title was returned to his father, The Million Dollar Man. While the elder DiBiase tried to return the diamond-encrusted championship to his son, the young Ted DiBiase told him to keep it, and that he wanted something else.

That very same night, DiBiase made a statement by attacking Daniel Bryan and holding up the U.S. Championship. Raw’s Anonymous General Manager then granted DiBiase his wish on WWE.com by announcing a U.S Title match at Survivor Series, hours before the event.

With renewed motivation and the desire to build on his own legacy, Ted DiBiase proved to be a formidable challenger for the United States Champion. However, Daniel Bryan’s resilience and momentum proved to be too much for DiBiase. Once the LeBell Lock was applied, it was a foregone conclusion that Bryan would retain the championship. Daniel Bryan’s victory also marked his fourth straight pay-per-view victory including winning the United States Title at Night of Champions and a non-title edge-of-your-seat thriller against Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler at WWE Bragging Rights.

Although victorious, the United States Champion’s celebration was cut short by the audacious “Awesome One” and Alex Riley. The Miz’s sole motive was to show the WWE Universe that he could potentially become the WWE Champion at any time. To “Mr. Money in the Bank,” there was no better way to express himself than at the expense of his former NXT Rookie and the very Superstar that defeated him for the U.S. Title.
While it was DiBiase looking to make a bold statement at Survivor Series with a win over Daniel Bryan, it was ultimately The Miz who stole the spotlight from both competitors.

Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler def. Kaval
Despite a tremendous effort, a determined Kaval was unable to win the Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series, falling to a sly, but bloodied and battered Dolph Ziggler.

With his powerful girlfriend, SmackDown Official Consultant Vickie Guerrero, cheering him on at ringside, the bleach blond champion quickly turned the match in his favor when it mattered most. Ziggler secured the victory by rolling up an aggressive Kaval, pinning him for the three-count while holding his tights.
Kaval has struggled to find success since winning season two of WWE NXT. Since joining the SmackDown roster, the “World Warrior” lost match after match, but always fought with energy, enthusiasm and heart.
Last week, Kaval finally earned a win on SmackDown, defeating Ziggler in non-title action after Ziggler taunted him and called him a “nobody.” After his big victory, Kaval quickly decided to use his guaranteed championship opportunity, challenging a stunned Ziggler for the Intercontinental Title at Survivor Series – a match he seemingly made too soon. After all, the Intercontinental Championship has never changed hands in Miami.

At Survivor Series, Kaval lost by the narrowest of margins, but impressed the WWE Universe with his unique style and awesome arsenal of offensive moves and holds. The “World Warrior” was remarkably close to leaving Miami with the Intercontinental Title, in what would have been just his second victory of his WWE career, and second consecutive against Ziggler. However, it may not be long before Kaval will obtain championship glory.

Team Mysterio def. Team Del Rio (Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match)
The key to victory in a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match is teamwork and that’s exactly what Rey Mysterio’s crew relied on tonight in their win over the underhanded Alberto Del Rio and his sleazy SmackDown squad. Proving that he truly is The Ultimate Underdog, Mysterio led his team to triumph by pinning Jack Swagger before helping Big Show lay waste to Drew McIntyre.

The failure of Team Del Rio to find success tonight can be pinned directly on their cowardly captain. Perhaps the most selfish Superstar on the WWE roster, Del Rio took himself out of the heated bout after getting plastered by The World’s Largest Athlete’s Knockout Punch, leaving “Dashing” Cody Rhodes, Tyler Reks, Swagger and McIntyre to fend for themselves. The act was gutless, but shouldn’t have surprised anyone. After all, the arrogant aristocrat abandoned Team SmackDown in their match against Team Raw at WWE Bragging Rights and ran from a showdown with The Nexus two weeks ago on SmackDown.
Unlike his disgraceful rival, Mysterio was the perfect leader for his team of Big Show, Kofi Kingston, MVP and Chris Masters. Although their side suffered the first eliminations when The Ballin’ Superstar and The Masterpiece went down, they kept their focus and rallied back by dispensing of Del Rio, Rhodes and Reks. After Swagger managed to stop Kingston with the ankle lock, Mysterio and Show secured the win by taking out The All-American American and the Scottish Superstar in the blink of an eye.

As the Superstars who survived tonight's bout and Friday's 10-Man Battle Royal, Mysterio and Show again proved they are two of WWE's top competitors. But the real story coming out of the American Airlines Arena is Del Rio's spineless leadership. Will this wealthy Superstar not stop until he's made an enemy of everyone on the WWE roster?

WWE Tag Team Champions Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater def. Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov
The Nexus proved to be too much for WWE’s tag team odd couple, Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov, as Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater retained the WWE Tag Team Championship at Survivor Series. However, The Nexus’ celebration was bittersweet as Raw’s Anonymous General Manager threatened to indefinitely suspend the group as a whole if they interfere in the main event featuring Randy Orton vs. Nexus leader, Wade Barrett.
Recently, Santino & Kozlov have showed the WWE Universe that while their antics may be light-hearted, their skills inside the ring and their ability to work as a unit have been nothing short of incredible. An unlikely pairing, Santino, a former Intercontinental Champion, and The Moscow Mauler, 2008 Slammy Award Winner for Breakout Star of the Year, have moved their way through WWE’s tag team ranks. Finally, at “old school” Raw, the goofball and the goliath defeated The Usos to become the No. 1 contenders to the tag team titles.
The Nexus first captured the WWE Tag Team Championship at WWE Bragging Rights when John Cena & David Otunga defeated Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre. However, the next night on Raw, Wade Barrett forced Otunga to lay down for Slater & Gabriel and transfer the titles within the ranks of The Nexus. While Slater & Gabriel may have won the tag team titles in shady fashion, they quickly proved their abilities as a team by defeating former champions The Hart Dynasty on two separate occasions.
Inside the American Airlines Arena, Santino & Kozlov hoped to build on their momentum and prove that they truly are serious competitors by besting Slater & Gabriel for the tag team titles. However, they soon realized that the odds were stacked against them as Otunga, Michael McGillicutty and Husky Harris joined the champions at ringside. Santino & Kozlov put forth a valiant and impressive effort, but a distraction from the Nexus members allowed Slater to pin Santino for the win.

Although they failed to capture the tag team titles, Santino & Kozlov proved that in a fair fight, they could be a force to be reckoned with, while The Nexus continued to show that as a whole, they can be unstoppable.

Natalya won a 2-on-1 Handicap Match (New Divas Champion)
Before tonight, Survivor Series may not have been the Hart family’s favorite pay-per-view event. It was 13 years ago during Survivor Series that Natalya’s uncle, Bret “Hit Man” Hart lost the WWE Championship in an infamous match in Montreal. And when Natalya took on the daunting task of facing Lay-Cool in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match in Miami, one wondered if she would experience the same fate at the hands of the flawless duo’s underhanded tactics.


But Natalya had one thing on her mind: Winning. And with a little backup from a returning Beth Phoenix, the pink-and-black clad Diva made her mark in the history books. Natalya now is the first-ever third-generation Diva to hold on to the Divas Championship – and the Hart family’s first female to win gold.

Natalya has spent weeks enduring the condescending and high-pitch insults of Lay-Cool, and gotten the best of both co-holders of the lustrous prize on separate occasions. By defeating McCool, she earned a title bout at the 23rd annual Survivor Series. The Hart descendant even came within inches of securing the butterfly-emblazoned title at WWE Bragging Rights.

During a match that saw action spill over to the outside and into the front rows of the American Airlines Arena, Lay-Cool seemed to be on their way to retaining. But a miscue from Michelle McCool and Natalya had McCool right where she wanted her, applying the patented Hart-family Sharpshooter for the win.

As Natalya basked in the glory of her first championship, Team Flawless was enraged at their loss, attacking the new champion from behind to the crowd’s chants toward McCool “You tapped out!” The sore losers continued to strike as familiar music struck and Beth Phoenix ran to the ring, clearing house of WWE’s Mean Girls and hoisting Natalya on her shoulders, telling the WWE Universe she is back, and business is about to pick up.

There’s an old adage that “well-behaved women rarely make history.” And up until this point, Lay-Cool fit that statement to a “T,” creating their own spot in WWE’s history books. But on this night, Natalya proved that well-behaved women do make history.

John Morrison def. Sheamus
Sheamus will no doubt think twice before picking on his fellow Superstars after Survivor Series, where John Morrison earned a decisive victory over Raw’s resident bully in front of an appreciative crowd at Miami’s American Airlines Arena.

Prior to the bout, The Celtic Warrior vowed to break The Shaman of Sexy both physically and spiritually, and seemed likely to deliver on that threat with a vicious Brogue Kick. However, Morrison shockingly dodged the devious Dubliner’s massive boot, retaliating with a devastating kick of his own followed by a running knee smash that leveled Sheamus for the three-count.

After Santino Marella astoundingly defeated Sheamus on the Oct. 25 edition of Raw – largely thanks to Morrison’s intervention – the fighting Irishman has tormented The Italian Stallion at every turn. Disapproving of Sheamus’ relentless bullying, Morrison emerged as Santino’s protector, saving the comical Superstar from The Celtic Warrior’s attacks on numerous occasions. Just six days before Survivor Series, the parkour expert finally had enough of Sheamus’ heinous actions, challenging the ginger-headed juggernaut to a bout at WWE’s second longest running pay-per-view event. After nailing Morrison with a pump kick in the locker room area later that night, Sheamus accepted.

Although their animosity toward one another has reached a boiling point in recent weeks, Sheamus and Morrison share a storied history. In fact, at last year’s Survivor Series – The Celtic Warrior’s pay-per-view debut – Sheamus was instrumental in Team Miz’s victory over Team Morrison in the event’s Traditional Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination Match. Roles were reversed one year later, when The Monday Night Delight celebrated an incredible upset victory over the two-time WWE Champion.
Morrison might have humiliated Sheamus at Survivor Series, but it’s unlikely The Celtic Warrior’s fiery temper will be extinguished any time soon. Catch all of the Raw action every Monday night at 9/8 CT on USA.