The latest episode of Wrestling Uncensored delivered an in-depth preview of WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, breaking down the weekend’s pay-per-view in Vancouver, BC. Hosts Dave Simon and Pro Wrestler Genesis Johnny North didn’t hold back in their analysis, predictions, and opinions, including a critical look at AEW’s latest struggles after Full Gear. Here’s everything you need to know about the hottest topics discussed.
Table of Contents
WWE Survivor Series WarGames: The Matches and Predictions
The excitement is building for Survivor Series: WarGames, but the hosts were split on the card’s potential. While the WarGames stipulation provides unique action, Johnny North expressed concerns over the format. “Two WarGames matches back-to-back is too much,” Johnny said. “Everything great happens before the matches start.”
Men’s WarGames: The Super Teams Collide
The men’s match boasts Roman Reigns, The Usos, Sami Zayn, and CM Punk versus Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tamatanga, Tangaloa, and Bronson Reed. Dave Simon predicts fireworks, especially with CM Punk’s involvement, but questioned its long-term payoff: “It feels like they’re setting up for The Rock’s return. Survivor Series needs a pop like that.”
Johnny North added, “Roman might take the fall here, leading to something bigger, maybe at WrestleMania.”
Men’s WarGames: A Super Team Showdown
The men’s WarGames match features a star-studded lineup, but Johnny North raised concerns about these matches’ pacing and overall structure. “The format is exhausting,” Johnny said. “By the time you’ve sat through one WarGames match, the second one feels like overkill.”
Dave Simon, however, defended the spectacle, saying: “Last year’s WarGames was solid. It’s chaos, but it’s good chaos when done right.” Both hosts agreed that including CM Punk adds an unpredictable dynamic to the team of Roman Reigns, The Usos, Sami Zayn, and Punk. Johnny predicted some potential fallout: “Roman’s been on shaky ground in the Bloodline. Punk’s involvement could push the story toward something big, maybe The Rock getting involved.”
As for the opposing team of Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tamatanga, Tangaloa, and Bronson Reed, Dave suggested this could serve as a platform for Solo to establish himself further. “Solo’s the guy to watch,” Dave said. “He’s got all the tools to steal the show.”
Women’s WarGames: Star-Studded Chaos or Overbooking?
The women’s WarGames match is stacked with Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Io Sky, and Bayley against Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LeRae. Johnny North gave the edge to the babyface team: “Rhea’s return is a big deal, and they’ve got too much momentum to lose.”
Dave highlighted potential drama, noting: “The team dynamics are wild. Will Bayley and Io coexist? The tension could lead to a pivotal storyline.”
When it came to the women’s WarGames match, Johnny North wasn’t shy about sharing his skepticism. “I don’t think we need two WarGames matches on the same card,” Johnny said. “The women’s match feels forced because they’re trying to match the men’s spectacle, but the storytelling doesn’t always justify it.”
Dave countered by praising the talent involved. “Look at that lineup: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Io Sky, Bayley, Naomi—it’s a dream team,” Dave said. “If they give them time and let Rhea shine in her return, it could be a standout match.”
The hosts also touched on the challenges of making these matches meaningful. Johnny expressed frustration over the quick reconciliations and alliances made to form teams: “Half of these women were feuding a month ago, and now they’re supposed to work together? It’s hard to buy into that.” Dave agreed but added: “WarGames is always about the big spots. Iyo Sky doing a moonsault off the top of the cage? Even if the setup feels rushed, that’ll get the crowd hyped.”
Undercard Matches
The undercard left much to be desired. Kevin Owens vs. Cody Rhodes was absent, a letdown for fans like Johnny: “That would’ve been a highlight match. Instead, we’re getting matches like LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, which had a rushed build.” Both hosts felt Braun Breaker retaining the Intercontinental title in a triple threat against Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser was the safest bet. Johnny stated, “Breaker needs a longer reign to solidify his spot.”
Final Thoughts on the WarGames Format
Both Dave and Johnny ultimately agreed that the WarGames format itself might need a shakeup. “It’s become predictable,” Johnny said. “One team has the advantage, there’s a long beatdown, and then the big heroic comeback. It works, but it’s not fresh anymore.”
Dave echoed this sentiment, saying: “Maybe one War Games match per year is enough. You don’t want to water down what makes it special.” Despite their critiques, both hosts acknowledged that the energy of the live Vancouver crowd could elevate the matches and make them must-watch moments.
WWE’s Week in Review: Highs and Lows
SmackDown Struggles
The taped SmackDown ahead of Survivor Series disappointed Dave, who described it as “weak” and lacking in energy. “Going into a pay-per-view, you want momentum. Instead, we got a lackluster show taped a week earlier.”
One bright spot, however, was Kevin Owens’ promo, which Johnny praised for its intensity: “Owens brought real emotion, reminding everyone of his history with Roman Reigns.”
The New Day Drama
Over on Raw, the brewing tension between Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods captured the audience’s attention. Dave said, “Their backstage argument was raw and emotional. It’s easily the most compelling story in WWE right now.” Both hosts are eager to see how the 10-year anniversary of The New Day plays out on Raw next week.
AEW Full Gear Fallout: A Missed Opportunity?
The conversation took a sharp turn as the hosts critiqued AEW’s struggles following Full Gear. Dave called the event “a mess”, pointing to matches that felt overbooked and lacking in direction. “AEW feels scattered. They’re doing too much, and none of it connects.”
Johnny North defended certain aspects but admitted, “Full Gear was way too long, and the pacing killed it. AEW needs to figure out what they want to be.”
Talent Utilization Issues
One of the glaring problems discussed was AEW’s underwhelming use of top talents. Johnny noted, “Will Ospreay wrestling Juice Robinson on Collision isn’t must-see TV. AEW needs to do better building stories for their stars.”
Dave echoed this sentiment, lamenting the lack of clarity in AEW’s storytelling: “I watch Dynamite, and I still don’t know what’s going on half the time. They need focus.”
A Path Forward
The hosts agreed that AEW could benefit from streamlining its product and putting more effort into building cohesive narratives. “They’ve got the talent,” Johnny said. “They just need to figure out how to use it better.”
Key Takeaways
- Survivor Series Expectations: The hosts are cautiously optimistic, hoping for surprises like The Rock’s return.
- WWE Week in Review: Kevin Owens and The New Day provided compelling moments, but SmackDown failed to deliver.
- AEW Critique: Full Gear highlighted AEW’s ongoing issues with pacing and storytelling.
