WWF - Survivor Series 2001 DVD > Reviews > The Winner Takes All

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
How does it compare to similar films?	Not applicable

Advantages:	great main event :  loads of superstars :  the end of a great feud
Disadvantages:	couple of poor matches, no great WRESTLING matches

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

WWE Survivor Series 2001 took place in Greensboro, North Carolina on November 18th. Survivor Series started off in 1987 and was part of the original big four PPV's of the WWE, the others being Wrestlemania, Royal Rumble and Summerslam.

This event is remembered as one of the most significant, not because of classic wrestling matches, but because it included a mass of talented superstars and concluded one the best feuds in recent WWE history. This PPV brought the end of the invasion storyline, a storyline pitting the WWE brand against the Alliance brand. The feud had begun back in March when Shane McMahon had brought the WCW brand. The tension had gradually grown between both sides at the weekly shows and PPV's including, King of the Ring, and the Invasion. With superstars changing sides notably Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kurt Angle. This battle would end in the Winner Take All Match at Survivor Series.

European Title
Christian v Al Snow
Champion Christian representing The Alliance v Al Snow representing WWE.
A good start to a PPV a basic back and forth match finally won by Christian following his finishing manoeuvre The Unprettier.
6/10

Backstage Promo, the Locker Rooms of both Brands, tension in the Alliance camp of suspicion of a defector.

William Regal (Alliance) v Tajiri (WWE)
Poor match, unworthy of PPV status, Regal wins via Tiger Bomb. Torrie Wilson comes to help Tajiri and also gets Tiger Bombed.
3/10

US Title and the Intercontinental Title Unification Match
Edge (WWE) v Test (Alliance)
Good match between two good wrestlers involving a good mixture of strength and skill. Test dominates most of the match with more strength but Edge wins after a quick roll up to unify the Titles.
7/10

Backstage Promo: Stephanie McMahon panicking over the apparent defector.

Steel Cage Match
WCW Tag Team Championship and the WWF Tag Team Championship Unification match
The Dudley Boyz (Alliance) v The Hardy Boyz in a Steel Cage
The Winner is the team that either climbs over the cage or gets a pin fall.
A difference in style in this match between the physicality of the Dudley's and the High Flying of the Hardyz. Matt Hardy escapes the cage but leaves his partner Jeff alone in the ring. Jeff manages to get enough time to make it to the top of the cage but instead of getting the victory and climbing down he takes a risk and tries a Swanton bomb onto Devon off the cage. As it so often happens he missed and gave the victory to the Dudley's via pin. Jeff is then carried off in a stretcher.
8/10

Immunity Battle Royal
Whoever won this match could not be fired no matter what result happened in the Winner Take All match.
Superstars eliminated if both feet touch the floor outside the ring.
Test eliminates Billy Gunn in the final two to win
A Mini Royal Rumble not really impressing.
5/10.

Final Match before the Main Event
Women's Championship
No Previous Champion as it had been vacated by the departing Chyna
Trish Stratus wins by Pin fall on Ivory courtesy of Stratusfaction.
Poor Match, despite being wrestlers rather then Divas still didn't live up to expectation
4/10

Final Promo, build up to Main Event

Winner Takes All Survivor Series Match
Loser goes out of business
(Booker T, RVD, Shane McMahon, Kurt Angle and Stone Cold) (Alliance) v (Big Show, Kane, Undertaker, Jericho, The Rock) (WWE)
The Winner is the team that eliminates all members of the other team.
A good back and forth match at the beginning with all wrestlers being tagged and showing their style, except Shane McMahon.
First Elimination: Big Show by Shane McMahon following four finishing manoeuvres.
Second elimination occurs shortly after: McMahon pinned by Jericho after Lionsault.
RVD then eliminates Kane after the Wrestlers abandon rules and fight free for all.
The Undertaker is also eliminated during the mayhem by Angle following a Stone Cold Stunner. Leaving two WWE against four Alliance members. Rock rolls up Booker T for a three count. The teams are shortly made level by Jericho pinning RVD after a Front Face Lock Drop. Leaving the four biggest names at the time, The Rock, Chris Jericho, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kurt Angle. At this point many references are made about team unity as both teams' individuals dislike each other. The match calms down to a normal 2 on 2 tag match until Angle is made to tap out to The Rocks Sharpshooter. Austin then rolls up Jericho for the 1.2.3 leaving the two top superstars to battle it out. Jericho looks as if he is going to be the traitor but is prematurely stopped from doing any damaged by the Undertaker. After ten minutes of Rock v Stone Cold with many near falls and high damage moves Austin a quick series at the end sees the referee get knocked out and then Stone Cold stunning The Rock. Without a referee to count Stone Cold cannot get the win, Kurt Angle runs out apparently to help Austin but is then seen to be the Defector and hits Austin with the title belt followed by the Rock Bottom and the Victory goes to the WWE.

Clips are then shown of both locker rooms and reactions of superstars on both teams

WWE wins
The Alliance goes out of business
10/10
The End of a classic wrestling storyline with a great match
Overall Event 8.5/10
Only let down by poor Women's match Battle Royal and Regal v Tajiri. other disadvantages include poor backstage promos and little actual wrestling, mainly a slobberknocker