Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

WWE: Survivor Series 2010 Blu-ray Movie Review

Will John Cena survive Wade Barrett's stipulation?

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 11, 2015

2010's Survivor Series was held on November 21, 2010, from the American Airlines Arena (home of the Miami Heat) in Miami, Florida. And it nearly never was. Earlier in the year, Vince McMahon had announced an end to the fan-favorite event, the second-longest running pay program in WWE history (behind only WrestleMania). Rather than rename and rebrand the company's annual November extravaganza, McMahon heard the fans' pleas and retained the Survivor Series name and format. The event has continued running strong since. And what a way to kick off the renewed and reenergized PPV. The main event had nothing less than a certain Superstar's very future on the line, and no matter the outcome, the evening was sure to end with the WWE universe shaken to its very core.

More than a title on the line.

Indeed, 2010's Survivor Series Pay-Per-View lived up to its name. The main event pitted Nexus' Wade Barrett against "The Viper" Randy Orton for the WWE Championship. Nothing odd about that, but the stipulations surrounding the match made this must-see TV. Reluctant Nexus member John Cena -- who had previously been forced into the villainous faction when he lost to Wade Barrett at 2010's Hell in a Cell, making good on his word that, if he lost the match, he would join -- was forced into unfamiliar territory. Now, it wasn't just Cena's pride on the line or the logo he would display on the front of his shirt. With Wade Barrett and Nexus pulling the strings and manipulating Cena to ensure Barrett won the title, it was determined that Cena would guest referee a WWE title match between Barrett and Orton. If Barrett won, Cena would be free of Nexus. If Orton retained, Cena would be out of the WWE. In essence, the match put the "survivor" in Survivor Series and, no matter the outcome, would send shockwaves throughout the WWE universe and have long-lasting repercussions in the days, months, maybe even years to come.

Of course, there was more going on that just the Cena-Barrett-Orton match, though its weight and shadow certainly looms over the entire event. A (then young) Daniel Bryan kicked off the night (at least kicked off what everyone saw; the event truly began with a "dark" match between R-Truth and Zach Ryder) with a match against Ted DiBiase for the United States Championship. The feuding John Morrison and Sheamus square off in one of the night's best events next with nothing on the line beyond entertainment. Dolph Ziggler and Kaval were next, battling one-on-one (with the obnoxious Vicky Guerrero ringside) for the Intercontinental Championship belt. A ten-man tag team event, with Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del rio captaining the opposing sides, came next. The Divas got in on the action next in a 2-on-1 handicap match for the Diva's title, pairing Michelle McCool and Layla against Natalya. Big guns Kane and Edge squared off next for the WWE Heavyweight Championship, with Kane fighting to defend the title and Edge working to weasel it away. Wade Barrett's Nexus compadres Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater battled Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov for the WWE Tag Team title in the night's penultimate event. The evening concluded with the hyped Barrett vs. Orton match with John Cena refereeing.

WWE home Video's Blu-ray release is a straightforward affair. It simply transfers the event onto disc with a main menu and a couple of extras (see below) and the option to chapter skip through the event, with each match a chapter and several other bits and pieces in the way of interview clips scattered in for good measure. Otherwise, the release offers nothing above and beyond the call of duty, sharing qualities, then, with most every other PPV event released to Blu-ray, including the 2012 Survivor Series release. The event itself is one of the better in recent years and consists of much of the current core crop of WWE Superstars (Orton, Barrett, Cena, Bryan, Ziggler, Kane, and even an appearance by Husky Harris, now wrestling as Bray Wyatt, to name a few). Every match has something to offer, whether sheer entertainment (Sheamus-Morrison), belts on the line, or careers at risk. It's an excellent, all-encompassing evening event that, outside of WrestleMania, epitomizes what the WWE is all about and the best the company has to offer in terms of mixing entertaining figures, strong story lines, and great wrestling into a single Pay-Per-View.

The following comprise 2010's Survivor Series matches:

• United States Championship Match: Daniel Bryan vs. Ted DiBiase.
• Survivor Series Singles Match: John Morrison vs. Sheamus.
• Intercontinental Championship Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Kaval.
• Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match: Team Rey Mysterio vs. Team Alberto Del Rio: Rey Mysterio, Big Show, Kofi Kingston, MVP & Chris Masters vs. Alberto Del Rio, Drew McIntyre, Jack Swagger, "Dashing" Cody Rhodes & Tyler Reks.
• 2-on-1 Handicap Match for the Divas Championship: Michelle McCool & Layla vs. Natalya.
• World Heavyweight Championship Match: Kane vs. Edge.
• WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater vs. Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov.
• WWE Championship Match with Special Guest Referee John Cena: Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett.

WWE: Survivor Series 2010 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Survivor Series 2010 is another older WWE Blu-ray that looks good at-a-glance, and holds up well, but shows some faults upon deeper examination. WWE Home Video's 1080i, 1.78:1-framed image does squeeze out a good overall picture. Colors are rich and robust, whether the blazing digital signage at the entrance, fan-made signs, wrestler attire, and other random bits around the arena. Black levels do vary from scene to scene, looking nicely deep and proper here and more than a bit pale and tired there. Details are often excellent, supported by a sharp, clear digital image. Whether basic clothing and skin lines, crowd definition even at a distance, or wrestler tattoos and beads of sweat, the image reveals a good level of tangible and accurate details. On the down side, rather heavy macroblocking plagues parts of the image, particularly back across darker backdrops. Heavy noise likewise infests some darker moments. Light aliasing and ringing are also problematic. Yet never do these problems amount to a total eyesore of an image. They're there, but for casual viewing the image satisfies far more often than not.

WWE: Survivor Series 2010 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Survivor Series 2010 arrives on Blu-ray with the WWE-standard Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. This one's fairly active and entertaining. Music, whether overlaid on top of the program or blaring for wrestler entrances, is rich and detailed, well spaced around the front, supported by an enveloping surround elements, and defined by a positive low end (check out the beats Cena enters to late in the program). Big sound effects are aggressively active and nicely positioned. Fireworks pop with commendable authority while slams onto the mat, and the referee's three-count smacks, sound as if they're right there in the living room. Crowd chants are nicely spaced and mildly enveloping but do play with good clarity and definition. Backstage, in-ring, and ringside commentary are all delivered with satisfactory crispness and lifelike center placement and authenticity.

WWE: Survivor Series 2010 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Survivor Series 2010 contains only two supplements, one of which is, admittedly, substantial.

• The Miz Cashes In (1080i, 13:39): Superstar The Miz appears following a match between Randy Orton and Wade Barrett. From Monday Night RAW -- November 22, 2010, the night following Survivor Series 2010.
• Monday Night RAW Episode (1080i, 1:25:14): The episode which preceded 2010's Survivor Series event. From November 15, 2010. The following named segments are included: Gene Okerlund Interviews Cowboy Bob Orton, The Hart Dynasty vs. Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater, Gene Okerlund Interviews Randy Orton, John Cena vs. Alex Riley, #1 Contenders Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship: Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov vs. Jimmy & Jey Uso, Aksana with Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Gene Okerlund Interviews Mae Young, Daniel Bryan vs. Jack Swagger, and Piper's Pit.

WWE: Survivor Series 2010 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Survivor Series 2010 has a little bit of everything: great matches, good story lines, superstars aplenty, and a career on the line. It's one of the most complete PPV events in recent memory and a great example of what the WWE can do outside of WrestleMania with its secondary events. WWE Home Video's Blu-ray release of Survivor Series 2010 features adequate 1080i video, fair lossy audio, and a couple of good extras. Recommended.