WWE: Survivor Series 2012 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

WWE: Survivor Series 2012 Blu-ray Movie Review

Can WWE fans survive without this release in their Blu-ray collections?

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 1, 2013

One of the WWE's staple Pay-Per-View events is Survivor Series, an annual extravaganza of wrestling goodness that pits the best in the business one against another in single, group, or multiple partner tag-team elimination matches. 2012's edition sees a large roster of stars that have ascended beyond household names and into brands of their own; names like John Cena, CM Punk, Big Show, Rey Mysterio, and Sheamus highlight this year's event. However, 2012's Survivor Series is also a showcase for second-tier or up-and-coming stars; Brodus Clay, Tensai, Antonio Cesaro, and Ryback may not be on the tip of the most casual of WWE audiences' tongues but prove their place in the WWE landscape in one of 2012's most exciting, action-packed, and unforgettable nights. Now, fans can relive the evening thanks to WWE's well-rounded Blu-ray release that costs far less than catching the event live and contains various bonuses in addition to nearly pristine video and fine audio.

Surviving.

Indianapolis, Indiana hosts 2012's Survivor Series Pay-Per-View extravaganza in that city's Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The November 18 event marks the 26th time fans have enjoyed Survivor Series, representing one of the longest-running professional wrestling Pay-Per-View events in history. This Survivor Series, called by the ringside trio of John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Michael Cole, and Kerry "The King" Lawler, is comprised of six matches, four of which feature title implications. Eve and Kaitlyn battle for the right to wear the Diva's belt; Antonio Cesaro and R-Truth collide in an adrenaline-charged singles match for the coveted United States Championship belt; the huge stage presences of Big Show and Sheamus collide for a chance to hoist the World Heavyweight Championship title; and the trio of CM Punk, John Cena, and Ryback square off in the square ring with the WWE Championship on the line. Also included are two ten-man, two-team tag matches.

2012's Survivor Series proves to be a well-rounded WWE Pay-Per-View. Far from the best of its kind, and certainly not the most entertaining or historic event from the year that was in the world of professional wrestling, it nevertheless shows some legs and staying power, offering up half a dozen high quality matches that range from "hugely entertaining" to "worth watching." The program mixes things up with a strong assortment of wrestlers from all around the WWE landscape. Some big names are notably absent, but the roster is filled with wrestlers that know their craft and execute it as well as anyone the WWE has to offer, yesterday or today both. R-Truth displays some fine athleticism in his match, the Big Show pursues the title with more guile than bulk, and the main event proves the unpredictability of the WWE. It makes for several hours of entertainment, presented on Blu-ray with all the backstage fun intact. It's just like watching the Pay-Per-View, except without the excess cost and not tied down to a specific date and time.

The following matches are included in Survivor Series 2012:

• Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match: Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara, Brodus Clay, Justin Gabriel, & Tyson Kidd vs. The Prime Time Players, Tensai, Primo, & Epico.
• Divas Championship Match: Eve vs. Kaitlyn.
• United States Championship Match: Antonio Cesaro vs. R-Truth.
• World Heavyweight Championship Match: Big Show vs. Sheamus.
• Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match: Team Foley: Team Hell No, Kofi Kingston, Randy Orton, & The Mix vs. Team Ziggler: Dolph Ziggler, Alberto Del Rio, David Otunga, Damien Sandow, & Wade Barrett.
• Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship: CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. Ryback.

WWE: Survivor Series 2012 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Survivor Series 2012 arrives on Blu-ray in typically strong fashion, reflecting the high quality of the most recent WWE programs. The image, recorded live only weeks ago at time of writing, delivers oftentimes striking clarity and sharpness. The image showcases well-defined elements both near and wide, allowing people and signage to be easily identified and read, respectively, even some distance from the camera. Close-ups of wrestlers, announcers, and fans provide naturally detailed skin and clothing textures. Colors are brilliant: very vibrant and pure. Whether Brodus Clay's gold garb, Rey Mysterio's pink outfit, or the multicolored electronic signage around the arena, the transfer yields every shade to near perfection. Black levels are deep, and flesh tones appear honest across the broad spectrum of wrestlers. The image does suffer from light compression-related problems, though such are difficult to see at normal viewing distances and certainly don't stand out as prominently they did in older WWE HD releases. Overall, this is one of the best looking WWE releases yet; the new material just keeps getting better and better, and fans will be very pleased with this image's overall quality.

WWE: Survivor Series 2012 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Survivor Series 2012 features the old WWE-typical Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. The presentation is fine, in-line with the quality of the most recent WWE releases. It's big and spacious, taking over the soundstage and delivering all sorts of energized sounds with relative ease. In-arena music, music overlaying the program, pyrotechnics, and crowd cheers all power into the listening area with ease, robustness, and evident clarity. It's often as if listeners are right there in the arena. Dialogue is crisp and faultlessly delivered, whether by the ringside commentators, in-ring announcers, or by the wrestlers themselves on stage or in the back. As noted, this is a prototypical WWE soundtrack. It's well engineered and does everything asked of it without major flaw, even without the benefit of lossless clarity.

WWE: Survivor Series 2012 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Survivor Series 2012 contains a short, backstage post-match interview as well as a few RAW and SmackDown moments leading up to 2012's Survivor Series Pay-Per-View.

Special Feature:

• CM Punk & Paul Heyman Share Their Thoughts (HD, 1:47): The two discuss the end of the Championship match. From Survivor Series, November 18, 2012.

Blu-ray Exclusives:

• RAW Moment (HD, 11:55): Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero Accuse AJ Lee. RAW -- November 12, 2012.
• RAW Match (HD, 12:41): Ryback vs. Brad Maddox. RAW -- November 12, 2012.
• RAW Match (HD, 11:41): Kane & The Miz vs. Team Rhodes Scholars. RAW -- November 12, 2012.
• RAW Match (HD, 15:39): CM Punk vs. John Cena. RAW -- November 12, 2012. With "Special Enforcer" Mick Foley.
• SmackDown Moment (HD, 16:39): MizTV with Team Foley. SmackDown -- November 16, 2012.
• SmackDown Match (HD, 13:21): Randy Orton & The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler & Alberto Del Rio.

WWE: Survivor Series 2012 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The WWE's done it again, releasing a popular Pay-Per-View to Blu-ray with no added frills or subtracted elements but rather a faithful replication of the late November event. The program delivers well over three hours of high-energy wrestling excellence, featuring some of the WWE landscape's brightest stars, B-level talent, and up-and-coming names. It's a fine and fun watch, not something that's going to convert naysayers or turn the casual fan into a hardcore fanatic, but it will greatly satisfy longtime fans who have seen it before or are watching for the first time. WWE's Blu-ray release of Survivor Series 2012 offers standout video, solid audio, and a few supplements. Recommended to WWE fans and WWE Home Video completists.