Survivor Series 2020: Drew McIntyre vs. Roman Reigns
WWE fans got a historic main event on November 22, 2020, courtesy of Survivor Series, as Drew
McIntyre (Raw, WWE Champion) and Roman Reigns (SmackDown, Universal Champion) faced off in a highly anticipated Champion vs Champion bout. It was not just a battle; it was a war between two of the heavyweight champs, fueled by a desire to prove they are the best at the WWE game.
The Build-Up
For weeks prior to Survivor Series, the personal grudge match between McIntyre and Reigns grew into a mythical battle incited by the circumstances surrounding them and the consequence of the contest. Having adopted the "Scottish Warrior" persona for himself, McIntyre's climb to the top of WWE had legendary roots. Following an inspirational comeback which culminated in securing victory at the Royal Rumble, and subsequently defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36, McIntyre triumphed as WWE Champion. His reign was that of determination, perseverance and uncomprehending resistance, all of which won him the loyalty of the crowd.
In contrast, Roman Reigns had experienced a complete change after returning to WWE after being gone and out of reach because of illness. He "Turned into the Commander of the Table," the heel image in which every strength and damage are represented. In addition to Jey Uso, Reigns cemented his position as Universal Champion champion, demonstrating a more ruthless, tactically focused approach to performing. The more the tale went, the more intrigue it became with each move, with the two champions progressing towards a peak of momentum following Survivor Series not only a very exciting fight, but also a capacitating battle, a final stand for both gladiators. There was great buzz in WWE around legacies, superiority and dreams around the future of WWE.
The Match
Fever of expectations" fell on the night of Survivor Series. With pyrotechnics lighting the battlefield, the fans were screaming at the point of actually kissing the ground for a show between these "heavyweight" teams. With every chime of the bell, it wasn't just another start of the game, it became a battle of the past and the future of their professions and prestige.
Each of the two champions, in turn, delivers a right powerful heavy punch to each of them, and then shows to the public the mighty muscle and movement display. McIntyre got off to a great start building momentum as he landed his trademark Claymore Kick and the Glasgow Kiss repeatedly meaning he is an opponent not to be messed with. On the one side, he showed at the same time, his endurance, his abilities and he maintained his audience at, a bewildering, level of suspense.
But Roman Reigns, suitably Roaring, was not easily deterred. The Tribal Chief" replied with a devastating punch, a mythical superman punch to McIntyre's jaw, turned McIntyre into a statue for all eternity. There was a strange sense to the final, tit-for-tat game of all; each game-winning end state was a demonstration of the ability to take a hit and lay into it with a full reply. It was a demonstration of pure willpower, athletism, and story all rolled into one thing that is in a way every wrestler’s fan appreciates.
In the course of the game, some significant events did occur, such that McIntyre elicited a response to arousing a Spear attack by a Kimura block. It evidenced his technical ability since he actively directed his attention to the pressure on Reigns's arm, inflicting significant pressure and forcing Reigns to survive. The resilience of both competitors shone through, as they battled through not just physical adversity but mental determination as well.
When the fight spilled out of the cage, the pressure went through the roof. Chaos reached a new height when McIntyre was launched through the announce table and, thereby, decided upon the crude, lumpy, feel of the match. Seconds later, Reigns employed his brutality to launch a strong Spear through the barricade convincingly and declaring his victory at war.
The game ending was the most dramatic emotionally charged climax. Having taken a great many blows himself, McIntyre proved his invulnerable stomach by jumping off numerous Spears. And this resilience made a big impact to the fans and they responded in unison to their Scottish champ by chanting and cheering. At a crossroads, McIntyre parried a second Spear to a ferocious Claymore Kick, seemingly shifting the power of the duel in his direction.
Sadly, however, the hand of the world intervened as the officeholder became unfit to think in the chaos. The mayhem provided Reigns with the ideal opportunity to perform an illegal cheap shot on McIntyre, and ultimately, visually demonstrated his rooting for such a dirty underhanded play towards getting to the top. At the same time, the advent of Jey Uso made life difficult. Out of his loyal cousin's clemency, Jey delivered a superkick to McIntyre, which in turn, produced the distraction that Reigns rather desired.
On the lookout for their chance, Reigns captured McIntyre in the Guillotine choke—a choke that Reigns had not previously been able [to apply] earlier in the match. It was the last fight of combat, and though McIntyre was able to sense some level of opposition before he yielded to the fix's hold, he eventually gave way to the strength of it. Emerging from the mist, the official banged the buzzer and crowned Roman Reigns victor o this brutal fight.
Aftermath
Roman Reigns victory at Survivor Series went down as a landmark achievement, cementing his dominance in WWE. The outcome not only validated his status as a savior but also transformed him into a true force, a type of wrestler able to bewalk through fire. LossMcIntyre's loss should not be a consequence of the extraordinary achievement. His tenaciousness and diligence are drawing partygoers, and that is the foundation on which the character development and plot line can be set up.
In contrast, vicarious experience not only traversed the barrier in respect of a potential future meeting and possible contest, but also with respect to a possible contest rematch. Nevertheless, McIntyre's comeback after the adversity would be the core of the story lines moving ahead, and Reigns on SmackDown would be strong and will cause a flood of sizzling storylines, concerning his "The Head of the Table" standing and Jey Uso's place in that story. Legacy
high stakes, emotional storytelling, and extraordinary athleticism. It left an indelible mark on the fans and it continues to be a great legacy on the fans for its sentimental value.
Analysis
Technically, the match highlighted the best in ring chemistry between McIntyre and Reigns. The clash of styles—McIntyre's grappling and street fighting style versus Reigns' powerhouse tactics—created a captivating dynamic. Speed was continuously calibrated from action bursts to progressive deconstructionment in the upward slope.
Not only did the two contestants very strictly follow the classical scenario of a confrontation between wrestlers [27], but the 2 also privileged the alternating responsibility of one another's control with one following turn (i.e., who controls the flow of the heading of the confrontation itself) [10]. Investment of the crowd expressed through reactions played a major role in creating the atmosphere of the match. Spectators were psychodynamically sucked into the immersive experience and vicariously identified with the performers' successes and also with their defeats.
Impact on Future Storylines
The outcome of this match held substantial implications for WWE’s future storylines. Reigns''s dominant, ongoing, hegemonic, winning of the SmackDown's title from the opposition, produced power that could allow new competitors and a completely other cast of rivalries to emerge. During that time, meanwhile McIntyre's stoicism when facing defeat injected a shot of vitality into the persona, and laid the foundation for his ongoing mission to become the champion gold.
Conclusion
The 2020 clash between Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns was far from just a pure sports contest, it was a wrestling academy that touched every consumer in the world. The integration of in-ring interactivity, narrative, and emotional engagement is a phenomenon still being researched and enjoyed today. It is one of the greatest of all time, a kind of love letter to the magic that can be created in the ring when the very best fight and fall on each other, to create something spectacular. While they advanced, the picture remained promising for two of the warriors, legends who pledged to the tracks that their unique histories would annotate in WWE's evolving narrative universe.
