WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2023 live results: Chicago highlights, CM Punk makes a comeback
WWE hosted Survivor Series: WarGames, one of its most famous events with a twist, as its final main roster pay-per-view of 2023 on Saturday.
Saturday night featured five matches inside Allstate Arena, which is home to WrestleMania 22 and is located just outside of Chicago. The men’s and women’s WarGames matches were the main events of the evening.
Both the women’s and men’s WarGames matches lived up to the hype, and the matches were full of excitement. After missing eighteen months due to an injury, Randy Orton made his comeback to the WWE Universe.
However, the comebacks didn’t stop there. One of the largest returns in recent memory occurred following the event, and it will undoubtedly cause ripples well into 2024.
After weeks of speculation, CM Punk surprised the WWE Universe by making his first appearance back with the organisation since 2014.
When Allstate Arena’s hometown star reappeared, the crowd went wild and he celebrated with them as the show ended.
Men’s war games match: Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and Randy Orton are defeated by The Judgement Day (Damian Priest, Finn Bálor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh), and Drew McIntyre.
Finn Bálor and Seth Rollins squared off in the ring for the main event of the evening, but Randy Orton and his teammates were conspicuously absent from the cage.
The match began with a terrific start from the two bitter rivals, but The Judgement Day took the lead as soon as JD McDonagh entered and brought the kendo sticks into the rings. With each new competitor, the energy changed, with the audience chanting “yeet” and “ucey” in anticipation of Jey Uso and Sami Zayn.
However, when Orton needed to step up to support his underdog team, there was no celebrity in sight to step up and support team Rhodes.
After a merciless attack by the Judgement Day, in which Priest threw Rollins against a table, Rhea Ripley unexpectedly emerged to deliver the funds specified in the bank contract. But when Orton did show up, the crowd at Allstate Arena went crazy.
Before the faction launched an offensive, the “Apex Predator” used all of his classic moves to eliminate each member of The Judgement Day one by one. After that, there was an all-out flurry, but Uso and Orton got into a fight because Uso was the one who had forced Orton to miss time.
However, Uso gave Priest a huge kick, and each member of team Rhodes finished off each other with a unique move. To seal the victory in Orton’s comeback, Rhodes executed a cross Rhodes on Priest after Orton finished with an RKO off the top of the cage on McDonagh.
Women’s World Championship match: Zoey Stark vs. Rhea Ripley (c)
In the biggest match of her young career, Zoey Stark made it clear from the start that she would not be taken lightly, and Ripley created an intense atmosphere from the start.
Stark tried to block every move Ripley made as she demonstrated her strength and power, but Ripley never really stopped moving. After Stark executed a few moves, it appeared as though the sliding knee would be her best opportunity, but Ripley then did what she does best.
After exiting the Z-60, Ripley performed the Rip Tide to secure the victory and maintain her supremacy in the women’s division.
Santos Escobar versus Dragon Lee
While Dragon Lee’s substitution for Carlito was a swift one, the replacement match was nonetheless exciting and full of sharp turns.
One of the team’s best young players, Lee displayed his skills in front of an enthusiastic crowd in a match against Santos Escobar. Lee attempted to end the fight with a powerbomb, but Escobar countered with a destroyer before landing the winning knockout blow. The only real reason for it was the respect Escobar received within LWO, but his victory might set up another storyline involving Rey Mysterio and Escobar’s growing animosity.
Contest for the Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) versus The Miz
Gunther didn’t stay down for long as the Miz repeatedly attempted to manipulate the champion by going after his left knee, but the challenger was quickly dispatched by blows.
In addition to controlling most of the match, Gunther embraced the heel role and got the crowd excited. The Miz attempted to turn the tide by taking some knee shots and going for the crushing finale, but he was unable to pull it off. Gunther then attempted his trademark powerbomb, but The Miz was among the few who managed to get out. The champion also kicked out, but the Miz got off his finisher.
Then the two stars quickly alternated back and forth. Gunther attempted a frog splash, but his landing was ungainly and incomplete. Fortunately, Gunther was able to tap The Miz with a submission akin to a sharpshooter, keeping the title in an unexpectedly excellent match.
Women’s WarGames match: Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, and Shotzi vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane, and Asuka)
The contest began with Bayley and Becky Lynch going blow for blow, but Dakota Kai made an impression outside the cage by hitting Lynch with a kendo stick and passing it to Bayley. As the match’s first newcomer, Shotzi caused havoc by bringing chairs and a steel trashcan into the ring.
As the first newcomer to Damage CTRL, Iyo Sky was able to tie the score by taking off and taking off across the ring. With every new participant in the ring, the advantage in the match changed, culminating in an incredible elbow drop by Kairi Sane with Sky’s assistance.
Sky also had the move of the match when she leaped to the top of the cage, landed a trash can on her, and then boldly leaped to take out every other star.
Damage CTRL used every piece of equipment to take out the opposing team, but Flair’s leap off the top of the cage to take out Damage CTRL turned the tide. Lynch and Flair then used a power bomb on Sane, and at the very end, team Belair gained complete control by using a fire extinguisher to neutralise Asuka’s mist.
Lynch’s play on Bayley provided the winning margin, and team Belair triumphed over the women’s division.
Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 takes place when?
This Saturday, November 25 at 8 p.m. is Survivor Series. ET. At 7 p.m., the kickoff show will start. ET.
How to watch WarGames 2023 on Survivor Series
Peacock is streaming the event, but in order to watch, you need to have their premium or premium-plus subscription. It will be accessible on WWE Network internationally.
Match card for Survivor Series: WarGames in 2023
Games not in chronological order
Santos Escobar versus Dragon Lee
Contest for the Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) versus The Miz
Women’s World Championship match: Zoey Stark vs. Rhea Ripley (c)
Women’s WarGames match: Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, and Shotzi vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane, and Asuka)
Men’s WarGames match: Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and Randy Orton vs. The Judgement Day (Damian Priest, Finn Bálor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh), and Drew McIntyre
Forecasts for Survivor Series: WarGames in 2023
Men’s war games match: Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, and Randy Orton are defeated by The Judgement Day (Damian Priest, Finn Bálor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh), and Drew McIntyre.
WarGames: What Are They?
WarGames, which was invented by Dusty Rhodes in 1987 and features two rings side by side, is one of the most unusual matches in the WWE. Since its debut on NXT in 2017, the match has grown to be a mainstay for the organisation.
The two rings are contested by two or three teams and are encircled by a steel cage without a roof. One competitor from each team enters the ring to start the match. Five minutes later, a player from one team joins the match to provide a momentary 2-on-1 advantage. To even the odds, a competitor from the underdog team enters three minutes later. After then, teams switch participants until every player is involved in the match.
Randy Orton’s comeback
This August, the “Viper” will make a triumphant comeback.
In the men’s WarGames match at Survivor Series, Randy Orton will make his WWE comeback as a member of the team facing The Judgement Day. Orton’s comeback was revealed by Cody Rhodes this week on “Monday Night Raw.”
Gunther on the reasons his rule “was necessary.”
The mat is sacred, as the WWE world has discovered with Gunther, and “The Ring General” hopes to demonstrate this at Survivor Series: WarGames.
The eight-time champion The Miz, who has held the title for the longest, will challenge the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history on Saturday in Chicago.
Gunther has made it a point to treat The Miz disrespectfully on screen, claiming that he is only an entertainer and not a wrestler. Gunther stated that he believes The Miz’s entertainer status is becoming an increasingly big issue for WWE, noting that the roster is “full of those people.”
“That’s why it was necessary for me to reign; to put some things straight.”
See more of Gunther’s opinions on Roman Reigns, The Miz, and his viral coat grab here.
Is CM Punk going back to the WWE?
Fans have been wondering if CM Punk will make a comeback since WWE is hosting another pay-per-view in the Chicago region.
The former WWE Champion was a big addition to All Elite Wrestling in 2021, but on September 2, the organisation fired Punk for cause after he got into a brawl backstage at the “All In” pay-per-view in London.
Since then, there has been a great deal of conjecture regarding Punk possibly returning to WWE for the first time since 2014, with fans searching for any signs of a potential comeback. Prior to Orton being revealed as the group’s last member, Punk was thought to be the fifth member of Rhodes’ team in the WarGames match.
According to a number of sources, Punk isn’t expected to attend Survivor Series or sign with WWE anytime soon. However, the company has pulled off some major surprises recently, such as Rhodes’ 2022 comeback, so it can’t be completely ruled out until after Survivor Series.
Saturday night’s WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 was an exciting event from beginning to end, but what was unexpected was the appearance of former AEW and WWE Champion CM Punk as the show’s winner.
The main event featured Randy Orton making his comeback to team with Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn to defeat Judgement Day and Drew McIntyre.
The card featured two WarGames matches, with the women starting the show with a chaotic war in which Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Shotzi scored the win over Damage CTRL.
CM Punk’s return to WWE, which seemed all but impossible following a bitter split in 2014 and years of Punk disparaging the promotion for the treatment he received during his tenure, will be the main topic of conversation in the days ahead, regardless of those matches.
With updates and highlights as the action unfolds in the live blog below, CBS Sports was by your side the entire time.
Damage CTRL (Iyo Sky, Asuka, Bayley & Kairi Sane) vs. Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Shotzi (WarGames Match): Lynch and Bayley began the match for their respective teams, trading blows until Bayley was able to toss Lynch into the cage and then suplex her onto the metal plate between the two rings.
Lynch then regained control by smashing Bayley into the cage with a series of dropkicks. Lynch locked in the Dis-Arm-Her, but Dakota Kai poked her with a kendo stick, which Bayley used to hit Lynch multiple times until Shotzi entered the ring. Shotzi then took the fight to Bayley, and after witnessing Shotzi and Lynch work over Bayley, Sky was the next woman in, bringing a chain to the ring.
Momentum continued to swing every time a new contestant joined the fray, with Sane up next for Damage CTRL and Flair as the final entrant for her team. The first true highlight moment of the match came when Sky was given a trash can by Kai. She then put the can over her head and torso and dove from the top of the cage onto everyone below seconds before Asuka entered, officially starting the match.
“The Empress” brought along four kendo sticks, a table, and a fire extinguisher.
Asuka misted Shotzi in fairly short order before dropkicking Lynch, who had been put inside a trash can, from the top rope. After a run of dominance by Damage CTRL, the faces fought back, leading to Flair moonsaulting from the top of the cage onto all four members of Damage CTRL. Shortly after, Lynch and Flair stared each other down before hugging and hyping each other up.
A flurry of near-falls for both teams followed, with bodies flying all over the two rings. Asuka ended up missing a second mist on Shotzi, allowing Belair to blast Asuka with the fire extinguisher. Bayley shoved Sane out of the way of a spear, taking the move herself. The faces then hit Bayley with a series of big moves, culminating in Lynch hitting a Manhandle Slam from the second rope through a table for the win.
The match really picked up in speed and intensity late and it worked to build to a solid finish that saw Bayley work as her team’s MVP despite seemingly being on the outs among her team while still eating the pin. Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair & Shotzi def. Damage CTRL via pinfall — Grade: B+
Intercontinental Championship — Gunther (c) vs. The Miz: Miz immediately took the fight to Gunther, attacking with chops and strikes before outsmarting the champ by ducking from the ring and then attacking Gunther’s legs. After a figure-four leglock around the ring post, Miz tried to come off the top rope but was blasted by a kick from Gunther. Gunther laid in some trademark chops and used a German suplex to halt a Miz comeback attempt.
Miz managed to fight off a powerbomb attempt before laying an extended series of kicks into Gunther’s torso. Miz’s comeback was shortlived but he managed to yank the pad off the turnbuckle, using that as a distraction for the ref to set up two low blows and a Skull-Crushing Finale for a two-count. Miz tried for another Skull-Crushing Finale but Gunther grabbed a sleeper hold, which Miz countered by running Gunther into the exposed turnbuckle and then reversing the sleeper into a pin for another nearfall.
Gunther came roaring back, hitting a top-rope splash onto Miz’s back and then locking in a Boston crab and driving a knee into the back to force the submission. This was a really good match that let Miz really showcase wrestling skills that are rarely put on display at this point in his career. And Gunther is Gunther,
so he more than held up his end of the match. Gunther (c) def. The Miz via submission to retain the title — Grade: B
Santos Escobar vs. Dragon Lee: Escobar came out swinging, going for early pins before throwing Lee out of the ring. Lee fought back, setting up Escobar to leap over the top rope and hit a rana on Escobar from the ring apron and follow up with a big dive to the outside. Escobar would then come back with a rana on Lee as the two men stood on the top rope,
securing a near fall. Big moves continued to be exchanged as both men scored multiple two counts but could not put the other away until Escobar
Women’s World Championship — Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Zoey Stark: The two women engaged in a violent altercation right away, primarily centred around strikes until Stark sent Ripley flying out of the ring.
Ripley then took control of the match, using big power moves and strikes to ground Stark. Stark attempted to recover, but Ripley countered with kicks and knees, and eventually Stark found a way to get a two-count. Stark countered Riptide into a suplex for another near fall, but Riptide delivered
Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Drew McIntyre, Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh vs. Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Jey Uso & Sami Zayn (WarGames Match): Throughout the night, it was said that Orton wasn’t at the arena, with Judgment Day celebrating the fact and Zayn insisting to his teammates that Orton would show up when it mattered most.
Rollins and Balor started things off for their teams. Rollins fired Balor into the cage several times, knowing he would be at a disadvantage five minutes later. Balor was quick to return the favor, sending Rollins into the cage several times and eventually hitting Rollins with a backdrop onto the metal plate connecting the two rings. McDonagh was the first man out of the cage though he was kicked by Rollins before he could enter the cage.
McDonagh grabbed a pair of kendo sticks before getting into the cage and he and Balor started to wear Rollins out with the weapons. Uso was in for his team next, taking the heat off Rollins, who had been brutalized by Balor and McDonagh.
McIntyre watched on desperately wanting to get to the ring and at Uso but when the time came, Priest stopped him and said they were sticking to the plan before walking to the cage.
Priest went head-to-head with Uso and Rollins before pulling out a baton and using it to attack both men and take over the match. With Judgment Day firmly in control, Zayn made his entrance, hitting McDonagh with a kendo stick and ramming the cage door into Balor’s head.
Zayn then grabbed a table before getting in the ring and taking out Priest. Zayn ripped a pipe out of the cage and used it to attack McDonagh and Priest. This led to McIntyre finally making his way to the cage, not stopping for any weapons, just wanting to get into the fight. McIntyre blitzed through Rollins and Zayn so he could get to Uso,
who was still down from earlier in the match. McIntyre drove Uso into the cage over and over, saying Uso never apologized for what he did in helping Roman Reigns beat him at Clash at the Castle. Uso finally hit a superkick and he and Zayn hit McIntyre with a 1-D before Rhodes made his way to the cage. After the standard opening run of offense,
Rhodes brought a bull rope into the cage before he and Rollins used the rope to attack various Judgment Day members. Rollins yelled at Rhodes asking if Orton was really going to show up before Mysterio made it to the ring and attacked every member of the opposing team that was already down on the canvas.
Mysterio quickly found himself surrounded by all four members of the other team, with all of them laying in stomps. After the Judgment Day team got back involved, Priest and McIntyre chokeslammed Rhodes, Zayn and Rollins before McDonagh hit Zayn with a moonsault.
Priest then put Rollins through the table with a Razor’s Edge. The 10-second countdown hit and nothing happened before Rhea Ripley’s music hit and she ran to the ring with the Money in the Bank contract, ready for Priest to cash in but before that could happen, Orton’s music hit and he made his way to the ring,
officially starting the match. Orton ran through Mysterio and McDonagh before dropping Balor with a hanging DDT as McIntyre and Priest watched on waiting for a shot. After a brief brawl involving all 10 men, Orton led his team in all hitting hanging DDTs.
Orton and Uso stared each other down before Orton hit Mysterio with an RKO, kicking off a series of finishers from the team. McDonagh tried to flee the cage but was trapped on top of the cage by Zayn and Rollins, who looked down at Orton and launched him from the cage into an RKO.
Rhodes dropped Priest with Cross Rhodes and that was all she wrote. There were obviously a lot of stories at play coming into the match but no real payoffs to any of them and the match did lack some of the chaos the women brought earlier in the night.
That said, Randy Orton is back and got to hit one of the wildest RKOs in his career. Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Jey Uso & Sami Zayn def. Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Drew McIntyre, Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh via pinfall — Grade: B
After the main event, CM Punk made his WWE comeback. As his music began to play, the crowd erupted, and he made his way to the entrance ramp, where he posed and celebrated with them until the show ended.
