November 26, 2001 Observer Newsletter: Survivor Series reviewed, more
The WWF reset its entire promotion this past week, plus brought back Ric Flair and Jerry Lawler and the result was the first undisputed positive sign for Raw ratings with an increase to 4.81 on 11/19. Because the show started so strongly, the rating increase should be more attributed to curiosity over how the supposed demise of WCW and ECW and talent firings would be handled and what would happen next, than to Flair and Lawler, aside from the overrun. That probably could be attributed to the fact Flair’s return after long absences has traditionally drawn major ratings spikes.
The Alliance vs. WWF feud was ditched at Survivor Series after being perhaps the biggest disappointment in recent wrestling history, where WWF won in a confusing series of events. Chris Jericho first turned on Rock, when Rock and Steve Austin were the final two wrestlers left, but Rock survived.
Current subscribers click here to continue reading.
Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.