Mixed emotions

WASHINGTON D.C. - Mickie James, on one hand, escaped the Verizon Center a searing survivor. The smart, sexy and powerful Diva, on the other hand, left yearning for further retribution.

Captain James, along with her partner and Divas Champion Melina, prevailed in Sunday’s Divas Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match despite Beth Phoenix not accepting her elimination. The Glamazon assaulted Mickie before the official finally forced her to exit. (PHOTOS)

In the preceding weeks, Beth, along with Layla and team captain and Women’s Champion Michelle McCool, affronted James with vicious insults. The devious trio, in fact, labeled her a “pig,” causing the former four-time Women’s Champ to cry on SmackDown. (WATCH)

Despite it being a bittersweet triumph for the two awesome in-ring performers, Mickie and The Red Carpet Diva demonstrated why they are each top-ranked Divas.

Melina, for one, showed how versatile she can be when she pulled off an incredibly acrobatic sunset flip on Michelle to conclude the match. Mickie, meanwhile, can certainly expect a crack at the Women’s Title at some point soon after her impressive performance, which included eliminating Beth and Alicia.

The two dazzling Divas, nevertheless, will likely employ action against their bullies in the upcoming weeks to get some extra desired revenge.

Miz-ery loves company

WASHINGTON, D.C. — To the surprise of many in the WWE Universe, United States Champion The Miz, Drew McIntyre, Jack Swagger, Sheamus & Dolph Ziggler were able to put their major egos aside and work together to take down the explosive squad of Intercontinental Champion John Morrison, Matt Hardy, Finlay, Evan Bourne & Shelton Benjamin in the opening bout of Survivor Series. (PHOTOS)

The match began with Raw rivals Evan Bourne and Jack Swagger squaring off in the center of the ring and quickly turned to chaos from there. Pinfalls quickly piled up as Superstars from each brand clashed, including a showdown between the tough Irishmen Sheamus and Finlay, which The Celtic Warrior won with a devastating front kick.

When the dust began to settle, John Morrison found himself alone and outnumbered against the seriously terrifying triumvirate of The Miz, Sheamus and Drew McIntyre. Throwing caution to the wind, The Shaman of Sexy attempted to overcome the odds with his explosive offense, but he simply couldn’t handle three vicious competitors at once. In the end, Morrison was slammed to the mat by The Celtic Warrior and pinned, giving Team Miz the victory.

The Miz has now racked up two consecutive pay-per-view victories over his former tag team partner. Obviously, this does not sit well with The Guru of Greatness and you can expect these two talented young Superstars to meet again.

Animalistic fury runs wild on Rey

WASHINGTON, D.C. - At Survivor Series, Batista unleashed the full extent of his unrelenting fury on his former friend Rey Mysterio, administering a merciless attack that left the official no choice but to stop the match. Match photos

Though the high-octane Mysterio showed the WWE Universe every bit of his heart from the opening bell, battling for the offensive with everything he had, the enraged Animal would eventually descend upon his prey with absolute havoc. In the final moments of the match, the fans erupted as Mysterio looked to be heading to a huge victory of redemption with the 619. However, as Mysterio attempted to channel the late Eddie Guerrero with a follow up frog splash, Batista’s raised knees signaled the beginning of a shocking end.

The vicious Animal proceeded to level Mysterio with an earth-shattering spear, a thunderous spinebuster and three devastating Batista Bombs, never once going for a cover. It was clear that he had no interest in simply winning. He wanted Mysterio to be humiliated. Even after the official attempted to end the relentless punishment by signaling for the bell, Batista’s rampage continued with the execution of a post match spinebuster onto an unforgiving steel chair. Mysterio was left in agonizing pain at the hands of a Superstar that once meant everything to him.

Standing side by side, the two former World Champions have won tag team gold (Watch), grieved the loss of a “family member” (Watch Eddie Guerrero Tribute), and forged a powerful bond in numerous squared circle battles. But when both Superstars, along with CM Punk, were selected to challenge World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker at WWE Bragging Rights in a Fatal Four Way Match, the fuse was lit for an explosive parting of ways.

In a match where every Superstar would be for himself, Mysterio stopped Batista from a possible pin over The Deadman. The Undertaker went on to triumph, pinning Batista with a devastating Tombstone. Only seconds later, in a horrific moment that the WWE Universe will never forget, The Animal suddenly snapped, attacking the stunned Master of the 619 with an indescribable assault.

Five days later on SmackDown, Mysterio tried to mend the mighty rip in their heartfelt alliance, but Batista would have none of it. Convinced his closest ally cost him the World Title, the stone-faced Superstar walked out of the ring with more rage in his eyes than ever before.

When SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long made a match between the two former friends at Survivor Series, things went from bad to worse. At the official contract signing, The Animal demanded that Mysterio sign a “Hold Harmless Agreement,” preventing legal action against him for anything he might do to his opponent at the pay-per-view. After reluctantly signing it, The Ultimate Underdog proceeded to humiliate his newfound adversary, flipping the signing table onto him, adding insult to injury as he stepped onto it while making his exit.

Two days before their pay-per-view showdown, after Batista cost Mysterio his match with Tyson Kidd by disqualification, the masked Superstar found an opening to dish out another embarrassing hit-and-run attack on the man he once called a brother. An irate Batista failed to catch Mysterio and was left with nothing but egg on his face for the second week in a row.

Though Mysterio was bound and determined to show Batista a side of him he has never seen before at Survivor Series, in the end, his heart was not enough to overcome the furious bite of The Animal. And now that Batista has released his insane wrath upon a Superstar he once called family, no one on SmackDown is safe.

Tick-tick-BOOM!

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Matches are always competitive, but rarely are they as closely contested as the epic battle between Team Kingston and Team Orton. Though each of the 10 competitors fought hard, ultimately, it was Team Captain Kofi Kingston himself that carried the day, pinning his nemesis, and last remaining competitor, Randy Orton to win the match for his team.

Team Kingston and Team Orton had a lot going for them heading into their Elimination Tag Team Match, as both squads were comprised of some of the most talented Superstars that SmackDown, Raw and ECW had to offer. Just how evenly-matched the contest was became clear as the night progressed, with each team losing a member one by one until only Kingston was left on his side. Suddenly, however, the situation had swung firmly in his opponents’ favor, as Team Orton boasted two eligible competitors: CM Punk and The Viper himself.

Not one to be deterred by stiff odds, Kingston fought onward against SmackDown’s CM Punk, pinning The Straightedge Superstar after a hard-fought series of near-falls for both competitors. As soon as Punk was vanquished however, Orton was ready to spring into action. Though The Viper might have boasted more in-ring experience than Kingston, the athletic young Superstar showed that he has just what it takes to compete on WWE’s highest level. Leaping into the air and immediately connecting with Trouble in Paradise, the rising star defeated Orton to win the match for his team, pinning two former World Champions in the span of six seconds.

Undertaker's eternal force

WASHINGTON, D.C. – World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker defeated Unified Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho & Big Show in a Triple Threat Match, marking another significant victory at the pay-per-view where The Phenom unleashed hell on WWE nearly 20 years ago. (PHOTOS)

Despite a cohesive onslaught from the Unified Tag Team Champions to start, things broke down when Big Show assaulted his own partner, who had The Deadman locked in the Walls of Jericho.

From that point on, it was a free-for-all for the World Title. During the frenzy, Big Show knocked out Jericho with a brutal right to the head.

In the end, The Deadman reigned supreme by locking Big Show in Hell's Gate, forcing him to submit.

With the victory, The Deadman simultaneously defended his World Title and put the entire SmackDown roster on notice. If The World's Largest Athlete can’t stop him, who can?

When the dark force known as “The Undertaker” debuted at Survivor Series in 1990, no one knew quite what to expect. Fast forward to 2009, and the entire WWE Universe is well aware of what The Phenom is capable of – including an outstanding 17-0 record at WrestleMania! (Undertaker’s WrestleMania Legacy)

Ever since regaining the Heavyweight Title earlier this year at Hell in a Cell (PHOTOS), The Undertaker has showed no signs of letting up. At WWE Bragging Rights, the champion overcame the odds and successfully defended his gold against CM Punk, Batista and Rey Mysterio in a Fatal Four Way Match. (PHOTOS) And tonight at Survivor Series, he beat the odds once again in a Triple Threat Match.

To find out if any Superstar is bold enough to step up and challenge The Phenom, don’t miss the next edition of SmackDown this Friday at 8/7 CT on MyNetworkTV.

DX-ploited by The Champ

WASHINGTON D.C. - When it comes to claiming WWE’s most coveted title, loyalty remains an expense some Superstars simply cannot afford.

While Triple H and Shawn Michaels insisted that competing in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship would do little to sever the deep bond between them, the allure of gold proved too much for the DX cohorts, who quickly turned on one another. As their alliance frayed, WWE Champion John Cena eagerly leveraged his opponents’ betrayal into an intensely fought victory. (PHOTOS | WATCH: Post-match interview)

Things started out amicably enough. The Game and HBK even greeted the crowd together as DX’s entrance music pervaded the arena. Seconds after the opening bell, however, Michaels unexpectedly lulled his associate to sleep with Sweet Chin Music. With Triple H out cold, HBK and The Champ exchanged strikes.

As any member of the WWE Universe can tell you, though, never count out Triple H. The King of Kings rallied and the three-man clash took on a different, and dangerous, dynamic as the action moved outside the ring. It was there that The Game smashed HBK through the announcers’ table with a spine buster, leaving Triple H to contend with the WWE Champion. While the match nearly ended with several two-counts, in the end a fatigued Cena refused to quit against his equally exhausted rivals and managed to pin Triple H to retain his title.

While it remains to be seen whether or not DX will survive this latest chapter, WWE Champion John Cena appeared more than happy to close the book on Survivor Series 2009 with his title intact.

Team Mickie vs. Team Michelle (Traditional Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination Match)

At Survivor Series, the smart, sexy, and powerful Divas of WWE will mix it up in a Divas Traditional Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination Match, captained on one side by ruthless Women’s Champion Michelle McCool and on the other by the dynamic Mickie James.

Mickie will lead her team, consisting of Eve Torres, Kelly Kelly, Divas Champion Melina, and Gail Kim.

While Michelle will captain Jillian Hall, Beth Phoenix, Layla and Alicia Fox.

Since coming to SmackDown as one of the feature players of a major Divas trade between WWE TV shows, Mickie has been waiting for a chance to get her hands on Michelle’s gold. But the merciless Michelle, exhibiting an instant dislike for the new arrival from day one, has shown time and time again that she will do anything she can to stay ahead of the pack.

With unrelenting aggression clashing head-on with electrifying determination, the Divas match is sure to be an explosive encounter from the opening bell. But, in a tag team match where elimination is the name of the game and every competitor must be capable of carrying their weight, which Divas will be good enough to fill the other crucial spots on each side of the trenches?

WWE Champion John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels (Triple Threat Match)

WWE Champion John Cena delivered a memorable performance against Randy Orton at WWE Bragging Rights to capture his seventh World Title. The Champ, however, will have no time to rest or celebrate as he will have to defend his gold against a pair of allies, DX’s Shawn Michaels and Triple H, in a Triple Threat Match at Survivor Series.

Unlike most Triple Threat Matches which generally feature three existing foes, this extraordinary contest carries a much different outlook.

Cena, for one, will be forced to resist punishment from two former World Champions and future WWE Hall of Famers. The Game and HBK are two of WWE’s most illustrious all-time ring warriors, and unquestionably, each expect to reclaim the title.

The prominent question, though, will relate to Triple H and Michaels’ motives. Will the effervescent duo work as a team to ravage The Champ? Or, in contrast, will each DX Superstar focus on their individual quests to repossess the WWE Championship?

The WWE Universe has witnessed many allies throughout WWE’s storied history get into scuffles when the title is on the line. Most recently, for example, even longtime friends Batista and Rey Mysterio divided at WWE Bragging Rights during their Fatal Four Way Match when The Animal blamed his former buddy for his own defeat.

While DX asks Cena if he will be ready for Survivor Series, it’s also imperative for The Cerebral Assassin and The Showstopper to ask themselves if they will be ready. It will be uncustomary for the two partners to be opponents – something they haven’t done since DX’s fallout earlier this decade.

Cena, meanwhile, has stepped up to every challenge throughout his career, including proving he was the ultimate champion in his unforgettable rivalry with The Viper. The esteemed gladiator also has plenty of experience battling Triple H and Michaels. In fact, the 12 Rounds star defeated The Game and HBK, respectively, at back-to-back WrestleManias in 2006 and 2007.

Retaining the gold, however, may not be in The Champ’s control. The first man to pin one of their opponents will be the champion.

All three combatants realize what they are up against, and it will be up to each of them at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. to show to the WWE Universe that they are Monday Night Raw’s most electrifying champion.

Be sure to catch this awe-inspiring title match at Survivor Series on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 8/5 PT, exclusively on pay-per-view.

Team Morrison vs. Team Miz (Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match)

It wasn’t long ago that John Morrison and The Miz were inseparable, the best of buds, the cutups in the back of class making fun of all the other students. That bond, however, snapped like a No. 2 pencil when their record as a tag team began to slide.

Now, the former friends will settle the score as captains of their respective teams in a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match. Morrison’s squad consists of Matt Hardy, Evan Bourne, Shelton Benjamin & Finlay, while Miz will command Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger

At WWE Bragging Rights, Intercontinental Champion Morrison faced off against his nemesis, United States Champion Miz, in singles action. While the Shaman of Sexy dominated the bout early, the self-proclaimed Awesome One managed to counter Morrison’s devastating Starship Pain maneuver and captured the victory with a clean pin.

As generals leading their troops to battle, however, there are myriad variables that may affect the outcome. Can either Superstar really control the men they’ve been tasked to command? Will either team find a cohesive connection to overcome their opponents?

To find out, catch all the action as Team Morrison (John Morrison, Matt Hardy, Evan Bourne, Shelton Benjamin & Finlay) square off against Team Miz (The Miz, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger) at the 23rd annual Survivor Series on Nov. 22 at 8/7 CT, live on pay-per-view.

Team Kingston vs. Team Orton (Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match)

On Raw, Kofi Kingston has proven time and time again that he is one of the most exciting young ring warriors in WWE, and is truly a Superstar to watch. But in our nation’s capital, he’ll have one of the biggest matches of his career as he and his team go up against the squad of Randy Orton in a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match.

Though Orton may be more experienced than Kingston, the athletic Superstar has shown in recent weeks that he has exactly what it takes to hit The Viper where it hurts. As retaliation for Orton viciously attacking him after a match, Kingston sought out his nemesis’ personalized NASCAR racer and defaced it while The Legend Killer looked on, helpless to stop the automotive carnage. The two’s rivalry then expanded during a Six-Man Tag Team Match on Raw when Kingston and Orton were joined by fellow Survivor Series combatants, MVP & Mark Henry and Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, respectively.

In addition to R-Truth on the side of Kingston and the devious CM Punk teaming up with Orton, two of the top competitors in the Land of the Extreme, ECW Champion Christian and William Regal are also joining the fray. For months, The British Brawler has struggled to get the upperhand against Captain Charisma, and he might just have that chance when he joins up with Team Orton to face the ECW Champion and the rest of Team Kingston in a 10-Man Tag Team Match.

Don’t miss the epic confrontation between Team Kingston (Kofi Kingston, MVP, Mark Henry, ECW Champion Christian & R-Truth) and Team Orton (Randy Orton, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase & William Regal)

Batista vs. Rey Mysterio

Standing side by side, Rey Mysterio and Batista have won tag team gold (Watch), grieved the loss of a “family member” (Watch Eddie Guerrero Tribute), and forged a powerful bond in numerous squared circle battles. But at Survivor Series, these two former World Champions – once as close as brothers – will become the most dangerous of adversaries.

Just one week after being named as two of the Superstars, along with CM Punk, that would challenge World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker at WWE Bragging Rights in a Fatal Four Way Match, The Master of the 619 and The Animal were forced to go head-to-head with each other on SmackDown. The hard-fought match ultimately ended in controversy when the official missed Batista’s shoulder leaving the canvas as he made a three-count, resulting in a victory for Mysterio. Despite the questionable outcome, the friendship between the two tremendous competitors emerged unscathed. However, greater tests would lay on the horizon.

Two days before WWE Bragging Rights, while joining forces to face Kane & Unified Tag Team Champion Chris Jericho, Mysterio sacrificed himself for Batista, walking into The Big Red Machine’s brutal chokeslam. This selfless act allowed The Animal to pick up the tag team triumph for the determined duo. But more importantly, it demonstrated Mysterio’s unparalleled heart and the deep devotion he had for his friend.

When the fateful pay-per-view finally arrived, both Mysterio and Batista gave everything they had in a whirlwind match where every man had no choice but to fight for himself. However, when Mysterio stopped The Animal from a possible pin over The Deadman, Batista became enraged. The Undertaker went on to win the match, pinning Batista with a devastating Tombstone. Only seconds later, in a horrific moment that the WWE Universe will never forget, Batista suddenly snapped, ferociously attacking his stunned comrade-in-arms.

Five days later on SmackDown, Mysterio tried to mend the mighty rip in their heartfelt alliance, but Batista would have none of it. After demanding that Mysterio get out of his ring, the seething, stone-faced Batista chose to leave himself, literally turning his back on his closest ally with more rage in his eyes then ever before.

Batista believes Mysterio cost him the World Title. And after completely casting aside their longstanding friendship, there is little doubt that he will be heading to Survivor Series hell-bent on destroying his former ring companion the moment he steps in the squared circle.

Though no doubt shocked by the aggressive actions of a man he considered a brother, Mysterio’s resolve is clear. He is bound and determined to show Batista a side of him he has never seen before. And once the high-octane, masked Superstar sets his sights on a target, few can outmatch him.

World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker vs. Big Show vs. Chris Jericho (Triple Threat Match)

Although Big Show and Chris Jericho both hold Unified Tag Team Championship gold, they want something more – Undertaker’s World Heavyweight Title.

At WWE Bragging Rights, Big Show started laying the foundation for his quest by turning his back on Team Raw. (PHOTOS). And although he suffered the wrath of fellow Raw members just a day later (PHOTOS), by Friday Night SmackDown, The World’s Largest Athlete had already secured a signed contract to face The Undertaker at Survivor Series. (WATCH)

On that same edition of SmackDown, Chris Jericho defeated Kane to also qualify to face The Phenom – officially making it a Triple Threat Match. (PHOTOS)

Since winning the Unified Title at Night of Champions, the tag team champs have been on a roll, tearing through a slew of formidable opponents. But now, they must face not only each other, but their greatest challenge of all – The Demon of Death Valley.

Ever since winning the Heavyweight Title at Hell in a Cell, The Undertaker has showed no signs of letting up. At WWE Bragging Rights, the champion overcame the odds and successfully defended his gold against CM Punk, Batista & Rey Mysterio in a Fatal Four Way Match. (PHOTOS)

If The Phenom can take on three opponents and win, surely he can do the same against two. But, at 485-plus-pounds, one could argue that Big Show counts as two Superstars.

Can Jericho or Big Show find a way to topple The Undertaker? Or, will The Phenom make his opponents regret even stepping in the ring with him?

To find out, tune-in to Survivor Series on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 8/5 PT, exclusively on pay-per-view.