Since its inception in 1987, the pay-per-view has seen some truly memorable matches featuring legends of the past and present. Be it the traditional five-on-five or four-on-four tag team elimination matches or the regular contests, both have been equally intriguing for fans.
In this article, we look at the five best matches in Survivor Series history:
Special Mention - The Undertaker vs. Hulk Hogan for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series 1991
The Undertaker made his WWE debut at the 1990 Survivor Series in a traditional four-on-four elimination match. Such was the impression he created that at next year’s event, he was in the world title picture.
On November 27, 1991 in Detroit, The Undertaker and Hulk Hogan met at Survivor Series - “The Gravest Challenge”. The Deadman put up a valiant showing as he matched the established Hulkster move for move.
With some help from Ric Flair, The Undertaker was able to pin Hogan with the Tombstone Piledriver as he won his first world championship barely a year into the business. The Phenom would use this victory as a stepping stone to reach the very top in WWE.
#5 Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels - Survivor Series 1992
Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels are two of the very best performers ever to step foot in Vince McMahon’s promotion.
They have had memorable bouts, with one being at Survivor Series 1992. This was the first time the two stalwarts faced each other at a pay-per-view event as Hart put his WWF World Heavyweight Championship on the line.
Both men gave it their all in this contest to determine who was the main face of the company at the time. After moves and countermoves, Hart caught Michaels in the Sharpshooter as the latter went for the drop-kick, which was enough to seal the deal. The Hitman emerged victoriously and retained his championship, much to the delight of his fans.
#4 The Undertaker vs. Mankind - Survivor Series 1996
The Undertaker had a point to prove heading into Survivor Series 1996, having lost to Mankind at SummerSlam (Boiler Room Brawl) and was ‘buried alive’ at In Your House 11: Buried Alive.
The Deadman was a man on purpose. He not only destroyed Mankind with a Tombstone Piledriver to win the contest but was also about to decimate his former manager, the late Paul Bearer, before The Executioner made the save.
The Undertaker also laid out The Executioner and certainly made a statement at this pay-per-view as his creatures of the night celebrated in unison.
#3 Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin - Survivor Series 1996
Stone Cold Steve Austin is arguably one of the greatest performers of all time.
In 1996, having won the King of the Ring tournament, The Texas Rattlesnake was fast climbing the main event ladder as he looked to go after the top guy in the business then, Bret Hart.
The two faced each other at Survivor Series 1996 to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship. The match was simply fantastic as no one gave an inch. Austin put up a tremendous showing on the night, even locking Hart’s own move, the Sharpshooter on him. As Stone Cold went for the Million Dollar Dream Sleeperhold, Bret Hart countered with a roll-up to pick up the win.
Austin certainly earned the respect of Hart after this bout as fans in attendance at Madison Square Garden cheered for The Texas Rattlesnake despite him coming up short. The feud between the two superstars would continue until WrestleMania the following year, which was also an epic contest.
#2 Elimination Chamber Match - Survivor Series 2002
The first-ever Elimination Chamber match at Survivor Series 2002 was about the comeback story of one man, Shawn Michaels.
He retired from the company in 1998 due to multiple injuries after he dropped the WWE Championship to Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 14.
Four years later, The Heartbreak Kid then made a remarkable comeback to the squared circle, starting a feud with his real-life best friend Triple H. Their match at SummerSlam 2002 was spectacular, with Michaels’ emerging victorious.
At Survivor Series 2002, in the demonic Elimination Chamber, The Game put his World Heavyweight title on the line against five other superstars. Shawn Michaels outperformed Rob Van Dam, Kane, Chris Jericho, and Booker T to pin Triple H with Sweet Chin Music as he won his maiden World Heavyweight Championship.
To come back after a hiatus and win the title was a testament to the will, grit, and passion this WWE Hall of Famer demonstrated.
#1 Team WWF vs. Team Alliance - Survivor Series 2001
The best match in the history of the Survivor Series has to be the traditional five-on-five contest featuring Team WWF against Team Alliance in a ‘Winner Takes All’ main event at the 2001 edition as the conclusion to the Invasion storyline.
A lot was riding on this match, as the losing team would go out of business. Team WWF consisted of The Rock, Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, Kane, and Big Show. Meanwhile, Team Alliance featured Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Booker T, and Shane McMahon.
In a gripping affair, the match went back and forth as eliminations continued to happen on both teams. The biggest twist came when Angle betrayed Team Alliance, allowing The Rock to pin Stone Cold, who was the last surviving member of his team with the Rock Bottom.
Team WWF won the contest as Team Alliance went out of commission. The match, till date, is etched in the memory of fans as a treat they will always savor.
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