Survivor Series, it has been a staple of WWE programming since 1987. It is fair to say it has produced many memorable matches and moments, alongside some pretty horrific and terrible ones. Because I am an optimistic and upbeat kind of guy, and no, that sentence isn’t up for discussion, here is a top ten list of my favourite Survivor Series magic. And I am afraid, the Gobbledy Gooker doesn’t make the list, sorry if that has disappointed anyone.
10. First Elimination Chamber Match (Survivor Series 2002)
It is hard in wrestling to come up with completely original matches, sometimes they fail, Punjabi Prison or Kennel from Hell, but sometimes they work and make something awesome. Elimination Chamber falls into the latter category. The first one, being the Raw main event of the 2002 Survivor Series was particularly good and memorable, featuring a who’s who cast of Kane, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, Triple H, Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels, they laid it all on the line. Triple H in particular who, after suffering through a botched Five Star Frog Splash from RVD, damaged his oesophagus and fought on till finally falling to HBK to lose the match. Seeing HBK win the title after so long away was also a moment that any 90’s kid wrestling kid popped hard for. It may not have been Michaels longest reign, but this was arguably his best win.
9. The Rock Wins His First WWE Championship (Survivor Series 1998)
In terms of match quality, it may not have been five stars, however, in terms of relevance, it definitely was five star. One year after the Montreal Screwjob (more on that later), Vinnie Mac had a tournament set up for the vacant WWE Championship. Set up with the then gullible Mankind as the hand-picked champion, and The Rock just hitting his peak in terms of popularity the outcome of the match was certainly unexpected, from a more trusting 1998 point of view anyway. With Mankind trapped in Rock’s Sharpshooter, he once again ordered the bell to ring and essentially screwed Mankind, also swerving the whole crowd by having The Rock turn heel, which ultimately led to the first of three WrestleMania main events, at WrestleMania XV, between The Great One and The Texas Rattlesnake.
8. The Undertaker Vs Hulk Hogan (Survivor Series 1991)
Again, this isn’t about match quality, it can’t be, it includes Undertaker in full slow-motion mode and Hulk Hogan. Why I have included it though is again on relevance. Firstly, it was Undertakers first championship win. Secondly, it set the ball rolling on Ric Flair becoming WWE Champion in an excellent Royal Rumble in 1992, and thirdly, and probably most importantly, Hogan lost. On pay per view. Which never happened. Of course being a big Undertaker mark, I loved this in 1992, and still do today. Let’s just not talk about This Tuesday In Texas okay.
7. The Model Rick Martel, Power and Glory and The Warlord (Survivor Series 1990)
Look at those names, hardly a team of headline acts, but it isn’t a typo. No, in fact, these four names hold a big honour in Survivor Series lore, and one that I feel is quite often overlooked. These four men formed the team which became the first in Survivor Series history to survive as one, not a single elimination. Of course, this was only done so Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior and (to a much lesser extent) Tito Santana could overcome the odds and win the never again used “grand match of survival” later in the night.
6. The Bret “Hitman” Hart Vs Owen Hart Feud Seeds Are Sown (Survivor Series 1993)
In a match which was supposed to Jerry “The King” Lawler (changed to Shawn Michaels) and his four nights Vs Bret, Owen, Bruce and Keith Hart. The match itself again was unspectacular, however, with Owen eating the only pinfall on the Hart side, and his post-match tantrum, this set in motion the chain of events which led to Bret Vs Owen, and possibly Owen's best run in the company.
5. Brutus Beefcake, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, The Macho Man Randy Savage and Rick Steamboat Vs Dangerous Danny Davis, Harley Race, Hercules, The Honky Tonk Man and Ron Bass (Survivor Series 1987)
Why this match? Well, it was the first match, at the first Survivor Series. It was this match that showed the fans how the match would work, the rules involved, the chance of people being outmanned. The card was sold on Andre’s team Vs Hogan’s team, however, it was this match which was chosen to sell the concept. I have said before, and it is pretty common knowledge, that the first match is an important as the last, and this was first, making possibly worthy of a higher spot and arguably the single most important match in the history of the event.
4. The Undertaker Returns (Survivor Series 2005)
Randy Orton had just eliminated Shawn Michaels with a big RKO in the Smackdown Vs Raw main event, winning the event for Smackdown. After the match many members of the Smackdown locker room came down to celebrate and hoisted Randy up and then... DONG. Men came out pushing a casket, DONG, and The Undertaker was back! Randy’s face was awesome and I think this feud was the last time I found the Viper entertaining. While Orton’s Snr and Jnr escaped up the ramp Taker laid waste to the wrestlers in the ring, I thought it was great stuff.
3. The Montreal Screwjob (Survivor Series 1997)
Oh Vince, how could you do it to Bret. The details of this are probably the joint number 1 discussion point (equal with Chris Benoit) between wrestling fans, journalists and anyone vaguely interested in the sport. If I need to rehash the details here then I have to question if you are a wrestling fan. Why it is so important, it was the birth of Mr.McMahon, where he was finally publicly listed as the boss, and by God did he embrace the role. Probably one of the top heels ever, without this event, would he have gotten Stone Cold? Would we have gotten The Attitude Era, where although overly fondly remembered, did give us The Rock, Triple H, Mankind etc? Would wresting have reached the popularity it did? It is doubtful, so no matter which side of the fence I fall on, this in terms of importance, had to happen.
2. The Mega Powers Begin To Explode (Survivor Series 1988)
Long-term booking at its best. The main event of Survivor Series 1988 saw Hogan, Savage, Hercules (his third appearance on this list, this has to be Hercules' career highlight), Koko B Ware and Hillbilly Jim Vs The Twin Towers, Ted DiBiase, Haku and The Red Rooster. The match itself it a typical late 80’s affair, until the post-match scenes. After Hogan had won the match for his team, he and Savage were Survivors, in the celebration, Hogan began acting friendly towards Savages then girlfriend Miss Elizabeth. Savage reacts to this, noticed by everyone except Hogan. The aftermath of this was glorious (sorry Bobby Roode) booking with the slow explosion of The Mega Powers in some wonderful segments, leading to WrestleMania V. It’s great booking
1. The Gobbledy…… NAH ONLY JOKING. The Undertaker Debuts (Survivor Series 1990)
Would anything else really be able to top a list of mine? I have said before, I actually love The Undertaker. And this was the first time I got those pangs of excitement for a wrestler who defines everything I love about pro wrestling. For others who are a tad more impartial than me, this should still make any other Survivor Series list, for it is the first time that the man who defined WrestleMania (admittedly the streak didn’t contain great matches until well into it) and is the best gimmick (the biker shit didn’t happen) ever came to every wrestling fans attention. For that reason alone, this Survivor Series moment is not only the best but most important in the events 31-year history.Any you would like to add, or any here you don’t agree with, let me know. I hope Survivor Series 2018 provides another magical moment and Daniel Bryan makes Brock Lesnar tap out, but I doubt it.
Comments
Post a Comment