5 Best Matches In Survivor Series History So Far.
Survivor Series has been a staple WWE pay-per-view event since 1987, providing over 30 years of iconic moments and legendary matches. Taking place every November, the Survivor Series originally focused on tag team elimination matches pitting groups of 4 or 5 wrestlers against each other, with the only way to eliminate a competitor being to pin or submit them. While the format has evolved over the years, the event is still known for showcasing unique matchups and hot rivalries. In 2016, the energy around Survivor Series was at an all-time high following the brand split earlier that year which divided wrestlers between Raw and SmackDown. This created a renewed sense of competition and raised the stakes for brand supremacy. The main event that year featured a 5-on-5 traditional Survivor Series elimination match between Team Raw and Team SmackDown. Team SmackDown consisted of AJ Styles, Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton and Shane McMahon. Representing Raw were Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins. With each member of the team possessing unique backgrounds and styles, the match delivered nonstop exhilarating action from start to finish. There was no shortage of jaw-dropping moments, including Shane McMahon hitting a mid-air Coast to Coast on Kevin Owens and AJ Styles springboarding over the ropes to take out multiple opponents. The teams traded eliminations back and forth, with Team SmackDown ultimately prevailing after Randy Orton hit an RKO on Roman Reigns to cement the victory. Clocking in at nearly 60 minutes, the match is considered an instant classic Survivor Series bout. The combination of high stakes, star power, and incredible wrestling made it one of the most entertaining traditional elimination matches in the event’s long history. Matches like this exemplify why Survivor Series remains a must-see on the WWE calendar each year. The second match best match of Survivor Series was, “The Undertaker vs. Hulk Hogan – WWE Championship Match at Survivor Series 1991.” In one of the most shocking moments in Survivor Series history, The Undertaker defeated Hulk Hogan to win his first WWE Championship at the 1991 event. This monumental match came just one year after The Undertaker made his ominous debut at the 1990 Survivor Series. Heading into Survivor Series 1991, Hogan was the reigning WWE Champion defending against the quickly rising Phenom. With his otherworldly presence and legendary mind games, The Undertaker entered the match seemingly unfazed by Hogan’s star power and reputation. The action was back and forth throughout the match, with The Undertaker using his devastating offensive moves while Hogan fired up with his power and intensity. In the climax, Ric Flair interfered to give The Undertaker the upper hand. The Deadman capitalized by hitting Hogan with the Tombstone Piledriver to score the pinfall victory and capture the WWE Title. This was a star-making performance for The Undertaker, as he shockingly dethroned the biggest name in wrestling at the time. It legitimized The Undertaker as a main event force just one year into his WWE career. This match marked the beginning of his journey to becoming one of the most iconic figures in WWE history. The lasting image of Hogan passing the torch and The Undertaker hoisting the title belt signified a new era in WWE. This classic Survivor Series matchup is still remembered today as one of the most impactful world title changes in the event’s storied history. The third memorable match was between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels – WWE Championship Match at Survivor Series 1992. While their infamous 1997 Survivor Series match grabs the headlines, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels first faced off for the WWE Title 5 years earlier at the 1992 event. This classic encounter saw Hart defend the championship against the young and cocky Michaels. Heading into the match, Hart was the established veteran champion while Michaels was the rising high-flyer looking to capture his first WWE Title. The action was fast and technical from the opening bell, with both men showcasing their smooth wrestling skills. Throughout the match, Hart and Michaels exchanged sharp back-and-forth offense while reversing each other’s moves. At one point, Hart showed his willingness to sacrifice his body by recklessly slingshotting himself sideways into the ropes to deliver an attack on Michaels. As the match reached its climax, the action intensified with near falls and dramatic false finishes. Ultimately, Hart was able to catch Michaels in the Sharpshooter submission hold, forcing the challenger to tap out. This excellent match established Hart and Michaels as two of WWE’s top in-ring performers. It also showcased the evolution of WWE’s style, with more emphasis on athleticism and counter-wrestling compared to the slower pace of the earlier matches on the card. While this wasn’t the famous “Montreal Screwjob” match, Hart and Michaels’ first Survivor Series headliner was an important milestone that set the stage for their legendary rivalry later in their careers. The fourth best match of the Survivor Series is, “The Undertaker vs Mankind – Survivor Series 1996.” The bitter rivalry between The Undertaker and Mankind came to a head at the 1996 Survivor Series in a hard-hitting match filled with bad intentions. Heading into the event, The Undertaker was looking for retribution against Mankind after losing to him at SummerSlam and being buried alive at In Your House 11. The Deadman entered the match laser-focused on destruction and making a statement. From the opening bell, The Undertaker unleashed his fury on Mankind with punishing strikes and high-impact maneuvers. The action was brutal, with both men inflicting tremendous pain on one another. In the climax of the match, The Undertaker drilled Mankind with a devastating Tombstone Piledriver to secure the victory. But the carnage wasn’t over. After the match, The Undertaker set his sights on Paul Bearer, his former manager who had betrayed him for Mankind. The Deadman was ready to lay out Bearer before The Executioner intervened to make the save. The Undertaker then dismantled The Executioner as well, standing tall to send a chilling message.