On November 20th WWE will present the 30th annual Survivor Series live from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, the main event has yet to be confirmed but the main attraction is the epic encounter between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar. The Survivor Series has produced many blistering matches and fond memories, the show itself has been an attraction ever since it’s inception in 1987. Please keep reading and make your opinion on what I think are the best 5 Survivor Series matches in the last 30 years.
1.) Team Bischoff (Chris Jericho, Christian, Scott Steiner, Mark Henry, Randy Orton) vs Team Austin (Shawn Michaels, Rob Van Dam, Booker T, Dudley Boyz), November 16th, 2003
2003 marked what would be the last wrestling match of Stone Cold Steve Austin’s career, at Wrestlemania 19 he lost to the Rock in an outstanding contest. In the aftermath it was revealed that he could no longer wrestle, WWE then decided to put Austin to good use, they quickly appointed him Raw Co-General manager alongside long-time onscreen nemesis Eric Bischoff. The odd couple partnership offered many great moments, however Eric was never one to share the limelight and very quickly the two GM’s started to feud. The month’s long storyline finally came to ahead at the annual SS PPV, each man recruited 5 personalities to fight their cause, on the line was Austin’s GM position, if his team lost he was gone. The match itself is still one of the greatest Survivor Series elimination matches of all time, the participants, pacing, psychology, everything you wanted was there, the match also made a star of Randy Orton. The closing moments were edge of your seat stuff, a bloody Shawn Michaels after being struck down by Y2J with a chair, struggled to his feet. The wily veteran seemed to have the upper hand, against the odds HBK rallied for Austin’s cause, however this would not have a fairy tale ending. As the match neared it’s conclusion Batista entered the ring and Batista Bombed Michaels, in disbelief the fatigued Orton crawled to made the cover and win victory for Team Bischoff.
2.) Stone cold Steve Austin vs Bret Hart, November 17th 1996
The end of 1996 saw the start of the rise of the ‘Stone Cold’ character, a straight talking, shoot from the hip, true blue eyed hell raiser, Bret Hart his opposite was the consummate professional, who took wrestling very seriously. In the absence of Bret, Steve Austin had gained momentum and was making waves in the industry, therefore certain top guys wanted to work with the younger superstar. Upon his return Bret challenged Steve one on one at the Survivor Series in 1996, the match also had the stipulation of being a No1 Contenders match. Personally I think this is one of the most underrated straight wrestling matches in WWE(F) history, their styles went together so well, both superstars liked to be very snug in the ring, therefore they complimented each other. The match built so well, the match started with them circling the ring then coming nose to nose, then the wrestling started, the two men went back and forth with the momentum building for both all the time. Neither man could get the job done as the frustration grew and grew, Bret hit a move then so would Austin. When watching back you could argue this was the beginning of the end for Bret Hart in WWE, by the time he returned in November 1996 the rules of the game had changed dramatically. The industry in many ways had grown up, plus WCW was leading the race as 1997 approached. Austin shone brightly in the match, adding to the fuel that he could be the guy, Bret as always was untouchable once the bell rang. With the end in sight Stone Cold looked to make Bret submit with the Million Dollar Dream, however Bret being the more experienced found a loop hole. As Austin applied the manoeuvre, Bert stepped onto the turnbuckles then pushed back, they toppled back as Bret’s weight held Austin’s shoulders down as the ref counted 1,2,3.
3.) Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart, November 9th 1997
There were many factors that contributed to the Attitude Era, however this match not only did that but created the Mr.McMahon character and changed the course of wrestling history. Everyone knows the history so I’m not going to dwell on it, but in between all the controversy was an very exciting hostile match. The majority of the action took place around the arena, the two brawled around the ring, down the aisle and through the crowd, the pro Bret Hart fans cheered on their Canadian hero. Vince McMahon was not on commentary that night and midway through the brawl he appeared from behind the curtain to restore order, if you watch the match back you can sense a level of mystery as this was not the norm. Finally Bret and Shawn returned to the ring as referee Earl Hebner signalled the official start of the match, the action as expected was exceptional between these two, no matter their personal differences when match time came they put all that to the side. As the match continued WWE officials came to ringside, the atmosphere that night was both electric and hostile, you can feel the tension through the TV screen. Shawn managed to apply Bret’s own move the Sharpshooter to him as the audience were whipped into a frenzy, then as Bret struggled to break free, referee Earl Hebner called for the bell. Bret Hart had tapped out, or had he? There was a sudden silence as the fans couldn’t quite believe the result, Bret stood up and spat at Vince, Shawn in confusion took the belt and left immediately with Triple H. In the aftermath Bert destroyed the ringside area before making the WCW sign with his finger and departing.
4.) The Elimination Chamber (Triple H vs Shawn Michaels vs Rob Van Dam vs Chris Jericho vs Booker T vs Kane) November 17th 2002
With so many competitors vying for Triple H’s World Heavyweight Title, GM Eric Bischoff came up with a novel idea to give every man their opportunity. WWE introduced the Elimination Chamber, a cross between a Cage, HIAC and WCW creation War Games, it was unveiled at the Survivor Series PPV. It was a fearsome looking structure upon it’s unveiling, and fearsome it was. Two men would start the match with the other four participants taking their place in the pods stationed inside the Chamber. The match itself was a spectacle, like the first HIAC it will be the standard bearer for all that followed it. The match was a vehicle for the recently returned Shawn Michaels, as the match neared it’s conclusion it was clear what direction they were headed in. Chris Jericho also gave a career enhancing performance, he was simply exceptional and on another he might of won, however it was not mean to be. It eventually came down to Triple H and Shawn Michaels, Triple H was actually suffering from an injury suffered earlier on due to a frog splash from Rob Van Dam. Shawn with the fans rallying behind him managed to land Sweet Chin Music to Triple H, he fell onto Triple H and captured he first and only World Title in the new millennium.
5.) Team Cena (John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, Erik Rowan, Ryback) vs Team Authority (Seth Rollins, Kane, Mark Henry, Ruse, Luke Harper) November 23rd 2014
At Wrestlemania 30 it seemed that the Authority story-line had run it’s course, however like every good thing WWE invents they over expose. By November 2014 the gimmick had taken many twists and turns, therefore the faces had requested a match where the Authorities existence was put on the line. Triple H & Stephanie accepted, they chose their participants and all was set for the Survivor Series PPV. The match itself is arguably one of the best traditional SS matches in history, it had all you would want and more, there were twists and turns from start to finish. The match went 45 minutes, long by WWE Standards but warranted due to the stipulation, it seemed midway through the match was geared to make Dolph Ziggler a true No1 guy. Dolph’s performance alongside Seth Rollins was truly one of the best of his career, they were also the final two in the match. The closing moments were riveting stuff, the action went back and forth as Dolph fought for himself and the audience and in turn Seth for the Authority. Ziggler gained the upper hand and put Seth down for the count, Triple H then placed himself in the match and save the authority from the jaws of defeat. Moments later the arena went dark, an unknown tone of music played, Sting’s image flashed up on screen…The ICON had arrived in WWE. Sting made his way to the ring to confront Triple H, after a few tense moments he dropped HHH with the Scorpion Death Drop, he then placed Ziggler over Seth for the three count and to end the match. In the aftermath the Authority soon returned, however this will go down as one of the match Survivor Series matches ever.
@Ciaran_Heel
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