WWF vs The Alliance, November 18th 2001
After 6 months of mediocrity, Vince McMahon finally decided to bring the story of the WCW/ECW invasion to an end. The match that would decide the fate of WWF (E) was a traditional Survivor Series elimination match, featuring arguably 10 of the biggest and best superstars in history, the match had so much potential. There would however be one huge obstacle to pass before this match and PPV could be taken seriously, and that huge obstacle was the even bigger ego of Vincent McMahon. The Alliance storyline was destined for failure from the beginning, featuring superstars that were never taken seriously the WCW, ECW team relied heavily on existing WWF talent that had changed sides during the feud. The contest itself dragged and had more to do with the Rock, Steve Austin feud from earlier in the year, most of the alliance team members had been reduced to jobbers so they were no match for the giants of the WWF. Lasting a staggering 45 minutes the match lacked any form of excitement that you would expect form a match of this magnitude, as if anyone really believed the WWF would be closing their doors in defeat. This match was the culmination of months of wasted TV and talent time, a feud which should by rights have lasted another 6 months was quickly solved in one night. The WWF vs The Alliance should have written itself, however WWE did their best to scupper the careers of certain WCW and ECW talent, which in turn spoilt it for the wrestling fan. Survivor Series 2001 now seems like the full stop of the last great boom period for professional wrestling.
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Triple H, November 19th 2000 “Is Triple H dead”
The heavily discussed feud between two of the industries biggest stars is now long in the history books, in late 1999 the hostilities between them got out of control as Triple H proceeded to run down Stone Cold. Nearly one year later WWF promoted the return of Steve Austin heavily, featuring a ’who done it story’ the search for his nemesis took centre stage. The eventual reveal of Triple H as the mastermind behind the attack was flawless booking by WWE, the memorable raw beat down of Stone Cold was riveting stuff, unfortunately for WWE that’s where the excitement ended. It was safe to say that Steve Austin would be slightly vexed following the humiliation and resultant attack from Hunter, therefore the two were pencilled in to face each other at the Survivor Series. The hostilities between the fierce opponents was reaching boiling point, the contest was announced as No Disqualification and WWE it seemed really ended up allowing that stipulation to overshadow everything. The highly anticipated match main evented the show, many speculated a possible match of the year contender, but the hype seemed to obscure the actual in ring events. As the foes battled in and out of the ring the action eventually moved to the backstage area, the cameras followed as Triple H scurried away from Stone Cold and into the darkness. Moments later Austin was seen stumbling around the parking area as Triple was revving a Cadillac, Stone Cold then vanished. Hunter yelled at his cohorts the Radicals to find Austin. With Triple H breathing heavily in the car and wiping the claret from his face, Austin reappeared in a giant forklift heading towards the car, as Hunter pleaded with him Steve raised the car a good 25/30 feet in the air. Now as wrestling fans we let a lot go, however as Austin tipped the car containing HHH which then plummeted to the concrete below……I laughed, this wasn’t sports entertainment, this was bad slapstick comedy. This was a pathetic finale to what should have been a great match, to make it even worse Triple H appeared only a few weeks later on Raw.
The Brothers of Destruction vs The Wyatt Family, November 22nd 2015, 25th “Anniversary of the Undertaker”
So to celebrate 25 long years as arguably the WWE’s best ever creation, Undertaker buried the Wyatt Family again! Weeks earlier WWE promoted the final confrontation between Brock Lesnar and the Deadman at the Hell in a Cell PPV, we all know how it ended, however it was the post-match attack by the Wyatt Family that had everyone guessing. It appeared that the Wyatt’s had taken Undertaker as he was spent and was no longer a force within WWE, weeks later then did the same to Kane on an episode of Smackdown. WWE then started hyping the anniversary and everything fell into place, no matter how vulnerable Undertaker looked at HIAC he would be in perfect condition come the Survivor Series. Bray and his jobber squad gave big talk heading into the event, myself and others included who still for some reason held onto hope that WWE may do the right thing were left looking silly as WWE do what they’ve done for the last decade…..preserve the past. We got nothing more than an opening match, nostalgia filled standard tag team contest, and Braun Strowman and Luke Harper were easily taken out early into the match which left Bray and Erik Rowan to be slaughtered. Everyone in every job has a boss, someone that makes the decisions and calls the shots, however when someone has worked tirelessly and given their life to the industry you’d think they would have some foresight and see if maybe helping out a younger prospect could be the conclusion. Undertaker it seems is either scared or just listens to the boss and does his job, the missed opportunity to pass the torch at the most valuable time makes last year’s events one of the worst moments in Survivor Series history.
The End of the Traditional Concept, November 27th 1991
It didn’t take long for WWE to scupper another winning gimmick, since 1987 the concept and drawing power of the Survivor Series was the elimination matches. The Survivor Series was a show like no other, featuring all the top stars in five on five or four on four tag team matches, the gimmick was different to all else WWE produced. The idea was so simple and it produced so many potential storylines, partners turned on partners, friend against friends, the possibilities which the Survivor Series naturally gave birth to could book Wrestlemania. The first show to feature a singles match was in 1991, the WWE’s resident monster the Undertaker challenged Hulk Hogan for the Heavyweight Title. It has been recorded as quite a significant moment in the Undertaker’s career and in the history of the Survivor Series. The Undertaker defeated the Hulkster in the first ever singles match, that set in motion the continuance of singles matches at the PPV. In 1992 there was only one elimination tag match, the rest was made up of standard tag and singles matches, this did nothing for the original concept and it diluted the drawing power of the PPV. The idea had a resurgence in the late 1990’s but after that there may have been one or two traditional matches over the next decade. The Undertaker and Hulk match is significant but for all the wrong reasons, it set in motion events that over time deteriorated a once original idea.
The Montreal Screwjob, November 9th 1997
The Montreal Screwjob is without a doubt the worst and most significant moment in WWE/F history, it not only changed the lives of all involved but it can also be seen as the moment the war between WWF & WCW shifted. I recently wrote about the match for SLTD in my ‘Top 5 SS matches’, however the moment in which it happened it still riveting even when viewed today. Knowing all the history before and after the PPV, the match is even more harrowing when watched today. Where blame lies is anyone’s guess, both parties have spoken at length about who was to blame and who knew what, and in the years since all seems to be forgiven. The events of November 9th seemed to alter the career of Bret Hart, his WCW career never really benefitted as the Survivor Series incident broke him. Wrestling with Shadows I feel gives great insight into the life and career of Bret Hart, when WCW wanted him a year earlier he declined out of loyalty, that loyalty destroyed a career and family ties. At a time when WCW looked to be winning the war Vince took it upon himself to launch the first attack, in doing so he tarnished his own reputation, the WWF’s and ruined any chance WCW had of using Bret the way they originally intended.
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