James Cox
Once again when discussing and writing about Survivor Series, I make no apologies for being predictable. Again, I haven’t ranked my moments – some of which are matches, others actual ‘moments’ – but I have chosen to put them in chronological order since I feel these choices span the whole of 25 year history of the ppv from the early 90s to more recent events. And again, the more I write about Survivor Series the more I realise that it actually has a lot to offer. Any ppv event that offers career highlights from the likes of Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Steve Austin, The Rock and even CM Punk might just be worth more of my time.
Undertaker debuts in 1990
Debuting at ppvs has really become and thing of the past. We do see it occasionally – The Shield at Survivor Series 2012 being the most recent debut at a ppv. Like the Shield’s debut, The Undertaker’s debut was all about instant impact but unlike The Shield, The Undertaker was already quite an accomplished performer.
Impact came in many forms: Ted DiBiase has a fantastic voice and his introduction of The Undertaker from its mocking, smug tone to his choice of words, “I give you”, is wonderful. In the ring, we witness this huge man, with unchanging facial expression, destroy Bret Hart an already established babyface and winner. His impact is also seen through his move-set and when he completely annihilates Koko B Ware with the first ever Tombstone piledriver, a legend is born.
The fact that he debuted at Survivor Series and was given such a clear run to devastate people gave him immediate significance and relevance. The importance of wins and losses should never be underestimated but he also posed legitimate danger to opponents: he was scary, he was a huge physical specimen and he came with such an enigmatic mystique about him that we didn’t know how far he would go and how long he would last.
The greatest wrestling gimmick of all time was born at Survivor Series 1990 and to this day he is still in complete control of how it gets over.
Montreal 1997
As I noted last month, I don’t feel hugely comfortable or find it massively productive going into great detail about this event. That said, it is so clearly one of the best and, indeed, one of my favourite Survivor Series ppv moments of all time.
Whenever wrestling can blur the lines and make you feel for just a few moments that something might be real, that something unplanned might be happening or that something special is unfolding, live, in front of your eyes, it is so tangibly wonderful. Funny thing is, we all watch a scripted soap opera play out every week and enjoy it but, one of wrestling’s greatest ever moments, ‘storylines, ‘angles’ – whatever you want to term it – happened when the performers involved went off script. The action is real and the reactions are real.
Longer term, you have to also look at its significance. Ignoring Bret and Shawn, Vince came out of it remarkably well and without this we would arguably have never seen one of the greatest angles in wrestling history play out: had Vince not cast himself in order to personify the ‘heel’ booker who screwed over his top babyface at a ppv, we may never have seen Austin v McMahon.
I don’t apologise for this being on my list but I can see why it might irk you, the reader, to see it here. Predictable? Yes. But so, so important, you cannot deny me that.
Michaels wins Elimination Chamber in 2002
So often my memories of this ppv series are of Michaels and Hart. Here Michaels was returning which in itself was a wonderful miracle. And in my opinion, it was a much needed return. He’s a bigger star than most and whenever he’s in a match, an angle, a promo, any wrestling context, he knows exactly what to do and knows exactly how to play it. Now that’s rare. But it’s clear and clarity is important in wrestling.
Apart from his horrendous effeminate, bobbed hair, his return was a triumph and right up until he retired in 2010, he tended to be in the best wrestling matches on WWE ppvs. He would often steal the show – quite the apt moniker, I would say. But this return came at the debut of what would go on to be a main-stay of the WWE’s calendar, the Elimination Chamber.
A career-shortener, for sure, but the chamber is extremely entertaining. When Shawn won, it was a big boost for fans. For once, it wasn’t just Hunter who would do the job and be on top regardless of the stipulation. Bischoff had just handed the World Title to Triple H and fans were pissed off at this. Instead, Shawn was the one to carry it.
This is a tremendous match, too, and that shouldn’t be underestimated. A great moment, that came out of a great match in a time of great change. I love it.
Cena, Michaels and HHH in 2009
Perhaps an interesting choice and again one that involves Michaels but this is a great match. And if we’re looking at moments, this is one of them: Shawn Michaels and Triple H are against John Cena who is the current champion. It is much the same as today – Cena is over with the kids, hated by adults because he’s been pushed forever, never loses and plays a smug, corny character. They all make their entrances and Cole says that he believes that there’s no way that Cena can retain tonight. The three men are in the ring, DX are both staring at Cena, eyes locked on him as the bell rings. Everyone assumes that this is going to be like a handicap match until Cena is out of the picture when both men can battle it out for the title. As the bell sounds nobody moves for a good 10 seconds. Then – WHACK. Shawn super kicks Triple H who falls through the ropes to the outside, leaving Cena and Michaels in the ring. It is so perfect. The reaction is nuclear, the commentators pop huge as did I at the time.
I would also like to state a few things in defence of John Cena. This main event three-way is pretty awesome when you stop and think about it. These three men are all fantastic characters and can all do it in the ring. Yes, all. Cena is a good worker, he’s a good wrestler. He just has an irritating character. He regularly has 3+ star matches but actually at the big ppvs will have 4+ star matches. He’s been in this position for so long now that he knows how to put together and perform in a main event match. He’s good. We just don’t like him. Sorry, needed saying and will probably continue to need saying.
Punk wins in 2011
Well, I’m a big CM Punk fan. Me and every other WWE fan in 2013, right? Punk won in 2011 at Survivor Series and would go on to hold the title for 434 days. This was a big deal. Whether or not you liked his reign, thought he was booked poorly or well throughout, it doesn’t matter, because this is where he won it. Here’s how it went down:
As the match started, there was a big fight night atmosphere – there were HUGE chants for Punk. Punk then said he had his own personal ring announcer, and called out Howard Finkel to introduce him. Beautiful. Chants now nearly had Finkel in tears. At this point, lots of the crowd start having fun with “We Want Ice Cream” and “Colt Cabana” chants. The whole atmosphere is frenetic and close.
Punk hits the elbow and “Randy Savage” was chanted even louder. Punk smiles. Punk starts stomping his foot like he was Shawn Michaels, but no chants for that. He tries a GTS again, but Del Rio escapes and tries the armbar, Punk escapes and throws a kick, Del Rio ducks and gets the armbar in the middle. Fans chant for Punk and popped big for the rope break.
Punk kicks Del Rio in the head and put the Anaconda vice on in the middle. No-one expected this as the finish, but we’re delighted that Punk used his old submission hold again, and when Del Rio taps the place goes absolutely crazy. This was the 12th time in history that the title had changed hands at Madison Square Garden and Punk was to go on to make it a meaningful reign. A wonderful Survivor Series moment.
Well there you have it guys, Team TWM with their Survivor Series Moments. Do you agree with what they said? Do you think you have a better Top 5 in mind? Then let us know in the comments section below and tell us what you think, and join us next week when the team will be bringing you their Three favourite Survivor Series Matches as we attempt to put together the “Ultimate Survivor Series” as our very special Survivor Series Countdown concludes…