Mark Philipp – Team Mark Out
When tasked with constructing the ultimate Survivor Series Dream Team, there are literally millions upon millions of criteria that can be considered, a daunting task for even the most dedicated wrestling fan. Facing this insurmountable obstacle, I decided to do what any good Heel would do in my position – I took the easy way out. My Dream Team had one simple criteria: everyone on the list had to have been classified at one time or another as my Favorite Wrestler. I call it Team Mark Out because (1) it’s a team that makes me mark out and (2) my name is Mark and it’s my team. Makes sense to me. Without further ado, I’d like to introduce Team Mark Out:
“Macho Man” Randy Savage (Captain)
Savage is the first wrestler I can ever remember identifying as my favorite. Back in the day, there were a lot of Hogan guys and a lot of Warrior guys, but I was always a Savage guy. He gets captain status simply because he’s the elder statesman of the group. An all-around solid performer whose name is tied to some of the best matches in WWE history, Savage is a Ring General who could lead this murderer’s row of battlers. While he wouldn’t NEED to do much heavy lifting when he’s backed by a team like this, you know he can hold his own. It’s good to know that your captain can and will get his hands dirty.
Stone Cold Steve Austin
I can say without hesitation, Steve Austin is my favorite wrestler of all time. The man is the living embodiment of what the Attitude Era was all about. Beyond the beer and the middle fingers, Austin is solid in the ring, has a great mind for the business, and can certainly handle himself in a fight. I see him the battlefield commander of the group; a guy that others will follow just because he is so well respected. Besides, his history of odd ball pairings from the Hollywood Blondes to the Two Man Power Trip proved he could tag with a diverse cast of characters. Bah Gawd, I want Stone Cold on my team.
Brock Lesnar
Here comes the pain. I’ve been a fan of the Beast Incarnate since way back when he was the Next Big Thing. The man is an absolute destroyer, always has been, and his resume speaks for itself with the number of legends he’s mowed over. A heavy hitter like Lesnar is definitely the muscle of the team, the tank who leaves nothing but destruction in his wake. While teamwork might not be one of his top attributes, his hired gun mentality would keep him in the fold long enough to win a traditional Survivor Series match.
CM Punk
Being a Chicago guymyself, you had to know Punk would make my list. I remember watching the him work indy shows in a community college rec center something like twelve years ago. Simply put, I’ve been a Punk mark for a long time. As far as the team is concerned, he is probably the best-rounded in terms of skill set, and he has proven many times that he can hang with anyone on any roster. I don’t doubt his ability to work with a team—he’s got some stable experience under his belt—but even if I did I think his respect for the Macho Man would compel him to follow the captain for one night only.
Dean Ambrose
The Lunatic Fringe, currently my favorite guy on the roster. He might not have the accolades as many of his teammates (yet) but he’s making a name for himself quick. His time with the Shield highlights his ability to work with a team, and his unpredictability make him a dangerous edition. Plus, he’s tough. Really tough. How many guys in the world can say they fought in a CZW Ultraviolent Tournament of Death AND headlined a WWE pay per view? Just one. And I want that guy on my team.
So there it is, Team Mark Out. After building my personal dream team I realized that its actually a pretty formidable combination, long on drawing power as well as performance ability. Really, I think this team could survive just about any team you set in front of them. What I’m saying is – my Dream Team could beat up YOUR Dream Team.
