Matt Roberts
As November approaches it is time for the pay per view that WWE once dubbed the “Thanksgiving spectacular” Survivor Series. Survivor Series has largely lost a lot of its’ lustre over the years due to WWE’s main feeling that Tag Team wrestling isn’t really that important anymore and well to be honest there haven’t been that many teams that they have put together that have REALLY managed to capture the attention of the audience. That’s what used to make Survivor’s so interesting is that it was the one show a year where you would see your favourite superstar’s team up for one night only against a villainous team which was also a one night only type deal. When you really think about it there are so many different scenarios you could go with for a team and if I had to pick a “Dream Team” then here’s mine.
The Rock – Captain
Brock Lesnar
Kurt Angle
Daniel Bryan
Shawn Michaels
Just imagine THAT scenario. For my own personal taste I had to go with The Rock as the captain. Above all else I believe he has a superstar presence that stands out a mile high above just about any WWE superstar past or present and when The Rock was in his prime he could have an entertaining match with anyone. Not only that but he legitimately seemed like he could fight with the best of them in a real life scenario which never hurt his case as he always held an air of legitimacy.
Brock Lesnar – You can’t have a Survivor’s dream team and not feature Brock Lesnar. Without question when WWE put Lesnar as the top heel on the Smackdown brand in 2003 it was some of the most enthralling wrestling television I have ever seen. Lesnar played the heel monster better than anyone I have ever witnessed. Want an example? Just search for his match with one legged wrestler Zach Gowan on Smackdown and you’ll see what I mean.
Kurt Angle – One of the very best wrestlers in the world Kurt Angle has had one of the most compelling careers ever seen in the wrestling business. Rising to the top at a phenomenal rate, Kurt learned how to work incredibly fast and had scorchers with the likes of Steve Austin, The Rock, Chris Jericho, Edge and then in TNA with AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Sting, etc. Make no mistake about it if you have Kurt Angle featured in a match no matter who the opponent, you will get your money’s worth.
Daniel Bryan – I used to refer to Bryan as “the indie’s Kurt Angle” which I believe a strong compliment. Bryan became famous on the indie scene around the early 2000’s due to his incredible matches with almost UFC style finishes and the fact they were often 40 minute plus bouts. Not many wrestlers can keep the fans enthralled for that length of time but Bryan was always able to bring the people in and keep them entertained. Since his WWE debut he has adapted a different style to the typical WWE guy yet retaining what the indie fans loved about him so much.
Shawn Michaels – One of the greatest in-ring competitors of all time, HBK has carved out a career of outstanding matches with just everyone in the wrestling business. Chris Jericho, Edge, Triple H, The Undertaker, Bret Hart and more have all had classic matches with “Mr Wrestlemania.” HBK was always a guy who knew exactly what made a great match and even if his opponent didn’t, he knew enough to get them and the match over to such an extent that the people were hanging on to every spot of the match.
If that team were actually to come to fruition it would be a dynamic unlike anything ever seen before. You have The Rock with the commanding presence and sense of leadership and Brock Lesnar as the powerhouse of the team. Then you have Kurt Angle and Daniel Bryan as two of the most gifted technicians of all time who could work a clinic alongside or against each other and rounding out the team with a Hall of Famer, you can’t not think you’d have the greatest team in WWE history.
Well there you have it guys, Team TWM with their Survivor Series Dream Teams. Do you agree with what they said? Do you think you have a better Dream Team 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 Favourite Five Survivor Series PPV’s as our very special Survivor Series Countdown continues.
– By The Wrestling Mania Writing Staff