WWE Survivor Series 2010: 20 Best Survivor Series Wrestlers Ever

In February, it was announced that Survivor Series would no longer take place as a WWE pay-per-view. For the previous 23 years, Survivor Series was viewed as one of the four major events in the company.

Later this year, the event was saved. The 24th-annual Survivor Series will take place on November 21. Speculation is that, due to it being so close to death before, this may be the last Survivor Series.

In the history of the event, as of 2009, there have been 310 different wrestlers to make at least one Survivor Series card. Of those wrestlers, here are the 20 that have been the greatest during WWE's version of the "Fall Classic".

No. 20: Hulk Hogan

Survivor Series Record: 4-2

 

It's an interesting list when the lowest on the list is Hulk Hogan. It also seems unfair to Hogan, seeing that he lost just twice. Hogan was on the losing end at the very first Survivor Series in 1987. Hogan then won four Survivor Series matches in the next three years, including winning two in one night in 1990. The following, in his only championship match at the event, Hogan lost his then-WWF Championship to The Undertaker due to interference from Ric Flair.

That's it.

While he stuck to the structure of the event, he didn't have any real impactful wins. In only one of those wins was he the champion. It's a hard sell to have him this low, but a man with the reputation of Hulk Hogan is believed to have a more sterling record.

No. 19: Vince McMahon

Survivor Series Record: 1-0

I have now alienated most of my readers.

Why in the world would I put VInce McMahon ahead of Hulk Hogan, let alone anywhere on this list, if he won just one match?

Simply put, he defeated The Undertaker in a Buried Alive match. There have only been five of these matches in history, with the fifth taking place not too long ago at Bragging Rights. The Undertaker has been involved in all five and lost all but one of them. However, who has he lost these four to?

Mankind, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kane and Vince McMahon. Sure, he didn't win it alone (Kane helped Vince win), but it is still a victory that speaks dividends. Let us not forget that this match forever buried The Undertaker's "American Bad Ass" gimmick.

This is also a chance to show credit to VKM for creating the event. It was thought up to compete against Starrcade, which is seen by many to be one of WCW's best creations. Survivor Series has stood the test of time.

No. 18: Mark Henry

Survivor Series Record: 4-1

I'm sure that you didn't expect him anywhere near this list, but the record doesn't lie.

His lone loss was a World Tag Team Championship match in 1998.

Mark Henry has won his last four matches at Survivor Series. He has only been a survivor once in 1999. However, he has been a good luck charm for many teams. Don't be suprised if he pops onto the card for the sixth time in his career.

No. 17: William Regal

Survivor Series Record: 3-1-1

That's right. This slideshow is giving some love to veteran mid-carders. 

Regal has been on the winning and losing end of Traditional Survivor Series matches in consecutive years. He also defeated Tajiri in 2001 in a non-title match against the then-WCW Cruiserweight Champion. Regal also defended his European Championship in his history at the event. He defended it in the only way Regal does: by DQ.

For a guy that is seldom used anywhere else, it's nice to show Regal some props once in a while.

No. 16: Randy Orton

Survivor Series Record: 5-2

Randy Orton has had some great victories at Survivor Series. In fact, Orton began his career at the event with three straight wins before losing in 2006 and again in 2009.

However, the reason he is ranked so low is because he lacks that one marquee Survivor Series moment. Orton has shined in virtually any other pay-per-view he has taken part in except Survivor Series. Perhaps this year's encounter with Nexus leader Wade Barrett will help define Orton's legacy at Survivor Series.

No. 15: Jim Neidhart

Survivor Series Record: 3-3

Some wrestling fans may not know who he is. Nowadays, he is known better as Natalya's daddy. However, in his day, "The Anvil" was one of the most crucial parts of a certain Foundation, which was one of the best stables in WWE history.

If you don't know what stable I am referring to, do yourself a favor and watch anything and everything you can from the last 25 years.

No. 14: Davey Boy Smith

Survivor Series Record: 5-3

Otherwise known as the British Bulldog, Davey Boy Smith is in the same company as Jim Neidhart.

No. 13: X-Pac

Survivor Series Record: 3-1-1

His only loss was via DQ to Kane. Aside from a double count out against Steven Regal, along with wins as the 1-2-3 Kid, X-Pac is undefeated. For one of the more underrated workers in the 1990s, a nod was necessary.

No. 12: Mickie James

Survivor Series Record: 4-0

The only female to win more than four matches at Survivor Series without any losses. (Note: if Kelly Kelly has a win at Survivor Series and wins, she will also have a 4-0 record).

Mickie was on the winning end from 2006-2009, starting that streak off with a Women's Championship victory over Lita. However, with Mickie gone and a rather terrible way of her leaving, her 4-0 record will likely never change.

No. 11: Edge

Survivor Series Record: 2-5

Why would I rank Edge this high with such a poor record at Survivor Series? Simply put, the Ultimate Opportunist gets the job done.

While Edge may have lost at the event on five separate occasions, his two victories have been huge ones. The first came in 2001, when he defeated Test to unify the Intercontinental and United States Championships. The second came when he became the surprise third man in a triple threat match for the WWE Championship. Edge, not Jeff Hardy, came to the ring and walk out of Survivor Series with gold.

What's that? Edge has a World Heavyweight Championship match this year at Survivor Series? Hmmm...

No. 10: Kurt Angle

Survivor Series Record: 3-4

Angle is the first of three people on this list to make their WWE debuts at a Survivor Series.

Angle debuted at the 1999 Survivor Series. One year later, Angle successfully defended his WWE Championship against The Undertaker.

Angle also has a big hand in the result of the Winner Take All match at Survivor Series 2001 between WCW and WWE.

No. 9: Kane

Survivor Series Record: 7-6

Kane had it very rough at Survivor Series initially. His first two matches were two losses with two gimmicks. It was hard to be taken seriously as Dr. Isaac Yankem and Fake Diesel, respectively.

In my mind, Kane is 7-4 at Survivor Series. He was a member of the first Elimination Chamber match, as well as the WWE vs WCW match.

2010 will see the fourteenth appearance from Kane at Survivor Series. He has won three of the last five matches at the November pay-per-view.

No. 8: The Rock

Survivor Series Record: 7-2

It may seem like The Rock belongs higher on this list and maybe he does.

He made his debut at the event and was the sole survivor.

He won his first WWE Championship at Survivor Series.

He got the winning fall to kill WCW.

Rocky always came to play, especially at a pay-per-view and especially at Survivor Series.

No. 7: Bret Hart

Survivor Series Record: 5-6

The question begs asking: Why was Bret Hart ranked above The Rock?

This was done mainly due to the fact that, without the contributions of Hart, Survivor Series would not have been vaulted to the status that it was at around the time Rocky Maivia graced the ring at the event.

Plus, alongside of his legendary matches with his fellow Hart family members, I have to feel some remorse for him after his final Survivor Series match. Something about a screwjob in Montreal...

No. 6: Big Show

Survivor Series Record: 5-5

The Big Show, one would think, would be unstoppable at Survivor Series. After all, how impossible is it to pin the man. However, it's shocking to know that he is an even 5-5 at the event. So why rank him this high? Two of those five victories were accompanied by winning world championships... The Big Show's only two world championships in WWE. His record may seem like he is average, but Big Show has some good luck at Survivor Series.

No. 5: Ultimate Warrior

Survivor Series Record: 4-0

The Ultimate Warrior may be the ultimate champion in the eyes of Survivor Series. In every single one of his Survivor Series matches, the Warrior has held a belt. However, he only had a handful of matches at the event. Between retirement and problems with the company, The Ultimate Warrior never wrestled at Survivor Series again.

No. 4: Randy Savage

Survivor Series Record: 5-0

The Macho Man slides into number four on this list for being dominant at the event from its humble beginnings. The first three matches that Savage was in, Randy was a survivor.

Had he not left for WCW, would Savage have continued his winning streak? We will never know...

No. 3: Shawn Michaels

Survivor Series Record: 7-10

The ten losses for the Heartbreak Kid is a Survivor Series record. However, the reason that he is ranked so high is because of his impact to the business within the event. Two of the most notable moments in Survivor Series history include Michaels: The Montreal Screwjob and the first Elimination Chamber. Ironically, both moments are the only two occurences of Michaels winning a world championship at Survivor Series.

No. 2: The Undertaker

Survivor Series Record: 12-5

There isn't a man with more victories at Survivor Series than The Undertaker. The Deadman won his last two Survivor Series matches after losing the previous two: a Hell In A Cell match against Batista and a First Blood match against Mr. Kennedy. The other three losses were a WWE title match to Kurt Angle, a Buried Alive match against Vince McMahon, and a loss to the Rock in the semi-finals of a tournament that was won by The Great One.

While WrestleMania is where The Undertaker is untouchable, Survivor Series has been dominant at Survivor Series. Unfortunately, his record of victories may stay at 12. With another injury, Undertaker is left off the card this year.

No. 1: John Cena

Survivor Series Record: 6-0

WrestleMania is owned by The Undertaker, Royal Rumble by Chris Jericho, and SummerSlam by Hulk Hogan. When it comes to Survivor Series, however, nobody has enjoyed more success than John Cena.

If there's one wrestler who would be sad to see Survivor Series go, it is John Cena. Three of the six wins have been in Survivor Series matches, while the other three have been world title matches. Two of the three have been title defenses, while the third was Cena winning the World Heavyweight Championship from Chris Jericho.

Cena is on the card this year, but only as a referee. However, if Nexus has a Survivor Series match and gets rid of David Otunga, Cena will likely have to be double booked for the second pay-per-view in a row.