WWE: The 20 Best Matches in Survivor Series History

With Survivor Series 2011 right around the corner, the mind naturally wanders to past versions of the staple WWE event. 

Legends and mid-carders, champions and challengers, have all made a name for themselves at Survivor Series.  From the traditional 10-man elimination matches to inventive new matches, the November pay-per-view has produced its share of classics. 

Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels are all over this list, with at least one of them taking part in 13 of the Top 20. 

Factoring in buildup, in-ring storytelling, the pace of the action, the excitement of the spots and historical significance, here are the very best battles Survivor Series has had to offer so far. 

Honorable Mentions

Undertaker vs. Hulk Hogan 1991 (for WWF Championship)

Skip/Rad Radford/123 Kid/Tom Prichard vs. Marty Jannetty/Barry Horowitz/Bob Holly/Hakushi (Traditional Elimination)   1995

Kurt Angle vs. Undertaker 2000 (for WWF Championship)

Edge vs. Test 2001 Title Unification Match

Team Angle vs. Team Lesnar 2003

Triple H/Jeff Hardy/Kane/Rey Mysterio vs. Umaga/Finlay/MVP/Mr. Kennedy/Big Daddy V (Traditional Elimination) 2007

Chris Jericho vs. John Cena 2008  (for World Heavyweight Championship)

Kofi Kingston/Christian/Mark Henry/MVP/R-Truth vs. Randy Orton/Cody Rhodes/CM Punk/Ted DiBiase/William Regal (Traditional Elimination) 2009

Bob Backlund vs. Bret Hart 1994 Submission match (for WWF Championship)

20. The Dream Team vs. the Million Dollar Team 1990

Players: Ted DiBiase, the Undertaker, the Honky Tonk Man and Greg Valentine vs. Dusty Rhodes, Koko B. Ware and the Hart Foundation

This is most famous for being the debut of the Undertaker, but was a fine match on top of that.

The heart of the match was when it came down to Bret Hart and Ted DiBiase.  Their meetings were always captivating and their in-ring chemistry is severely underrated.

Hart plays possum, receives and sells the best turnbuckle crash of his career and he and DiBiase show the rest of the WWF how it’s done. 

Call of the night:

"Awesome is the only word I can think of to describe this Undertaker."

-Gorilla Monsoon

19. Team Orton vs. Team Batista 2008

Players: Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, William Regal, Cody Rhodes and Mark Henry vs. Batista, CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy and R-Truth

While certainly not as dramatic as other traditional elimination matches, this one did feature some stars on the rise putting on superb performances.

Rhodes and Punk showed WWE why they would be the future of the company.

Having Batista's team be down to a 4-to-1 disadvantage was a smart move, but the next few eliminations made Batista look too super and sapped some of the potential tension out of an otherwise exciting battle.

Call of the night:

"What a schlobberknocker of a spear!"

-Jim Ross

18. Rude’s Brood vs. Roddy’s Rowdys 1989

Players: Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect and the Fabulous Rougeaus vs. Jimmy Snuka, Roddy Piper and the Bushwhackers

One of the better traditional Survivor Series elimination matches featured a compelling contrast of styles.  Piper's team was comprised of brawlers and a high flyer while Rude’s team was much more technically sound. 

A nice touch was Rude's tights featuring airbrushed depictions of everyone involved. 

Piper put on a superb performance, exploding with anger at just the right times.  The Mr. Perfect and Snuka matchup was better than expected, going back and forth the whole time.

Waiting until the end to have Rude and Piper (who were in a feud at the time) was a brilliant move.

Call of the night:

"He almost took his head off with that one."

-Jesse Ventura on Snuka chopping Mr. Perfect

17. The Rock vs. Mankind 1998 (for Vacant WWF Championship)

The Rock's feud with Steve Austin gets more attention with good reason, but his bouts with Mankind were always mighty engrossing.  The contrast of their styles and their chemistry was on full display for this memorable match.

The drama built up over everyone being against the Rock was fine work and he and Mankind's brawl was one of the better ones they've had.

They used the ring furniture to good effect, smashing chairs on stairs and obliterating tables.   

While one could argue that marking the anniversary of the Montreal Screwjob with a screwjob storyline was classless, it was also highly entertaining and completely unexpected.

Call of the night:

"He’s beating the damn hell out of him right by us.”

-Jim Ross on Mankind punching the Rock.

16. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart 1997 (for WWF Championship)

The Montreal Screwjob match is far more infamous than it is good.

The highly anticipated match between the two Hall of Famers had great energy, but didn’t quite utilize their great chemistry.  Too much of the action was outside with Michaels and Hart punching each other in crowd. 

Though both guys can hold their own in a brawl, it certainly isn't either of their specialties. 

The controversy surrounding the ending, Hart's departure from WWE and Vince McMahon's decision will always live on in the minds of wrestling fans.

Call of the night:

"Bret Hart is in disbelief."

-Jim Ross

15. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H vs. John Cena Triple Threat Match

This match has perhaps the most shocking opening in recent memory as Michaels superkicks his own partner from the get go.  Even with Cena's goofy-faced overacting, the moment was extremely memorable.

Michaels had one of his many fantastic Survivor Series performances in this one.

Highlights include Cena kicking Michaels out of the corner into the AA which Michaels countered into a DDT, Triple H's spinebuster through the table, an extreme number of on-point superkicks and a frantic ending.

This main event had a fantastic pace and is an underrated match.

Call of the night:

"Did that just happen?"

-Jerry Lawler after Michaels superkicked Triple H

14. 20 Man Tag Team Elimination Match 1987

Players: Tito Santana and Rick Martel, Jim Powers and Paul Roma, the Fabulous Rougeaus, the Killer Bees and the British Bulldogs vs. the Hart Foundation, the Islanders, the Bolsheiviks and Greg Valentine and Dino Bravo

An immense amount of tag team talent slugged it out in a match not as chaotic as it sounds.

This match was the best one on the card of the first ever Survivor Series. It's too bad WWE stopped doing these 20-man tag matches after '88. 

The Dynamite Kid had a stellar performance and the hatred between the Bulldogs and the Hart Foundation was palpable.  The Islanders get some major ring time and showed why they deserved it.

Call of the night:

"They got two referees out there, you wanna be a third?"

-Gorilla Monsoon to Jesse Ventura

13. Sycho Sid vs. Shawn Michaels 1996 (for the WWF Championship)

The main event of the 1996 Survivor Series featured surprisingly quality grappling from Sid. 

The big man put on perhaps the best performance of his career and Michaels showed why he earned the nickname, "The Showstopper."  Power went up against speed, size clashed with agility in this thrilling battle. 

Sid might not have ever lived up to expectations, but on this night, he certainly looked like a star.

Call of the night:  

"Sycho Sid is the new WWF champion, but Shawn Michaels could care less."

-Jim Ross

12. Team Raw vs Team SmackDown 2005

Players: Carlito, Shawn Michaels, Chris Masters, the Big Show and Kane vs. Batista, JBL, Lashley, Rey Mysterio and Randy Orton

A lot of great talent and a lot of great fast-paced action highlighted the 2005 event.  It was poetic to have Michaels and Orton both begin and end the match. 

Some of the best moments of the match include Big Show bouncing Mysterio around like a toy, JBL's devastating clothesline on Carlito and Mysterio getting superkicked in mid air.

Call of the night:

"Yes!  SmackDown did it! SmackDown did it!"

-Michael Cole

11. Team Bischoff vs. Team Austin 2003

Players: Chris Jericho, Christian, Randy Orton, Scott Steiner and Mark Henry vs.Shawn Michaels, Rob Van Dam, Booker T and the Dudley Boyz

The drama of this match's storyline was as equally compelling as the wrestling.

The poetic irony of Michaels being the last man and for him to be the only one who could save Austin’s job was brilliant.

Some of the most memorable moments include the Dudley Boyz and RVD dogpiling onto Mark Henry, the chemistry between Rob Van Dam and Jericho and one of the most dramatic sells of a stunner ever by Orton.

Call of the night:

"He’s a bloody mess, but by God, he’s got a heart."

-Jim Ross

10. Triple H vs. Ric Flair 2005 Last Man Standing Match

Not many people expected such a classic when they saw this match on paper. 

The drama of the old friends turned bitter enemies and the mentee turning on his mentor combined with a top-notch performance by both men stole the show.

The action quickly turned gruesome when Triple H opened Flair's head with a screwdriver and the Nature Boy spent the rest of the night wearing his vintage crimson mask. 

The crack of the kendo stick, some amazing Flair sell jobs and Joey Styles screaming, "Oh my God!" throughout took this to the next level.

Call of the night:

"Babe Ruth just hit one last home run."

-Jerry Lawler after Flair hit the Game with a low blow

9. Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels 2007 (for WWE Championship)

The Legend Killer went up against one of the biggest WWE legends in an excellent match.

The stipulations stated that if Orton were to get disqualified, he'd lose the title and that if Michaels used Sweet Chin Music, that he'd lose the match.

What the stipulations managed to do was give an unexpectedly classic technical match.  Michaels pulled out some surprising submission holds like the ankle lock and crossface.   

Orton had a good performance and like he did consistently throughout his career, the Heartbreak Kid shined the brightest when on the biggest of stages.

Call of the night:

"Orton is spending more time on the canvas than Rembrandt."

-Jim Ross

8. Bret Hart vs. Diesel 1995 No DQ Match (for WWF Championship)

Bret Hart at his peak could have a great match with a sack of flour.  He's especially adept at working with big men, and proved it in '95 with his enthralling battle with Diesel.

The mix of brawling and technical wrestling produced one of Bret’s favorite matches of his career.         

Two of the biggest, most memorable moments were when Bret crashed through the Spanish announcer table and when he tied Diesel to the corner with a microphone table.

Call of the night:  "He did it!  He did it!  He did it!"

-Jim Ross after Bret Hart pinned Diesel

7. Batista vs. Undertaker 2007 Hell in a Cell

Mr. Hell in a Cell himself, the Undertaker delivered another classic this night.

The two big men endured a bloody battle that thrilled.  Batista can thank the Phenom for being a part of nearly all of his best matches. 

In this one, Batista took a steel chair to the throat, Undertaker's Old School got turned into a scintillating spinebuster and the Dead Man went through a table courtesy of a Batista Bomb. 

While most interference endings tend to take away from the match, the haunting image of a crazed Edge delivering a con-chair-to on the steel steps was unforgettable.

Call of the night:

"This is monkey butt ugly and it’s only going to get worse."

-JBL

6. Triple Threat Tag Elimination Match 2002 (for WWE Tag Team Championship)

Players: Edge and Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit vs. Los Guerreros

Hard there not been the fantastic Elimination Chamber main event on the same night, this would have stolen the show.

The fast-paced match had star power galore. 

Everyone involved seemed to know that they had a potential classic on their hands and stepped up their game. 

From Angle and Mysterio's countless reversals and counters, to the submission combos and exciting spots throughout, this was a fine piece of work all around.

Call of the night:

"You think you explained the rules of the match enough?"

-Tazz to Michael Cole

5. 20 Man Elimination Tag Match 1988

Players: The Powers of Pain, the Rockers, Young Stallions, the British Bulldogs and Hart Foundation vs. Demolition, the Brain Busters, the Bolsheviks, The Conquistadors and the Rougeau Brothers

As with the '87 version, the action begins cluttered with bodies, but gains momentum.  The immense  amount of talent in the ring would have made it hard not to have a good match. 

Having so many wrestlers involved allowed everyone to go all out and keep the pace exciting.  Jessie Ventura and Gorilla Monsoon helped push the strategy aspect. 

WWE wanted the Powers of Pain to be the next Legion of Doom. It never happened, but this was their best moment. 

Call of the night:

"I can’t believe what I’m seeing."

-Gorilla Monsoon after Mr. Fuji turns on Demolition

4. Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels 1992

Certainly a better match than the more famous Montreal Screwjob one and some argue was even better than their classic Iron Man duel.

Two of the best to ever lace up a pair of boots put on a grueling battle and milked every ounce of drama out of it that they could.  The end was littered with near falls. 

This was one of the matches that helped catapult Michaels to where he eventually ended up. 

Call of the night:

"A half a second away from being champion."

-Bobby Heenan after Michaels gets an extremely close two count

3. Team Alliance vs. Team WWE 2001

Players: The Rock, Chris Jericho, the Undertaker, Kane and the Big Show vs. Steve Austin, Rob Van Dam, Kurt Angle, Booker T and Shane McMahon

Even a middling match would have seemed like a classic with such buildup and high stakes. 

A number of potential Hall of Famers graced the ring with the audience buzzing.  The tension between Jericho and the Rock certainly heightened the drama. 

And there was no other way to end it than to have Rock and Austin, two of the biggest rivalries in WWE history, to face off for the fate of the two companies. 

Some of the best moments include Booker T's sweet kicks, Undertaker’s four corner clotheslines, Austin’s bloody mouth and the surprise assist from Angle. 

Call of the night:

"The Alliance dies at the Survivor Series."

-Jim Ross

2. Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin 1996

Two of the best and most famous wrestlers in WWE history put one of their finest matches at the 1996 Survivor Series at Madison Square Garden.

One of the more technical outings by the Rattlesnake helped in his growth from star to superstar. 

Austin pulled out rarely used moves to try and beat the Hitman like the Texas Cloverleaf and the Million Dollar Dream (which he used as the Ringmaster), and the two men went back and forth in this classic.

Hart got his kidneys rattled after getting thrown into the ring post, Austin slapped himself post-Hart's sleeper hold and the Hitman may have sold the Stunner better than anyone ever has. 

This match was a preview of the greatness to come from Austin and a testament to Bret Hart's excellence. 

Call of the night:

"He ain't no clown, he ain't no trash man, he's a wrestler."

-Jim Ross on Bret Hart

1. Elimination Chamber Match 2002 (for World Heavyweight Championship)

Players: Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Rob Van Dam, Booker T, Kane and Chris Jericho

The first (and perhaps the best) ever Elimination Chamber Match was the highlight of the 2002 Survivor Series. 

The recipe that WWE followed was first to construct a demonic metal structure and then to fill it with future Hall of Famers and then watch the sparks fly. 

The match featured highlights aplenty; Kane throwing Jericho through the glass, Rob Van Dam's various daredevil stunts, Michaels being thrown the glass, blood gushing from half of the guys' heads. 

Poetically, the match ended with Triple H facing off against his former (and future) partner, Shawn Michaels in a great one-on-one battle.  Seeing Michaels win the title after his absence made the event that much more special. 

Call of the night:

"By God, I don't believe it, I don't believe it!"

-Jim Ross