10 Forgotten Survivor Series Classics Worth Revisiting
Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart
10. Sycho Sid vs. Shawn Michaels (Survivor Series 1996)
Survivor Series 1996 ended with a surprisingly strong main event in which Sycho Sid defeated Shawn Michaels for the WWE Championship. HBK entered with a reputation for delivering consistent pay per view classics despite business numbers slipping during his reign. Sid did not have a reputation for being a polished in ring performer, yet he produced the best match of his career on this night. The Madison Square Garden crowd turned against Michaels which created an intense and unpredictable atmosphere throughout the contest. The company made a strange booking choice by placing the title on Sid but the decision enhanced the drama inside the ring. The result created a memorable moment even though the match is rarely celebrated today.
9. Team Angle vs. Team Lesnar (Survivor Series 2003)
Survivor Series 2003 featured an outstanding traditional elimination tag match between Kurt Angle’s team of fan favorites and Brock Lesnar’s dominant group of heels. This match served as a model example of how to use the elimination format to tell a complete story. The bout featured important moments such as John Cena delivering the FU to Big Show and Chris Benoit forcing Lesnar to submit. Cena and Benoit ended the contest as the sole survivors which strengthened their credibility on the SmackDown roster. Every elimination felt purposeful and contributed to the momentum of the closing sequence. The match worked as a showcase for rising talent as well as established main eventers.
8. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz (Survivor Series 2001)
Survivor Series 2001 presented a dramatic steel cage match between the Dudley Boyz and the Hardy Boyz to unify the WWE and WCW Tag Team Championships. This contest arrived at the end of the Invasion storyline which concluded the following night. Bubba Ray and D Von Dudley capitalized on their teamwork to outlast the Hardy brothers in a match filled with fast paced risk taking. The turning point occurred when Jeff Hardy refused to climb out of the cage with Matt and instead attempted a swanton bomb from the top. Jeff missed the leap which allowed the Dudleys to capitalize and secure the victory. The final sequence displayed the reckless style that made Jeff a fan favorite and also highlighted the strategic approach of the Dudleys. Despite its significance in closing a major storyline, the match is often forgotten in Survivor Series conversations.
7. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kaval (Survivor Series 2010)
Survivor Series 2010 included a rarely mentioned Intercontinental Championship match between Dolph Ziggler and Kaval. Kaval had won the second season of NXT which granted him a title opportunity that took place on this event. His WWE run was short and filled with backstage challenges, yet his actual in ring performance was impressive and on full display here. Ziggler and Kaval worked at a rapid pace with continuous movement and crisp execution. The match delivered nonstop engagement from bell to bell and showcased Kaval’s unique striking and agility. Ziggler matched his energy and created a strong contrast in styles which elevated the performance of both men. Although the match displayed tremendous athleticism, it remains overlooked in Survivor Series history.
6. Los Guerreros vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit (Survivor Series 2002)
The early years of the brand split introduced the era of the SmackDown Six which included Eddie Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero, Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, Edge and Rey Mysterio. Survivor Series 2002 delivered a rare triple threat tag match featuring all three teams in a showcase of elite chemistry. The bout displayed the strengths of each pair as they shaped one of the best tag divisions in WWE history. Los Guerreros used their combination of craftiness and technical skill to overcome the deeper athleticism of the other two teams. The match moved at a constant high tempo with no wasted moments which highlighted why this group carried the brand during that time. Los Guerreros ultimately secured the win in a contest filled with creativity and complex sequences. Although the event had a stacked card, this match deserves more recognition for its quality.
5. Triple H vs Ric Flair (Survivor Series 2005)
Triple H received one of his dream storylines in 2005 when he revived his rivalry with Ric Flair after the Evolution split. Their dramatic cage match at Taboo Tuesday set the stage for a Last Man Standing match at Survivor Series. Flair delivered a vintage performance that featured intense striking and emotional storytelling. The stipulation allowed both wrestlers to use weapons and create a violent atmosphere that enhanced the stakes. Triple H eventually secured the win but the true standout element was Flair’s refusal to quit despite his age and physical limitations. The match connected the history of their partnership with the brutality of their separation. It remains one of Flair’s strongest late career performances yet is rarely discussed among Survivor Series classics.
4. The Shield and The Real Americans vs. Cody Rhodes, Goldust, Rey Mysterio and The Usos (Survivor Series 2013)
Survivor Series 2013 opened with a spirited elimination tag match that helped launch Roman Reigns’ rise as a dominant force. The Shield and The Real Americans formed a strong heel side that gained early momentum through surprise eliminations. The opposing team of Rhodes, Goldust, Mysterio and The Usos featured a blend of veterans and emerging talent. Reigns shifted the entire direction of the match by eliminating Goldust and later finishing Mysterio in dramatic fashion. His total of four eliminations established him as the breakout performer of the night. The pacing, teamwork and execution made this one of the most entertaining elimination matches of the decade. Despite its importance to Reigns’ ascent, it often receives less attention than it deserves.
3. Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels (Survivor Series 2007)
The WWE Championship match between Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series 2007 carried a unique stipulation that prevented Michaels from using Sweet Chin Music. Michaels used the restriction as an opportunity to showcase his versatility by incorporating new counters and submissions into his performance. Orton entered with momentum and relied on timing and patience to keep his title. The most dramatic moment occurred when Michaels almost attempted his signature kick out of instinct which created a brief hesitation. Orton used that moment to strike with an immediate RKO and retain his championship. The match demonstrated how two veterans could shape a compelling story without relying on their usual formula. Although it delivered a masterclass in psychology, it rarely appears on lists of great Survivor Series bouts.
2. Team Kingston vs. Team Orton (Survivor Series 2009)
Survivor Series 2009 showcased one of the most emotional elimination matches of the era as Kofi Kingston led his team against Randy Orton’s group of heels. The match gradually built to a tense three on one disadvantage for Kingston as he faced Orton and CM Punk. Kingston delivered an electric comeback that ignited the crowd with every reversal and counter. He pinned Punk which set up a dramatic closing moment with Orton. Kingston then executed the SOS without warning which secured him the victory as the sole survivor. This match appeared to signal a major breakthrough for Kingston as a rising star. Although WWE reduced his push shortly after, this performance remains one of the strongest individual efforts in modern Survivor Series history.
1. Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels (Survivor Series 1992)
Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels delivered a technical showcase for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series 1992. The two future icons were still rising toward their eventual rivalry yet demonstrated complete command of pacing and ring awareness. Hart defended the title with a methodical performance that emphasized precision and discipline. Michaels responded with counters, bursts of speed and creative offense that matched Hart’s technical approach. The contest highlighted WWE’s faith in both men as future leaders of the company. The match often gets overshadowed because of their infamous 1997 encounter, yet it stands as a pure wrestling classic. It remains one of the clearest examples of their chemistry before their rivalry became personal.
