Top 10 Best Survivor Series Elimination Matches in WWE History
Survivor Series
10. Team Flair & Friends vs. Team Piper’s Squad (Survivor Series 1991)
Ric Flair’s WWF pay-per-view debut at Survivor Series 1991 paired him with The Mountie, The Warlord, and Ted DiBiase against Roddy Piper, Bret Hart, Virgil, and The British Bulldog. This methodically paced and story-heavy match was noted for Flair’s incredible ring psychology. The controversial finish, where all wrestlers in the ring were disqualified, cemented Flair as the sole survivor in a dramatic and memorable debut that marked a new era for WWF.
9. Team Hogan & Allies vs. Team Andre & Heels (Survivor Series 1987)
The first-ever Survivor Series main event in 1987 saw Hulk Hogan, Bam Bam Bigelow, Ken Patera, Don Muraco, and Paul Orndorff face Andre The Giant, Rick Rude, Butch Reed, King Kong Bundy, and One Man Gang. Featuring the iconic Hogan vs. Andre storyline, the match produced memorable moments like Hogan’s surprising count-out elimination and Bam Bam Bigelow’s heroic stand against Hamilton’s heavy hitters. The crowd’s electric response made the match historic despite some slow pacing associated with the era.
8. Team Shield vs. Team Rhodes, The Usos & Rey Mysterio (Survivor Series 2013)
Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Cesaro, and Jack Swagger made up Team Shield against Cody Rhodes, Goldust, The Usos, and Rey Mysterio. The match highlighted The Shield’s unity and fighting spirit with Roman Reigns eliminating multiple members. Despite the opposing team’s popular stars, The Shield’s resilience and teamwork shone through in a high-intensity, fast-paced bout that helped cement their legacy in WWE.
7. Team Ziggler vs. Team Foley (Survivor Series 2012)
Dolph Ziggler, Alberto Del Rio, Damien Sandow, David Otunga, and Wade Barrett squared off with Kane, Daniel Bryan, Kofi Kingston, The Miz, and Randy Orton. This match featured plenty of technical wrestling, fast-paced action, and endurance. Randy Orton’s stellar history in Survivor Series was highlighted through clutch moments despite heavy odds. The bout’s exciting finish with Ziggler as the last man standing solidified it as one of the best of its era.
6. Team Michaels & Friends vs. Team Yokozuna & Allies (Survivor Series 1995)
Shawn Michaels teamed with Ahmed Johnson, The British Bulldog, and Sycho Sid against Razor Ramon, Yokozuna, Owen Hart, and Dean Douglas in a wildcard-style match mixing faces and heels on both sides. This created unique dynamics and unpredictable moments rarely seen in traditional Survivor Series matches. Michaels’ rise to stardom was evident here while Johnson impressed with his strength. The unpredictable mix of personalities and styles, along with memorable exchanges, made this a colorful and exciting match from the mid-’90s.
5. Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown (Survivor Series 2005)
Shawn Michaels teamed with Kane, Big Show, Chris Masters, and Carlito against Batista, Rey Mysterio, Bobby Lashley, Randy Orton, and JBL. This Raw vs. SmackDown battle was fast-paced and full of intense near-eliminations. Michaels fought valiantly despite a three-on-one disadvantage late in the match, showing incredible perseverance. Spectacular spots like Michaels superkicking Rey Mysterio mid-air and near pins kept the crowd engaged throughout this highly entertaining match. The bout ended with Randy Orton becoming the sole survivor for a third straight year and also saw the return of The Undertaker.
4. Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown (Survivor Series 2016)
The longest Survivor Series match ever, clocking in at 52 minutes, pitted Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and Braun Strowman against Bray Wyatt, AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose, Shane McMahon, and Randy Orton. The match was packed with memorable characters’ moments like Strowman’s odd elimination by James Ellsworth and Shane McMahon’s hard-hitting spear. The dramatic Frog Splash followed by Randy Orton’s RKO to eliminate Seth Rollins created one of the most thrilling finishes in Survivor Series history. It was a perfect mix of storytelling, star-power, and fierce competition.
3. Team Cena vs. Team Rollins (Survivor Series 2014)
John Cena captained a team featuring Dolph Ziggler, The Big Show, Erick Rowan, and Ryback against Seth Rollins, Rusev, Kane, Mark Henry, and Luke Harper. The match’s narrative pivoted when Cena was unexpectedly eliminated mid-match, shifting focus to Dolph Ziggler’s star-making performance as he struggled to carry his team four-on-one. The contest combined high energy, surprising eliminations, and moments of intense drama, making it a standout modern era bout in Survivor Series lore. Moreover, the bout was also notable for the WWE debut of Sting.
2. Team WWF vs. Team Alliance (Survivor Series 2001)
In a historic battle to end the Invasion storyline, The Rock, Chris Jericho, Big Show, Kane, and The Undertaker faced off against invading forces led by Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and Shane McMahon. The match was layered with drama, including Jericho’s shocking betrayal and Shane McMahon’s constant interference. The stakes couldn’t have been higher, with the winner securing WWE’s survival. The blend of superstar talent and storyline intensity made this one of the highest-profile Survivor Series matches in history.
1. Team Stone Cold vs. Team Eric Bischoff (Survivor Series 2003)
Shawn Michaels led a star-studded team including The Dudley Boys (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley), Booker T, and Rob Van Dam against Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Christian, Mark Henry, and Scott Steiner. This match is often cited as the greatest Survivor Series elimination match ever, thanks to its epic length and nonstop action. Michaels displayed incredible resilience, battling against overwhelming odds and delivering spectacular high-risk moves like superkicks mid-air. The match captivated audiences with near falls and dramatic revivals, making it a timeless showcase of teamwork, endurance, and storytelling.
