WWE Survivor Series: A look at the best traditional elimination matches ever

SURVIVOR SERIES returns Sunday November 20.

One of the WWE’s “big four” pay-per- view events, its known for its traditional elimination matches – teams of five (though sometimes four or even ten) battle each other, with team members eliminated one by one – meaning the match could come down to 1-on- 1, 1-on- 5, or any combination in between.

With Raw set to take on SmackDown in three elimination matches at next week’s event – with men’s, women’s and tag division matches all scheduled – we take a look back at eight classics from Survivor Series history.

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Team Hogan (Hulk Hogan, Paul Orndorf, Bam Bam Bigelow, Ken Patera & Don Muraco) v Team Andre (Andre the Giant, Rick Rude, One Man Gang, Butch Reed & King Kong Bundy) – Survivor Series 1987

The first ever Survivor Series main event was a bona fide classic with tons of energy – incredible considering the size of most men involved. Something of a sequel to the WrestleMania III main event, this prolonged the Hogan/Andre feud.

Youngster Bam Bam Bigelow stole the show, not to mention do most of the in-ring legwork.

Survivor: Andre the Giant

The Powers of Pain, The Rockers, The British Bulldogs, The Hart Foundation & The Young Stallions v Demolition, The Brain Busters, The Bolsheviks, The Conquistadors & Fabulous Rougeaus – Survivor Series 1988

The 10-team elimination match – which returns this year – was a sight to behold. This one was a lengthy but fast-paced match with some phenomenal wrestling talent (including Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart).

Famous for its double turn which saw devious manager Mr Fuji inexplicably turn on tag champs Demolition to join challengers Powers of Pain.

Survivors: The Powers of Pain

The Dream Team (Dusty Rhodes, The Hart Foundation, Koko B. Ware) v Million Dollar Team (Ted DiBiase, Rhythm & Blues, Undertaker) – Survivor Series 1990

It looks like an unspectacular mid-card clash, but was significant for the debut of WWE’s greatest creation – The Undertaker.

He looked strong from the off, quickly eliminating Koko with a Tombstone and being protected with a count out elimination. The final minutes of the match were dynamite as DiBiase and Bret Hart put on a wrestling clinic.

Survivor: Ted DiBiase

Shawn Michaels, Sycho Sid, Ahmed Jonson & The British Bulldog v Razor Ramon, Owen Hart, Yokozuna & Dean Douglas – Survivor Series 1995

At the tail-end of WWE’s worst ever year, a surprising decent Survivor Series randomly put heels and babyfaces together in this “Wildcard Match”.

It was exciting stuff and totally unheard of. Strangely, WWE never repeated the gimmick, though this year’s Raw v SmackDown matches will have a similar heel/babyface mix.

Survivors: Shawn Michaels, Ahmed Jonson & The British Bulldog

Team WWE (The Rock, Chris Jericho, Undertaker, Kane & Big Show) v Team Alliance (Stone Cold, Rob Van Dam, Booker T, Kurt Angle, Shane McMahon) – Survivor Series 2001

“The Invasion” was a colossal letdown, but this was a match no one ever thought they’d see – superstars from WWE, WCW and ECW all competing in the same match. With control of WWE on the line, it’s a blistering back-and- forth encounter that saw Angle turn babyface to help win the day for WWE.

Survivor: The Rock

Team Austin (Shawn Michaels, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, Bubba Ray Dudley & D-Von Dudley) vs. Team Bischoff (Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Christian, Mark Henry & Scott Steiner) – Survivor Series 2003

Raw co-managers Steve Austin and Eric Bischoff tried to settle things once and for all – if Austin’s team won, he could put the boots to Bischoff, but if Austin lost, he’d be fired.

Michaels put in a dramatic performance, coming back from 3-on- 1 to make it just HBK v Orton – until Batista arrived to attack Michaels with a thunderous powerbomb.

Survivor: Randy Orton

Team DX (Shawn Michaels, Triple H, The Hardyz, CM Punk) v Team Rated-RKO (Edge, Randy Orton, Johnny Nitro, Mike Knox, Gregory Helms) – Survivor Series 2006

With their dream feud against Rated-RKO in full swing, DX put together a team of huge fan

favourites (newcomer CM Punk was the most over on the night).

DX buried the mid-card heels as they scored a clean sweep, but this is Survivor Series at its most fun – a crowd-pleaser from start to finish.

Survivors: Team DX

Team Cena (John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, Erick Rowan, Ryback) v Team Authority (Seth Rollins, Kane, Rusev, Luke Harper, Mark Henry) – Survivor Series 2014

Another match with control of WWE on the line, this was electric stuff thanks to stunning performances from Cena and Ziggler.

The match will be forever remembered for its big surprise – WCW legend Sting arriving in WWE for the very first time to stare down Triple H and hit him with the Scorpion Death Drop.

Survivor: Dolph Ziggler

Watch Survivor Series on the WWE Network November 20