The Best Moments in Survivor Series History

From big matches to epic debuts and shocking twists, it's time to look at the biggest and best moments in the history of SURVIVOR SERIES!
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[@javiers5599]

HBK in the 2003 survivor series is so fascinating to me. Shawn is fighting for the honor of the man who took his place on the card in 1998, and yet didn't use this opportunity for revenge. I know Shawn post 90s was a much different person, but its genuinely heartwarming to see Austin helping up Shawn.

[@Joecbg100]

It kinda felt full circle, Austin was tag campions and partners with Shawn after WM, then came the DX stuff for WM14 and then Shawn backed him up against Vince, then fought once again for Austin.

[@ryankeefe2102]

That was kinda the storyline going in Austin being hesitant to ask shawn for help because of their history

[@toptenguy1]

@@ryankeefe2102 Yep. I remember a RAW segment where Austin (kind of out of character for him) straight telling Shawn "I need you". And after the loss, it was refreshing/shocking that Austin didn't stun him. He knew he tried his best, and he knew Batista got involved.

[@3frankf]

I loved the Raw vs Smackdown elimination match in 2005. It was one of the rare times where the brand feud actually had buildup and didn’t feel thrown together. It also gave us one of the best Taker returns with him coming out of the flaming casket.

[@MrLeedlesProductions]

Fun fact on Survivor Series 1990: My dad attended that show live at the Hartford Civic Center, and in the live PPV feed, there was a shot shown of Hulk Hogan during his entrance from the nosebleeds of the arena. In that shot, my dad was seen basically front-and-center, flipping off the Hulkster, and forcing WWE to cut the camera faster than they wanted to. I have this footage recorded on a VHS tape that I still need to make digitally available.

[@lovecraftianleviathan8918]

Be careful with that tape. You’ve got one shot. Better take it to an expert.

[@MercilessMe]

@@lovecraftianleviathan8918 if they can get, or already have, a VCR then it'll only cost about $10 to get an adapter to capture it on your pc. Export it to an editor, render it at a higher quality so youtube wont condense it to hell and boom, that's it.

[@djpee25]

Yeah i got that tape! 89 and 90 Series!

[@tafua_a]

Sid's entrance at the 1996 Survivor Series was awesome, with him and a fan shouting "Who's the man!" and "You're the man!" to each other.

[@hhtptai]

Nothing beats the 2002 Survivor Series for me. The MSG crowd, the Saliva theme song, the matches, the moments. There ain't a single bad moment on this show, man.

[@koxame]

the chamber’s promo its the pinnacle of wwe promos

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

Even HBK's shit brown tights?

[@aaronsass9265]

I agree. I was lucky enough to have been there live. One of my favorite WWE PPV's of all time!

[@NukeIt2Bdone]

@@EssexAggiegrad2011 Mankind always wore brown tights

[@That_Guy-]

​@EssexAggiegrad2011 the card was so stacked we can overlook HBK's attire

[@ZEUSDAZ]

Nothing beats the shocking moment of Undertaker defeating Hogan for the winged eagle belt at Survivor Series 1991, it was the 3 count heard around the world being a time Hogan hardly ever dropped the belt.

[@mattm7798]

Sad to learn Hogan totally politicked against UT saying he dropped him on his head when Taker was extra careful to avoid doing exactly that.

[@NoneofYabiz-rx3zi]

@@mattm7798 "Ugh, you got me, brother!" 🤣

[@mattm7798]

LOLOLOL ...."Hmmm, sorry doesn't work for me brother."@@NoneofYabiz-rx3zi

[@ShinRyojin]

AJ Vs Brock should be an honorable mention. Those two were magic in the ring with AJ being a strategic technician to overcome Brock’s sheer power, and it was like seeing RA era Brock again. Also Paul Heyman’s post match promo where he’s putting AJ over as a worthy opponent and giving him respect was the cherry on top.

[@diabeticman2194]

Lesnar/Bryan the following year is also an honourable mention, another incredible match

[@Nettacki]

Survivor Series 2005 was the very first time I witnessed a Survivor Series elimination match. And tbh, both the buildup to the match and the match itself blew me away with how good they were. It pretty much made me a wrestling fan and kept me interested to this day.

[@hersheybarber1424]

Survivor Series feels overlooked and underappreciated these days and rightfully so for some creative choices over the years, but it has and will always have a sweet spot in my heart.

[@stickman882002]

Sid was so over at MSG in ‘96. You could feel the change of direction happening in the company hearing the crowd for he and Austin.

[@davidhunter1555]

Taker's debut was great, but looking back, for me, there's a little something extra to it that was probably unintentional but makes it carry a little more weight. Bret was the first person to engage Taker onscreen for WWF. Makes sense kayfabe because he's tenacious and fearless plus it makes sense for business because he's great and will make anyone look good. However, it also makes some poetic sense because one of Bret's brothers had died in the days leading up to the event. Vince wouldn't let him do a dedication on the mic, so Roddy did it for him on commentary and Bret faced up and went toe to toe with the specter of death.

[@claytonrios1]

My favorite Survivor Series was actually the one where DX, CM Punk and the Hardys completely shut out their opponents. I have fond memories of their lopsided match.

[@jayharv285]

Eh tbh I felt like that made it worse. I was looking forward to an actual match and not a squash

[@adamlennard1828]

I loved the reaction when HBK eliminated Mike Knox and was like who did I just beat? And was like he was in the match? So we’re doing good.

[@souljahrick]

My favorite survivor series team along with the 1990 ultimate warriors

[@toptenguy1]

Yep, and perhaps the FIRST on screen interaction with CM Punk and HHH in Hunter's pre-match promo!

[@claytonrios1]

@@adamlennard1828 Poor Knox. He never recovered from that in his WWE tenure.

[@richborn6700]

Austin vs Hart was so good. Heel Austin had found his sweet spot and was firing on all cylinders. Bret is a perfect opponent for him as a cold technician who could brawl if need be. And of course because it was pre neck injury it feels like what Stone Cold truly could have been.

[@thedavidcater]

Love that the graphics are a throwback to Survivor Series 2000, which speaking of, that match with Austin & Triple H leading to the forklift drop is a nice memorable moment and decent sequel to the Austin being runover in 99. Just a shame that Triple H was back the following week like nothing happened, but that feud was white hot at the time.

[@BerylliumGold]

"I regret the car thing"

[@dj-hyrul3654]

Survivor Series is basically the PPV equivalent of that one quote from Godfather 3 "Just when I thought I was out... *They pull me back in* "

[@springer90]

Paul Heyman and JR commentary during the '01 Survivor Series was hilarious😂

[@jarrodhook]

Brian, the transition at 11:38 - genius. Just perfect. I rewatched it too many times now. Smooth dude. 10/10 and laughed ALOT.

[@lhmmhl1]

Cannot believe you didn't mention the most important Survivor Series debut! Hell he (?) premiered the same night as The Undertaker. The Gobbledy Gooker!

[@LarryoLuxus]

survivor series 2019 is actually my absolute top. literally got me back into wrestling. the entire month leading up to the PPV is just worth watching

[@StartRecording]

Do you think they'll do that again? Raw vs SmackDown vs NXT? I know after its finished it doesn't mean anything for whichever brand that won and 2 weeks later no once cares lol but I can imagine HHH liking the idea of a Raw vs SD vs NXT War Games match.

[@LarryoLuxus]

honstly think it wont. NXT is no longer WWEs indies. they should've made every surivivor series after that all three brands@@StartRecording

[@MegaShingo97]

NXT could've been treated much better after Survivor Series 2019, like being featured in mainline main roster PPV and moving from Full Sail to arena similar to RAW or Smackdown. But instead nothing's changed, NXT was beaten by AEW every week and became much worse in 2020.....

[@TheRand0mHer089]

The build up to the NXT invasion of the main roster still feels like a fever dream.

[@totz_the_plaid9625]

I know Sting's WWE Debut is included in the debut's entry, but I'm surprised the full Team Cena vs. Team Authority match wasn't its own entry as well!

[@wstine79]

Survivors Series 2001 was an awesome show. I was there in person at the low balcony seat and seeing Jeff Hardy at eye level from the top of the cage was great.

[@iamthurnis745]

i was fortunate to go to survivor series 2004 in cleveland when i was 7 and that was Eddie Guerrero’s last survivor series so for me i’ll always remember that tag team match he was in and also john cena returned from getting stabbed in the night club. that night ruled i’ll never forget that, it’s weird that was 20 years ago

[@jdixon390]

Undertaker vs Batista from 2007 is one of mine, a Hell In A Cell where the story deserves the gimmick

[@brooklynnomad]

Survivor Series holds a special place in my wrestling loving heart. It was the first WWF show I ever watched as a family member let me borrow his VCR tape of the show. First thing I saw when I started the show was Dusty Rhodes in polka dots and a police hat. Hooked ever since. I was lucky enough to see the show in person in 96 with Rock’s debut.

[@zubrhero5270]

That's exactly the stuff I grew up with in the early 90s. Late 80s - early 90s SilverVision/Coliseum videos and stuff that other people with Sky had taped. I didn't know what was "good" or "cool". I was just like "woah, a team of 4 baddies vs a team of 4 goodies on the front cover? I'm sold!"

[@venomousnate7263]

For me my favorite Survivor Series moment is the Shield’s debut. Brand new stars making a dominant presence and fast forward a decade later, Rollins, Reigns, and Moxley are at the top of the wrestling industry. Another one being Shawn Michaels amazing performance in 03.

[@RolfWrenWalsh]

As with every video, your comedy chops keep getting better. Your Goldberg/Lesnar reaction had me rolling.

[@Michael-cz6ob]

2003 survivior series will always have fond childhood memories for me. Me and my childhood best friend watched countless wwf weekly back then since the late 90s and this was if i remember correctly the last ppv we recorded on vhs tape and watched together after school. Unfortunately we were in year 7 at this point and his love for wrestling died off in the coming months after and we drifted apart. Really miss those times man

[@tylerryancoleman]

Had to rewatch that transition to young Brian three times...so sweeet

[@Rosario_Verano]

One of my low-key favorite matches is Team Cena vs Team Authority. It was a roller coaster of a match and it had Sting's debut.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Ziggler was great

[@Rosario_Verano]

@@claymathewselevator8121 He had a star making performance Indeed.

[@Joe90h]

@@claymathewselevator8121 Sad to think that it would never amount to anything, and nine years of nothing later they gave him the boot.

[@Fixxer315]

@@Joe90h Not to mention that the motivation for the HHH/Sting WM match the next year was retconned to be WWE v. WCW.

[@juliooquendo220]

My favorite is the Debut of the Undertaker that was the same year my mom was working as a correction officer. My mom and the undertaker debut in 1990

[@davidhunter1555]

Big Boss Mom.

[@cole003f]

i was 10 days old when taker debut

[@juliooquendo220]

​​@@davidhunter1555yes she was. And she still is the big boss mom at the house

[@wbcwinnipegbeltcollector]

"Both men running out of fucks to give" lol 😆 Accurately explained that cluster

[@querubinangeles2478]

As expected well done Brian. You always know how to make you videos entertaining and interesting in your own way. I could say that you have that same vibe as AVGN. Both your shows are awesome and always fun to watch.

[@eduardomorales5185]

There are three things I mostly look forward to in the month of November: 1. My birthday (which is this Saturday) 2. Survivor series 3. Thanksgiving

[@Luminator_maior]

Survivor Series '90 was the first PPV i saw as a kid, and let me tell you, i was terrified by that big dude in black. Best debut ever to this day! One look at the guy and you knew everything you needed. Never seen any character instantly connect like that.

[@OU_Welcome]

My favorite moment: The Wildcard Match in 1995. I loved the idea of babyfaces and heels mixed together in the same teams. Shawn Michaels, Ahmed Johnson, Sid, British Bulldog VS Owen Hart, Yokozuna, Razor Ramon and Dean Douglas. Yes, I know it was far from perfect, but quite unique at the time. The clashes between the teammates made it fun and unexpected.

[@mactiger1983]

I remember being st Survivor Series 98. Best show I've ever been to!

[@PSYperMisao]

Bruh, the Oops All Piranha Tank matches gag caught me so off guard lmao

[@williammccollom6847]

Bret Hart vs Bob Backlund in 1994. The match was solid and it was made even better by Owen's Oscar worthy performance when he begged his mother to throw in the towel for Bret after Davey Boy was KOed. Making Backlund champion. This match was also was led to Diesel winning the title and being the longest reigning WWE champion of the 90s. If that's not iconic....nothing is

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the list Brian ❤

[@trashbinbargain]

Survivor Series gets left out of the larger WWE narrative so commonly, it's almost strange seeing any moments besides the Montreal Screwjob placed in their historical context. Great video Brian!

[@Hawkeye26]

I would've included the unique final match in one of the early Survivor Series PPVs where the winners of the previous matches joined forces, Faces vs Heels for a final showdown.

[@kenyonjjackson2000]

The transformation to younger Brian was perfect

[@Fixxer315]

Two of my favorite Survivor Series Moments: 1. The tag match at SS 88: I think this match was superior to the 87 version, in part because it was more memorable and significant. It went on for over 40 minutes, but was enthralling throughout. Plus, there were a lot of great stories told, from Tully Blanchard being a chickensh!t heel, to the Rockers/Brainbusters getting counted out, to the Conquistadors surviving throughout. Plus, it culminated in Fuji hooking up with the Powers of Pain, thus cementing a double-turn of tag teams with Demolition. 2. The Wild Card match at SS 95: At a time when face and heel lines were much clearer, this blend of faces and heels on the same teams was refreshing, leading to a number of little moments. My favorite was when HBK accidentally super kicked his partner Sid,then shrugged and signaled "missed it by THAT much." Plus that show also featured one of the best Diesel matches, as he dropped the WWF title to Bret Hart in an exciting no-DQ match, which was followed by Diesel beginning a slow heel turn (essentially becoming a tweener for a few months).

[@evanhanley6437]

Love these retrospectives so much!

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Same

[@phanboysmagoria8318]

True story. I was at work the Monday after Fastlane and I was talking to a co worker about how I was gonna watch it. A new guy on his first day immediately says, " Wasn't it awesome how fast Goldberg beat Lesner?" Me and the others ripped into him. Later he was doing the job terribly and I told our manager how far behind he was. She said, "Isn't he the guy you yelled at about wrestling?" Yes I said. She then said, "That was the first straw for him, this is the last." And she fired him. Hell hath no fury like a wrestling fan scorned.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

🤣

[@thejongshow8821]

I was heavily emotionally invested in that 2003 SS I bout cried when orton pinned HBK and seeing Austin on the ramp realizing his team lost then going back to the ring with HBK

[@SheriffOutlaw]

WEDNESDAYS WITH WREGRET LET'S GET IT, YEAH!!!

[@leonsmits]

your bit during Lesnar/Goldberg match was brilliant!

[@faw9148]

Bobby Heenan's commentary during the Hart Family vs Shawn Michaels and Knights match in 1993 needs to be here

[@NJ973201]

"Oh no, they're gonna repossess my teeth."

[@wasteville_productions3451]

You forgot The Gobbledy Gooker's debut! Simply the best lol

[@davidleahy8770]

2016 Mens 10 Man Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match That Match Was Absolute Bonkers From Start To Finish

[@alexdesoto1504]

My favorite moment is from Survivor Series 2014 when Sting made his debut and gave Triple H the Scorpion Death Drop.

[@jairgallardo7845]

survivor series 2003 was my first ever wwe show to attend

[@kenterminateddq5311]

I wanna give a Halloween shoutout to everyone watching this video early or on Wednesday. I can't wait for "The Worst Moments In Survivor Series History" video, Brian Zane. I have a feeling that a certain "gooker" will be on it. :)

[@DrSlasher]

Or some screws

[@kenterminateddq5311]

@@DrSlasher Bret would agree with you.

[@TheLoganSomers]

2004 SS was among the first 3 ppvs i ever watched/ bought on dvd (Unforgiven 01 and Wm19 were the other 2… long live warehouse music) That final RKO to Triple H felt like a world title victory in and of itself 🙏🔥🤘

[@GeoGuy388]

Good list here. Like the recognition of the '96 and '03 shows, both of which had great moments. Two that stick out for me that I didn't see: -1994: a mostly lackluster show is saved by a surprisingly good main event casket match between Undertaker and Yokozuna. Thanks to some pretty bad booking, Undertaker didn't really have a truly good PPV singles match under his belt in the WWF before this match, so it's nice to see him put on a good main event match. -1995: Diesel vs. Bret in a No Holds Barred match. Fantastic encounter that had a great backstory/build-up as a meeting between the two top superstars of the moment, both seeking to prove once and for all that they're the better man. As good as the backstory was, the match was even better and really groundbreaking for the WWF. Bret's table bump was truly shocking and novel for 1995. The match finish and Diesel's subsequent slow heel turn, leading to his matches with the Undertaker and Shawn in the Spring of 1996, are the cherry on top here. Good build-up, good match, good booking and post-match storytelling - this has everything a great title match should have.

[@SuperArtie]

I’ll always remember Christian doing the HBK pose, splattered in his blood.

[@BerylliumGold]

I watched this match live (at Hooters), and I'm telling you nobody made the crowd FEEL like HBK.

[@christopherwiessner555]

18:09 I feel the reverse of that. My favorite part of the career is the swan song. When someone is a legacy and has the honor of being a legend while they’re active and they bow out in style. My favorite is HBK. In the late 2000s and the year 2010 that ended with the pair of mania matches at 25 and 27

[@steamyrv]

I wish Biker Taker had been a thing for longer. This was the best run of his career IMO.

[@zubrhero5270]

15:00 This VHS cover sleeve is my all-time favourite wrestling related image... ever. And was, as a kid, my favourite wrestling PPV or tape I owned. I've owned it since it all the way back then, worn the tape out probably, and still have it "displayed" (on the crap upstairs bookshelf) alongside all the others. I dunno what it is about it... it's not even good really, it just kinda always _popped_ on the shelf in bright yellow and really stood out and I liked all the teams being displayed. Reason it was my favourite PPV was the same reason really with all the makeshift goodies vs baddies teams.

[@thealjohnsonshow2188]

9:05-9:08 *Another rare f-bomb by Brian Zane*

[@alexgeorge501]

My Top 6 Favorite SS: 1997: The Montreal Screwjob 1998: Deadly Game 2001: Winner Take All 2002: Elimination chamber Debut 2003: Taker VS McMahon in Buried Alive & Kane VS Shane in an Ambulance Match 2014: Sting Debut in WWE

[@markjackson6431]

I Was Devastated -Brian Zane circa 1998 and circa 2023

[@Mr.BeastFacts]

*WWF throwing mad shade with “Bye” on that tournament ladder!*

[@bigbossman2810]

My favorite Survivor Series moments were: - Survivor Series: War Games 2022 - Survivor Series 1991: The Gravest Challenge Hulk Hogan Vs. Undertaker - Survivor Series 1990: The Final Survivor Series match (this pitted the suvivors of all matches that night against each other)

[@mooselove114]

Epic SS debuts and no mention of The Gobbledy Gooker? You’re better than this! Keep up the great work brother!

[@philipcohen7192]

Feel like sid is a forgotten guy by modern fans. Would love a retrospective.

[@Billy-ot8mk]

My favorite Survivor Series moment was 2016 when Goldberg beat Lesnar in that brief match. It completely shocked me.

[@jmw20watch]

The ending of the 1998 Survivor Series legit floored me.

[@vciotoli2126]

Not gonna lie thought we were gonna get a 'GIMME A FUCKING MIC' when you showed Steiner in '02.

[@allenhoward6068]

My favorite Survivor series The Shield debut and The Undertaker debut

[@Tbowles54]

My favorite SS match was number 8 on this list. I always go back and watch it around this time

[@DariusJerome]

I think it was 2020 but that Survivor Series where the Raw team all hated each other only for them to come together and dominate Smackdown was fun. Matt Riddle gave everyone nicknames 😂

[@chadkennedy7855]

Only in Florida.

[@djdarq6311]

The next time I can't sleep I know what to watch

[@GregMcNeish]

So happy to see Goldberg/Lesnar on this list. I was there with my brother, both of us attending our first ever PPV after nearly 30 years of fandom, and I was *STOKED* for that main event for one reason: I wanted to see a Goldberg match. And let me tell you, THAT was a Goldberg match, just like the old days. It was so good. Yeah, people were PISSED about it, but in that moment, in that arena, EVERYONE lost their minds. I also like to point out to people that complained about an 83 second main event that just before that we had a 50+ minute Survivor Series elimination match that was incredible, and probably one of the best of its kind in SS history. WWE knew EXACTLY what they were doing that night.

[@Pensfan5919]

That was one of the last few nights where I felt like Vince hit his 98-04 stride. As you said, the last couple matches are still ones to go back and watch mainly for the complete palette cleansing of going from 50 minutes of story upon story to not even 90 seconds of hoss overpowering hoss.

[@Joe90h]

I think what sucked the air out of the reaction was that Goldberg was the first person to beat Brock clean and decisively in the two and a half years since. If the Goldberg squash had come after an up and comer (Probably not Roman though, not at that time) had beaten him in a hard fought match I think the surprise would have been looked upon better.

[@billiam247]

"The Survivor Series." Okay Hitman.

[@jamesbounds]

Survivor Series 1998 had the best Survivor Series entrance with that cool big skull.

[@davidgee1488]

I will remember Andre the Giant’s suplex on Bam Bam Bigelow

[@arnegebhardt2209]

"Winner takes ALL" WWF: The Rock, Stone Cold, Triple H, Undertaker, Kurt Angle VS: WCW: Sting, Goldberg, Booker T, DDP, Kevin Nash/Scott Steiner was our DREAM we never got to see :(

[@koxame]

Honorable mention: smackdown va raw in 05. Brand supremacy at its finest.

[@drexeldragon1723]

I feel like Team Cena vs The Authority in 2014 gets overlooked because of the booking before and after but the match itself was AWESOME. Everything I look for in a pro-wrestling epic.

[@michaelkosciesza645]

What a great channel.

[@briansimerl4014]

98 was your first year in Wrestling. Damn. Mine was 1991. You missed a lot.

[@bonez0014]

Men’s Survivor Series in 2016 is a classic

[@michaelbuzzee1964]

We just going to forget about Chuck Norris at Survivor Series 94? Best debut of all time and he kicked Jeff Jarrett!

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Chuck Norris doesn’t win he just allows you to lose

[@BrianJHutch]

You forgot to mention the Gobbledy Gookers debut.

[@AmandaTalksWrestling]

I was there for Survivor Series 2016 and I always forget that Lesnar/Goldberg happened

[@DecadentDeviant13]

Kind of began with HBK as well leading up to and including their title match at Mania 14. Austins career that is, with Tysons involvement and all.

[@Roboheart1119]

Nailed it 🙌

[@claymathewselevator8121]

I’d watch whoops all piranha cage matches

[@millerarant3629]

1991 SS - Team Piper vs Team Flair. Matched was stacked with talent.

[@nicholasvertucci2054]

"Do you believe in miracles?!" The best calling the best. How was it not mentioned?

[@mongomongo7664]

Sid's little hat lol

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Jake Hager

[@nu-metalfan2654]

I can’t believe the OG Raw vs SmackDown 2005 story didn’t make it

[@Eminem200183]

One thing we have to remember: We NEVER got the 1-on-1 between Becky & Rousey match

[@WCWThunderRosa]

You wouldn’t know that first Elimination Chamber got fucked up if they didn’t tell us, I maintain it’s one of if not the best one

[@GreatOne0815]

2004 was also great with the main event match where the winners would be in charge of RAW for the next 4 weeks. Also the Wild Card Match 1995.

[@rayhoyer4829]

I've always loved survivor series.

[@nehemiahpouncey3607]

Brian will you stop mooning us?😂