Post by underjohngrohs on Nov 17, 2021 2:13:34 GMT -5
Welcome to the second Survivor Series Review, in our first Survivor Series Review. We finished up with the Golden Era, But now we are heading to the New Generation Era.
1992:
After 1991 Survivor Series was over, Ric Flair was now the WWE Champion in 1992, but Flair lost the title to Randy Savage, also Hulk Hogan would leave the WWE for a while, some Golden Era Stars in the 80s had also decided to leave. Vince McMahon wanted to make a new generation and so he did, on October 12, 1992. Flair had dropped the title to Bret "The Hitman" Hart. The Hitman was now untop of the world as WWE Champion. The Hitman's first title defense was going to be against Shawn Michaels who won the Intercontinental Championship against the British Bulldog. Also, incensed of losing the WWE Championship. Ric Flair and Razor Ramon had challenged Randy Savage and The Ultimate Warrior to a tag team match. The Ultimate Warrior had returned to the WWE at WrestleMania 8 when he saved Hulk Hogan from an attack by Sid Justice and Papa Shango. Warrior received a WWE Championship Match at the 1992 Summerslam against Randy Savage but the match was interrupted by Flair and Mr. Perfect. As Warrior & Savage were set to face off against Flair & Razor in a Tag Team Match, the Warrior left the WWE due to drugs that were given to him & Davey Boy Smith. Mr. Perfect would be the surprise partner and turned babyface for the first time teaming up with Savage against Flair & Razor.
Reviews:
The Headshrinkers vs High Energy:
Before he was Rikishi, Fatu became a tag team with his cousin Samu. And Owen Hart also returned to the WWE by using his own name as he appeared in the Blue Blazer back in the 1988 Survivor Series. This was a good exchange between these teams. Koko B. Ware who had become a legend since making his debut in 1986 was involved in a lot of Survivor Series controversy, but on this night. High Energy was not good enough to overcome the Headshrinkers as the Headshrinkers put away Koko & Owen. The match rating gets a 2/5. The match was okay, just nothing special.
Nailz vs Big Bossman: (Nightstick on a Pole Match)
If you're wondering why this feud existed, you'll know why, in the Spring of 1992. A prisoner by the name of Nailz had targeted the Big Bossman. In May, he made his debut by beating down The Bossman, handcuffing him and using the nightstick to him. Bossman returned in the Summer to settle the score with Nailz. This by all means was not a good match, Bossman's feuds with Mountie and Mr. Perfect were way better than Nailz, but this was a disaster. Bossman and Nailz both used the nightstick on one another, but in the end it was The Bossman that picked up the victory. Match rating, a 1/5. Not a good match. But this would be the final Survivor Series appearance for The Bossman until the Attitude Era in 1998. But as for Nailz, this was his final time ever in the WWE.
Tatanka vs Rick Martel:
An undefeated Tatanka and Rick Martel have already gone at it in a PPV before and that was WrestleMania 8 for Tatanka's PPV Debut when he defeated Martel. Towards the middle of the match, Doink The Clown came down making balloon animals. But in the end it was Tatanka that got another PPV Victory and keep his undefeated streak over Martel, the match gets a 3/5. It was okay, just nothing special.
Ric Flair & Razor Ramon vs Randy Savage & Mr. Perfect:
This was the main event in the people's eyes, not to take anything away from Bret & Shawn. But this match should've been the Main Event, a way to celebrate Perfect's return to the ring cause he had not been in a ring since August 26, 1991 at Summerslam when he dropped the Intercontinental Title to Bret Hart. Perfect proved that he still had it. There was a point where Perfect teased walking out but returned to the ring to clean house against Flair & Razor. Perfect & Savage won by DQ due to a sloppy finish with Razor not being the legal man. After the match, Perfect used the chair on both Flair & Razor. The match gets a 3/5. This was a great way to have Perfect come back and have some of that old spark he used to have. And you couldn't have asked for a better Survivor Series Tag Team Match where you didn't use a 8-Man Tag or 10-Man Tag Survivor Series Elimination Match without random teammates.
Yokozuna vs Virgil:
568 pounds of Yokozuna making his debut to the company squashing his way to the company and poor Virgil had to find out the hard way. Virgil lost a lot of his momentum ever since his feud with Ted Dibiase a few years earlier. Virgil never got any offense in against the big man as Yokozuna squashed him like a bug and ended this match, 2/5 for this match because This was not a match, this was a massacre. Yokozuna would then go on to continue to dominate 1993 and went on to become WWE Champion.
Money Inc & The Beverly Brothers vs Natural Disasters & The Nasty Boys:
This was similar to 1987 & 1988. But not any big tag teams, because at that time. The Tag Team Division in the Early 90s was a little stale cause you didn't have Demolition, The Hart Foundation, The Legion of Doom and The Rockers either. But this was okay for what it was. Earthquake eliminated Beau in the match, but I.R.S. would eliminate Earthquake, and in the end The Nasty Boys survived the match. The match gets a 2/5. Nothing special, and this would be the last time you would see these teams in the ring again except for I.R.S.
Undertaker vs Kamala: The Casket Match
The first ever Coffin Match, a speciality for the Man From The Darkside. Kamala was freaked out about being stuffed in a casket and as much as Kamala tried to fight his fears, the more he angered Undertaker more. Taker got the victory by hitting Kamala with the urn and covering him to get the win and stuffing the Ugandan Giant into the Casket never to be seen at Survivor Series again. The match gets a 2/5. But what I don't get is why they would enforce a pinfall in this match. But that was the first and only pinfall ever in a Casket Match.
Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels: WWE Championship Match, Champion vs Champion
Now before the 1997 Montreal Screwjob. This was the first time PPV Matchup ever at Survivor Series and the first time the WWE Title was defended at Survivor Series in the main event. Could lightning strike twice like last year when The Undertaker defeated Hulk Hogan to regain the WWE Championship. The answer was no, but these two had hell of some good matches in 1992 including the first ever Ladder Match that was not televised. Michaels and Bret I guess you could say had a sophmore career of their singles run in the early 90s. Michaels was Intercontinental Champion, he had Sensational Sherri and dumped Marty Jannetty from the Rockers. Bret was Intercontinental Champion at the start of 1992 but lost it twice and was the WWE Champion just straight into the fall. Bret won this match by using the sharpshooter. The match will be a 4/5. Because that was a great showdown, an excellent first time match. A prelude for what we would see in the near future for 1996 & 1997. Michaels proved that night that he would have a very bright future in the main event, this was a way to test him to the main event and he ran with it very well.
1993:
After 1992 was over, Bret Hart dropped the title to Yokozuna at WrestleMania 9 until Yokozuna lost the title to Hulk Hogan 3 minutes later, but Yoko would regain it back at the 1993 King of The Ring and continued to disgrace America by taunting America with the WWE Championship Belt, that is until Lex Luger had his number on the Fourth of July and bodyslammed Yokozuna earning him the right to face Yokozuna at Summerslam 1993 for the title. Luger won the match by countout, but Luger didn't win the title. Except a contract clause stated that Lex Luger would only face Yokozuna for the title one time. At the 1993 Survivor Series. Luger formed a team that consisted of the Steiner Brothers & The Undertaker who filled in for Tatanka to take on Yokozuna's team that consisted of Crush, Quebecer Jacques and Ludvig Borga. The question is who would survive, would USA's Team survive like they did in the past or would the Foreign Fanatics break the hearts of the USA Fans.
Randy Savage/Razor Ramon/123 Kid & Marty Jannetty vs IRS/Diesel/Rick Martel/Adam Bomb: The match was originally supposed to be Mr. Perfect on Razor Ramon's Team. But no showed, so The Macho Man would take his place. Savage fit in his role quickly when he eliminated Big Daddy Cool, but Savage was immediately distracted by Crush allowing IRS to eliminate Savage, but IRS would be the next man eliminated by Razor until IRS used his briefcase to knock Razor out causing Razor to be eliminated. It was down to the Underdogs, The Kid & Jannetty against Martel & Adam Bomb and they shocked everyone with The Kid pinning Martel followed by Jannetty pinning Bomb with both Kid & Jannetty using both sunset flips to eliminate Bomb & Martel. I give this match a 3/5. Interesting match that was redhot. I honestly thought Diesel since he was a big guy would eliminate all of Razor's team. But they would wait til the 1994 Royal Rumble with Diesel making an impact. The Kid & Jannetty surviving was great and their Survivor Series Victory worked to perfection when they won the Tag Team Titles on January 10, 1994 on Monday Night RAW.
The Hart Family vs Shawn Michaels & His Knights: Jerry Lawler was supposed to be in this match, but Shawn Michaels filled in for Jerry Lawler as Michaels took weeks off due to his suspension and thus vacating the Intercontinental Title giving it to Razor Ramon after he defeated Rick Martel to win the vacated Intercontinental Title. Ray Combs was the guest host for this as he was the host of Family Feud, sadly Combs would pass away in 1996 committing suicide. The Harts quickly took care of the Knights until it was down to them & Shawn Michaels. And just as they were about to complete the shutout. Michaels whipped Owen into Bret and eliminated him, but Michaels left the match as The Harts were dominating with The Harts winning by countout. After the match, Owen came down shoving Bret setting a tease for an eventual heel turn for Owen and a potential feud in 1994 between Owen & Bret. The match gets a 3/5 as it was okay, but it served it's purpose for signs of Owen Hart turning heel which he would eventually do at the 1994 Royal Rumble.
The Rock N' Roll Express vs Heavenly Bodies: Jim Cornette would add his SMW promotion to the WWE as the Rock N' Roll Express were the SMW Tag Team Champions. This was sort of like a snack break match as this match wasn't too perfect. The Heavenly Bodies won the titles, the match gets a 1/5. Nothing special.
Bam Bam Bigelow, Bastion Booger and The Headshrinkers vs Men On A Mission and The Bushwhackers: This match was seriously a joke. They were supposed to be Four Doinks but instead it was the Men On A Mission and The Bushwhackers dressing up as Doink. This was too entertaining with Headshrinker Samu being eliminated first after biting several of the balloons that were full of water. Booger was the second man eliminated for Bam Bam's team. And if that wasn't bad enough. Food was also in the match as well. Fatu slipped on a Banana Peel and got himself eliminated by Bushwhacker Butch. That left Bam Bam by his lonesome and as big as Bam Bam was, he couldn't survive similar to the 1987 Survivor Series, but Bam Bam got himself eliminated. After the match, Doink appeared on the videoscreen taunting Bam Bam Bigelow. This match was a disaster, it was the second shutout since 1990. So i'm giving it a 1/5.
Team USA vs Team Foreign Fanatics: This was indeed the main event of the night. Could Team USA defeat Yokozuna's team. During the contest, we saw a faceoff tease between Yokozuna and The Undertaker, a prelude of what would be to come at the 1994 Royal Rumble. The Foreign Fanatics drew blood early with Ludvig Borga eliminating Rick Steiner, but Crush would be eliminated from the Foreign Fanatics when Randy Savage turned the tables on Crush distracting him enough to be countedout. Jacques was the next to be eliminated by the Foreign Fanatics. USA was at a 3 on 2 advantage until Steiner would be the next eliminated by Yokozuna. And Yokozuna would finally face off with The Undertaker. Taker gained control of the match against the champion but with Yokozuna fighting back and using his signature Banzai Drop. Undertaker rose to his feet and fought back and forth with Yokozuna, the two took the fight to the outside of the ring with both giants being countedout. And it was down to Luger & Borga. Luger would eventually get the win for Team USA. The Main Event gets a 2/5. Nothing special, but Luger would never be the next Hulk Hogan, and it also set the seeds for an Undertaker/Yokozuna feud.
1994:
And why the seeds were planted for Undertaker and Yokozuna, you ask?. Well at the 1994 Royal Rumble, The Undertaker faced Yokozuna for the WWE Championship in a Casket Match. Undertaker was in control of the matchup as usual, but Mr. Fuji would enlist some of the heel locker room to attack The Undertaker and it worked despite Undertaker making a 1 to 10 comeback. But when they took out the power of the urn. The Undertaker was defenseless and stuffed in the casket allowing Yokozuna to get the victory, after the match. The Phenom led a special message to his attackers stating that he would not rest in peace. The Undertaker disappeared after ascending to the heavens. The Undertaker missed WrestleMania but Yokozuna would not be the WWE Champion after WrestleMania, after The Deadman's return. The Undertaker set his sights on Yokozuna getting his redemption for what Yokozuna did at the 1994 Royal Rumble, but WWE asked Chuck Norris to be a special enforcer for the match to make sure deja vu wouldn't happen as it was in the 1994 Royal Rumble. Also, the WWE Championship Picture Scene continued, as Bob Backlund, in his mid 40s who was once a beloved face turned psychopathic as a heel and challenged Bret Hart for the WWE Championship in a Submission Match, a Championship that Backlund felt he never lost since 1983 when The Iron Sheik defeated him at the end of Christmas on December 26, 1983 when Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel. Backlund would have Bret's little brother Owen in his corner while Bret would have his brother-in-law The British Bulldog in his corner.
Reviews:
Razor/123 Kid/Bulldog/The Headshrinkers vs Diesel/Jarrett/Hart/Neidhart and HBK: The 5 on 5 Survivor Series Elimination Match returned for the first time since 1988. Razor, 123 Kid and Diesel this time were once again on the opening match similar to last year. An eye would be kept on Diesel similar to what Diesel had done at the 1994 Royal Rumble, Diesel would prove to be an eliminating force but would he do it at the 1994 Survivor Series, yes. After taking forever to be tagged in 11 or 12 minutes. Diesel would be tagged in and his first victim would be Fatu. The Kid would also be next and so was Sionne, Bulldog almost stepped up to Diesel but Diesel sent him to the outside over the top rope distracting him with Owen and Jim Neidhart and that led the Bulldog to be countedout. Razor would now be on his own, but the ending came when Shawn was finally tagged in the match and as Diesel set up Razor for a Sweet Chin Music. Razor ducked and Shawn accidentally nailed Diesel in the face. Diesel & Shawn were the Tag Team Champions and yes they were beginning to have their problems. Shawn walked out of the ring with Diesel hunting him down. Diesel attacked his teammates allowing Razor to win the entire match. Razor had survived the Teamsters. The match gets a solid 3/5. Diesel pretty much worked well in this match eliminating the entire team, the ending was a little lame. After the match, Shawn threw his Tag Team Championship to the ground. 3 days later, Diesel cemented his babyface turn by winning the WWE Championship over the Champion on November 26, 1994.
The King's Court vs The Doinks: This was similar to like last year, But this time it was The Doinks that got theirselves shutout by the King's Court. So for the first time nothing to say about this match, I call this a DUD.
Backlund/Hart: This match felt old school given that Hart was in his 30s and Backlund was in his mid 40s. Backlund proved that he could still go. It was a respectful understanding that Backlund left the WWE for a few years while Hulkamania continued to run wild. It was one hell of a good match up until the ending as Bret was close to using the sharpshooter on Backlund. Bret's brother Owen, the 1994 King of The Ring winner jumped Bret from behind and also ducked a Bulldog attack crashing Bulldog into the steel steps and then faked it while Backlund locked in the dreaded Crossface Chicken Wing on Bret. Bret continued to stay in that hold for minutes until Owen pleaded with his father Stu and his mother Martha to throw in the towel. And they did. The match gets a 4/5. One of the best WWE Championship Submission Matches up until the ending, and Backlund & Hart certainly told a story in there. But unfortunately Backlund dropped the title three days later to Diesel. And this continued the storyline rivalry between Bret & Owen which would eventually end in the Spring of 1995.
The Million Dollar Team vs Lex Luger/The Smoking Gunns/Adam Bomb & Mabel: Ted Dibiase was no longer a wrestler anymore, he was now a manager. His wrestling days were numbered after a back injury so he decided by the start of 1994 to form a group called the Million Dollar Corporation. His first person was Nikolai Volkoff, and then it was I.R.S. Bam Bam Bigelow. Tatanka. The mock Undertaker and King Kong Bundy, although The Heavenly Bodies were a tag team. They were not a part of the Million Dollar Corporation, now here was Tatanka. A man who sold his soul at Summerslam and thought that Lex Luger turned his back on the people, to be honest I thought it was Lex Luger that would be a part of the Million Dollar Corporation and Tatanka should have stayed a face. It could've been a great fit for Luger and this could've elevated him to the main event status. Luger's team got off to a good start with Mabel gaining the first elimination over Prichard. But Mabel would get himself counted out by Bigelow. However, Luger would eliminate Jimmy Del Ray. Team Luger at first had the advantage, but suddenly the Million Dollar Team fought back with Adam Bomb and The Smoking Gunns being eliminated and suddenly Luger was all by himself. The 1993 Sole Survivor could not survive this, he managed to survive Tatanka eliminating him, but that was it as Bundy & Bigelow became the Sole Survivors of the match with Bundy pinning Luger. Bigelow got his 1987 redemption by winning the match. The match gets another 3/5. Good talent in the ring. The fighting resilency of Lex Luger, but Bigelow and Bundy were big monsters and could've had a WWE Championship Push by the start of 1995.
Undertaker/Yokozuna: Now the entrance by The Undertaker was amazing as ever. Yokozuna had to be frightened in his boots, this match was similar to the Royal Rumble with both of them brawling and trying to stuff each other in the box and of course you had the guest trouble shooting referee Chuck Norris to make sure no one would interefere in the match. You even had Fuji and Cornette try to interefere in Yokozuna's behalf but Undertaker would fight them off. In the middle of the match as Taker was close to put Yokozuna in the casket. King Kong Bundy and Bam Bam Bigelow both ran down to distract Norris allowing I.R.S. to run in the ring and attack The Undertaker and stuff him inside the casket but just as a beaten battered Yokozuna was about to slam the casket and repeat deja vu all over again. The Deadman rose from the darkness grabbing Yokozuna by the throat and while Undertaker fought Yokozuna off. Jeff Jarrett ran down to try to interfere but he was stopped by Norris, and bam Norris kicked Jeff Jarrett right out of his shoes with that thrust kick while Undertaker was finishing off Yokozuna in the ring and kicking his 568-pound carcass straight into the casket and not only that, he kicked the japanese flag over his leg and threw it into the casket slamming the lid shut. The Main Event gets a 3/5. While the 1994 Royal Rumble Match between these two wasn't good. It served it's purpose to the redemption of The Undertaker proving that he would not be destroyed.
1995:
1995 would be a big year for the Wrestling Industry as WCW & ECW were earning their stripes and the WWE was in deep peril, they had Diesel as their top guy, but still had the best talent in Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, Bret Hart, The Undertaker, Owen Hart and others. WCW had now gained Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Lex Luger and some more people who had been in the WWE in the 1980s. But Vince was embarking on some more people to join the WWE stealing Goldust and Hunter Hearst Helmsley away from WCW to the WWE. But the question is would the 1995 Survivor Series be better than all the WWE PPV's from 1995?.
The Underdogs vs The Bodydonnas: Jean Pierre Lafitte & Avatar were both supposed to be a part of this match but Avatar would be replaced by Bob Holly and Jean Pierre Lafitte was bought out by a recently heel turned 123 Kid who turned heel on Razor and joined the Million Dollar Corporation. Don't forget the person who was with Skip, Sunny cause she was a hot commodity at that time and was in her prime managing the great late, Chris Candido who tragically passed away in 2005. The Underdogs drew blood early with Dr. Tom Prichard being eliminated by Bob Holly, but right after Prichard was eliminated. Holly was eliminated by Skip. The Bodydonnas regained their momentum with Hakushi being eliminated by Rad Radford. But Radford would be eliminated next by Horowitz leading up to a 2 on 2 situation between Horowitz and Jannetty vs Skip and The 123 Kid but it didn't last long as The Kid eliminated Horowitz and Skip would be eliminated next by Marty Jannetty leaving it down to 2 former partners in the Kid and Jannetty, just as Jannetty almost had the advantage over the Kid. Sycho Sid ran down to distract Jannetty snapping Jannetty's neck on the top rope allowing The Kid to win the match, the match gets a 4/5, Honestly a 4/5 cause this wasn't a bad match. They were all good in the ring and a way to build up the Kid's heel turn. Tremendous start to the 1995 Survivor Series.
Faye/Kong/Watanabe and Lioness Asuka vs Blayze/Asari/Hasegawa and Inoue: This was the first women's Survivor Series Match since 1987. Alundra Blayze had a feud with Bertha Faye with both ladies trading the Women's Championship in the year of 1995. Somewhat of an okay match, it had some good international flavor in there. Blayze's team got off to a good start when Lioness Asuka was eliminated by Blayze, but then it was all Aja Kong eliminating Hasegawa first and then Asari and Inoue. But Blayze fought back eliminating both Faye and Watanabe. And it was down to 2, Blayze vs Kong. Kong eliminated the Women's Champion with ease, it was an intertaining match for the Women, it gets a 3/5. Nothing special, but entertaining with Kong being the star of the Women's Match, and this was her push to get to the Women's Title. But like 1990, the Women's Division phased out in 1996 until the Attitude Era revived it.
Goldust/Bam Bam: Speaking of Attitude Era, this was the start of where we would see edgy characters, and speaking of Edgy, they must have had Goldust in mind because Goldust came to the WWE in 1990 as Dusty's son Dustin Rhodes. Dustin and Dusty both left the company at the 1991 Royal Rumble and both went to WCW. But Dustin would leave the company in 1995 cause of that infamous brawl match with Buckhouse Bunk. But this was a way to bring Goldust to the WWE. Bam Bam was in dire straits in 1995, at one time he was a big star by 1992 and 1994. But when he lost to Lawrence Taylor at WrestleMania 11 and left the Million Dollar Corporation. His Main-Event Status went downhill from here and it showed. Bam Bam did gain a little offense in this match but even though he was bigger. Goldust somehow was more aggressive and got his first Survivor Series Victory, the match gets a 3/5. It was a way to build Goldust up to the Intercontinental Title scene and it would elevate Goldust in his WWE Career despite leaving WWE numerous times and going to WCW in 1999 only to return in his second WWE Run in 2002, and also his third WWE Run in 2006, his fourth WWE Run in 2008 and fifth WWE Run in 2013 until leaving the WWE for good in 2018 before heading to AEW. And as for Bam Bam, he would leave the WWE to head to ECW in 1996. Bam Bam never returned to the WWE again as he passed away in 2007.
The Darkside vs The Royals: This was another revenge for The Undertaker as not only he wanted to gain retribution for his 1995 King of The Ring Quarterfinals loss against King Mabel. But King Mabel in the fall would ally himself with Yokozuna by crushing The Undertaker's face. The Undertaker returned with a ghoulish face mask scaring off Mabel's team. The Royals spent most of the majority taking advantage of the Darkside, The Royals was consisted of Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Jerry Lawler, Isaac Yankem who later would be known as Kane and King Mabel, while The Darkside was consisted of Fatu who was no longer a headshrinker, Savio Vega and Henry Godwinn and The Undertaker. Undertaker was finally tagged in the match and was a man on a mission, no pun intended. Taker first immediately eliminated Lawler and then moved on to Yankem and then Helmsley, but as he tried to get his hands on Mabel. Mabel escaped from the ring. Mabel would enlist Mo but Undertaker would send him down to the mat with a chokeslam. Undertaker's team won the match by countout, the match to me is a 3/5. Why, because Undertaker kicked tail in this match. The Deadman would continue to get his redemption on Mabel the next month by sending him away in a casket before Mabel became Viscera in 1999.
Michaels/Johnson/Sid/Bulldog vs Ramon/Douglas/Yokozuna/Hart: Yes, this was an odd pairing, but Gorilla Monsoon made this match. This was Michaels's return to the ring after being mobbed by Marines at a Syracuse Nightclub and with that was forced to vacate the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship to Dean Douglas who would then drop it to Razor. Ahmed had made his debut to the company and what an impact he had by Bodyslamming Yokozuna to the mat, the first elimination started with Michaels eliminating Douglas giving a 4 on 3 advantage to Michaels's team. Then Michaels & Razor squared off it was back and forth between the two, but when Sid held Razor for Michaels to hit Sweet Chin Music, 1994 was rebuilt again but this time Sid played the part of Diesel with Michaels accidentally superkicking Sid, but Michaels shrugged it off because of the fact that Sid was a heel and Sid was the one that turned Michaels into a face after powerbombing him three times the night after WrestleMania 11. Sid would be eliminated next, but after that. A sour Sid powerbombed Michaels, the match continued on with Michaels making the tag to Ahmed. Ahmed would immediately eliminate the 1994 King of The Ring winner Owen and then Bulldog would eliminate Razor thanks to a distraction by The 123 Kid and Sycho Sid leaving Yokozuna to himself, but tensions between Michaels, Ahmed and Bulldog began to brew but despite that. Michaels and Johnson and Bulldog survived with Ahmed getting the final elimination for Yokozuna. Perfect Wildcard Match, I'll say. Michaels fought hard out there and so did Ahmed with a nice good showing, I'll settle for another 3/5. This would lead to Michaels's road to the top guy status the next night when he collapsed.
Bret/Diesel: These two have had PPV Matches before, the first one was at the 1994 King of The Ring when Bret was WWE Champion and Diesel was Intercontinental Champion, and the second one was at the 1995 Royal Rumble. Both men's matches were ruled either a disqualifaction or a draw. But there had to be a winner in this match. No Disqualifactions was also a factor as well. Bret spent the majority of the match going for the legs of Diesel like he had done to every big giant. It was obviously the best title defense in Diesel's career. Diesel battled back in this contest and even threw Bret into the announce table, one of the biggest bumps in WWE History and that was the first announce table break ever. When Diesel dragged Bret in the ring attempting a jackknife powerbomb. Hart collapsed to the mat but when Diesel tried picking him up again. Hart played possum rolling Diesel up to get the victory, after the contest. Diesel attacked Hart and a few referees teasing a heel turn for Diesel, but he would be tweener for the winter of 1995 and the Spring of 1996 until officially turning heel when he attacked his friend Shawn Michaels with a chair at Madison Square Garden until he left the WWE in May of 1996 with Razor Ramon. The match to me gets a 4/5. One of the best WWE Championship Matches of all time, the card hands down was great from start to finish.
1996:
With 1995 in the books, Shawn Michaels became the #1 guy now by defeating Bret Hart at WrestleMania 12, Diesel and Razor had left the company to go to WCW as Kevin Nash and Scott Hall and form the nWo with Hollywood Hulk Hogan. WCW was getting an edge over the WWE. But WWE was desperate for an anti-hero and they got it with Stone Cold Steve Austin at the 1996 King of The Ring when Austin cut his infamous promo and challenged Bret Hart to return to the WWE. But the question like always who would be surviving the Survivor Series as Survivor Series would invade Madison Square Garden for the first time.
The New Rockers/Hart & Bulldog vs The Godwinns/Furnas & Lafon: This marked the debut of Furnas and Lafon, a number of debuts that we would see later on in the show. But this wasn't like 1987, 1988 & 1992 at all. The Tag Team Division was now thriving again. Marty Jannetty, a Survivor Series Veteran would be eliminated first by Henry Godwinn. But Godwinn was the next to be eliminated by Owen and so too did Phineas, but Furnas & Lafon eventually fought back in their debut eliminating Cassidy and Bulldog until it was down to Furnas & Lafon vs Owen with Furnas eliminating Owen. 3/5. It was a slow start, but in the middle of the match it continued to roll on. And that was the only highlight Furnas and Lafon would ever have.
Undertaker/Mankind: The rivalry of 1996, and what a spectacular entrance by The Undertaker no longer dressed in all purple, all black attire because he no longer had Paul Bearer, The Urn, The Hat and the Coat. Paul Bearer now managed Mankind and this was a back and forth match like always, not with all the gimmicky matches they had at Summerslam and at Buried Alive. Taker looked more powerful and aggressive than ever, Paul Bearer was stuck in a shark cage giving Taker full access to do what he wanted to do to Mankind and boy did he ever, after the match. Undertaker was set to have five minutes with Paul Bearer, but Taker was attacked by the Executioner. However Executioner was sent to retreat mode. The match got a 4/5. An aggressive Undertaker like never before.
Marc Mero/The Rock/The Stalker/Jake Roberts vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley/Goldust/Crush and Jerry Lawler: Mark Henry was supposed to be in this match, but Jake Roberts filled in for Mark Henry. There was a lot of feuds and scores to be settled, the feud between Roberts vs Lawler and Helmsley vs Mero. But the debut of Rocky Johnson's son Rocky Maivia. Mero's team got off to a great start with Roberts eliminating Lawler, but Helmsley's team somehow battled back as Goldust next eliminated The Stalker, but shockingly enough. Mero eliminated the Intercontinental Champion Hunter Hearst Helmsley with the captain Helmsley gone. So too was Mero as Crush eliminated him next, Crush was next to eliminate Roberts leaving The Rookie all by himself. Crush was eliminated by Maivia and then Goldust was the last to be eliminated by Maivia. The match gets a 3/5. It was nothing perfect, but it did show signs of a future superstar and WWE Management definitely believed in The Rock who would go on to become the People's Champion. If You Smell What I'm Cooking.
Bret Hart/Stone Cold: This was the match that everybody dreamed to see, This match honestly should have been your main event for the 1996 Survivor Series. But it didn't. But the two put on a great match as it was Bret's first match back since WrestleMania 12 after losing that Ironman Match and the WWE Title to Shawn Michaels. Austin and Bret put on a New York Fight like nobody else would. Austin used the stunner on Bret. Bret tried to use the Sharpshooter but Austin would get away. Austin then attempted the Million Dollar Dream but it was rolled up to a backslide by Bret giving Bret the win, the match gets a 5/5. The first 5/5. It was Wrestling as best. Bret and Austin put on one hell of a show. And this was the best match of the peak of the New Generation Era. And it would continue on throughout the winter of 1996 through the Summer of 1997, and not to forget their favorite WrestleMania 13 Submission Match encounter. There will never, ever be a feud in the New Generation Era then Bret Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin. If Bret had stayed in the Attitude Era and was still the WWE Champion in Early 1998, then one more match would have stole the show at WrestleMania 14 with Austin untop.
Faarooq/Vader/Fake Diesel/Fake Razor vs Yokozuna/Flash Funk/Savio Vega/Jimmy Snuka: This was the first ever match for Jimmy Snuka since 1993 in Wrestling History, Yokozuna was not getting better with his weight as he was a face for the first time in his career as he had been heel from 1992 through the Winter of 1996. The Fake Diesel and the Fake Razor would be played as Isaac Yankem D.D.S. and Rick Bognar. This was also Flash Funk's debut in the WWE just 1 night after winning 3 matches to stay in ECW but lost a fourth one. Vader, he was just straight up a monster so it was right down his alley. Faarooq broke out in the Summer of 1996 to attack Ahmed Johnson and cost Ahmed the Intercontinental Championship. Faarooq's team got off to a great advantage with the Fake Diesel eliminating Vega, but Snuka would turn the tables by eliminating the Fake Razor, however the Fake Diesel used a chair to attack Snuka, but Vega returned with a chair of his own hitting Diesel with it. The match went to a draw as it was brutal, the match gets a 1/5. There was not even a sole survivor, Vader should've been a monster survivor eliminating the entire team. But it got cut short. Snuka's return was a mixed bag and unfortunately this would be Yokozuna's last ever appearance in the WWE. Yokozuna tried to make a return to the WWE in 1998 but got released from his contract and would sadly pass away in 2000.
Sid/Shawn: Sid had been in the WWE for many, many years as this was his second run with the company in February of 1995. Sid endured hardship in his first run failing to regain the WWE Championship, but his second run was much better cause he joined Ted Dibiase's Million Dollar Corporation and went on to the main event status but moved up to the midcard for a while until returning to the main event scene again in the Summer of 1996. Shawn did a good job of remaining champion, but honestly he should've dropped the title to Vader at Summerslam. But his backstage attitude and his creative control got crazier and crazier. I think in Shawn's mind. He wanted to enjoy this run as Champion for a while. And what was funny with Sid being in the heel in this match. Sid got more chants as the fans yelled "Sycho Sid". But this was an entertaining match between the two, the more Sid used moves against Shawn. The more fans cheered. Michaels's manager Jose Lothario was then knocked down by Sid as Lothario assumingly faked a heart attack, that caused Michaels to worry and panic. The referee was then knocked down allowing Sid to use the camera to hit Michaels in the head with it and nail the Jackknife Powerbomb to finally get his big break and capture the WWE Championship. This match gets a 4/5 and it was probably one of Sid's best matches in his career cause Sid had sloppy matches throughout 1992 and 1995 with Hogan & Diesel. But this was a good match for Sid surprisingly. Michaels would win back the title at the 1997 Royal Rumble over Sycho Sid. But still a great accomplishment in Sid's career winning the WWE Title for the first time at the age of 35. The 1996 Survivor Series to me, I give it a 7/10. The show was good, it exceeded its expectations bringing in The Rock, and the best matches were Bret vs Austin and Sid vs Michaels.
That ends the New Generation Era!
1992:
After 1991 Survivor Series was over, Ric Flair was now the WWE Champion in 1992, but Flair lost the title to Randy Savage, also Hulk Hogan would leave the WWE for a while, some Golden Era Stars in the 80s had also decided to leave. Vince McMahon wanted to make a new generation and so he did, on October 12, 1992. Flair had dropped the title to Bret "The Hitman" Hart. The Hitman was now untop of the world as WWE Champion. The Hitman's first title defense was going to be against Shawn Michaels who won the Intercontinental Championship against the British Bulldog. Also, incensed of losing the WWE Championship. Ric Flair and Razor Ramon had challenged Randy Savage and The Ultimate Warrior to a tag team match. The Ultimate Warrior had returned to the WWE at WrestleMania 8 when he saved Hulk Hogan from an attack by Sid Justice and Papa Shango. Warrior received a WWE Championship Match at the 1992 Summerslam against Randy Savage but the match was interrupted by Flair and Mr. Perfect. As Warrior & Savage were set to face off against Flair & Razor in a Tag Team Match, the Warrior left the WWE due to drugs that were given to him & Davey Boy Smith. Mr. Perfect would be the surprise partner and turned babyface for the first time teaming up with Savage against Flair & Razor.
Reviews:
The Headshrinkers vs High Energy:
Before he was Rikishi, Fatu became a tag team with his cousin Samu. And Owen Hart also returned to the WWE by using his own name as he appeared in the Blue Blazer back in the 1988 Survivor Series. This was a good exchange between these teams. Koko B. Ware who had become a legend since making his debut in 1986 was involved in a lot of Survivor Series controversy, but on this night. High Energy was not good enough to overcome the Headshrinkers as the Headshrinkers put away Koko & Owen. The match rating gets a 2/5. The match was okay, just nothing special.
Nailz vs Big Bossman: (Nightstick on a Pole Match)
If you're wondering why this feud existed, you'll know why, in the Spring of 1992. A prisoner by the name of Nailz had targeted the Big Bossman. In May, he made his debut by beating down The Bossman, handcuffing him and using the nightstick to him. Bossman returned in the Summer to settle the score with Nailz. This by all means was not a good match, Bossman's feuds with Mountie and Mr. Perfect were way better than Nailz, but this was a disaster. Bossman and Nailz both used the nightstick on one another, but in the end it was The Bossman that picked up the victory. Match rating, a 1/5. Not a good match. But this would be the final Survivor Series appearance for The Bossman until the Attitude Era in 1998. But as for Nailz, this was his final time ever in the WWE.
Tatanka vs Rick Martel:
An undefeated Tatanka and Rick Martel have already gone at it in a PPV before and that was WrestleMania 8 for Tatanka's PPV Debut when he defeated Martel. Towards the middle of the match, Doink The Clown came down making balloon animals. But in the end it was Tatanka that got another PPV Victory and keep his undefeated streak over Martel, the match gets a 3/5. It was okay, just nothing special.
Ric Flair & Razor Ramon vs Randy Savage & Mr. Perfect:
This was the main event in the people's eyes, not to take anything away from Bret & Shawn. But this match should've been the Main Event, a way to celebrate Perfect's return to the ring cause he had not been in a ring since August 26, 1991 at Summerslam when he dropped the Intercontinental Title to Bret Hart. Perfect proved that he still had it. There was a point where Perfect teased walking out but returned to the ring to clean house against Flair & Razor. Perfect & Savage won by DQ due to a sloppy finish with Razor not being the legal man. After the match, Perfect used the chair on both Flair & Razor. The match gets a 3/5. This was a great way to have Perfect come back and have some of that old spark he used to have. And you couldn't have asked for a better Survivor Series Tag Team Match where you didn't use a 8-Man Tag or 10-Man Tag Survivor Series Elimination Match without random teammates.
Yokozuna vs Virgil:
568 pounds of Yokozuna making his debut to the company squashing his way to the company and poor Virgil had to find out the hard way. Virgil lost a lot of his momentum ever since his feud with Ted Dibiase a few years earlier. Virgil never got any offense in against the big man as Yokozuna squashed him like a bug and ended this match, 2/5 for this match because This was not a match, this was a massacre. Yokozuna would then go on to continue to dominate 1993 and went on to become WWE Champion.
Money Inc & The Beverly Brothers vs Natural Disasters & The Nasty Boys:
This was similar to 1987 & 1988. But not any big tag teams, because at that time. The Tag Team Division in the Early 90s was a little stale cause you didn't have Demolition, The Hart Foundation, The Legion of Doom and The Rockers either. But this was okay for what it was. Earthquake eliminated Beau in the match, but I.R.S. would eliminate Earthquake, and in the end The Nasty Boys survived the match. The match gets a 2/5. Nothing special, and this would be the last time you would see these teams in the ring again except for I.R.S.
Undertaker vs Kamala: The Casket Match
The first ever Coffin Match, a speciality for the Man From The Darkside. Kamala was freaked out about being stuffed in a casket and as much as Kamala tried to fight his fears, the more he angered Undertaker more. Taker got the victory by hitting Kamala with the urn and covering him to get the win and stuffing the Ugandan Giant into the Casket never to be seen at Survivor Series again. The match gets a 2/5. But what I don't get is why they would enforce a pinfall in this match. But that was the first and only pinfall ever in a Casket Match.
Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels: WWE Championship Match, Champion vs Champion
Now before the 1997 Montreal Screwjob. This was the first time PPV Matchup ever at Survivor Series and the first time the WWE Title was defended at Survivor Series in the main event. Could lightning strike twice like last year when The Undertaker defeated Hulk Hogan to regain the WWE Championship. The answer was no, but these two had hell of some good matches in 1992 including the first ever Ladder Match that was not televised. Michaels and Bret I guess you could say had a sophmore career of their singles run in the early 90s. Michaels was Intercontinental Champion, he had Sensational Sherri and dumped Marty Jannetty from the Rockers. Bret was Intercontinental Champion at the start of 1992 but lost it twice and was the WWE Champion just straight into the fall. Bret won this match by using the sharpshooter. The match will be a 4/5. Because that was a great showdown, an excellent first time match. A prelude for what we would see in the near future for 1996 & 1997. Michaels proved that night that he would have a very bright future in the main event, this was a way to test him to the main event and he ran with it very well.
1993:
After 1992 was over, Bret Hart dropped the title to Yokozuna at WrestleMania 9 until Yokozuna lost the title to Hulk Hogan 3 minutes later, but Yoko would regain it back at the 1993 King of The Ring and continued to disgrace America by taunting America with the WWE Championship Belt, that is until Lex Luger had his number on the Fourth of July and bodyslammed Yokozuna earning him the right to face Yokozuna at Summerslam 1993 for the title. Luger won the match by countout, but Luger didn't win the title. Except a contract clause stated that Lex Luger would only face Yokozuna for the title one time. At the 1993 Survivor Series. Luger formed a team that consisted of the Steiner Brothers & The Undertaker who filled in for Tatanka to take on Yokozuna's team that consisted of Crush, Quebecer Jacques and Ludvig Borga. The question is who would survive, would USA's Team survive like they did in the past or would the Foreign Fanatics break the hearts of the USA Fans.
Randy Savage/Razor Ramon/123 Kid & Marty Jannetty vs IRS/Diesel/Rick Martel/Adam Bomb: The match was originally supposed to be Mr. Perfect on Razor Ramon's Team. But no showed, so The Macho Man would take his place. Savage fit in his role quickly when he eliminated Big Daddy Cool, but Savage was immediately distracted by Crush allowing IRS to eliminate Savage, but IRS would be the next man eliminated by Razor until IRS used his briefcase to knock Razor out causing Razor to be eliminated. It was down to the Underdogs, The Kid & Jannetty against Martel & Adam Bomb and they shocked everyone with The Kid pinning Martel followed by Jannetty pinning Bomb with both Kid & Jannetty using both sunset flips to eliminate Bomb & Martel. I give this match a 3/5. Interesting match that was redhot. I honestly thought Diesel since he was a big guy would eliminate all of Razor's team. But they would wait til the 1994 Royal Rumble with Diesel making an impact. The Kid & Jannetty surviving was great and their Survivor Series Victory worked to perfection when they won the Tag Team Titles on January 10, 1994 on Monday Night RAW.
The Hart Family vs Shawn Michaels & His Knights: Jerry Lawler was supposed to be in this match, but Shawn Michaels filled in for Jerry Lawler as Michaels took weeks off due to his suspension and thus vacating the Intercontinental Title giving it to Razor Ramon after he defeated Rick Martel to win the vacated Intercontinental Title. Ray Combs was the guest host for this as he was the host of Family Feud, sadly Combs would pass away in 1996 committing suicide. The Harts quickly took care of the Knights until it was down to them & Shawn Michaels. And just as they were about to complete the shutout. Michaels whipped Owen into Bret and eliminated him, but Michaels left the match as The Harts were dominating with The Harts winning by countout. After the match, Owen came down shoving Bret setting a tease for an eventual heel turn for Owen and a potential feud in 1994 between Owen & Bret. The match gets a 3/5 as it was okay, but it served it's purpose for signs of Owen Hart turning heel which he would eventually do at the 1994 Royal Rumble.
The Rock N' Roll Express vs Heavenly Bodies: Jim Cornette would add his SMW promotion to the WWE as the Rock N' Roll Express were the SMW Tag Team Champions. This was sort of like a snack break match as this match wasn't too perfect. The Heavenly Bodies won the titles, the match gets a 1/5. Nothing special.
Bam Bam Bigelow, Bastion Booger and The Headshrinkers vs Men On A Mission and The Bushwhackers: This match was seriously a joke. They were supposed to be Four Doinks but instead it was the Men On A Mission and The Bushwhackers dressing up as Doink. This was too entertaining with Headshrinker Samu being eliminated first after biting several of the balloons that were full of water. Booger was the second man eliminated for Bam Bam's team. And if that wasn't bad enough. Food was also in the match as well. Fatu slipped on a Banana Peel and got himself eliminated by Bushwhacker Butch. That left Bam Bam by his lonesome and as big as Bam Bam was, he couldn't survive similar to the 1987 Survivor Series, but Bam Bam got himself eliminated. After the match, Doink appeared on the videoscreen taunting Bam Bam Bigelow. This match was a disaster, it was the second shutout since 1990. So i'm giving it a 1/5.
Team USA vs Team Foreign Fanatics: This was indeed the main event of the night. Could Team USA defeat Yokozuna's team. During the contest, we saw a faceoff tease between Yokozuna and The Undertaker, a prelude of what would be to come at the 1994 Royal Rumble. The Foreign Fanatics drew blood early with Ludvig Borga eliminating Rick Steiner, but Crush would be eliminated from the Foreign Fanatics when Randy Savage turned the tables on Crush distracting him enough to be countedout. Jacques was the next to be eliminated by the Foreign Fanatics. USA was at a 3 on 2 advantage until Steiner would be the next eliminated by Yokozuna. And Yokozuna would finally face off with The Undertaker. Taker gained control of the match against the champion but with Yokozuna fighting back and using his signature Banzai Drop. Undertaker rose to his feet and fought back and forth with Yokozuna, the two took the fight to the outside of the ring with both giants being countedout. And it was down to Luger & Borga. Luger would eventually get the win for Team USA. The Main Event gets a 2/5. Nothing special, but Luger would never be the next Hulk Hogan, and it also set the seeds for an Undertaker/Yokozuna feud.
1994:
And why the seeds were planted for Undertaker and Yokozuna, you ask?. Well at the 1994 Royal Rumble, The Undertaker faced Yokozuna for the WWE Championship in a Casket Match. Undertaker was in control of the matchup as usual, but Mr. Fuji would enlist some of the heel locker room to attack The Undertaker and it worked despite Undertaker making a 1 to 10 comeback. But when they took out the power of the urn. The Undertaker was defenseless and stuffed in the casket allowing Yokozuna to get the victory, after the match. The Phenom led a special message to his attackers stating that he would not rest in peace. The Undertaker disappeared after ascending to the heavens. The Undertaker missed WrestleMania but Yokozuna would not be the WWE Champion after WrestleMania, after The Deadman's return. The Undertaker set his sights on Yokozuna getting his redemption for what Yokozuna did at the 1994 Royal Rumble, but WWE asked Chuck Norris to be a special enforcer for the match to make sure deja vu wouldn't happen as it was in the 1994 Royal Rumble. Also, the WWE Championship Picture Scene continued, as Bob Backlund, in his mid 40s who was once a beloved face turned psychopathic as a heel and challenged Bret Hart for the WWE Championship in a Submission Match, a Championship that Backlund felt he never lost since 1983 when The Iron Sheik defeated him at the end of Christmas on December 26, 1983 when Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel. Backlund would have Bret's little brother Owen in his corner while Bret would have his brother-in-law The British Bulldog in his corner.
Reviews:
Razor/123 Kid/Bulldog/The Headshrinkers vs Diesel/Jarrett/Hart/Neidhart and HBK: The 5 on 5 Survivor Series Elimination Match returned for the first time since 1988. Razor, 123 Kid and Diesel this time were once again on the opening match similar to last year. An eye would be kept on Diesel similar to what Diesel had done at the 1994 Royal Rumble, Diesel would prove to be an eliminating force but would he do it at the 1994 Survivor Series, yes. After taking forever to be tagged in 11 or 12 minutes. Diesel would be tagged in and his first victim would be Fatu. The Kid would also be next and so was Sionne, Bulldog almost stepped up to Diesel but Diesel sent him to the outside over the top rope distracting him with Owen and Jim Neidhart and that led the Bulldog to be countedout. Razor would now be on his own, but the ending came when Shawn was finally tagged in the match and as Diesel set up Razor for a Sweet Chin Music. Razor ducked and Shawn accidentally nailed Diesel in the face. Diesel & Shawn were the Tag Team Champions and yes they were beginning to have their problems. Shawn walked out of the ring with Diesel hunting him down. Diesel attacked his teammates allowing Razor to win the entire match. Razor had survived the Teamsters. The match gets a solid 3/5. Diesel pretty much worked well in this match eliminating the entire team, the ending was a little lame. After the match, Shawn threw his Tag Team Championship to the ground. 3 days later, Diesel cemented his babyface turn by winning the WWE Championship over the Champion on November 26, 1994.
The King's Court vs The Doinks: This was similar to like last year, But this time it was The Doinks that got theirselves shutout by the King's Court. So for the first time nothing to say about this match, I call this a DUD.
Backlund/Hart: This match felt old school given that Hart was in his 30s and Backlund was in his mid 40s. Backlund proved that he could still go. It was a respectful understanding that Backlund left the WWE for a few years while Hulkamania continued to run wild. It was one hell of a good match up until the ending as Bret was close to using the sharpshooter on Backlund. Bret's brother Owen, the 1994 King of The Ring winner jumped Bret from behind and also ducked a Bulldog attack crashing Bulldog into the steel steps and then faked it while Backlund locked in the dreaded Crossface Chicken Wing on Bret. Bret continued to stay in that hold for minutes until Owen pleaded with his father Stu and his mother Martha to throw in the towel. And they did. The match gets a 4/5. One of the best WWE Championship Submission Matches up until the ending, and Backlund & Hart certainly told a story in there. But unfortunately Backlund dropped the title three days later to Diesel. And this continued the storyline rivalry between Bret & Owen which would eventually end in the Spring of 1995.
The Million Dollar Team vs Lex Luger/The Smoking Gunns/Adam Bomb & Mabel: Ted Dibiase was no longer a wrestler anymore, he was now a manager. His wrestling days were numbered after a back injury so he decided by the start of 1994 to form a group called the Million Dollar Corporation. His first person was Nikolai Volkoff, and then it was I.R.S. Bam Bam Bigelow. Tatanka. The mock Undertaker and King Kong Bundy, although The Heavenly Bodies were a tag team. They were not a part of the Million Dollar Corporation, now here was Tatanka. A man who sold his soul at Summerslam and thought that Lex Luger turned his back on the people, to be honest I thought it was Lex Luger that would be a part of the Million Dollar Corporation and Tatanka should have stayed a face. It could've been a great fit for Luger and this could've elevated him to the main event status. Luger's team got off to a good start with Mabel gaining the first elimination over Prichard. But Mabel would get himself counted out by Bigelow. However, Luger would eliminate Jimmy Del Ray. Team Luger at first had the advantage, but suddenly the Million Dollar Team fought back with Adam Bomb and The Smoking Gunns being eliminated and suddenly Luger was all by himself. The 1993 Sole Survivor could not survive this, he managed to survive Tatanka eliminating him, but that was it as Bundy & Bigelow became the Sole Survivors of the match with Bundy pinning Luger. Bigelow got his 1987 redemption by winning the match. The match gets another 3/5. Good talent in the ring. The fighting resilency of Lex Luger, but Bigelow and Bundy were big monsters and could've had a WWE Championship Push by the start of 1995.
Undertaker/Yokozuna: Now the entrance by The Undertaker was amazing as ever. Yokozuna had to be frightened in his boots, this match was similar to the Royal Rumble with both of them brawling and trying to stuff each other in the box and of course you had the guest trouble shooting referee Chuck Norris to make sure no one would interefere in the match. You even had Fuji and Cornette try to interefere in Yokozuna's behalf but Undertaker would fight them off. In the middle of the match as Taker was close to put Yokozuna in the casket. King Kong Bundy and Bam Bam Bigelow both ran down to distract Norris allowing I.R.S. to run in the ring and attack The Undertaker and stuff him inside the casket but just as a beaten battered Yokozuna was about to slam the casket and repeat deja vu all over again. The Deadman rose from the darkness grabbing Yokozuna by the throat and while Undertaker fought Yokozuna off. Jeff Jarrett ran down to try to interfere but he was stopped by Norris, and bam Norris kicked Jeff Jarrett right out of his shoes with that thrust kick while Undertaker was finishing off Yokozuna in the ring and kicking his 568-pound carcass straight into the casket and not only that, he kicked the japanese flag over his leg and threw it into the casket slamming the lid shut. The Main Event gets a 3/5. While the 1994 Royal Rumble Match between these two wasn't good. It served it's purpose to the redemption of The Undertaker proving that he would not be destroyed.
1995:
1995 would be a big year for the Wrestling Industry as WCW & ECW were earning their stripes and the WWE was in deep peril, they had Diesel as their top guy, but still had the best talent in Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, Bret Hart, The Undertaker, Owen Hart and others. WCW had now gained Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Lex Luger and some more people who had been in the WWE in the 1980s. But Vince was embarking on some more people to join the WWE stealing Goldust and Hunter Hearst Helmsley away from WCW to the WWE. But the question is would the 1995 Survivor Series be better than all the WWE PPV's from 1995?.
The Underdogs vs The Bodydonnas: Jean Pierre Lafitte & Avatar were both supposed to be a part of this match but Avatar would be replaced by Bob Holly and Jean Pierre Lafitte was bought out by a recently heel turned 123 Kid who turned heel on Razor and joined the Million Dollar Corporation. Don't forget the person who was with Skip, Sunny cause she was a hot commodity at that time and was in her prime managing the great late, Chris Candido who tragically passed away in 2005. The Underdogs drew blood early with Dr. Tom Prichard being eliminated by Bob Holly, but right after Prichard was eliminated. Holly was eliminated by Skip. The Bodydonnas regained their momentum with Hakushi being eliminated by Rad Radford. But Radford would be eliminated next by Horowitz leading up to a 2 on 2 situation between Horowitz and Jannetty vs Skip and The 123 Kid but it didn't last long as The Kid eliminated Horowitz and Skip would be eliminated next by Marty Jannetty leaving it down to 2 former partners in the Kid and Jannetty, just as Jannetty almost had the advantage over the Kid. Sycho Sid ran down to distract Jannetty snapping Jannetty's neck on the top rope allowing The Kid to win the match, the match gets a 4/5, Honestly a 4/5 cause this wasn't a bad match. They were all good in the ring and a way to build up the Kid's heel turn. Tremendous start to the 1995 Survivor Series.
Faye/Kong/Watanabe and Lioness Asuka vs Blayze/Asari/Hasegawa and Inoue: This was the first women's Survivor Series Match since 1987. Alundra Blayze had a feud with Bertha Faye with both ladies trading the Women's Championship in the year of 1995. Somewhat of an okay match, it had some good international flavor in there. Blayze's team got off to a good start when Lioness Asuka was eliminated by Blayze, but then it was all Aja Kong eliminating Hasegawa first and then Asari and Inoue. But Blayze fought back eliminating both Faye and Watanabe. And it was down to 2, Blayze vs Kong. Kong eliminated the Women's Champion with ease, it was an intertaining match for the Women, it gets a 3/5. Nothing special, but entertaining with Kong being the star of the Women's Match, and this was her push to get to the Women's Title. But like 1990, the Women's Division phased out in 1996 until the Attitude Era revived it.
Goldust/Bam Bam: Speaking of Attitude Era, this was the start of where we would see edgy characters, and speaking of Edgy, they must have had Goldust in mind because Goldust came to the WWE in 1990 as Dusty's son Dustin Rhodes. Dustin and Dusty both left the company at the 1991 Royal Rumble and both went to WCW. But Dustin would leave the company in 1995 cause of that infamous brawl match with Buckhouse Bunk. But this was a way to bring Goldust to the WWE. Bam Bam was in dire straits in 1995, at one time he was a big star by 1992 and 1994. But when he lost to Lawrence Taylor at WrestleMania 11 and left the Million Dollar Corporation. His Main-Event Status went downhill from here and it showed. Bam Bam did gain a little offense in this match but even though he was bigger. Goldust somehow was more aggressive and got his first Survivor Series Victory, the match gets a 3/5. It was a way to build Goldust up to the Intercontinental Title scene and it would elevate Goldust in his WWE Career despite leaving WWE numerous times and going to WCW in 1999 only to return in his second WWE Run in 2002, and also his third WWE Run in 2006, his fourth WWE Run in 2008 and fifth WWE Run in 2013 until leaving the WWE for good in 2018 before heading to AEW. And as for Bam Bam, he would leave the WWE to head to ECW in 1996. Bam Bam never returned to the WWE again as he passed away in 2007.
The Darkside vs The Royals: This was another revenge for The Undertaker as not only he wanted to gain retribution for his 1995 King of The Ring Quarterfinals loss against King Mabel. But King Mabel in the fall would ally himself with Yokozuna by crushing The Undertaker's face. The Undertaker returned with a ghoulish face mask scaring off Mabel's team. The Royals spent most of the majority taking advantage of the Darkside, The Royals was consisted of Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Jerry Lawler, Isaac Yankem who later would be known as Kane and King Mabel, while The Darkside was consisted of Fatu who was no longer a headshrinker, Savio Vega and Henry Godwinn and The Undertaker. Undertaker was finally tagged in the match and was a man on a mission, no pun intended. Taker first immediately eliminated Lawler and then moved on to Yankem and then Helmsley, but as he tried to get his hands on Mabel. Mabel escaped from the ring. Mabel would enlist Mo but Undertaker would send him down to the mat with a chokeslam. Undertaker's team won the match by countout, the match to me is a 3/5. Why, because Undertaker kicked tail in this match. The Deadman would continue to get his redemption on Mabel the next month by sending him away in a casket before Mabel became Viscera in 1999.
Michaels/Johnson/Sid/Bulldog vs Ramon/Douglas/Yokozuna/Hart: Yes, this was an odd pairing, but Gorilla Monsoon made this match. This was Michaels's return to the ring after being mobbed by Marines at a Syracuse Nightclub and with that was forced to vacate the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship to Dean Douglas who would then drop it to Razor. Ahmed had made his debut to the company and what an impact he had by Bodyslamming Yokozuna to the mat, the first elimination started with Michaels eliminating Douglas giving a 4 on 3 advantage to Michaels's team. Then Michaels & Razor squared off it was back and forth between the two, but when Sid held Razor for Michaels to hit Sweet Chin Music, 1994 was rebuilt again but this time Sid played the part of Diesel with Michaels accidentally superkicking Sid, but Michaels shrugged it off because of the fact that Sid was a heel and Sid was the one that turned Michaels into a face after powerbombing him three times the night after WrestleMania 11. Sid would be eliminated next, but after that. A sour Sid powerbombed Michaels, the match continued on with Michaels making the tag to Ahmed. Ahmed would immediately eliminate the 1994 King of The Ring winner Owen and then Bulldog would eliminate Razor thanks to a distraction by The 123 Kid and Sycho Sid leaving Yokozuna to himself, but tensions between Michaels, Ahmed and Bulldog began to brew but despite that. Michaels and Johnson and Bulldog survived with Ahmed getting the final elimination for Yokozuna. Perfect Wildcard Match, I'll say. Michaels fought hard out there and so did Ahmed with a nice good showing, I'll settle for another 3/5. This would lead to Michaels's road to the top guy status the next night when he collapsed.
Bret/Diesel: These two have had PPV Matches before, the first one was at the 1994 King of The Ring when Bret was WWE Champion and Diesel was Intercontinental Champion, and the second one was at the 1995 Royal Rumble. Both men's matches were ruled either a disqualifaction or a draw. But there had to be a winner in this match. No Disqualifactions was also a factor as well. Bret spent the majority of the match going for the legs of Diesel like he had done to every big giant. It was obviously the best title defense in Diesel's career. Diesel battled back in this contest and even threw Bret into the announce table, one of the biggest bumps in WWE History and that was the first announce table break ever. When Diesel dragged Bret in the ring attempting a jackknife powerbomb. Hart collapsed to the mat but when Diesel tried picking him up again. Hart played possum rolling Diesel up to get the victory, after the contest. Diesel attacked Hart and a few referees teasing a heel turn for Diesel, but he would be tweener for the winter of 1995 and the Spring of 1996 until officially turning heel when he attacked his friend Shawn Michaels with a chair at Madison Square Garden until he left the WWE in May of 1996 with Razor Ramon. The match to me gets a 4/5. One of the best WWE Championship Matches of all time, the card hands down was great from start to finish.
1996:
With 1995 in the books, Shawn Michaels became the #1 guy now by defeating Bret Hart at WrestleMania 12, Diesel and Razor had left the company to go to WCW as Kevin Nash and Scott Hall and form the nWo with Hollywood Hulk Hogan. WCW was getting an edge over the WWE. But WWE was desperate for an anti-hero and they got it with Stone Cold Steve Austin at the 1996 King of The Ring when Austin cut his infamous promo and challenged Bret Hart to return to the WWE. But the question like always who would be surviving the Survivor Series as Survivor Series would invade Madison Square Garden for the first time.
The New Rockers/Hart & Bulldog vs The Godwinns/Furnas & Lafon: This marked the debut of Furnas and Lafon, a number of debuts that we would see later on in the show. But this wasn't like 1987, 1988 & 1992 at all. The Tag Team Division was now thriving again. Marty Jannetty, a Survivor Series Veteran would be eliminated first by Henry Godwinn. But Godwinn was the next to be eliminated by Owen and so too did Phineas, but Furnas & Lafon eventually fought back in their debut eliminating Cassidy and Bulldog until it was down to Furnas & Lafon vs Owen with Furnas eliminating Owen. 3/5. It was a slow start, but in the middle of the match it continued to roll on. And that was the only highlight Furnas and Lafon would ever have.
Undertaker/Mankind: The rivalry of 1996, and what a spectacular entrance by The Undertaker no longer dressed in all purple, all black attire because he no longer had Paul Bearer, The Urn, The Hat and the Coat. Paul Bearer now managed Mankind and this was a back and forth match like always, not with all the gimmicky matches they had at Summerslam and at Buried Alive. Taker looked more powerful and aggressive than ever, Paul Bearer was stuck in a shark cage giving Taker full access to do what he wanted to do to Mankind and boy did he ever, after the match. Undertaker was set to have five minutes with Paul Bearer, but Taker was attacked by the Executioner. However Executioner was sent to retreat mode. The match got a 4/5. An aggressive Undertaker like never before.
Marc Mero/The Rock/The Stalker/Jake Roberts vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley/Goldust/Crush and Jerry Lawler: Mark Henry was supposed to be in this match, but Jake Roberts filled in for Mark Henry. There was a lot of feuds and scores to be settled, the feud between Roberts vs Lawler and Helmsley vs Mero. But the debut of Rocky Johnson's son Rocky Maivia. Mero's team got off to a great start with Roberts eliminating Lawler, but Helmsley's team somehow battled back as Goldust next eliminated The Stalker, but shockingly enough. Mero eliminated the Intercontinental Champion Hunter Hearst Helmsley with the captain Helmsley gone. So too was Mero as Crush eliminated him next, Crush was next to eliminate Roberts leaving The Rookie all by himself. Crush was eliminated by Maivia and then Goldust was the last to be eliminated by Maivia. The match gets a 3/5. It was nothing perfect, but it did show signs of a future superstar and WWE Management definitely believed in The Rock who would go on to become the People's Champion. If You Smell What I'm Cooking.
Bret Hart/Stone Cold: This was the match that everybody dreamed to see, This match honestly should have been your main event for the 1996 Survivor Series. But it didn't. But the two put on a great match as it was Bret's first match back since WrestleMania 12 after losing that Ironman Match and the WWE Title to Shawn Michaels. Austin and Bret put on a New York Fight like nobody else would. Austin used the stunner on Bret. Bret tried to use the Sharpshooter but Austin would get away. Austin then attempted the Million Dollar Dream but it was rolled up to a backslide by Bret giving Bret the win, the match gets a 5/5. The first 5/5. It was Wrestling as best. Bret and Austin put on one hell of a show. And this was the best match of the peak of the New Generation Era. And it would continue on throughout the winter of 1996 through the Summer of 1997, and not to forget their favorite WrestleMania 13 Submission Match encounter. There will never, ever be a feud in the New Generation Era then Bret Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin. If Bret had stayed in the Attitude Era and was still the WWE Champion in Early 1998, then one more match would have stole the show at WrestleMania 14 with Austin untop.
Faarooq/Vader/Fake Diesel/Fake Razor vs Yokozuna/Flash Funk/Savio Vega/Jimmy Snuka: This was the first ever match for Jimmy Snuka since 1993 in Wrestling History, Yokozuna was not getting better with his weight as he was a face for the first time in his career as he had been heel from 1992 through the Winter of 1996. The Fake Diesel and the Fake Razor would be played as Isaac Yankem D.D.S. and Rick Bognar. This was also Flash Funk's debut in the WWE just 1 night after winning 3 matches to stay in ECW but lost a fourth one. Vader, he was just straight up a monster so it was right down his alley. Faarooq broke out in the Summer of 1996 to attack Ahmed Johnson and cost Ahmed the Intercontinental Championship. Faarooq's team got off to a great advantage with the Fake Diesel eliminating Vega, but Snuka would turn the tables by eliminating the Fake Razor, however the Fake Diesel used a chair to attack Snuka, but Vega returned with a chair of his own hitting Diesel with it. The match went to a draw as it was brutal, the match gets a 1/5. There was not even a sole survivor, Vader should've been a monster survivor eliminating the entire team. But it got cut short. Snuka's return was a mixed bag and unfortunately this would be Yokozuna's last ever appearance in the WWE. Yokozuna tried to make a return to the WWE in 1998 but got released from his contract and would sadly pass away in 2000.
Sid/Shawn: Sid had been in the WWE for many, many years as this was his second run with the company in February of 1995. Sid endured hardship in his first run failing to regain the WWE Championship, but his second run was much better cause he joined Ted Dibiase's Million Dollar Corporation and went on to the main event status but moved up to the midcard for a while until returning to the main event scene again in the Summer of 1996. Shawn did a good job of remaining champion, but honestly he should've dropped the title to Vader at Summerslam. But his backstage attitude and his creative control got crazier and crazier. I think in Shawn's mind. He wanted to enjoy this run as Champion for a while. And what was funny with Sid being in the heel in this match. Sid got more chants as the fans yelled "Sycho Sid". But this was an entertaining match between the two, the more Sid used moves against Shawn. The more fans cheered. Michaels's manager Jose Lothario was then knocked down by Sid as Lothario assumingly faked a heart attack, that caused Michaels to worry and panic. The referee was then knocked down allowing Sid to use the camera to hit Michaels in the head with it and nail the Jackknife Powerbomb to finally get his big break and capture the WWE Championship. This match gets a 4/5 and it was probably one of Sid's best matches in his career cause Sid had sloppy matches throughout 1992 and 1995 with Hogan & Diesel. But this was a good match for Sid surprisingly. Michaels would win back the title at the 1997 Royal Rumble over Sycho Sid. But still a great accomplishment in Sid's career winning the WWE Title for the first time at the age of 35. The 1996 Survivor Series to me, I give it a 7/10. The show was good, it exceeded its expectations bringing in The Rock, and the best matches were Bret vs Austin and Sid vs Michaels.
That ends the New Generation Era!
