With its roots dating back to 1987, Survivor Series is not only WWE's second-oldest pay-per-view series, but it also has a long tradition of producing great and memorable matches.
Whether its through a traditional elimination match that made up the entire event in the early years; brand vs brand battles in recent events; or other one-on-one (or tag team) bouts, the Survivor Series often serves as an end-of-year battleground for competitive matches.
But which are the absolute best from the November classic? Glad you asked.
In counting down the Top 50 Survivor Series Matches, Wrestling Merchandise and Memories looked at the following criteria:
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How well was the match promoted?
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How memorable was the contest?
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What were the stakes?
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Technically (or however the match was contested), how well does it stack up against other matches of its time period?
If you'd like to be a part of this conversation, Tweet us at @canadianbulldog using the hashtag #Top50, or leave a comment below.
Ready? Here we go!
50.
Team Batista vs. Team Orton
At Survivor Series 2009, former Evolution members led opposing teams, as Batista teamed with CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy and R-Truth to battle Randy Orton's squad featuring Cody Rhodes, Mark Henry, Shelton Benjamin and William Regal. Legacy members Orton and Rhodes survived the match.
48.
Hulk Hogan vs. The Undertaker
The first one-on-one match in Survivor Series history took place in 1991 when Hulk Hogan defended his WWF World Championship against The Undertaker. Hogan lost the gold thanks to interference by Ric Flair.
46.
Chyna vs. Chris Jericho
At Survivor Series 1999, Chyna was the relatively-new Intercontinental Champion and was challenged by Chris Jericho. With Miss Kitty in her corner, The Ninth Wonder Of The World managed to retain her title against Y2J in this intergender championship match.
44.
Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Shotzi and Becky Lynch vs. Damage CTRL
Survivor Series 2023 opened with a War Games match featuring eight of the top women's competitors in the company. The babyface team won when Becky Lynch put Bayley through a table.
42.
Mickie James vs. Lita
At Survivor Series 2006, Mickie James challenged WWE Womens Champion Lita to a title match. Not only did Lita lose the title, but it was also her final WWE for many years. In addition, Cryme Tyme came to the ring afterwards and sold Lita's clothing.
40.
Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton
At Survivor Series 2006, Mickie James challenged WWE Womens Champion Lita to a title match. Not only did Lita lose the title, it was also her final WWE for many years. Cryme Tyme came to the ring afterwards and sold Lita's clothing.
38.
Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown vs. Team NXT
At Survivor Series 2019, Team SmackDown (Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, King Corbin, Mustafa Ali and Shorty G) triumphed over Team Raw (Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Kevin Owens, Randy Orton and Ricochet) and Team NXT (Tommaso Ciampa, Damien Priest, Matt Riddle, Keith Lee and WALTER). Reigns was the sole survivor in this one.
36.
Six-Pack Challenge
At Survivor Series in 2001, a mix of Team WWF and Team Alliance competitors battled for the vacant WWF Womens Championship. Trish Stratus was victorious over Lita, Mighty Molly, Jazz, Jacqueline and Ivory.
34.
Team Hogan vs. Team Andre
At the first Survivor Series in 1987, Hulk Hogan's team of himself, Bam Bam Bigelow, Magnificent Muraco, Paul Orndorff and Ken Patera took on Andre The Giant, King Kong Bundy, One Man Gang, Rick Rude and Butch Reed. Andre was the sole survivor on this night.
32.
Rey Mysterio vs. Batista
At Survivor Series in 2009, Rey Mysterio faced Batista, who had turned on him at the previous month's PPV. The Animal made short work of his former friend, delivering three Batista Bombs on Mysterio and causing him to lose by technical knockout.
30.
Ric Flair vs. Triple H
Survivor Series in 2005 featured former best friends Ric Flair and Triple H in a brutal Last Man Standing Match. Tables, chairs, sledgehammers and numerous other objects were used during the near 30-minute bout, with The Game winning.
28.
20-Man Tag Team Match
At the first Survivor Series in 1987, 10 of wrestling's greatest tag teams squared off, including The British Bulldogs, The Hart Foundation and Demolition. Shockingly, the match was won by The Killer Bees and The Young Stallions.
26.
Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair
As part of the brand warfare at Survivor Series 2018, Raw Womens Champion Ronda Rousey took on SmackDown's Charlotte Flair (substituting for an injured Becky Lynch). Rousey won by DQ.
24.
The Bad Guys vs. The Teamsters
At Survivor Series in 1994, Razor Ramon led a team that included The 123 Kid, The British Bulldog and The Headshrinkers. They battled Shawn Michaels, Diesel, Jeff Jarrett, Owen Hart and Jim Neidhart, whose team crumbled amid dissention between Michaels and Diesel.
20.
Shawn Michaels vs. Sycho Sid
In the main event of Survivor Series 1996, Shawn Michaels defended the WWF World Championship against his former bodyguard Sycho Sid. Sid was surprisingly cheered by the New York audience and captured the title belt.
18.
Team Macho Man vs. Team Honky Tonk Man
The first Survivor Series match in history took place in 1987 with Randy Savage, Brutus Beefcake, Jake Roberts, Ricky Steamboat and Hacksaw Jim Duggan battling The Honky Tonk Man, King Harley Race, Hercules, Danny Davis and Ron Bass. Savage, Roberts and Steamboat survived the match.
16.
John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels
At Survivor Series in 2009, John Cena had to defend his WWE Championship not only against Triple H but also his D-Generation X teammate Shawn Michaels. Cena overcame the odds, pinning HHH for the victory.
14.
Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
Not the Survivor Series match you're probably thinking of... but at the 1992 Survivor Series, WWF Champion Bret Hart defended his newly-won title against Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels. The Hitman overcame The Heartbreak Kid via submission.
12.
Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown (Mens)
At Survivor Series 2016, the Raw team of Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens battled SmackDown's team of AJ Styles, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose and Shane McMahon.
10.
The Undertaker vs. Batista
The main event of Survivor Series in 2007 was a Hell In A Cell match featuring World Champion Batista defending against his WrestleMania opponent The Undertaker. The Animal retained his championship due to the interference of Edge, who was hidden in the cage, dressed as a cameraman.
8.
Team Brawling Brutes vs. The Bloodline
In 2022, The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland and Butch) teamed with Drew McIntyre and Kevin Owens to battle The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, The Usos and Sami Zayn) in a War Games match. The Bloodline won when Zayn betrayed Owens.
6.
Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar
The main event of Survivor Series 2016 featured Goldberg making his first WWE appearance in 12 years against his archrival Brock Lesnar. Goldberg shockingly pinned Lesnar in about a minute and a half.
4.
Bret Hart vs. Diesel
At Survivor Series 1995, Bret Hart challenged WWF World Champion Diesel in a No Disqualification Match. The Hitman tricked Big Daddy Cool by playing possum and rolled him up to regain the championship. Diesel turned heel on Hart immediately after the bout.
2.
Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
At Survivor Series 1995, Bret Hart returned to the WWF after taking much of the year off and returned to face Stone Cold Steve Austin. The two had a classic back and forth match, with The Hitman winning via pinfall and becoming top contender to the WWF World Title.
49
The Warriors vs. The Perfect Team
At Survivor Series 1990, The Ultimate Warrior teamed with The Texas Tornado and The Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) to battle Mr. Perfect and tag team members Demolition (Ax, Smash and Crush). The Ultimate Warrior was the ultimate survivor after defeating Mr. Perfect to gain the victory.
47.
The Hart Family vs. Shawn & His Knights
Bret Hart and his brother Bruce, Keith and Owen were set to take on Jerry The King Lawler and his Knights at Survivor Series 1993, but Shawn Michaels took Lawler's place. The Hart Brothers stood tall - except for Owen, who teased a family feud.
45.
Cody Rhodes, Goldust, Rey Mysterio & The Usos vs. The Shield & The Real Americans
Roman Reigns was the sole survivor in this 10-man elimination match at Survivor Series 2013, pinning Jimmy Uso, Cody Rhodes, Goldust and Rey Mysterio.
43.
Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown (Womens)
At Survivor Series 2016, Team Raw's Charlotte, Bayley, Nia Jax, Alicia Fox and Sasha Banks battle Team SmackDown's Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, Carmella, Naomi and Natalya. Charlotte and Bayley were the match's survivors.
41.
The Dream Team vs. The Million Dollar Team
Speaking of The Undertaker... The Dead Man debuted one year earlier at Survivor Series 1990, teaming with Ted DiBiase, Greg Valentine and The Honky Tonk Man against Dusty Rhodes, The Hart Foundation and Koko B. Ware.
37.
Roddy's Rowdies vs. The Rude Brood
At Survivor Series 1989, Roddy's Rowdies (Rowdy Roddy Piper, Superfly Jimmy Snuka and The Bushwhackers) took on The Rude Brood (Ravishing Rick, Mr. Perfect and The Rougeau Brothers) in an entertaining match. While both team captains were counted out, Mr. Perfect earned the perfect victory, pinning both Bushwhacker Luke and Superfly Snuka on the road to winning.
35
Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown (Womens)
At Survivor Series 2017, Team RAW (Asuka, Bayley, Nia Jax, Sasha Banks and Alicia Fox) battled Team SmackDown (Becky Lynch, Carmella, Natalya, Naomi and Tamina). Asuka was the sole survivor.
33.
The Wild Card Match
At the Survivor Series in 1995, the WWF tried an experiment mixing heels and faces on opposing teams. The match featured Shawn Michaels, Ahmed Johnson, The British Bulldog and Sycho Sid against Yokozuna, Owen Hart, Razor Ramon and Dean Douglas. Michael, Bulldog and Johnson survived the match.
29.
Team Kingston vs. Team Orton
At Survivor Series 2009, Kofi Kingston, Christian, Mark Henry, MVP and R-Truth battled Randy Orton, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase and William Regal. Kofi was the sole survivor.
27.
The Undertaker vs. The Big Show vs. Chris Jericho
At Survivor Series 2009, WWE Champion The Undertaker faced Big Show and Chris Jericho. The Dead Man retained the championship.
25.
Team MegaPowers vs. Team Twin Towers
The main event of Survivor Series 1988 featured Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Hillbilly Jim, Koko B. Ware and Hercules battling The Twin Towers, Haku, The Red Rooster and Ted DiBiase.
23.
Trish Stratus vs. Victoria
At Survivor Series in 2002, Trish Stratus defended the WWE Womens Championship against Victoria in a Hardcore Match. After using numerous weapons, Victoria ended the bloody bout by spraying Stratus with the contents of a fire extinguisher and pinning her to capture the championship.
21.
Team Austin vs. Team Bischoff
In 2003, Raw GMs Stone Cold Steve Austin and Eric Bischoff could no longer co-exist. Austin captained a team that had The Dudley Boyz, Booker T, Rob Van Dam and Shawn Michaels, against Bischoff's team of Chris Jericho, Christian, Mark Henry, Randy Orton and Scott Steiner.
19.
The Rock vs. Mankind
Survivor Series 1998 was designed around a Deadly Games tournament for the vacant WWF Championship. In the final round, The Rock defeated Mankind to win his first world title, with the surprising help of Rock's former rivals Vince and Shane McMahon.
17.
Drew McIntyre vs. Roman Reigns
The main event of Survivor Series 2020 featured WWE Champion Drew McIntyre battling Universal Champion Roman Reigns. In a tremendous match that lasted nearly 25 minutes, The Head Of The Table was victorious after The Scottish Warrior passed out while in a guillotine submission hold.
15.
Team Cena vs. Team Authority
In the main event of Survivor Series 2014, John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, The Big Show, Erick Rowan and Ryback took on The Authority's team of Seth Rollins, Kane, Luke Harper, Mark Henry and Rusev. Ziggler was the Sole Survivor, with help from a debuting Sting.
13.
Team Cody Rhodes vs. Team Judgment Day
Survivor Series 2023 concluded with a War Games featuring Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso and Randy Orton defeating Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Drew McIntyre.
11.
AJ Styles vs. Brock Lesnar
As part of the brand warfare at Survivor Series 2017, newly-crowned WWE Champion AJ Styles battled Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. The Phenomenal One fought back valianty but was pinned by The Beast Incarnate, giving Raw the win in this confrontation.
9.
Triple Threat Tag Team Title Match
Survivor Series 2002 included a Triple Threat match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, with champions Edge and Rey Mysterio defending against Eddie and Chavo Guerrero and Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit. Los Guerreros captured the gold.
7.
Daniel Bryan vs. Brock Lesnar
At Survivor Series 2018, newly crowned WWE Champion Daniel Bryan battled Universal Champion Brock Lesnar in a rare heel vs. heel main event. Bryan hung in with The Beast a lot longer than most people would have expected, being pinned by Lesnar in just under 20 minutes.
5.
Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
The match most closely associated with Survivor Series took place in 1997, and featured Vince McMahon "screwing" Bret Hart out of the WWF Championship in a match against rival Shawn Michaels.
3.
Team WWF vs. Team Alliance
To conclude the InVasion storyline at Survivor Series 2001, WWF's The Rock, The Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Kane and The Big Show faced The Alliance's Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Booker T and Shane McMahon. The Rock was the sole survivor.
1.
Elimination Chamber
Survivor Series 2002 was headlined by the first-ever Elimination Chamber, with World Champion Triple H defending against top contenders Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Booker T, Kane and Rob Van Dam. Michaels pinned an injured Triple H to capture the belt in front of an enthusiastic Madison Square Garden.