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Traditional elimination matches have been a marquee attraction of Survivor Series irrespective of the era. In fact, the theme of the pay-per-view itself depend a lot of these types of matches which is just another way of saying how important they are to the show.This year, it will be the battle between Team Cena and Team Authority that would headline Survivor Series and both teams would have a lot of history to live up to.Over the years, WWE has given the fans some exciting elimination matches and one of the most crucial things about these matches was the teams that participated. Its always good to see some big names coming together and here is a look at some of the best teams that Survivor Series has seen.
#1 Team Austin (2003)
Members: Shawn Michaels, Rob Van Dam, Booker T, The Dudley Boyz
The botched pile driver from Owen Hart shortened Steve Austin’s wrestling career in between the ropes but WWE found a way to keep in him the scene by letting him be the general manager of Monday Night Raw.
And what followed was a power struggle between Austin and Eric Bischoff with the feud culminating in a traditional Survivor Series match.
Austin lined up a WWE legend, a WCW legend, and three ECW legends to get rid of Bischoff’s team but couldn’t get the job done because Bischoff had…
#2 Team Bischoff (2003)
Members: Chris Jericho, Christian, Randy Orton, Scott Steiner, and Mark Henry
The modern fans might not be familiar with the significance of this team but back then all these men were big deals. Christian came off those legendary TLC matches and had a cult following thanks to those.
Mark Henry was considered as the replacement of Rock by Vince McMahon even though that idea didn’t turn out to be a success. Scott Steiner was just settling into WWE after his successful WCW run while Orton was the next big thing.
Orton was the sole survivor as well as he eliminated Shawn Michaels in style to lead Team Bischoff to victory.
#3 The Hulkamaniacs (1989)
Members: Hulk Hogan, Jake Roberts & Demolition
Hulk Hogan has led a plethora of Survivor Series teams during his career but this was arguably the best set of superstars that he had.
Hogan and Jake Roberts were sure shot Hall of Famers at that time and when they joined hands with the longest reigning tag team champions, Ax and Smash, the equation looked flawless.
The team strolled over the Million Dollar Man’s team at the 1989 Survivor Series with Hogan being the lone survivor with his trademark leg drop on Ted DiBiase.
#4 Team SmackDown (2005)
Members: Batista, Rey Mysterio, JBL, Randy Orton, Bobby Lashley
Back when WWE had a great brand split, they used to run some Raw vs. SmackDown matches and this was one of those. With both teams fighting it out for their Brand to reign supreme, the general managers were forced to send their best men to Survivor Series.
And when SmackDown had to assemble their team, these five men came up. Almost all the superstars were at their prime during that period, especially JBL. Batista and Orton were running for the top championship while Rey was also going up the ladder. s
Lashley was an apparent weak link if we see the team right now, but back then he was also getting a hot push due to the potential he had to offer.
#5 The Alliance (2001)
Members: Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, Shane McMahon
After getting a great win over WCW in the Monday Night wars, WWE ran an invasion angle where the ECW and WCW superstars led by Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon tried to take over WWE.
Though the angle is considered as a failure, it did have its moments and one of it was the final show down between Team WWF and Team Alliance.
Shane led the Steve Austin, Angle, Booker and Rob Van Dam at the pay-per-view and was met with a big surprise when Angle swerved on his teammates. The Alliance ended up losing the match and that also marked the end of WCW forever.
#6 Team Savage (1987)
Members: Macho Man Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, Jake Roberts, Brutus Beefcake, Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Having Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat in the same team was arguably the biggest thing in late 80s. And you add the legendary Jake Roberts into that mix, the team was sure to be a big success.
Jim Duggan and Brutus Beefcake were glorified midcarders during that time and gave a lot of spotlight to the above mentioned three.
Not only did the team look good on paper, they also went on to win their traditional elimination match against Honky Tonk Man’s team with Savage, Steamboat and Roberts being the survivors after a match which spanned nearly half an hour.
#7 The Warriors (1990)
Members: The Ultimate Warrior, Kerry Von Erich, Legion of Doom
A team that consisted of The Ultimate Warrior, The Modern Day Warrior and the Road Warrior was nothing less that mouthwatering.
Ultimate Warrior was best known for being the World Champion of WWE while Von Erich had the legacy of holding the prestigious NWA World Championship. Road Warriors are still the measuring stick for all the tag teams out there and a team with all these three was sure to get a win.
And they did win their match against Team Perfect after Warrior became the lone survivor after eliminating the opposition leader in the last act of the match.
#8 Team Eddie (2004)
Members: Eddie Guerrero, Big Show, Rob Van Dam, John Cena
Eddie Guerrero had the idea of gathering together the lights of Big Show, Rob Van Dam and John Cena to fend off Team Angle.
Show and Van Dam were well established names at that point while Cena was on the verge of breaking into the main event. Eddie on the other hand was at the peak of his career after the championship win at No Way out making it one of the well rounded teams in Survivor Series.
Eddie, Cena and Show went on to be the survivors of the match and Van Dam also would’ve been there if it wasn’t for Angle using the ropes to eliminate the ECW original.
#9 Team DX (2006)
Members: Shawn Michaels, Triple H, CM Punk, The Hardy Boyz
If this team was competing after CM Punk made it big in WWE, it would’ve clearly been a great sight to see. However, this happened back in 2006 when the fans were still getting familiar with the straight edge superstar.
Other than him, it had two of the most decorated tag teams in professional wrestling history. DX was having their well worked reunion and looked like gold no matter what they did.
Hardy Boyz on the other hand were having their own reunion. The team was so good that all five members ended up surviving when the final bell rang.
#10 Team WWF (2001)
Members: The Rock, Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, Kane, Big Show
The invasion angle that WWE pulled off in 2001 saw some great matches. Vince McMahon had a lot of talent at his disposal once WCW went out of business and the genius promoter worked out a storyline that went all the way to Survivor Series 2001.
It was a match between the Alliance and Team WWF with the winner taking control of the company. And as far as the team goes, it would be an insult to introduce these names.
All five members are future Hall of Famer and former world champions and it would be difficult for WWE to pull off a team that would match the star power of this line up.
