WWE Survivor Series, one of WWE\’s premier annual events, has delivered numerous memorable moments since its inception in 1987. However, not every installment has lived up to fan expectations. This article ranks the worst WWE Survivor Series events, highlighting the reasons behind their unfavorable reception.
1. Survivor Series 1993
Lackluster Matches and Storylines
The 1993 edition is often criticized for its uninspired matches and storylines. The event featured only five matches, with none standing out as particularly engaging. The main event, pitting The All-Americans against The Foreign Fanatics, failed to captivate the audience, leading to a disappointing overall experience.
2. Survivor Series 1999
Injury-Induced Main Event Changes
Anticipation was high for a triple threat match featuring Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Triple H. However, Austin\’s sudden departure due to injury led to a hastily arranged main event with Big Show replacing him. The abrupt change resulted in a lackluster match that left fans dissatisfied.
3. Survivor Series 2008
Underwhelming Championship Matches
This event is remembered for its disappointing championship bouts. The WWE Championship match between Triple H and Vladimir Kozlov was criticized for its lack of excitement. Edge\’s unexpected return and victory couldn\’t salvage the event\’s overall quality.
4. Survivor Series 2013
Predictable Outcomes and Lack of Excitement
Despite featuring top talent, the 2013 edition suffered from predictable match outcomes and a lack of compelling storytelling. The main event between Randy Orton and Big Show for the WWE Championship failed to engage fans, contributing to the event\’s poor reception.
5. Survivor Series 2015
Disappointing Tournament Finale
The 2015 event centered around a tournament to crown a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. The final match between Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose was criticized for its brevity and lack of intensity. Sheamus\’s subsequent Money in the Bank cash-in further disappointed fans, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
6. Survivor Series 2021
Unfulfilled Promises and Lackluster Matches
Promoted as the 25th anniversary of The Rock\’s WWE debut, the 2021 event failed to deliver on expectations. Despite heavy promotion, The Rock did not appear, leaving fans disappointed. Additionally, the traditional Survivor Series elimination matches received average reviews, and the battle royal was particularly disliked./
7. Survivor Series 2006
Underwhelming Performances and Outcomes
The 2006 event is remembered for its underwhelming performances and outcomes. The WWE Championship match between John Cena and King Booker was criticized for its lack of excitement. The traditional Survivor Series elimination matches also failed to deliver, contributing to the event\’s poor reception.
8. Survivor Series 2017
Lack of Stakes and Uninspired Matches
The 2017 edition suffered from a lack of meaningful stakes and uninspired matches. The main event, a traditional Survivor Series elimination match between Team Raw and Team SmackDown, lacked excitement and failed to engage fans. The absence of significant consequences for the winning team contributed to the event\’s lackluster reception.
9. Survivor Series 2019
Overemphasis on Brand Supremacy
The 2019 event focused heavily on brand supremacy, featuring matches between Raw, SmackDown, and NXT. While the inclusion of NXT added a fresh dynamic, the overemphasis on brand competition overshadowed individual storylines.
The main event, a triple threat match between Becky Lynch, Bayley, and Shayna Baszler, failed to deliver the expected excitement, leading to a mixed reception.
