10 Awesome WWE Survivor Series Matches You Totally Forgot About
6. Shawn Michaels, The Dudley Boyz, Booker T And Rob Van Dam vs. Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Christian, Scott Steiner And Mark Henry (Survivor Series Elimination Match - 2003)
Throughout 2003 on Raw, Eric Bischoff and Steve Austin were engaged in a power struggle that saw the co-general managers attempt to torment each other to the point that one up and quit. That never quite happened, no matter how close either came. With tension boiling over, a Survivor Series elimination tag bout was booked pitting Team Austin against Team Bischoff, winner takes all. The winning GM would earn complete control of Monday Night Raw while the loser would be forced from the promotion forever (or, in wrestling terms, three weeks). Much was made of the monumental bout and both Austin and Bischoff spent many a Monday night leading into the match building the best possible team. Austin compiled a whos-who of the pro wrestling business as he recruited Rob Van Dam, Booker T, the Dudley Boyz and even turned to former rival Shawn Michaels to captain his team. In response, Bischoff revealed that Evolutions breakout star Randy Orton would captain his team, along with Chris Jericho, Christian, Scott Steiner and Test. Unfortunately, Test suffered a broken foot during a match with Shane McMahon and was replaced by Worlds Strongest Man Mark Henry. The battleground was set, the warriors primed to emerge victorious and the stakes were high as WWE rolled into Dallas for the 2003 edition of its second-longest running pay-per-view spectacular. Late in the match, Team Austin found itself on the dire end of a three-on-one numbers disadvantage as Michaels was left to defend the honor of the man who put him out of action for four years, against former tag champions Jericho and Christian and self-proclaimed Legend Killer Randy Orton, who wanted nothing more to once again trump HBK in a high-profile bout. Bloodied, his body wracked with pain, Michaels turned in one of the best performances of his entire career, knocking off Jericho and Christian to intensifying cheers before trading blows with Orton. Just as it looked like the legendary performer would once again overcome the odds and secure Austins spot as the lone authority figure on Raw, Ortons Evolution teammate Batista capitalize on an out-of-place referee and blasted Michaels, allowing the third-generation star to pin his rival and win the match for Team Bischoff. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnfkb_team-bischoff-vs-team-austin_sport A match with as much emotion as any other on this list and one that, arguably, announced to the world that Michaels was back and better than ever more loudly than any of his other bouts to date, the Team Bischoff vs. Team Austin clash from 2003 is not only an awesome Survivor Series match you forgot, it is also one of the most underrated gems in the Shawn Michaels cannon.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
