10 Best WWE Survivor Series’ EVER - According To Dave Meltzer
7. Survivor Series 2005 (3.03)
Perhaps in tribute to their late colleague, the WWE main roster over-performed for a pay-per-view overshadowed by the recent death of Eddie Guerrero.
'Latino Heat' had passed away a fortnight before the show, and was due to captain 'Team SmackDown' in an inter-brand main event against a Shawn Michaels-led 'Team Raw'. He was subsequently replaced by eventual sole survivor Randy Orton, himself continuing a bizarrely fortunate run over the years as his team's top dog. The star-laden squad saw 'The Legend Killer' outlast Batista, Bobby Lashley, John Bradshaw Layfield and Rey Mysterio on his own team, but his celebrations were cut short by a returning Undertaker to close the show.
The spirited main event closed out a show well supported by the respective rosters still largely kept separate in the midsummer of the original Brand Extension.
WWE Champion John Cena had a fabulous encounter with Kurt Angle that failed to steer away increasing boos but did at least temporarily curb actual criticisms towards 'The Champ's ability between the ropes. Trish Stratus Vs Melina was something of a diva dream match at the time, whilst Booker T and Chris Benoit dusted off their WCW chemistry to kick off a snake-bitten Best Of Seven series for the United States Title.