10 Best WWE Survivor Series Main Events Ever

It's not how you start, it's how you finish.

Whether it’s weekly programming, PPVs or careers at large, the difference between ‘all-time great’ and ‘erase it from history’ can hinge strictly on whether the landing is stuck. In its 35-year history, Survivor Series has proven no exception to this rule as the last contest of the evening has been greeted with everything from dead silence, to anger and frustration, to confetti and ecstasy.

For all the grief that Survivor Series has received in recent years about being directionless, having no purpose and no reward for winning parties beyond “brand supremacy”, the following contests justify the PPV’s existence almost on their own. With an eye toward Survivor Series 2021 and the sincerest of hopes that WWE Champion Big E and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns were able to exceed a lackluster build, these are the ranks they hope to join in the near future. These are the matches where everything fell perfectly into place and will be celebrated for years to come.

The 'Sole Survivors', if you will...

When Goldberg announced his emergence from retirement in 2016 would be against Brock Lesnar to promote the release of WWE 2k17, the cross-section of fans who remembered his clash with Lesnar at WrestleMania XX in 2004 understandably recoiled. While highly anticipated, the initial confrontation was doomed by the perfect storm of both men announcing their departures from the company ahead of the match. The ensuing disaster was booed out of the building, with the only cheers being saved for guest referee 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin.

The Survivor Series sequel in 2016 flipped the narrative on its head, but not the way anyone expected.

In the intervening 12 years, Lesnar had returned to the company four years prior and had effectively established himself as a 'final boss' of sorts, dismantling The Undertaker's vaunted 21-win undefeated streak at WrestleMania, annihilating the face of the company, John Cena at SummerSlam four months later and generally terrorizing the main event scene.

Goldberg devoured 'The Beast Incarnate' in 86 seconds.

Learning from the WrestleMania fiasco, WWE sent shockwaves through the audience as Goldberg obliterated the unstoppable Brock Lesnar with two Spears and a Jackhammer in less time than it takes to microwave a hot pocket. The dragon was slain, Goldberg was received as the hero he wanted to be and fans were sent home with a genuinely pleasant shock conclusion after an elimination tag match that also could have easily closed the show.

Just a shame Goldberg didn't walk away while he was still in the fans' good graces.