10 Fascinating WWE Survivor Series 2007 Facts

3. Shawn Michaels Did The Crossface On His Own Volition

Undertaker Batista Survivor Series 2007
WWE

While WWE isn't exactly rushing to include Chris Benoit's name in their programming ten years later, it's fair to say that the latter half of 2007 was the height of their whitewashing movement. Benoit signs were confiscated from arenas, and his merchandise removed from toy store shelves. His likeness was also pulled from the forthcoming SmackDown vs. Raw video game, as well as his taunts and signature moves, including the Crippler Crossface.

Leave it to Shawn Michaels to perform the hold on Randy Orton at the 2007 Survivor Series, to a somewhat shocked and sputtering pop. Michaels later expounded on the move in WWE Magazine of all places, saying, "I'll just say that I am the guy who has got to be the first one to do stuff, to let people know it's OK. Did I worry about taking heat? I've never been afraid of the heat."

Contributor
Contributor

Justin has been a wrestling fan since 1989, and has been writing about it since 2009. Since 2014, Justin has been a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine. Justin also writes for History of Wrestling, and is a contributing author to James Dixon's Titan series.