10 Times WWE Survivor Series Decisions Backfired

WWE's hottest feud of 1993 pitted Bret Hart against the antagonistic Jerry Lawler, who had made a number of over-the-line insults toward Hart's family. The blowoff to five months of acrimony was to slot Hart and three of his brothers (Owen, Bruce, and Keith) against Lawler and three masked hired guns, known as his "knights".

Then real life intervened. Lawler was charged with statutory rape just days before the pay-per-view, and bowed out of WWE matters for four months while the case was resolved. Michaels (coming off of a suspension) was slotted into Lawler's spot, but the Knights remained, even though their and Michaels' motifs didn't jive. You can't fault WWE for their hasty improv job here, but the year's most notable angle went up in smoke. It was weird, though, to hear the announcers claim that Michaels was the antagonist all along, while nary mentioning Lawler once during the show. Most focus went toward the early makings of Owen's heel turn following the match, so Michaels teaming with three 'knights' is largely forgotten.