Ranking What Was REALLY The Best Wrestling PPV Every Year 1990-2020

25. 1996 - WWF Survivor Series

Shawn Michaels Jon Moxley
WWE.com

There's such a moment of magic in that first Bret Hart Vs. Steve Austin match. It's when Hart, rocked by Austin's brawling style and general sh*thousery, launches himself over the guardrail to bring the fight right back to him. This was the first, thrilling manifestation of Hart's legendary heel act; the moment he betrayed himself.

An ass-kicking match that compelled fans to fall in love with the heel, it was so great that the WWF would fictionalise the beat that emerged from it, at WrestleMania 13, to formally turn their next great megastar.

Astonishingly good was the main event, in which Shawn Michaels turned himself inside out - crucially, in a far less obnoxious manner than he would at SummerSlam 2005 years later - to get Sycho Sid's soft offence over as something approaching the danger he radiated outside of the ring.

Supported by some choice undercard fare - the Rock's debut was as nice and well-worked as they say, and it was always a privilege to watch even a diluted version of Doug Furnas and Phil Lafon - Survivor Series '96 was the start of something seismic.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!