It's time for a look at six Survivor Series moments we forgot and six we wish we could forget. Randy Orton and CM Punk’s respective returns at Survivor Series are two more great moments to add to the list of jaw-dropping happenings at Survivor Series. However, with the show running since 1987, there may be some moments you forgot about and some you wish you could forget.

Moments We Forgot About

10-on-10 Survivor Series Tag Match (1987)

The first Survivor Series kicked off in style as the WWF chose to go with something outside the box for a pay-per-view; four elimination matches involving the promotion’s top stars. While Survivor Series is best-known for the Team Hogan vs Team Andre elimination match, it also featured an exciting elimination match pitting five babyface tag teams against five heel tag teams. This was a cast of thousands style match that could have been a dumpster fire, but that turned out to be a reminder of how stacked the WWF’s tag division was.

A Shocking Double Turn (1988)

Double turns can be fun, especially since they rarely happen and when they do, they usually catch fans off-guard. In 1988, Mr. Fuji was managing the heel team Demolition against babyfaces The Powers of Pain. If ever a team shouldn’t be babyfaces, it was The Powers of Pain and apparently the WWF finally got the memo as they had Mr. Fuji help The Powers of Pain against the team he was supposed to be managing. Demolition became babyfaces and feuded briefly with the Powers of Pain.

The First Singles Match (1991)

Is there a reason the traditional five-on-five Survivor Series Elimination Matches have fallen out of favor? By 1991, that may have been what led to the WWF booking its first singles match at Survivor Series and what a match it was—The Undertaker challenging Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship. This match would lead to the Survivor Series featuring more singles matches.

The First Coffin Match (1992)

As we’ll see, the casket match is no stranger to Survivor Series. However, in 1992, there was no such bout in the WWF until 1992’s Survivor Series. Kamala was feuding with The Undertaker and it was decided that the best way to settle their score was to work a match where the object was to trap your opponent in a coffin. This was billed as a Coffin Match and The Undertaker went on to win it.

Destroying the Announcer’s Table (1995)

Spots where wrestlers plant their opponents through the announce table have become so common they’re the hardcore equivalent of a transition hold. However, in 1995, WWF fans saw this happen for the first time (at least at a WWF event) when WWF Champion Diesel powerbombed challenger Bret Hart through the announce table. It was a jaw-dropping moment that had some fans wondering whether the WWF needed to send in a doctor or Paul Bearer. Incredibly, Hart survived and went on to win the WWF Championship in the No-Disqualification Match.

The Elimination Chamber Debuts (2002)

The Elimination Chamber has become so popular that it’s now a regular PLE. Unlike some gimmick PLEs such as Hell in a Cell and TLC, this one has endured because of its popularity, its ability to be used any time of the year, and its versatility. As fans have seen, the Elimination Chamber can be used for both the men and women’s division as well as the singles and tag team divisions.

What fans may not remember is that Elimination Chamber began at the 2002 Survivor Series. The storyline was that it was a pet project of RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff. The bout featured Shawn Michaels defeating Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship in a match that also featured Chris Jericho, Kane, Booker T, and Rob Van Dam. The Elimination Chamber Match would return at other pay-per-views such as No Way Out, SummerSlam, and New Year’s Revolution before becoming a PPV of its own in 2010.

This card was also notable for being the first Survivor Series booked under the brand split. It was also marked the second time that the show didn’t have a traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match.   

Wish We Could Forget

And then there are the miserable moments burnt into our minds. If only there was a way to remove them...

The Goobledy Gooker (1990)

So much has been written about The Goobledy Gooker that WrestleLamia won’t repeat the pages devoted to the character’s crappiness (or in its case, Wrestlecrappiness). In the ultimate display of Ying and Yang, Survivor Series featured one phenomenal debut (The Undertaker) and one abominable one (The Gooker). Was this the WWF’s attempt to explore the question of whether you can have something good without something bad? Another explanation could be how creative likes to throw ideas at the wall and see what sticks.

Send in the Clowns Part One (1993)

In 1993, Doink the Clown was the hottest act in the WWF. At least that’s what you might think from the way he was being pushed. Doink, who had won over fans with his portrayal of a sinister clown was inexplicably turned babyface, robbing him of any appeal except perhaps . This didn’t stop the WWF from booking a match at the 1993 Survivor Series with four Doinks, and not just any Doinks but Men on a Mission and The Bushwhackers. Their opponents? Bam Bam Bigelow, Bastion Booger, and The Headshrinkers. If ever a match screamed Wrestlecrap, this was it.

Send in the Clowns Parts Two (1994)

How could the WWF top the awfulness of 1993’s clown clusterschmoz? Here, the promotion decided to enlist a bevy of midget wrestlers, with Doink leading the charge against Jerry Lawler and his forces. Lawler being Lawler, he found a way to insult his own teammates and he ended up getting beat up by his own crew of clowns.

Chuck Norris Lays Down the Law...or Does He? (1994)

Chuck Norris in the WWF? Norris was called upon in 1994 to serve as special enforcer for a casket match between Yokozuna and The Undertaker. Why was the star of numerous action films and the TV show, Walker, Texas Ranger involved in a WWF Match? The storyline was that The Undertaker’s previous Casket Match against Yoko hadn’t gone so well because the then-WWF Champion had enlisted the services of a small army of heels to not only defeat “The Phenom” but apparently sent him to the Great Beyond.

This time, things would be different as no one was stupid enough to cross paths with Chuck or were they? Once again proving that even special referees can be bamboozled, King Kong Bundy and Bam Bam Bigelow showed up. Chuck gave them the stinkeye as they stood back, unaware that Irwin R Shyster had slid into the ring. IRS applied the sleeper to ‘Taker, sending him to dreamland and rolling him into the coffin. Thankfully for The Undertaker, Yokozuna was still reeling from “The Phenom’s” offense and he couldn’t take advantage of things. Chuck did get to do something besides stand by as  Jeff Jarrett showed up, eating a martial arts kick. .

Eric Bischoff vs Teddy Long (2005)

The WWF’s decision to have RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff battle SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long on pay-per-view was anything but a game-changer. 2005’s Survivor Series was a strong show so this was more of an afterthought. However, it’s something fans would rather forget as the match’s only redeeming value was The Boogeyman interfering on Long’s behalf.

Lita Retires (2006)

Lita’s retirement match against Mickie James wasn’t bad in itself. Unfortunately, the WWE aired a tasteless segment where Cryme Tyme sold Lita’s personal belongings, mocking her and sending her off in a segment that crossed the line between generating heat against a heel and just being mean. While Cryme Tyme shouldn’t be vilified for doing their job, whoever came up with the segment should.

There are plenty of other good and bad moments from Survivor Series so let us know if you'd like us to revisit any more.

Photo Credits WWE