SURVIVOR SERIES: Favorite team number 2: Team Macho Man

Team Macho Man 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm counting down to the 30th annual Survivor Series by looking back at my ten favorite teams in the history of the event. Survivor Series ranks among my favorite events every year and if you've read this blog in the past you know I'm a fan of the traditional elimination matches. 

The fall of 1987 was an awesome time to be a wrestling fan. It was the post-WrestleMania III era of WWF. Hulkamania was still running wild after beating Andre the Giant. But a new force was emerging: Macho Madness. Randy Savage had turned good while pursuing the Intercontinental Championship from the Honky Tonk Man.

Around this same time, a new pay-per-view concept was being introduced to compete with the NWA's Thanksgiving night event, Starrcade. Survivor Series made its debut Thanksgiving night 1987. Although there was plenty of buzz around the main event of Team Hogan vs. Team Andre, it was Savage's team that stood out to me.

Team Macho Man was filled with some of the most talented Superstars on the roster at that time and in the history of the company. Savage, of course, was the captain and led former IC champ Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake and Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Honky Tonk's team was thinner on the talent and included Hercules, "The King" Harley Race (a legend who was winding down), "Outlaw" Ron Bass and "Dangerous" Danny Davis. 

Team Honky Tonk Man

The good guys dominated the match, only losing Duggan via a double count-out with Race and Beefcake was pinned by HTM. That left Savage, Steamboat and Roberts as the survivors. I do remember thinking it was odd that these three co-existed given the brutality of the feuds that had already been engaged in against one another. 

It was a great time to be a wrestling fan and Team Macho Man was the torch bearer for great teams for this new PPV concept. (Side note: Andre's team was indeed a strong one too with Rick Rude, Butch Reed, King Kong Bundy and the One Man Gang.)  

Top 10:

Team 3: The Legends: Survivor Series 1987

Team 4: Team Andre the Giant & Dino Bravo: Survivor Series 1988

Team 5: Four Doinks: Survivor Series 1993

Team 6: Team HBK: Survivor Series 1995

Team 7: Team Piper: Survivor Series 1991

Team 8: The All-Americans: Survivor Series 1993

Team 9: Team WWF Survivor Series 2001

Team 10: New Day, King Barrett and Sheamus: Survivor Series 2015

SURVIVOR SERIES: Favorite team number 3: The Legends

The Legends

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm counting down to the 30th annual Survivor Series by looking back at my ten favorite teams in the history of the event. Survivor Series ranks among my favorite events every year and if you've read this blog in the past you know I'm a fan of the traditional elimination matches. 

Regular readers know I am a huge fan of old school wrestling and wrestlers. Ric Flair remains my all-time favorite. So naturally in 2006 when he led a team of WWE Legends into battle I was on board. Flair and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper had just lost the WWE tag team championships to Randy Orton and Edge. Piper was diagnosed with cancer around the same time and had left to undergo treatment. Flair's feud with the Spirit Squad (the team from which he and Piper beat for the belts) was still ongoing. "The Nature Boy" summoned the help of fellow Legends Sgt. Slaughter, Ron Simmons and one of his greatest rivals Dusty Rhodes. Former Horsemen Arn Anderson was their "manager" for the night.

Woo!
Courtesy: WWE

Normally I don't like WWE bringing in retired guys to beat up-and-coming Superstars, but this year was the exception. There are a few reasons for this. Flair was the only Legend who was still actively on the roster. He carried the match for his team and ended up becoming the sole survivor that night. Also, it wasn't a clean sweep as the Legends put over members of the Spirit Squad, including Nicky (later Dolph Ziggler) pinning former World Champion Sgt. Slaughter.

It may not have been Flair's greatest Survivor Series moment, but I celebrated the performance none-the-less. Woo!

Top 10:

Team 4: Team Andre the Giant & Dino Bravo: Survivor Series 1988

Team 5: Four Doinks: Survivor Series 1993

Team 6: Team HBK: Survivor Series 1995

Team 7: Team Piper: Survivor Series 1991

Team 8: The All-Americans: Survivor Series 1993

Team 9: Team WWF Survivor Series 2001

Team 10: New Day, King Barrett and Sheamus: Survivor Series 2015

SURVIVOR SERIES: Favorite team number 4: Andre & Dino Bravo

Andre the Giant & Dino Bravo's team
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm counting down to the 30th annual Survivor Series by looking back at my ten favorite teams in the history of the event. Survivor Series ranks among my favorite events every year and if you've read this blog in the past you know I'm a fan of the traditional elimination matches. 

At the second installment of the Survivor Series teams were headed by co-captains. Andre the Giant and Dino Bravo were paired together to take on a team co-captained by "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and Jake "the Snake" Roberts. The heel team caught my eye in 1988. Besides Andre and Bravo, other established superstars "Ravishing" Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect and "The King" Harley Race were a part of the squad.

There was something special about this team, as they battled The Snake, Hacksaw, Scott Casey, Ken Patera and Tito Santana. The heel team took a quick five on three advantage after Patera and Casey were eliminated. The good guys tried hard to comeback, but eventually Jake was left alone to battle Andre, Bravo and Mr. Perfect alone. 

The closing moments saw Andre get disqualified for choking Jake past the five count. The angry giant headbutted the Snake before leaving the ring, knocking out Roberts and leaving him prone on the mat. It was the perfect opportunity for Curt Hennig who scored the pin and the win for his team. He and Bravo were dubbed the survivors of the match.

Demolition and Mr. Fuji split
Courtesy: WWE

I would be remised if I didn't mention an honorable mention team for this post. The ten-tag team elimination match ranks among my favorites too. The good guy team was led by the Powers of Pain against the evil Demolition. If you remember during the course of this match Mr. Fuji left Demolition and sided with the POP. This was one of the first heel-face switcharoos I remember happening during the course of a match.

Top 10:

Team 5: Four Doinks: Survivor Series 1993

Team 6: Team HBK: Survivor Series 1995

Team 7: Team Piper: Survivor Series 1991

Team 8: The All-Americans: Survivor Series 1993

Team 9: Team WWF Survivor Series 2001

Team 10: New Day, King Barrett and Sheamus: Survivor Series 2015

SURVIVOR SERIES: Favorite team number 5: The Doinks (1993)

Doinks on a Mission and Bushwhacker Doinks
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm counting down to the 30th annual Survivor Series by looking back at my ten favorite teams in the history of the event. Survivor Series ranks among my favorite events every year and if you've read this blog in the past you know I'm a fan of the traditional elimination matches. 

I'm breaking a self-imposed rule of not using teams of the same year Survivor Series in this countdown. I'm also sure some people are cringing at this. But in 1993, WWE had some fun with Doink the Clown's popularity. Personally, I had been a huge fan of the evil version of the clown, watching in shock as he (and a double) beat Crush at WrestleMania IX. But I digress.

Battling it out
Courtesy: WWE

By the fall of '93, Doink was a good guy and feuding with Bam Bam Bigelow. As Survivor Series drew near, it was implied that Doink would summon the help of three look-alikes and do battle with Bigelow, Bastion Booger and the Headshrinkers. However when the music hit prior to the match fans quickly found out these were not realistic clones of Doink.

Instead, Luke Doink and Butch Doink made their way to the ring, one on a scooter, the other pulling a wagon. Moments later Doink's circus music turned to rap and Doinks on a Mission came out. Of course, this was Men on Mission (Mo, Oscar and Mable). The fans ate it up, myself included. Each man on the team had Doink's green hair and face paint but clearly kept their personalities through it.

Ouch
Courtesy: WWE

The clowning around continued through the match and the good guys quickly started racking up the wins. Each member of Bigelow's team was eliminated through mostly comedic means. The real Doink appeared on the TitanTron at the end of the match to rub in the fact that Bigelow's team lost and all four Doinks survived.

Yes, it was cheesy as hell, but this was still before internet spoilers were out there and the Bushwhackers and MOM in makeup was a surprise. It was because of that unexpected aspect that I hold this team in high regard. 

Top 10:

Team 6: Team HBK: Survivor Series 1995

Team 7: Team Piper: Survivor Series 1991

Team 8: The All-Americans: Survivor Series 1993

Team 9: Team WWF Survivor Series 2001

Team 10: New Day, King Barrett and Sheamus: Survivor Series 2015

SURVIVOR SERIES: Favorite team number 6: Team HBK (1995)

Survivor Series 1995
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm counting down to the 30th annual Survivor Series by looking back at my ten favorite teams in the history of the event. Survivor Series ranks among my favorite events every year and if you've read this blog in the past you know I'm a fan of the traditional elimination matches. 

In 1995 WWE tried something different for Survivor Series. This was the first year the event aired on a Sunday night. Previous Survivor Series shows were on Thanksgiving or the night before. Also that year, good guy teams vs. bad guy teams were tossed out the window. One match featured so-called Wild Card teams.

When rivals have to be partners
Courtesy: WWE

Interim WWF President Gorilla Monsoon made rivals team up and take on their friends. Shawn Michaels was forced to captain a team with Ahmed Johnson and his enemies, Sid and Davey Boy Smith. That foursome faced Razor Ramon, Yokozuna, Owen Hart and Dean Douglas. As you might imagine, the teammate loyalty ran then and Shawn helped eliminate Sid after a serving of Sweet Chin Music. Once the dust settled it was Shawn's team that won, with HBK, Johnson and The Bulldog standing tall as the survivors. 

Teamwork
Courtesy: WWE

At the time of this match, Davey Boy was one of my favorites. He had recently turned heel and was being managed by Jim Cornette. I had previously been a fan of the heel HBK, and Ahmed Johnson was growing on me. I'll admit it here, I liked Sid too, so this team had it all. The "Wild Card" concept didn't become a consistent idea, but it did return from time to time. 

Top 10:

Team 7: Team Piper: Survivor Series 1991

Team 8: The All-Americans

Team 9: Team WWF Survivor Series 2001

Team 10: New Day, King Barrett and Sheamus

SURVIVOR SERIES: Favorite team number seven: Team Piper (1991)

Team Piper
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm counting down to the 30th annual Survivor Series by looking back at my ten favorite teams in the history of the event. Survivor Series ranks among my favorite events every year and if you've read this blog in the past you know I'm a fan of the traditional elimination matches. 

In 1991 my all time favorite wrestler Ric Flair jumped WCW's ship and landed in the WWF. His first feud there was with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, which led to a Survivor Series encounter. I really liked both teams that were assembled in this contest, however, I was not a fan of how the match went down.

Piper was joined by Virgil, Davey Boy Smith and Bret Hart. Flair's team consisted of the Mountie, the Warlord and the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. However, since I'm picking ONE team per blog and not picking teams from the same year, I'm going with Piper's team. Flair was my favorite, however, I wasn't so high on the Warlord or the Mountie. Bret and the Bulldog were awesome along with Piper. Virgil was the weak link there in terms of my fandom. 

Courtesy: WWE

This match started off great with Flair getting some experience with some of the WWF's top guys in the first few minutes. In a surprise move, Bulldog was the first to be eliminated when he was pinned by Flair. Piper's team even the score when Hot Rod pinned the Warlord. But then chaos ensued and everyone but Flair was disqualified for brawling. This wasn't the first time a Survivor Series match went this way. I don't like when they do that. It's a lazy way to eliminate guys. But there's no doubt this was the match with the most talent on the roster at that time. 

Flair vs. Bulldog
Courtesy: WWE

This could have been a good opportunity to let Flair shine as he was a couple of months away from winning the WWF Title. Beating Bulldog, Hart, Virgil and Piper in the same match would have been a testament to his greatness, but I will admit I'm biased. At least Naitch ended up being the sole survivor here. Wooo! 

Top 10:

Team 8: The All-Americans

Team 9: Team WWF Survivor Series 2001

Team 10: New Day, King Barrett and Sheamus

SURVIVOR SERIES: Favorite team number 8: All Americans (1993)

The All Americans
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm counting down to the 30th annual Survivor Series by looking back at my ten favorite teams in the history of the event. Survivor Series ranks among my favorite events every year and if you've read this blog in the past you know I'm a fan of the traditional elimination matches. 

I was a big fan of Lex Luger's growing up. When he arrived in the WWF in 1993 as the Narcissist, I welcomed him with open arms. I thought the gimmick suited him perfectly, but a few months later he became a patriot in his quest for the WWF Championship, held by Yokozuna. While I don't think he pulled off the gimmick as well as he did as the Narcist, I still supported Luger.

At Survivor Series 1993, he assembled a team of the company's top talent to take on a group led by Yokozuna. Both teams lost members prior to Survivor Series. The undefeated Tatanka was taken out by Ludvig Borga weeks before. Luger returned the favor and eliminated Pierre, one-half of the Quebecers from the Foreign Fanatics. 

Showtime
Courtesy: WWE

The Undertaker subbed for Tatanka while Crush took over for the missing Quebecer. I would argue the All Americans will go down as one of the best teams in the history of Survivor Series. All four men achieved amazing feats in wrestling. The Undertaker's resume speaks for itself. The Steiner Brothers won multiple tag team championships. Luger, while not a huge WWF success, wore gold many times in WCW and spent months as the top contender for the WWF World Title. 

Santa celebrates with Lex Luger

This show set the wheels in motion for the Undertaker to become the new number one contender as he and Yoko would do battle at the next event: The 1994 Royal Rumble. Luger ended up the sole survivor by beating Borga with the forearm of doom. And just like Bret Hart had done a year earlier, Luger celebrated in the ring with Santa Claus after the victory.

Top 10:

Team 9: Team WWF Survivor Series 2001

Team 10: New Day, King Barrett and Sheamus