WWE Survivor Series '91

WWE Survivor Series ‘91
November 27, 1991
Joe Louis Arena
Detroit, Michigan

This would be yet another Survivor Series that would be sort of a transition show. As has been the case in previous Survivor Series PPV’s, it didn’t seem like they had much direction. Ric Flair was now in the WWE officially, and he and Hogan were seemingly on a collision course, but first Hogan had this test from the Undertaker. It was great that Bret Hart was the IC Champion, but the challengers were few and far between on the heel side, and he found himself in a nowhere feud with the Mountie. Flair spent his time waiting for Hogan by feuding with the newly returned Rowdy Roddy Piper. The hottest feud was without a doubt the Savage-Jake Roberts feud. Not long before this Roberts attacked Randy Savage in one of the most dastardly ways of all time. He had a king cobra, and had it bite Savage in his arm while he was tied to the ropes. The snake was de-fanged, but it is still one of the most gruesome scenes in pro wrestling history and still gives me chills to this day. All of that led to Randy Savage getting “re-instated” by President Jack Tunney (remember the Warrior retired him at WrestleMania VII). I still say they should have had Savage replace Sid Justice as captain of that team at this event, but they were promoting a PPV right after this show called Tuesday Night in Texas. The main draw of that show was Savage vs. Roberts. So they spent a good part of this show hyping up the next show, which is fine, so long as you put a little effort into this show, which simply wasn’t there.

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
“Nature Boy” Ric Flair, “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase, Mountie, and Warlord vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith, and Virgil

This would be the PPV debut of Ric Flair. This is a really good match, and by far the match of the night, on what would ultimately be a forgettable show (with one minor exception later on). It’s also worth noting here that Ted Dibiase recently won back his Million dollar belt from Virgil at the Survivor Series showdown show before this. Interesting pairings here. In years past they would split a couple of these guys up and put some lower midcarders with them and have matches. This year it seemed like they took everyone else who mattered (besides Hogan and Undertaker) and threw them all into a match to have at it. It worked and this match was well on its way to classic territory, but then they had a very silly finish with Piper, Hart, Virgil, Dibiase, and Mountie all brawling on the outside and getting counted out at the same time, leaving Flair as the sole survivor. This had so much potential with Flair, Piper, and Hart in particular and they just had the goofy ending. ***1/4

8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, Sgt. Slaughter, Tito Santana, and “Texas Tornado” Kerry Von Erich vs. Col. Mustafa, Berzerker, Skinner, and Hercules

And here you have the rest of the riff raff in WWE at the time. Departures and injuries (I’m assuming) changed this match several times. Sgt. Slaughter was now an American loving patriot again after his time as an Iraqi sympathizer for the past year. Ricky Steamboat was out, and Santana replaced him. The Beverly Brothers knocked out Jim Neidhart, so Tornado replaced him. On the heel side, Hercules subbed in for Big Bully Busick. Long story longer, they were scraping the bottom of the barrel in this match. Actually this match was fun for Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan’s commentary. Gorilla was crapping all over the heels, and Heenan had no defense. After putting up with Michael Cole for the last 13 years, I really long for the times of competent, entertaining commentary. Anyway, Gorilla’s premise is proven correct as the Duggan team becomes the 2nd team in Survivor Series history to have all of its members survive. This was as much of a nothing match as you’ll ever see though. *

WWE Championship
Hulk Hogan (champion) vs. Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer
There was little doubt that these two would eventually come head to head after the Undertaker made his debut at the 1990 Survivor Series. I remember actually watching the Saturday Nights Main Event from May that year with my dad, and Hogan hit Undertaker with the belt, and Taker completely no-sold it, and my dad was in shock. I thought there was no way in hell that Hogan would ever beat Undertaker. After SummerSlam, they signed this match pretty early on in the fall, and there was a slow build to it. Ric Flair of course was playing instigator throughout the buildup. This match is absolutely awful, as the Undertaker was still coming into his own as a worker in the ring. What I mean by that Mark Callaway was still learning how to work within the confines of his gimmick, and really, this was the first marquee match he had. If you’re a Hogan-hater, then this match is glorious for you as the Undertaker emphatically wins the title from Hogan by tombstoning him into a steel chair. Heenan screaming “Hulkamania is dead, long live the Undertaker” adds to the effect. Historically significant for Undertaker’s first WWE Title win and a rare Hogan defeat, but this match is not good. *1/4 for the historical nature.

8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) and Bushwhackers (Luke and Butch) vs. Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Saggs) and Beverly Brothers (Beau and Blake)

What we have here is the beginning of the end for the Rockers. Over the next few weeks they would slowly break apart and eventually break up for good during the infamous Barber shop where Shawn threw Marty through the glass window and never looked back. This match was another classic case of the Rockers doing their best to carry this dog to a watchable match, and they do a good job for the most part but there is just so much they can do. Interesting commentating here, as it appears that Gorilla wasn’t even paying attention to the match and totally missed Shawn getting pinned, because he was getting on Shawn for leaving Marty to the wolves. Heenan correctly pointed out that there was an article in WWE Magazine indicating the Rockers were not getting along anymore, and Gorilla was disagreeing with Heenan. Very funny stuff. Match was decent enough, but too erratic at the end as if the guys didn’t know what they were doing all the way up until the end. **1/4

Main Event
6 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
IRS and Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon) vs. Big Bossman and Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal)

This was originally scheduled to be Jake Roberts joining the heel side, and Sid Justice captaining the Bossman side. Sid got injured and the fans wanted Savage to replace him, especially after the snake biting incident. Instead they went with a 6 man elimination match, and it was not very good. It served the purpose of sending the fans home somewhat happy as LOD went over. Had to do it considering what happened in the WWE title match (which is why it was on the midcard). Just an emotionless match. *1/2

Final Analysis: For the 2nd year in a row, the Survivor Series is an emotionless train wreck. The team concept was quickly becoming old and the show itself was becoming rather useless. Since I’m not going to review Tuesday in Texas, I figure I’ll let you know what happens. Savage beats Roberts, but in an insane edgy twist, Roberts actually slaps Miss Elizabeth. This was heavy shit at the time and Roberts was very much hated. In the title rematch, Hulk Hogan through ashes from Undertakers urn into his eyes and won his 4th WWE title. Because of the controversy, Jack Tunney vacated the title and put it up for grabs in the Royal Rumble in January. That show would turn out to be pretty good… this one is not recommended at all.