WWF Survivor Series '91

Can Undertaker defeat Hogan to become WWF champion? What's going on with Savage and Roberts? Read on!

Prior to the opening match, we revisit Superstars when Roberts chastised Savage who was seated at the broadcast table. When Savage came to the ring, Roberts tied him up in the ropes and unleashed a king cobra from his bag. As the snake bit Savage's arm, paramedics as well as Elizabeth rushed to help the "Macho Man." Savage got free but couldn't maintain his equilibrium due to the snake attack. While Vince declared that Savage had been poisoned by the "venomous" snake, Pat Patterson and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper finally put Savage on the gurney (aired 11/23, taped 10/21). This was NOT family-friendly entertainment.

In a pre-taped interview, WWF President Jack Tunney removed Savage from participating in tonight's show. BOOOOOOOOOO! He then barred "all reptiles from ringside." Following that, he reinstated Savage immediately and sanctioned a match between Savage and Roberts for This Tuesday in Texas. In addition to removing Savage from tonight's show, Tunney also pulled Roberts.

Match 1: The “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, the Mountie, & Warlord (w/ Sensational Sherri, Jimmy Hart, Harvey Wippleman & Mr. Perfect) versus WWF Intercontinental champion Bret “Hitman” Hart, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, The “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith, & Virgil

Flair wore a belt to the ring that the WWF blacked out (or, in their words, digitized). Apparently, it appeared to be an older tag team belt according to Meltzer.
Meanwhile, at Survivor Series Showdown, DiBiase regained his Million Dollar belt by defeating Virgil with help from Repo Man (aired 11/24, taped 11/11).

Flair nailed Piper from behind as the Detroit faithful chanted "Rod-dy."
After a clothesline, Piper crotched DiBiase with the top rope. OUCH!
Sherri then tried to pull DiBiase out of the ring, but Piper dragged her in by pulling DiBiase's leg.
Not like that!
As Sherri jumped on his back, Piper subsequently kissed her.
Shortly after, the babyfaces tagged in and out while punishing DiBiase.
Virgil tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on DiBiase.
When Bret tagged in, he reversed a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through. In fact, he hurt his right knee.
DiBiase then hooked a spinning toe hold until Bret monkey-flipped him.
After DiBiase hooked a sunset flip, Bret escaped and executed a somersault rollup for 2.
DiBiase then gave Bret a hip toss and tagged in Flair.
As Flair missed an elbow drop, Bret head-butted him causing a Flair flop.
He then gave Flair an inverted atomic drop and tagged in Smith.
When Smith catapulted Flair face-first into the top turnbuckle, another Flair flop ensued.
Smith then reversed an Irish whip and gave Flair a gorilla press slam.
After Piper tagged in, he brawled with Flair until the latter exited the ring and gave us Flair flop #3.
Piper then joined and rammed Flair face-first into the steps.
As Warlord tagged in, Piper tagged in Smith.
Speaking of Smith, he ducked a clothesline and dropkicked Warlord.
He then gave Warlord a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
When Mountie tagged in, he delivered a flying back elbow to Smith.
Bret tagged in, and Mountie high-tailed it out of the ring.
After DiBiase tagged in, Bret gave him a backbreaker.
He then mounted the second turnbuckle and hit an elbow smash for 2.
As a mid-ring collision transpired, Mountie and Smith tagged in.
Smith then gave Mountie a back elbow followed by a military-press slam.
When Flair was brought in, he and DiBiase gave Smith a cross corner whip, but they ate a double clothesline afterward.
Smith then gave Mountie a running powerslam.
Before a count could be made, DiBiase and Virgil stormed into the ring.
Meanwhile, Flair mounted the top turnbuckle and nailed Smith with an axe handle.
He then pinned Smith.
The heels led 4-3.
After Piper came in, Flair gave him a knee drop.
He then taunted Virgil but missed a second knee drop.
Wisely, Piper hooked a figure-four leg lock.
Will Flair submit to his own hold?
No, the heels implemented subterfuge to break it.
DiBiase tagged in and gave Piper a knee crusher.
When he hooked a spinning toe hold, Piper countered with an inside cradle for 2.
Mountie tagged in and executed a Boston crab, but Piper tagged out to Virgil.
Speaking of Virgil, he gave Mountie a cross corner whip followed by a clothesline.
Following a back elbow by Virgil to Mountie, Flair tagged in.
Virgil then reversed a cross corner whip and backdropped Flair.
As DiBiase tagged in, Virgil gave him the ten-top-turnbuckle count-along.
DiBiase then reversed an Irish whip and powerslammed Virgil.
After Warlord tagged in, he tossed Virgil outside the ring.
Flair then rammed Virgil face-first into the steps while Warlord distracted referee Joey Marella.
Upon Virgil's return, Warlord applied the full-nelson to him.
With six wrestlers in the ring, Bret mounted the top turnbuckle and nailed Warlord.
Piper then pinned Warlord to even the match at three apiece.
When DiBiase complained to Marella, Piper rolled him up for 2.
DiBiase then gave Piper a back elbow and attempted a vertical suplex.
As Piper blocked and executed a suplex, Virgil tagged in and clotheslined DiBiase twice.
DiBiase then missed a clothesline, so Virgil applied the Million Dollar Dream.
Will DiBiase submit to his own hold?
No, he used momentum to send Virgil face-first into the top turnbuckle.
Flair tagged in and gave Virgil a belly-to-back suplex.
After Mountie tagged in, he dropkicked Virgil.
DiBiase tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Virgil.
When he delivered a gutwrench suplex, DiBiase tagged in Flair.
The heels then double-clotheslined Virgil while Flair got 2 with his feet on the ropes. SNEAKY!
As DiBiase tagged in, he clotheslined Virgil, but Virgil came back with a swinging neckbreaker.
Flair tagged in, but Virgil tagged out to Piper.
Speaking of Piper, he no-sold Flair's offense, gave him an eye poke, and followed with the ten-punch count-along.
When Flair tried to counter with an inverted atomic drop, Piper blocked it and delivered another eye poke.

He then gave Flair the ten-top-turnbuckle count-along and turned his attention toward Mountie.
As Flair mounted the top turnbuckle, Piper caught and slammed him down to the mat.
With all six wrestlers in the ring, Piper gave Flair a cross corner whip resulting in a Flair flip.
Suddenly, the bell rang.
Piper then rammed DiBiase face-first into the steps while Bret made Mountie HIT THE POLE.
According to ring announcer Howard Finkel, Marella disqualified Piper, Virgil, Bret, Mountie, and DiBiase.
That left Flair as the sole survivor.

Summary: I realize there are other wrestlers/matches on this show, but this match could have represented the entire PPV. Frankly, that finish was DESPICABLE. C'mon, guys, it's Survivor Series, if you don't want to get pinned, go for the DQ or countout. Sheesh!

After the match, Piper re-enters the ring to brawl with Flair and sends him over the top rope to the floor.

On the podium, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "Macho Man" Randy Savage who acknowledges Elizabeth's concern for his safety. When Okerlund mentions the reptile ban for the match at This Tuesday in Texas, Savage cuts a promo on Roberts. Elizabeth then joins her husband and appreciates the fans' support for Savage's reinstatement. To close the promo, she predicts her husband's victory on Tuesday.

Match 2: “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, Texas Tornado, "El Matador" Tito Santana, & Sergeant Slaughter versus Colonel Mustafa, Hercules, the Berzerker, & Skinner (w/ General Adnan & Mr. Fuji)

Wait a minute! When did Slaughter return to being a babyface (aired 11/24, taped 10/22)?

For those unaware, the Berzerker was portrayed by John Nord.

After a leap frog by Skinner, Santana delivered a flying forearm.
He then attempted a cross body block but came up empty.
As Berzerker tagged in, he mounted the second turnbuckle but missed a guillotine leg drop.
Tornado tagged in yet Berzerker missed a dropkick.
Shortly after, Berzerker gave Duggan a back elbow.
Mustafa tagged in, delivered a double axe handle, and got 2 on Duggan.
Speaking of Duggan, he came back with the ten-punch count-along to Mustafa.
He then blocked and executed a suplex to Mustafa.
When Slaughter tagged in, he gave Mustafa an atomic drop followed by a clothesline.
1-2-3.
Mustafa was eliminated as the babyfaces led 4-3.
As Berzerker came in, he reversed a cross corner whip and clotheslined Slaughter.
He then gave Slaughter a cross corner whip with a sternum-first bump.
Next, he delivered the big boot for 2.
Hercules tagged in and rammed Slaughter face-first into the ring post instead of the turnbuckle for another 2.
After Berzerker tagged in, Slaughter crotched him on the top rope.
Duggan tagged in and clotheslined Berzerker over the top rope to the floor.
When Berzerker re-entered the ring, Duggan backdropped him over the opposite top rope to the floor.
Berzerker then returned, gave Duggan a cross corner whip, and followed with a knee to the midsection.
Unfortunately for Berzerker, Tornado tagged in and delivered a discus punch.
Hercules tagged in, but Santana hit El Paso del Muerte.
1-2-3.
The babyfaces led 4-2.
As Berzerker tagged in, he clotheslined Santana.
Skinner tagged in, slammed Santana, and delivered an atomic drop.
In the process, Santana tagged in Slaughter who rolled Skinner up.
1-2-3.
Skinner was eliminated as the babyfaces led 4-1.
After Berzerker missed a dropkick, Slaughter rammed him face-first into the exposed turnbuckle. OUCH!
Slaughter then tagged in Duggan, gave Berzerker a whip, and Duggan hit the three-point clothesline.
1-2-3.
Duggan, Slaughter, Tornado, and Santana survived.

Summary: While Detroit loved Duggan, the heel team stunk on Melba toast here.

Match 3 for the WWF title: Hulk Hogan (champion) versus Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer)

As Hogan made his entrance, he destroyed a casket bearing his name at ringside.
After Undertaker shoved Hogan into the corner, he came up empty on his follow-through.
While Bearer distracted referee Earl Hebner, Undertaker choked Hogan in the corner.
To make matters worse for Hogan, Undertaker distracted Hebner so that Bearer could choke Hogan. How dastardly!
Undertaker then slammed Hogan but missed an elbow drop.
Upon giving Undertaker an Irish whip, Hogan clotheslined him, but Undertaker no-sold it.
Hogan then hit the Axe bomber, yet Undertaker still didn't leave his feet.
Next, he clotheslined Undertaker over the top rope to the floor.
Undertaker then dragged Hogan to the floor and rammed him face-first into the steps.
Shortly after, Undertaker applied a facial claw while the Detroit faithful chanted "Ho-gan."
Hogan eventually escaped but fell victim to a flying clothesline.
When Undertaker hit the tombstone, Hogan no-sold it.
It's Hulk-up time!
As Hogan signaled for a slam, Flair came to ringside.
Hogan then slammed Undertaker, attempted the leg drop, but Bearer grabbed his leg.
After Hogan noticed him at ringside, he nailed Flair.
He then gave Undertaker the big boot.
When he attempted another leg drop, Bearer grabbed his leg again.
He then distracted Hebner as Undertaker prepped for another tombstone.
To add insult to injury, Flair slid in a chair, and Undertaker sealed Hogan's fate with the tombstone upon it.

1-2-3.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: Only the crowd's response to Hogan and the historical impact of the match receive any recognition from me.

After the match, officials check on Hogan for a possible concussion or neck damage while Monsoon and Heenan subtly reference Mike Utley's paralysis.

Backstage, Okerlund interviews Piper who calls Undertaker an "Addams Family reject" and name-drops David Duke albeit negatively.

Backstage, Okerlund interviews Tunney who declares the referee's decision as final. However, he decrees a rematch between Undertaker and Hogan at This Tuesday in Texas and will be at ringside.

Match 4: The Nasty Boys & Beverly Brothers (w/ Jimmy Hart & the Genius) versus the Rockers & the Bushwhackers

For those unaware, the Beverly Brothers were portrayed by former AWA World tag team champions—Mike Enos and Wayne Bloom.

Heenan questioned if the Bushwhackers were part of the Larry, Darryl, and Darryl trio on Newhart. HA!

As Butch reversed an Irish whip, he put a knee into Knobb's ample midsection.
He then followed with a knee lift and tagged in Luke.
After the Bushwhackers double-clotheslined Knobbs, Butch face-planted an incoming Sags.
They then gave the Nasty Boys a double noggin knocker while Heenan predicted that Undertaker went out for a cold one. HA!
When the Bushwhackers bulldozed both Nasty Boys with double clotheslines, the Beverly Brothers came in yet got whipped into each other.
The Bushwhackers then gave each Beverly a battering ram sending them scurrying to the floor.
Not to be outdone, the Rockers came in and double-dropkicked the Nasty Boys.
Blake (Enos) tagged in against Michaels, got reversed on a cross corner whip, but delivered a back elbow during Michaels' follow-through.
As Michaels came back with a swinging neckbreaker, Blake retaliated with an inverted atomic drop.
He then gave Michaels a backbreaker and tagged in Knobbs.
After Michaels delivered a high knee to Knobbs, he tagged in Luke.
Knobbs then reversed a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Upon mounting the second turnbuckle, Knobbs hit a flying clothesline to Luke.
1-2-3.
The heels led 4-3.
When Michaels came in, Sags tagged in and hooked a vertical suplex.
He then gave Michaels a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
As Michaels mounted the top turnbuckle, he hit a cross body block for 2 on Sags.
Jannetty tagged in and splashed Sags' arm.
After Beau tagged in, he gave Jannetty a neck snap.
Jannetty then landed on his feet upon receiving a back drop and delivered a superkick for 2.
When Beau gave Jannetty a HARD cross corner whip, he followed with a gutwrench suplex for 2.
He then reversed an Irish whip, but a mid-ring collision occurred.
As Blake and Butch tagged in respectively, Butch delivered a clothesline resulting in a 360° sell by Blake. Woohoo!
He then gave an incoming Beau a clothesline.
While Sags distracted referee Danny Davis, the Beverlies hit the Shaker Heights Spike on Butch.
1-2-3.
The heels led 4-2.
After Jannetty gave Beau a back elbow, he followed with a cross corner whip and monkey flip.
He then delivered a huracanrana for 2.
When Jannetty got his leg caught by Beau, he hit an enziguri to escape.
Blake tagged in as well as Michaels.
As Blake gave Michaels a knee lift, Jannetty distracted Davis. In the meantime, the heels double-teamed Michaels.
Beau tagged in, and the Beverlies delivered an aided leap frog body guillotine to Michaels for 2.
After Beau tossed Michaels outside the ring, Knobbs rammed Michaels back-first into the apron.
Beau then gave Michaels a back elbow while the Detroit faithful took a collective nap.

Upon giving Michaels an elbow drop to the back, Beau followed with a backbreaker.
He then made a second attempt, but Michaels countered with a backslide.
1-2-3.
Beau was eliminated, and the heels led 3-2.
As Blake came in, he rammed Michaels back-first into the top turnbuckle.
He then slammed Michaels for 2.
When Knobbs tagged in, Michaels hooked a sunset flip for a 1-count.
Sags tagged in, but Michaels dropkicked him out of the ring.
From the apron, Michaels hit a flying clothesline to Sags on the floor. Sweet!
He then gave an incoming Knobbs a superkick.
After Michaels mounted the top turnbuckle, he leaped but ate a clothesline from Sags.
Blake tagged in and hit a leg drop on Michaels.
Immediately after, he gave Michaels a guillotine with the top rope.
Jannetty tagged in and delivered a flying back elbow to Knobbs for 2.
As Blake tagged in, Jannetty ingeniously hooked a sunset flip for 2.
Knobbs tagged in and gave Jannetty a HARD cross corner whip injuring the back.
When Knobbs hit a powerslam, he only got a 1-count.
Sags tagged in and gave Jannetty a pump-handle slam followed by a belly-to-back suplex.
After Knobbs tagged in, he mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but ate knees on a splash attempt.
Michaels tagged in and clotheslined Knobbs.
With all five wrestlers in the ring, the Rockers sandwiched Blake with the Nasty Boys. Pass the pickle!

As Sags got slammed by Jannetty, his legs SMACKED Michaels in the face.
Knobbs then pinned Michaels as the heels led 3-1.
Before leaving, Michaels was infuriated with Jannetty. I smell dissension.

Knobbs then gave Jannetty a cross corner whip but ate knees on his follow-through.
When Jannetty mounted the second turnbuckle, he bulldogged Knobbs for a 1-count.
Sags then tossed Jannetty over the top rope to the floor.
After Blake tagged in, he powerslammed Jannetty but pulled him up.
Knobbs tagged in, but Jannetty pulled him outside the ring and rammed him face-first into the apron.
As Jannetty made Knobbs HIT THE POLE, he superkicked an incoming Sags.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a tope on the Nasty Boys. Awesome!
Upon returning to the ring, Jannetty face-planted Blake, ducked a double clothesline by the Nasty Boys, and hooked an inside cradle on Sags.
Blake then distracted Davis so that Knobbs could flip Sags atop Jannetty.
1-2-3.
Blake, Knobbs, and Sags survived.

Summary: Despite the lack of heat, the Rockers did all the heavy lifting with both their wrestling and their storyline. Heenan also did a good job of shilling the article about the Rockers in WWF Magazine.

Match 5: WWF tag team champions Road Warriors & Big Bossman versus the Natural Disasters & IRS (w/ Jimmy Hart)

After IRS made his entrance, he ran down the Detroit faithful as well as his opponents.
Bossman gave IRS a HARD cross corner whip injuring the back.
As Earthquake tagged in, he requested Animal.
He got his wish, and Animal attempted a cross body block.
When Earthquake caught him, he gave Animal a backbreaker.
He then attempted a splash but came up empty.
After a dropkick, Animal hit a flying shoulder block for 2.
IRS tagged in as did Hawk.
While Hawk mounted the top turnbuckle, he lowered the boom on IRS.
IRS tagged out to Typhoon but not before Hawk tossed him into Typhoon's arms.
When Hawk dropkicked IRS atop Typhoon, he hit an elbow drop for a 1-count.
IRS then distracted referee Joey Marella as the babyface team double-teamed Typhoon in its corner.
After IRS tagged in, Hawk gave him a belly-to-back suplex followed by a fist drop.
Bossman tagged in and delivered a running guillotine to IRS.
As Bossman stepped on IRS' red tie, Heenan joked that it was his tongue. HA!
While the Road Warriors distracted Marella, IRS WALLOPED Bossman with his briefcase.
1-2-3.
The heels led 3-2.
When Earthquake applied a bear hug to Animal, he converted it to a belly-to-belly suplex for 2.
IRS tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, and nailed Animal.
After IRS baited Hawk to distract Marella again, the Natural Disasters double-teamed Animal in their corner.
Typhoon tagged in and applied his own bear hug on Animal.
As he gave Animal a cross corner whip, Typhoon ate boot on his follow-through.
Animal then hit a clothesline and tagged in Hawk.
Speaking of Hawk, he gave Typhoon a flying shoulder block.
When he attempted the ten-punch count-along IRS nailed him in the ribs.
With all five wrestlers in the ring, IRS inadvertently nailed Typhoon with the briefcase instead of Hawk.
1-2-3.
The match was tied 2-2.
While Typhoon returned to the locker room, Earthquake joined him in protest.
Meanwhile, Hawk dropkicked and powerslammed IRS.
He then gave IRS a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
As IRS hit a pair of elbow drops, he tossed Hawk outside the ring.
He then rammed Hawk shoulder-first into the steps.
Back in the ring, he gave Hawk a back elbow.
Following a mid-ring collision, IRS attempted a vertical suplex, but Hawk blocked it and hit one of his own.
Animal tagged in and gave IRS a flying shoulder block.
Afterward, he delivered a powerslam, and the Road Warriors double-clotheslined IRS.
Having had enough, IRS made his way down the aisle, but Bossman returned to stop him.
With IRS on the apron, Animal suplexed him back in.
Hawk then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a flying clothesline.
1-2-3.
The Road Warriors survived.

Summary: The finish was telegraphed from Toledo once both Natural Disasters were eliminated.

Back in the blue locker room, Mooney covered for an apparently injured Hogan who's supposedly ready for the rematch at This Tuesday in Texas.

In the "bowels" of Joe Louis Arena, Okerlund interviews the NEW WWF champion Undertaker with Bearer. Undertaker then opens a coffin symbolizing the "burial" of Hulkamania.

Conclusion: Prior to intermission, this show was pretty decent. Afterward, however, it became an BIG FAT advertisement for This Tuesday in Texas. I endorse the opener as well as the match involving the Rockers yet am hesitant to recommend the title change. Unless you're an Undertaker fanatic, I'd skip this show.