WWE: 15 Best Matches of 2016
By Tim Sherry
Source: WWE.com
15. Team RAW vs Team Smackdown – Survivor Series
Kicking off the top 15 was this gem from Survivor Series. This was undoubtedly the best elimination match since the 2003 event when Team Bischoff took on Team Austin. When a match goes on for close to an hour but can still keep a viewer glued to edge of their seat the entire time, you know something special is going on.
This was just a master-class in elimination wrestling as both sides weaved their current feuds and rivalries into the bout while still fighting valiantly against their opponents. Every member of this match had shining moments, even Shane McMahon, the wild card, was able to throw in a couple of his patented high spots. And it was overly satisfying to see Bray Wyatt get such a massive win, as he and Randy Orton were the lone survivors in the midst of their brilliant partnership program.
Quick stat. Between the wrestlers in this match, there were 26 WWE world championships between them. No surprise that they pulled off the type of match that they did. It’s not easy to make sure that 10 guys can all look strong in one match, as so many other editions of this type of match have seen some wrestlers look invisible. But every single guy played his part perfectly on this night in November. Even James Ellsworth played a role, although things didn’t turn out nicely for him in the end. Smart booking, great psychology, and outstanding in-ring wrestling highlight number 15 from 2016. Shouldn’t it always be this easy?