WWE Survivor Series 2020: The top five sole survivors of all-time

Being the sole survivor at Survivor Series is a major accomplishment for another on the WWE roster and these individuals are the top five wrestlers to obtain that outcome.

Even though the Survivor Series has lost some of the prestige it held over the years, it is still considered a pillar in WWE PPV content each year. This is an opportunity to see some of the top names share the ring, even if it is just for a moment. Looking back throughout history some of the wrestlers in Survivor Series have gone above and beyond for their team; outlasting everyone to be the sole survivor. Standing tall as the last individual is a prestigious moment that can lead to a major push. These individuals stand out as the top five Survivor Series winners that held their hands high after all their teammates were sent to the back.

Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler does not get a lot of the respect he deserves. He is a multiple-time champion that can turn in a match of the year quality outing whenever he is given the opportunity. The last few years of booking have pushed him to a position where fans often roll their eyes when his music hits, but that doesn’t denigrate anything he’s achieved, including being the sole survivor of his team in 2012 and 2014.

Ziggler pulled this feat off on both sides of the heel and face dynamic. The first saw him eliminate Randy Orton as the final opponent in 2021 before defeating Seth Rollins last in 2014. Both moments saw Ziggler go on to important steps in his career, including cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase to become champion. Ziggler should be seen in a higher light across professional wrestling and his performance at Survivor Series is just a sample of his greatness.

Ric Flair

Ric Flair is on all the GOAT lists. The Nature Boy is recognized for being one of the biggest stars that professional wrestling has ever created. His list of accolades includes victories over the top names in the industry and titles in many of the biggest promotions. He is also excelled in the Survivor Series format. But what is interesting about Flair’s victories as the sole survivor is that they come fifteen years apart, occurring in 1991 and 2006.

The first situation in 1991 led to Flair’s run that would see him become the then WWF Champion. The situation in 2006 may have seemed more like a rib, but he still survived a three-on-one disadvantage to defeat the Spirit Squad, a group that included a young Dolph Ziggler. There are a lot of reasons why Ric Flair will be considered one of the best wrestlers to enter the ring, and we should not forget that he is outlasted all his peers on two separate Survivor Series occasions.

Ted DiBiase

Ted DiBiase is a fan favorite even if he never obtained the highest titles in the WWE. He is one of the most recognizable heels during his era, playing foil to Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Bret Hart, and others. He was even the last man standing at Survivor Series in 1990. What this event is best known for is the emergence of the Undertaker, who teamed with DiBiase that night. Hart and the Million Dollar man were the last two individuals in the ring for their opposing teams. Hart’s singles push was just kicking off, but it was not enough to get him past the veteran in DiBiase who stood tall at the end of the night.

Kofi Kingston

Kofi Kingston’s sole survivor performance in 2009 was initially a blip on his career. But it would be the foundation that helped Kingston’s title run a decade later. Kingston and Randy Orton were involved in a singles feud for months, but it was this November event that helped elevate him to a believable position on the card. An impressive feat of Kingston’s victory is that he defeated CM Punk and Orton back-to-back, two individuals that were champions during that time and years later. This moment in Kingston’s career would not lead to Kingston winning a title during that run, but it would play a part in his story when KofiMania launched him to the biggest victory at WrestleMania.

Randy Orton

The Viper is an exceptionable professional wrestler. For two decades he is remained near the top of the card, being a threat to the champion at any moment. He is held every title the WWE has to offer and is a sure bet for the Hall of Fame when his career is over. When it comes to this event, Orton may be known as Mr. Survivor Series. Orton has been the last man standing at three events in a row. From 2003 to 2005 Orton stood tall as the last man in the ring, the only wrestler to have such a feather in his cap. This run has seen him defeat the likes of Shawn Michaels, Edge and Triple H. Orton’s list of accolades will be long when his career is called. But this run as the sole survivor of three separate teams stands out as one of the most important on his resume.