WWE Survivor Series 1992 saw big changes in the company as veteran stars like Hulk Hogan were departing and some WWE names were being implicated in a steroid trial. The format of the show was also different, with only one Survivor Series elimination match.
The new format was likely due to WWE feeling the format was too repetitive and the smaller roster would have led to less star power in Survivor Series elimination matches. There were plenty of great moments both in the ring and behind the scenes. This list will examine 10 things fans should know about Survivor Series 1992.
10 Warrior Was Advertised But Missed The Show
Ric Flair and Razor Ramon vs. Randy Savage and Ultimate Warrior was a promoted match for WWE Survivor Series 1992, but didn't happen due to Warrior leaving the company. The Ultimate Maniacs were over with fans and many considered this match the main event.
It has been said that either steroid use or issues with creative led to his departure. The company needed Warrior for his star power as Hogan was leaving. Mr. Perfect replaced Warrior and turned on Flair.
9 It Was Yokozuna's Pay Per View Debut
Yokozuna made his PPV debut at WWE Survivor Series by defeating Virgil. Yoko was on the rise as a 500 lb heel, whereas Virgil had slowed down as a performer, overall. The bout was brief to highlight Yokozuna's strength, and at 3:34 he used a Banzai Drop to win. It was basically a squash. The victory was meant to be an impressive introduction for Yokozuna, who won the Royal Rumble two months later.
8 Nightstick On A Pole Match
Big Boss Man faced Nailz In the "Nightstick on a Pole Match." The storyline was a prisoner seeking revenge, which worked well for Boss Man and Nailz. The nightstick on the pole could be used by whoever retrieved it. The match began with a brawl filled with punches and slamming, but eventually, Big Boss Man managed to retrieve the nightstick and used it to hit Nailz in the head, causing a huge crowd response.
Despite the match being mostly a personal brawl, it still lacked actual wrestling holds and was not well received. However, the storyline was successful in generating excitement for the crowd. Big Boss Man won the match with a Boss Man Slam and even hit Nailz with another nightstick shot after the match.
7 The Nasty Boys Won The Survivor Series Elimination Match
The only Survivor Series Elimination Match from this event involved The Nasty Boys and The Natural Disasters facing off against Money Inc and The Beverly Brothers. The match rules stated that if one team member was eliminated, both members of the team would be out.
The Nasty Boys and Natural Disasters were the faces while Money Inc and the Beverly Brothers were the heels, with Money Inc holding the tag team titles at the time. The match lasted a little more than 15 minutes, with The Nasty Boys being the survivors. Unfortunately, it was a below average contest.
6 The Undertaker Won a Coffin Match Against Kamala
One of the early Coffin matches, later known as Casket matches, took place at Survivor Series 1992. The winner of the match was determined by pinfall, followed by placing the opponent in a coffin. The Undertaker was the face and Kamala was the heel in this match.
Kamala was freaked out early on, but Undertaker stalked him and eventually hit him with an urn to win the match by pinfall. After the match, Undertaker and Paul Bearer had to put Kamala in the coffin and drove nails into it. The match was not very good, but at least it ended a lackluster feud.
5 HBK Enters The Main Event Picture
By 1992, Shawn Michaels was starting to rise up the WWE card. Although he wasn't a generational star at Survivor Series 1992, his match with Bret Hart marked the first of many main event moments for Michaels. He was still a few years away from his reign on top of WWE, but this was the launching point for HBK. His energy and talent matched anybody on the WWE roster and it showed during this bout.
4 The British Bulldog Was Supposed To Defend The IC Title
The Intercontinental Championship changed hands from Davey Boy Smith to Shawn Michaels in late October 1992 in an unusual and sudden timing. The championship match for Survivor Series was scheduled to feature "The British Bulldog" against The Mountie, but the taping for Saturday Night's Main Event showed Michaels defeating Smith, causing the championship match to change rapidly. Issues with steroid use led to Davey Boy Smith's departure from the company. Ironically, The Mountie (Jacques Rougeau) wasn't with the company either by the time Survivor Series rolled around.
3 Featured High Energy's Only Pay-Per-View Match
High Energy was a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Koko B. Ware and Owen Hart. The team was a great mix of different personalities that helped launch Owen Hart as a star in WWE.
Both Koko B. Ware and Owen Hart were popular among fans, and their partnership in the ring was well-received. The unit was short-lived and they only wrestled one pay-per-view match at Survivor Series 1992. The pair lost their tag match to The Headshrinkers, Samu & Fatu.
2 Randy Savage & Mr. Perfect Vs. Ric Flair & Razor Ramon Had An Awful Finish
One of the biggest matches on the card was Randy Savage & Mr. Perfect versus Ric Flair & Razor Ramon. Perfect, who was out of action for over a year due to back injuries, was well-received by the fans. The match started with Perfect getting the advantage, but the heels eventually took control of the bout.
The referee was knocked out as the intensity continued. This match should have ended in a pinfall finish, but instead, the match ended in a DQ finish, because the refs were unable to get the match under control. It was very anticlimactic compared to the rest of the match. Randy Savage & Mr. Perfect technically won the match, but it was inconsequential.
1 Featured The First Survivor Series Match Between Bret Hart And Shawn Michaels
When fans think of Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart at Survivor Series, they usually think of the match at Survivor Series 1997. The two had their first major match at the event five years earlier. Hart and Michaels exchanged solid offense in this bout with Hart performing signature moves and Michaels holding his own against the company's top wrestler. In the end, Hart won the match with the Sharpshooter. The match holds up well but doesn't have the impact of their future matches, especially their match in 1997.