An Ode to Survivor Series Team Names
It's November and, in addition to the potential end of society as we know it, that means it's nearly time for Survivor Series!
I'm going to be honest and say that I haven't watched much WWE programming in months, but that I have renewed my Network subscription for Survivor Series. Not only is it airing from my hometown of Toronto, but I just love Survivor Series. Looking at the card, it should be a good show.
Now, I understand the reasoning for the all of the "Team Raw" vs "Team SmackDown" matches and that's all fine and good, but I can't help but miss the Survivor Series team names of yesteryear. They haven't had really good team names in many, many years (Instead settling for "Team [BLANK]" at least 99% of the time) so this is an ode to the days of more creative naming.
Here are a few of my favourite Survivor Series team names.
The Visionaries
Rick Martel, The Warlord and Power and Glory (Hercules and Paul Roma) (with Slick)
Survivor Series 1990
The Rude Brood
Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect and The Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacques and Raymond Rougeau)
Survivor Series 1989
There's just something about the name "Rude Brood" that I like. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a good rhyme. Also, just look at that photo. Really look at it. Imagine showing someone this photo the next time you say "I like professional wrestling."
Roddy's Rowdies
Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka and The Bushwhackers (Butch and Luke)
Survivor Series 1989
Facing off against the Rude Brood at Survivor Series 1989 was "Roddy's Rowdies." Isn't it strange to see Roddy Piper teaming with Jimmy Snuka? I don't remember how this came to be, to be honest.
The Foreign Fanatics
Yokozuna, Ludvig Borga, and The Quebecers (Jacques and Pierre)
Survivor Series 1993
Pierre was "injured" before this event and so Crush took his place. Nothing says "Foreign" like having a guy from Hawaii on your team. The main reason I love this team so much is because it has "Evil Man From Finland" Ludvig Borga on it. He had an incredible gimmick because, when you think of foreign power invading the United States with cruelty and violence, you definitely think of Finland. Cruel, imposing Finland.
The opposing team was the "All Americans" but Tatanka was also "injured" and so his spot was taken by The Undertaker, who was suddenly really proud to be an American.
Or at least a fan of the original 13 colonies. I have no idea why both of these teams had injury replacements. Maybe the original line-up wasn't enough of a draw.
Yes, this match was the main event of the show somehow.
The Teamsters
Shawn Michaels, Diesel, Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart and Jeff Jarrett
Survivor Series 1994
I'm going to be honest and say that I haven't watched much WWE programming in months, but that I have renewed my Network subscription for Survivor Series. Not only is it airing from my hometown of Toronto, but I just love Survivor Series. Looking at the card, it should be a good show.
Now, I understand the reasoning for the all of the "Team Raw" vs "Team SmackDown" matches and that's all fine and good, but I can't help but miss the Survivor Series team names of yesteryear. They haven't had really good team names in many, many years (Instead settling for "Team [BLANK]" at least 99% of the time) so this is an ode to the days of more creative naming.
Here are a few of my favourite Survivor Series team names.
The Visionaries
Rick Martel, The Warlord and Power and Glory (Hercules and Paul Roma) (with Slick)
Survivor Series 1990
The best part of this team name is that it's designed to mock his opponent. If you're not familiar with 1990 in WWF, you might not know that Rick Martel "blinded" Jake The Snake Roberts by spraying his "Arrogance" cologne into Roberts' eyes. Jake Roberts was the captain of the opposing team ("The Vipers") in this match and thus Rick Martel named his team "The Visionaries" because (get it?) he could see. And his opponent couldn't.
Oh 1990, you were a different time.
The Rude Brood
Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect and The Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacques and Raymond Rougeau)
Survivor Series 1989
Roddy's Rowdies
Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka and The Bushwhackers (Butch and Luke)
Survivor Series 1989
The Foreign Fanatics
Yokozuna, Ludvig Borga, and The Quebecers (Jacques and Pierre)
Survivor Series 1993
The opposing team was the "All Americans" but Tatanka was also "injured" and so his spot was taken by The Undertaker, who was suddenly really proud to be an American.
Yes, this match was the main event of the show somehow.
The Teamsters
Shawn Michaels, Diesel, Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart and Jeff Jarrett
Survivor Series 1994
Okay, not only is it super weird to see Jim Neidhart, Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett teaming with Shawn Michaels and Diesel, but the team is named after a labour union. Get it? Because "Diesel" is the character's name and also the fuel that powers trucks! Get it? GET IT!?
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