Every WWE Title Change At Survivor Series, Ranked Worst To Best

Survivor Series is currently the second oldest pay-per-view on WWE's pay-per-view schedule which has been on their calendar since its inception in November 1987. It is traditionally one of WWE's "Big Four" events. While traditional Survivor Series elimination matches have been the show's main selling point, several WWE Championship title matches were just as big.

The first singles match at Survivor Series wasn't until 1991, which happened to be a WWE Championship match. The WWE Championship changed hands for six consecutive years from 1994-1999, which showed how tough it was for a reigning WWE Champion to hold onto their title at the event. Nevertheless, only one man has won the WWE Championship twice at Survivor Series, but some WWE Title changes at the event were more memorable than others.

12 Big Show Defeats Brock Lesnar - 2002

Brock Lesnar v Big Show Survivor Series 2002

Big Show challenged a red-hot Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series 2002. The Next Big Thing was on a roll after he defeated the likes of The Rock and The Undertaker, but Show provided a stern test for Lesnar.

Lesnar's ribs were taped, and he connected with the F5 on Show. However, Lesnar's agent Paul Heyman pulled the referee out of the ring. Lesnar was seething and he chased after Heyman. Show intercepted by hitting Lesnar in the ribs with a chair, and he chokeslammed him onto the chair to become WWE Champion for the second time in his career. Thus, Show became the only man to win the WWE Championship twice at Survivor Series.

11 Bob Backlund Defeats Bret Hart - 1994

Bob Backlund Survivor Series 1994 Cropped

Bret Hart was eight months into his WWE Championship, by the time he defended the gold against Bob Backlund in a submission match at Survivor Series 1994. This was an average WWE Title match, and the result was shocking.

Backlund cinched in the crossface chicken wing and it felt like an eternity when he locked in the hold. Bret's mother Helen was at ringside, and she threw in the towel because of Owen with Backlund stunning Hart to kickstart his second run as WWE Champion.

10 Big Show Defeats Triple H And The Rock - 1999

Fans were expecting a blockbuster triple threat match for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series 1999 between Triple H, The Rock, and Steve Austin but Austin's neck issues flared up. Big Show was a last-minute replacement to take Austin's spot.

The match itself was mediocre, and Mr. McMahon got involved in proceedings by hitting Triple H with the WWE Title. McMahon counted Triple H's shoulders down, and Show captured his first WWE Championship at the age of 27, which was his second match of the night.

9 Sheamus Defeats Roman Reigns - 2015

Roman Reigns v Sheamus Survivor Series 2015 Cropped

Roman Reigns' joy of winning his first WWE Championship was short-lived at Survivor Series 2015 as Sheamus attacked him and cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase. The Celtic Warrior made history as the first man to successfully cash in his Money in the Bank contract at the event.

The confetti was still in the ring, and Sheamus connected with the Brogue Kick but Reigns kicked out. Sheamus executed a second Brogue Kick on Reigns which was enough for Sheamus to capture his fourth WWE World Championship.

8 The Undertaker Defeats Hulk Hogan - 1991

Undertaker v Hulk Hogan Survivor Series 1991 Cropped

One year after he made his WWE debut at Survivor Series 1990, Undertaker challenged Hulk Hogan for the WWE Championship at the 1991 iteration of the event. It wasn't just the first WWE Championship match at the event, it was the first one-on-one bout scheduled at Survivor Series.

The match was a slow and methodical affair, and Undertaker connected with a picture-perfect Tombstone but in true Hogan fashion, he no-sold it and got straight back up. Nonetheless, Ric Flair interfered and he placed a chair in the ring with Undertaker connecting with another Tombstone directly onto the chair, which was enough for Undertaker to become the WWE Champion for the first time in his career.

7 Edge Defeats Triple H And Vladimir Kozlov - 2008

Triple H and Vladimir Kozlov started off their WWE Championship match at Survivor Series 2008 which was supposed to include Jeff Hardy but he was not involved. Mid-way through the match, Vickie Guerrero teased that Jeff would appear, but it was none other than Edge, who made his return to action after three months on the sidelines.

Edge connected with a spear on Triple H, but Hardy intervened and hit both Triple H and Kozlov with a steel chair. The Rated-R Superstar laid out Hardy, and he covered Triple H to become WWE Champion for the third time.

6 Roman Reigns Defeats Dean Ambrose - 2015

Roman Reigns v Dean Ambrose Survivor Series 2015 Cropped

There was guaranteed to be a first-time WWE Champion when Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose clashed in the tournament final at Survivor Series 2015. The former Shield members were capable of producing much better, as they didn't go to another gear.

Ambrose threw everything at Reigns, but the Big Dog finally clinched the WWE Championship. Confetti fell, and Reigns and Ambrose had a nice moment in the ring together. That's as good as it got for Reigns with Sheamus cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase to take the WWE Championship away from him.

5 Sycho Sid Defeats Shawn Michaels - 1996

Shawn Michaels v Sid Survivor Series 1996 Cropped

Despite being the heel, Sycho Sid had the Madison Square Garden crowd on his side in his WWE Championship match with Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series 1996. Michaels held the WWE Title for eight months, and Sid was one of his toughest challengers to date.

Michaels and Sid had a fantastic bout with Sid using his size and strength to his advantage. Sid hit Michaels with the camera, and he followed it up with a Powerbomb to bring down the curtain down on Michaels' WWE Championship reign.

4 CM Punk Defeats Alberto Del Rio - 2011

CM Punk v Alberto Del Rio Survivor Series 2011 Cropped

CM Punk was looking to regain the WWE Championship from Alberto Del Rio at Survivor Series 2011. They knocked it out of the park in a superb championship match, which showcased Del Rio at his very best.

Punk and Del Rio's matches were underrated, and the Mexican Aristocrat made life difficult for Punk. The Second City Saint applied the Anaconda Vise leaving Del Rio no choice but to tap out and he became WWE Champion for the second time, which began his lengthy 434-day run as WWE Champion.

3 Bret Hart Defeats Diesel - 1995

Diesel v Bret Hart Survivor Series 1995 Cropped

Bret Hart dropped the WWE Championship at Survivor Series 1994, and he hadn't held the WWE Title since then. He faced off with Diesel in a No Disqualification match, a year later and this bout closed out the show. Bret and Diesel have good chemistry together, and this was another sensational match between the pair.

The Spanish broadcast table broke for the first time with Diesel putting Hart through the table with a Jackknife Powerbomb. Ultimately, Hart weathered the storm, and he played possum by rolling up Diesel to kickstart his third reign as WWE Champion.

2 Shawn Michaels Defeats Bret Hart - 1997

Bret Hart v Shawn Michaels Survivor Series 1997 Cropped

The only rematch in Survivor Series history is Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels facing off at two editions at the event. Just like their contest in 1992, the Hitman defended the WWE Championship with HBK looking to unseat Hart for the WWE Title, which he successfully did at WrestleMania 12.

Before the bell rang, Hart and Michaels were inseparable and they battled around the arena. Hart and Michaels' match was steady, but the Montreal Screwjob occurred with Michaels executing the sharpshooter on Hart, and Earl Hebner rang the bell with the match ending prematurely, and Michaels escaped the arena as a three-time WWE Champion.

1 The Rock Defeats Mankind - 1998

Rock v Mankind Survivor Series 1998 Cropped

The Rock and Mankind navigated their way to the final of the Deadly Game tournament at Survivor Series 1998 with the winner clinching their first WWE Championship reign. Mankind was the favorite to prevail as he had the McMahons by his side.

Rock was a babyface at this point, and fans wanted him to win. However, one of the best double turns in WWE history happened when Rock locked in the sharpshooter, and Mr. McMahon called for the bell. The People's Champion was awarded the WWE Championship, and he embraced the McMahons in a brilliant swerve that nobody saw coming.