For me, I’m a traditionalist.
Long before the double cages and the echo of “WAR GAMES!” became a yearly rallying cry, Survivor Series was one of my favorite WWE events for a much simpler reason: It felt unpredictable. You’d get these wild team combinations — babyfaces who didn’t quite get along, heels who couldn’t trust each other, legends teaming with rookies — thrown into this five-on-five, elimination-style format. One by one, people were picked off until only one survivor remained.
On paper, it was basic. In practice, it was magic.
Survivor Series stood apart because it messed with the usual formula. It wasn’t just about titles or personal grudges; it was about endurance, strategy and chemistry. Could a team coexist? Would a long-simmering rivalry boil over at the worst possible moment? Would somebody walk out? You never quite knew where the night would go, and that unpredictability made it feel like “must-watch” territory every year.
And along the way, Survivor Series quietly became the backdrop for some of the most important and bizarre moments in wrestling history.
If you rewind back to Survivor Series 1990, you land on a night that perfectly sums up the duality of pro wrestling: The ridiculous and the iconic sharing the same stage.
On one hand, you have the infamous debut of the Gobbledy Gooker, played by Hector Guerrero. For weeks, WWE hyped up this mysterious egg sitting by the entranceway. Fans speculated endlessly. A new star? A returning legend? Something huge?
Nope. It was a guy in a giant turkey costume.
It was goofy, it was bizarre, and it’s lived on in wrestling infamy ever since. But on that very same show, the pendulum swung in the opposite direction with the debut of The Undertaker. Led to the ring by Bruce Prichard — then appearing as Brother Love — this towering, cold, funeral-parlor specter walked down the aisle and instantly felt like something completely different. The look, the aura, the presence … it all hit at once.
Same event. Same night. One of the most mocked characters in company history and one of the greatest of all time. That’s Survivor Series in a nutshell: Chaos and history colliding.
Fast-forward to Survivor Series 2014. The main event is already a big deal, but the payoff is what people remember. The authority storyline, stakes at an all-time high, and just when it felt like the chaos hit its limit — the lights went out. When they came back, standing on the WWE entrance ramp for the first time is Sting.
For decades, Sting had been the face of everything not WWE. He was the WCW loyalist, the TNA mainstay, the “never coming over” guy. Seeing him there, bat in hand, felt like a hole in history getting unexpectedly filled. His run may not have been long, but that first appearance at Survivor Series is permanently etched in wrestling memory.
And then there’s The Rock, whose relationship with Survivor Series is like a full-circle story. He debuted at Survivor Series in 1996 as the plucky, smiling Rocky Maivia. Years later, after a seven-year absence from in-ring competition, he returned to action at Survivor Series again — this time teaming with John Cena in 2011 to take on The Miz and R-Truth. The kid from ʼ96 had come back as the biggest star in the world to the event that launched him. That’s wrestling poetry.
So yeah — Survivor Series has always been a home for moments. But in recent years, something changed.
The superstars stopped just surviving … and started going to war.
WarGames started not in WWE, but in Jim Crockett Promotions back in 1987, under the banner of WCW. The concept came from the mind of “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, who, as usual, was thinking cinema and spectacle.
Inspired in part by “Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome” — specifically the post-apocalyptic cage fight atmosphere — Dusty asked the question: What would that look like in a wrestling ring?
The answer:
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Two rings.
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One giant cage.
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A roof over the top.
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Teams of wrestlers entering in staggered intervals.
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No way out, nowhere to run, and nothing pretty about it.
On July 4, 1987, at the Great American Bash, Jim Crockett Promotions officially introduced the world to WarGames. It wasn’t meant to be just another stipulation match; it was designed to feel like a war zone. It was about faction vs. faction, blood vs. blood, good vs. evil at its most primal.
WCW went on to hold numerous WarGames matches across several years. The match became synonymous with intense rivalry and faction warfare, especially with groups like The Four Horsemen involved. Then, when WCW closed its doors, the concept went into hibernation.
That is, until Paul “Triple H” Levesque revived it in 2017 with NXT.
In NXT, WarGames became a yearly showcase event and a proving ground for the brand’s biggest stars. It also gifted us one of the most beloved recurring phrases in modern wrestling: William Regal, in his distinct Blackpool accent, storming out and bellowing one word that sends crowds into a frenzy:
“WAAAAAR GAMES!”
From there, it only felt right that the match eventually graduated to the WWE main roster — and when it did in 2022, it found its home under a very familiar banner: Survivor Series. The WarGames matches became the centerpiece attraction for the event, replacing the old five-on-five elimination concept with something more brutal, more cinematic and more in line with modern expectations.
And in recent years, between the men’s and women’s divisions, Survivor Series: WarGames has quietly started building a new legacy of its own.
With that in mind, it’s time to look back and count down the five most memorable WarGames matches in professional wrestling history.
But first, we have to start with an entry that technically isn’t about the match quality itself … but is absolutely unforgettable.
Honorable mention: WCW Fall Brawl 1993
The Shockmaster falls through history
Our honorable mention goes to WCW Fall Brawl 1993, and specifically to the WarGames match that pitted Team Sting (Sting, Davey Boy Smith, “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes and a mystery partner) vs. The Heels (Sid Vicious, Big Van Vader and the team then known as Kane & Kole — better known to fans today as Booker T and Stevie Ray of Harlem Heat).
On paper, that’s already a loaded match. But what people remember isn’t just the WarGames bout — it’s the build.
Sting had been teasing a mystery partner, someone who would join them in the WarGames structure. The reveal was set for Ric Flair’s talk segment, “A Flair for the Gold,” on Aug. 18, 1993, at WCW Clash of the Champions 24. The stage was set: Flair hosting, Sting and Davey Boy Smith as guests, and the heels — Sid Vicious and Harlem Heat — waiting to find out who they would be facing.
Sting uttered two words that would live in wrestling infamy:
“The Shockmaster.”
The camera cut to a section of the set. Pyro hit. And through a simulated “wall” of drywall came the Shockmaster — played by Fred Ottman, known to WWF fans as Tugboat and Typhoon, and uncle to Dustin Rhodes and Cody Rhodes.
Only … he didn’t exactly “come through” the wall.
The bottom portion of the framing holding the wall up acted as the Shockmaster’s greatest opponent. His foot caught the edge, he tripped and he crashed to the floor on live television. His glitter-covered Stormtrooper helmet flew off his head and skidded across the set. You could practically hear the live crowd’s confusion, and the wrestlers in the scene struggled not to break character.
In one moment, what was meant to be a fearsome debut became one of the biggest unintentional comedy spots in wrestling history.
Just as Henry Winkler’s Fonz literally “jumped the shark” on “Happy Days,” this felt like WCW’s own jump-the-shark moment. But here’s the thing: Wrestling fans never forgot it. It became a part of the culture, a reference point, a piece of the lore.
The match itself may not crack the top five in terms of pure in-ring excellence — but as far as moments go? It’s unforgettable. And that’s why it earns an honorable mention.
5. WWE Survivor Series 2023
A return that broke the wrestling internet
At Survivor Series 2023, WarGames took center stage with a star-studded men’s match: Team Cody (Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn and a returning Randy Orton) vs. Judgment Day and Drew McIntyre (Damian Priest, Finn Bálor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Drew McIntyre).
On its own, this match was already a big deal. You had Cody Rhodes — son of the creator of the WarGames match — leading a team into the structure his father dreamed up. You had Seth Rollins as the workhorse champion, Jey Uso still navigating life outside The Bloodline, and Sami Zayn as the emotional heartbeat of modern WWE storytelling. Add in a long-anticipated Randy Orton return after more than a year away and the stakes were through the roof.
The match itself delivered. Big moments, high drama and a highlight-reel RKO from Orton to JD McDonagh that reminded everyone exactly who Randy Orton is. The babyfaces got the win, the crowd was satisfied and it felt like a fitting main event conclusion.
But there was still something in the air.
As the show seemed to be winding down and the copyright bug appeared in the corner of the screen, fans at home and in the arena couldn’t ignore the rumors. There had been whispers for weeks. Speculation. Hints. Denials.
CM Punk.
After a tumultuous tenure in AEW that saw backstage conflicts, real-life altercations and ultimately his firing by Tony Khan, Punk felt like the most radioactive free agent in wrestling. Most people — myself included — didn’t think a WWE return was in the cards. I didn’t think WWE needed him. I didn’t think the relationship could be repaired.
And then…
The opening riff of “Cult of Personality” hit.
The United Center in Chicago exploded. The camera caught genuine shock, joy and disbelief from the fans. Punk walked out onto the stage, soaking it in, and for a second, it genuinely felt like time folded in on itself. A decade of “never say never” talk crystallized into one moment.
Even better? You had Seth Rollins reacting with pure, unfiltered emotion, giving fans a real-life hook into what would become an incredible program.
This WarGames match earns its spot on the list not just for what happened in the cage — but for what it set the stage for the second that bell rang and the night seemed over. The match was great. The moment after was legendary.
4. NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2017
Undisputed Era vs. Sanity vs. AOP and Roderick Strong
Next on the list is a match that marked a rebirth: The first WarGames bout in 20 years, at NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2017.
This version took a slightly different approach from the classic WCW setup. There was no roof on the cage, and instead of two teams, we had three:
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The Undisputed Era: Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish
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Sanity: Eric Young, Killian Dain, Alexander Wolfe
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AOP & Roderick Strong: Akam, Rezar, Roderick Strong
This was peak NXT, a brand known for its blend of indie credibility, tight storytelling and big-match atmosphere. And this WarGames match delivered on all of those fronts.
This felt like Adam Cole’s true arrival as a main-event player for WWE. His charisma, timing and opportunistic style were perfectly suited for the chaos of WarGames. He played the role of the smug, opportunistic heel to perfection, constantly inserting himself at just the right (or wrong) moments.
Killian Dain had a breakout performance, working like a monster inside the cage. Everything from his power spots to his high-risk offense elevated the brutality and spectacle of the match. His bit with the key to the cage — locking himself in, relishing the destruction — added a layer of character-work on top of the action.
Alexander Wolfe will forever be remembered for the absolutely gnarly cut he suffered during the match. The visual of him bleeding heavily as the action continued amplified the sense of danger and drama.
This match didn’t just bring WarGames back — it reintroduced it with a distinctly WWE/NXT twist. It showed that the concept could evolve — different configurations, an open-top cage, triple-team warfare—without losing the spirit of Dusty Rhodes’ original vision.
For that, it earns the No. 4 spot.
3. WWE Survivor Series 2022
Team Bel-Air vs. Damage CTRL
No. 3 is a match that proved, once again, that the women’s division can absolutely thrive in the most brutal environments: The women’s WarGames match at Survivor Series 2022.
Team Bel-Air (Bianca Bel-Air, Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Mia Yim) vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Rhea Ripley, Nikki Cross).
From the moment this match was announced, it felt big. Not just because of the names involved, but because of what it represented — women not just getting a spotlight, but being trusted with one of the most physically demanding match types in the company.
The result was a bout that combined all the elements you want from a top-tier WarGames match: Spectacle, emotion, brutality and storytelling.
You had Bianca Bel-Air continuing her ongoing war with Damage CTRL, trying to outlast a group that had been haunting her title reign and status. You had Becky Lynch returning to reclaim her place at the top and bring that big-fight aura only she can. Asuka showed layers of her evolution, walking that line between chaos and control. Rhea Ripley looked like an unstoppable force. Nikki Cross brought unhinged energy that fit the WarGames structure like a glove.
Then came the moments that people will always remember:
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Becky Lynch’s massive leg drop off the top of the cage through a table, a spot that played perfectly into her character as someone willing to put her body on the line when it matters.
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Iyo Sky's trash-can moonsault, where she literally put a trash can over her body, climbed the cage, and launched herself into the void. It became instantly iconic, the kind of GIF-able, poster-worthy visual that cements a performer as a star.
In many ways, this match felt stronger than the men’s WarGames match on the same show. It told a tighter story, had clearer emotional stakes, and showcased the women as every bit the equals — and in this case, the superiors — when it came to delivering in that unforgiving double-cage environment.
For all those reasons, it firmly sits at No. 3.
2. Great American Bash 1987
The first-ever WarGames
You can’t have a list like this without going back to where it all began.
At the Great American Bash 1987, we got the first-ever WarGames match, featuring:
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“The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes
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The Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal)
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Nikita Koloff
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Paul Ellering
vs.
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Ric Flair
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Arn Anderson
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Tully Blanchard
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Lex Luger
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J.J. Dillon
This match wasn’t just a test run or a prototype — it was an instant statement.
The double ring. The steel cage with a roof. The claustrophobic feel. The idea that nobody was getting out until it was over. It felt like a battlefield in a way fans hadn’t seen before.
Much like the first-ever Hell in a Cell between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, the original WarGames match did more than introduce a new stipulation. It delivered at such a high level that it became a classic in its own right. Fans didn’t just say, “That was the first one.” They said, “That was one of the best ones.”
You had Dusty and Flair, a rivalry that’s practically mythological in wrestling history. You had The Road Warriors in their absolute prime, as over and intense as any team in the world. You had the Four Horsemen — Flair, Arn, Tully and Luger — embodying the arrogant, violent heel energy that WarGames was designed to punish.
This match established the rhythms and psychology of WarGames: The advantage going to the heels, the babyfaces always fighting from underneath as each new entrant tilted the odds, the gradual escalation of violence, and the desperate push to survive until everyone was in the cage and “The Match Beyond” could truly begin.
It set the rules. It set the tone. It set the standard.
And that’s why it lands at No. 2.
1. WCW WrestleWar 1992
Sting’s Squadron vs. The Dangerous Alliance
At the top of the list, we have what many consider the definitive WarGames match: WrestleWar 1992, featuring Sting’s Squadron vs. The Dangerous Alliance.
Sting’s Squadron (Sting, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Barry Windham, “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes, Nikita Koloff) vs. The Dangerous Alliance (“Ravishing” Rick Rude, “Stunning” Steve Austin, Arn Anderson, “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, Larry Zbyszko).
If the first WarGames match invented the concept, WrestleWar ‘92 perfected it.
Everything clicked here: The crowd, the pacing, the character work, the violence and the emotional payoff.
The Dangerous Alliance, led by Paul E. Dangerously (Paul Heyman), was one of the most stacked heel factions ever assembled. You had Rude as the top-tier main-event star, Anderson and Eaton as tag-team savants, Austin as the hungry rising star, and Zbyszko as the crafty veteran. They were the perfect foils for Sting’s Squadron, who represented the heart-and-soul babyfaces of WCW.
From the opening moments, this match radiated intensity. Austin started bleeding almost immediately, setting the tone that this wouldn’t be a clean or pretty encounter. You had Nikita Koloff protecting Sting, which felt like a major moment in their story. These were two men who had once been on opposite sides of a Cold War-era rivalry, now finding common cause. That dynamic added layers to the standard “good guys vs. bad guys” story and gave fans something deeper to latch onto.
And then there’s the finish: Larry Zbyszko accidentally shattering the turnbuckle with a foreign object, causing the top rope to become unstable and ultimately resulting in an injury to his own partner, Bobby Eaton. That unintentional self-sabotage directly led to their loss.
It’s one of the most unique and memorable endings in WarGames history. Instead of a straightforward submission or knockout, the story was that the Dangerous Alliance literally destroyed their own foundation.
This match had everything Dusty Rhodes envisioned for WarGames. Star power. Brutality. Emotion. Character arcs converging in one decisive battle.
It didn’t just live up to the concept — it became the template for what WarGames could and should be.
For all those reasons, WrestleWar 1992 stands as the greatest WarGames match of all time.
