The 1990 Survivor Series, held on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut, marked a historic event in WWE history. Known for its traditional elimination-style matches, this Survivor Series is most remembered for introducing The Undertaker, who would go on to become one of WWE’s greatest legends. The night also featured the first-ever “Grand Finale Match of Survival”, pitting survivors from earlier matches against each other to crown an ultimate team winner.
Event Overview
- Date: November 22, 1990
- Venue: Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, Connecticut
- Attendance: Approximately 16,000 passionate fans
- Notable Debut: The Undertaker, introduced by Brother Love, made a legendary debut.
- Special Attraction: The appearance of the mysterious “Gobbledy Gooker.”
Survivor Series 1990 Match Results
- The Warriors vs. The Perfect Team
- Team Warriors: The Ultimate Warrior, Texas Tornado, and Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal)
- Team Perfect Team: Mr. Perfect and Demolition (Ax, Smash, and Crush)
- Winners: The Warriors (The Ultimate Warrior survived)
- Highlight: Ultimate Warrior’s incredible resilience as the sole survivor.
- The Million Dollar Team vs. The Dream Team
- Team Million Dollar Team: Ted DiBiase, The Undertaker (debut), Honky Tonk Man, and Greg Valentine
- Team Dream Team: Dusty Rhodes, Koko B. Ware, and The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart)
- Winners: The Million Dollar Team (Ted DiBiase survived)
- Key Moment: The Undertaker’s intimidating debut showcased his dominance as he eliminated Koko B. Ware and Dusty Rhodes before being counted out.
- The Visionaries vs. The Vipers
- Team Visionaries: Rick Martel, The Warlord, and Power & Glory (Hercules and Paul Roma)
- Team Vipers: Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Jimmy Snuka, and The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
- Winners: The Visionaries (Entire team survived)
- Highlight: This match marked the first time an entire team survived, showcasing Rick Martel’s leadership.
- The Hulkamaniacs vs. The Natural Disasters
- Team Hulkamaniacs: Hulk Hogan, Big Boss Man, Tugboat, and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
- Team Natural Disasters: Earthquake, Dino Bravo, Haku, and The Barbarian
- Winners: The Hulkamaniacs (Hulk Hogan survived)
- Key Moment: Hulk Hogan’s classic comeback and elimination of Earthquake thrilled the crowd.
- The Alliance vs. The Mercenaries
- Team Alliance: Nikolai Volkoff, Tito Santana, and The Bushwhackers (Luke and Butch)
- Team Mercenaries: Sgt. Slaughter, Boris Zhukov, and The Orient Express (Tanaka and Sato)
- Winners: The Alliance (Tito Santana survived)
- Highlight: Tito Santana stood tall, paving his way to the Grand Finale Match.
- Grand Finale Match of Survival
- Survivors: The Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, and Tito Santana
- Opponents: Ted DiBiase, Rick Martel, The Warlord, and Power & Glory
- Winners: Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior survived
- Key Moment: The Ultimate Warrior closed the night with his high-energy offense, securing a memorable victory for the fan favorites.
Notable Moments from Survivor Series 1990
- The Undertaker’s Debut:
The Undertaker made an unforgettable impact, showing his unique presence and becoming an immediate force in WWE. Managed by Brother Love, his cold, methodical style left fans in awe. - The Gobbledy Gooker’s Appearance:
The mysterious egg that WWE hyped for weeks hatched to reveal the Gobbledy Gooker, portrayed by Héctor Guerrero. Although it was met with a mixed reception, it remains a quirky moment in WWE history. - Grand Finale Match:
Survivor Series 1990 introduced the innovative “Grand Finale Match of Survival,” adding a fresh twist by pitting survivors from all previous matches in one final showdown.
Why Survivor Series 1990 Was Special
- Legendary Debut: The Undertaker’s first appearance would mark the beginning of one of WWE’s most enduring legacies.
- Unique Format: The introduction of the Grand Finale Match added intrigue and stakes to the traditional Survivor Series format.
- Iconic Stars: The event featured a mix of rising talents like The Undertaker and established legends like Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, and Ted DiBiase.
Legacy of Survivor Series 1990
Survivor Series 1990 holds a special place in WWE history. It gave birth to The Undertaker, one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time, and introduced creative storytelling elements that fans still remember fondly.
Whether you’re reliving the magic or learning about it for the first time, this event stands as a cornerstone in WWE’s rich Survivor Series legacy.