The 2006 edition of Survivor Series featured an electrifying traditional 5-on-5 elimination match between Team D-Generation X (D-X) and Team Rated-RKO, a battle that perfectly encapsulated the high-energy rivalries and intense storytelling of WWE’s Ruthless Aggression Era. Headlining the contest were two of the most dominant factions in WWE at the time: D-X, led by Triple H and Shawn Michaels, and Rated-RKO, featuring the cunning duo of Edge and Randy Orton.
Team D-X was a fan-favorite group consisting of Triple H, Shawn Michaels, CM Punk, Jeff Hardy, and Matt Hardy. Their opponents, Team Rated-RKO, were a formidable force made up of Edge, Randy Orton, Johnny Nitro (later known as John Morrison), Mike Knox, and the monstrous Gregory Helms. With the crowd in Philadelphia buzzing with excitement, the match was set to be a memorable showdown of WWE’s top-tier talent.
The Match Begins
The moment the bell rang, Shawn Michaels immediately set the tone for the match, delivering an iconic Sweet Chin Music to Mike Knox, eliminating him within seconds. This shocking moment had the audience roaring in laughter and disbelief, with even Michaels himself humorously questioning who Knox was before casually tagging out.
From there, Team D-X continued their dominance. CM Punk, the rising star in WWE at the time, showcased his technical prowess and submission expertise, locking in the Anaconda Vise to eliminate Gregory Helms. The Philadelphia crowd, known for their love of independent wrestling, erupted in chants of “CM Punk!” as he proved he belonged among WWE’s top superstars.
Total Domination by Team D-X
As the match progressed, it became clear that Team D-X was operating with flawless chemistry. The Hardy Boyz dazzled with their signature high-flying offense, with Jeff Hardy hitting his breathtaking Swanton Bomb and Matt Hardy delivering his signature Twist of Fate. Johnny Nitro was the next to fall, taken down by the high-energy offense of the Hardys.
With Edge and Orton left alone against all five members of Team D-X, the match had quickly turned into a one-sided affair. Triple H and Shawn Michaels, known for their mind games, mocked their opponents while still systematically dismantling them. Jeff Hardy took care of Edge, neutralizing him with a perfectly executed pinfall after another high-risk move.
This left Randy Orton as the last survivor for Team Rated-RKO, but the odds were overwhelmingly stacked against him. Orton, a former Survivor Series legend with a history of being the sole survivor in past events, attempted to fight back. However, it was all in vain as Team D-X toyed with him, delivering their finishing moves in succession.
A Flawless Victory
The match concluded with Triple H hitting a devastating Pedigree on Orton, securing a flawless 5-0 victory for Team D-X. This dominant performance solidified D-Generation X’s status as the superior faction in WWE at the time, while also serving as a significant turning point in the rivalry between the two teams.
With the Philadelphia crowd on their feet, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, CM Punk, and The Hardy Boyz celebrated their emphatic win, creating one of the most memorable Survivor Series moments of the era.
