Survivor Series 1997
At SummerSlam, Randy Orton beat Edge and The Sandman in a Triple Threat Match to win the WWE Championship. It was the first-ever world title of The Legend Killer's career. Orton turned away several challenges from RAW superstars and was on track to become the longest-reigning WWE Champion in history.
That is, until John Cena returned. The Doctor of Thuganomics came back from a career-threatening arm injury to take back something he never lost. He challenged Orton to a WWE Championship match at Survivor Series. However, The Viper said that Cena earn his #1 contendership. The Chain Gang Commander won a tooth-and-nail battle against Mick Foley to earn a WWE title shot at Survivor Series. After the match, Orton laid out Cena with an RKO. The title match was going to pour with emotion and anticipation. Both men promised they'd taste victory, and would punish the other with a great deal of pleasure. 2 weeks before the event, RAW GM Jonathan Coachman announced that it would be Randy Orton vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship in a Chairs Match at Survivor Series. Steel chairs were legal, and their were no countouts or disqualifications. The only way to win was by pinfall or submission. On the go-home show before Survivor Series, Cena teamed with Shawn Michaels against Orton and Mick Foley. Cena and HBK won the match after The Chain Gang Commander pinned The Legend Killer after an FU. Cena attacked Orton with a chair to close the show.