It was also the first one to take place in Madison Square Garden since the 2002 event, as well as the first Survivor Series held following the end of the first brand extension in August.

In the main event, The Rock, in his first WWE in-ring match since March 2004, teamed up with his WrestleMania XXVIII opponent John Cena to defeat The Miz and R-Truth.

In another predominant match on the card, CM Punk was victorious over Alberto Del Rio by submission to win the WWE Championship, a reign that would continue until January 27, 2013 and become the sixth longest in the company's history.

Also in attendance were Zack Ryder and Jimmy Hart, who gave a bus tour of New York to 150 fans who won tickets via WWE.com in the weeks leading to the event.

[10][11] Survivor Series featured professional wrestling matches involving different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds, plots, and storylines that developed on WWE's television programs, Raw and SmackDown.

[12][13] The main event involved WrestleMania XXVIII opponents John Cena and The Rock teaming against the Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth).

After losing to Alberto Del Rio the previous month at Vengeance due to interference by The Miz and R-Truth.

[16] Three months prior at SummerSlam, Alberto Del Rio cashed in his Money in the Bank contract against WWE Champion CM Punk to win the title.

[16] The event also included World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry defending his title against Big Show.

The two had wrestled each other the previous month at Vengeance, but during the match the ring had collapsed, leaving both men unable to continue.

[19] A Survivor Series elimination match pitting Team Orton, consisting of Randy Orton, Sheamus, Sin Cara, Mason Ryan, and Kofi Kingston, against Team Barrett, consisting of Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, and Hunico, was also scheduled for the event.

After R-Truth and John Cena took each other out of the match, The Rock performed a spinebuster followed by the People's Elbow to pin the Miz.

[9] Dave Meltzer wrote that the main event had "The biggest big match feel in WWE since the John Cena vs CM Punk encounter from Money in the Bank earlier that year".