Thursday, March 28, 2024
EditorialTop 10 WWE PPVs I've Seen (Since 2000)

Top 10 WWE PPVs I’ve Seen (Since 2000)

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Being approximately two and a half weeks from the 31st  edition of WWE’s biggest show, WrestleMania, I did a lot of reminiscing over this past weekend. I thought about the good times of my childhood and happened to remember some great moments. Moments like Edge winning his first WWE Championship or Dolph Ziggler finally cashing in the night after WrestleMania 29. So I decided, hell, why not just rank some of the greatest shows that you have ever seen in a top 10 list? I told myself, “Richard you freaking baby, just make the damn list already.” So upon proper counsel from my inner conscience, I finally decided to just go through the list. Now I must emphasize that you read the title. These are shows that are WWE/WWF exclusive and range since 2000. Why? There are just far too many great shows that I can list and you can name them off the top of your head. So I’ll keep things simple, short, sweet and to the point. Here are some honorable mentions just missing the cut.

Backlash 2007: A PPV that features Batista and Undertaker in their prime in a Last Man Standing match and a fatal four way between Edge, Orton, Cena and Shawn Michaels is bound to be great. I really just hated how that WWE Title match ended with Cena’s head falling on Orton’s shoulder after a superkick. That got me angry.

Money In The Bank 2011: Toughest omission. Besides Punk/Cena, you had two fantastic ladder matches and Orton/Christian, who have impeccable chemistry in the ring together. Please don’t hate me.

No Mercy 2008: The Chris Jericho/Shawn Michaels ladder match for the title was simply the icing on top of the proverbial cake in what was the best feud of not only the year, but in some while as well. Meanwhile, Jeff Hardy had one of his best one on one contests that didn’t feature any chairs, ladders or anything of the sort. I was getting behind Jeff, until he was caught having more drugs than your local pharmacy. 

Payback 2013: Not a lot of people may remember this show for its particular greatness, per say, but I thought that this PPV was good in that every single match was either very good or solid. CM Punk/Jericho stole the show, and it should have since it was Chicago, but every other match on the card had some great value. Hell, I’d even rate the Divas bout between Kaitlyn and AJ at least three stars. All you want from WWE these days is just all around solid. This PPV wasn’t spectacular, but everything was good. Give it a try.

Backlash 2004: Foley put over Orton in the best way possible in a hardcore match and you got a rematch of the great triple threat match that took place at the prior PPV.

WrestleMania 21: In terms of match quality, this one didn’t do it for me because both world title matches stank up the joint. However, what I liked about this PPV was that it signaled a changing of the guard of sorts for the WWE roster. Batista and John Cena, two of the greatest world champions of all time (well, one’s a movie star and one is a wanna be movie star), beat veterans in Triple H and JBL. Edge won the MITB ladder match, Randy Orton got a one on one match with Undertaker (not to mention Undertaker thought that Orton should have gone over), Kurt Angle defeated Shawn Michaels in what I called the best match I have ever seen and Rey Mysterio defeated Eddie Guererro in a fun little match. WWE did it right with pushing talent that should be pushed at this PPV. Definitely not doing it now.

No Mercy 2002: One of the greatest tag team matches in history happened at this show in Edge/Mysteiro and Benoit/Angle while a brutal Lesnar/Undertaker Hell In A Cell match took place as well. Very solid show.

Battleground 2013: I honestly hope you seriously thought I was smoking a farm-suitable substance if I thought for one second this was going to be here for real.

Now, onto the main event.


10. Fully Loaded 2000

Must-See Matches: The Rock vs. Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho vs. Triple H (Last Man Standing)

I want you take a look at the two matches I said you should see. In each of those matches, you have established stars (The Rock and Triple H) facing off against smaller, more technical wrestlers (Benoit and Jericho). I believe Benoit and Jericho was still trying to prove to the roster they were here to stay after the WCW talent was transferring over and these two matches absolutely tore the house down. Both were brutal, entertaining and classic. The Rock/Benoit match could have done without the Dusty finish, but it didn’t take away from the quality that proceeded it. This is a PPV I don’t think many will remember and WWE certainly won’t remind you of it because a certain someone is on the card, but that’s what YouTube and DailyMotion are for. 

9. Summerslam 2013

Must See Matches: Alberto Del Rio vs. Christian, John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan, CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar

After WrestleMania 29, I thought WWE hit a hot streak with consecutive solid PPV’s at this was the culmination of that streak. Then Cena got injured and we got the debacles that were Night Of Champions and Battleground that followed. Anyways, this great PPV had everything a great Summerslam PPV should always have. That is a card that has at least two matches with four star capability. That is the unwritten rule of Summerslam. Go look it up. First, Daniel Bryan and John Cena’s match was beyond epic, and that is because of the sheer fact that we saw Daniel Bryan beat John Cena clean. That is unheard of, folks. It was an epic back and forth match and the finish could have came at any time. Then you have the battle between Paul Heyman guys in CM Punk and Brock Lesnar. The No Disqualification stipulation that was added at the last minute was necessary to to give this match all the potential it needed to be, and that was it. This was a dream match for me since Lesnar came back and I am glad these two got to tussle before CM Punk left the company. Del Rio and Christian probably won’t set anyone on fire, but these two had great chemistry and for a couple of moments, you could believe that Christian would regain the World title. The Randy Orton heel turn with Triple H at the end of the show was just something extra to add in the end (even though the cash-in was predictable considering Orton didn’t even have a match on the card).

8. Royal Rumble 2001

Must-See Matches: Royal Rumble match, Triple H vs. Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit (Ladder Match)

2001 was one epic year for the World Wrestling Federation, and as a spoiler alert, there are at least two more PPVs from 2001 that will be on the list. Leaving that for later, this truly set the stage for an epic year. One of the best Rumbles I ever seen was topped off with a fantastic one on one bout between Kurt Angle and Triple H, which was topped off by an even more impressive ladder match between Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho. Just looking at the three matches I gave you should be reason enough to watch the show. However, these are one of those shows where it would be better had you go and watch it yourself as opposed to me just describing it to you. This was truly an incredible show and if you haven’t watched it, what, pray tell, are you doing? Go. NOW!

7. Extreme Rules 2012

Must-See Matches: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho (Street Fight), Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus (2 out of 3 Falls), John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar (Extreme Rules)

I thought 2012 was a relatively weak year for WWE PPV’s, but if there was a saving grace in that year besides WrestleMania or arguably TLC and Money In The Bank, this was the show. Out of the three matches I just listed that I described as must see, as a wrestling match, I thought Daniel Bryan and Sheamus was the best match. These two had absolutely incredible chemistry and best of all, it was a best of three series type of match. WWE robbed us of a potential show stealer between those two at WrestleMania 28 (spoiler?), and had that match taken place at WrestleMania, it would have been absolutely epic. We still got it so I won’t complain. In this instance, besides that match, Punk/Jericho took place once again in Chicago and they put their bodies on the line. Then there is Brock Lesnar and John Cena. Now, I hated the ending of this match. Hated it. However, I never got more joy out of watching a one sided match. They got the ending right with Summerslam 2014 so I’ll at least give them that for redeeming themselves. Lesnar showed the UFC side of him and looked like he really wanted to hurt Cena. But seriously, you’re trying to tell me a chain shot and an FU on the steel steps was all it took to finish off Lesnar? That’s laughable. Still, it was a great beatdown. Randy Orton and Kane, who had a Falls Count Anywhere match, wasn’t quite as great as the matches I listed, but for what it was, it was a fun little match. Poor Zack Ryder. 

6. No Way Out 2001

Must-See Matches: The Rock vs. Kurt Angle, Triple H vs. Stone Cold (Three Stages of Hell)

The domination of 2001 continues as we have Angle, The Rock and Triple H featured again. The Rock and Kurt Angle always had great chemistry. This was just a given. I thought this match was a pretty big test for Angle, especially, because the stakes were so huge and he needed to make it feel like a big time match and he more than stepped up. Angle proved he can more than hold his own in the ring with anyone WWE can throw at them. However, the real match worth talking about was Triple H and Stone Cold in that brutal, unforgiving three stages of hell match. I hated the “Who Ran Over Stone Cold” storyline, but if it resulted in that match, that saw them in a no holds barred and steel cage match (See, back then, steel cage matches didn’t actually suck! Dare I say, they were exciting!), then I was willing to go the whole nine yards to see it. It was that brutal, and it was that good. If you wanted a perfect prelude to WrestleMania, this is your show. Here’s a hashtag that needs to go viral. #BringBackNoWayOut

5. Summerslam 2002

Must-See Matches: Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels (Non-Sanctioned Match), Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock

Shawn Michaels didn’t miss a beat and it was encouraging to see him perform at a high level after being known as a prick backstage before his near career-ending back injury. See, here’s the thing that I liked about this show. It always kept you entertained. This was also the show where Brock Lesnar won his first WWE Championship against The Rock and it certainly had a big time feel to it. There is no question about it. Done with those two matches? Watch Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio. Still not done? Watch RVD and Chris Benoit. Still not done being selfish? Watch Edge vs. Eddie Guerrerro. This was your definition of a stacked card. The lack in star power from today’s WWE roster as opposed to 12 years ago contributes to why we don’t have these types of cards, but it sure is fun to reminisce isn’t it?

4. WrestleMania 20


Must-See Matches: Kurt Angle vs. Eddie Guererro, Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit

I cannot be the only one who sees too many similarities between the triple threat match that took place at this WrestleMania and the triple threat that took place at WrestleMania 30. Both matches featured two bigger stars and a more technical wrestler, there was an announcer’s table spot where the bigger stars put the little guy on the table and ended with the little technician winning by submission with an emotional tone to it. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me. Anyways, this PPV wasn’t the best card out there, but the matches that needed to deliver did, and that’s all that matters. The iconic ending with two best friends who traveled the world together with one world title for each man and celebrating stands as one of the best moments I’ve seen. Especially considering the deaths that would accompany each man after. The Rock and Sock connection reuniting was a great thing to see and having Evolution going over also was a signature win for them, even if it was a handicap match. In addition, it was amazing to see how much the crowd crapped on Goldberg and Lesnar. That alone makes the PPV one of the best I’ve seen.

3. WrestleMania 28


Must-See Matches: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho, The Rock vs. John Cena, Triple H vs. The Undertaker (Hell In A Cell)

I was really struggling between whether or not this WrestleMania should be here. But then I ultimately decided it deserved the nod. First, let’s consider that The Undertaker and Triple H faced off at WrestleMania 11 years prior, and they put on a better match. All those years of wear and tear, and they managed to bring the house down. Now sure this match was Hell In A Cell, but it doesn’t take away from its sheer epicness. And don’t tell me that you didn’t think for one second that the streak would be over when you had that Superkick-Pedigree sequence. I really think I peed myself when I watched that. Other than that, Jericho and Punk was amazing as per usual, and of course, there’s The Rock and John Cena. If WWE was Dragon Ball Z, their power levels would be over 9000!!!! Sorry, I just had to. While the match itself really wasn’t anything to write home about, it was certainly worth seeing just for the moment. You can just feel how much star power was in the ring that moment. It was damn well palpable. As I said. 2012 was an off year for WWE in my opinion, but this WrestleMania at least cushioned the blow.

2. WrestleMania 19

Must-See Matches: Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels, The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle

Looks like we’re at the WrestleMania portion of this list. The thing about this WrestleMania was that, well, it was just freaking electric. Aside from the three must-see matches I had, you’ll also find Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon. Stop laughing, it was actually entertaining. We can remember this WrestleMania for a plethora of things. Jericho and Shawn Michaels stealing the show, The Rock finally getting his WrestleMania win against Stone Cold or Brock Lesnar nearly killing himself with a Shooting Star press attempt that went awry. This was really the apex of how great the Ruthless Aggression was and if there was ever a time whether the depth of how much star power the roster had at the time, this would be it. The card doesn’t get deeper than this one folks. Well, there may be one more WrestleMania that trumps it.


1. WrestleMania 17

Must-See Matches: TLC II, The Rock vs. Stone Cold, Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle, The Undertaker vs. Triple H

Even if I had made a list of the greatest shows of all time before 2000, including every single wrestling promotion, I don’t think, in terms of pure wrestling and entertainment combined, anything surpasses this show. I honestly believe that this was the WrestleMania that set the standard for what makes everyone so excited for WrestleMania season. You get Benoit and Angle, two of the greatest technical wrestlers of all time getting it on, Triple H and The Undertaker brawling throughout the entire arena (although the referee way oversold the bump as he was knocked out for a good 10 minutes), three of the greatest tag teams in WWE history getting involved in an absolute tremendous match featuring tables, ladders and chairs (with perhaps the most amazing spot in a wrestling match where Edge spears Jeff Hardy in mid-air) and then you finally have The Rock and Stone Cold ending the show with their best one on one encounter. And if you find yourself somehow not entertained by that, the undercard featured solid matches involving Jericho and Regal and a Hardcore match between Raven, Kane and Big Show. At the end of the day, wrestling shows don’t really get bigger than this and it will probably be a cold day in hell when a show will surpass this with what we see on RAW each week. This show just didn’t stop delivering in terms of entertainment. Every dollar spent on this show will be worth it. If you are a wrestling fan and have been vacationing on the moon all your life, do yourself a favor and get back to Earth as soon as you can and watch the entire bonanza. Just do it. It’s good for your health. Trust me on this one. Did I mention this probably had the best theme song for a PPV? Long live Limp Bizkit!

There were a lot of tough omissions on this list, but I think most of you can agree. However I know there are those of you who thinks otherwise so tell me what you think why don’t you?

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