10 Best WWE PPVs Ever

WWE have presented hundreds upon hundreds of order-only events since they first took a punt with the inaugural WrestleMania four decades ago.

Unsurprisingly, these shows have run the gamut as far as quality is concerned.  This will be a celebration of all that is good with WWE, though, as we look at the greatest supercards the company has ever put together on the main roster.

These are the 10 best WWE pay-per-views ever.

10. In Your House: Canadian Stampede

The best of WWE’s In Your House pay-per-views was Canadian Stampede, which took place in the Calgary Saddledome on July 6, 1997.

The four-match card was a resounding four-for-four, starting with Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Mankind going to a double countout after a stirring scrap.

The Great Sasuke then defeated his Japanese counterpart TAKA Michinoku in an exhilarating, high-flying affair that suggested WWE’s Light Heavyweight division may in fact be able to compete with WCW’s cruisers. They couldn’t but this night gave us all a little bit of hope.

The Undertaker then beat Vader to retain the WWE Title in a surly hoss fight, before the all-star ten-man tag team main event.

In it, the Hart Foundation – Bret, Owen, Jim Neidhart, Brian Pillman and Davey Boy Smith – joined forces to take down Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock, Goldust and The Legion of Doom in a 25-minute stunner that the fans in attendance went absolutely mental for.

It might have only lasted as long as an episode of TV, but Canadian Stampede offered value for money 20 times over and holds up to this day.

9. Backlash 2000

When you talk about WWE’s best and most consistent years ever, you will invariably land upon 2000.

WWE had the balance right in the first year of the new millennium, with everything from the opening match to the main event firing on all cylinders and the product having a true ‘something for everyone’ feel about it.

That was reflected at Backlash, which was capped off by The Rock’s pulsating WWE Title victory over Triple H in a barnstorming sports entertainment spectacle notable for the tide-turning appearance of Steve Austin, who was still in the process of recovering from major neck surgery.

The promotion’s talent roster depth was on full display elsewhere, as Chrises Benoit and Jericho fought hard over the Intercontinental Title in a cracking match, Dean Malenko retained his Light Heavyweight Title in a gem with Scott 2 Hotty, Eddie Guerrero walked away with his European Championship after besting Essa Rios in an entertaining bout and Crash Holly emerged from a wild six-pack challenge with his Hardcore Title.

The show also featured a couple of very memorable moments, such as Bubba Ray Dudley finally putting Trish Stratus through a table and The Big Show cosplaying as Hulk Hogan to squash Kurt Angle.

8. WrestleMania 40

It might be recency bias, but we reckon years from now people will look back fondly on WrestleMania 40 as one of WWE’s best-ever pay-per-views.

The two-night extravaganza yielded a tonne of thrilling action and no shortage of memorable WrestleMania moments, starting with night one’s opener where Rhea Ripley retained her Women’s World Championship against Becky Lynch.

Night one also had Sami Zayn ending Gunther’s record-breaking IC Title reign in euphoric fashion and The Rock’s first proper match in over a decade, as he teamed with Roman Reigns to defeat Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes.

As enjoyable as night one was, night two was just that much better.

Drew McIntyre beating Rollins to win the World Heavyweight Title, only to lose it to a cashing-in Damian Priest got things up and running in style.

Bayley winning the Women’s Title by beating IYO SKY in a top-quality contest was another standout moment.

And then in the main event, Cody Rhodes finally finished his story and put an end to Roman Reigns’ mammoth title reign in an all-timer.

Everything else across the weekend not named ‘Uso’ was also worth sitting through.

7. SummerSlam 2013

Any WWE pay-per-view with a genuine five-star match on it is worth checking out. SummerSlam 2013 had two of them.

The first was The Best vs. The Beast as CM Punk and Brock Lesnar collided for the first and so far only time in a No Disqualification match.

The ultimate David vs. Goliath struggle, Brock vs. Punk showcased the very best of both men as they went hell for leather for 30 absorbing minutes, their match building and building until Lesnar was finally able to put his plucky opponent away.

The second was the babyface vs. babyface main event, as John Cena defended the WWE Title against handpicked dance partner Daniel Bryan.

It was very different to Brock vs. Punk, but equally as compelling, ending with The American Dragon getting the clean win and establishing himself as a top guy for good, even if he did lose his title to a cashing-in Randy Orton moments later.

SummerSlam 2013 also played host to the main roster in-ring debut of Bray Wyatt, who beat Kane in a Ring of Fire match, a short-but-spirited match between the Rhodes Scholars, a fast-paced World Heavyweight Title bout between Alberto Del Rio and Christian and more.

6. Survivor Series 2002

It might have felt like 1996 by the end of the night, given who walked away with the company’s main prizes, but Survivor Series 2002 was a remarkable night of firsts.

The big one was, of course, the first-ever Elimination Chamber match, which saw Triple H defending his World Heavyweight Title against Chris Jericho, Kane, Booker T, Rob Van Dam and Shawn Michaels.

It was a tremendous debut for the steel structure, full of thrills and spills, and the ending of The Heartbreak Kid winning the gold was a moment to savour.

Another first saw Brock Lesnar suffer his first televised pinfall loss as Paul Heyman turned on him, allowing The Big Show to beat The Next Big Thing for the WWE Title.

It was also the first night back in WWE for Scott Steiner, as Big Poppa Pump popped the Madison Square Garden crowd big-time with his unannounced appearance.

The rest of the card was stuffed with a six-man table elimination match, a Hardcore match for the women’s title, a Cruiserweight Title match and a three-team elimination match for the WWE Tag Team Titles, all of which provided excitement.

5. WrestleMania XIX

WWE were spoilt for choice at the 19th WrestleMania, with three or four matches that could have realistically gone on last.

The honour went to the first proper one-on-one meeting between Kurt Angle – defending his WWE Title and wrestling with a broken freakin’ neck – and Brock Lesnar, who almost broke his own freakin’ neck with that insane Shooting Star Press attempt. It was a captivating end to what had been a great show chock full of highlights.

Such as The Rock finally beating Steve Austin on the Grandest Stage in the last match of Stone Cold’s full-time career, Shawn Michaels edging Chris Jericho in an intergenerational dream match, and Hulk Hogan battering Mr. McMahon in a barmy Street Fight featuring the return of Roddy Piper.

The card was rounded out with a decent Cruiserweight Title sprint, a canny Women’s Title triple threat, a solid three-team tag title match and The Undertaker extending the Streak in a match that WWE would not allow Nathan Jones to wrestle in after realising he was absolutely terrible.

4. SummerSlam 2002

From top to bottom, it’s hard to think of a SummerSlam better than 2002’s iteration of the event.

It kicked off with an exhilarating first-time meeting between Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio, setting the tone for what was to come.

Ric Flair then beat Chris Jericho by submission in a fair match, before Edge pinned Eddie Guerrero in another showcase for the SmackDown brand’s loaded midcard scene.

Christian and Lance Storm retained their World Tag Team Titles against the ultra-popular odd couple duo of Booker T and Goldust in a heated match, after which Rob Van Dam regained the Intercontinental Championship from Chris Benoit in a strong style bout.

The Undertaker’s well-received victory FOR AMERICA over that dastardly Un-American Test was then followed by one of the most emotionally charged matches in WWE history, as a returning Shawn Michaels met Triple H in an Unsanctioned Match.

HBK and The Game tore the house down in an instant classic that proved Michaels had plenty left in the tank after a four-year layoff.

In the main event, Brock Lesnar solidified himself as the king of the mountain when he defeated The Rock to win the Undisputed Title in a cracking torch-passing main event.

3. Money in the Bank 2011

2011’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view will forever be remembered for one match – and one moment – but it’s worth remembering that the rest of the show was also pretty damn good.

Yes, the main event WWE Title match between John Cena and CM Punk is the stuff of legend. Yes, the Chicago crowd were positively electric throughout it and elevated what was already a phenomenal match to another level. Yes, it was exhilarating to watch The Straight-Edge Superstar get the elusive clean W and ‘walk out of WWE’ with the title.

The rest of the show featured two sensational Money in the Bank ladder matches and a customarily excellent World Heavyweight Championship meeting between Randy Orton and Christian.

The Divas Title match and Mark Henry’s decisive victory over Big Show won’t linger long in the memory, but the show itself will as the place where Punk finally cemented himself as a main event player in its iconic headliner.

2. ECW One Night Stand

It may have been ECW in name, but One Night Stand 2005 was very much a WWE presentation.

Reviving the brand for an evening of blood-spattered nostalgia, WWE utilised the former ECW stars who were currently working for them while drafting in some special guests for the festivities.

Was every match a classic? Not really, no. But the tone of the show was spot on and the crowd at a fever pitch from start to finish? You bet your bounced cheques they were!

Chris Jericho and Lance Storm opened things admirably before Super Crazy, Little Guido and Tajiri did their thing and did it well. Rey Mysterio and Psicosis did what they could in the time allowed, while Sabu reminded everyone what he was capable of while beating Rhyno.

Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero, even on an off day, were better than many on their best day. Masato Tanaka and Mike Awesome completely stole the show, and The Dudley Boys, The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer (and the cast of misfits who provided run-ins and cameos) ended things on a high before the intense post-match brawl and ceremonial chinning of Eric Bischoff.

Even if you weren’t a fan of Paul Heyman’s promotion, you’d have to try hard not to enjoy all of this.

1. WrestleMania X-Seven

There are good WrestleManias. There are great WrestleManias. And then there is WrestleMania 17, which still stands tall as the true Grandaddy of Them All.

Less than a week after they bought WCW, the red-hot WWE reinforced their sports entertainment superiority with a supercard for the ages.

You want world-class technical wrestling? Have some Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle.

Fancy some storyline-heavy family drama? Look no further than Vince vs. Shane McMahon.

How about a weapons-based stunt show? There’s TLC 2 with The Dudley Boyz, Hardy Boyz, and Edge & Christian.

There was also an immense match between The Undertaker and Triple H, a novel ‘Gimmick Battle Royal’ and much, much more to savour on the undercard before the marquee match between The Rock and Steve Austin.

Set up exquisitely with that evergreen ‘My Way’ video package, The Great One and the Texas Rattlesnake held nothing back as they put on an absolute clinic inside the Houston Astrodome.

The ending may have been polarising at the time, but it did nothing to diminish either the match or the almost four hours of barnstorming entertainment that preceded it.