10 Surprisingly Violent PG Era WWE Matches
These bouts didn't necessarily need blood to be nasty...
Right before WWE officially went 'PG' in the Summer of 2008, the promotion presented the '08 version of The Great American Bash. On the show, Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho constructed a brutally violent brawl, one which left Michaels caked in his own blood. It was almost like a swansong for the more adult content the company had produced over the years, and things quickly became more saccharine afterwards.
Even though WWE would try to overhaul their image drastically upon aiming their product largely at young children, that's not to say that there haven't been matches during the 'PG' Era that still feature some exciting levels of violence and drama. The argument about the need for blood in pro wrestling rages on, but it's been interesting to see that since WWE have moved away from plasma, so have a lot of independent promotions.
During the late-90's and into the new millennium, claret was a big part of the industry, but violence can be achieved without the drawing of blood. In 2015, WWE are still a PG organisation, and are still aimed at kids, but since 2008 there's been quite a few fierce and savage battles.
This list focuses on 10 of those bouts, ones that managed to come across as pretty wild and violent despite their 'safe for children' rating. There are ways around the 'PG' certification, it seems.
10. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho (Extreme Rules 2012)
In hindsight, even Chris Jericho has remarked that he really felt his feud with CM Punk in 2012 could have been better. Writing in his books, Y2J laments the fact that he slipped during a crucial angle on Monday Night Raw, wherein he was tasked with smashing a bottle of fake alcohol over his straight edge opponent's head. All in all, the rivalry felt a little tame, but there was one match that arguably saved it.
The Extreme Rules Pay-Per-View in 2012 is well-remembered for another bout featured later on this list, but it'd be unfair to overlook the cracking 'Chicago Street Fight' between Punk and Jericho. Going over 25 minutes, there were Kendo Sticks, chairs, and a whole lot of brawling sequences during the collision.
One of the most spectacular moments of the entire feud between both men came when Punk sailed off the top rope, landing on top of a prone Jericho, who was camped out on the Spanish announce desk. The match between these guys had been tepid at WrestleMania XXVIII, but this Street Fight more than made up for it, and lived up to the 'Extreme Rules' billing.