Ranking WWE Extreme Rules PPVs From Least To Most Extreme

By Elliott Binks /

1. 2012

WWE.com

There€™s one big reason why Extreme Rules 2012 sits at the top of this list; Brock Lesnar.

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The Beast Incarnate returned to the company the night after WrestleMania 28 having become a household name in the not-too-distant world of combat sports. But it was more than just a mainstream appeal that Lesnar brought back with him.

He had a completely new moveset, attire and attitude. This was no longer Brock Lesnar; former collegiate wrestler and freak of nature. This was Brock Lesnar; former UFC World Heavyweight Champion and quite probably the most legitimate badass in pro wrestling history.

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Within seconds of his match with John Cena, Lesnar had busted his opponent open the hard way. What followed was an enthralling contest that blurred the lines of what€™s real and what€™s fake like never before in WWE. That in itself was more extreme than perhaps any other spot, moment or move to feature on this entire list.

As well as this though, there was an excellent street fight between CM Punk and Chris Jericho for the WWE Championshipcomplete with alternative street fight attiresa top-drawer 2-out-of-3 falls match involving Daniel Bryan and Sheamus, as well as a creative finish in the tables match between Cody Rhodes and the Big Show.

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For all those reasons, and not least because of the epic return to action of Brock Lesnar, it€™s difficult to look beyond 2012 as the most extreme of all Extreme Rules.