10 Best Wrestling PPVs Of 2017

7. NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III

Finn Balor AJ Styles TLC 2017 Too Sweet
WWE.com

Brooklyn III was a tremendous card of action because it was a true card - a night of action as exciting as it was diverse.

Andrade "Cien" Almas defeated Johnny Gargano in a wonderful exhibition of the convoluted, fast-paced modern style, enhanced by Gargano's evergreen babyface brilliance and Andrade's emerging heel credentials. It was, easily, the best opening match on any wrestling card held throughout the year.

Few expected much from the Authors of Pain Vs. SAnitY, but at this point, the NXT braintrust could throw Montez Ford Vs. Riddick Moss on a TakeOver special, and it would probably kill, basking in the infectious glory of Saturday nights. Akam, Rezar, Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe wrestled a non-stop blur in what was an ingenious layout. Not once were the fans compelled to sit down and worry about what it looked like on paper. Aleister Black Vs. Hideo Itami was a striking exhibition of striking, suitably strong and stylish. Asuka and Ember Moon wrestled the best Women's match seen in WWE all year, in which everything they did clicked into the highest gear. Drew McIntyre dethroned the equally methodical Bobby Roode in a match of unexpected dynamism and drama.

Threaded with a great introduction to the Undisputed Era, Brooklyn III possessed a spine to go with its heart and its intelligence - a full, brilliant body of work.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!