10 Epic WWE TV Matches That Could Have Been On PPV
Nothing worth having is free? These ten classic matches prove otherwise!
WWE has long been a company that revolves around their PPV model. The weekly episodic TV of Raw and SmackDown has usually followed the formula of building to a big match at the biggest show of the month, biggest event of the season or even the biggest event of the year. However, there are some exceptions to that rule.
The introduction of the WWE Network has seen more focus being put into the TV product as of late and some huge matches have routinely been given away on TV in 2017. As such, the booking philosophy of WWE has seen a noticeable switch in recent months and PPV quality matches on TV are becoming an increasingly regular occurrence.
However, this isn't a completely new concept. WWE would often book huge TV matches during the Monday Night Wars in an effort to coax fans away from the competition on WCW Nitro. In fact, some of the greatest matches in WWE history took place on weekly WWE programming and countless TV bouts have been more than worthy of PPV.
Aren't convinced? Check out these ten awesome offerings from Vince McMahon's group that were incredibly given away on TV.
10. Shawn Michaels Vs. Owen Hart - Raw 1997
Just one month after the earth-shattering events of the Montreal Screwjob, Owen Hart made his stunning return to the WWF at D-Generation X: In Your House, in a move that very few fans expected to see. With Bret gone under the most controversial circumstances in company history, 'The King of Harts' returned to seek revenge on his brother's nemesis and viciously assaulted HBK following his title defence against Ken Shamrock.
Rechristened as 'The Black Hart', Owen was hell-bent on vengeance and his showdown with Shawn Michaels should have been a blockbuster bout that capitalised on the notorious finish of the 1997 Survivor Series. Instead, the rivalry fizzled out within weeks and Owen was entered into a consolation feud with HBK's DX compadre, Triple H, over the European Championship.
Nevertheless, the final Raw of 1997 saw Owen get his shot at Michaels, just three weeks after returning. Stoic faced and all business, the youngest Hart sibling had revenge on his mind and and anger in his heart, as the last Hart member in the WWF looked to topple the champ and overcome the odds of D-Generation X.
Sadly, Owen would come up a little short, and never received another televised WWF Championship match again.