10 Gems That Saved Rotten Wrestling PPVs
Thank God for these matches!
Every now and then a wrestling pay-per-view happens that has absolutely no redeeming qualities. Events like the WWF King Of The Ring 1995 should have been given away for free, instead of having the cheek to ask doting fans to fork out cash to see it.
Then, there are those events that have just one shining light, a match that saves the entire evening from coming across like a colossal waste of everyone's time.
Without these bouts, these shows would have been a complete disaster. Even with them, the pay-per-views that housed them aren't really spared from ignominy, but thank God this collection of matches happened!
Incredibly, the matches that did offer a glimmer of hope to such shows are even worth repeat viewings, very unlike the rest of the cards they helped rescue.
High-flying ladder wars, brutal brawls and even matches that caused one performer to rant at fans online afterwards are all included.
Let's look at hidden gems that pretty much saved otherwise utterly rotten wrestling pay-per-views...
10. Eddie Guerrero Vs. JBL (WWE Great American Bash 2004)
Those calling out for the return of the 'Brand Extension' should pay attention to 2004. Following a great start for the blue brand, SmackDown stopped delivering events like No Way Out in February and started producing tripe like the Great American Bash that June. Most of the card came across like a glorified house show.
Bouts such as Hardcore Holly vs. Mordecai, Kenzo Suzuki vs. Billy Gunn and Luther Reigns vs. Charlie Haas didn't really feel like they fit on a pay-per-view level show. Elsewhere, a truly dire main event had The Undertaker facing The Dudley Boyz in an awkward handicap situation, before Paul Bearer was apparently buried alive in concrete.
It wasn't exactly a stellar show, but a Texas Bullrope Match between JBL and Eddie Guerrero provided a beacon of hope. Following a better-than-expected main event just months prior at Judgment Day, Guerrero and Bradshaw delivered expertly with their gimmick bout at the Bash.
It's a good thing they had some drama to offer, otherwise fans may have been asking for their money back from WWE management.