12 Worst WWE Pay-Per-Views Without A World Title Match

It's a little early to suggest that Sunday's Payback pay-per-view could be one of the least-anticipated in company history, but the lack of interest in just about everything at the top of the card doesn't bode well for 2017's post-WrestleMania supercard.

Whilst failing to arm the card with a selection of intriguing matches and/or relatively fresh WrestleMania rematches, the company has also neglected to feature the WWE and Universal Title in any capacity. This will mark the first time since Brock Lesnar's 2014 run with the WWE World Heavyweight Title that a champion hasn't been present on the monthly show, but the situation feels inexcusable considering the presence of two top titles since 2016's Brand Extension.

It's Lesnar again accounting for one of the empty chairs, but WWE Champion Randy Orton won't be putting up his newly-won prize against Bray Wyatt as the pair prepare to enter the mysterious 'House of Horrors' match. This may afford Wyatt a rare victory, though it will theoretically rob him of a contractually obligated rematch in the process.

The company has strayed from the usual format in offering supercards without championship showdowns in the past, but often the gamble has proven foolish.The lack of the 'big fight' has left many a show feeling lightweight and deprived, with an undercard unable to carry the load in the absence of the top strap.

Reliving some of 'horrors' of old, here are the 12 worst WWE pay-per-views without a World Title match.

The last pay-per-view of Brock Lesnar's 2014/15 title run, Fastlane couldn't touch the drama of a divisive Royal Rumble a month earlier or superb WrestleMania that followed it.

A lack of conclusive finishes struck the killer blow on a tepid filler show that did little to alleviate the growing dissent behind the babyface push of Roman Reigns at the expense of sentimental favourite Daniel Bryan.

Victory for the 'Big Dog' ensured his place as WrestleMania 31 Number One Contender, with the company attempting to make good on his horrifically-received Rumble victory a month prior.

Murky conclusions to the Intercontinental and United States title matches damaged the credibility of both at a crucial time of year, whilst the return of Randy Orton, a Sting/Triple H confrontation and the one-sided Bray Wyatt/Undertaker feud all failed to inspire ahead of major WrestleMania clashes.

Though the Bryan/Reigns main event was excellent, the malaise surrounding the forced elevation of the former Shield member hung over the entire event, with the crushing realisation that the company had taken back totalitarian control of their main event after the giddy thrills of the WrestleMania 30 build.