25 Best Wrestling PPVs Ever

1. WWE WrestleMania X-Seven

WrestleMania X Seven Poster
WWE.com

Best Match: Steve Austin Vs. The Rock

Worst Match: Chyna Vs. Ivory

The Grandaddy of the Grandaddy Of Them All, WrestleMania X-Seven is the the most diverse, thrilling and eventful mega event ever promoted in the history of professional wrestling.

Unintentional and deliberate comedy in the Triple Threat Hardcore title match and the Gimmick Battle Royale gave way to a heart-stopping stunt festival in the second best TLC match ever presented. The story-driven battle between Vince and Shane McMahon was a cathartic counterpoint to the technical classic contested by Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle, which thrillingly devolved into a raucous brawl in a consummate demonstration of escalation and pacing.

The action was so varied and consistently brilliant that a cool-down match wasn't needed. There was nothing to get tired of.

The main event WWF title match between The Rock and Steve Austin, one of wrestling's best ever, was expertly-constructed. The two men were so evenly matched - which unlike so many imitators justified the finisher exchange trope - that the ending was impossible to predict.

Lost in the criticisms of its aftermath - turning Austin in Texas was the ultimate betrayal on paper, but he was too popular for it to resonate in reality - is McMahon's elite acting performance. Famously sociopathic himself, he almost looked terrified at the extent to which Austin maimed Rock with the steel chair. He did everything he could to put Austin's heel character over.

It just wasn't what fans - even those outside of Texas - wanted.

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!