Ranking 2017's WWE PPV Endings: From Worst To Best

10. Royal Rumble: Randy Reigns

The Undertaker WrestleMania 33 Bye Bye
WWE

Plagued by tedium and predictability throughout the past decade, the Royal Rumble rarely ends in a universally satisfying manner these days. Sheamus in 2012, Batista in 2014, Reigns in 2015: each was met with widespread revulsion, and while Randy Orton's win earlier this year wasn't quite on the same level, it still created a disappointingly flat PPV conclusion.

It wasn't a terrible way to end the show, but it was dull. 'The Viper' has long been one of WWE's most lethargic performers, and remains an unconvincing babyface, and his celebration did little to get the crowd fired up. The company were heading towards WrestleMania with their blandest main eventer deeply entrenched in the WWE Championship hunt, but we all knew it was coming when Randy's victory odds were slashed in the week leading up to the event.

WWE understood that widespread eye-rolls were the likeliest reaction when booking Orton to win. Thus, they attempted to distract the audience by having Roman Reigns enter at number 30. The move paid off, and 'The Big Dog's' unwanted appearance took the heat off Orton, but it was the wrestling equivalent of serving a Smart Price steak with Extra Special potatoes.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.