Ranking What Was REALLY The Best Wrestling PPV Every Year 1990-2020

9. 2012 - WWE Extreme Rules

Cena Lesnar Physicality
wwe.com

After a WrestleMania XXVIII show that underwhelmed somewhat, WWE roared back with the blinding course correction that was Extreme Rules.

It lurked under a similarly darkened cloud - the decision to have John Cena win was almost as appalling as the decision to job out Daniel Bryan - but mercifully, Brock Lesnar pummelled just enough f*ck out of Cena in a legit frightening match that it's more vividly remembered as a massacre than a burial.

CM Punk and Chris Jericho just about rescued their curious misfire of a feud from universal disappointment with a very well-worked brawl enhanced by the searing Chicago heat. Daniel Bryan's strategic triumph underscored his genius ring IQ in a physical, very clever World Heavyweight Title match.

Kane and Randy Orton also worked a continuation of their "That's weird, this isn't nearly as boring as f*ck as you'd expect" series.

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!