Ranking Every WWE PPV Main Event of 2017

2017 tied a WWE record for most pay-per-view events in company history, with 16. In that time, the company has given us a range in quality for those PPV main events. Now that the year is coming to a close, let’s take a look at how each main event stacks up.

16. Jinder Mahal  vs. Randy Orton – Battleground

While it is fair to say this match is the most entertaining Punjabi Prison match in it’s history, that isn’t saying much. Both men are capable of better, but the stipulation limited the match. While we did see a brutal table spot with one of the Singh Brothers, the return of The Great Khali was not so celebrated. Many believe Battleground to be the worst PPV of the year, and the main event is a good reason why.

15. Kevin Owens vs. Goldberg – Fastlane

The shortest match on this list, Goldberg was able to make quick work of Owens thanks to the distraction by Chris Jericho. This angered many fans as Owens appeared to had been a pawn in a larger game between Lesnar and Goldberg. Add on the fact that Owen’s reign as Universal Champion wasn’t the best, and the belt was going to go to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, and you have a lackluster main event.

14. Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal – Backlash

The match that solidified Jinder’s presence in the main event as he won the WWE Championship in shocking fashion. While Jinder’s reign wasn’t been accepted well, there was hope when he first won the belt. The match wasn’t terrible, but the two would go on to have the same type of match over and over again. Both men use calculating styles, which doesn’t compute to great matches very often, but this was alright for what it was.

13, Men’s Five on Five Elimination Match – Survivor Series

This was great for about five minutes before the stare downs were getting old and the eliminations came quick. New talent in the form of Roode, Joe, Balor, and Shinsuke were eliminated early, and the reliance on established competitors was clear. Even Sami and Kevin’s involvement in the match seemed unnecessary since Smackdown Live was already beaten at that point. However, the match does get points for having Braun dominate, getting a good number of eliminations and standing tall over Triple H at the end. But compared to the year previous, and even the card that came before it, this match underwhelmed.

12. Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker – WrestleMania 33

One could place this encounter farther up or down on this list. The match itself was slow and clunky, but the direct aftermath made that somewhat irrelevant. Jim Ross also graced the commentary table to give as what we presumed to be Undertaker’s last outing. After the bell sounded we witnessed our childhoods flash before our eyes and disappear into the darkness. It will be a memory we hold onto forever, even if the Undertaker isn’t done quite yet.

11. Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman – No Mercy

A match with a great build but a disappointing outcome. Strowman seemed to be Brock’s greatest challenge to date, but fell early to one F-5, much like Samoa Joe before him. The match was haulted quickly as well, not being able to capture interest before Braun entered Suplex City. Coming off of their Summerslam encounter made it that much more deflating.

10. Brock Lesnar vs. Samoa Joe – Great Balls of Fire

Like the Lesnar/Strowman match, this contest was well built with many looking forward to it. To be honest, the match was interesting before the abrupt end. The quick finish deflated both the crowd and the fans watching from home. It was a shame to, because the events preceding were some of the best we had seen in a while. Since then we’ve been anticipating a rematch, but it doesn’t seem were going to get one, leaving us even more disappointed.

9. AJ Styles vs. Jinder Mahal – Clash of Champions

A solid performance from both men leading to a main event that surprised a lot of people. It’s no secret Styles is one of the best in the world, but he wasn’t able to do much of what brought him to the dance with his hurt ribs. Jinder’s methodical pace assisted the story of Styles’ ribs being injured early in the match, and brought him to his best showing to date. The lack of Singh brother interference helped as well. AJ was able to retain the championship, leading many to believe that Mahal is out of the main event, which most are happy about.

8. Kurt Angle, Dean Ambrose, and Seth Rollins vs. The Miz, Braun Strowman, Cesaro and Sheamus, and Kane – TLC

Chaotic is one word that describes this match in its entirety. It has so much going on that it could be compared to the chaotic matches of the Attitude Era. Roman Reigns was unable to make the contest, leading to Angle’s return to the ring. That, along with the Braun/Kane stuff, Angle’s departure and return, and an abundance of hardcore spots made the match either seem diluted or awesome depending on who you ask. Nonetheless, considering the amount of changes it had to undergo, it’s Surprising the match went as well as it did.

7. Royal Rumble Match – The Royal Rumble

The Royal Rumble match has received a lot of criticism the last few years. This match was not exception, with an underwhelming Randy Orton win and the surprise entrant Roman Reigns. There were some enjoyable moments, with all of new day being eliminated at once, Jack Gallagher’s umbrella antics, Baron being the one to eliminate Braun Strowman, and Undertaker getting the one up on Goldberg. It was arguably a solid match before Roman came out to a chorus of boos, and the line up of Goldberg, Lesnar, and the Undertaker could have been better, but overall it isn’t the most hated Rumble in history. Not even close.

6. Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match – Money In The Bank

A bit high perhaps, considering Baron Corbin would go on to lose his cash in and previous Money in the Back matches are considered to be much better. However, there is still much to like here. Shinsuke was still a new face to SmackdownLive, so having him leave the match early helped him keep a certain aura. Though he did come back to have an epic showdown with AJ Styles. And though Corbin did fail his cash in, his win was an exciting moment for Corbin fans.

5. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor – Extreme Rules

This match will likely be forgotten in the sea of multi-person matches. What hinders this contest is the fact it was under extreme rules, but nothing extreme really happened. Also, the match wasn’t impactful in the grand scheme of things. Samoa Joe would go on to win the right to face Brock Lesnar at Great Balls of Fire, only to lose in underwhelming fashion.

4. Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens – Hell in a Cell

An argument can be made on which Hell in a Cell match was better at the event, with the two focusing on different elements of a cell match, but both could be considered two of the best. Shane and Owens, as expected, found a way to the top of the structure, where they had everyone on edge. Looking away wasn’t an option, then again we didn’t want to see someone fall and get injured or worse. Thankfully, everything went well, with Shane diving off the top as he did against the Undertaker, and missing again. The Sami Zayn turn was a welcome sight, though we still have to wait and see where they go with that heading into 2018.

3. Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman – Payback

While not their most memorable encounter, Reigns and Strowman are the perfect pairing it seems. Bruan has been a highlight of 2017 and him throwing Roman around was a welcome sight to most fans. The carnage of these matches always seems to increase with each contest. Braun came out on top, which is probably why this and their ambulance match is looked upon fondly. It is arguably the best one on one PPV main event this year.

2. Elimination Chamber Match – Elimination Chamber

What is said to be the last SmackdownLive exclusive PPV of its Golden Age, Elimination Chamber was one of the better events of the year. The Elimination Chamber match itself was a big part of that. With Randy Orton awaiting the winner for a match at WrestleMania, there was a handful of competitors who could’ve walked out at WWE Champion. It was Bray Wyatt, however, who claimed his first world championship in one of the best chamber matches of its fifteen year history. The new chamber itself has seen mixed opinions, but if every match is this good there won’t be too much complaining.

1. Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman vs. Samoa Joe

Aside from Brock’s recent match with AJ Styles, this is considered to be his best match of 2017. WWE hammered home the multi-man matches this year, but this was arguable the best. Summerslam turned out to be the worst of the big four PPVs, but did manage to have the best main event. While Lesnar was the odds on favorite to win, there was still a change of any of the men walking out with the Universal Championship. This match proves big men still, and will always have a spot in wrestling.