The Extreme Rules PPV has a bad reputation, not only for being a diluted gimmick PPV, but for not being more or less extreme than any other night of the year. These criticisms may have some weight to them, but Extreme Rules isn’t always the D-level PPV many believe it to be. Here are some examples of that.

5. Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar – Steel Cage Match

It may not be the most exciting of their encounters, but this battle between the Game and the Beast is still a high note. You wouldn’t see Lesnar at Extreme Rules theses days, which may be an indication of how far the PPV has fallen. But this encounter will forever keep Extreme Rules above other c and d level PPV’s. The match itself is nothing special in terms of cage matches, but the men involved are clearly invested, and the story is quite enthralling, with Triple H going after Lesnar’s leg. The win from Lesnar here would launch him into a run that will never be duplicated again.

4. Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio – Ladder Match

This match is remembered for Christian winning his first World Championship in the WWE. While that is a remarkable moment that deserves to be heralded, the match itself is nothing to sneeze at. This match came after the unexpected retirement of Christian’s best friend Edge. At the time it seemed Del Rio would retain, but looking back, Christian’s win was a nice tribute to Edge as well as Captain Charisma himself. It is a shame Christian never reached that height again. Although Edge has always had the better singles career, it is nice to know Christain had at least one day in the sun.

3. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho – Chicago Street Fight

Street fights can be a thing of beauty. From Triple H and Cactus Jack, to Shawn Michaels and Triple H, to the recent Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa encounter. This match was no different. After being one of the better matches of an underrated WrestleMania 28, the two were gearing up for a blow off to one of the best rivalries of the PG Era. The Extreme Rules event of 2012 is regarded as not only as the best Extreme Rules PPV, but one of the best WWE PPVs as well. This match is one of the reasons why.

2. Evolution vs. The Shield

If there were any doubts about how big the Shield was at the time, there were none after this war with Evolution. Evolution was never known for their tag team matches, but you wouldn’t know that from this encounter. Both teams brought everything they had, but it was the Shield who shined brightest. This is one of, if not the best, Shield six man tags. It’s a shame the six  man tag matches of today can’t compare.

1. John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar – Extreme Rules Match

Since Lesnar’s on everyone’s bad side as of late, let’s take a look at when people were jumping out of their seats for him. His 2012 return is one of the most shocking pieces of WWE television of the PG Era, and his in ring return was just as shocking. The Beast hadn’t lost a step in the near decade he had been gone from the company. This hard hitting affair was chalk full brutality, blood, and Lesnar flinging referees around by their belt. Who should have won will be debated for years to come, but considering where Lesnar’s at now, I don’t think the loss to Cena hurt him that much. Besides, Lesnar got his win back, and then some, at the 2014 Summerslam.