5 best WWE pay-per-view concepts

WWE has featured some of the most unique pay-per-view concepts throughout its history as a promotion.

As an industry leader, WWE has converted match types into full-blown pay-per-view concepts and turned stipulations into themed pay-per-views.

While some have criticized WWE's over-insistence on themed pay-per-view events, a good pay-per-view concept gives the viewer a wide variety of match types and can successfully tell an entertaining story through a diverse match card.

Of course, not every pay-per-view concept can be a home run. WWE has experimented with its fair share of unique ideas in recent years. However, the company still boasts some of the most remarkable and most unique concepts in professional wrestling history.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at the five best WWE pay-per-view concepts.

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#5 WWE Elimination Chamber

The Elimination Chamber match made its debut as the main event of the 2002 Survivor Series pay-per-view.

This multi-person match sees two people start the match inside the hellacious structure, and four people are locked in pods that are opened after a 5-minute interval—the last person standing walks out the victor. The inaugural match saw Shawn Michaels last eliminate Triple H to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for the final time in his career.

Since then, the match has evolved into a pay-per-view event all of its own. Usually featuring several Elimination Chamber matches, the event is traditionally one of the final stops on the road to WrestleMania.

The Chamber itself has also evolved in recent years. The original structure was made entirely of steel and chain, leaving little room for WWE Superstars not to walk out of the match with injury.

In 2017, the Elimination Chamber was modified to a newer, updated design. This included mats outside the ring and a structure that made it easier for the Elimination Chamber to be hung in various arenas.

#4 WWE Extreme Rules

WWE Extreme Rules is the one night of the year where "WWE goes extreme."

Most of the matches announced on the card are conducted under a special match stipulation. Falls Count Anywhere, Steel Cage, I Quit, and Street Fight Matches are common stipulations in this extreme pay-per-view.

The extreme element of the event allows viewers to see a huge variety of match types.

While certain feuds may not warrant these match types, this pay-per-view allows WWE to present a rivalry uniquely by utilizing a unique match type and giving a proper blow-off to a heated rivalry.

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#3 WWE King of The Ring

The first WWE King of the Ring tournament was held in July 1985. The inaugural winner of the tournament was WWE Hall of Famer "Magnificant" Don Muraco.

Further tournaments were held by WWE from 1986 to 1989 and then in 1991. Beginning in 1993, the King of The Ring tournament had its own pay-per-view.

The pay-per-view saw iconic King of The Rings such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Triple H, Kurt Angle, and Brock Lesnar.

The final King of the Ring pay-per-view was held in 2002, with Brock Lesnar winning the tournament. Since then, the tournament has been revived on several occasions. However, the pay-per-view concept is yet to return officially.

#2 WWE Money in the Bank

The WWE Money in the Bank ladder match made its debut at WrestleMania 21.

The match features a briefcase above the ring, with a contract that guarantees a World Championship match anytime, anywhere, for the next 12 months.

After being a staple of WrestleMania for several years, the Money in the Bank ladder match was given its own pay-per-view event in 2010.

The event initially featured two ladder matches for a WWE Championship contract and a World Heavyweight Championship contract.

Since then, this has evolved into two ladder matches being presented at the event, one for male WWE Superstars and another for female WWE Superstars.

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#1 WWE Royal Rumble

The Royal Rumble match is arguably the most incredible WWE match concept ever created.

The ever Royal Rumble match took place in 1988 on a special broadcast on the USA Network. The inaugural match was won by "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan.

Since then, the Royal Rumble pay-per-view has been a staple of the WWE pay-per-view calendar. Usually, WWE's first pay-per-view presentation in January, the Royal Rumble event marks the beginning of the road to WrestleMania.

An over-the-top-rope battle royal, 30 WWE Superstars all enter the match at 90-second intervals. After 29 eliminations, the last superstar standing is the winner of the match and earns a World Championship opportunity at WrestleMania.