5 PPVs WWE needs to bring back

There are several WWE pay-per-views that need to return soon.
There are several WWE pay-per-views that need to return soon.

Recently, WWE's pay-per-view turnover has been pretty good. Every such event since the move to the ThunderDome has been a success, with a solid string of matches, some compelling stories, and a digestible length. This Sunday's Hell in a Cell event is likely to follow suit, with some exciting moments possibly in the works.

However, this does not mean that WWE's pay-per-view calendar is perfect. They could do with some changes, particularly with gimmick pay-per-views. While the company has organically built up to three different Hell in a Cell matches this year, it would be better if the stipulation was reserved as a last resort for only the most intense rivalries instead of having a fixed spot every October.

The same thing can be said about TLC and, to an extent, Extreme Rules. There are a lot of major events from WWE's storied past that remain popular, either by the name, the concept, or what it represented. Some of them could replace the aforementioned pay-per-views on the calendar.

A revival for some WWE past pay-per-views is possible, with NXT bringing back some old hits this year. In Your House returned as an NXT Takeover special, while next week's episode of the Black and Gold brand will be Halloween Havoc.

Hopefully, the main roster follows suit and brings back these much more recent events. Here are five pay-per-views WWE needs to bring back.


#5 WWE One Night Only/Insurrextion/Rebellion (UK-based pay-per-view)

The UK is due a WWE pay-per-view.
The UK is due a WWE pay-per-view.

This is less about the name of the pay-per-view and more about where it will take place. The United Kingdom hasn't gotten a WWE pay-per-view since the days of Insurrextion and Rebellion in the early 2000s, both of which were pretty inconsequential shows. Another UK pay-per-view is long overdue, once it is completely safe to travel again following the COVID-19 pandemic.

WWE could hold an existing pay-per-view across the pond as they did with SummerSlam 1992 at Wembley Stadium. But what may be more likely to happen is a fresh pay-per-view on the calendar, dedicated to WWE's British fanbase. It could adopt the One Night Only name that was given to the September 1997 event that took place in Birmingham, England.

A similar show should happen soon, especially with Scotsman Drew McIntyre as the current WWE Champion. The pop he would get once he returns to the UK with the belt is as good an incentive as any for the company to hold a special event there.

WWE could call it One Night Only, Insurrextion, Rebellion, or something from their current pay-per-view schedule like Backlash or Payback.

#4 WWE No Mercy

This event has almost always delivered.
This event has almost always delivered.

The name No Mercy may have more of an attachment to older fans thanks to the WWE video game of the same name. Taking place between SummerSlam and Survivor Series, No Mercy is one of the most notable WWE shows to ever take place in the fall.

It certainly holds a higher name value over Hell in a Cell, WWE's current October pay-per-view. No Mercy does not have a feeling fixed concept, which gives the company enough flexibility to tell stories in their natural progression, instead of booking a Hell in a Cell match whether it makes sense or not.

No Mercy maybe WWE's most consistent 'B' pay-per-view, with some great offerings. Almost every event delivered well, initially running from 1999 to 2008 before returning for two years as a brand-exclusive event. No Mercy is also one of the most recognizable pay-per-view names in WWE history.

Major matches like Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker inside Hell in a Cell, the Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels Ladder Match, and John Cena vs. Roman Reigns have graced WWE's most famous October show in the past. Also, the theme song WWE selected for No Mercy was perfect, with it holding the same name as the event.

#3 WWE Cyber Sunday

This would work very well in today's environment
This would work very well in today's environment

With WWE's increased implementation of social media and technology in recent times, it is a surprise that Cyber Sunday has not returned as a pay-per-view. Fans are as vocal as ever about the WWE product and the company would be smart to allow them to influence a pay-per-view, if only just once.

While the company would need to work on the creative process for an event like this, a fan interactive pay-per-view would be a really fun addition to WWE's calendar. The variety of stipulations and Superstars at WWE's disposal should give them enough scope in terms of choices for each match.

WWE has not held a Cyber Sunday pay-per-view since 2008, with stipulation-based shows being introduced the following year. A show like this would be perfect for the December slot, much better than TLC, and could maintain fan interest at a time when WWE generally doesn't put much effort into the product.

If not as a pay-per-view, the fan voting concept should return for an episode of TV. How does Cyber SmackDown sound?

#2 WWE King of the Ring

This needs to return as a pay-per-view.
This needs to return as a pay-per-view.

There are few things better in WWE than a well-booked tournament. Quite a few things can be accomplished through it, like an increased urgency and quality in matches as well as the creation of new stars. The King of the Ring tournament has done a lot for WWE over the years.

At its best, King of the Ring helped to advance the careers of legends like 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and Triple H. At the very least, it has provided WWE fans with some fun action with stakes attached to it. Last year's King of the Ring tournament is a perfect example, with a multitude of excellent matches on RAW and SmackDown.

It instantly improved WWE's weekly product and should become an annual occurrence. The company could make King of the Ring a really big thing again, especially with the deep roster that they currently have. It should return as a pay-per-view, with a rich history behind it.

Events centered around tournaments are generally memorable, with the drama of King of the Ring seemingly guaranteeing an entertaining show. It would certainly liven up any part of WWE's year between any of the 'big four' pay-per-views.

#1 WWE Evolution

The women need an annual pay-per-view.
The women need an annual pay-per-view.

Some of the best wrestling in WWE this year has come courtesy of the women, who have stepped up even more since they got their own pay-per-view in 2018. Evolution was a massive success, boasting the perfect mix of match quality, personal rivalries, and star power. It is time that WWE holds another all-women's pay-per-view.

The women's divisions on RAW, SmackDown, and NXT are all incredibly stacked, without even considering some of the big absentees. Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey are all off WWE TV right now, with all of them likely to return in time for WrestleMania 37.

The women in WWE have constantly evolved, becoming bigger stars in the process and getting closer to the level of the WrestleMania 35 headliners. They could put on a solid show without Rousey, Flair, or Lynch getting involved. Thanks to the improvement in the overall strength of the division, Evolution 2 could be even better than the original event.

WWE may be holding off on the second all-women's pay-per-view until live crowds return, which makes sense. It would be insane on WWE's part if they weren't to do a sequel to Evolution, considering it was the best and most feel-good pay-per-view of 2018.

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