Rating the 5 best matches in Extreme Rules History

In just a few days time, WWE will present its annual Extreme Rules event, and while it may not always feature the most hardcore of matches, it's given us some absolute belters over the year.

First being used in 2009, the event has played host to some great stipulation matches, so in honour of this upcoming event, we've decided to look back at those past events.

This year's event is shaping up to have some great matches, and while we aren't going to see a bloody war or anything that will go down in WWE history, it's no doubt going to be fun.

So without further ado, sit back and read along as we take a look back on the first 10 years of WWE 'Extreme Rules', and rank the 5 best matches the PPV has provided us over the years.

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#5 Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk (2012)

Most people remember CM Punk's rivalry with John Cena as his best in WWE, but the brutal rivalry with Chris Jericho should never be overlooked, as they put on some incredible matches. This one was a Chicago Street Fight, and given the brutality that both men put each other through, there's no doubt that this one was going to be featured on the list.

Both men have since left WWE, so it's unlikely that the company will be flaunting this match as one of the best in Extreme Rules history, but they worked hard to tell a fantastic story throughout, and it definitely paid off.

It was ultimately CM Punk that would come away victorious on this night, ending the rivalry with Y2J for good, but this is a match that definitely needs to be respected as a great bout.

It probably won't go on either men's 'top 5 matches' list, given their stellar careers, but the rivalry was amazing, and the combination of story and brutal moments makes this match must-see.

#4 AJ Styles vs. Roman Reigns (2016)

When AJ Styles debuted in WWE at the Royal Rumble 2016, he was expected to be a mid-card talent and that's it, but through phenomenal in-ring work, he rose all the way to the main event. While it was Roman Reigns that came out on top here, The Phenomenal One solidified himself as a main event player, as this could still be one of his best matches in WWE.

A lot of talk following the event was the return of Seth Rollins after the bout, but that does a disservice to just how great this match was, as both men played their role to absolute perfection.

It was brutal, with several great spots, and featured some interference from The Usos and The Club, but none of that took away from the quality of the match, as both men put on their best performance on this night, showing why they are both considered elite level performers.

#3 Sami Zayn vs. Cesaro vs. The Miz vs. Kevin Owens (2016)

While you'd likely expect the matches on this list to be brutal, hardcore affairs, this match wasn't the case, as it was a simple, fast-paced affair between 4 of WWE's brightest young stars. The story was simple: 4 young stars fighting for the prized Intercontinental Championship, and right from the moment the bell rang, the action was fast and furious throughout.

The best part of this amazing match was that all 4 men had different characters and motivations, and they showed all of this off throughout the match, and the match proved that all 4 men are worthy of the main event in WWE.

Plenty of false finishes and big moments made this an incredible bout, but ultimately, it was the sneaky heel Miz who took the win while pinning Cesaro as the other two brawled on the outside.

#2 Edge vs. Jeff Hardy - Ladder Match (2009)

Edge and Jeff Hardy are the two most iconic ladder match performers in WWE history, so when this match was announced, fans knew they were in for an absolute treat. The rivalry wasn't quite as personal as the one Edge had with Jeff's brother years earlier, but they didn't stray from the brutality as you'd expect, and the storytelling throughout was fantastic.

As you'd expect with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line, both men gave it their all, and this one saw plenty of brutal ladder spots, but at the end of the day, it was Edge who came out on top.

Somehow, over 15 years into both men's careers, they managed to innovate with some great spots, and not only is it one of the best in Extreme Rules history, but it may be the best singles ladder match in history.

#1 John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar (2012)

Brock Lesnar made his huge return the night following WrestleMania to attack John Cena, and to say that their first match was brutal would be a complete understatement. From the outset, this one was a bloody brawl, and it forced John Cena to tap into the toughness he's become so famous for, as both men certainly took and gave plenty of punishment.

Being Lesnar's first match back from his stint in the UFC, he was certainly motivated to prove why he's a main event star, and there was no better opponent or situation than John Cena. Ultimately, it won't be one of the best matches in either men's career, but given the level of brutality and surprising amount of drama and storytelling, it's no doubt the best match in Extreme Rules history.

Shockingly, Cena would come back from The Beast's brutality to take the clean pinball win, but it certainly hasn't hurt the second WWE run of Lesnar.