WB’s Top 5 PPVs of 2022
Photo Credit: WWE
- CM Punk RETURNING to WWE, Fastlane 2023 Results, HUGE Wrestlemania Match In Discussions & many more - October 8, 2023
- CM Punk to NXT?, Edge REMOVED from WWE, Jade Cargill to WWE & many more - October 1, 2023
- Is Uncle Howdy Returning to WWE? - September 27, 2023
Wrestle Buddy proudly features its year-end recaps for 2022! We collectively picked 5 PPVs that transcended anticipation. Each show resonated uniquely as a popular choice.
Our team is committed to giving readers a fair & honest perspective of pro wrestling. It involves selecting the five best pay-per-views that include premium live events. Fan interaction is so vital it means we utilize trustworthy polling & staff discussions to assure you those voices are heard along with the entire team as well.
1. Wrestlemania 38
The two-night spectacular WWE WrestleMania 38 offered a masterpiece for its universe of fans. Gladiators from Raw & SmackDown delineated such enterprising athletic greatness on April 2nd & 3rd inside the colossal AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Triple H addressed his in-ring retirement.
Night 1
This event featured stars SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Uso’s ( Jimmy & Jey) retaining versus Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs. Drew McIntyre gained his revenge against Happy Corbin with Madcap Moss & celebrity involvement with Logan Paul & The Miz teaming up & it proved successful as they were victorious over Rey & Dominik Mysterio via pinfall. Following the match, Miz turned on Paul. “The EST “ Bianca Belair made the history books after dethroning Becky Lynch to become Raw Women’s Champion. Cody Rhodes returned to prevail against Seth Rollins. Charlotte Flair reminded ‘ The Baddest Woman on the Planet Ronda Rousey’ why she’s Queen by retaining the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Stone Cold Steve Austin taught Kevin Owens a lesson per the No Holds Barred Match. Austin showed us why his legendary status lives on. He was triumphant.
Night 2
RK-Bro ( Randy Orton & Matt Riddle) routed both opposing teams, The Street Profits ( Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) & Alpha Academy ( Chad Cable & Otis) for the 1-2-3 count & Raw Tag Team Champions keep their belts. Bobby Lashley won by showcasing impressively contra to his rival ‘ The Nigerian Giant’ Olmos. In one of sports entertainment’s more comical battles. Johnny Knoxville conquered Sami Zayn. New Champs Sasha Banks & Naomi overcame these talented duos, and WWE Tag Team Champions ( Carmella & Queen Zelina) & Liv Morgan & Rhea Ripley & Natalya, and Shayna Baszler. Edge wrestled AJ Styles in one instant classic. The Rated R Superstar was better that night when opposing “ The Phenomenal One! “ Sheamus & Ridge Holland with Butch bested The New Day ( Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods). Pat McAfee scored big against Austin Theory. Unfortunately for the SmackDown commentator, Mr. McMahon got redemption over McAfee. Stone Cold Steve Austin would deliver stunners to everyone from Vince to Theory & Pat all suffered that same outcome. Austin celebrated with a famous beer bash. Roman Reigns slayed The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar to unify the World Championship Titles. The Tribal changed history in his favor. Your new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns & Paul Heyman accompanied him.
Mania 38 has to top any list
2. Full Gear
All-Elite Wrestling elicited their best pay-per-views. Full Gear emanated live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Saturday, November 19, 2022. It represented the fourth annual regarding Full Gear.
The first bout highlighted a unique & bizarre combination that included the Best Friends Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta, Orange Cassidy, Rocky Romero, & Danhausen defeated The Factory-QT Marshall, Aron Solo, Lee Johnson, Nick Comoroto, and Cole Karter. Most 10-man-tag matches feature too many wrestlers, but this one was solid. Ricky Starks continually articulates charisma mixed with a natural ability. He utilized these methods against the bigger & stronger Brian Cage, led by Prince Nana. Stark’s with an outstanding win concerning AEW World Championship Eliminator Tournament Semifinals. In a dream match-type scenario, fans witnessed Eddie Kingston survive versus Japanese sensation Jun Akiyama. We knew Kingston was a fighter & he proved that with the win. “ Jungle Boy “ Jack Perry wrestled former friend, now bitter nemesis Luchasaurus in an unforgiving steel cage. Christian Cage assisted his new evil monster. Perry made Luchasaurus submit. This next match would initiate a Best of Seven Series for the AEW World Trios Championship. Death Triangle- Pac, Penta El Zero Miedo, & Rey Fenix defended their titles successfully opposite The Elite-Kenny Omega, Matt & Nick Jackson.
Jade Cargill made a statement after beating Nyla Rose, thus retaining her TBS Women’s Championship. Chris Jericho remained the Ring of Honor Champ. He faced Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, and Sammy Guevara in an intense contest. Saraya made her in-ring wrestling pay-per-view return for AEW! She routed Dr. Britt Baker-D.M.D. Samoa Joe became the TNT Champion following his remarkable showing against then-Champion Wardlow & Powerhouse Hobbs. Joe won via technical submission. Two Icons squared off as Sting & Darby Allin encountered Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal in Double J’s AEW in-ring wrestling debut. Team Stinger & Darby won this No DQ fight. The reign of Jamie Hayter begins as she defeats Interim AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm to become the Champ. The Acclaimed Max Caster & Anthony Bowens retained their World Tag Team Titles versus Swerve In Our Glory ( Swerve Strickland & Keith Lee). MJF defeated World Champion Jon Moxley with William Regal’s betrayal of his Blackpool Combat member Moxley. MJF’s Championship reign had begun.
AEW got this one right & Full Gear delivered.
3. Slammiversary
Impact Wrestling has enjoyed a prosperous resurgence as of late. Twenty years of Slammiversary gifted us with great matchups. During the summer of 2022, on June 19 in Nashville, Tennessee, Slammiversary repeated its long-standing importance. The Asylum came to life when the promotion’s stars excited viewers. Observers watched cameos via video from legends from Sting, Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, James Storm, Chris Harris, & former boss Dixie Carter.
Savanah Evans overcame Alisha Edwards. This match was incredible. Rich Swann versus Brian Myers amazed for the Impact Digital Media Championship. Swann retained his crown. Shark Boy won a Reverse Battle Royal after eliminating Johnny Swinger. Shark Boy will forever endear himself to Impact’s fans as an original. The X-Division revolutionized pro wrestling. Mike Bailey captured the Impact X-Division Championship by defeating title-holder Ace Austin, Alex Zayne, Andrew Everett, Kenny King, & Trey Miguel. Rosemary teamed with Taya Valkyrie to win the Impact Knockouts World Tag Team gold away from Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood.
In the Monsters Ball match, Sami Callihan beat Moose by pinfall. Two of the best tag teams competed as New Impact World Tag Team Champions: The Good Brothers Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows survived in opposition to The Briscoes-Jay & Mark. A Ten-Man Tag Team Match saw Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Davey Richards, Frankie Kazarian, & Nick Aldis on behalf of the Impact Originals overwhelmed team Honor No More/ Eddie Edwards, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, PCO, & Vincent alongside Maria Kanellis. Jordynne Grace claimed victory & the Impact Knockouts Championship. She was triumphant in challenging Champion Tasha Steelz, Chelsea Green, Deonna Purrazzo, and Mia Yim circa the Queen of the Mountain Match, where Mickie James served as the special guest enforcer. Fans still discuss Impact World Champion: Josh Alexander defending his belt against Eric Young in what the media called a wrestling classic.
Don’t sleep on what Impact is doing.
4. SummerSlam
WWE SummerSlam originated in 1988. This popular pay-per-view series is currently live-streaming on Peacock. The summer party-themed extravaganza ranks closely with other celebrated events for the company. Thousands filled Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday, July 30th, 2022, to experience history again. What’s significant about this SummerSlam was that it represented the first premium live event after Vince McMahon retired. It was their inaugural PLE. Stephanie McMahon & Nick Khan stepped in as co-CEOs & of Triple H and ran creative & the show. Critics and supporters viewed it as a success. Raw & SmackDown stars had astonishingly competed.
The show began with Raw Women’s Champion defending against Becky Lynch. Both ladies extraordinarily opened SummerSlam impeccably. Belair won & Becky suffered a separated shoulder injury but fought through it. Afterward, Bayley returned with Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky, and all three confronted Bianca. Lynch stood by Belair’s side during the encounter. Logan Paul got revenge for The Miz betraying him months earlier at WrestleMania. Maryze & Ciampa, we’re not enough to help Miz. Paul scores the pin. Bobby Lashley showed Austin Theory; why he’s “The Almighty” by submitting him to keep the United States Championship. Edge surprised fans & assisted Rey & Dominik Mysterio to victory on The Judgement Day ( Fin Balor & Damian Priest) with Rhea Ripley in a No DQ match.
During the show, Drew McIntyre appeared & cut a promo & Seth Rollins brawled with Matt Riddle. Kane made a special appearance by greeting the WWE Universe.
Pat McAfee taught Happy Corbin that you don’t mess with the star NFL punter. He defeats the Happy one. Undisputed Tag Team Champions-The Uso’s ( Jey & Jimmy) defeated The Street Profits-Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins. Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett was the special guest referee. SmackDown’s Women’s Champion-Liv Morgan had outsmarted Ronda Rousey in a match that featured one controversial finish. Morgan is still the Champ! Roman Reigns fought Brock Lesnar to regain his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in a Last Man Standing Match where the Uso’s interfered & Austin Theory attempted to cash in his Money in The Bank briefcase opportunity. Paul Heyman got F-5ed through the broadcast table. Lesnar drove a tractor toward the ring & destroyed it with that same tractor. Roman hit & buried Brock under everything imaginable.
Several moments made this SummerSlam unforgettable. The main event put it over the top.
5. ROH Final Battle
Ring of Honor traditionally held their Final Battle pay-per-views in the American Northeast. AEW owner Tony Khan purchased this historic wrestling enterprise. The show emanated from College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, December 10th, 2022. ROH regarded Final Battle as its WrestleMania. Other headline programming countered WWE’s NXT Deadline & UFC 282.
Jeff Cobb stopped Mascara Dorado’s efforts & succeeded. Members of The Jericho Appreciation Society: Angelo Parker & Matt Menard beat Shinobi Shadow Squad ( Cheeseburger & Eli Isom). Women’s wrestling impressed throughout as Willow Nightingale was too much for Trish Adora. Willow gets her hand raised. Top Flight (brothers Dante & Darius Martin) are known for their high-flying innovation. The Kingdom spotlight polished veterans like Matt Taven and Mike Bennett with the lovely Maria Kanellis-Bennett. Top Flight incredibly prevails. Blake Christian joining forces with A.R. Fox thrilled eyewitnesses. They gained a monumental victory over La Faction Ingobernable ( Rush & Dralistico).
Athena challenging ROH Women’s Champion Mercedes Martinez provided stellar physicality from these two intensely determined individuals. Each competitor knows the other well. This match was tremendous. New Ring of Honor Women’s Champion Athena! Swerve In Our Glory ( Swerve Strickland & Keith Lee) wrestled valiantly against Shane Taylor Promotions/ Shane Taylor and JD Griffey. The former AEW Tag Team Champions reminded everyone even in turmoil, they win. Lee & Strickland defeat STP. The Embassy/ Brian Cage, Gates of Agony-Kaun & Toa Liona with Prince Nana displayed their power. Dalton Castle and The Boys (Brandon & Brent Tate) endeavored their best. In the end, Nana’s group won. Match quality improved extensively because of Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia’s wrestling. They have feuded intently. Yuta retained his ROH Pure Championship in the Pure Wrestling Rules Match. That visually brutal Double Dog Collar Match featured two of the best tag teams currently in wrestling. FTR versus The Briscoes gave wrestling traditionalists hope. Fans of NWA, Mid-South, & numerous old-school wrestling territories would beam with pride upon watching this bloodied match to decide the ROH Tag Team Titles. Jay & Mark Briscoe fighting Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler makes all correct regarding the industry. The Briscoes triumphed & we have new Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions. Samoa Joe consistently wrestles exceedingly. Juice Robinson found success in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Even skilled contenders get victimized. He wins & still ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe. Claudio Castagnoli restores honor to the brand after succeeding in a competitive matchup for the Ring of Honor Championship. Claudio dethrones Chris Jericho. He’s the ROH Champion once more!!!
ROH Final Battle was exciting due to the title matches.
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