WWE is known for its grand spectacles and long-running traditions, but over the years, the company has experimented with some very unique pay-per-view (PPV) events. These events were one-off shows that offered fans something special, from bizarre match types to innovative themes. Although most of WWE’s PPVs have become annual fixtures on the schedule, these rare shows never returned, leaving them as some of the most intriguing and memorable moments in WWE history. Let’s take a closer look at four of WWE’s most unique PPVs that only happened once, each offering a distinct twist on the usual formula.
1. WWE Armageddon 2000: Six-Man Hell in a Cell Match
Kurt Angle vs. The Rock vs. Triple H vs. Steve Austin vs. Rikishi vs. The Undertaker (Image via Getty)WWE’s Armageddon 2000 stands out for being the first and only time a six-man Hell in a Cell match headlined a major pay-per-view event. The event, held on December 10, 2000, in Birmingham, Alabama, was a chaotic spectacle featuring six of WWE’s top stars: The Rock, Triple H, The Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Steve Austin, and Rikishi. This match was not only significant due to the extreme nature of the Hell in a Cell structure, but it also marked a critical point in the WWE’s attitude era.
The match saw a series of brutal spots and incredible action, including an infamous moment where Rikishi was thrown off the top of the cell by The Undertaker and landed in a truck bed filled with hay. The impact and aftermath of this match were dramatic, leading to some major shifts in the storyline at the time. Despite its success, WWE has never replicated this exact format of the Hell in a Cell match at another pay-per-view, making Armageddon 2000 a unique moment in history.
While WWE has returned to the Hell in a Cell structure numerous times, this multi-participant, over-the-top version of the match remains a one-time occurrence. The sheer chaos and unpredictability that defined Armageddon 2000 will always set it apart from other events in WWE’s history.
2. WWE In Your House: Badd Blood 1997
In Your House Badd Blood 1997 (Image via Getty)Although WWE’s In Your House series had several unique installments, none were quite like Badd Blood 1997. Held on October 5, 1997, this event is most notable for being the first time the Hell in a Cell structure was used in a match. The main event was a brutal contest between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, with a special guest referee, Earl Hebner. However, the match that truly made Badd Blood 1997 unforgettable was the debut of the Hell in a Cell, a match type that would go on to become a staple in WWE for years to come.
What made this debut even more memorable was the surprise appearance of Kane, The Undertaker’s long-lost brother, who attacked The Undertaker during the match, leading to Shawn Michaels securing the victory. This moment not only solidified Badd Blood 1997 as a pivotal moment in wrestling history but also set the stage for the infamous Kane vs. Undertaker feud, which would last for years.
The In Your House PPVs were known for being relatively shorter events, but Badd Blood 1997 helped make the series legendary. Although WWE would continue with the In Your House brand for several more years, this particular edition remains one of the most unique. The Hell in a Cell match has since become a regular part of the company’s offerings, but no other event quite captured the magic of Badd Blood 1997.
3. WWE King of the Ring 1993: The Debut of the King of the Ring Tournament
WWE King of the Ring 1993 (Image via Getty)The King of the Ring tournament, which became a yearly tradition in WWE, made its first appearance as a pay-per-view in 1993. While the tournament format had been a part of WWE for several years before 1993, this event marked the first time the company gave the tournament a spotlight in the form of a standalone PPV event. The event, held on June 13, 1993, at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio, featured a star-studded lineup, including Bret Hart, Razor Ramon, Mr. Perfect, and the eventual winner, Bret Hart.
What made King of the Ring 1993 truly unique was the way it framed the entire pay-per-view around a one-night tournament. Each match had a direct impact on the next round, leading to the crowning of a new king. Bret Hart’s victory in the tournament helped solidify him as one of WWE’s top stars, setting him on the path to eventual world title contention.
Although King of the Ring continued as an annual event for several years, this initial PPV made history due to its innovative approach and how it helped shape WWE’s roster in the 1990s. As time went on, the tournament would lose some of its luster, but the King of the Ring 1993 event still holds a special place in fans’ hearts. It was a unique experiment that would pave the way for future tournaments.
4. WWE No Mercy 2002: The First Elimination Chamber Match
The First-Ever Elimination Chamber – Survivor Series 2002 (Image via Getty)WWE No Mercy 2002 was another unique PPV event, largely due to its introduction of the Elimination Chamber match. Held on October 20, 2002, at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida, this event featured the very first Elimination Chamber, which would go on to become one of WWE’s signature match types. The match itself was a brutal, multi-man contest featuring Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Booker T, Kane, and Rob Van Dam.
The Elimination Chamber was designed to be a more dangerous, more intense version of the traditional steel cage match. The structure itself was massive, with pods around the ring where the competitors would begin the match. The action inside the chamber was unlike anything fans had seen before, and the match’s high spots, including Shawn Michaels’ return to the main event scene, made No Mercy 2002 an unforgettable PPV.
Though the Elimination Chamber would go on to become an annual fixture in WWE, No Mercy 2002 remains a one-off event in the sense that it introduced the concept to fans. The brutal nature of the match and the iconic wrestlers involved made this event one for the history books. Fans still remember the high stakes and physicality of that first Elimination Chamber, setting the bar for the matches that followed.
Final Thoughts
WWE’s unique PPVs that only happened once are a reminder of how the company has evolved over the years, constantly experimenting and creating memorable moments that stand the test of time. From the introduction of Hell in a Cell to the first-ever Elimination Chamber match, each of these one-off events brought something fresh to the table and added to WWE’s rich history. While these specific events never returned, their influence can still be felt in the company today.