The Most Unusual WWE PPVs That Had Non-Wrestling Main Events

WWE Pay-Per-Views (PPVs) are famous for their intense wrestling bouts, where legends are made and rivalries are settled inside the squared circle. However, some PPVs have featured main events that had nothing to do with wrestling at all. These unique occurrences, though rare, provide a fascinating twist in WWE history, taking the audience by surprise with non-wrestling spectacles that left a lasting impression. Whether it was a musical performance, an unexpected segment, or an unconventional battle, these events stand out as some of the most unusual moments in WWE PPV history.

In this, we’ll take a closer look at four of the most memorable WWE PPVs where the main event wasn’t a wrestling match. These events broke the mold and showcased WWE’s ability to experiment beyond traditional wrestling entertainment.

1. WrestleMania 32 – The Rock and A Celebrity Cameo Steal the Show

WrestleMania, the flagship WWE event, is known for its epic matches and monumental moments. But at WrestleMania 32, the main event featured something out of the ordinary: The Rock and a surprise cameo that stole the spotlight.

In the middle of the show, The Rock made an unexpected appearance to announce a record-breaking attendance at AT&T Stadium. He then had a brief in-ring confrontation with Eric Rowan from the Wyatt Family. While this was technically a “match,” it only lasted a few minutes, and it didn’t follow the traditional structure of a wrestling contest. Instead, The Rock’s charisma and Rowan’s interaction with him made it more of an entertainment segment than a traditional wrestling main event.

Afterward, WWE surprised the fans with a fun celebrity cameo from John Cena, who appeared to help The Rock eliminate Rowan in what felt more like a comedic skit than a real match. This unexpected shift from in-ring competition to entertainment highlighted the versatility of WWE and its commitment to offering something unique to the audience.

2. WWE TLC 2018 – The Return of The Women’s TLC Match

At WWE TLC 2018, the main event was an intense TLC match between Charlotte Flair, Asuka, and Becky Lynch for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. But, what made this PPV stand out was the unanticipated way WWE turned it into a non-wrestling spectacle.

The match’s finish involved an extremely surprising moment when Asuka won the SmackDown Women’s Championship, but in a twist that shifted the focus of the event, it wasn’t the wrestling moves that had fans talking. Instead, it was the match’s dramatic conclusion that involved Ronda Rousey interfering, creating a dynamic crossover between different women’s wrestling rivalries.

This non-wrestling aspect focused more on the angle and storyline progression than the actual wrestling match itself, making it a main event unlike any other. The focus wasn’t just on athleticism; it was on the narrative that evolved throughout the night. WWE blurred the lines between in-ring action and the storytelling that WWE has become renowned for. Fans were left discussing not just the outcome of the match but the larger drama surrounding the division.

3. WWE Royal Rumble 1999 – A Rock vs. Mankind “I Quit” Match with a Twist

The Royal Rumble 1999 is another example of a PPV where the main event strayed far from conventional wrestling. The event is often remembered for its brutal I Quit match between Mankind (Mick Foley) and The Rock for the WWF Championship. While the match itself was brutal, it wasn’t the wrestling aspect that made this event so unique—it was the non-wrestling angle that played a central role.

During the match, the story revolved not only around physicality but also the emotions involved. A major turning point came when Mankind’s own words, “I quit,” were played over the stadium’s sound system—not from him, but as part of the broadcast storyline. Fans expected a classic wrestling finish, but the event took an unexpected turn by introducing this sound trick, emphasizing the psychological warfare at play. The match ended on a sour note with fans witnessing the manipulation, making it a non-traditional conclusion.

While this main event was technically still a wrestling match, the dramatic use of audio, combined with the mind games played by both competitors, left fans questioning if this was truly a wrestling-based main event or something more psychological and performance-oriented. WWE added an element of non-wrestling entertainment by shifting the focus from the action to the narrative.

4. WWE SummerSlam 2000 – The Unusual Guest Role of Tazz

SummerSlam 2000 featured an unexpected shift when the main event involved more than just the wrestling action between The Rock and Triple H for the WWE Championship. The intrigue didn’t just stem from the rivalry; it also involved a special guest referee who wasn’t a traditional part of the match—Tazz.

This wasn’t your standard referee situation. WWE had Tazz, a former ECW Champion, who was inserted into the match as a neutral party. However, his involvement took a non-wrestling turn as Tazz’s actions during the match, like his interactions with the competitors, added a layer of unpredictability. Fans were unsure if Tazz would show bias or if he would change the outcome in favor of one wrestler. This change brought an entirely new element to the match that went beyond traditional in-ring action.

In many ways, Tazz’s role was a commentary on the way WWE sometimes uses non-wrestling characters in key positions to shape the outcome of important matches. This match didn’t just rely on in-ring competition—it leaned on Tazz’s persona and potential interference to make things even more dramatic. WWE often blurs the line between in-ring action and entertainment, and SummerSlam 2000 was an example of how non-wrestling elements can play an essential role in a main event.

WWE’s Creative and Unpredictable Approach to Pay-Per-View Main Events

WWE has a long history of pushing boundaries with their PPVs, and these four examples show how the company creatively used non-wrestling elements to enhance the experience for fans. Whether through unexpected celebrity appearances, shifts in storyline direction, or unusual roles for non-wrestlers, these main events highlighted how WWE is capable of offering a multi-layered entertainment experience that goes far beyond traditional matches. These moments serve as a reminder of WWE’s ability to keep the audience engaged through innovation, surprising twists, and memorable entertainment.