5 times WWE pulled a match from pay-per-view at last minute

5 times WWE pulled a match from pay-per-view at last minute – Roman Reigns’ Hell in a Cell match, Becky Lynch's dream match compromised

By Shruti Sadbhav

Modified Jun 20, 2021 23:26 GMT

WWE had to cancel high-profile matches at times

#2 Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt (WWE TLC, 2013)

AJ Styles and Finn Balor delivered beyond expectations in this dream match

Back in 2017, WWE Superstars Finn Balor and Bray Wyatt were involved in an extended rivalry. They were initially scheduled to lock horns in a unique match at TLC. As per the plan, Balor and Wyatt were to wrestle as Demon King and Sister Abigail, respectively. Everyone was looking forward to an engaging battle between two epic alter-egos.

Unfortunately, the creative had to call off this match because Bray Wyatt came down with a viral infection. Along with Wyatt, Roman Reigns was also struggling with the same fever and was subsequently replaced by Kurt Angle at the pay-per-view. WWE then decided to call AJ Styles from a live event tour to set up a dream match against Finn Balor.

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Balor and Styles had no time to prepare for the match, but the long history between the two superstars allowed them to deliver an instant classic. Even without any storyline or prior build-up, Balor and Styles fought like there is no tomorrow. It was one of the best WWE matches that year, and all because of one last-minute change in plans.

About the author

Shruti Sadbhav is a WWE writer at Sportskeeda Wrestling. With a triple major in Journalism, English Literature, and Psychology, she has always been drawn to writing. As an avid sports lover, writing about sports was the finest way to combine her passion with her prowess.

Whenever she writes, Shruti puts herself into the shoes of fans to see how she would appreciate an honest account of anything related to something she follows wholeheartedly with engaging and relevant information to cater to the readers' needs.

Shruti has seven years of experience. She previously worked as a content manager at Fox Sports Asia and as an assistant manager and digital marketer at Kickstart FC. Shruti previously worked in multiple roles in Sportskeeda, where she was a WWE features writer, editor, and content manager. She has over 40 million+ reads across all her writer profiles, giving her an immensely diverse audience across WWE and football.

When it comes to pro wrestling, Shruti does not particularly remember the first match she watched. However, she recalls accompanying her brother and getting hooked when she saw The Undertaker – a fascinating wrestler that she, like thousands of others, believed in.
Her views on pro wrestling evolved as she grew older and understood the intricacies of the business. This allows her to appreciate those who dedicate themselves to the craft and, once in a while, it does become what it has always been touted to be – magical. Her favorite wrestler is Finn Balor due to his persistence.

When she is not working as a writer, Shruti loves to read, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and let Manchester City dictate her weekend plans.

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Edited by Greg Bush