The 5 greatest WWE pay-per-view matches held in December

The WWE Universe was surprised when the company announced that Survivor Series would be the final pay-per-view for 2021. The promotion will present their first Day 1 pay-per-view on January 1st, so they decided to scrap the scheduled TLC show in lieu of driving the build there. It's a shame because there have been several awesome bouts at major shows in December throughout the promotion's history.

WWE has been presenting December pay-per-views since 1995 and several Hall of Famers have shown up for the holiday season. Just last year, another classic was added to the list of exceptional matches in December.

Roman Reigns retained the WWE Universal Championship over Kevin Owens in a grueling, yet superb, TLC Match.

With no December pay-per-view this year, it seems like an ideal time to look closely at some of the outstanding matches to take place for WWE in this particular month. In this article, let's identify the five greatest WWE pay-per-view matches to take place in final month of the year.

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5) Kurt Angle vs. The Rock vs. The Undertaker vs. Rikishi vs. Triple H vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin in the Armageddon Hell In A Cell Match for the WWE Championship (WWE Armageddon 2000)

When Attitude Era fans think of epic encounters on WWE pay-per-view in December, this is a match that will often be mentioned. 2000 is in the short argument for the greatest calendar year of all time for the company. It was a litany of excellent major shows that all had marvelous bouts on the cards. However, there was nothing like Armageddon Hell In A Cell.

Kurt Angle held the WWE Championship and had several competitors gunning for him, while a few big feuds were escalating in intensity. Commissioner Mick Foley decided to put the six top stars in the company inside Hell In A Cell to determine who the WWE Champion would be. This caused issues with Vince McMahon, who didn't want his moneymakers injured in the Devil's Playground.

The main event of WWE Armageddon 2000 was everything that fans would have expected. It was insanity with Kurt Angle, The Rock, The Undertaker, Rikishi, Triple H and Stone Cold Steve Austin brawling all over the cell, outside of it, all over the arena and on top of the cage. Mr. McMahon brought a hay truck down to ringside to try to pull the cell up, but it would end up being used as a crash pad.

The Undertaker gave Rikishi a chokeslam off the cage onto the hay, taking him out of the contest in the most spectacular spot. Austin gave Rock a Stone Cold Stunner before Triple H took him out. With everyone down, Angle draped his limp hand over Rock to score the three count and win the war.

4) AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose for the WWE Championship (WWE TLC 2016)

AJ Styles coming to WWE was exciting for many reasons in 2016. Not only would the Phenomenal One be able to do the dream matches that fans always wanted like against John Cena or Roman Reigns, but he could also take part in some of the staple stipulations for the company as well.

At TLC 2016, Styles defended the WWE Championship against former champion Dean Ambrose.

Following AJ beating Ambrose for the gold at Backlash, the former Shield member got under the WWE Champion's skin by using James Ellsworth. Although some felt the build was divisive, the two men delivered an unquestionable banger in the TLC 2016 main event. There were high spots and wicked bumps from both. Styles hitting a springboard 450 Splash on Ambrose through a table was the highlight.

Just when it looked like Ambrose would win, Ellsworth emerged and pushed his friend off the ladder. This allowed AJ Styles to retrieve the WWE Championship and win this terrific Tables, Ladders and Chairs battle. The two men took every risk to obtain victory and put on a memorable show here.

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3) Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka in a Triple Threat TLC Match for the SmackDown Women's Championship (WWE TLC 2018)

2018 was the year of Becky Lynch in WWE. She turned on Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam 2018 and proceeded to defeat her for the SmackDown Women's Championship the following month. Lynch started a feud with RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey ahead of Survivor Series that boosted her popularity even more, but the match never happened.

An errant Nia Jax punch led to the contest being delayed. Charlotte Flair took her place and wanted to get the gold back the following month, but Asuka had inserted herself into their ongoing rivalry. This led to TLC 2018 where the three women clashed in a physically intense Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match. They held nothing back and put their bodies on the line here.

It was Ronda Rousey who got involved and was the deciding factor. She came down to the ring and pushed a ladder over that had Becky and Charlotte on it. This allowed Asuka to climb the ladder and retrieve the SmackDown Women's Championship. This was among the best matches of 2018 for WWE.

2) Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs. The British Bulldog for the WWE Championship (WWE In Your House 5: Season Beatings)

When fans think about Bret Hart vs. The British Bulldog, they will immediately bring up WWE SummerSlam 1992 for good reason. The two brothers-in-law had a technical wrestling masterpiece that peaked at just the right time in front of a hot London crowd at Wembley Stadium. However, it wasn't the only great showdown they had with this bout at the first WWE pay-per-view in the month of December.

Bret Hart defeated Diesel to win the WWE Championship for the fifth time at Survivor Series 1995. Prior to this, the British Bulldog turned heel on Diesel and had inserted himself into the title picture. With Bulldog as top contender, this set up a SummerSlam 1992 rematch, but this time for the richest prize in the business at In Your House 5: Season Beatings.

Bret and Bulldog once again delivered an excellent encounter. However, it was different in many ways. This time, the babyface-heel dynamic was there and added to the atmosphere with the fans clearly in Hart's corner. On the floor, Bret was busted open, and he bled heavily. That didn't stop him from pulling out the win to retain the WWE Championship, though.

The mix of blood, technical wrestling brilliance and the real-life aspect of Diana Hart at ringside made this everything fans could ask for. Bret Hart wanted another contest with his brother-in-law and this found a way to deliver one of the best pay-per-view main events of 1995 for WWE.

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1) Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship (WWE TLC 2018)

Daniel Bryan shocked the wrestling world when he announced his in-ring return to WWE at WrestleMania 34. His comeback got off to a rough start with a lackluster Big Cass rivalry, a short-lived Team Hell No reunion and an underwhelming feud with The Miz. Bryan appeared to change around his fortunes by going for WWE Champion AJ Styles.

The desire to become champion changed Bryan though. The leader of the Yes Movement hit Styles with a low blow and a running knee to win the WWE Championship. Following an incredible match with Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series, Daniel Bryan had to contend with AJ Styles once again at TLC 2018.

Two of the most gifted competitors to ever grace the squared circle put on an absolute clinic. It had crisp mat work, smooth sequences, impeccable selling, tremendous callbacks to their previous meetings and great nearfalls. It flowed because of how well these two superstars were working with one another.

Styles looked on the brink of victory when he set up for the Phenomenal Forearm. Bryan moves the ref in the way, but AJ doesn't hit him. He instead cradles Daniel Bryan, but the champion gets Styles in a small package for the win. This worked extremely well with Bryan and Styles producing a fantastic championship battle that was the greatest WWE pay-per-view match in December.