WWE have had 12 Pay-Per-Views a year, but that has now increased to 19. However, that is just as of this year. After the brand split, it is still expected that every month will have two pay-per-views except for the big four PPVs – Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, Summerslam & Survivor Series.
Also, it must be noted that NXT Takeover specials are now expected to be held on the day before a big four PPV. This year, Wrestlemania & Summerslam weekend opened with an NXT Takeover special. And it will happen again this coming November in Toronto for Survivor Series weekend, with the special being called NXT Takeover: Toronto.
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It is still to be seen whether two PPVs a month is too much for the audience to digest or not. The biggest fault seen so far from these is that there is far lesser time to build up to the PPVs. However, we need to give it more time to see how it all works out. With the Network airing PPVs however, it increases the value of it far more.
The following list is the list of PPVs and NXT Takeover specials coming up in 2017. Just like 2016, 2017 promises to be a great year for WWE:
#1 WWE Royal Rumble 2017
Date: January 29, 2017Venue: Alamodome, San Antonio, TexasBrand: Dual branded
This is where the road to Wrestlemania begins. This will be an interesting Royal Rumble due to the brand split. The winner of the Rumble match will get to choose between a WWE World Championship or a Universal Championship match. It is also being said that Brock Lesnar will challenge for the Universal Championship at this show. Also, it must be noted as mentioned above that WWE are planning to make a weekend of every big-four PPV, so don’t be surprised if there is an NXT Takeover: LA a day before the Rumble.
#2 WWE Elimination Chamber 2017
Date: February 12, 2017 Venue: Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.Brand: Smackdown
#3 WWE FastLane 2017
Date: March 5, 2017Venue: BMOP Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WisconsinBrand: Raw
Fastlane has gotten a bad rap the last two years, primarily because of the unpleasing finish at the end of each(i.e, Roman Reigns cementing his Wrestlemania main event spot). As a whole, both years prior have not been the best either. It is highly likely that Fastlane will be a brand exclusive PPV and there is another one later in the month.
In the previous brand split with exclusive PPVs, the final PPV before Wrestlemania would generally be a Smackdown exclusive show, and the Raw title picture would then be decided accordingly. The brand split should make Fastlane a solid B-PPV.
#4 WWE WrestleMania 33
Date: April 2nd, 2017Venue: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FLBrand: Dual branded
Wrestlemania 33 should have a lot of promise if the roster stays healthy. One of the biggest reasons Wrestlemania 32 fell flat was due to the injury plague taking out several top stars including Seth Rollins and John Cena. Wrestlemania 24 took place in the very same venue, and it was then known as the Citrus Bowl.
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross said that Wrestlemania 33 will determine the success or failure of the second rendition of the brand split. Wrestlemania 33 is expected to be the end of The Undertaker’s legendary career in the hands of John Cena. Some other rumored matches include Seth Rollins vs Triple H, Sasha Banks vs Bayley and Shane McMahon vs Brock Lesnar.
#5 WWE Payback 2017
Date: April 30th, 2017Venue: TBABrand: TBA
This may possibly be a Smackdown Live exclusive PPV. This would perhaps be the blow-off to Smackdown Live’s Wrestlemania feuds, and the beginning of new stories for the Smackdown Live brand. However, the same could be said if it is a Raw exclusive PPV.
#6 WWE BackLash 2017
Date: May 21st, 2017Venue: TBABrand: Smackdown Live
BackLash was reintroduced this year after a 7-year absence. Back in the last brand split, it was a Raw-exclusive PPV, but it was reintroduced to be a Smackdown Exclusive PPV. It got good acclaim this year when it was the first brand-exclusive PPV post draft.
#7 WWE Extreme Rules 2017
Date: June 4th, 2017Venue: TBABrand: TBA
Just like how the last PPV before Wrestlemania used to be Smackdown-exclusive, the first PPV post-Wrestlemania would usually be Raw exclusive. This maybe what Backlash was in the Ruthless Aggression era – the PPV of Wrestlemania rematches. Last year Roman Reigns and AJ Styles main evented with an instant classic Extreme Rules match.
#8 WWE Money In The Bank 2017
Date: June 18th, 2017Venue: St. Louis, MOBrand: SmackDown Live
This is an interesting case. It makes no sense to not have it dual branded. However, what the bigger question is, if it is dual branded, will there be one or two Money In The Bank ladder matches. The lesser the better, as it also gives a sense of unexpectedness. 3 participants could be from Raw and 3 from Smackdown Live.
#9 WWE Battleground 2017
Date: July(?), 2017Venue: TBABrand: TBA
Battleground in 2016 was an incredible PPV. It began with Bayley’s first main roster appearance, and more than anything – The Shield Triple Threat, a dream match. The dream match ended on a satisfactory note. This was the point where the titles of the brand split were sorted out to their respective brand. 2017 Battleground should be no less epic.
#10 NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III
Date: August 19th, 2017Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York CityBrand: NXT
Takeover: Brooklyn since last year has made the Summerslam weekend an absolute festival. Both editions have been so successful that they were considered far superior to Summerslam the following night. Next year, NXT returns to Brooklyn.
The 2015 participants of Takeover:Brooklyn were all up(except Samoa Joe and Bayley) on the main roster by Takeover: Brooklyn II. It would be interesting to see if the same happens next year. It will also be interesting to see if Takeover:Brooklyn outdoes Summerslam a 3rd year in a row.
#11 WWE SummerSlam 2017
Date: August 20, 2017Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York CityBrand: Dual Branded
Summerslam the last year has had a stacked card but failed to deliver as a whole. That was definitely the case with Summerslam this year. In 2015 and 2016 it was considered inferior to NXT Takeover: Brooklyn. 2017 is as better a year as any to show the true strengthening of the main roster.
#12 WWE Clash Of Champions 2017
Date: October (?), 2017Venue: TBABrand: Raw
Up till last year, the PPV in September was Night Of Champions. This year, WWE has decided to change that and reintroduce the WCW named PPV Clash Of Champions. This follows the same theme that Night Of Champions did, i.e, every championship must be defended.
#13 WWE No Mercy 2017
Date: October(?), 2017Venue: TBABrand: Smackdown Live
No Mercy for the first few years was a Smackdown-exclusive PPV and then became a Raw-exclusive PPV. It was reintroduced as a Smackdown Live PPV. The PPV itself was introduced in 1999 and ran annually until 2008.
#14 WWE Hell In A Cell 2017
Date: October(?),2017Venue: TNABrand: Raw
Hell In A Cell is one of WWE’s stipulation themed PPVs. There are at least two Hell In A Cell matches. From 2016 it was announced to be a Raw-exclusive PPVs, and that will be how it is this way forward.
#15 WWE Survivor Series 2017
Date: August 20th, 2017Venue: Brooklyn, NYBrand: Dual branded
Survivor Series has lost much of its prestige the last few years. However, there is a bigger chance of getting that prestige back this year due to the Raw vs Smackdown feud possibility. This can be the case in 2017 as well. Also, expect a Takeover special the day before the PPV.
#16 TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs
Date: December (?), 2017Venue: TBABrand: Smackdown Live
TLC has been a special themed WWE PPV for years now. In 2016 it was announced to be a Smackdown-exclusive PPV, which it will be for the foreseeable future.
