WWE Extreme Rules 2018

WWE Extreme Rules 2018

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - July 2018

CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Coming into the show, Brock Lesnar is the WWE Universal Champion and AJ Styles is the WWE World Champion. The RAW Tag Team Champions are Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt, while the SmackDown Tag Champs are The Bludgeon Brothers. Dolph Ziggler holds the Intercontinental Championship and the United States Champion is Jeff Hardy. The RAW Women's Champion is Alexa Bliss. The SmackDown Women's Champion is Carmella.

COMMENTATORS: M. Cole and Coachman (RAW), C. Graves, T. Phillips, B. Saxton (SD)

The 10th annual Extreme Rules begins with the RAW Tag Team Title match, Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy defending against The B-Team (Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas). Before the match begins, Cole sends the cameras over to Ronda Rousey, who is in the front row with her husband, fellow MMAer Travis Browne. The crowd was hot for the opening, but once the match got going that enthusiasm withered. Why wouldn't it? The Wyatt/Hardy collaboration hasn't added anything to either character and the B-Team is no different than the Job Squad of the late 90s - a "meta-gimmick" built around the team's irrelevance. Wyatt showed some fire with his hot tag and the finish was nice, but this was still not great. (2/5)

Kurt Angle announced that Brock Lesnar has refused to set a date for his next title defense and offers an ultimatum: Brock can either show up on RAW the next night, agree to set a date for his next defense, or be stripped of the title. The Pittsburgh crowd chants "Yes!" in response.

Finn Balor vs. "Constable" Baron Corbin is next. Before the match, Corbin corrects the announcer by making sure she mentions that his Constable title was made by Stephanie McMahon. Good way to get heat early. Corbin is now wrestling in dress pants and a dress shirt looking like the manager of a Bar Louie. Corbin is not a great worker, but I'm probably higher on him than most critics. There's an over-reliance on chinlocks and his facial expressions are borderline goofy at times, but he's naturally unlikable, has a handful of flashy moves that he delivers well, and he can mix up the pace of his matches to add suspense and bring the crowd up and down (something that I've never seen Jinder Mahal do). Balor was unable to hit his Coup De Grace, but still stole the victory via a small package. This wasn't a bad match and I liked the clean finish, though I don't feel that the chemistry (or lack thereof) warrants a prolonged feud between the two. (2.5/5)

Before the next match, the cameras cut backstage where Kane and Daniel Bryan were attacked by the Bludgeon Brothers. Kane's ankle was destroyed by Rowan, putting his ability to participate in tonight's match in question.

The SmackDown Women's Championship was on the line next - Carmella defending against Asuka with James Ellworth stuck in a Shark Cage above the ring to prevent him from interfering. Asuka controlled early, as she should've, but Ellsworth immediately started dropping weapons into the ring to try to even things out. Carmella rolled to the outside where Asuka hit her with a suplex on the floor. Meanwhile, Ellsworth attempted to escape the cage but got his foot caught and ended up dangling from it. Asuka got some great shots in, kicking and punching the defenseless Ellsworth, but ended up costing herself the match by forgetting about Carmella, who snuck back in the ring and shoved her face-first into the cage. After the match, Asuka continued to beat down on Ellsworth, but as Graves noted, at the end of the day, she didn't leave with what she came for. Asuka's aura has been hurt by her inability to win the title regardless of how much shenanigans there's been. This felt more like a SmackDown TV match than a PPV title defense. (1.5/5)

The United States Championship was up for grabs in the next match as Jeff Hardy defended against Shinsuke Nakamura. The match was basically over it began as Nakamura struck Hardy with a kick to the nuts before the bell rang and then, once the match actually began, hit him with a Kinchasa to become the new US Champion. As Nakamura celebrated, Randy Orton returned and stared him down. Orton got into the ring and as the crowd chanted for RKO attacked Jeff Hardy in predictable fashion, stomping him square in the jewels. This was more "angle" than match, which can be a good thing but placed immediately after another "nothing" match? Orton's return was a shock, but seemed shoehorned and, actually, beneath him. Why would a multi-time World Champion still care at all about the US Title? Just doesn't make a ton of sense. At least Nakamura got a W and a chance to rebuild his credibility. (1/5)

Kevin Owens faced Braun Strowman in a Steel Cage match next. Owens shocked the crowd (and Braun) early on, actually bringing the fight to the man that he'd been trying to avoid for weeks on TV. After surviving Owens' initial flurry of offense, though, Strowman took over and KO started begging for some mercy. Strowman tossed Owens into the cage multiple times, including lawn dart-style at one point (which looked like it nearly busted him open hard way). Owens fought back with a Stunner (even the commentators referred to it as such, rather than as just your typical "neckbreaker"), but still couldn't escape the cage. Owens connected with two superkicks in the corner and then handcuffed Strowman to the top rope. As Coach noted, Owens could win the match immediately by climbing out of the cage, but Owens got cocky and decided to berate the Monster instead. Strowman grabbed Owens by the neck and chokeslammed him as Braun struggled to free himself. Owens then delivered a crotch chop and began to climb. Strowman then broke the handcuffs with one tug and joined Owens at the top of the cage. Strowman then shoved Owens off the top of the cage through the announcers table in one of the craziest spots I've seen in a long time! Wow! Very entertaining match that delivered on the carnage one should expect for a show called "Extreme Rules." Not necessarily a "must see" match, but easily the Match of the Night so far. (3.5/5)


The reigning SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Bludgeon Brothers, defended against Daniel Bryan and...well...after 10 minutes or so...Kane. I'm not sure if there was a non-storyline reason for Kane being injured before the match and held off until the last quarter of the contest, but his absence probably helped this one more than it hurt it. Daniel Bryan was outstanding as the face-in-peril throughout, all his hope spots got great reactions, and while Luke Harper has always been underrated, I think Rowan is developing nicely himself (especially considering how much time he's been out due to injury or "Creative's Got Nothing For Ya'" over the years). When Kane finally did show up, he looked like he was half-selling the phony leg injury (he came out in a boot, which just looks comical on a character like Kane) and half-actually unprepared to perform. Compared to the video that surfaced of the Undertaker's most recent MSG appearance, Kane looks like he wasn't expecting to be called back into work. Here's hoping that Bryan's new Team Hell No ring gear isn't a sign that this partnership is going to be long-term as the Big Red Machine got absolutely no elevation on his chokeslams and had zero intimidation factor. The right team won this match, though, like on RAW, SmackDown is in need of some new, fresh, credible teams because, right now, the scene just doesn't feel as electric as it did when The Usos and New Day were routinely putting on great tag matches. (2.5/5)

One of the more eyebrow-raising matches of the night happened next - Bobby Lashley vs. Roman Reigns in a pseudo-Number One Contender's match. The crowd was vehemently Anti-Reigns, but that's not to say Lashley was the crowd favorite either as Pittsburgh just didn't seem to care about either guy. There was some cool spots in this one - including Lashley tossing Reigns clear over an announce table and Reigns dropping Lashley on to the arena floor from the ring - but no matter what they did, there was never going to be a "This is Awesome" chant. I'm not sure it deserved one either, but it certainly was an improvement from the Reigns/Jinder match (which is on the shortlist of Worst Match of the Year for me). The finish was a definite shocker as Lashley was able to counter a Superman Punch with a Spear and nab the clean W. Part of me is wondering if this wasn't Step 1 in the long-awaited Roman Reigns heel turn, but I also wouldn't be surprised if this is really just a test for Lashley. If Lashley can get over as a strong babyface, Vince may be willing to push him to the top and have him be the man to dethrone Lesnar...but if he can't generate buzz soon, I don't see Vince strapping the rocket on him at SummerSlam or after that, especially with Braun Strowman also on deck. Good, not great match that Roman's haters will call "boring" despite the fact that they got big reactions for the high spots and the finish. My biggest criticism was actually for the refereeing as I thought the over-dramatic counts telegraphed many, if not every, kickout. (3/5)

The RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss defending against one-time BFF and current-archrival Nia Jax next in their third PPV match in about 4 months or so. Bliss was accompanied by Mickie James and Nia was seconded by Nattie, while Ronda Rousey enjoyed her view from the front row. With all these folks around, one had to know this was going to be more like a "lumberjill" match than anything and - after 4-5 minutes of a weapons-filled hardcore match that featured at least one excellent, A+ spot (Jax dropping Bliss facefirst onto a trash can) - that is what it became. The crowd was very into the match, especially once Rousey got involved. Unfortunately, the agent and the costume designer dropped the ball as Mickie James, who could've, should've, and would've crushed it playing Ronda's rag doll was immobilized by the poor planning of having her way 5-inch stilettos. Put her in anything resembling an actual shoe (even a cowboy boot) and her physical interactions with Rousey would've been much, much better. Similarly, the choice of weapon that finally "finished off" Jax was questionable. Kendo sticks make a great sound. The RAW Women's Championship belt would be a poetic weapon for Bliss to use. Even the aforementioned stiletto heel could've worked. The problem with the chair is that it takes serious velocity to look and sound good and while Jax's back is a big enough target, the chair shots just didn't pack the punch they needed. Did they legit hurt? Probably...but this match deserved to end on a "wow factor" spot and the finish didn't deliver it. (2/5)

WWE World Champion, AJ Styles defended against Rusev next. Before the match, Rusev's right-hand man Aiden English cut down the crowd, but Rusev was still quite popular based on the cheers he received. I liked how the build of this match (as minor as it was) revolved around the idea that while AJ and Rusev had squared off before, this is a "new" Rusev, one that has been on an absolute tear and was now ready to make his first real step towards the WWE Championship. Then, the match itself delivered on that storyline - Styles and Rusev delivering an almost impersonal match built around competition and targeting your opponent's physical weaknesses more than the mind games we got in the Nakamura/Styles series or the nationalism-fueled violence that served as the basis of the Cena/Rusev feud. The story of the match wasn't anything too complicated - Rusev trying to wear down the champ and keep him from using his explosive quickness while AJ tried to hobble his opponent by going after his knee. Unfortunately, the crowd, which had been hot for Rusev throughout the night (chanting "Rusev Day" during the Reigns/Lashley match), was more split here - enjoying the match, but not investing in it because, well, neither guy is a heel and cases could be made that both guys deserve the win. This is why playoff finals aren't held in third party cities (well, aside from the Super Bowl, an event that costs over $3k to attend and would sell out no matter what teams are playing in it). Even Aiden English's attempt to cheat for his buddy was done behind Rusev's back (and ended up backfiring anyway), a not-so-subtle nod to the idea that he really is the only heel member of their alliance at this point. This was a very good match that would've felt even bigger if Creative fully embraced Rusev's unexpected rise as a popular babyface and maybe told AJ Styles to lean in to the arrogance that he showed in his rivalry with John Cena. If this feud is going to deliver truly great matches, the audience might need to be clued in a bit as to who deserves the win more. It will rub Styles' fans the wrong way (just as much as the heavily lopsided build for the Shawn/Bret match at WrestleMania XII drew scorn from the Hitman's supporters), but unless Rusev is positioned stronger as the fresh, exciting Cinderella story, the audience is going to do what they did here - react for the athleticism on display, but none of the emotion. (3.5/5)

Main event time - Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler in a 30-Minute Ironman Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Going into this, critics and fans were somewhat split - on the one hand, Seth Rollins has been a roll, having great matches on TV and drawing the best crowd responses of his career. Ziggler, meanwhile, is almost his perfect physical foil and his partnership with Drew McIntyre has helped revitalized a very stale character (the less we say about the "music-less entrance" gimmick the better). On the other hand, Rollins and Ziggler have wrestled multiple times in the past month, including having a 25+ minute match on RAW not too long ago. Was the audience really clamoring for a third match? Rollins came out and scored two pinfalls in relatively rapid succession - which, in most cases, I would enjoy - but here, it was wholly inconsistent with the rest of their feud (where each guy has had to bust out increasingly risky and devastating moves to get even a single fall). Up 2-0, Rollins started playing to the crowd a bit, mocking Ziggler by stomping his foot and calling for a superkick (or another Curb Stomp?). When Rollins was a heel, his offense elicited babyface reactions, so now that he's actually getting some momentum as a babyface he figured he should heel it up a little? McIntyre came in at this point and, though he cost Ziggler another fall, he destroyed The Architect to the point that The Show Off was able to win back two of the falls. By this point, though, the story of the match became the crowd's general indifference. Early in the match, a vocal minority of the crowd was cracking each other up by counting down the seconds for each passing minute and making the buzzer sound ala the Royal Rumble. By minute 15, though, that was all that most of crowd seemed to care about. Was it insulting to the performers? Definitely...but to blame the fans for not getting into the match is to ignore the WWE's own role in making it happen (not to mention Rollins and Ziggler and the agents themselves, who clearly had an idea of the story they wanted to tell, but just as clearly didn't have the right idea of what match the crowd would want). 4+ hour shows are too long and the burnout factor is nothing new. There may have been fans expecting Hulk Hogan, disappointed that the B-show they bought tickets for ended up being the B-show they bought tickets for. There may have been fans expecting an actual US Title Match (Jeff Hardy has a fan base, folks). The crowd's patience for "non-moments" had worn thin by the end of the show to the point that a laborious RAW rematch just wasn't going to cut it. Rollins and Ziggler worked hard for 30 minutes, but there was a disconnect between the match they were selling and the match the majority of the crowd was hoping to see as the culmination of the show entitled "Extreme Rules." As anyone could've predicted, there was suspense in the final few minutes of the match, but the clock earned it - not the competitors. That's not to say there weren't individual moments of quality action (including McIntyre's impressive beatdown), but as a whole, it felt like a sampler of, not an improvement on, their other two televised matches from this summer. A disappointing, disjointed match that, on another show, in front of a different crowd, may have inspired "This is Awesome" chants, but wouldn't deserve that praise any more than it deserved the ire it received. (2.5/5) 


With a Kwang Score of 2.40-out-of-5, the 10th edition of Extreme Rules was an unfortunate disappointment after the relatively strong Money in the Bank show and the comparatively less disappointing Backlash in May. What went wrong here? Simply too much. The first two bouts felt like they were lifted directly from recent episodes of RAW, a show that I DVR weekly but probably watch less than 9 times a year. Asuka lost. Jeff Hardy and Nakamura, a match that had the potential to be, at the very least, a memorable trainwreck didn't happen. Randy Orton returned...but not to do anything fresh (in fact, by the looks of it, he'll be resuming the exact same feud he was in before he left). The main event was so flawed in design that it really calls to question just how capable Seth Rollins could ever be of being a real top babyface. Rusev and AJ checked off a dozen boxes on the "technically great" sheet except the lack of a real heel/face dynamic and the practically guaranteed outcome kept it from garnering as much heat or building as much suspense as most hoped (and the crowd's relative non-reactions proved it). On the positive side, we got a tremendous spot in the Strowman/Owens match, Daniel Bryan remains a captivating worker even in what was essentially a throwaway match, Lashley and Reigns worked hard (though nobody cared), and the aforementioned AJ Styles is basically incapable of delivering a performance anything less than very good. Sadly, these highlights just weren't enough to lift a show that felt irrelevant as it was happening. Here's hoping they put together a show that actually feels like it matters for SummerSlam.

FINAL RATING - High Risk Maneuver