Pro Wrestling

WWE Extreme Rules Recap

Posted on Author Jeremy Laracuente Comment(0)

Last night the WWE held their annual homage to ECW with WWE Extreme Rules. The one night a year that “anything” can happen. Many “extreme” situations took place in last night’s event in Pittsburgh, PA. Some big news broke before Extreme Rules that WWE reinstated Hulk Hogan to the WWE Hall of Fame. So let’s jump into the events of the night.

Kick-off Show

Grudge Match: Sin Cara vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 1/2

The previous history of these two competitors was evident in their chemistry. The “Lucha Libre” style often gets criticized in the American culture. Mostly because the American born wrestlers are unable to keep up the necessary pace of Lucha Libre. This match was one of the best that Sin Cara has had in WWE in quite some time. Almas has real potential to take hold of the spotlight that has been vacant since the departure of Rey Mysterio Jr and Albert Del Rio. A colossal diving hurricanrana spot by Sin Cara got a big pop from the crowd. But ultimately Almas would recover and pick up the victory.

6-Man Tag Team Tables Match: New Day vs Sa.nity

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A rough and tumble group like Sanity is built for a wild-type match like a tables match. New Day jumped out to an early advantage but was quickly cut off at the pass by Sanity. A beautiful spot of stereo somersault senton planchas by Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Their dive was met promptly by a suicide dive by Killian Dain. The New Day was able to capitalize on the wild nature of the contest. Kofi’s acrobatic nature was clearly at home in this match. While not a long match, this bout was filled with some very impressive spots including the finish.

Main Card

Ronda Rousey Sighting

Raw Tag Team Championships: Deleter of Worlds vs. B-Team

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟 1/2

An interesting contest to start the main card event out, but a great idea with the energy in the arena. It was a solid back and forth match in the opening bout. While the B-Team over the last several weeks seemed more like a babyface style team, during this matchup they employed a bit more heel-like tendencies. And in a shocking turn of events, the B-Team won the match with a little miss communication by the Deleter of Worlds.

BREAKING NEWS: Kurt Angle Gives Lesnar Ultimatum
Lesnar must show up on Monday Night RAW.
Agree to defend the WWE Universal Championship or be Stripped of the Championship.

Grudge Match: Finn Balor vs. “Stephanie McMahon’s Personally Appointed Constable of Monday Night RAW” Baron Corbin

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟1/2

The build for Balor vs. Corbin was only recently built up. But it’s been billed as a grudge match. As Corbin stated that Balor doesn’t deserve the spotlight for being a “little guy.” The booking for the matchup was dominated by Baron Corbin as the stronger, bigger competitor. Balor was stopped continuously on every attempt at the Coup de Grace but was still able to pull out the victory with a small package pin on Corbin.

Backstage Segment: Bludgeon Brothers attack Team Hell No

Smackdown Live Women’s Championship: Asuka vs. Carmella
James Ellsworth Locked In A Shark Cage Above The Ring

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 1/2

A fast-paced all be it short contest between these two WWE Superstars we had early on. Ellsworth dropped a steel chain down as well as the spray can that was used on Smackdown Live last Tuesday. In this non-extreme rules matchup, regular rules apply. Ellsworth was able to pick the lock and escape the cage only to get his foot trapped. While being dangled from the shark cage, Asuka began attacking James Ellsworth. Carmella would then use the cage to her advantage by shoving Asuka into the cage. Carmella retained her Smackdown Live Women’s Championship. Asuka was frustrated and then attacked Ellsworth after the matchup.

United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jeff Hardy

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟

Nakamura would start the matchup by attacking Jeff Hardy with a low blow before the bell rung. And after the bell rung Shinsuke Nakamura would hit Hardy with a Kinshasa to pick up the win. Following the victory, Randy Orton would come out to the ring and attack Jeff Hardy.

Steel Cage: Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

The build for this match much like the rest of this pay per view card felt rushed and out of left field. Strowman although seen as a babyface he resorted to some heel-like tactics. Kevin Owens played his role in this match perfectly as the fleeing heel. And much of the match was dominated by Strowman.

Kevins Owens bringing out handcuffs and cuffing Strowman added another dimension to the match. Strowman breaking free of the cuffs and chasing down KO was a great feel. The final spot of the match was absolutely a sight to behold. Kevin Owens was chokeslammed by Strowman off the cage through the announce table and won the match.

Smackdown Live Tag Team Championships: Team Hell No vs. Bludgeon Brothers

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

Daniel Bryan began the matchup alone as Kane was unable to make it to the ring following the attack earlier in the night. Bryan would try to use his quickness to divide and conquer. However, the numbers game would prove a seriously difficult task. Both Bludgeon Brothers were flashing the dominance they have displayed over the last several months since their debut. Quick tags and hard hitting blows were often utilized by Harper and Rowan. A quick miscommunication on a suicide dive gave Bryan a moment to recover.

Then Kane would emerge with a walking boot. Kane would temporarily fight back until being kicking by Luke Harper in the hurt leg. Bryan would tag himself back in, and a quick comeback would be met by a brick wall in the Bludgeon Brothers.

Grudge: Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

The beginning of this match felt like an attempt to change the opinions of Roman Reigns. Early on the contest was an exchange of holds and wrestling moves, showing that Reigns and Lashley “can wrestle.” Then the match began to turn to more of a fight with fists and elbows being thrown. Roman would show a more aggressive approach including some heel-like tactics. With the night being “extreme” a lot of WWE Superstars show sides somewhat out of character. Bobby Lashley was seemingly out of sorts for a bit of time following an elbow from Roman Reigns.

This contest was very hard hitting. However, both men seemed to be hurt in this match. There was also a very big spot where Reigns threw Lashley over the top rope to the floor. This match also had some very near falls by both competitors. In a shocking turn of events, Bobby Lashley pulled out the victory using the spear.

Raw Women’s Championship: Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟

Bliss would taunt Ronda Rousey upon entering the contest. Nia would start the match off taking all the weapons Bliss would attempt to use. The first big blow would be a Military Press Throw by Jax onto a trash can. Bliss would use the trash can lid to try and even things up. Mickie James would attempt to get involved, and that would leave Natalya to attack Mickie.

Bliss and James would attack Natalya which would bring out Ronda Rousey. Rousey would attack Mickie James. Then Ronda would turn her attention to Bliss. Rousey would get hit by James with a kendo stick. Jax would catch an attempted crossbody by Bliss. Mickie James would then hit Nia Jax with a chair, and it would lead to a DDT on the chair by Alexa Bliss. Alexa Bliss would retain her Raw Women’s Championship.

WWE Championship: Rusev vs. AJ Styles

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 1/2

A matchup that mixed to different styles with Styles being a fast paced high octane style competitor. While Rusev is more a ground and pound, powerhouse. But the two styles match up well. These two WWE Superstars make for a prime matchup. Any momentum that AJ would try and build Rusev would quickly halt it. AJ would focus his attacks on the left leg of Rusev. While Rusev’s attack would be focused on the lower back. Both men’s attacks would be geared to their submission maneuvers. The power of Rusev would be o full display throughout the match.

This match was a wonderfully booked back and forth contest between two talented performers. An exposed turnbuckle by Aiden English nearly cost Rusev the match. AJ Styles would then dispatch of English with an incredible dropkick. AJ would follow that up with a Phenomenal Forearm for the victory.

Ironman: Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 1/2

As one would expect the early part of the contest was a feeling out process. With many pinning attempts by Seth Rollins. During the Kickoff show, Dolph stated it isn’t about stealing the show anymore. But this match without question stole the show. Rollins would score the first fall following the Buckle Bomb. In a somewhat comical turn of events the, crowd in attendance would countdown during the last ten seconds of each minute. Seth Rollins would take a 2-0 victory following a curb stomp.

Then Rollins would take a 3-0 with a Disqualification win when Drew McIntyre would attack Rollins. McIntyre would be thrown out of ringside. Ziggler would cover Rollins and score his first fall due to the assault by Drew. Ziggler would score his second fall with a superkick. Rollins 3, Ziggler 2 at the 18-minute mark. Ziggler would tie the contest up with a Zig-Zag. Dolph would score a 4th fall using the ropes for leverage.

Rollins and Ziggler are two very evenly matched competitors. Dolph would lock in the sleeper hold for several minutes. This match was a spectacular back and forth match worth a rewatch. After a big dropkick by Ziggler, Rollins would fall to the outside and barely get back in the ring in time. Seth would hit a big frog splash, but Dolph Ziggler would kick out at two. Rollins would hit the superplex followed by the falcon arrow. But Dolph would kick out at two.

Rollins would tie up the match with 3 minutes remaining. In an homage to the great Bret Hart, Rollins would lock in a sharpshooter. Dolph would hit a fame asser but only get a two count. Seth would hit an incredible superkick but time would run out. At the end of the 30-minutes regulation Dolph Ziggler 4, Seth Rollins 4.

Kurt Angle would come out and announce a Sudden Death Overtime. First fall wins.

Drew McIntyre would re-emerge and distract Seth Rollins leading to Dolph Ziggler hitting a Zig-Zag for the one…two…three. Dolph Ziggler retains the WWE Intercontinental championship. The match was brilliant up until the finish. While I understand that this feud will more than likely continue tonight on Monday Night RAW, the finish left a poor taste in the mouth of everyone watching. Thus spoiling an otherwise amazing match.

Jeremy Laracuente

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