Andrew’s Ratings & Review: WWE Extreme Rules 2018

With the information that emerged right before this PPV regarding Hulk Hogan being reinstated and Daniel Bryan signing a contract extension, that could play into some aspects of the show. Not like I expect Hulk Hogan to play a part, but the Daniel Bryan information could change the finish to the match tonight. That portion of the night should be interesting, as well as, the role Ronda Rousey will play in the Women’s Match.

The whole Roman Reigns element makes the watch worth while. Will the fans boo him out of the build? Will it main event? Does it matter to the crowd?

Let’s get to the show.

Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas w/ Zelina Vega vs Sin Cara

Wait, does Sin Cara get new music every time he reemerges from Lucha obscurity? This isn’t the same song right? Ahh…who cares, El Idolo es numero uno.

Some fast paced lucha style action comes to a crashing halt when Sin Cara goes for a Suicide Dive, but Andrade tosses him into the barricade. Also, I get that Corey is the “Smark” commentator, but making a remark that the person under the mask might be a different person than Andrade knew years ago, is a little too inside baseball.  There’s also a question to be asked about why Zelina mirrors the Tranquilo pose now, when she was very much against it in NXT.

After Almas had the advantage most of the match, we see a flurry from Sin Cara, Asai Moonsault plus an interesting headscissors counter to what could’ve been an Alabama Slam for a near fall.Sin Cara pushes Almas off the top rope to the apron, and then seems to botch what was probably supposed to be a Frankensteiner. The finish came quickly after Sin Cara hits a Frog Splash, but Vega distracts the official. Almas lands a dropkick into the corner, double knees and Hammerlock DDT for the victory.

A better match than I was expecting, but the King of Botch Style, still managed to find a way to screw up a spot.

Winner: Almas via Hammerlock DDT

Rating: ** 1/2

Tables Match: SAnitY vs The New Day

New Day takes an early advantage, but SAnitY quickly resets the balance. We see a lot of 2 vs 1 against Big E before the rest of New Day comes in to start a nice back and forth.

A few big spots like Killian Dain diving onto Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston and a Double Elevated Foot Stomp from Kofi onto Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe. Hard to really go over this match blow for blow, since it was actually a solid tornado tag match with tables. The finish felt like it took a little too long to set up, but it looked cool and New Day haven’t put on a bad match in a long time.

Winner: SAnitY via Reverse Bulldog through Table

Rating: ** 3/4

Raw Tag Team Championship: Deleters of Worlds(c) vs B-Team

Bo and Matt Hardy start off, and his frustration from the multiple singles losses seem to be inspiring more aggression. After a short powder, Bray tags in, but Bo tags out before the crowd gets the two brothers fighting.

Bray’s eyes don’t often leave from Bo as he beats the hell out of Curtis. Axel gets a short moment of offense, but Bray stops that and brings Matt back in as we get the Delete Headsmashes in the corner. Axel manages to counter a Side Effect, allowing Bo a moment to land a cheap shot and then get tagged in and keep Hardy isolated.

Matt fights out of the isolation and we finally get Bray versus Bo.  Bray dominates Dallas, they go for their tandem finish but Axel breaks it up and Bo hits the Draping Neckbreaker on Hardy for the pinfall.

Well now, surprisingly we have new Tag Team Champions.

Winner: B-Team via Draping Neckbreaker

Rating: ** 1/4

Finn Balor vs Baron Corbin

Corbin physically dominates Balor for the early portion of the match, but surprisingly pulls off a crisp Sunset Flip attempt. That might be the most athletic I’ve seen Corbin do a thing. Still aside from a few strikes Corbin leans on Balor, cranking the neck and keeping him grounded.

Baron hits his Wrap Around Lariat for a near fall, and we continue to see Corbin setting the pace. Finn gets a little space and goes for a springboard move, but the Constable catches him with a right forearm, getting only a 2 count. It takes a while but Finn puts a few strikes together, goes for his Coup de Grace, but Corbin grabs him, pulling off the Chokeslam Backbreaker for 2.

Wrap Around Lariat attempt number 2 gets met with a Slingblade. Balor goes for his Shotgun Dropkick, but gets caught in a Deep Six for a near fall. Balor gets up, hits the Shotgun Dropkick and goes for the Coup de Grace. Baron counters the Coup de Grace again, pulling Finn off the top rope and attempting an End of Days, but gets it countered into an Inside Cradle for the surprise victory.

Winner: Balor via Inside Cradle

Rating:  ** 3/4

SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Carmella (c) vs Asuka

A couple early strikes from Asuka, followed by Carmella using the hair for a Facebuster gives us our first wrinkle. Ellsworth seems to be hiding items in his coat even though he’s in the shark cage.

Asuka manages to fight through a few of the items and get a near fall even though she misses most of the hip attack. Asuka Lock too close to the ropes, so Carmella manages to break the hold while Ellsworth starts picking the lock of the shark cage. Ellsworth gets free, but catches his foot and Asuka treats him like a heavy bag. Asuka remains focused on Ellsworth, even attacking the ring crew who try to put Ellsworth back in the cage. So with all of this distraction, Carmella shoves Asuka’s face into the lowered shark cage and picks up the win.

It’s not surprising since you’d expect Carmella to need a heelish shortcut to win, but it’s still stupid. Angry Asuka can beat down Ellsworth after all she wants, but it makes you really wonder what the hell they’re doing with her. Plus, the Ellsworth distraction spots take too long to get to the payoff. Makes no sense that Asuka, who’s been wrestling for nearly 15 years, would think it’s a good idea to not pay attention to her opponent for like 3 minutes.

Winner: Carmella via Shark Cage usage

Rating: *

United States Championship Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs Jeff Hardy (c)

Before the bell, Shinsuke immediately hits a low blow, Hardy says ring the bell, Kinshasa and it’s over.

Shinsuke celebrates a little as new champion and then Randy Orton shows up. Orton and Nakamura have a small stare down, and then Orton stomps Hardy a few times before walking off.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura via Kinshasa

Rating: N/A 

Steel Cage Match: Braun Strowman vs Kevin Owens

Owens starts off the match trying to escape while Braun just keeps pulling him back in screaming at him to fight.  Owens finally obliges, lands a Superkick, Canonball and Frog Splash for 1. Then we see Braun start doing the Braun thing.

He literally just starts throwing Owens into the different sides of the cage. As Kevin gets tossed about it looks like he kinda falls backwards into an accidental Stunner, and Owens tries to run away. Owens handcuffs Strowman and manages some offense, blows him a kiss, taunts him, and Braun breaks the handcuffs. Chases him up the cage, catches him at the top, and Chokeslams him through the announce table.

Technically Owens wins the match since he escaped the cage and his feet are outside first. So…hurray, Owens wins via homicidal tendencies from Strowman.

Winner: Owens via Attempted Murder

Rating: * 1/4

SmackDown Tag Team Title Match: Bludgeon Brothers (c) vs Team Hell No

Earlier in the night we saw the Bludgeons take out Kane by slamming his leg between a door, so Daniel Bryan starts out alone. Rowan starts off the match as Bryan does the resilient plucky underdog thing. He gets beat up a little early, but manages to start taking both men out, even putting Harper in the Yes Lock.

Rowan breaks up the Yes Lock, and then Daniel is on the receiving end of punishment for a while. The punishment continues for a while until Bryan low bridges Rowan, backflips behind Harper and tries a Suicide Dive but gets caught. Harper then goes for a Suicide Dive of his own, but lands on Rowan as Bryan moves. Then Kane’s theme music hits and he limps down to the ring for the hot tag.

Kane attempts a Tombstone, Harper gets away and kicks the bad leg. Bryan tags back in and lights up Harper with some Yes Kicks. Rowan tags himself in when Bryan can’t see, so he intercepts him, throws him into Kane, and then they hit a Powerbomb/Lariat combination.

Winner: Bludgeon Brothers via Tandem Finish

Rating: ** 1/2

Roman Reigns vs Bobby Lashley

A lot of slow deliberate chain wrestling. Headlocks, a few stiff strikes and not a lot of high impact moves until Roman knocks Lashley to the outside and throws him into the barricade multiple times. Roman keeps sliding in and out of the ring to break the count, so he can keep up the punishment on the outside.

Reigns fries to use the steps, but Lashley catches them and counters with a lariat. Bobby throws in Roman and then hits a big Belly to Belly Suplex, as the two men trade a few running lariats. We then get Roman’s Ten Count Lariats corner spot, as Lashley hits a crisp Powerslam for a near fall.

Lashley puts together a few nice moves and a Double Axehandle from the middle turnbuckle, but Roman counters a suplex by attempting a Samoan drop. Lashley grabs the ropes to block, but Roman just chucks Lashley to the outside. As Lashley barely beats the 10 count, Reigns lands a Guillotine Leg Drop for a near fall. We then see a Superman Punch attempt get caught and Lashley hits the Spinebuster into his Delaying Vertical Suplex, for 2.

Lashley gets ready for a Spear but Roman catches him with a Superman Punch. Lashley rolls to the outside, Reigns charges at Lashley but gets caught in a Belly to Belly Suplex over the German announce table. Bobby throws in Roman, goes to the top rope and eats a Superman Punch as he falls into the ring. Roman talks a little smack, hits the ropes for his Spear, but Lashley hits his own Spear for the 1-2-3.

Winner: Bobby Lashley via Spear

Rating: *** 1/2

Extreme Rules Raw Women’s Championship Match: Alexa Bliss (c) vs Nia Jax

Alexa slaps Nia and runs to the outside as Mickie keeps throwing different weapons to Alexa, but Nia keeps blocking them and throwing them into the ring. Nia catches Bliss eventually, splashes her in the corner and then tosses her onto the chair. Jax Gorilla Press’ Alexa onto a trash can as Alexa powders out.

Nia grabs Alexa’s foot as Bliss finally manages to connect on a few shots with weapons. She props a steel chair in the corner, as Alexa then dodges while Nia crashes into the chair. Natty attacks Mickie as Alexa gets out of the ring and helps the beat down. Ronda jumps the barricade and starts beating on Mickie James hitting an Olympic Driver as she then goes after Bliss. But Mickie comes to Alexa’s aid with a kendo stick on Ronda.

Bliss goes for a Crossbody, Jax catches her, then Mickie hits her with the chair. A few more chairshots, a DDT on the chair and Alexa retains.

We got to see Ronda Rousey unleash a new move in her arsenal and get in some offense. So story wise, this was fine, but as a match it was forgettable at best.

Winner: Alexa via DDT

Rating:  * 1/2

WWE Championship Match: Rusev vs AJ Styles (c)

Both men trade strikes, as AJ goes after the legs, but Rusev manages a nice Judo throw to start stomping on Styles. Styles continues the leg strikes, tries a suplex, but it gets blocked, so he goes to the ropes and Rusev catches him with a Spinebuster. Rusev is visibly favoring his left leg but manages two Vertical Suplexes and a elbow drop for a 1 count.

AJ attempts a few more kicks and tries to get something going, but Rusev throws AJ back with a huge Back Body Drop. Styles gets beat down for a while until Rusev goes for a top rope move, but AJ lands an Enzuigiri to the injured leg and sends him crashing to the floor. Styles then follows up with a Flying Forearm to the outside.

Phenomenal Blitz back inside as AJ hits the sliding forearm. Stinger Splash from AJ, as he tries an Ushigoroshi, but Rusev slides out. AJ counters Rusev’s attempt with a Scorpion Deathdrop for 2. Styles takes Rusev to the corner and tries to roll him out for the Calf Crusher, but Rusev blocks it and sends him to the outside. Suicide Dive attempt from Rusev, met with a jumping forearm.

Rusev counters another Calf Crusher attempt, going into the Accolade, as AJ slips out, kicks him in the bad leg and goes for the sliding forearm again but Rusev kicks him in the face. Fall Away Slam attempt from Rusev, but AJ turns it into the Calf Crusher. Aiden pushes the ropes forward to help Rusev break the hold, AJ gets distracted, chases Aiden on the outside as he eats a Belly to Belly Suplex followed by a Machka Kick for 2.

Macha Kick attempt number two, dodges and Styles hits a Pele Kick. Rusev catches Styles next move and hits a Roundhouse Kick for 2. Accolade attempt, but Rusev’s left leg gives out on him so it’s more like a Half Camel Clutch as Styles struggles to the ropes. Aiden gets involved again by taking the pad off the top turnbuckle. Rusev goes face first into the exposed turnbuckle since he wasn’t aware of it, Styles lands a Springboard 450 for 2.

Styles knocks Aiden down and lands the Phenomenal Forearm for the pinfall victory.

Winner:  Styles via Phenomenal Forearm

Rating: **** 1/4

Intercontinental Championship 30 Minute Iron Man Match: Dolph Ziggler (c) vs Seth Rollins

After an early feeling out process, both men go for multiple backslides and pinning combinations for a quick point, but no one scores a three count. Ziggler powders out for a breather, slides back in and tries to take advantage of Rollins being distracted by McIntyre, but Seth fights him off and keeps the tempo. Awkward moment where it looked like Seth was expecting something different but Ziggler just punches him in the head. Seth catches Dolph with a Bucklebomb into a La Magistral Cradle for the first fall.

Rollins gives Dolph no time to relax and throws him outside, hits a Plancha and then keeps whipping Ziggler from barricade to apron. McIntyre provides a small distraction so Dolph jumps on Rollins as he rolls back in and starts to get some momentum. Rollins slips out of a suplex, begins putting together a few moves before ZIggler hits a low dropkick. Misses the Fameasser, they have locomotion cradles as Rollins catches Ziggler with a Stomp for the second fall.

McIntyre attacks Rollins, to give Rollins a DQ win, but McIntyre doesn’t stop. The official kicks out Drew, but he hits a parting Claymore and yells at Ziggler to “Finish This”.  ZIggler rolls over onto Seth and finally scores a fall to make the score 3-1 at the moment.

Ziggler waits for Seth to stand up, catches him with a Superkick and gets a second fall.

Dolph goes for a Superkick again, but it gets countered. Rollins tries to fight back but gets caught with a ZigZag for the third fall to tie the match a 3 all.

ZigZag attempt number two is fought off, Ziggler then misses a splash as Rollins finally manages to collect himself enough to fight back. Lariats Dolph to the outside, Suicide Dive attempt but a big Palm Strike from Ziggler stops Seth and feet on the ropes  gives Dolph a fourth fall and his first lead of the match.

Ziggler controls Seth with a few submission holds and really slows things down. Seth is held in a Sleeper Hold for about a minute before starting to fight back. Drives Ziggler into the corner a few times to finally get Dolph to break the hold.  Throws Dolph outside, hits  Suicide Dive and tries to throw Ziggler back in the ring, but Dolph keeps rolling. That urges Seth to go for one more Suicide Dive and try a Springboard Forearm for a near fall. Seth finally hits a Blockbuster, but only for 2.

After looking at the clock, Seth sees time is running out and goes to the top rope to eat a Dropkick from Dolph Ziggler. Rollins gets in before 10, pushes Ziggler off from the DDT attempt, Thrust Kick and Ripcord Knee, for another 2 count. More staring at the clock from Rollins causes him to go to the top rope, and Dolph crotches him again. Rollins grabs at Ziggler and pulls him to the top rope and headbutts him back to the mat. Frog Splash from Seth, for another near fall.

Dolph holds the bottom rope and gets a Baseball Slide to the outside for his efforts. Rollins places Dolph on the top rope and looks for his Falcon Arrow combination most likely, but Dolph fights him off, yet Rollins pops back up for the afore mentioned combination. Rollins goes for another Stomp, but misses, Dolph cradles, kick out, Seth with the catapult into the corner and then rolls through for a pinning combination and gets the tying pinfall.

Ziggler starts throwing some fists, but Seth manages to pull off a Sharpshooter and before Dolph can get to the ropes, Seth turns it into a Crossface. Stomp attempt number 3 and Ziggler powders and tries to run into the crowd. Rollins grabs him and pulls him inside as Dolph hits a Fameasser for only 2.  Dolph goes for a Superkick, Rollins hits his own Superkick, lands a Stomp but time runs out.

Kurt Angle comes out, declares Sudden Death Overtime, McIntyre appears to distract Seth, and give Dolph the opportunity to ZigZag for the 5-4 victory.

Aspects of this match were dumb, like Ziggler trying to run away, but that would cause a countout, so it wouldn’t have achieved what he wanted. Tons of high impact moves that don’t get pinfalls, but cradles and feet on ropes do. I feel this match had good ring work and flashy moves to cover for spotty storytelling/psychology.

Winner: Ziggler 5-4

Rating: ****

Thoughts:

So much mediocrity and storytelling for the sake of storytelling ruined this show. Awkward endings, bad matches…this is a show you can skip and just watch RAW and SmackDown. The funniest thing to me, was the fact that the IWC or “smarks” were clamoring for Seth Rollins to main event the show, and they enjoyed counting down and making buzzer sounds instead of reacting to the match. They got 9 falls, and still couldn’t be bothered to not be worthless.

So ya, there were only 3 matches worth watching out of 12. Honestly, no one had huge expectations for this and maybe some were distracted by the fairly large names on the card, but this was a stop gap show. All that said, bad show is bad, now let’s just pray SummerSlam is better.