Folks, Extreme Rules was a great show. It made Wrestlemania, the grandest stage of them all pale in comparison. There were some great matches and some smart booking, with few missteps. What’s more, this years pay per view seemed a damn sight more hardcore to me than some of the more recent gimmick matches WWE have put on. Some of the bumps the superstars took were brutal, and you could clearly see the bruises, cuts and effect it had on multiple superstars. Christian, Brodus Clay, CM Punk, Randy Orton and Alberto Del Rio were all deserving of their Extreme Rules paycheck, by a distance.
Lets take a look at the show, shall we?
Randy Orton defeats CM Punk in a Last Man Standing Match.
I could criticise WWE for putting this match first, due to it being more significant and important than say, the tag titles match. However, it served as a great ‘hot opener.’ A lot of the ‘extreme’ action came in the form of various Singapore canes being introduced. Singapore canes are an excellent choice of weapon in the PG era as they are worse when hit against the back or stomach as opposed to the head—they make a more sadistic crack. The very real welts on the bodies also add to the presentation of extreme. There was some great back and forth action with some nice looking spots. Orton gets the win with an RKO from the top rope… Which looked a bit shoddy. One of my legitimate gripes with Extreme Rules is the fact that Orton won. How one sided has this feud been? I can’t actually remember the last time CM Punk won. If the rumours of him being burnt out and wanting to leave the company are true, then I can understand him being de-pushed. However, if not, then WHY would you force him to become more frustrated by losing like a chump time after time ever since he came over to Monday night Raw. He has a well deserved spot in the upper echelons of WWE. I just hope this wasn’t the final nail in the coffin. Match wise however *** ½.
Kofi Kingston defeats Sheamus in a Table’s Match to become the NEW United States Championship.
I wasn’t at all surprised about this ‘bonus addition.’ Nor was I surprised that Kofi Kingston came out victorious. You can’t have the two mid – card titles on the Smackdown brand and either Sheamus or Wade Barrett had to be up for sacrifice in this match. Sheamus is either being used as a scapegoat for slightly decreased buyrates during his time as WWE champion (economic situation WWE?) or he pissed someone off backstage in a major way. Firstly, being buried by Triple H and bumped off the Wrestlemania card is one thing but, having a terrible title reign and losing in an announced match is a little too far. Poor guy. Anyway, this was another solid match and could have been even better if given a little more time to work with. I tell you what, that Kofi Kingston is one athletic mother, some fantastic spots by Kofi to avoid going through the table. Booker’s commentary continues to be horrible. As Josh Matthews tried to put over Kofi’s athleticism and intelligence, Booker just disagreed and continued his own brand of shitty commentary. Do your job, Booker. ***
After initial scepticism, R-Truth is turning into a pretty decent heel. The only downfall in my opinion is where he turns into a bit of a goof. A prime example being when he tried to spell in his promo with Todd Grisham… needless really.
Rey Mysterio defeats Cody Rhodes in a Fall’s Count Anywhere Match.
Ahhhhh. One of those matches where the superstars take each other all the way around the arena. I do love these matches and Mysterio and Rhodes put on a decent effort in this Fall’s Count Anywhere match. I particularly enjoyed the huge ‘Holy Shit’ chant that sparked as the stars grappled at a concession stand. WWE lost some of their sponsors for sure. At least the crowd were electric backstage, in the arena you would be forgiven for thinking the superstars were performing during a church service. Tampa, you sons of bitches. To everyone’s surprise Rey Mysterio gets the victory by spitting mist into the eyes of Cody. Somewhere, Tajiri is screaming ‘gimmick infringement!’ … as is The Great Muta.
I can see why Mysterio got the win here, he needs to look dominant going into his tenure on Raw, however, Cody Rhodes NEEDS his character to be established. So far, he’s done a tremendous job as the ‘disfigured’ heel but, he needs that momentum to take him to the main event scene. ***
Layla defeats Michelle McCool in a Loser Leaves WWE no DQ match.
These two Diva’s got a nice amount of time to work with and put on one of the better Diva’s matches in recent memory. Highlights included a belly to belly suplex by Michelle to Layla, and a vicious neck breaker by Layla. Layla eventually won with a simple pin reversal—she left Michelle crying in the ring while trying desperately to cry herself. **
Pretty much marked the fuck out when Kharma debuted. I thought she was tremendous as a TNA knockout and helped shape that division into, arguably, a better division than the WWE diva’s. Her debut was great, she made a statement and absolutely obliterated McCool. The former Awesome Kong has extremely expressive eyes that allow her to genuinely look like a lunatic.
Christian defeats Alberto Del Rio in a Ladder Match to become the NEW World Heavyweight Champion.
There was a nice amount of wrestling before the first ladder was involved – which is always nice to see. What followed was amazing spot after amazing spot. Some fantastic looking enzigiri’s by Del Rio along with a nasty looking scrape along the hip and back of Christian added to the element of desperation both superstars had at fulfilling their destinies. Del Rio took a huge bump coming from the top rope onto a ladder set up between the commentary table and ring apron. Brodus Clay got absolutely busted WIDE open, complete with a pool of blood on the floor and everything. Edge came out to even the odds against Del Rio’s entourage, and I thought the spear from Christian was a nice touch. It was a fantastic moment for me personally when Christian won the title. As a superstar of my childhood, as well as one of my favourite wrestler’s it was a great moment, accentuated by the genuine emotion Christian showed. Fantastic. **** ½
Big Show and Kane defeat Wade Barrett and Ezekiel Jackson in a Lumberjack Match for the Tag Team Titles.
Another title match! Hallelujah! Why was there only one at Wrestlemania!?!? Anyway, this was obviously a piss break match. Fairly entertaining I suppose but, the only thing I was interested in was trying to work out who half of the lumberjacks were. I didn’t recognise about three of them. Maybe they’ve had makeovers. What did concern me though was… WHERE THE FUCK WAS ZACK RYDER!? You’re telling me he can’t even get a spot as a lumberjack when his on/off tag partner Primo is out there? Ridiculous.
John Cena defeats The Miz and John Morrison in a Steel Cage Match to become the NEW WWE Champion.
This match had an excellent amount of time to work with and was a brilliant contest. I’m not sure it would have been half as entertaining if Morrison wasn’t thrown into the mix. I’m not knocking John Cena and The Miz’s abilities (just because Cena is BOOKED to have five power moves, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have more NOR does it equate to him being a good/bad wrestler) I just don’t feel like they have a great in-ring chemistry at the moment. The excitement factor was higher as people were escaping every two minutes and it was rather tense, as no one knew whether the WWE would actually have the guts to put the belt on Morrison. There was quite a significant botch however, when The Miz was double suplexed from the ropes he VERY NEARLY landed smack dab on his head. Luckily, I think Cena’s arm protected him for the most part, still… that could have ended nastily. There was a continuation of the tension between Truth and Morrison, when Truth put Morrison out for the rest of the match and escaped the cage in symbolic fashion – he would have won if he was still in the match. The match ended when Cena delivered an Attitude Adjustment to The Miz from the top rope, it was picture perfect! Its note worthy that the two biggest faces in the WWE got their win with their finisher from the top rope… ok maybe its not noteworthy… but it was interesting to me!
It shocked me that The Miz was the one who was pinned, as I was almost certain Morrison was in the match to be the one to lose. This would give Miz a legitimate grip at not being the one who was pinned in the match. Nevertheless, its an interesting move. ****
All in all, I thought Extreme Rules did extremely well with the card they had. I was thoroughly entertained by all of the matches and it kept me engaged throughout. The only downsides coming in Mysterio and Orton winning, which weren’t really necessary wins. I was convinced The Miz was coming away with the title and holding on until at least Over The Limit, where he would drop it to Cena.
I predict Cena’s next opponents will be Miz at Over the Limit, R-Truth at Capitol Punishment and Alberto Del Rio at Summerslam.
I wish I’d have bought Extreme Rules as my internet stream kept fucking up every so often. It was definitely worth buying.
Peeps and Cenation rejoice. The champs are here.
According to my reliable sources in the US goverment, Osama Bin Laden was a huge Mizfit. Allegedly, upon the conclusion to the steel cage match Bin Laden was heard muttering about 'Super-Cena' before screaming 'I'm Osama and i'm AWESOMMMMEEE' before shooting himself in the head. If the Cenation can take down the leader of Al Queda, it can take down you folks.
SPOTTED: Hulk Hogan continues his streak of shamless self promotion instead of concentrating on making TNA a great product.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kI8EUqbWdM
I AM A REAL AMERICAN! (A photo didn't work and kept crashing firefox :( )
Until the Raw blog tomorrow… Thanks for reading
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