WWE Extreme Rules 2017 Recap & Reaction

Kickoff Show:

 


 

Kalisto defeated Apollo Crews in a solid match. Titus O’Neil got up on the ring apron and started arguing with Crews. Kalisto took advantage and hit the Salida del Sol on Crews for the victory. The crowd was surprisingly hyped for this match. Hopefully that energy continues throughout the night.

Main Card:

Intercontinental Championship Match: Dean Ambrose (c) vs The Miz (Ambrose Loses Title If Disqualified)

Ambrose started out the match in control and applied a Chin Lock. The Miz fought out of it but Ambrose knocked him to the mat. The two Superstars locked up in the center of the ring and Ambrose once again got to the upper-hand. Ambrose beat the hell out The Miz in the corner until the referee broke it up. The Miz shouted at the referee to disqualify Ambrose but the referee wasn’t having it. Ambrose Clotheslined Miz out of the ring and followed it up with a Suicide Dive.

Ambrose continued to assault Miz and slammed him into the barricade. Dean then drove Miz into the ring apron and rolled back into the ring to break up the referee’s count. Ambrose then grabbed a chair and the referee got in his face. The Miz capitalized on the distracted and booted Ambrose in the chest. Maryse distracted the referee and Miz grabbed the chair. Ambrose knocked the chair out of Miz’s hands and the action returned to the ring.

The referee once again shouted at Ambrose because he wouldn’t stop attacking Miz while he was leaning against the ropes. Miz once again capitalized and spiked Ambrose’s head off the ring apron with a DDT. The Miz slowed the match down and applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Dean battled out of the hold and connected with a flurry of right hands. Ambrose went for the Lunatic Lariat but Miz was ready and connected with a Neckbreaker for a two count.

Miz connected with a knee that knocked Ambrose to the mat and followed it up with a boot to the face for a two count. Miz yanked Ambrose to the mat by his hair and then punched him in the face a few times. The Miz then posed in the ring as Maryse applauded ringside. Miz hit three Dropkicks on Ambrose in the corner and then knocked Ambrose to the mat with a Clothesline.

The Miz had an intense look on his face as he ascended to the top rope. Ambrose groggily stumbled around in the ring and Miz attempted to leap onto him. Ambrose countered the aerial attack with a kick to the chest and then knocked Miz out of the ring. Ambrose climbed to the top rope and connected with an elbow onto Miz outside the ring. The referee started counting as both Superstars were on the floor outside the ring. Ambrose was the first to his feet and rolled Miz back into the ring at the count of eight.

Ambrose hit a Clothesline and followed it up with a Fisherman’s Suplex for a two count. Both Superstars got back to their feet and Ambrose went for a Bulldog but Miz countered and knocked Ambrose to the mat. Miz attempted a kick but Ambrose avoided it and rolled Miz up for a two count. Ambrose then planted Miz with a swinging Neckbreaker for a two count. Dean once again climbed to the top rope but Miz charged at him and Ambrose jumped back to the mat. Ambrose tweaked his knee and Miz focused his attack on the injury.

Miz applied the Figure Four in the middle of the ring and Ambrose writhed in pain. Ambrose fought through the pain and slowly made his way to the bottom rope.The crowd cheered as Ambrose grabbed the bottom rope and the hold was broken. Ambrose tried to get back to his feet but his injured left leg gave out. Miz once again went for the Figure Four but Ambrose countered it into a roll up for a two count. Ambrose returned to the top rope but Miz swept out his feet and Dean landed crotch-first on the top turnbuckle.

Miz went for a Superplex but Ambrose blocked it and punched Miz in the chest. Dean then connected with three headbutts and went for a Powerbomb off the top rope. Miz removed the top turnbuckle pad during the sequence. Ambrose went to slam Miz’s head into the exposed turnbuckle but caught himself before he went through with it. Miz connected with a knee to Dean’s face for a two count. Miz hit a few Yes! Kicks as the crowd chanted along with every strike.

Miz went for another kick but Ambrose caught him and locked in the Figure Four in the middle of the ring. Miz battled his way to the bottom rope and the hold was broken. Miz went for a quick Skull Crushing Finale but Ambrose avoided it and hobbled his way to a Lunatic Lariat. Both Ambrose and Miz almost ran into Maryse on the ring apron. Miz knocked Ambrose to the mat and instructed Maryse to slap him. Maryse slapped Miz in hopes that the referee would disqualify The Miz. The referee didn’t buy it and kicked out Maryse.

Maryse wouldn’t leave and the referee started shouting at her. The Miz then threw Ambrose into the referee and knocked him out of the ring. Ambrose pleaded with the referee to not disqualify him as the ref made his way to the timekeeper’s area. The Miz then creeped up behind Ambrose and planted him with a Skull Crushing Finale. The referee then rolled back into the ring and counted to three.

Winner & New Intercontinental Champion: The Miz

Reaction: The interactions with the referee throughout this match got annoying but this match was much more entertaining than I thought it would be. The Miz is now a 7-time Intercontinental Champion and Extreme Rules is off to a good start.

Bayley was interviewed backstage about her Kendo Stick On A Pole match against Alexa Bliss. Bayley poked fun at Alexa’s horrible “This Is Your Life” segment on last week’s episode of RAW. Bayley stated that she has been studying for this match by watching Sandman and Steve Blackman. Bayley also said that she saw Wonder Woman and felt inspired. Bayley then stated that she is ready to do whatever it takes to recapture the RAW Women’s Championship.

Rich Swann & Sasha Banks vs Noam Dar & Alicia Fox

Sasha Banks and Alicia Fox started out the match. Alicia immediately tagged in Dar which meant that Swann had to get in the ring. Dar charged at Swann in the corner and Swann avoided him. Dar then ran over to Fox and hugged her on the ring apron. Fox and Banks then battled in the ring and traded punches. Sasha locked in the Bank Statement quickly but Dar dragged Fox’s leg to the bottom rope and the hold was broken. Fox then connected with a kick to Sasha’s face for a two count.

Fox then danced in the ring and mocked Rich Swann. The crowd chanted “lets go Sasha” as Fox hit a Backbreaker for a two count. Fox then applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring as the crowd once again got behind Banks. Sasha batted to her feet and connected with an elbow to Fox’s face. Alicia went for a kick on Sasha in the corner but Banks got out of the way.

Swann and Dar then got back in the ring and Swann knocked Dar to the mat. Swann then flipped and connected with a kick to the back of Dar’s neck for a two count. Dar went for a roll-up but Swann kicked out at two. Both Superstars traded punches in the middle of the ring. Swann connected with a spinning kick and both Superstars fell to the mat. Alicia Fox and Sasha Banks started battling outside the ring. Sasha slammed Fox into ring apron as Dar launched Swann into the barricade outside the ring. Sasha Banks climbed to the top rope and hit Double Knees onto Noam Dar. Swann then rolled Dar into the ring and climbed up to the top rope and hit a Phoenix Splash for the victory.

After the match, Sasha Banks and Rich Swann danced around in the ring.

Winners: Rich Swann & Sasha Banks

Reaction: I’m glad this match was quick because I honestly had zero interest in it. One can only hope that this marks the end of this feud.

Elias Samson strummed his guitar in the ring and performed a song. Samson demanded that the crowd hold their applause until after he is finished performing. Samson then performed a song that bashed the city of Baltimore and the crowd in attendance.

Reaction: I thought there was going to be a filler match here but that wasn’t the case. It was just a random performance by Elias Samson and that was it.

RAW Women’s Championship Kendo Stick On A Pole Match: Alexa Bliss (c) vs Bayley

Alexa Bliss folded her arms and then instructed Bayley to climb up the turnbuckle to grab the kendo stick. Bayley obliged and Alexa Bliss knocked her to the mat. Bayley battled to her feet and bounced Alexa’s head off the top turnbuckle. Alexa knocked Bayley out of the ring and started climbing the turnbuckle. Bayley joined Alexa on the turnbuckle and Bayley grabbed the kendo stick. Bayley then dropped the kendo stick in the ring and both Superstars fell to the floor outside the ring.

Alexa went for the kendo stick but Bayley cut her off and slammed her into the barricade. Bayley then hit a Belly to Back Suplex on the floor outside the ring. Bayley then got in the ring and grabbed the kendo stick. Bayley chased Alexa around with the kendo stick. Bayley backed Alexa up into the corner and went to hit her and Alexa tackled her. Alexa then grabbed the kendo stick and struck Bayley in the back several times. The camera cut to a small child who seemed to be devastated.

Alexa went for another shot with the kendo stick but Bayley grabbed her and connected with the Bayley to Belly. The kendo stick was propped up in the corner and Alexa shoved Bayley into it. Alexa then hit Bayley with the kendo stick and hit a DDT for the victory.

Winner & Still RAW Women’s Champion: Alexa Bliss

Reaction: I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I thought this match absolutely sucked. It had an awful build up and the match fell completely fell flat. I guess the takeaway from this match is that Bayley can’t get extreme? I have no idea. This feud ultimately damaged both Bayley and Alexa Bliss. Bayley’s character has been buried since joining the main roster and that is a shame. I thought WWE gave her the Women’s Championship way to early and didn’t build her up enough as an underdog.

Alexa Bliss was excellent on SmackDown and was one of the main reasons to watch that show every week. She took a hit because she was wrapped up in one of the worst promos everyone has seen in a long time last week on RAW. This wasn’t just a bad match, it was a total failure of a feud. I hope that WWE figures out a way to build Bayley back up because she should be much more popular on the main roster than she is right now. Alexa Bliss deserves to be the champion. However, if WWE is going to keep putting on garbage feuds like this, it simply does not matter how charismatic the person is that is holding the title. Bayley and Alexa Bliss can put on much better matches than this. The WWE Universe has seen both of them perform at a high level. The stipulation, the feud and the nauseating promos resulted in this feud being an unforgettable disaster.

RAW Tag Team Championship Steel Cage Match: The Hardy Boyz (c) vs Sheamus & Cesaro

Everyone tried to escape the cage early. Matt Hardy grabbed Cesaro as he straddled the top of the cage. Matt brought him back into the ring and applied a Chin Lock. Jeff connected with a Leg Drop to the midsection of Sheamus and then Clotheslined him onto the ring apron. Cesaro fought out of the Chin Lock and launched Matt into the steel cage. Sheamus then hit an Irish Curse Backbreaker to Jeff and then launched him into the steel surrounding the ring.

Sheamus and Cesaro teamed up to throw Matt into the cage. Sheamus and Cesaro tried to climb the cage but Matt and Jeff dragged them down. All four Superstars were standing on the ropes and battling to climb up the cage. Matt and Jeff knocked Sheamus and Cesaro to the mat and followed it up by bouncing their heads off the cage. Matt and Jeff connected with Dropkicks onto both Sheamus and Cesaro.

Jeff connected with Poetry in Motion onto Sheamus and Cesaro on opposite sides of the ring. Matt and Jeff tried to climb up the cage but were quickly joined by Sheamus and Cesaro. Sheamus and Cesaro Powerbombed Jeff off the cage and Matt Hardy connected with an Elbow Drop onto Cesaro. Matt then climbed the cage and reached the top. Cesaro got back to his feet and grabbed Matt’s leg and brought him back into the ring.

Sheamus then brought Matt down and hit a rolling Senton. Sheamus tried to escape through the door of the cage but Matt prevented him. Cesaro then stomped on Matt and tried to escape through the door but Matt was able to prevent him. Sheamus and Cesaro then picked Matt up and launched him face-first into the cage. Jeff Hardy scaled the cage on the opposite side of the ring but Cesaro was able to grab his leg.

Cesaro then tried to escape but Jeff prevented him. Sheamus knocked down Matt and went for a Brogue Kick to Jeff but missed. Matt then planted Sheamus with a Tornado DDT. Matt and Jeff tried to escape but Sheamus and Cesaro met them at the top. Jeff kicked Cesaro off of him and escaped the cage. Matt Hardy was knocked back in the ring but connected with a Side Effect onto both Sheamus and Cesaro.

Matt then climbed to the top of the cage but Cesaro grabbed him. Jeff then scaled the cage outside the ring and a tug of war broke out. Cesaro headbutted Jeff off the cage and Matt Hardy was brought back into the ring via double team Razor’s Edge. Jeff slammed the steel cage door onto Cesaro’s head but got a Brogue Kick to the face for his troubles. The steel door then bounced off Jeff’s head and Jeff fell to the floor outside the ring.

Back in the ring, Matt connected with a Twist of Fate onto Sheamus. Matt then slammed Cesaro to the mat and once again climbed the cage. Cesaro caught him at the top and connected with an uppercut. Sheamus then planted Matt Hardy with the White Noise off the top rope. Jeff Hardy then removed his shirt and climbed back up the cage from outside the ring. Jeff stood at the top of the steel cage and leaped off and hit the Whisper in the Wind onto both Sheamus and Cesaro.

The crowd chanted “this is awesome” as all four Superstars got to their feet. Cesaro and Sheamus climbed out of the cage as Matt tried to drag Jeff out of the ring through the steel cage door. Sheamus and Cesaro wound up hitting the floor first and won the match.

Winners & New RAW Tag Team Champions: Sheamus & Cesaro

Reaction: I was looking forward to this match and I thought it delivered. It started out slow but turned into absolute chaos towards the end. I find it amazing that Jeff Hardy is still willing to put his body on the line the way he does. He is just a tremendous athlete. This was easily the match of the night so far in my opinion.

Cruiserweight Championship Submission Match: Neville (c) vs Austin Aries

Neville targeted the injured left knee of Aries to start off the match. Neville then locked in an Arm Bar but Aries battled out of it. Neville then rolled out the ring and shouted at the crowd. Aries laid across the top rope and waited for Neville to get back in the ring. Aries and Neville locked up and Neville went for Arie’s knee again. Aries blocked it and slapped Neville in the back. Neville then drove Aries into the corner and hit him in the midsection.

Aries connected with an elbow and followed it up with a Senton. Aries went for the Last Chancery but Neville rolled out of the ring again. Aries followed him out there and launched Neville into the barricade a couple of times. Aries picked up Neville onto his shoulders and dropped him face-first off the ring apron. Aries rolled Neville into the ring and Neville once again escaped to the outside.

Aries climbed to the top turnbuckle and leaped onto Neville. Aries came up hobbling after he landed on his injured knee. Aries rolled Neville into the ring and hopped up onto the ring apron. Neville then got to his feet and kicked Aries in the knee as he was entering the ring through the ropes. Neville then slowed the match down and attacked Aries’ knee.

Neville charged at Aries but Austin connected with an elbow and then a chop to Neville’s chest. Aries then hit three Shinbreakers in a row and then launched Neville over his back and Neville fell to the mat. Aries went for the Discus Fivearm but Neville blocked it. Neville then connected with a Dropkick to Aries’ knee and Aries fell to the floor outside the ring. Aries appeared to hurt his shoulder while falling out of the ring and Neville attacked it.

Neville brought Aries back into the ring and stomped on his shoulder. Neville then taunted the crowd and connected with a kick to Aries’ shoulder. Neville climbed to the top turnbuckle and went to leap onto to Aries but Austin was ready. Aries knocked Neville to the mat and applied the Figure Four in the center of the ring. Neville rolled through but Aries maintained the hold. Neville was able to reach the bottom rope and the hold was broken.

Aries limped back to his feet but Neville threw him to the ring apron. Aries grabbed Neville and connected with a Neckbreaker onto the second rope. Aries climbed to the top rope and went for a Crossbody but Neville dodged it. Neville then locked in the Rings of Saturn in the middle of the ring. Aries battled through and got his foot on the bottom rope. The crowd was apparently bored and booed that the match didn’t end.

Neville went for the Rings of Saturn but Aries countered it into a Rings of Saturn of his own. Neville got out of the hold and connected with a Superkick. Both Superstars were on the top turnbuckle and Neville went for a Superplex but Aries fought him off and knocked him to the mat. Neville got right back up joined Aries again on the turnbuckle. Aries connected with a Sunset Flip Powerbomb and applied the Last Chancery but Neville rolled out of the ring. Aries didn’t break the hold and applied the Last Chancery outside the ring. Neville tapped out but the match cannot end outside the ring.

Aries connected with a Discus Fivearm while Neville was on the ring apron and knocked him out of the ring. Aries then went for a Suicide Dive but Neville dodged it and Aries landed on the floor. Neville rolled Aries into the ring and climbed back to the top rope. Neville hit a Red Arrow onto the back of Aries and then locked in the Rings of Saturn for the victory.

Winner & Still Cruiserweight Champion: Neville

Reaction: I felt bad for Aries and Neville because they put on a hell of a match. The crowd flat out rejected the match and didn’t provide the energy that the match deserved. I also find the Cruiserweight division boring right now, but that shouldn’t prevent an audience for acknowledging two Superstars busting their ass in the ring. I am surprised that Aries didn’t win the title here. Neville has now defeated Aries three times in a row in Cruiserweight Championship matches at WWE PPVs. 205 Live and the Cruiserweight division hasn’t gained any popularity since it debuted. I just assumed that giving Aries a run with the title would be worth a shot, just to see if would breath some life into the division. Neville is a great heel champion, but I thought it was time to change things up. Apparently I was wrong and things will just remain the same. I honestly do not understand that logic when hardly anyone is watching 205 Live on the WWE Network.

Fatal 5-Way Match To Determine #1 Contender For The Universal Championship: Finn Balor vs Samoa Joe vs Seth Rollins vs Bray Wyatt vs Roman Reigns

The match started out with everyone brawling as Roman Reigns stood and observed. Balor, Wyatt, Rollins and Joe battled outside the ring as Reigns paced around in the ring. Bray Wyatt got back in the ring and had a stare down with Reigns. Wyatt went for a punch but Reigns blocked it and smacked him in the face. Reigns lifted Bray up onto his shoulders and dropped him with a Samoan Drop. Samoa Joe went at Reigns but suffered the same fate as he was greeted with a Samoan Drop.

Finn Balor got into the ring and was sent into the corner by Reigns. Roman connected with a right hand and knocked Balor to the ring apron. Rollins then got into the ring and circled Reigns. Wyatt and Joe then charged at Reigns and beat him down in the corner. Wyatt then drove Reigns’ shoulder into the ring post and then went after Rollins. Joe threw Rollins out of the ring and went for a Suicide Dive but Rollins avoided it and then hit a Suicide Dive of his own onto Joe.

Balor connected with a Dropkick onto Bray and then stomped onto him several times. Balor then stomped on Rollins and Joe as they tried to get back into the ring. Balor bounced off the ropes and flipped onto Joe, Rollins and Wyatt. Reigns then entered the frame and blasted Balor in the face with a right hand. The crowd booed as Roman launched Balor into the barricade and bounced his head off the ring apron.

Bray grabbed Roman’s hair but got a fist in the face for his troubles. Reigns went for the Drive By on Wyatt but Joe hit Roman in the chest and then threw him into the barricade. Wyatt and Joe then shared a laugh as they took turns beating down Reigns. Wyatt and Joe then slung Roman into the steel steps outside the ring. Wyatt then laid on the announce table with a smirk on his face.

Joe and Wyatt then picked up the stairs and bashed Rollins in the face with it. Wyatt and Joe then circled the ring and hit Balor and Reigns with the steps. The crowd cheered as Wyatt and Joe were in control of the match. Joe then kicked Balor, but grew concerned with Wyatt lurking behind him. Bray told Joe to “play it cool” and they continued their alliance to beatdown Balor. Wyatt took a break from assaulting Balor to boot Rollins in the face and then casually stepped on his chest on his way back to the ring.

Back in the ring, Joe and Bray took turns punching and stomping on Finn Balor. Joe and Bray then slapped Balor in the face. Finn fought back but was knocked back down to the mat by Wyatt and Joe. Bray brought Balor back to his feet and punched him in the face. Rollins got back in the ring and hit a Dropkick onto Wyatt. Rollins then slammed Joe’s face into the second turnbuckle. Rollins went for a Suicide Dive onto Wyatt but Bray was ready and punched him in the face. Bray then knocked Reigns back to the floor and hit Rollins with a DDT onto the steel steps.

Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch onto Balor in the ring. Balor got out of it and hit a Double Stomp onto Joe. Wyatt entered the ring toting a steel chair and hit Balor with it. Reigns tried to get back into the ring but was greeted with a chair shot from Wyatt. Bray then hit Balor in the back with a chair, rolled him over and placed the chair across his chest. Samoa Joe then hit a Senton onto Balor and the chair. Joe then placed the chair onto Balor’s chest and Wyatt hit a Senton of his own.

Balor slammed Joe’s face into the chair that was perched up on the turnbuckle. Balor then knocked Wyatt to the ring apron and Reigns hit the Drive By. Reigns then planted Balor with a Powerbomb and leveled Samoa Joe with a Clothesline. Reigns clubbed Bray in the chest several times in the corner. Joe charged at Reigns but Roman got out of the way and Joe slammed into Wyatt. Reigns then booted Joe in the face and knocked Bray to the mat with a Clothesline.

Reigns geared up for a Superman Punch but was dragged out of the ring by Samoa Joe. Wyatt attacked Reigns from behind and slammed Roman onto the announce table that was ringside. The crowd chanted “one more time” as Bray Wyatt climbed to the ring apron. Rollins attacked Wyatt and hit a springboard Clothesline for a two count. Joe charged at Rollins but Seth got his foot up. Rollins then hit a double Blockbuster onto Wyatt and Joe. Rollins tried to pin Bray but Wyatt kicked out at two. Rollins hit a Suicide Dive onto Joe outside the ring and then hit another one onto Joe because Wyatt shoved Joe in the way.

The action returned to the ring and Bray Wyatt connected with a Clothesline to Rollins. Wyatt went for a Suplex but Rollins reversed it into a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Wyatt responded by planting Rollins with a Sister Abigail. Joe broke up the pinfall and started shouting at Wyatt for shoving him in the way of Rollins’ Suicide Dive a few minutes ago. Joe connected with a series of kicks to Wyatt but Bray got the upper-hand and knocked Joe to the mat.

Wyatt went for a Sister Abigail but Joe countered it into the Coquina Clutch. Balor entered the ring with a chair and hit both Joe and Wyatt with it. Balor then hit a Double Stomp onto Wyatt while the chair was across his chest. Balor hit Reigns with a Dropkick and then punted Roman’s head from the ring apron. Finn then sprinted and hit Joe and then Wyatt with a Dropkick that sent them both in the barricade. Finn brought Bray to the announce table and bounced his head off the table a dozen times.

The crowd roared as Balor cleared off an announce table. Balor laid Wyatt across the announce table and pointed to the turnbuckle. Joe tried to apply the Coquina Clutch onto Balor outside the ring but Finn was able to block it. Reigns then hit a massive Spear onto Joe and Balor that sent the three Superstars crashing through the barricade. Rollins then ascended up the turnbuckle and connected with a Frog Splash onto Bray Wyatt through the announce table outside the ring.

The crowd chanted “holy sh**!” and then transitioned into a “this is awesome!” chant as the five Superstars were on the floor. Rollins and Reigns were the first Superstars to their feet. Reigns’ lips and nose were covered with blood as the two Superstars slowly made their way back to the ring. Reigns and Rollins got in each other’s face and Rollins hit a flurry of punches. Reigns halted his momentum with an uppercut. Roman went for a Clothesline but Rollins ducked it and kicked him in the face. Reigns connected with a Superman Punch but Rollins powered out at two.

Reigns got back to his feet as the crowd booed. Reigns screamed and went for the Spear but Rollins countered it into a roll up for a two count. Rollins bounced off the ropes and connected with a kick to Reigns’ face for a two count. Rollins went to the top turnbuckle and hit a Frog Splash onto Reigns for a two count. Rollins once again climbed to the top rope and went for a Phoenix Splash. Reigns got out of the way and Rollins landed on his feet. Wyatt got back in the ring and went for Sister Abigail onto Rollins but Seth avoided it. Rollins was then launched out of the ring.

Wyatt then went for a Sister Abigail onto Reigns but Roman blocked it and hit a Spear. Reigns then leveled Balor with a right hand and geared up for a Spear. Balor was ready for it and hit a Slingblade. Balor then climbed to the top rope and hit a Coupe de Grace onto Reigns. Balor went for the pinfall but Joe got back into the ring and applied the Coquina Clutch. Balor passed out and Samoa Joe won the match.

Winner & #1 Contender For The Universal Championship: Samoa Joe

Reaction: Extreme Rules ended on a high note with a terrific Fatal 5-Way match. This match was close to forty minutes and there wasn’t a dull moment. Samoa Joe and Brock Lesnar sounds like a great match and it will take place at Great Balls of Fire. Overall, Extreme Rules was a solid show. The main-event was the match of the night and the steel cage match was also very entertaining.

Unfortunately, the same issues continue to plague WWE shows. If this PPV had a better build, the matches would have been much more entertaining. Some of the matches tonight were very entertaining, but I think they would have been so much better if their was a storyline to get invested in. The Cruiserweight Championship match is a great example of a match that should have had the crowd on their feet. The crowd simply did not care and it became impossible for Neville and Aries to win them over. Bayley and Alexa Bliss competed in a match that was dead on arrival. The Intercontinental Championship match was also good but the crowd wasn’t all that into it.

I’ve said this word a few times in this post but WWE shows aren’t generating enough energy from the crowd in attendance. The main-event was an example of how much better a match can be when the crowd is engaged. It is hard to get pumped up for a show when you spend weeks struggling to get through episodes of RAW and SmackDown. When that happens, the audience winds up overlooking a great match like the Cruiserweight Championship match tonight at Extreme Rules. To make matters worse, they also had to sit through a terrible Women’s Championship match that had two excellent performers in it. While Extreme Rules ended well, I cannot help but be frustrated with the WWE product in general.

What did you think of Extreme Rules? Let us know in the comments below.

Follow Robert Lentini: @MankyMedia

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