Extreme Rules LD

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I did not see another thread for this, so.....this will be the official LD thread for this event! Discuss.

[BaconBits]

If my wife wasn’t on call with her job, I’d actually be at this show.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Damn Bacon, I figured if anyone here, you'd be there!

[BaconBits]

Damn Bacon, I figured if anyone here, you'd be there!

Was planning on it, but gotta stay home when wifey is on call because if she gets called in I gotta stay home with my daughter.

[Jack-Hammer]

It was reported earlier to day that Reigns vs. Lashley is set to close tonight's show. Of course, the problem is that it's all but written that Roman Reigns wins but even if he doesn't, it probably won't matter in the long run.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Was planning on it, but gotta stay home when wifey is on call because if she gets called in I gotta stay home with my daughter.

I got you. Best to take care of your family. But enjoy the show.

[Sean Valjean]

Over/under on Hogan appearing on the show tonight? During the pre-show he was officially announced to be reinstated in the HOF and they flat-out said he was chilling backstage.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

^ Not here. SummerSlam more likely.

[BaconBits]

Over/under on Hogan appearing on the show tonight? During the pre-show he was officially announced to be reinstated in the HOF and they flat-out said he was chilling backstage.

He apparently gave a speech apologizing to the entire roster this afternoon.

[Jack-Hammer]

The Raw Tag Team Championship match is kicking it off? It's definitely one of the weakest kick off matches for a main card ppv in quite some time.

[Sean Valjean]

He apparently gave a speech apologizing to the entire roster this afternoon.

If he didn't begin that speech with "Well let me tell you something, brothers!" I would not have accepted his apology.

[Sean Valjean]

I expected the other Hardy to kick off the show.

[BaconBits]

If he didn't begin that speech with "Well let me tell you something, brothers!" I would not have accepted his apology.

Lol.

[Jack-Hammer]

The crowd's already chanting for Ronda Rousey in the first 10 seconds of the match, so they should just keep this as short as they can and get it over with. This is one of the 3 or so matches on the card that, in my opinion, should've just been held on TV rather than making the ER ppv unnecessarily long.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I actually don't mind Axle.

[Sean Valjean]

It's truly amazing that WWE took an act as ripe for crazy ass fun as Hardy and Wyatt and managed to do a whole lot of nothing with them. They should have at least let Matt film vignettes of the two doing weird stuff at the Hardy compound or something.

[BaconBits]

Crowd missed a chance for a smarky as fuck Rotunda chant.

[Jack-Hammer]

Kinda surprised to see the B-Team win. They've gotten the best of Wyatt & Hardy so completely that booking 101 suggests that they'd lose, but I'm okay with this. I like their schtick and at least this means that Vince hasn't gotten tired of them...yet.

[BaconBits]

B-Team gonna be transitional as fuck, AOP title run imminent.

[Sean Valjean]

"Stretch Armstrong on the moon" :lmao:

[#AbsoluteUnit]

So matt vs bray at Summerslam...right?

[Jack-Hammer]

haha...goddamn...Axel looks like the whitest white man in history with that little dance he did. It looked so goofy that I kinda liked it.

[Sean Valjean]

The idea of stripping Brock of the title got the pop of the night. I don't blame them. At this point I just want a world title back on Raw no matter how that happens.

[Sean Valjean]

So matt vs bray at Summerslam...right?

Matt/Bray vs B-Team in a tag team apocalypto rematch.

[Jack-Hammer]

So, tomorrow night, we'll probably get the Reigns vs. Lesnar announcement, they'll break out into a brawl, Vince will be jerking himself so hard he tears a rotator cuff and we're all supposed to act like we care.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Lesnar vs Roman again? Not trying to be negative, but again? I understand that may be the more "logical" move, but if that's the case, I'd love to see a Braun cash-in.

[Jack-Hammer]

Eh, I have to say that I don't care much for the formula they're using for this match. We know, I mean everyone KNOWS, that Balor is so far above Corbin that it's not even funny, yet Corbin is dominating Balor like it's the other way around. I dunno, this match just would've been a lot more interesting if it was more of a back & forth deal and if the main story of this match wasn't simply Corbin lording his height over Balor.

[Sean Valjean]

As a former restaurant server, Baron really does look like an angry waiter in that outfit.

[mooseman]

What if Stroman cashed in tomorrow night?

[Sean Valjean]

Paul Smackage tips his hat to Finn Balor.

[Jack-Hammer]

So the flukey way in which Balor scores the win probably means that this program will continue, for some odd reason.

[Jack-Hammer]

What if Stroman cashed in tomorrow night?

It'd be a welcome breath of fresh air.

[Sean Valjean]

With Kane unable to compete, Bryan's new tag partner will clearly be HULK HOGAN BROTHER BROTHER.

[mooseman]

So Asuka and Nakamura both win titles tonight as WWE tries take japanese headlines away from the G1 right?

[BaconBits]

Lol, It would be hilarious if Pittsburgh was deprived of DB again.

[Jack-Hammer]

Hmmmm, so Kane's probably out of the match tonight, so does that mean Paige actually tries to substitute Miz for Kane?

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I actually prefer Carmella. Yes, she's not as good in the ring as Asuka, but I just prefer Carmella.

[Sean Valjean]

So Asuka and Nakamura both win titles tonight as WWE tries take japanese headlines away from the G1 right?

I've been hoping for that exact outcome, actually. Especially Asuka who I'd love to see defend against Becky at Summerslam.

[Sean Valjean]

Why can't our announce team strike cool poses when they greet us?

[Jack-Hammer]

Good God....they're turning Asuka into a joke.

[Sean Valjean]

Never thought I'd see ASUKA become one of the biggest choke artists in the company.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I agree Jack Hammer.

[klunderbunker]

No.

[Jack-Hammer]

This is the first match on the main card that I've been actually wanting to see.

[Sean Valjean]

How do you have a JEFF HARDY championship match on Extreme Rules and not have it be a ladder or some kind of gimmick match???

[Sean Valjean]

WHAAAAAT

[SD619]

Not the best day to be a Hardy

[Jack-Hammer]

I have to say that I loved that. It was such a slimy way to win and the whole thing about really about Nakamura winning his first WWE title.

[Jack-Hammer]

Nakamura vs. Orton could be fun...as long as they avoid the pit fall of actually having Orton win the title.

[Jack-Hammer]

Damn...hardy's about to get RKO'd

[klunderbunker]

One of two things is happening tonight.

1. They're blitzing through the matches to cram 10 matches into a three and a half hour card because fans were ticked over Money in the Bank going 45 minutes long.

Or

2. Hardy was hurt.

[Sean Valjean]

Jeff has two pairs of eyes and even he didn't see Nakamura or Orton coming.

[Jack-Hammer]

Yeah...that was worse than an RKO. Does Jeff Hardy have any kids yet? I'm just saying that any kids going forward are probably gonna be cross eyed.

[Jack-Hammer]

One of two things is happening tonight.

1. They're blitzing through the matches to cram 10 matches into a three and a half hour card because fans were ticked over Money in the Bank going 45 minutes long.

Or

2. Hardy was hurt.

Could be a bit of both. Could also be to make time for a Hulk Hogan segment.

[Sean Valjean]

For my fellow 90's kids, this episode of Doug perfectly sums up the Braun/KO feud.

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/dougfunnieiscrazy/Doug%20Saves%20Roger/04.jpg

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Let's go Braun.

[BaconBits]

I want KO to win. Braun is a bully.

[Sean Valjean]

I missed the part in the video package where KO shot Braun's dog, burned his house down or whatever he did to deserve all of this.

[Sean Valjean]

Uh...KO wins?

[Jack-Hammer]

Owens wins!!! Owens wins!!!! Owens w....wait a second....

[Wildcat66]

That's the first time I've felt bad for the winner of the match.

[klunderbunker]

Still waiting on that elusive nine minute match.

[BaconBits]

Owens has got to chill with these bumps. He’s not a young man anymore.

[Sean Valjean]

Remember kids: the key to defeating a bully (who is somehow also a hero) is to just let them bully you. They'll eventually bully you so hard that you'll just win. Or something. BE A STAR.

[klunderbunker]

The timing for this show is all over the place. The card is packed so they're flying through the card but then they're having these recaps that feel like filler.

[Sean Valjean]

If Bryan wins without Kane then he can accurately state that he is the tag team champions.

[Sean Valjean]

Seeing Kane in a cast feels wrong.

[Wildcat66]

If Bryan wins without Kane then he can accurately state that he is the tag team champions.

Well, there goes that idea.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I didn't like that match

[Sean Valjean]

With the exception of Finn it's been a great night to be a douchebag.

Speaking of which, here comes Roman Reigns.

[Wildcat66]

Roman's looking at The B Team like they're a bunch of frat guys and they're worshipping him as their god.

[BaconBits]

A chance at giving Roman an actual personality, and they drop the ball.

[klunderbunker]

Hokey smoke.

The Iron Man is closing isn't it?

[Jack-Hammer]

The show's kinda been all over the place and not in a good way. For the first hour and a half...well there wasn't really any purpose for about 99% of it. Team Hell No vs. the Bludgeon Brothers came off like a straight up match with Bryan taking another loss, rather than having the injured Kane take it with Miz nowhere in sight to progress their alleged program.

[SD619]

lol...But, the Meltzer and co. promised that this would be the main event.

[Sean Valjean]

Roman's looking at The B Team like they're a bunch of frat guys and they're worshipping him as their god.

Shouldn't the B-Team be more interested in Lashley anyway? His name starts with a B! It could be Bobby's Team!

[Sean Valjean]

lol...But, the Meltzer and co. promised that this would be the main event.

To be fair, I think most fans (myself included) expected this to main event for 3 valid reasons:

1. It's a Roman Reigns match
2. It's a Raw match
3. The WWE title does not main event shows anymore.

That said, I guess Rollins is closing the show because a Raw match will always trump a Smackdown match, world title or not.

[Jack-Hammer]

I hate it whenever Cole says someone is putting on a clinic because, as is the case so far, you'll have someone do a couple of takedowns with Cole trying to sell it as though he's done something that anyone else on the roster couldn't do.

[BaconBits]

The only way to rescue this disaster would by for Brock to come out and destroy both of these chumps.

[Sean Valjean]

Graves: "This isn't an Extreme Rules match!"

Perfect summation of this show.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I don't have a favorite in this match.

[Sean Valjean]

Uh...does Roman not know the rules of the match? In that there are, in fact, rules?

[Jack-Hammer]

I don't have a favorite in this match.

A lot of people don't. We're just in the midst of a situation where it's all but guaranteed one of these guys takes the UC from Brock Lesnar. The choices we have are the bland, smiling babyface who's really a badass but who isn't allowed to be a badass, at least right now, and the same guy who's been in a neverending mega push for the last 4 years and is no closer to being accepted as THE guy in WWE in the eyes of fans now than he was at the beginning.

[Sean Valjean]

Roman kicked out of the vertical suplex. Impossible.

[SD619]

Bob?

[BaconBits]

Lashley went over clean. Did not see that coming.

[Sean Valjean]

Roman actually gets what he deserves for being a jerk. What a nice surprise.

[Jack-Hammer]

Pretty good match and I can honestly say I expected a similar ending given how cocky Reigns was acting at various points.

I just hope we don't wind up having some sort of match on Raw tomorrow night between these two to determine who faces Lesnar because...well there's no reason for it since we just had the match. Reigns lost so just at least try something different because nobody wants Lesnar vs. Reigns IV when it's obvious that Lesnar vs. Reigns I was a fluke in terms of quality.

[BaconBits]

So much Travis Browne on WWE TV tonight.

[Sean Valjean]

Given that this is the only actual Extreme Rules match, this needs to be Cactus Jack levels of violence to do the show's name justice.

So yeah, I'll just chalk this show up as a failure from a thematic standpoint. Unless Ronda beats Alexa to a bloody pulp.

[Jack-Hammer]

Only Styles vs. Rusev and Ziggler vs. Rollins are left after this bout. The show isn't scheduled to go off until 11, though it could still run longer. We know Ziggler vs. Rollins will go at least 30 minutes so the same goes with the Raw Women's & WWE Championship match or they're gonna do something else.

[Jack-Hammer]

Given that this is the only actual Extreme Rules match, this needs to be Cactus Jack levels of violence to do the show's name justice.

So yeah, I'll just chalk this show up as a failure from a thematic standpoint. Unless Ronda beats Alexa to a bloody pulp.

The Extreme Rules moniker, like so much in WWE, is basically just a corporate misnomer. There's rarely any over the top violence and usually just a few major spots here and there, such a what we saw happen to Kevin Owens earlier, so that equals "Extreme" under WWE's corporate vision.

They especially won't go over the top with a women's match and there'll be no blood unless it's accidental. That's especially true of Alexa as sex appeal rather than being a badass is a major component for her.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I like Nia destroying Alexa. Where was this at WrestleMania?

[Sean Valjean]

Ronda destroying people makes my soul smile.

[Jack-Hammer]

Shit man, the German announce table's gotten the hell beaten out of it tonight.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Fuck that match. Clearly Alexa<Nia, right?

[Sean Valjean]

I like how Ronda's husband just casually watches his wife get assaulted with a weapon right in front of him.

[Jack-Hammer]

This match went as I figured it would, which was basically to serve as window dressing to Bliss vs. Rousey at SummerSlam, which is all it needed to be. Alexa retained, which is what needed to happen, Bliss got the last laugh on Rousey and we go into tomorrow night.

[Jack-Hammer]

I like how Ronda's husband just casually watches his wife get assaulted with a weapon right in front of him.

I was thinking the same thing. Truth be told, I think it would've added a nice little bit of realism if he'd jumped the barrier and got between a downed Rousey and Alexia & Mickie. I mean...c'mon, a man's not gonna stand there and watch his woman get beaten down. He wouldn't have had to do anything or even say anything, just look intense while also looking concerned about his wife.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I hope Ronda whoops that ass at SummerSlam.

[klunderbunker]

I knew it!

[Jack-Hammer]

Wow...we're actually going to have an Intercontinental Championship match close a ppv? KB!! Has that ever happened?

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Wow...we're actually going to have an Intercontinental Championship match close a ppv? KB!! Has that ever happened?

summerslam 1992, Mr. Jack Hammer!

[Sean Valjean]

Was Bret vs Bulldog at Summerslam 92 the last IC title PPV main event?

[klunderbunker]

summerslam 1992, Mr. Jack Hammer!

At least that one made sense. This.....I didn't know that the Iron Man match was considered extreme.

[klunderbunker]

Aside from the rare occasions where all titles were on the line, I believe Summerslam 92 is the only other time.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Also, there was an in your house PPV, in South Carolina which was held over two days in which Goldust faced the undertaker. @Klunderbunker for confirmation.

[Sean Valjean]

At least that one made sense. This.....I didn't know that the Iron Man match was considered extreme.

"Extreme" from an endurance standpoint I suppose. Although Rollins has demonstrated that he can wrestle a half hour in his sleep at this point so this is really just another day for him.

I see 2 mindsets from WWE on this situation:

1. We truly value the IC title.

Or

2. No matter what, fuck Smackdown.

[klunderbunker]

Also, there was an in your house PPV, in South Carolina which was held over two days in which Goldust faced the undertaker. @Klunderbunker for confirmation.

That has a big, big asterisk next to it, to the point where I wouldn't consider that to be the case.

[Jack-Hammer]

summerslam 1992, Mr. Jack Hammer!

Jesus...can't believe I forgot about that. One of the best matches in WWE history and I forgot about it. *sniffle sniffle*

[Storm Trooper]

"Extreme" from an endurance standpoint I suppose. Although Rollins has demonstrated that he can wrestle a half hour in his sleep at this point so this is really just another day for him.

I see 2 mindsets from WWE on this situation:

1. We truly value the IC title.

Or

2. No matter what, fuck Smackdown.

The other option is they are throwing Seth Rollins, who has been on fire the past few months like few before him, a bone and letting him main event.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Jesus...can't believe I forgot about that. One of the best matches in WWE history and I forgot about it. *sniffle sniffle*

It's cool Jack, I had you covered man. :lol:

[#AbsoluteUnit]

That has a big, big asterisk next to it, to the point where I wouldn't consider that to be the case.

Well, I actually read your reviews Man!

[mooseman]

Why call this event Extreme Rules? SHould've renamed it Great American Bash and be done with it

[Sean Valjean]

The other option is they are throwing Seth Rollins, who has been on fire the past few months like few before him, a bone and letting him main event.

True, and he's certainly earned it. Odds are they're also trying to further appease Dolph into sticking around. I imagine they also want to close Extreme Rules with some kind of gimmick match too. Still, the story hasn't been nearly big enough to close the show over the most prestigious prize in the company.

[klunderbunker]

Well, I actually read your reviews Man!

That's why they're there. Well that and so I don't have to work in an office.

[klunderbunker]

True, and he's certainly earned it. Odds are they're also trying to further appease Dolph into sticking around. I imagine they also want to close Extreme Rules with some kind of gimmick match too. Still, the story hasn't been nearly big enough to close the show over the most prestigious prize in the company.

AJ has been on fire for how long and has gotten how many pay per view main events as champion?

[Sean Valjean]

AJ has been on fire for how long and has gotten how many pay per view main events as champion?

Vince McMahon: "But he's the WWE Champion! Every match he has is the main event!"

[BaconBits]

That's why they're there. Well that and so I don't have to work in an office.

You don’t have a home office?

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Good match.

[klunderbunker]

You don’t have a home office?

Why would I? Just a bunch of extra work to set it up when I just need a laptop and a TV.

[Jack-Hammer]

Very nice work from Styles and Rusev. I never really saw Styles being in danger, but the match had good action, good storytelling and I thought they protected Rusev even in defeat. After all, had his left leg not been "injured", he'd have been able to lock in the Accolade. Styles makes it past day 251 in his 2nd run as WWE Champion.

[Jack-Hammer]

You know, with the bald head and the thickening mountain man beard, Triple H kinda looks like Tommaso Ciampa's big brother.

[Wildcat66]

In a way, Aiden accidentally cost the match for Rusev by exposing the ring post. Then again, the chances for Rusev winning seemed low even going into the match.

Very good match from the two.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Tuned in just in time.

[Wildcat66]

Now comes the almost surefire match of the night.

Seth Rollins vs Dolph Ziggler: Let's do it!

[Sean Valjean]

Feelings on Dolph and the WWE title not main-eventing (again) aside, this has the potential to be awesome.

[Jack-Hammer]

I have a feeling this match will go past 30 minutes for some reason. Maybe nobody will score a pin, Angle declares sudden death with the one who gains a fall winning it all.

[Jack-Hammer]

I really, really love how that belt looks. I dunno, I just never get tired of looking at it. It's almost, I said almost, like a gorgeous topless woman that's all oiled up and shiny.

[BaconBits]

Why would I? Just a bunch of extra work to set it up when I just need a laptop and a TV.

I write about a sport as well, and I totally work better in my home office.

[Sean Valjean]

Dolph's butt says EVIL. Does that make him a bad ass?

[#AbsoluteUnit]

So far, so good.

[klunderbunker]

I write about a sport as well, and I totally work better in my home office.

I might one day but we'd need a bigger house. Don't really have the room at the moment. Then again, when I was in school I couldn't work at a desk. Just didn't work for me. If I had an office though I'd want it decorated with all of my various pop culture oddities, which would take some time.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Seth beats him 5-0.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Let's go Rollins!

[Sean Valjean]

I might one day but we'd need a bigger house. Don't really have the room at the moment. Then again, when I was in school I couldn't work at a desk. Just didn't work for me. If I had an office though I'd want it decorated with all of my various pop culture oddities, which would take some time.

I write from my home office as well and am surrounded by nerd crap (mostly gaming). I want to get a standing desk at some point as sitting around for long stretches can be killer.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

2-0 Rollins

[Sean Valjean]

Uh...is Drew an idiot now too? Why wouldn't he hit Dolph?

Actually, this might make Dolph break up with him. KEEP BEATING ON SETH, DREW!

Also, lord help us if this crowd is going to countdown every minute for the rest of the match.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Drew has been eating his Poppa Pump Flakes.

[Jack-Hammer]

Eh, I think this has lost a lot of its potential given that they're going with so many falls in such a relatively short time span, sort of how WWE does its 2 out of 3 falls bouts.

[Sean Valjean]

Oh god, the crowd doing the Rumble countdown nonstop is really hurting this.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Ugh this crowd, what a bunch of morons.

[klunderbunker]

But the fans had been begging for Rollins to get a chance! He's been awesome int hese long matches! And Ziggler could be the next Shawn Michaels if he was given a chance! The fans have been saying that for years. Yet then these same people will complain about WWE not listening to them.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

This is why Vince wonâ??t give us nice things

[Sean Valjean]

The heck was that random pop about?

[klunderbunker]

The heck was that random pop about?

They put the clock back up.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

The heck was that random pop about?they put the timer back on the tron

[Sean Valjean]

They put the clock back up.

That's rather sad.

[Wildcat66]

Fuck this crowd.

No seriously: Fuck this crowd.

The match itself has been fantastic, it's the crowd that's the big problem.

[klunderbunker]

We came up with something clever! LET'S DO IT THIRTY TIMES IN A ROW!!!

[jmt225]

I hate wrestling fans.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I like this match

[Sean Valjean]

Even the Count from Sesame Street would be sick of Pittsburgh's shit.

[BaconBits]

I blame Shit Shittler for the crowd’s shit. He sucks the life out of everything he’s a part of.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Seth pulling out some Bret and Benoit.

[klunderbunker]

I like this match

It's been pretty good and hasn't dragged once.

[jmt225]

It's been pretty good and hasn't dragged once.

This has been a very fun and unique Iron Man match absolutely ruined by these morons in Pittsburgh.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

In what world does an Iron Man end on a draw

[klunderbunker]

That was actually 30:10. How odd.

[Sean Valjean]

It's been pretty good and hasn't dragged once.

Dolph's long headlock around the middle dragged things down for me (and fueled the crowd's idiocy) but other than that I agree.

[Black Anaconda Vise]

THATS HOW IT ENDS???

Pretty good match but Iâ??m not really a fan of the fall every 2 minutes

[BaconBits]

That was fucking stupid.

[Sean Valjean]

Poor Seth. He must be having flashbacks to his Summerslam match with Balor where the fans were more concerned with shitting on the Universal Title than focusing on the really good match he and Finn had.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

That was fun.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

So tuning in with 40 minutes left in PPVs is the way to go I guess.

[Sean Valjean]

Legit MMA fighters seem to be Roman's kryptonite. Can't beat Brock, lost the Rumble to Nakamura, and now Lashley.

[BaconBits]

Legit MMA fighters seem to be Roman's kryptonite. Can't beat Brock, lost the Rumble to Nakamura, and now Lashley.

Nakamura fought mma, but I really wouldn’t consider him legit.

[Sean Valjean]

Nakamura fought mma, but I really wouldn’t consider him legit.

How come? Sure, it was over a decade ago but he was still 3-1. Didn't he break a dude's arm too? Unless I'm confusing Nak with someone else.

['Ravishing' Ned Flanders]

After tonight i've realized a couple things.

I still can't stand Ziggler and want him off my screen.

Pittsburgh fans are fucking stupid.

Other than that not a bad show despite the criminal lack of extreme at Extreme Rules

[Sean Valjean]

Lashley wrestles in the middle of the show and shows up to the post-show in a full suit.

B-Team opens the PPV and still haven't changed out of their gear. That's great.

[klunderbunker]

Extreme Rules 2018
Date: July 15, 2018
Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton, Michael Cole, Jonathan Coachman

It’s the extreme pay per view that forgot its extreme. Tonight’s show features ten matches and only a handful have any kind of gimmick attached, including the likely main event of the completely standard Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley. WWE hasn’t done much to make the show feel special but maybe they’ll surprise me. Let’s get to it.

Click on the link below for the full review.

Extremely Annoying People (http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/15/extreme-rules-2018-extremely-annoying-people/)

[BaconBits]

How come? Sure, it was over a decade ago but he was still 3-1. Didn't he break a dude's arm too? Unless I'm confusing Nak with someone else.

He fought cans, and at the time, Japanese mma was about as legit as pro wrestling.

[Jack-Hammer]

If they'd have the main card down to about 6 or 7 matches and given a few matches more time, Extreme Rules would've been a solid show overall. On the kickoff show, Almas vs. Sin Cara wasn't really necessary as, generally speaking, they didn't really do much more than they did on their SD Live match and could've continued there. This would've given the tables match between New Day and SAnitY more time as 8.5 minutes is really too short for a Tables Match. Balor vs. Corbin didn't need to be on a ppv at all, neither did the Raw Tag Team Championship match when you get and they could have done the angle with the United States Championship regarding Nakamura, Hardy & Orton on SmackDown Live. Any or every little thing regarding a championship doesn't have to happen at a ppv, even matches sometimes as there are other things going on that need and deserve more attention and time on a show.

Both women's matches were pretty terrible. Asuka has been made to look like a fool against Carmella and James Ellsworth of all people. Carmella isn't remotely in Asuka's league and all these cheap ways of having her retain aren't helping her come off as a legit champion. The Raw Women's Championship match was little more than an angle for Ronda Rousey and the match itself was pretty terrible. Alexa's offense against Nia looked awful, especially when she was using a weapon it looked so incredibly fake and Nia really wasn't much better, but Alexa especially was way too far out of her comfort zone here. Rousey's interference was predictable and the live crowd ate it up, so the overall thing succeeded because of that and at least Alexa retained the title.

Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens, like much of the rest of their program, was just plain weird and I don't see how it accomplished anything other than giving Vince McMahon some cheap laughs, though that in and of itself may be all that's required as it's Vince McMahon after all. Strowman came off looking like an asshole bully picking on Kevin Owens throughout the feud. I will say that I'm glad they did keep up some continuity to some degree regarding Strowman and the handcuffs. I think it took a little too long for him to get out of them, but at least he did as this is the guy who's flipped over ambulances and eighteen wheelers. The end spot with Owens beign tossed off top of the case was a cool looking spot and it ultimately gave Owens the win but...again...what was the point? I hope they're moving each of them on as this is just damaging both men to some degree.

The SD Tag Team Championship match was solid overall, but ultimately disappointing in terms of ending and leaves questions as to what's going to happen with Bryan now. Miz didn't do anything to interfere and there are rumors that Bryan still hasn't signed with the company, but worst of all is Bryan getting pinned yet again even though Kane was the injured one. There are reports also that Kane was legitimately injured and that he showed up to the event wearing the boot we saw him use last night. Still, Kane should've been the one to get pinned in my eyes.

Reigns vs. Lashley was a good 3.25 star match and if it ties in with the Universal Championship angle on Raw tonight, then at least something worthwhile came out of it. I had a feeling Reigns was going to lose from the moment I saw him smiling that cocky smile when he had Lashley in the reverse chin lock. At various points, Reigns acted all cocky and you just had the feeling he was setting himself up to lose, which is what happened and it happened via eating his own finisher. I honestly and truly hope that Angle doesn't make some sort of #1 contender's match for the two on Raw tonight as it'd be nothing more than a completely transparent angle to give Reigns his win back and give him another shot at Brock Lesnar, which is something that I don't think most of us care to see again.

AJ Styles vs. Rusev was a really fun match with some good action, good storytelling and a few believable near falls here and there. Nobody expected Rusev to win here, so what had to happen was the two men simply giving us an entertaining match. I also liked the protection given to Rusev during the match in order to give the impression that maybe he could've made Styles tap had he been able to successfully lock in the Accolade, only to be kept from doing so due to an "injured" left leg sustained during the match.

The Intercontinental Championship Iron Man match was a very fun outing, though I personally don't like the matches having so many falls, especially when they're only out there for 30 minutes. I just think it takes away a lot of the "epic" that's supposed to be there for these kinds of matches. This was the best match of the night overall, however, and I had no problem with it main eventing the show. One reason why I thought it was main eventing would be because they were gonna do some sort of angle where McIntyre turns on Ziggler but that didn't happen. I really hope they do something soon as McIntyre is much, much too good to be Dolph Ziggler's heavy and it's just a waste of talent.

Very little about Extreme Rules felt Extreme and it's a concept that I think should be dropped. There are rumors that WWE might be overhauling a lot of their ppv and names, which could be welcome as ER needs to go due to a distinct lack of hardcore brutality. I have to say that, overall, the summer of 2018 has been one of the weakest post WrestleMania seasons I can recall. Few things just seem to be clicking, bizarre booking choices are being made and the fact that the Raw main event champion is MIA for months at a time leaves a pretty big hole on Monday nights.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

The two tag titles matches and Balor vs Corbin could have been on TV.

Someone send Asuka and the other talented women some hair dye. Maybe then WWE will care about them.

Nakamura vs Hardy was short. They should have cut the first two matches and gave this match the time.

Kevin Owens of all people is a sympathetic babyface. That's actually pretty impressive.

Lashley vs Reigns was good. Lesnar vs Lashley should be good, assuming it happens.

Styles vs Rusev was the MOTN. Bryan or Joe can be the next challenger.

Awful crowd and too many pinfalls aside, Ziggler vs Rollins was good. I still don't see why it main evented though.

Overall Rating (D) - Styles/Rusev, Ziggler/Rollins, and Lashley/Reigns were good matches, but everything else was horrible. Ultimately it's a show that could have not existed, and nothing would have changed. Pair that with illogical and nonexistent stories, boring characters, and questionable booking, and you have a bad show. Hopefully SummerSlam is better, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

^ D sounds about right. Hopefully SummerSlam will be better!