WWE Extreme Rules Reax

Read on for my thoughts on last night's WWE Network special event.
Kickoff:
Good to have Becky and Paige provide their insight on Charlotte's title reign, since they've both faced her.

The Dudleys playing off ECW in 2016 is kind of sad, really. House of Hardcore is THAT way.

At least they turned things around on the fans instead of just pandering.

Pretty good Cass promo to save what was something of a weak segment.

After Cass bowled both men over, the Dudleys are slipping on the credibility ladder. Luckily, it's almost impossible to sink as low as The Ascension or Shining Stars.

Miz's current character is some of his best work in years. Funny stuff.

Rusev and Lana are pretty entertaining burying fans' questions and Tom Philips.

- Corbin vs. Ziggler:
I liked the spot with Ziggler tied in the ropes. Corbin's a ruthless guy.

Ziggler trying to use his finesse and stamina to beat the big wall of humanity.

Good back-and-forth work.

Mostly effective win by Corbin. Ziggler worked his ass off in defeat.

Extreme Rules:
- Usos vs. Anderson/Gallows:
Shout out to Jimmy and Jey getting the jump on their opponents.

Pretty sick Boot of Doom spot. That's still a terrible name, though.

The Club's hitting hard here. I like their intensity.

All these superkicks are triggering flashbacks to the terrible ending of NJPW Global Wars featuring ROH.

Pleasantly surprised to see The Club win. I expected them to lose and "surprise" us later with doing something crazy in the main event in shades of Orton vs. Rollins at WM31.

Does the Russian announce team pull for Lana and Rusev?

- Rusev vs. Kalisto:
I'd love to see Rusev implement a Bulgarian Championship or something to temporarily replace the U.S. Title.

I like Rusev trying to destroy Kalisto via submissions. Smart strategy.

I wonder what Ryback thinks of this match not being on the Kickoff show.

Good work by Kalisto as the quick, technical underdog who won't give up and makes the most of opportunities.

This is a solid angle to get over how evil Rusev is. He straight-up mauled Kalisto.

Byron should have been the one putting over the Shane podcast as the babyface. Especially right after JBL endorsed Rusev's brutality of a possibly injured superstar. I mean, come on now.

Fun New Day promo.

- New Day vs. Vaudevillains:
Nice work early from the challengers.

I really hope Big E is a future WWE Champion. I definitely think with the right push, it can happen.

Maaaaaannnnn.... I was hoping Xavier wouldn't kick out of the finisher. The move should be protected more than that.

Well, at least there was an out to set up a rematch. I love New Day, but they need some credible antagonists. I wouldn't mind Anderson and Gallows getting the nod as the next champions if the Vaudevillains aren't holding the titles soon.

Nice brief AJ promo. He's better at those.

I wish JBL was consistently heel or face. He'd be much more natural hating New Day and endorsing Aiden and Simon.

- Miz vs. Cesaro vs. Owens vs. Zayn:
GOOD GAWD ALMIGHTY WHAT A KICK BY ZAYN!

Nice action early.

Owens is my hero for stopping the overused Tower of Doom spot instead of adding to it. Nice heeling.

Cesaro's ToD spot meant more since it was denied earlier in the match.

Nice double suplex spot from Cesaro.

I liked the multiple European uppercut spot leading to the multiple cannonball spot.

Another finisher kickout. Please don't make this an ROH PPV.

Nice tease with the rollup following Maryse's interference.

Really good drama there with everyone doing everything they could to win.

- Ambrose vs. Y2J:
Jericho's acting is worth more than a lot of people's moves. Facial expressions and body language really matter on a TV show.

I'm erring on the side of being entertained by a heated feud turning into a fight with a mop.

I really hope this match type is in future WWE 2K games, along with Mitch DLC.

Nice spot using the straitjacket to set up the enziguri.

I was hoping AJ Lee would end up in a straitjacket match given the character being crazy.

It looks like TNA's Abyss helped out with the creation of the asylum match.

Jericho selling the thumbtacks reveal was great.

Clever use of the fire extinguisher. I would have been OK with Jericho winning there if we still got the thumbtacks in the aftermath.

That was pretty enjoyable. It got slow-paced in places, but the ending was satisfying to presumably wrap up the feud.

- Charlotte vs. Natalya:
Smart to have an old school wrestling match to change the pace after thumbtacks and barbed wire.

Charlotte's athletic background really coming into play with that surfboard counter.

I'm glad these two can show what they can do without Ric's antics taking center stage. I'm liking the submission strategies.

I'm glad they didn't have Ric actually interfere. I assumed it was going to be Little Naitch in the wig, but I like Dana in the role better.

Good ending to set up the next chapter for Natalya and the champ.

- Reigns vs. Styles:
Reigns is clearly getting more comfortable as a performer and tightening up his game.

It didn't take long for a chair to get involved!

I love a good fight spilling out all over the venue.

That Razor's Edge into a powerbomb spot was SICK.

I'm really liking this. Reigns' power and AJ's agility are a lovely combination.

GOOD GOD WHAT A SUPERMAN PUNCH.

And one hell of a spear to boot.

Sometimes a match with a lot of crazy interference can be pretty fun.

The Styles Clash on the chair should have done it.

AJ STYLES IS A MAN POSSESSED.

INSANE spear to end the match. That was one hell of a war. Great work from everyone involved.

Rollins vs. Reigns is going to be SO HYPE. Solid ending to the show.

More wrestling coming up.