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I reviewed AEW's Fight for the Fallen last night and aired by grievances about what was a very mixed show overall, and was subsequently dubbed a WWE apologist. Well, make of it what you will because I thought that Extreme Rules was a very good show.
Until the last few moments, I thought that I wouldn't have anything to complain about. But then the unthinkable happened and WWE ended the show on a very sour note, enraging fans from across the world.
But that said, I would really have to say that this was a solid show overall. I don't think that WWE did much wrong and if this is the kind of influence that Paul Heyman is bringing in, I am sold.
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#1. Best: Seth Rollins snaps in the main event
One aspect of WWE programming that irks me is that while mixed tag team matches can happen during the show, the male performer is not allowed to hit the female performer. This is not considered to be sponsor-friendly even though the combat is entirely simulated.
This is especially problematic if you consider the fact that Tessa Blanchard and Sami Callihan are making history with inter-gender clashes, pushing the envelope with a pretty fantastic feud. Why would you want to watch a match in which the female performer can hit the male counterpart as many times as she wants, but the male cannot retaliate at all?
I thought that Baron Corbin's End of Days on Becky Lynch came out of nowhere, and it was great to see Seth Rollins respond with rage, taking out his anger on Baron Corbin. It was great storytelling and the crowd was very hot for it.
I'd love to see this furious Rollins again.
See WWE Extreme Rules Results, Highlights of event, & more on WWE Extreme Rules Results page
#1. Worst: Brock Lesnar becomes the Universal Champion again
I don't even mind this decision all that much, but it is clearly to get a reaction from the WWE Universe, to have them go bonkers on social media. I'm guessing that Lesnar was made Champion for a variety of reasons, one of which is to give Rollins an opponent for SummerSlam this year.
But whatever the case may be, the very fact that they decided to ruin a near-perfect show with a decision such as this qualifies as a worst in my books. WWE had a chance to earn goodwill by putting on a spectacular show, and they decided not to do it.
I would have been happy had he cashed it on Kofi Kingston, just to shake things up on the blue brand. Unfortunately, the cash-in was expected and not very exciting at all.
Maybe Lesnar will start showing up to work at last.
#2. Best: The power-packed last man standing match
Everybody loves a bit of comedy in their life. The only issue is if that comedy begins to dominate your character and underwhelm your intensity, in a pro wrestling context. Braun Strowman has not been the same ever since he teamed up with Nicholas at WrestleMania.
I am proud to say that Braun Strowman looked like the monster that he once was, for the first time in ages, at Extreme Rules. This was definitely a match with Paul Heyman's fingerprint all over it. The same can be said for Bobby Lashley, a man who has not been the same since he did that awful 'sisters' sketch on RAW featuring Sami Zayn.
The match took us all across the building and actually put the 'Extreme' element in Extreme Rules. The fans sensed that someone else was at the helm, as ECW chants rang out.
#2. Worst: New Day regain their Championships once again
In a lot of ways, The New Day can be compared to Charlotte Flair and Roman Reigns. There is no disputing their talent, but the audience does not always enjoy the fact that they're front and center at every opportunity. Bryan and Rowan were enjoying a pretty cool reign and Heavy Machinery could have benefited from a win.
But The New Day came out on top after a hard-fought victory meaning that they hold both singles and tag team gold, right now. While this is certainly a well-deserved accolade, I wonder if WWE missed an opportunity to build Heavy Machinery. Whom does The New Day face now that they're Champions?
The Revival, The Usos and The Viking Warriors are all on RAW, meaning that the current tag team feud is likely to continue for a while, going forward. Not really very exciting.
#3. Best: The Undertaker is back in fighting shape
As WWE fans, we all love a wonderful redemption story, do we not? This is the story of The Undertaker, arguably the greatest performer to have ever stepped into the squared circle.
The Undertaker faced Goldberg in Saudi Arabia in a match that was dubbed by many as the worst one in the man's rich and illustrious career. He needed a good showing with Roman Reigns against Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre to make us forget about the terrible memory.
The Phenom looked like he'd been working out as he stepped out to compete and put on a fantastic match, before an appreciative crowd. It was a heart-warming moment to see a veteran of the business reclaim the metaphorical yard in a match with three younger men.
I'm sure that he's raring to go for a match at SummerSlam, now that he's in great shape.
#3. Worst: Unnecessary title change on the Kickoff show
As first reported by Sportskeeda's own Tom Colohue, Vince McMahon often forgets about Balor. It did seem like it was a very hurried and confusing decision to have him drop the Intercontinental title to Shinsuke Nakamura.
Sure, Finn Balor has reigned supreme as the Intercontinental Champion for a while now. But the sad thing about his reign is just how few times he has defended it, even if the days total up to be a pretty substantial number.
It makes it worse that the match actually took place on the WWE Kickoff show when the entire audience had not come into the building and moreover, it got done in almost no time at all. I think I echo the sentiments of the WWE Universe when I say that I believe that Finn Balor deserves better.
Hope Nakamura is booked well going forward
#4. Best/worst: Joe loses again
So, I am all for the Kofi Kingston victory against Samoa Joe if it means that there will be a storyline with all members of the New Day holding the gold. Maybe this is a setup for The Undisputed ERA to come in and challenge them for the titles. Maybe The Club moves over to SmackDown Live, aiming for gold and glory.
But if this was just another win, I would have loved to see Samoa Joe emerge as the winner of the match and become the WWE Champion because he's been without a title for far too long. He's always lost on the big stage and this does not sit well with his character.
Now Samoa Joe is a man who makes empty threats. He never backs up his promises by picking up wins.
Maybe he needs to pray to a Goddess for some luck in life.
