WWE: Extreme Rules – 5 Talking Points

After all the hype and talk, we’re done with Extreme Rules and in the end, it turned to be an average show. Titles changed hands and new champions were crowned on the PPV, but the overall event fell short of what was expected. As the night ended, we witnessed the emergence of a dominant faction, and the victory of the beast over the COO of the company. Without further ado, let us now see the five talking points coming out of the PPV.

5. Alberto Del Rio becomes the Number 1 contender for the World Heavyweight championship

Originally, a triple threat ladder match was scheduled for Extreme Rules between the World Heavyweight champion Dolph Ziggler, and the challengers Jack Swagger and Alberto Del Rio. But before we got to the event, the champion suffered a legitimate concussion, and wasn’t allowed to take part in any of the house shows and live events. This led to a sudden change of plans, as WWE went ahead with Alberto Del Rio against Jack Swagger in an “I Quit” match for the PPV. As expected, the two delivered a solid match, which saw both the competitors trying to use their submission holds to make the other utter the words “I Quit”. Although the match saw a false finish, it was restarted, and Alberto Del Rio quickly slapped the cross arm breaker on Jack Swagger, and a helpless Swagger gave up to make Alberto Del Rio the new number 1 contender for the title. Del Rio will likely face Ziggler during the next month’s PPV Payback, and it is bound to be an interesting confrontation to say the least.

4. New tag team champions crowned at Extreme Rules

The Shield took on Team Hell No, who have been champions for over 8 months, and as the match ended, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins were successful in defeating Kane and Daniel Bryan, and in the process became the new WWE tag team champions! This would not only legitimize the faction as the most dominant stable in the WWE, but also gives the members their first taste of championship gold on the main roster. Who can take away the titles from them? No one knows, but it’s bound to be an interesting ride from here.

3. Dean Ambrose becomes the new WWE United States champion

The other member of The Shield, Dean Ambrose faced Kofi Kingston, and succeeded in defeating Kofi and thereby winning the WWE United States championship! Dean Ambrose is the most talented superstar in the WWE, and this is only the beginning of big things to come. Not only are the members of The Shield the tag team champions, but now they have the prestigious United States title in their grip! Who can stop the dominance of The Shield over the WWE? And who will face Dean Ambrose for the title next? We have to wait and see.

2. Cena – Ryback ends in a No Contest

Ryback’s confrontation with Cena the past few weeks before Extreme Rules saw the beast dominating the WWE Champion, as Ryback was the odds – on favorite to win their encounter at the PPV. The match in itself was nothing to remember, as it lacked in – ring psychology and was just about each man trying to deliver his power moves. Being a Last Man Standing match, you’d expect a firm victor coming out of the PPV, but WWE booked it in a way so that the match ended in a No Contest! This is probably one of the worst booked matches this past year, as the ending made absolutely no sense at all! If WWE wanted Cena to retain the title, they could have done it in a way that showed Ryback to be dominant but unlucky. Either way, the match failed to live up to the expectations and it was good that it wasn’t the main event of the night.

1. Brock Lesnar ‘weasels’ his way out

If you’re bringing a legitimate World champion (Brock Lesnar was a former UFC World Heavyweight champion for those who didn’t know), the sensible thing to do is make him look dominant. Although Brock lost his first match when he faced Cena at Extreme Rules last year, Cena needed the win, and Brock completely dominated the match. But on Sunday, Triple H completely dominated their match which didn’t make any sense. Although Lesnar was “injured”, that sort of booking is probably why no one is seen as a legitimate bad guy in the WWE. Although Brock won the match, it was mostly due to Paul Heyman, which isn’t how you book the most dominant guy in the company! I have my gripes over the PPV, but the saving grace has to be Lesnar at least picking up the victory.

Those are the 5 talking points coming out of Sunday’s Extreme Rules PPV. Do let us know if you agree with it, or tell us your top 5 talking points from the PPV.