WWE Extreme Rules 2011 Review

Last Man Standing
Randy Orton Vs CM Punk

We start off tonight with the first of two WrestleMania rematches, and certainly the one with the most room for improvement. Their first contest wasn't bad, but not as good as a match between talents of this standard should have been. Now the main aspect that was holding them back (Orton's knee injury) is gone, so right away we get a much more intense and physical contest. Things slow down once Punk introduces some Kendo sticks, which transitions into a series of encounters with different weapons and an exposed turn-buckle. While the commentary is blessed by the absence of Michael Cole at this point, he is substituted by Booker T who continues to fail as an ambassador for the English language. In under two minutes he manages to mistake what the floor his made out of (Booker T's pick? Steel.) and where a temple is on the human skull (Booker T's pick? Behind the ear.).

The action moves in and out of the ring, but as usual the Last Man Standing stipulation hurts the pace by stopping to count for eight seconds at every turn. What also doesn't help is the absence of blood or any major bumps, leaving the commentators to try and sell how bad everything is when it really isn't. The finish sounds good on paper as Orton hits Punk with an RKO from the turn-buckle, but it's not well performed or really built-up to in any way. I expected a solid improvement on their last match, but despite being very different in content the overall quality was about the same. What lets this one down is a dull pace and the absence of the WrestleMania atmosphere which really did a lot to hold their previous effort up. For some reason Punk and Orton just don't have good chemistry together, so it's not going to bother me that this feud is finally over.

Rating: 3 Stars

United States Championship - Tables
Kofi Kingston Vs Sheamus

A great addition to the card here, especially after we were denied a match for the US title at WrestleMania. Both Sheamus and Kofi are obviously motivated to put on a show, clearly demonstrating why the mid-card championships should be a regular feature on PPV. They keep up a solid back-and-forth pace throughout, utilising both the ring and a set of tables to create some memorable and dramatic moments. Kofi's athleticism and Sheamus' power are a perfect mix with this stipulation, allowing for many last second counters and exciting escapes. The finish was a nice visual, well set-up without being obvious and highlighting both of Kofi's signature moves. The result may have been predictable due to the draft, but this is still a big win for Kofi over the former world champion.

Rating: 4 Stars

Country Whipping
Michael Cole and Jack Swagger Vs Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross

“I just... ARRRAGGH!” - Josh Mathews

My first reaction to the feud continuing was complete and utter disgust. If it had to happen at all, it should have ended at WrestleMania. If it had to continue by including Jack Swagger on Cole's side, then the obvious partner for Lawler would have been the other commentator with an actual wrestling background, namely Booker T. To bring JR in as a performer while Booker continues to make my ears bleed at the booth is just too much. I've enjoyed Cole's heel turn for sure, but he should be taken off of full-time commentary and used as a manager for someone with main-event potential but lacking in mic skills. Former world heavyweight champion Jack Swagger fits this description to a tee, and I foolishly assumed that was where this partnership was going. Unfortunately this was just another awful match, albeit much shorter than last time, no Stone Cold and with no good intentions for anyone – especially the audience.

Poor Jack Swagger gets to enjoy a whipping from JR before having to sell a JR Ankle Lock, then cowering like a proverbial scolded dog. The problem here is that JR is a middle aged, overweight non-wrestler while Jack Swagger is a young, talented 6ft5 athlete. That Swagger should even sell for JR at all does so much damage to his credibility I can't even describe it. Then we get the joyful pairing of JR and Cole in the ring, which Cole finally wins with a roll up via shenanigans. That this feud STILL isn't over makes me sad, but what's worse is how the future career of Jack Swagger is clearly nobody's concern. This should have been all about Swagger beating the hell out of JR and Lawler while Cole taunts them, setting up for a final contest down the road. Instead it came down to JR beating the hell out of Swagger until Cole went over instead. Simply awful.

Rating: 0.5 Stars

Falls Count Anywhere
Rey Mysterio Vs Cody Rhodes

Now for the other rematch from WrestleMania, this one with a lot more to live up to after their show-stealer last month. Sadly this isn't on that level, but it's still an enjoyable match all the same. This time they can go anywhere in the arena and they soon make use of the stipulation by taking things up the ramp to the entrance. Unfortunately, after an impressive leap by Rey off the stage, the match slows down as they brawl through the crowd into the nose-bleeds, forced to take care as they move in close among the fans. Once they get backstage things improve, with Cody hitting an awesome Beautiful Disaster kick off a mirror and the fans eat it up. From there they rush to ringside at a much better speed than they left it, with Rey being helped back via a great hip-toss over the barricade from Rhodes.

Inside the ring it's just not as crisp or thought out as at WrestleMania, but the ending was a nice surprise with Mysterio using a Green Mist to get the win. Many years ago on Day of Reckoning, I turned Rey heel and gave him the Mist as a finisher to get him over bigger superstars. I never, ever thought I'd see him really use it as it's traditionally Japanese (Muta, Tajiri etc.), but I stand by it as an effective and colourful way for him to sneak out a win. Despite a slightly evil glare on his way out, this did not lead to a Mysterio heel run on Raw as I hoped, and ends this feud unresolved at one a piece. Maybe one day we'll get the rudder match, but for now Cody Rhodes is firmly on the map as a rising star of SmackDown and rightly so.

Rating: 4 Stars

World Heavyweight Championship – Ladder
Christian Vs Alberto Del Rio

Originally booked to be a rematch from WrestleMania, plans had to change due to the sudden and tragic retirement of Edge. Rightfully, Edge's best friend and original tag team partner takes his spot here and now we are guaranteed a new world heavyweight champion. I'm certain had Edge remained active he and Christian would have eventually squared off over the title in a classic feud, but alas it will never be. Instead, Christian enjoys a substitute face run, similar to that of Rey Mysterio after the passing of Eddie Guerrero in 2005. This makes him a huge sentimental favourite and the Tampa crowd are 100% behind him from the start. Fortunately, there is a backstory between Christian and Del Rio outside of the circumstances surrounding Edge, as it was Del Rio who injured Christian the year before and cost him six months of his career.

Del Rio looks much more comfortable than he did at WrestleMania and seems to gel with Captain Charisma better than Edge. He shows off much more of his in-ring ability in this match, most of all his aggressive mean streak that really amps up the drama throughout. Christian is in his element here, utilising his excellent salesmanship and undervalued aerial abilities while Del Rio also shines, displaying both his athleticism and willingness to take some big bumps. What really elevates this one above the usual good ladder match we get from Christian is the wrestling that happens between spots. Christian has never really been fully recognised until now for his pure grappling skills, which have always been superior to Edge in my opinion. When paired alongside someone with the talent of Del Rio, his abilities shine through and demonstrate why he really does deserve to be the world champion on his own merits. They use the ladders to enhance their moves, jumping off them or working into them, punctuating everything they do.

After a fantastic match, Edge appears to distract Del Rio as his best friend climbs up and ultimately claims the World Heavyweight Championship. Christian's victory is over a decade in the making, and together with Edge his celebration is one of the most genuinely emotional moments in recent WWE history, and very well deserved. Match of the Night!

Rating: 4.5 Stars

WWE Tag Team Championship - Lumberjack
Big Show and Kane Vs The Corre

Half of a rematch from WrestleMania next, this time for the WWE Tag Team Championship. Just like last month this is really just filler to get everyone on the card, hence the stipulation. Lumberjack matches are definitely one of the least extreme of the extreme rules the WWE features, and rarely used in interesting ways. This one does at least include a nice twist, with Big Show not only able to fend off the lumberjacks but also throwing them into the ring to be attacked by Kane. Things don't last long before Barrett buggers it up, stopping Jackson when he's on a roll and trying to end the match himself. Jackson protests while Barrett is pinned after a chokeslam, planting the seeds for the impending Corre break up. Corre were only ever a B-Nexus, and while even the A-Nexus is fading fast there is little reason for Barrett's group to continue. Moving on...

Rating: 2 Stars

WWE Championship – Cage
John Cena Vs The Miz Vs John Morrison

I'd really like to have seen Miz and Morrison feud over the world title one-on-one instead of including Cena, but I suppose there was nowhere else logical for him to go after being screwed by The Rock at WrestleMania. The main-event last month was truly awful, but thankfully the addition of John Morrison and a cage really does make things better. The pace is faster right from the start, due to both the in-ring style of Morrison and the added possibility of victory via escape. The triple-threat cage match is just a really good outline to work with, open to lots of different exchanges between the performers. Whenever two of the participants are involved with one another, they always have to be conscious that the third isn't trying to escape on the other side or dive at them from above. It creates a fun, dynamic atmosphere where anyone could win at almost any moment.

There are lots of great spots, especially from Morrison in his first PPV main-event. His parkor-style is always impressive, but with the help of a cage to climb on it becomes truly spectacular. Why Vince McMahon believes The Miz is a credible world champion yet Morrison is not is beyond me. As a physical performer he is so much better, even if he isn't as strong on the mic. The highlight here has to be his Starship Pain off the top of the cage, reminiscent of the kinds of stunts pulled by Jeff Hardy a few years ago. From there he's got it won, but soon after R-Truth enters the cage and attacks him for stealing his 1# Contenders spot. I should point out how grateful I am that it was Morrison and not Truth involved in this, Morrison is just what was needed for Cena and Miz to improve on their last match whereas Truth would have likely made things even worse.

From there Morrison is gone and it's down to Miz and Cena. They have a decent exchange at the top of the cage that ends with Cena countering the Skull-Crushing Finale into an AA from the top that gets him the three count. It wasn't a perfect ending by any means, but well performed which is more than can be said for their last match. Normally I'd complain about another Cena title win, but at least the belt is finally off Miz...

Rating: 3.5 Stars

WWE Extreme Rules 2011 Final Score: 3 Stars

Another mix of quality just like WrestleMania XXXVII, but one that is at least a bit more stable and without the same ridiculous highs and lows. The Cole/Lawler stuff continues to drag the rest down, only this time Cena and Miz aren't down there helping them. Instead, with the inclusion of John Morrison, they put on a decent main-event to cap off an evening of quality action. Christian's world title win is a historic moment long deserved, and while the big rematches weren't as good as the originals, they were still entertaining and assisted nicely by the US title match to round off a solid mid-card. A lot is going to change in the wake of the draft before Over the Limit next month, including Randy Orton moving to SmackDown while Del Rio and Mysterio head over to Raw. It leaves their feuds a little unfinished, but at least we should be guaranteed a fresh line up as the year rolls on.