Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Extreme Rules Results and Score Card

    



Extreme Rules Results and Score Card

Santino Marella (c) def. The Miz by pinfall (United States Championship Match) - Original predictions appear in italics and quotes.

     " I expect Santino to retain in comical Cobra fashion, getting the crowd hot and setting the mood for the night."

     Nailed this one right on the head. Crowd loves Santino. He gets too much pop and is too hot right now to pull the U.S. Title from him. I am starting to wonder what the WWE has in store for The Miz. He's still pulling tons of media duty but is getting nothing in return. Current Score: 1/1

  
    
      Randy Orton def. Kane by pinfall (Fall Count Anywhere) 

" Orton will win this match. Put the house on it. Seeing as it's a Falls Count Anywhere Match, expect a big spot somewhere, possibly Orton RKO-ing Kane off the stage ramp or something goofy." 

     So far so good. Even though I knew the result ahead of time, it was still actually a well worked match for the most part. Kane is best utilized out of the ring, away from rules and referees that work against his monster gimmick. I enjoyed seeing a Tombstone tease, as Kane rarely gets the opportunity to use it, and the float over into an RKO on the chair, as predictible as it was, was still a nice spot to end the match. Current Score: 2/2

     Brodus Clay def. Dolph Ziggler by pinfall

     " It is assumed there will be some unannounced matches, some Divas action for bathroom breaks, and perhaps a Funkasaurus sighting..." 

      I am one of the select few that like Brodus Clay's gimmick. I think its fun, ala The Godfather, and is comedic enough. What I don't like is Brodus pinning Dolph Ziggler clean. Ziggler is one of the best workers the WWE has today. He sells everything so well that it may actually be biting him in the ass. I'm getting tired of seeing him job. Also, Ziggler needs to ditch Vickie already, she's an albatross around his neck. Current Score: 3/3 (Damn right I'm counting it!)

     Cody Rhodes def. Big Show (c) in Tables Match (Intercontinental Title Match)

     " I expect Cody Rhodes to win at Extreme Rules. He is more needed in the mid-card right now, and a win over an established veteran like Show will only be beneficial for him and his future."

     Three in a row. While I couldn't predict Show to put his foot through a table, it served it's purpose in returning the title to Cody Rhodes without making Show appear weak. I hope this ends the Show vs. Rhodes feud as I think it has gone full circle and has no further room for growth. Show tossing Rhodes through the table was a beautiful spot and sold well by Rhodes. Current Score: 4/4

     Sheamus (c) def. Daniel Bryan two falls to one (2 out of 3 Falls Match)

     " I have a feeling, call it a hunch, that this match will not be completed. Sheamus will have one fall, Bryan will have one fall, and something will abruptly end the match."

     Had to drop one eventually. The best pure wrestling match by far. This is the match that everyone wanted to see at Wrestlemania. There were a lot of little things that built the story of the match. Daniel Bryan conceding the first fall by a DQ allows him to save face in the loss as Sheamus never "beat" him twice. Sheamus refusing to tap and passing out to the Yes! Lock was also a nice touch to develop the never quit character of the champion. Great match altogether by all accounts. Current Score: 4/5

     Ryback def. two nobodies in a handicap match

     Who cares. Not even going to acknowledge it happened. Next. Current Score: Still 4/5

     CM Punk (c) def. Chris Jericho by pinfall (WWE Title & Chicago Street Fight Match)

     "The hometown guy almost ALWAYS gets screwed. Punk won last year in Chicago. It wont happen again. Punk is at his best when he is chasing. He'll chase Jericho right to SummerSlam after losing the title on Sunday."

     I did so well on the undercard too. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho is always going to be great. While these two are known for their technical perfection, this match displayed some of their hardcore edge. The mood was set right off the bat by both Punk and Jericho wearing jeans. Loved Jericho taunting Punk's sister. Loved Punk's sister smacking Jericho. Gave this whole match and feud that personal touch it needed to get to the next level. Punk's elbow onto a table prone Jericho was the spot of the match. One question. Where does Jericho go from here? Current Score: 4/6

     Layla def. Nikki Bella(c) by pinfall (Divas Championship Match)
     
" All evidence points to a Kharma return...I expect Nikki to retain in a quick match due to the "injury", which would prevent Beth from looking too weak."

     Well, there was a return. Good on the WWE for throwing a curve ball. Everyone expected Kharma. So much so that it was actually mentioned in the broadcast. Instead the gave us Layla. She actually looked really good in the ring (for a Diva) and her finishing neckbreaker was actually pretty spot on (again for a Diva). We'll see if Layla can breath some life into a long dead division. Hell, it couldn't get any worse. Here's the bigger question, why was this match so far down the card? I had to pee two hours ago. Current Score: 4/7

     John Cena def. Brock Lesner by pinfall (Extreme Rules Match)

     "Honest opinion. John Cena gets his ass whooped. For the 'E to do what they want to do with Lesner, they NEED Cena to get his ass whooped. Catapult Lesner into this unstoppable force that will tear through all the WWE has to offer."

     Well, I was mostly right. Cena got his ass whooped. The entire match. Lesner had complete and total control and was tearing Cena apart, busting Cena open in the process. (Always nice to see blood in any kind of extreme setting). I though for certain Brock injured his knee flying through the ropes at Cena on the floor. Then SuperCena arrived. A chain to the face and AA later and Cena's hand is raised in victory. WTF. I don't have a clue where this goes. The match did enough to show Lesner as an absolute beast. I just don't understand the ending at all. Did we really have to see Cena overcome again? My mind is boggled. This match excellent until the end. Then it nose dived into the Atlantic. Cena then gives a tear jerking speech at the end of the show talking about time off. One can only hope...

     Final Score 4.5/8. I'm giving myself a half point for the main event, only because it appears I never predicted a winner, only the pace of the match, and in this case I was correct. All in all, Extreme Rules was an enjoyable PPV. I liked how they were able to subtly distinguish three types of matches that are very similar (Falls Count Anywhere, Street Fight, and Extreme Rules). It is becoming apparent that the smaller PPV's are generally better then the Big 4, especially as of late. I give Extreme Rules #### out of #####.

     Yes. I use hashtags instead of stars. Get over it.