WWE Extreme Rules 2011 Review

From September 5, 2011.

Match 1: Last Man Standing - Randy Orton vs. CM Punk
The feud between the both men continue here at Extreme Rules when Punk looks to extract his revenge upon Orton who cost him his World Heavyweight Championship years ago. Punk comes to the ring with The New Nexus until the anonymous Raw GM dismisses them so it's now a one on one contest. Much like their WrestleMania encounter, the two were able to "paint a picture" by using more psychology than landing spot after spot. Lots of weapons were used here like bamboo sticks, chairs, and stairs. Adding to the drama, a lot of unique spots like Punk landing a GTS on the steel steps and Orton landing an RKO on the announcers table were landed and made the match seem over each time. Both men looked exceptionally good with Punk getting over as a sneaky heel and Orton coming off as a straight beast. The ending comes when Orton lands an amazing RKO off the top rope. Great opening match with both men once again going with a slower match in order to make each move seem more important rather than both men just beating the holy hell out of each other with no selling. This match worked better than how these matches normally go.
Winner: Randy Orton
Rating: ***3/4

Match 2: United States Championship - Tables - Sheamus (c) vs. Kofi Kingston
After attacking Kofi on SmackDown, Sheamus was forced to defend his title against Raw's Kofi Kingston in a match that must be won by putting your opponent through a table. Sheamus was basically in control for the good part of the match as he is much larger and stronger than Kofi who landed his normal unique and quick moves. Kofi managed to get Sheamus to the outside where he dropped his entire body off the top rope and onto the outside where he went right through Sheamus and right through a table. Good bonus match and a good way to get the belt back to Raw. I liked the ending as well but Sheamus is seemingly getting stuck in the mid card spot.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Rating: **3/4

Match 3: Tag Team Country Whipping - Michael Cole & Jack Swagger vs. Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross
After losing to Cole at WrestleMania, Lawler makes sure he will avenge that loss by taking on him and Swagger with Jim Ross at his side. I'm just going to cut to the chase, this match wasn't much different from their WrestleMania match. This was basically just a glorified angle with lots of stupid whipping and slow movement. Cole rolled up Ross and gets the pin. I wish they would really just end this already.
Winners: Michael Cole & Jack Swagger
Rating: 1/4*

Match 4: Falls Count Anywhere - Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes
Picking up from their WrestleMania contest as well, Mysterio and Rhodes go at it in a Falls Count Anywhere match. The two took it all around the building including from the top of the stage, into the concourse areas, and even into the crowds. I'm normally not a fan of these types of matches but it somewhat works with Mysterio's type of offense and was able to land some unique moves while outside of the ring. Mysterio wins after Rhodes places him on the top rope to which Mysterio spits in Rhodes' face with mist. After, Mysterio lands the 619 on Rhodes to get the win. Decent affair and a cool ending that was totally unexpected. Crowd wasn't too much into it and they just couldn't really get the ball rolling.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Rating: **3/4

Match 5: Extreme Rules - Loser Leaves WWE - Michelle McCool vs. Layla
Both Divas used to be best friends until things came in between it all and they decided that their differences weren't able to put aside so a loser leaves WWE match was made. This was actually a really good Divas contest which I was a little bit turned off by with the dead crowd who just wasn't buying into this. Lots of good action from both including McCool reversing one of Layla's moves into McCool's finisher to which Layla was able to roll her up afterwards and get the win. Both Divas break down into tears as Kharma makes her debut afterwards and destroys Michelle McCool which shocks the crowd. Good Divas contest that was unfortunately overshadowed by Kharma's big debut.
Winner: Layla
Rating: **

Match 6: World Heavyweight Championship - Ladder - Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio
Following the shocking retirement of Edge, the World Heavyweight Championship was left vacated and it was Christian who took over his spot in this match against Alberto Del Rio. Like Edge, Christian is definitely one to use ladders and this match was no exception. Del Rio went with a smarter game plan for this match as he turned his attention to weakening Christian before going for any big moves unlike his chance at WrestleMania against Edge. This Ladder match was also different from others in that they incorporated less big time moves than how Ladder matches normally are. Even still, there were some really awesome spots in this one such as Del Rio crashing through a ladder on the outside, Del Rio locking in Christian's arm between a smaller ladder, and Christian dodging a big fall off the top rope by jumping onto a nearby ladder. Each spot made sense and didn't happen for no reason which I liked. There were also no ridiculously slow climbs up the ladder which have definitely become a pet peeve of mine so that's an added bonus as well. After Del Rio's big spill on the outside, Christian looked to take advantage of things and climb the ladder only to be stopped by Brodus Clay who threw the ladder away but Christian hanged on to the title! Christian dropped onto Clay and threw him against a ladder placed in a corner which caused Clay to bleed profusely. Del Rio then locked in Christian's arm between the smaller ladder and proceeded to climb up only to hear a loud car horn which came from Edge's car! Shocked, Del Rio delayed his climb and Christian threw him down to the floor across Brodus Clay & Ricardo Rodriguez! Christian then climbs up the ladder and grabs the title with Edge celebrating ringside! Christian is finally a World Heavyweight Champion! Great moment and a great match!
Winner: Christian
Rating: ****1/4

Match 7: WWE Tag Team Championships - Lumberjack - Kane & The Big Show (c) vs. The Corre
Looking to regain their titles, Kane & The Big Show take on The Corre with lumberjacks surrounding the ring including some members of The Corre. It was your basic quick match with the regular action which been accustomed to seeing from these guys on SmackDown only with lumberjacks around the ring. Big Ezekiel Jackson lifted up The Big Show only for his partner Wade Barrett to tag himself in and get slammed and pinned by Show to end the match. Mad, Jackson storms off as Kane & The Big Show destroy the other members of The Corre.
Winners: Kane & The Big Show
Rating: *

Match 8: WWE Championship - Cage - The Miz (c) vs. John Cena vs. John Morrison
The main event featured these three men being locked up in a steel cage for the WWE Championship with the winner being determined by pin fall, submission, or escape of the cage. There was some pretty good action from top to bottom but nothing that really stands out. There wasn't really much drama added to the match unless Morrison was doing something because the crowd was too drained to do anything and Cena and Miz don't exactly have the best chemistry. Morrison looked to win his first WWE Championship by exiting the cage until R-Truth appeared out of nowhere and beat down Morrison and symbolically left the cage by climbing out. With Morrison out of the equation, Cena was able to execute an Attitude Adjustment off the top rope on The Miz to once again capture the WWE Championship. I liked the match but from what we've seen tonight already, this was a bit too slow but still really enjoyable. Again, the crowd may have been an issue as well but all three men did their thing out there and I really respect them for that. Nice way to close out the show with Cena declaring himself the WWE Champion.
Winner: John Cena
Rating: ***

Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
A pretty good PPV from the WWE with the main point of interest being the World Heavyweight Championship match that saw Christian reach the pinnacle of his career. Good show but the WWE can really do better.
Rating: 7/10