WWE Extreme Rules 2012 Review

Wow....that is pretty much all I have to say after last night's amazing PPV!!!  Every match delivered the goods with nearly no filler and the WWE has given us their best show since MITB 2011!  Find out why this instant classic was well worth the money after the jump!


NOTE: All photos credit to WWE.com




Prior to the show, Santino Marella successfully retained his United States Championship against The Miz.  Post match, Mizfits all around the world cried themselves to sleep.  (predictions 1 for 1)

Match 1:: Falls Count Anywhere match: Randy Orton vs. Kane

Most people wrote this match off before it even began, but I had some high hopes for it and I thought both men put in a solid effort here.  Randy Orton has officially become the Falls Count Anywhere MVP, but Kane deserves some credit here as well.  The cool spot with Zack Ryder jumping into the fight backstage was also a nice touch.  Say what you want about Orton, but the man knows how to whip the crowd into a frenzy.  The Chicago audience was fired up as these two men took the fight all over the arena.  All in all, I got everything I wanted here.  Some backstage brawling, crowd interaction and a few surprises made this a hell of an opener and a great way to set the tone for the rest of the show.

Randy Orton def. Kane via. pinfall following an RKO onto a Steel Chair (predictions 2 for 2)

Match Rating: ***1/2

A great return to prominence for the Apex Predator

Match 2: Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler

There was not much to like about this match.  I have to say it killed the momentum a bit, but the worst part about the whole thing was the further burial of Dolph Ziggler.  Like everyone else, I had Ziggler pegged as one of my "stars to watch" in 2012, but after tonight you have to wonder if he's still deserving of that moniker.  That's not a knock, the man is an ultra talented performer with loads of potential, but he just can't seem to capitalize on it for more than a month at a time.  That may or may not be his fault, but one thing is for sure, tonight, was NOT Dolph Ziggler's night.

Brodus Clay def. Dolph Ziggler via. pinfall following the ICU Splash

Match Rating: *3/4

Insert IWC hatred here.....

Match 3:: Tables match for the Intercontinental Championship: Big Show(c) vs. Cody Rhodes

This match was pretty much what you expected it to be....well with the exception of Cody Rhodes regaining his IC Championship!  I honestly was starting to get a little bored with the match until after a dropkick from Rhodes, Big Show was clumsy enough to step through a table (yes, you read that right), costing him the win here.  I had a feeling Cody would find a sneaky way to walk away champion again, but I can't complain since he's done such a great job with the belt over the past year.  Solid tables match with Cody Rhodes again bumping like a maniac for Show's every move.  The post match beatdown here was pretty brutal and I cringed when Rhodes took a HUGE bump onto an already broken table!  Good stuff, and you've got to respect Cody for even standing after this match was over.

Cody Rhodes def. Big Show via. TKO after Show Accidentally fell through a table (predictions 3 for 3)

Match Rating: ***

A resilient Rhodes regains the IC title after Big Show proved to have more in common with his Knucklehead film character than we could ever imagine

Match 4:: 2 out of 3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Sheamus(c) vs. Daniel (YES!) Bryan

OK....where do I even begin with this match.  These two finally got the chance to showcase how good they really are after what was literally YEARS of waiting.  Everyone knew there was something special between them being that they are two of the hardest hitting superstars on the roster, but we had no idea just how good of a wrestling match this would be!  That's surprising to say with anything involving Daniel Bryan, but much credit goes to Sheamus for pulling a John Cena on the Chicago audience.  The champ grappled on the mat hold for hold with the best technician in pro wrestling today and to everyone's surprise, he even out wrestled him on a couple of occasions.  This was a very well done, old school NWA style 2 out of 3 falls match with some very stiff offense from both Bryan and Sheamus.  Prior to this match, I was not on board the Sheamus train.  And while this match did wonders for his credibility as champion, I'm still not.  However, a few more great matches like this, and I see myself purchasing a ticket in the near future.

Sheamus def. Daniel Bryan 2 falls to 1 (predictions 4 for 4)

 

Match Rating: ****3/4

ALL ABOARD!

Match 5:: A Handicap Ryback Rape match: Ryback vs. Jobbers 1 & 2

I got a kick out of the "Goldberg" chant during this match.  The description is pretty accurate considering Da Man murdered many a jobber in his prime in similar fashion.  Gotta say though, Ryback was pretty impressive here.  I hope the $50 paycheck and Denny's coupon was worth Jobber one getting Jobber two shoved straight up his ass because HOLY SHIT this was hard to watch.  Well not really for me....I'm a sucker for jobber torture.

Ryback def. Two Jobbers via. pinfall following a double Shell Shock

Match Rating: ** Ultimate Warrior fist pumps out of 5

The Gods demanded maximum rapage.....SNARRRRRRLLLLLLLLL

Match 6:: Chicago Street Fight for the WWE Championship: CM Punk(c) vs. Chris Jericho

I hate to sound like a total CM Punk mark, but I am one so what the hell......THIS MATCH WAS AWESOME!!!!  All bias aside, you have to tip your hat to these two for even having the balls to follow the great World title match Daniel Bryan and Sheamus had.  I'm not the biggest fan of street fights, but this one is now easily one of my all time favorites.  I liked that Jericho got Punk's sister involved in the match, got a kick out of the HBK-esque diving elbow through the Spanish announce table, and I loved the finishing sequences more than words can express.  The crowd was going ape shit the whole match and the should have.  Their hometown hero brought the goods tonight and CM Punk's amazing title reign continues as he has now passed The Miz' 160 day run from 2010-2011 and continues to deliver match of the year caliber matches night after night.  Take notes marks.....that is the mark of a true champion.  Not all the praise should go to Punk alone though, because Jericho was just as brilliant.  Again, I may be a bit biased, but IMO, other than Bryan, Jericho is the best heel in the business right now.  I loved everything about this match and I love everything about this feud.  Not enough can be said about how good this was.  Botched springboard attempt aside, it's still a strong contender for Match of the Year thus far.

CM Punk def. Chris Jericho via. pinfall following The Go To Sleep (predictions 5 for 5)

Match Rating: ****1/4

162 days and counting....

Match 7:: Divas Championship match: Nikki Bella(c) vs. Layla

OK, didn't see that one coming.  What a pleasant surprise to see Layla make her return here.  Gotta admit though, like everyone else, I wanted Kharma to come out and Ryback the shit outta the Bella sluts.  Ah well, congrats to Layla for overcoming months of physical therapy and triumphantly returning to a solid amount of support and winning her first Divas (and second overall) Championship.

 

Layla def. Nikki Bella via. pinfall following The Layout (predictions 5 for 6)

Match Rating: **1/4

As Layla celebrates with the WWE Universe, we celebrate the view with this photo

IT'S NOW TIME FOR OUR MAIN EVENT

Somewhere backstage, John Cena is hiding in fear of Brock Lesnar.....

And I don't blame him....

Match 8:: Extreme Rules match: Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena

What a brutally awesome match this was.  Anyone questioning Lesnar's value deserves a beating similar to the one he gave Cena tonight.  HOLY SHIT.  This match was like watching a kitten fight a sexually frustrated Gorilla!  Lesnar busted Cena open in the early going and for the life of me, I could not understand why Cena even continued from there.  Say what you want Cena haters, you can't deny that he's one tough SOB.  I don't know if I've ever seen anyone take a beating like this and even finish the match, let alone prevail.  I couldn't believe my eyes as Cena just kept getting up as if to say "thank you sir, may I have another", over and over again until after busting Brock open with a steel chain, he was able to then hit the F-U (yes, I'm calling it that again for the night) on the steel stairs for the win!  What a battle that was.  It was easily one of the best, and most satisfying PPV Main Events I've seen in a long, long time.  Seriously, I have a whole new level of respect for Cena after this one.  As for Brock, he went out there and made his mark.  A mark that more then likely has manifested itself in the trunks of every other active competitor watching this, knowing that they may very well be next.

John Cena def. Brock Lesnar via. pinfall following The Attitude Adjustment onto Steel Steps (predictions 5 for 7)

Match Rating: ****3/4

In the hardest fought win of his career, Cena has earned something even greater...the respect of everyone in attendance

Post match, Cena cuts a heartfelt promo and he hints at taking some time off.  You've earned it John, but don't stay away for too long, I think they're beginning to come around. 

 

Final Thoughts

What a fantastic PPV this was.  Easily the best post Wrestlemania event ever IMO.  Cena/Lesnar, Punk/Jericho and Bryan/Sheamus are all solid MOTY candidates and Orton/Kane was pretty good as well.  Add in the fact that Cody Rhodes regained the IC title and throw in the return of Layla, and you've got yourself a show that set the bar for the rest of 2012.  I doubt they'll even be able to top it, but I am going to have a hell of a time watching them try.

 

Overall PPV Score: 10/10

PPV Awards

Match of the Night: John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
Performer of the Night: CM Punk
Moment of the Night: BLOOD! 
Segment of the Night: CM Punk's great backstage promo
Surprise of the Night: The return of Layla