The Miz (c) (with Maryse) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn (Fatal-4-Way Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship)
Reactions: Our high expectations for this Fatal Four Way match were certainly met. Title matches like this are proof of just how more important that IC Championship currently is. All four men finally woke up the crowd with an amazing match. All four combatants looked amazing as they shared holds and cut off each other at every chance. Zayn laid in some beautiful Helluva Kicks, Cesaro went on an European Uppercut rampage, we saw a Tower of Doom spot, Owens picked his spots carefully and big suplexes were handed out. Every portion of this title match were entertaining to watch from start to finish. There were points during this match where it looked like either of the four men could walk away with the title. But after a Helluva Kick KO’d Cesaro, Miz sneaked in and got the win behind Zayn and Owens’ backs. This is a definite Match of the Year candidate.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Dean Ambrose vs. Chris Jericho (Asylum Match)
Reactions: While this match started off slow, it progressively got better as more weapons got involved. With a veteran like Y2J in the ring, we witnessed a special stipulation match that told a story full of brutality. Both men used the cage to their advantage and also got ahold of the weapons that were on top of it. The crowd didn’t seem to care at first, but they eventually came alive once a Kendo Stick and some thumbtacks became a part of the match’s proceedings. Jericho blew fire extinguisher smoke right into Ambrose’s face, Ambrose used a pair of nunchucks to assault Y2J and more painful moments came to fruition. When Jericho fell onto those thumbtacks, his end soon came thereafter. This match was pretty good. Not amazing like we figured it would be, but unoffensive as well.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Charlotte (c) vs. Natalya (Submission Match for the WWE Women’s Championship; Ric Flair is banned from ringside)
Reactions: Natalya got royally screwed…again. At least we got to see Charlotte and Natalya put on a longer match than before. Natalya did her best to fend off the Women’s Champion, while Charlotte did her damnedest to work over Natalya. This Submission match was full of moments where both ladies brought out any additional submission they brought along with them. Dana Brooke came out to distract Natalya, which lead to Charlotte being the one to knock off Natalya and make her finally submit. Ric Flair’s backup plan worked. This was another case of a match that seemed to be hitting a higher gear, but it ended right before it got a lot better. Decent, but it could have been so much better with an additional 10 minutes.
Rating: 2 & a Half out of 5 Stars
Roman Reigns (c) vs. AJ Styles (Extreme Rules Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
Reactions: While we enjoyed this main event, we don’t think it was that much better than Reigns and AJ’s previous encounter. But still, this ended the Extreme Rules evening on a high note. Both Superstars struck each other down all over the arena and used their trademark moves in a myriad of interesting ways. AJ got slammed through two announce tables, Reigns got dropped with two Styles Clashes, both men’s support crew came out for a brawl and more mayhem ensued. This Extreme Rules match took great advantage of the lack of rules thrown at it. AJ looked great and so did Reigns (even though the crowd still crapped all over him after he did something worth cheering for). The final moment (AJ jumping right into a devastating Spear while midair) was awesome. This was a pretty fun main event. And Seth Rollins’s shocking comeback was just the cherry on top.
Rating: 3 & a Half out of 5 Stars