Here’s our final review of WWE Extreme Rules 2016!
Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin (No Disqualification Match)
Reactions: This was a pretty average affair. Corbin isn’t the flashiest guy in the ring, so his matches tend to be a bit of a bore. But he stood across the ring from Ziggler tonight, which meant this wasn’t as much of a snoozefest as many of Corbin’s other bouts. This felt more like a normal match with the added advantage of no rules having to be followed. The No DQ rule wasn’t used much since there was a lack of weapons involved. But the use of the steel ring posts and ropes at least made this match a little different from both men’s previous matches. Ziggler looked great as usual, Corbin looked dominating and he cheated to win. Makes sense. This was uneventful yet still far from terrible.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars
The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso) vs. The Club (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows) (Texas Tornado Tag Team Match)
Reactions: This was a pretty decent opener. Both teams took advantage of the stipulation they were placed in immediately as they brawled outside the ring. The action was pretty intense throughout. The Usos pulled off their usual high flying moves, while The Club took charge with their rough & tumble style. There were plenty of Superkicks, Big Boots and plenty of other crazy outside maneuvers. Anderson and Gallows looked pretty good in their PPV match debut. They looked as dominating as they were in NJPW, which was awesome to see. The Boot of Doom and Magic Killer are some pretty damn impressive moves. The Usos have to be applauded for looking great as they usually do, too. This fight was started the show off on an okay note.
Rating: 2 & a Half out of 5 Stars
Kalisto (c) vs. Rusev (with Lana) (WWE United States Championship)
Reactions: This match gave us the dominating Rusev we came to know and love before his loss to Cena at last year’s WrestleMania. He was was nothing more than a savage as he took control of Kalisto during the majority of this title encounter. Kalisto made a valiant effort at several points during the match. His Hurricanrana to Rusev into the steel ring steps, his Springboard Frog Splash and Asai Moonsault were all fun to witness. But Rusev proved to be too much to handle. He tapped into his brutish ways and locked in a particularly painful looking version of The Accolade. This was a serviceable match at best. It’s great to see Rusev dominating as the US Champion once again.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars
The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston and/or Xavier Woods) (c) vs. The Vaudevillains (Aiden English and Simon Gotch) (WWE Tag Team Championship)
Reactions: Watching these teams face off for the first time felt like a preview of what’s to come. And we gotta say, we’re very much looking forward to them butting heads once again. In a nice change of pace, Xavier Woods chose to involve himself alongside Big E. Both teams put on a fun tag team match that never slowed down. It seemed like The Vaudevillains had a lot to prove this evening. Thankfully, they did well with the short time they were given with The New Day. Big E’s spear to English to the outside was the only moment that made us hop out of our chair. This match was somewhat good, but ended just as it seemed like it going to get even better. We hope there’s a rematch planned for Money in the Bank because this felt like more of a tease.
Rating: 2 & a Half out of 5 Stars
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
Match of the Night
The Miz (c) (with Maryse) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn!
Final Verdict
WWE Extreme Rules 2016 didn’t start out on an impressive note. The first four matches ranged from so-so to okay. Once the Fatal Four Way IC Title match began though, the show finally hit the high we knew it needed. Ambrose and Jericho put on a good showing within the first Asylum Match, plus the main event and return of Seth Rollins ended the event perfectly. As a whole, this PPV was not all that incredible. It was a passable show that featured three good matches and a great finish to it all. Seek out the matches we mentioned, but nothing more. We expect better from 2016’s Money in the Bank.
Final Score: 3 out of 5 Stars
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