WWE Extreme Rules 2015: 5 Most Memorable Moments in Event's History
Extreme Rules may have only been established as a pay-per-view in 2009, but since then it's delivered more than its fair share of memorable moments.
Some have come from its focus on hardcore match types, some have been prompted by fallout from WrestleMania and some are simply showdowns that fans were desperate to see.
The common theme of these moments is that they're the events that propel a pay-per-view beyond the scope of a standard television broadcast. In an era when the WWE Network blurs the line between weekly TV and monthly special events, that's an important thing to remember.
Here are some of the most memorable moments from the history of Extreme Rules. Let's see if this year's instalment will manage to add a few to this list.
5. WeeLC at Extreme Rules 2014
1 of 5The lengthy feud between Hornswoggle and El Torito left many fans cold, but this excellent gimmick match from last year made many of the sillier segments the two shared worthwhile.
It's easy to assume that Extreme Rules is a pay-per-view centred on violence, but in fact its theme is creativity. Fans want to see novel spots that use props like tables and ladders in unique ways—which is exactly what WeeLC delivered.
With Los Matadores and the sorely missed Three Man Band involved, there was enough going on in this bout to make it a hugely entertaining affair. It certainly ranks highly on the list of the best matches we've seen grace the pre-show ahead of a pay-per-view.
It might not have been the most technically sound match you'll ever see and didn't attempt to tell much of a story, but nevertheless WeeLC is memorable simply because of how different and fun it was.
4. Punk and Jericho Take It to the Streets at Extreme Rules 2012
2 of 5
Street fights and similar formats have been somewhat overexposed in recent years, but this excellent bout from 2012 took a few notes from the classics to make for a great contest.
Somewhat unusually, both men cast aside their typical ring attire for street clothes—evoking the gritty feel of matches like Pat Patterson and Sgt. Slaughter's infamous alley fight. This encounter wasn't anywhere near as bloody as that one but did have a decent sense of being a personal clash.
Punk, wrestling in front of a passionate Chicago crowd, looked as comfortable as a fan favourite champion here as he would throughout his reign. There was an edge and a vigour here that was sometimes absent towards the end of his WWE run.
Jericho was also in fine form. Y2J has made several returns in recent years, some better than others. His feud with Punk, however, saw him strive to deliver the same intensity that established him as one of the best pro wrestling talents in the world.
3. The Shield Meets Evolution at Extreme Rules 2014
3 of 5
It's always fun to see two factions square off, and this match between The Shield and Evolution delivered just about everything fans could want from a showdown between two of the biggest stables in WWE history.
Rather than mimic the battle between The Hounds of Justice and The Wyatt Family from earlier in the year, this bout began with all six men brawling in the ring. Things would settle down for much of its duration, but a stunning balcony dive from Seth Rollins would round things off in fine form.
Of course, looking back on this match, there's something more compelling than faction warfare going on. Both this bout and the follow-up at Payback were signifiers that The Shield had done as much as it could as a unit.
Rollins' betrayal and ascent to his current position would come shortly afterwards, and as such this match marks a turning point in his career and his alliance with Triple H. Taken on its own merits, it's a great match—even if the two teams outdid themselves at the following pay-per-view.
2. CM Punk Cashes In at Extreme Rules 2009
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The main event of Extreme Rules 2009 was a gruelling Ladder Match between two men who made their names in matches with stipulations attached: Jeff Hardy and Edge.
The match itself would have been enough to close out the show and send fans home happy. However, while Hardy reached the belt and claimed the title, his celebrations were cut short when CM Punk emerged from backstage with his Money in the Bank briefcase in hand.
Punk cashed in successfully and capped off an engaging show with a surprising epilogue. Moreover, it was a perfectly logical use of the contract—both the challenger and champion had given their all in the title bout, so The Straight Edge Superstar looked very shrewd for his timing.
A Money in the Bank cash-in is always going to be memorable—but this one was particularly potent, both for the match that preceded it and the fact that it prompted a great feud between Hardy and Punk that played out over the course of the summer that followed.
1. Brock Lesnar Returns at Extreme Rules 2012
5 of 5
Plenty of fans were eager to see Brock Lesnar return to a WWE ring in 2012—and his match against John Cena at Extreme Rules was the ideal showcase for The Beast.
Cena may have picked up the win, but it was rather against the flow of competition. Lesnar returned to wrestling with an objective that has served him well in the three years since: destroy any and all competition by any means necessary.
Not long after the opening bell, Cena was bloodied, and Lesnar looked dominant. In fact, The Beast showed a palpable disregard for the well-being of both himself and his opponent, launching himself over the top rope at one point without any concern for his landing.
We saw Lesnar tear Monday Night Raw apart just a couple of weeks ago, and that same destructive force was on show in this bout. There have been many memorable moments in Lesnar's second WWE run, and this first match still comfortably ranks among them.
What's your favourite Extreme Rules moment? Let us know about it in the comments section below.
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