WWE Extreme Rules 2011 Results: Was It Really Extreme?

After starting the year with a forgettable Royal Rumble and an impressive Elimination Chamber, we found ourselves at WrestleMania. And after the WM fever we arrive at Extreme Rules, the night where all the rules are extreme.

Here's my analysis of yesterday's event.

We started things out with a WM recap and the presentation of this PPV as extreme.

Last Man Standing Match

For the first time this year a PPV doesn't start with a WHC Match. The rules are explained before Orton first and CM Punk later enter the ring. The New Nexus comes with Punk down the ramp, but the RAW Gm sends an email banning all members of the New Nexus from ringside.

Before entering the ring Punk uncovers the top turnbuckle in one of the corners, exposing its metal part. Orton starts on the offensive and in just a minute the match leaves the ring and continues in ringside. 

Back to the ring and change in roles with Punk attacking. We have the first count. Orton is up after a three count. Orton attacks Punk and gets a two count before Punk exits the ring and starts searching for something under it. He comes out with a kendo stick.

Punk attacks Orton with it, throws him into the ring and gets another stick before entering himself. Attacks Orton again with the new kendo stick and asks the referee for a count. Orton is up at five. Punk tries to attack, but Orton counters and gets one of the sticks. Same exact thing happens but reversed. Orton tries to attack but Punk counters and gets the other stick. Five count for Orton, broken because of an attack by Punk.

Six count. Punk goes for a flying attack from the top rope but Orton is able to hit him mid air with a kendo stick. Orton continues to hit Punk with the stick, a couple of clotheslines, a back breaker, and as he was going for the DDT off the ropes Punk recomposes himself and gets Orton to hit the exposed turnbuckle face first. Both are counted, Punk is up at five and Orton at seven.

Punk has gotten a chair from outside the ring. He puts it in a corner between the second and third ropes. A short back and forth battle and Punk is thrown into the steel chair and out of the ring. Punk's up at seven. Orton attacks him again and we have a new count. Punk's up at eight. Orton goes for him but is kicked in the head. Count also ends at eight.

Punk hits a GTS and Orton gets a new eight count. Punk gets a (new?) chair, hits Orton's back against it and gets yet another eight count. As he tries to do it again, Orton hits an RKO. Double count, Orton up at six and Punk at nine.

Punk gets out of the ring and Orton clotheslines him over the barrier. Orton pick Punk up and was going for a DDT off the barrier, but Punk runs him against a ring post. Eight count once again. Punk puts a chair around Orton's neck and runs him against the ring post again. Nine count. Punk continues on the attack.

Punk tries for a GTS in the announce table, but Orton reverses it to a RKO. Miraculously the announce table survives, so does Punk after a count of eight. Goes down again and the referee restarts the count. Orton goes for a punt, Punk avoids it and with a modified GTS hits Orton against the ring steps. Orton's up at nine.

Punk goes to the top rope with a kendo stick in his hand, while Orton is down but has the other kendo stick. Orton gets up and attacks Punk. RKO off the top rope. Double count, nine count for Orton, 10 count for Punk.

Good match overall.  A great way to start off the show and finish this feud.

Winner: Randy Orton

RAW preview announcing the Rock's birthday party (I think I've seen that already), Draft recap: Kofi, ADR, Mysterio and Big Show are shown as RAW's best acquisitions and Sin Cara, Khali, Orton and Sheamus as Smackdown's. About that, SD recap with Sheamus attacking Kofi. 

Sheamus is backstage with Teddy Long, who announces a Tables Match for the US title. Sheamus asks for Kofi's birth certificate saying that he's not going to defend said title against someone who isn't from the US (wait a minute, last time I checked Sheamus wasn't from the US either). His wish is not granted and the match is next.

Tables Match for the US Championship

Kofi enters first followed by Sheamus. A little of back and forth to start the match and Kofi takes a table from under the ring, but Sheamus attacks him before he sets it up and throws the table under the ring again. 

A moment after that the same happens in reverse. Sheamus gets the table but is attacked before being able to set it up. Kofi sets it up instead. The match continues with the table set up near the announce table. Sheamus gets a new table in the other side of the ring and sets it up. 

With Sheamus in the ring apron Kofi hits him, but the pale warrior holds on. As Kofi was going to run into him, Sheamus went over the top rope (what?) and landed on Kingston. Sheamus gets a third table but is unable to set it up, so he bring it into the ring. 

Sheamus continues controlling the match. He set up a table in a ring corner. As he was going to run Kofi through that table, Kofi counters and regains control. That doesn't last long, but Kofi is able to avoid the tables thanks to his athleticism.

After a bit of back and forth Sheamus is outside the ring leaning in the first table when Kofi jumps from the top rope, causing both of them to crush through it, but since Sheamus went first, Kofi wins.

The match was good, even though the finish was expected. One of the secondary championships changes shows, leaving RAW with the US Championship and Smackdown with the IC Championship. 

Winner and new US Champion: Kofi Kingston 

R-Truth is backstage with Todd Grisham. He cuts a promo about being left out of the WWE Championship match and the show and about how JoMo stole his spot in the match.

Tag Team Country Whipping Match

Swagger and Cole enter first, Cole wrapped in bubble wrap (no pun intended). Both of them have a leather strap, Cole in his hand and Swagger around his neck. Sadly Cole has a microphone in the other hand, and it works. He starts to run his mouth mocking JR, Lawler and the people of Florida. JR and Lawler enter next also with leather straps in their hands. 

Swagger and Lawler start things off. JR gets the first hit with the leather strap, Swagger turns his back on Lawler and is whipped by the King and forced to tag Cole in. Cole's strategy against the leather straps seems to work as he isn't affected by them, sadly punching is allowed and the bubble wrap doesn't do much against that. 

After a right hand by Lawler Cole's on the floor and the King uses that to unwrap him. Cole leaves and tags Swagger in. Swagger ties Lawler to a rope with one strap and attacks him before tagging Cole in, Cole attacks Lawler and tags Swagger. The King  is untied, but Swagger continues controlling the match until Lawler makes Swagger miss and goes on the attack. 

Cole tries to interfere whipping Lawler, and distracts him for a moment, a chance Swagger uses to attack him and goes for an ankle lock. He's successful but releases it after JR whips him a couple of times. This distracts Swagger and allows Lawler to hit a DDT. 

JR is tagged in for the first time in the match. He continues to whip Swagger and gets an ankle lock. Swagger doesn't tap out, as he's able to tag Cole in. JR continues whipping Cole. As he goes for an ankle lock once again Swagger interferes and gets hit by a low blow. Cole uses the distraction to go for a schoolboy and gets a three count.

Short and entertaining, not bad to be a match between announcers. 

Winners: Jack Swagger and Michael Cole. 

Over the Limit promo and John Cena is with Todd Grisham. Cena talks about how long it's been since he was WWE Champion. Thanks to some group for the Extreme Rules theme song. And a video package explaining the history between the participants in the next match, Rhodes vs. Mysterio.

Falls Count Anywhere Match

Rhodes enters first with two guys that carry paper bags. Rhodes calls the people in attendance "extremely ugly" and the two guys hand the paper bags to the people in the first rows. Mysterio enters second and hands both his mask and shirt to kids in the audience.

We start out with a bit of back and forth before Mysterio sends Rhodes outside the ring and Rhodes goes up the ramp. Two count for Rhodes in the ramp. They continue to go up and the match is now in the upper part of the ramp. Rhodes goes to one of the lower sides and Mysterio hits a West Coast Pop off the stage for a two count.

The match continues moving as Rhodes gets a new two count in the middle of the audience. They start going up the stairs with Rhodes on the attack all the way up. Mysterio gains the upper hand once they reach the upper lobby and gets a two count. Rhodes gets a counter and a new two count. A "holy shit" chant breaks out. Mysterio gets a couple of high flying moves and yet another two count before a "this is awesome" chant breaks out.

They go back to the arena through a different set of stairs. On the way back Mysterio is the one in control. Rhodes finally gets a counter near ringside as he hip tosses Mysterio over the barrier. Back and forth in ringside with a two count for Rhodes. 

The match goes back into the ring. Mysterio gets a couple of two counts there. Mysterio misses a 619 and Rhodes gets momentum. He gets a near fall and continues on the attack. 

Mysterio uses Taijiri's specialty, the green mist, hits a 619 and a Spring Board and gets the three count inside the ring.

I completely agree with the chants that broke out. "Holy shit" "this is awesome." 

Winner: Rey Mysterio

Divas backstage. Layla comes out and apologizes to them if she ever did something to them. They agree they don't like her, but they like McCool even less. Cole's back and doing commentary. 

Loser Leaves WWE

No count out and no DQ rules are in place. McCool enters first and Layla follows. McCool doesn't wait for the bell to attack and gets a two count early. Back and forth with near falls for both of them. 

Neither one getting control and both of them getting near falls, McCool goes for a pin, Layla reverses it and gets a three count.

Not bad for a Divas match: not the best match ever either, but passable. And with that, Michelle McCool is gone from the WWE. What else for a moment like this but a "Na na na na Hey Hey Hey Goodbye" chant? 

Winner: Layla

With McCool still in the ring Kharma makes her WWE debut. She comes down the ramp and enters the ring and attacks McCool and leaves while the rest of the Divas watch.

Tough Enough promo announcing Mysterio's presence in today's show. ADR is backstage with Ricardo Rodriguez practicing the announcing of his win. Video package for the WCH Match focusing on Edge's retirement.

WHC Ladder Match

Alberto Del Rio comes out first in yet another expensive car. Christian comes out after him. Neither Brodus Clay nor Edge are there at the start of the match. Christian's experience in ladder matches as well as ADR's lack thereof are highlighted early in the match by the announcers as are the facts that neither's been World Champion before and we will have a new WHC as the title is vacant.

A "let's go Christian" chant breaks out in the opening moments of the match. Neither man is really in control with a lot of back and forth. ADR puts Christian under the ring and is the first to take a ladder. Christian comes out from the opposite side of the ring and attacks Del Rio.

Christian brings a ladder to the ring, sets it up and starts to climb it, but is cut short by Alberto, who starts to climb the ladder. As he's around the middle of the ladder Christian drops the ladder.

ADR gets control of the match and relentlessly attacks Christian. Christian gets some offense in from time to time and is able to set up a ladder and start to climb it, but Del Rio is the one controlling the match.

Christian is able to counter an armbar to a killswich; he doesn't lock it, but is able to counter the counter and sends ADR flying into a ladder shoulder first. With this he's able to take control of the match.

This doesn't last long as ADR gets control back fast. He has Christian set up for a ladder sandwich, but Christian's able to counter. The match continues with some back and forth before Del Rio takes control once again. Ricardo Rodriguez gives him a chair, which he puts around Christian's arm. He tries to knock him into a ring post, but Christian's able to counter.

With both men on the ring, Christian spears ADR which gives him time to set up a ladder and climb it. In a dejà vu moment ADR gets Christian between two steps in the ladder. Del Rio goes as far as touching the belt before Christian frees himself and moves the ladder, knocking ADR down. 

Del Rio has Christian set up in a sideways ladder between the ring and the announce table and goes flying onto him, but Christian is able to get out of the way, with ADR getting all the damage. Christian takes advantage of this chance, setting a ladder and climbing it.

Brodus Clay makes an appearance; he makes sure Christian doesn't get the championship, but is also attacked by Captain Charisma. ADR has recovered and puts CC in an armbar. Christian's busted open but the match continues. 

Edge also makes an appearance distracting Del Rio and allowing Christian to climb the ladder and retrieve the belt.

On par with the Mysterio vs. Rhodes, this one was also a great match. And the most extreme of the night.

Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: Christian

That's What I Am promo, featuring the Santa Barbara film festival. The Miz and Riley backstage talking about odds.

Lumberjack Match for the Tag Team Championships

Wade Barret and Ezekiel Jackson enter first representing the Corre, whose other two members are there as Lumberjacks. Big Show and Kane enter next. 

Big Show starts on the attack and tags Kane in, who continues controlling the match and gets a two count.

Kane is thrown outside the ring and attacked by the Lumberjacks, who are subsequently attacked by the Big Show. Big Show throws Tyler Reks and one of the Usos (no clue as to which one) to be punched by Kane.

In the meantime Jackson was tagged in and attacks Kane before tagging Barret in again. He attacks Kane for a moment, gets a one count and tags Jackson in. Kane and Jackson clothesline each other and tag their partners in.

Big Show dominates Barret but ends up outside the ring and while the lumberjacks bring him back in, Barret tags Jackson. Big Zeke slams the Big Show and while he celebrates it Barret tags himself in. 

Barret was going for a Wade Slam but Big Show counters choke slams him and gets the pin.

As they are leaving, the lumberjacks start a brawl outside the ring. Meanwhile inside the ring Kane and Big Show choke slam Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel.

Entertaining five minutes, mainly thanks to the lumberjacks, most of whom I didn't know. This match could have been a SD or RAW match, as it did nothing for the PPV.

Winners and still Tag Team Champions: Kane and the Big Show

Cage Match for the WWE Championship

JoMo is the first one to enter, Cena's next, and the Miz is the last one to enter. Miz goes for a scape off the bat, but is stopped by both Morrison and Cena. They double team him for a moment before going against each other. 

Everybody attacks everybody, with nobody in real control. Miz tries to escape a couple of times, but is stopped by either JoMo, Cena or both. 

"Let's go Cena" vs. "Cena sucks" chants break out. Miz gets a skull crushing finale on Cena, but is unable to pin him as he goes to stop Morrison, who already had one leg out of the cage. 

With Cena on the floor they battle it out on top of the cage. Cena get in and they are all in the ring again. Morrison is the first on his feet and tries to escape, but Cena stops him. Morrison gets a two count on Cena. 

More failed escape attempts and attacks by all competitors. Cena gets an STFU on Miz, Miz calls for the door to be opened and gets all his body out, except his feet. Cena brings him back into the cage and goes for it himself, but Miz stops him.

Morrison and Cena go to the top of the cage. Meanwhile Miz gets to the door, which opens once again. Morrison closes it in Miz's face from above. Cena falls inside the ring and Morrison on top of the opened door. Miz takes one of Morrison's feet and brings him inside the cage again. 

While Miz attacks Cena Morrison goes for a escape, but is stopped by The Miz, who goes for a escape himself but is stopped by JoMo.

Morrison goes on top of the cage but instead of escaping, hits starship pain on both Miz and Cena (Jeff Hardy anyone?). With all three on the floor Morrison goes for the door. With the door open and half his body outside, R-Truth makes an appearance, attacks Morrison and enters the cage to attack Morrison further.

R-Truth leaves escaping the cage and leaving all three guys on the floor. Miz is the first to his feet and goes for a scape but is stopped by Cena. They start to battle it out on top of the cage. And as Cena was going for a scape he's stopped by Miz. FU (or AA or whatever) from the top rope and a three count and we have a new WWE Champion.

Not a great match, but not a bad one either. Good overall with some great moments, as well as some boring ones.

Winner and New WWE Champion: John Cena

Probably the second best PPV of the year after the Elimination Chamber. As for the question in the title, yes it was, but that's just compared to what we are used to seeing.