WWE: The Wrestling Opus (Extreme Rules 2011 Review)

Extreme Rules 2011 was a pay-per-view that had little televised hype from Smackdown and RAW leading up to its airing, but still delivered good matches and was a solid B grade overall event. I rated each match as well using this scale: 1 = poor match, 2 = slightly below average match, 3 = good match, 4 = great match, 5 = all-time match.

The night kicked off with a last man standing match between CM Punk and Randy Orton. Punk led Nexus to ringside before the RAW GM made an announcement that Nexus was banned from ringside. Punk and Orton proceeded to have a back and forth match with too many kendo stick shots, a lot of time and big moves spent outside the ring, and eventually concluded with a giant RKO off the top turnbuckle for an Orton victory.

This was a good match in that it had suitable pacing, big bumps, and was 20 minutes in duration. The banning of Nexus from ringside made it less interesting though, and the overall feel of the match lacked a type of intensity and charisma needed for a bout with extreme rules. It was too predictable without Nexus at ringside as WWE rarely books Punk to win strong and Orton rarely loses clean. I was hoping for the elusive Skip Sheffield run-in, but sadly it didn't not happen. Rating: 2.5/5

The United States title was up for grabs next in a tables match between Champion Sheamus and Challenger Kofi Kingston. Nothing really memorable happened in this match besides Kofi narrowly avoiding a couple tables. Sheamus and Kofi have both put on great matches before, but together they didn't seem too smooth. Maybe it was due to the tables element.

The match was only nine minutes in length and concluded with the best spot of the match—Kofi with a leg drop from the turnbuckle onto Sheamus who was on the outside of the ring through a table. Sheamus took a very big bump there. Predictable ending as Smackdown couldn't be home to both mid-level championships. Kofi brings the U.S. title back to RAW. Rating: 2.5/5

Michael Cole and Jack Swagger versus Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross in a country whipping match was next. There was a lot of Cole showboating and the King didn't spend much time in the ring. JR had some offense against Cole and even put Swagger in an ankle lock. Ross low-blowed Swagger which gave Cole time to school boy him for the pin. JR got some solid offense in, but once again Cole comes away as the heelish victor. I was hoping this "feud" was going to end at WrestleMania, but its still continuing a month later. It needs to end. Rating: 1.5/5

Rey Mysterio taking on Cody Rhodes was the fourth match of the evening. The stipulation was falls count anywhere. The match quickly spilled to the outside and then up the steps of the arena in the midst of the fans. They entered the concourse area where they dove into trash cans and used the vending area as a springboard. They made their way back down to the ring area with back and forth big offensive moves. On top the top turnbuckle Rey misted a green liquid out of his mouth onto Cody's face. This caused Cody to fall back where Rey hit the 619 and a splash for the win.

I was hoping for a Rhodes victory here as Smackdown is currently lacking big time heels, and I believe Cody could fill that slot. That said, Cody did win at WrestleMania so giving fan favorite Mysterio a win at the conclusion of their feud is fine. Especially when you consider it was a strong loss for Cody as Rey "cheated" in a sense and used the green mist to debilitate him, so Cody didn't lose much if any heat or momentum. I enjoyed the green mist as it brought back memories of the gimmick era of WWE/F. Rating: 3.5/5

The fifth match of the event was Layla versus Michelle McCool in a loser leaves town match. This was the culmination of the LayCool break-up. A solid match with some good offense and near falls, that Layla eventually won with a counter pin. Although this match was on the Extreme Rules card, there was nothing extreme about it.

Awesome Kong, now known as Kharma, slowly walked down the ramp after Layla exited. McCool was still in the ring selling terror. Kharma entered and flattened McCool with a big powerbomb/suplex. The Divas backstage were shown on camera looking concerned. Rating: 3/5 due to Kharma's debut.

Next it was time for Alberto Del Rio versus Christian in a ladders match for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship. There was continuous back and forth action with few solid efforts to obtain the hanging belt. I liked this as the action was more on the wrestling rather than climbing a ladder. Christian eventually hit a spear on Del Rio and nearly took the belt. Broadus Clay ran interference; however, Christian quickly took care of him to the outside. Alberto then climbed the ladder and nearly had the belt when Edge drove a jeep next to the ramp, honked the horn, distracted Del Rio, and allowed Christian to knock ADR off the ladder to the outside. Christian climbed the ladder and became the new World Heavyweight Champion.

Edge celebrated in-ring with Christian as he obtained the heavyweight championship for the first time. I don't care for Christian. I don't think he's charismatic or interesting. His in-ring skills are okay, his mic skills are subpar and he doesn't have a look or gimmick. That said he deserves his first major championship and this was the right time and match to do it. I just wonder how long he will keep it before Orton gets his shot, and will Orton challenge Christan, face vs. face? Rating: 4/5

The tag team titles were on the line next as Wade Barrett and Ezekiel Jackson of the Corre challenged Big Show and Kane in a lumberjack match. I didn't even know this match was on the card. It wasn't hyped at all, and for good reason as it was a below average match. It was essentially a squash match as the Corre lost in under five minutes with the Big Show and Kane never in trouble.  Big Show ended the match by choke slamming Barrett for the pin. That was a weak out for Barrett, as he was once main eventing ppv's. Zeke sold disbelief and frustration, signaling the likely end of the Corre. This could have been a good match had WWE cared about the tag team belts. Rating: 2/5

The main event was finally up. John Morrison vs. John Cena vs. Champion The Miz in a steel cage match. I'm not usually a fan of steel cage matches; however this was a good one. It had a fast pace, was high intensity, and had numerous attempts at escape. Each wrestler hit signature moves early and throughout the match especially note worthy was Morrison's starship pain onto both Cena and Miz off the cage. Morrison was on his way to victory until R-Truth made a run in and drubbed Morrison effectively taking him out of the match. Cena eventually hit a top rope attitude adjustment on Miz for the pin and championship.

I don't really like Cena as champion at this point. He is going to need to hold the title for almost a year until WrestleMania 28. But since year long title reigns are unheard of, I would expect him to lose it and regain it back. I would have hoped Miz could have retained until Summerslam or the Survivor Series. Cena winning at a second tier ppv took some luster off his victory. Rating: 4/5

Notes:

R-Truth's promo at the beginning of the show was in some ways funny, some ways scary, and definitely intense. If he can get some clean wins he will be a fantastic heel.

Ricardo Rodriguez is gold on camera. His promo was great.

What happened to Wade Barrett? I hope he gets some good scripting as he is man event level and has some of the best, if not the best, mic work in the WWE.

I couldn't figure out what happened to Broadus Clay, but there was a lake sized pool of blood on the mat from his face.

Morrison looked strong in defeat. I think his coming feud with Truth will be excellent.

I had a hard time concentrating on the main event after I received word that Obama had a very important statement to make. I was terrified that first contact was achieved and Aliens would be taking over and probing us all. Luckily it was good news.