WWE Extreme Rules 2011 Review: May 1, 2011 (Part 1)

Hey bleachers! I’m here with your Extreme Rules review! It was live from Tampa, Florida and had a fairly decent card to work with. However, I was skeptical as to how good it would be and whether it could live up to expectation.

Randy Orton and CM Punk were out first to compete in a last man standing match. I don't understand why this match was first. Whatever happened to building up the night and presenting the matches in order of importance? At least it wasn’t as bad as having the World Heavyweight Championship match first.

Punk arrived with the Nexus but the Raw GM wasted no time in banning them from ringside. Punk immediately removed the padding from the turnbuckle—I guess it was an insurance policy as Nexus was banned from ringside.

Randy took early control of the match with Singapore canes being introduced after the crowd had become invested in the match.

Singapore canes are an excellent choice of weapon in the PG era as they are worse when hit against the back or stomach as opposed to the head—they make a more sadistic crack. The very real welts on the bodies also add to the presentation of extreme.

Randy Orton threw Punk into a chair stuck in between the ropes and he just collapsed to the outside. Not long after this Punk gained full control over the match. Cue an RKO out of nowhere. Punk managed to make it up at nine before once again collapsing outside the ring.

After another RKO on the announce table this time, Orton went for a punt by the stairs but ended up eating steel instead. They both ended up on the top rope after Orton lashed out viciously with the Singapore cane—Randy picked up the win with a third and final RKO off the top rope.

At least it wasn’t a surprise RKO. It was a decent match but I never expected Punk to win—he took an enormous amount of punishment on the top rope from the Singapore cane. Suffice to say, the first match of the night was definitely worthy of being called extreme.

Sheamus was shown backstage with Teddy—arguing with him about the impending bonus tables match with Kofi Kingston.

This match was next and Sheamus started off nice and aggressively. There was an excellent spot in the match, where Kofi ran at Sheamus intending to crush him through a table, Sheamus moved, and Kofi avoided the loss by doing the splits round the table and landing safely on the ropes.

It was an impressive spot—Booker wasn’t impressed. I thought it was funny how Booker never missed an opportunity to criticise Kofi.

Kofi managed to execute a Trouble in Paradise but failed to male Sheamus drop through the table from it. However, he did pick up the win with a leg drop from what must have been 10-12 feet up in the air—landing on Sheamus and the table.

I then realised that this victory couldn’t have been more obvious if someone had told me the result beforehand. Raw now has a mid-card title back in its grasp. I hope this means that Sheamus will now go after the World Heavyweight Championship.

Todd Grisham interviewed R-Truth next—asking him how he felt about not being in the main event. At this point Truth launched into another excellent heel promo. It made me wonder why they didn’t do this with him years ago! He is so suited to being a heel.

Cole came out with Jack Swagger for his country whippin’ match wrapped in bubble wrap. I found this rather symbolic of what the WWE seems to have done to itself. It’s wrapped up in bubble wrap to avoid criticism—or a whipping for the sake of this metaphor.

He cut a boring promo about how he isn’t scared of a couple of hicks because he is an award winning journalist.

The match was fairly good considering the people who were involved. Jerry Lawler ripped off the bubble wrap almost as soon as Cole was tagged in. J.R got a lot more involved than I thought he would and was in control for a time.

Though I disagree strongly with giving Cole another win and continuing this stupid heel program, I actually found myself really enjoying the match. I don’t think it overran one bit and I thought it was entertaining to watch. This is the match that should have been at WrestleMania.

Todd interviewed Cena next where he explained that over the past year, he’s done pretty much everything apart from capture the WWE title, and tonight is his night.

Cody Rhodes came out with his paper bag assistants and told the crowd to where them because they’re extremely ugly.

Rey Mysterio arrived and action quickly spilled to the outside. Rey did a huge sitting senton off the stage—it looked even more impressive in slow motion. They continued to climb up the stairs in the audience—where Cody put Rey in a Liontamer round the stair rail. They climbed higher and higher before eventually going backstage.

They both used the environment in the backstage area to attack each other—this resulted in “Holy sh*t” chants from the crowd that had gathered. They were electric compared to the dead crowd sat in the arena—anyone would have thought they were sat in church, not at Extreme Rules.

Cody hip-tossed Rey back into the ringside area and the crowd were still almost silent in this excellent match.  Rey then spat something in Cody’s eyes to everyone’s surprise (rhyme not intended) executed the 619 and claimed the victory!

I’ve lost all faith in WWE bookers.

See why Cody should have won here.

Layla apologised for her actions to the Divas backstage and they wished her luck because they dislike Michelle.

Cole returned to commentary. The night was getting worse and worse after a strong start.

The Divas match was next. They actually got a decent amount of time to show off their skills but the no DQ stipulation was more than disappointing. It was pointless to say the least.

Highlights included a belly to belly suplex by Michelle to Layla, and a vicious neck breaker by Layla. Layla eventually won with a simple pin reversal—she left Michelle crying in the ring while trying desperately to cry herself. Good luck with that one Layla.

Kharma debuted! It was excellent. She looked and sounded as maniacal as her vignettes. Michelle looked like she was about to light a bum cigar and Kharma made her way slowly towards her. Needless to say Kharma obliterated Michelle while the Divas in the locker room looked worriedly on.

I have split this review into two parts to make it easier to read.

Please click here to view part two.