Randy Orton has battled against his former allies in The Authority, yet there has always been one that managed to get away. Tonight on WWE Extreme Rules, Orton gets WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins in a cage with the title on the line. But, can Orton defeat Rollins with his signature RKO banned? Plus, WWE United States Champion John Cena gets reacquainted with chains in a Russian chain match against Rusev! All that and more on this year’s edition of WWE Extreme Rules.
The preshow is LIVE from Chicago, Ill. Renee Young, Booker T, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton are your panelist.
The panel announces that WWE Intercontinental Champion Daniel Bryan will be unable to perform tonight and Neville will take his place against Bad News Barrett. The match will take place on the preshow.
Young, Booker T, Graves, and Saxton preview the show and introduce video packages and interviews.
Bad News Barrett with the microphone before his match. BNB says he has bad news because he won’t be able to hit WWE Intercontinental Champion Daniel Bryan with a Bull Hammer. BNB takes credit for Bryan not being here and says he isn’t man enough. BNB says Bryan might have a brain after all and BNB says he is considered the Michael Jordan of England, minus the gambling problems. BNB decided to throw Chicago a bone and he invites Neville out to receive a Bull Hammer.
Pre-show Match: Bad News Barrett vs. Neville
Lockup sees Bad News Barrett get a side headlock and a shoulder tackle on Neville. Lockup sees BNB grab the hold again and Neville ducks to try a hip toss. BNB reverses and Neville rolls him up for a nearfall. Neville worked into the corner and stomped down. Neville handsprings out of the opposite corner to land a crossbody out of the corner for a nearfall. Headscissors sends BNB outside. Dropkick knocks BNB off the apron. BNB sweeps the leg on the apron and sends Neville tumbling. Neville sent into the barricade as we break.
(Commercials)
BNB working a rear chinlock as we return. Neville fights out and gets sent to the corner. Float over caught by BNB for a kick to the midsection that earns a nearfall. Neville worked in the corner and laid over the top rope. BNB clubs the back and lands a knee to the midsection for another nearfall. Rear chinlock reapplied and Neville again gets to his feet. Barrett with a knee and Neville blocks a back bodydrop with a kick. Neville runs into a big boot from BNB that nearly wins it. Barrett hotshots Neville off the ropes into a backbreaker for another pin attempt. Rear chinlock once again applied and Neville works out with body shots. Punches from Neville followed by a series of kicks. Dropkick to the knee followed by a dropkick to the head from Neville. Barrett sent out and Neville lands a dive over the top. Waistlock from Neville sees him land a German suplex with a bridging nearfall. Neville heads to the apron and looks to go up top. Barrett crowds him and gets hit with a shoulder to the stomach. Neville flips over and runs into Winds of Change from Barrett for a nearfall. Wasteland attempt blocked by Neville and Barrett cornered. Neville put to the apron and he springboards into Wasteland from Barrett for another pin attempt. BNB calls for the Bull Hammer and Neville ducks it to land the enzuigiri to the back of the head. Red Arrow attempt sees Barrett crotch Neville up top. Neville ducks his head as the Bull Hammer comes in and flips over Barrett from the top to land a head kick.Barrett down and Red Arrow connects on BNB.
Winner by pinfall: Neville
Comments and Rating: Very good opener. The underdog story worked well here and you couldn’t ask for much more from these two, who showed great chemistry. 3 out of 5 stars.
The panel preview the show and introduce video packages and interviews.
The pay-per-view is LIVE. Michael Cole, John “Bradshaw” Layfield, and Jerry “The King” Lawler have the call for tonight.
Match One: Chicago Street Fight – Dean Ambrose vs. Luke Harper
The two exchange punches outside and Dean Ambrose bounces Luke Harper from barricade to barricade. Crossbody back inside for Ambrose and Harper goes back outside. Suicide dive connects on Harper and Harper sent into the steel steps. Ambrose brings out a pile of chairs from under the ring and gets a kendo stick. Ambrose with a shot to the head and he cracks Harper all over the body. Ambrose sits in the chair and looks to suplex Harper on the chair. Harper turns it around and suplexes Ambrose on the open chair for a nearfall. Harper now goes to work with the kendo stick. Chair wedged in the corner by Harper and he runs into a kick from Ambrose in the corner. Tornado DDT attempt from Ambrose fails as he gets tossed to the mat. Ambrose darted into the chair and turnbuckle for a nearfall. Harper goes back to the body with the kendo stick and uses it to choke Ambrose. Scoop slam from Harper and he unwedges the chair. Chair sat on the mat and a slam attempt moved out of by Ambrose. Ambrose slams Harper on the chair. Harper sent outside and he gets back in to receive a tornado DDT out of the corner by Ambrose. Ambrose with a combo of punches and chops before he runs into a thrust kick to the midsection. Ambrose with a knee to the midsection and a dropkick against the ropes. Elbow drop on the standing Harper gets Ambrose a nearfall.
Uppercut from Harper sees Ambrose try a rebound clothesline. Ambrose rebounds into a big boot from Harper. Harper misses a powerbomb and Ambrose sends him outside. Suicide dive attempt sees Harper push him away and Ambrose spins on the apron to land the clothesline. Ambrose with shots with the kendo stick and Ambrose and Harper fight to the back. Ambrose uses a cart and a pipe. Harper sent into a ladder. Ambrose gets hit with a food container and Harper gets into an SUV. Ambrose gets in and gets thrown out by Harper. Harper shuts the door and Ambrose dives through the window as the two drive off into the streets of Chicago.
The announce team says the match is still going on according to the rules.
Kane in the office of WWE COO Triple H. HHH tells WWE Director of Operations Kane to go find Luke Harper and Dean Ambrose. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins comes in and the two proceed to argue. HHH tells them to get on the same page for tonight.
Match Two: Kiss My Arse Match – Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus
Dolph Ziggler punches Sheamus back into the corner and works him into the corner. Sheamus punches out and Ziggler lands a dropkick. Spear takes the two outside and Sheamus sends Ziggler into the steps. Ziggler sent into the steps again and he catches himself to step to the top. DDT on the floor from Ziggler and both men down. Sheamus kicks Ziggler coming inside and lands a flying knee to the head. Sheamus with another knee and he moves outside to club Ziggler as he lays across the apron. Rear chinlock applied by Sheamus. Ziggler fights up and tries for the Famouser. Sheamus catches him and turns it into a sitout powerbomb for a nearfall. Short-arm clothesline from Sheamus is followed up by another. Sheamus tells Ziggler that “lil’ fellas” don’t belong in his ring and he reapplies the rear chinlock. Ziggler works the body and lands punches. Sheamus sends Ziggler off the ropes and Ziggler comes back with right hands. Corner splashes land and a neckbreaker attempt from Ziggler sees Sheamus push him off the ropes to land an axhandle. Cloverleaf attempt kicked away by Ziggler. Superkick caught and Sheamus trips Ziggler to lock in the Cloverleaf. Ziggler rolls Sheamus up and gets a nearfall. Superkick lands for Ziggler and gets another nearfall.
Famouser attempt sees Sheamus pop Ziggler up and bounce him off the top rope. Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker gets a nearfall for Sheamus. Suplex from Sheamus. Brogue Kick attempt ducked by Ziggler and rollup gets a nearfall. Tilt-a-whirl slam from Sheamus gets a nearfall on Ziggler. Front suplex sees Ziggler hook the leg and roll Sheamus up.
Winner by pinfall: Dolph Ziggler
Comments and Rating: Not a bad match. Ziggler and Sheamus work well together. TV quality, but the stipulation itself knocks it down a little bit. 2.25 out of 5 stars.
Post-match, Sheamus tells the timekeeper to ring the bell because it wasn’t three. The referee makes Sheamus get back in the ring and Sheamus walks around in disgust. Dolph Ziggler hiking up his trunks and pulling them down as he tells Sheamus that this was all his idea. Sheamus begs Ziggler as the crowd chants for him to “pucker up.” Sheamus gets to his knees and low blows Ziggler before hitting him with a Brogue Kick. Sheamus says he doesn’t want to disappoint because he promised the world Ziggler would kiss his arse. Sheamus hikes up the trunks and rubs Ziggler’s face in it before walking out.
(Commercials)
Match Three: WWE Tag Team Championships – Tyson Kidd & Cesaro (c) (w/Natalya) vs. The New Day (w/Xavier Woods)
Tyson Kidd starts with Kofi Kingston. Lockup sees Tyson Kidd get the arm wrench and Kofi Kingston flips out to land a splash. Lockup sees Kidd get the hammerlock and Kingston reverses out into once of his own. Kidd gets between the ropes and steps back in to lock the hammerlock in on the ropes. Backslide nearfall from Kidd followed by a kick. Big E tagged in and Kidd tags in Cesaro. Lockup sees Big E get the side headlock and shoulder tackle. Cesaro gets a side headlock. Big E caught out of the air by Cesaro on a leapfrog and slams him down. Double foot stomp gets Cesaro a nearfall and Kidd in as they work Big E in the corner. Big E gets Kidd to the New Day corner and tags in Kingston. Rear chinlock from Kingston and he sends Kidd out. Cesaro dropkicked off the apron. Kingston looks for a dive as Big E stands by the ropes. Kidd ducks under Big E and sends Kingston outside. Cannonball outside by Kidd lands on Kingston. Big E drops him with a clothesline and Kingston and Big E tagging in repeatedly to stomp Kidd in the corner. Dropkick from Kingston gets a nearfall and he locks in a chinlock and armlock combo. Kidd arm drags out and gets hit with a dropkick from Kingston for a nearfall. Big E in and a splash misses as Kidd moves to the apron. Kidd ducks as Big E charges and Big E sent out.
Kingston and Cesaro in and Cesaro with a press slam into the corner. Uppercut and a running uppercut in the corner. Running uppercuts from Cesaro landing and a short-arm clothesline gets a nearfall on Kingston. Cesaro Swing set up and he catapults Kingston in the corner. Kingston catches himself and tries a crossbody. Cesaro catches him to land a backbreaker for a nearfall. Kingston with a pendulum kick in the corner and Cesaro with an uppercut as Kingston goes up top. Superplex by Cesaro after he tags Kidd in. Springboard elbow drop for Kidd gets a nearfall. Sharpshooter attempt blocked by Kingston and Kidd sent to the apron as Big E tags in. Big E spears Kidd to the floor and sends Kidd in. Cesaro hit with a back bodydrop outside. Midnight Hour lands on Kidd. Cesaro able to make it in to break the pin. Cesaro and Big E tumble outside. Kidd catches Trouble in Paradise for a Sharpshooter. Kingston looks for the rope break and Big E comes in with a belly-to-belly. Cesaro tags in on Kidd as he kicks Kingston away in the corner. Uppercut lands on Big E and Cesaro Swing into the dropkick from Kidd. Xavier Woods on the apron and Natalya hits him with a slap. Kidd with the running kick from the apron. Big E drops Kidd off the apron and Cesaro clotheslines Big E. Kingston from behind with a handful of tights.
Winners by pinfall and NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: The New Day
Rating: Excellent tag wrestling and good to see The New Day advance a bit in slowly embracing heel tactics. Good storytelling, good action. What’s not to like? 3.25 out of 5 stars
The preshow panel reviews the show.
Renee young with WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day backstage. Young asks if the positive nature kept the team going for the titles. The three celebrate as the SUV rolls in and Harper gets thrown out. Ambrose on top of the vehicle and he lands an elbow drop that takes out Harper and The New Day. Harper stumbles back to the top of the ramp and Ambrose takes another route. Ambrose with a clothesline from LED light stand. The action gets back to the ring where Harper lands a superkick and a pile of chairs is thrown into the ring after an Ambrose clothesline. Harper and Ambrose both with chairs and Ambrose tosses one into Harper. Ambrose clubs Harper down and Harper with a kick to the midsection. Powerbomb on a chair gets a nearfall and Harper in disbelief. Harper throws chair after chair on top of Ambrose and goes up top. Ambrose explodes out and press slams Harper onto the pile of chairs. Dirty Deeds lands for Ambrose.
Winner by pinfall: Dean Ambrose
Rating: Really dig Ambrose and Harper’s bruising styles and they had a good thing going. The whole car leaving the arena was too Attitude Era for me and knocked this down a few rungs for me personally. 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Match Four: Russian Chain Match for the WWE United States Championship – John Cena (c) vs. Rusev (w/Lana)
Rusev and John Cena start with a tug of war. Rusev drops Cena into the corner and the light goes off in one corner. Cena with a slam and he gets two corners to light up. Rusev drops Cena and gets two corners. Cena sent over the top and Rusev uses the chain to pull Cena up and land kicks. Rusev suplexes Cena inside from the apron and gets two corners. Cena uses the chain on Rusev and looks for the Attitude Adjustment. Rusev gets out and drops Cena with a shot with the chain to the back. Rusev rolls out as Cena falls out and another tug of war sees Cena pull Rusev into the ring post twice. Cena gets back in and gets two corners. Rusev pulls on the chain and wraps his legs around the bottom rope to prevent Cena from dragging him. Cena sent off the ropes and hit with a wheel kick from Rusev. Chains to to the body by Rusev. Rusev whips Cena with the chain. Rusev gets three corners and Cena moves outside to keep Rusev from the corner. Cena tugging the chain to keep Rusev back and Rusev pulled back. Cena clubbed down by Rusev and dropped by a right hand. Rusev goes up top and Cena yanks him down on top of the chain. Clothesline with the chain by Cena and he gets two corners before Rusev pulls him back. Cena off the ropes and he lands a shoulder tackle. Shoulder tackle caught by Rusev and he lands a fallaway slam.
The crowd chants for Lana and she gets up on the apron to wave at the crowd. Rusev sends her backstage and Cena uses this to land a back suplex and a Five Knuckle Shuffle. AA attempt sees Rusev get the ropes and land an Alabama Slam. Rusev looks to pick Cena up and Cena counters into the STF. Rusev gets to the ropes and Cena gets three corners as Rusev rolls outside. Cena brings Rusev back in and tries an AA. Rusev again falls out and lands the superkick. Accolade applied by Rusev. Cena picks Rusev up and runs him into two corners. Rusev gets the third and Cena pulls him into an AA. A race for the corners has Cena and Rusev tied for the last corner. The tug of war sees Rusev charge the corner and get pulled into an AA. Cena gets the last corner.
Winner and STILL WWE United States Champion: John Cena
Rating: Chain matches are a mixed bag generally. This couldn’t have possibly been more boring and the chain brought nothing new to the match. In fact, it hindered these two, who can put on some great bouts. 1.25 out of 5 stars.
Renee Young with Roman Reigns and she asks about the strategy Reigns has for tonight. Reigns says he proved that he can be knocked down, but not kept down. Reigns says he has been hit with a punch from Big Show and thrown into and Chokeslammed on a car. Reigns says he will always get up and we can believe that.
Match Five: WWE Divas Championship – Nikki Bella (c) (w/Brie Bella) vs. Naomi
Lockup sees Naomi worked Nikki Bella against the ropes. Bella comes back with a shoulder tackle and a snapmare. Armbar applied and Bella turns it into a cross armbreaker. Naomi gets her feet on the ropes and moves to the apron. Bella pulled down by her hair and clubbed down. Snap suplex from Naomi gets a nearfall. Rear chinlock applied by Naomi. Naomi drops Bella for a nearfall and works a neck crank. Scoop slam from Naomi is followed by an elbow drop for a nearfall. Front facelock applied by Naomi. Bella with a rollup for a nearfall and she grabs the side headlock. Naomi pulls her back for a side headlock and bulldogs her in the corner for a nearfall. Rear View attempt blocked as Bella hooks the ropes and sends Naomi into the corner. Naomi comes back with a kick for a nearfall. Naomi with forearms and Bella falls outside. Brie Bella checks on her sister and gets kicked to the ground by Naomi. Back inside, Bella kicks Naomi away out of the corner and lands clotheslines and a dropkick. Corner clothesline sees Bella land an Alabama Slam for a nearfall. Naomi comes back with an inverted DDT for a nearfall.
Split-legged moonsault from Naomi misses and Bella with a facebreaker on the knee for a nearfall. Rack Attack attempt sees Naomi move out and land a full-nelson bomb for a nearfall. Bella comes back with a head kick for a nearfall. Naomi gets the bottom rope and kicks Bella away. The referee separates the two and Brie Bella with a head kick from outside. Rack Attack lands for Nikki Bella.
Winner by pinfall and STILL WWE Divas Champion: Nikki Bella
Comments and Rating: Run of the mill Divas match. These two don’t really click. Naomi is more of an athletic worker, whereas Nikki Bella can do a little of both and works well as a character wrestler. This didn’t do a whole lot for me. 1.5 out of 5 stars.
Rusev berating Lana backstage and he sends her away. Lana seen knocking on the door of the office of The Authority.
Match Six: Last Man Standing – Big Show vs. Roman Reigns
The two start out exchanging strikes and Big Show throws Roman Reigns into the corner. Reigns fights out and gets dropped by a shoulder block from Show. Reigns works Show against the ropes and gets dropped by another shoulder block. Reigns fights back and sends Show out with a clothesline. Reigns goes out and puts a table in the ring. Show drops him with a thrust kick to the midsection and puts the table back under the ring. Reigns on the shoulder of Show and he falls put to send Show into the ring post. Running dropkick on the apron from Reigns. Reigns sets up the table outside and Show comes back to toss Reigns into the barricade. Show axhandles the table in half and Reigns gets the kendo stick. Shots to the body from Reigns and Show grabs the kendo stick and whips Reigns into the post. Back in the ring. Show breaks the kendo stick in half. Reigns fights back and clotheslines Show in the corner. Flying clothesline sees Show chop Reigns in the chest and crumple him to the mat as the referee counts. Reigns moves to the apron and snaps the head of Show down. Chair from Reigns across the back and into the stomach. Reigns DDTs Show on the chair and the referee begins his count. Show beats the count with a few seconds to spare.
Two tables brought in by Reigns and he steps into the ring. Knockout Punch lands for Show and he calls for a Chokeslam. Chokeslam attempt by Show countered and Reigns bounces the head of Show off the table. Samoan drop through the table lands for Reigns and Show able to beat the count at eight. Table cornered and Show charges Reigns. Reigns sidesteps and Show comes back with a spear that keeps Reigns down for eight. Headbutt drops Reigns and Show goes to the second rope. Splash lands and Reigns barely able to beat the count. Show goes up again and gets crotched up top. Reigns brings two tables out and lays them side by side. Reigns goes up top and gets thrown into the ring by Show. Show looks to fly and Reigns press slams him off the top. Superman Punch from Reigns lands after Show beats the count. Another connects and Reigns looks for a third. Show catches him and Chokeslams him outside through the two tables. Reigns beats the count with a second to spare as he stumbles about ringside. Show sets the steel steps up next to the announce table and undresses it. Reigns gets into the ring and lays up against the cornered table. Reigns sidesteps as Show splashes through it. Spear lands for Reigns as they both get up. Outside, Reigns with a Spear through the timekeeper’s area. Show able to beat the count and Show looks to Chokeslam Reigns through the table. Reigns fights out and runs up the steps to spear Show through the Spanish announce table. Show beats the count and Reigns tips the other announce table on Show and stands on top.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Comments and Rating: For a match that I had so little to look forward to, this outperformed and then some. Slow build into some awesome spots and these two somehow made this match work. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Randy Orton meets Kane backstage. Orton tells Kane that he knows who he is, even if he’s forgotten.
Bo Dallas makes his way out and says he saw a sign in the lobby of his hotel that welcomed him to Chicago, “The Second City.” Dallas says it doesn’t make sense because the city of Chicago is number one…at not taking a shower before going to the arena. Dallas says they should focus less on Extreme Rules and focus on rules. Dallas says they can shut their mouths and repeat after him. Ryback interrupts. Dallas attacks him and Ryback hits him with a Meat Hook clothesline and Shell Shocked.
Rusev with Byron Saxton. Rusev says John Cena has never beaten him and he is a liar. Lana comes up and says the last chapter of Cena vs. Rusev will be at Payback in an “I Quit” match. Rusev says America used to be full of fighters and now it is full of quitters.
Video package recaps the rivalry of WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Randy Orton.
Match Seven: No RKO Cage Match Seven for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship (w/Kane as special guest gatekeeper) – Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton
Seth Rollins works Randy Orton into the corner and Orton comes out of the corner with a clothesline. Orton sends Rollins into the cage and Rollins catches himself and tries to climb. Orton pulls him down and works him with uppercuts. Orton slams the head of Rollins into the mat and sends him into the corner. Rollins rebounds out and runs into an uppercut. Orton stomps the midsection of Rollins and catapults him into the corner. Rollins again catches himself and gets pulled down. Orton mounts Rollins in the corner and lands punches. Rollins gets under and lands a powerbomb into the opposite corner. Nearfall for Rollins and he calls for the cage door to open. Kane opens it and Orton able to drag Rollins back in. Rollins sends Orton into the cage for a nearfall. Rollins works Orton in the corner and again drives him off the cage. Orton again ran into the steel and Rollins punches him over and over on the mat. Rollins looks to escape over the top and Orton meets him on the top rope with headbutts. Orton with an uppercut and Rollins comes back with a Sling Blade for a nearfall. Running forearm in the corner from Rollins lands. Rollins slaps Orton around and starts telling Kane that he can win all on his own. Splash attempt from Rollins sees Orton sidestep and send him into the cage. Rollins and Orton exchange punches, chops, headbutts, and kicks. Spinning back kick to the midsection from Rollins lands, but Orton still sends him into the cage and lands clotheslines. Powerslam attempt misses as Rollins hooks the ropes.
Rollins looking for an escape and Orton again meets him up top. Rollins bounces the head of Orton off the cage and springboards into a knee to the head that gets a nearfall. Rollins goes for the escape and gets one leg over. Orton hoists himself up and straddles the top of the cage as well. The two exchanging and Orton drags Rollins back to the top rope. Rollins with a back elbow and he turns around into a powerslam from Orton for a nearfall. Superkick from Rollins drops Orton for a nearfall of his own. Rollins goes for the escape and he has both legs over. Orton grabs him by the hair as J&J Security tries to pull Rollins down. Superplex off the top of the cage connects for Orton and Rollins able to kick out. J&J Security pleading with Kane to open the door. Jamie Noble says it is time for them to get in the cage and Kane walks them away from the door. Noble and Joey Mercury climb opposite sides and Orton sends Rollins into the walls to knock them to the floor. T-bone suplex lands for Orton and he looks for the rope-assisted DDT. Rollins counters with a back bodydrop that puts Orton between the cage and the ropes. Rollins looks to go over the top and gets crotched on the top rope. Orton stands at the door and looks at Kane before turning away. Rope-assisted DDT on the top rope lands for Orton. Orton drops for the RKO and decides for a Pedigree. Rollins able to kick out after Orton drills him into the mat.
Rollins crawls to the cage door and Orton looks out at Kane. Rollins down and Orton looking to Punt. Rollins moves out of the way and gets to his feet to land an enzuigiri. Rollins calls for the door and crawls under the bottom rope. Orton able to get the chinlock and land a neckbreaker. Orton sees the open door and tries to step out. Kane shuts the door and lays on it. Rollins with a dropkick that Orton sidesteps and sends Kane flying to the floor. Kane and Rollins fighting to go out of the ring and Kane slams the door shut on both of them. Kane gets into the ring and J&J Security tries to hold him back. Kane Chokeslams J&J and stands over Rollins with his hand ready. Kane picks Orton up and Chokeslams him. Rollins crawls to the door and Kane grabs him back in and lands a Chokeslam. Kane rolls Rollins over on Orton and Orton kicks out. Kane looks to Tombstone Orton and Orton falls out to land the RKO. Rollins RKOs Orton and crawls out the cage door.
Winner by cage escape and STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Seth Rollins
Comments and Rating: Much like the show in general, it wasn’t bad, but didn’t really have anything going on. Pretty standard and the finish was the only redeeming part of the match. 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Overall Rating: There were some good matches, but nothing really had the “it” factor. Nothing big at stake and, though some matches lived up and even surpassed whatever little expectation they had, it was a show worth missing. Thoroughly average. 2 out of 5 stars.
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