Becky Lynch will defend the NXT Women’s Championship in a rematch against Tiffany Stratton on September 30, this time being an Extreme Rules match after Stratton attacked Lynch at the end of Tuesday’s show.
The show opened with Lynch addressing the crowd when Stratton came out and teased she wanted a match right then and there. She then said that’s what the crowd wanted, so she wanted it at No Mercy instead. Lynch told her the match she can have the match she wants, but the result will be the same.
After Lynch and Lyra Valkyria defeated Stratton and Kiana James in the main event, Stratton attacked Lynch with a steel chair. Stratton posed with the title then left as Lynch recovered. Lynch then demanded the Extreme Rules match for No Mercy.
Here is the updated card for NXT No Mercy on September 30:
NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes defends against Ilja Dragunov
Figure Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including a full review of Smackdown on FOX, some notes on the Smackdown matches at Extreme Rules, New Japan Strong with Juice Robinson talking about Shibata’s balls, and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Ronda Rousey is once again a WWE women’s champion.
At Saturday’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view, Rousey regained the SmackDown Women’s Championship by defeating Liv Morgan in an extreme rules match. Morgan passed out in a submission to lose the title.
Morgan was able to put Rousey through a table by hitting a senton from the top rope during the match, but Rousey kicked out when Morgan went for a pin. When Rousey tried to go for an armbar, Morgan fought it off and prevented Rousey from locking in the hold. But Rousey was able to eventually apply a biceps crusher where she put a piece of the broken table behind Morgan’s head. The referee called for the bell when Morgan passed out in the hold.
The loss puts an end to Morgan’s three-month reign as SmackDown Women’s Champion. The reign began when she defeated Rousey for the title at Money in the Bank this July. Morgan cashed in on Rousey after winning the briefcase earlier that night.
Morgan retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Rousey at SummerSlam in a match that had a disputed finish. The referee missed Morgan tapping out to an armbar and instead counted a pin.
This is Rousey’s second time holding the SmackDown Women’s Championship. She’s also held the Raw Women’s Championship once during her WWE career.
Six stipulation matches are set for tonight’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view in Philadelphia.
Matt Riddle and Seth Rollins’ personal rivalry will culminate as they step inside the Fight Pit tonight. The MMA-inspired cage match can only be won by knocking out your opponent or submitting them. UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier will be the special guest referee.
Two Women’s title matches are set for the PPV. Liv Morgan and Ronda Rousey will collide in an extreme rules match for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, while Bianca Belair puts her Raw Women’s Championship on the line against Bayley in a ladder match.
Drew McIntyre will take on Karrion Kross in a strap match, Edge and Finn Balor face off an in “I Quit” match, and there will be a six-man Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook between Imperium and The Brawling Brutes.
After weeks of teasers, tonight appears to be where we’ll get some answers about WWE’s “White Rabbit” QR codes. The teasers look to be hyping the return of Bray Wyatt.
Extreme Rules airs live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time. There will also be a pre-show starting at 7 p.m. Eastern.
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Kickoff show —
Kevin Patrick replaced Kayla Braxton as the kickoff show host, as the latter was feeling under the weather. Patrick, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Booker T, and Peter Rosenberg were the full panel. It’s mostly the typical assortment of promos, packages, and analysis.
At one point, the pre-show panel was interrupted by a White Rabbit video. The panel just kept talking as if nothing happened.
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WWE Extreme Rules report —
The show started with a really fun hype package surrounding a kid trying to spell “extreme” in a spelling bee.
Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland, & Butch) defeated Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, & Giovanni Vinci) in a Good Old-Fashioned Donnybrook [17:50]
This was an awesome physical spotfest. This Sheamus-Gunther feud has been maybe the highlight of WWE programming in 2022.
Sheamus was so over in this match. There were barrels and bar tops set up at ringside. The two teams went right after each other at the bell, with the Brutes eventually landing a running dropkick on Kaiser before being leveled with a Gunther chop. Imperium gained control, using three-on-one attacks against their individual opponents. They sent Sheamus into the steel steps.
Gunther just killed Sheamus with repeated chops, then Imperium tried to take him out of the equation by dropping him hard onto the wooden bar top. With Sheamus incapacitated, it was a three-on-two advantage for Imperium, who hit the Imperial Bomb on Holland on the outside.
Imperium then beat down Butch for a good while until Sheamus fired up. The Irishman took out Kaiser and Vinci on the outside, leading to the big heavyweight face-off with Gunther in the ring. Gunther hit a German, but Sheamus fired back with lariats and a powerslam.
Sheamus hit the 10 Beats of the Bodhran, with his Brutes getting involved for good measure. White Noise followed. Sheamus nailed the Brogue Kick, but Vinci broke up the pin on a springboard. There was a parade of big moves, ending with Sheamus hitting the Irish Curse backbreaker and locking on the cloverleaf. Kaiser broke it up with a shillelagh shot.
The two teams brought themselves to their feet as the subordinates went after each other. Gunther and Sheamus, forehead to forehead, traded hard strikes. Kaiser took out Butch, Vinci took out Holland, but then Sheamus landed a rising knee for a near fall.
Imperium cleared off the announce table and set Sheamus up for the Imperial Bomb. Holland broke it up before Butch took them out with a moonsault off a barrel. Gunther smashed Sheamus with a shillelagh shot to the face for a good near fall. Gunther set up for the powerbomb, but Butch and Holland snapped his fingers and Sheamus whacked him with the shillelagh.
Holland and Butch laid in shillelagh shots on Vinci and Kaiser, then Sheamus hit the Celtic Cross on Gunther through the announce table. With the Brutes restraining him, Sheamus crushed Vinci with the Brogue Kick for the win.
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The Miz was backstage. An interviewer asked why he was at Extreme Rules, and Miz said he wanted to talk to Triple H in person about his birthday celebration this Monday. He was distracted by Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot, who presented Miz with a T-shirt. Miz threw the shirt down, stomped on it, and walked off.
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WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey defeated Liv Morgan (c) in an Extreme Rules match [12:48]
There were moments that this could’ve been really good — the layout was solid and Ronda comes across like a killer — but Liv was absolutely atrocious here. Her selling was, like, day one community theatre fake fighting, and she really struggled with some of the props/weapons. And then she smiles as Ronda’s putting her in a blood choke for the finish? Terrible.
Early on, Liv produced a bat, which Ronda effortlessly disarmed and tossed away. Ronda landed a knee to the midsection and went for an ankle lock, but Liv escaped. Ronda intercepted a dive, trapped Liv in the ring skirt, and slapped her straight across the face. Liv came back by letting a fire extinguisher loose in Ronda’s face, but Ronda took her down with an Olympic slam and baseball bat shots.
Liv avoided a swing and landed an enzuigiri. Ronda came back with whipping shots from her black belt, then bat shots, having tied her up. Liv got a brief moment of reprieve and propped up a table in the corner, but she took too long, allowing Ronda to smash her into the table and stretch her through the ropes.
Back in the ring, Liv tried to prop up a chair, but it fell out of the ring. She sent Ronda through the ropes anyway. Liv laid in chair shots and hit a something of a facebuster through the chair for two. She set up a table, propped Ronda on it, and landed a top-rope senton through the table for a good near fall.
On the kickout, Ronda immediately locked Liv in a triangle. Liv kind of powered out of it, but Ronda didn’t relinquish the hold. Ronda turned it into a key lock, then a leg sleeper, leading to Liv passing out and Ronda winning the title.
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Karrion Kross defeated Drew McIntyre (w/ Scarlett) in a Strap Match [10:03]
The pre-match brawl was pretty good. The match itself was barely anything, with 80% of it just being Kross heat on McIntyre’s arm/shoulder alongside a screwy interference finish.
Before the match, Kross played some mind games by taking a long time to put the strap on. He threw the strap to Scarlett, which distracted McIntyre and allowed Kross to attack. Kross sent McIntyre into the ring post and over the barricade. They fought up into the crowd — the match hadn’t even officially started — before eventually returning to the ringside area. McIntyre reversed a suplex on the floor into one of his own before planting Kross on the apron with a sidewalk slam.
Finally, back inside the ring, McIntyre put the strap on Kross, and the match was under way. McIntyre dominated until another Scarlett distraction allowed Kross to pull McIntyre repeatedly into the ring post. McIntyre sold his left arm and shoulder hard.
Kross attacked at McIntyre’s arm for a long time, driving him into the announce table at one point. He eventually started whipping McIntyre, with Scarlett cheering him on. Inside the ring, Kross hit the Doomsday Saito for two.
After a long beatdown — I’m talking 6-7 minutes — McIntyre started a comeback with lariats. He wanted the Future Shock DDT, but Kross fought out, forcing McIntyre to re-position and land a spinebuster for two. They laid into each other with strikes before whipping each other. McIntyre got the advantage, hitting the Future Shock DDT and kipping up.
McIntyre counted down to the Claymore Kick, but Scarlett entered the ring and got in between them. She blasted McIntyre with pepper spray, then Kross hit the Kross Hammer for the win.
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The Miz was backstage again, trying to find Triple H. He was interrupted by Gritty for a second time.
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WWE RAW Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair (c) defeated Bayley in a Ladder Match [16:11]
This was pretty good overall. The creativity of some of the spots was really cool, especially Bianca pressing out of being trapped and hitting the double KOD on Damage CTRL. However, there were also multiple minutes-long stretches where nothing really happened due to indecision or the props not cooperating.
No Damage CTRL out with Bayley. Both women went for ladders right away and jockeyed for position. After an extended exchange of climbing and pulling each other off, Bianca slammed Bayley onto a ladder and followed it up with a springboard moonsault. Bayley returned fire by driving Bianca into the corner with a ladder. She then landed a sunset flip into the ladder in a cool spot.
There was a long period of time where it seemed like Bayley couldn’t decide what she wanted to do next. She eventually set up a ladder bridge between the steps and the barricade, propped Bianca onto it, and landed a running elbow drop.
Back in the ring, they both traded climb attempts, with Bayley dumping Bianca out of the ring on one. Bayley altered her knee brace, but Bianca avoided a knee strike in the corner and hit the KOD. She made it to the top of the ladder, but Damage CTRL ran out and pushed the ladder over.
Bianca made a comeback and was able to hit a double KOD on Dakota and IYO. However, her strength was sapped, and Bayley took advantage with a ladder shot. Bayley then hit the Rose Plant and set up a ladder, trapping Bianca underneath. Bianca bench pressed herself out of the ladder, sending Bayley crashing into the ropes.
Once they both recovered, they raced to the top of the ladder. Bayley grabbed Bianca’s hair and used it to send her down, but Bianca recovered and whipped Bayley with her hair. She hit Bayley with a KOD onto a ladder, then climbed and retrieved the championship to retain.
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WWE Monday Night RAW Season Premiere lineup —
Johnny Gargano vs. Austin Theory
WWE United States Championship: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Seth Rollins
D-Generation X Reunion
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Finn Bálor defeated Edge in an “I Quit” Match [29:39]
This ended up being so much fun. Classic WWE hokey melodrama, in a good way. The early portions of the match were nothing special — the crowd brawling was just okay — but I was so entertained by the Judgment Day, Rey, and Beth run-ins. Turning Bálor and Judgment Day into a legitimate heel stable is miracle work after how dead they were just a couple months ago.
The official had a microphone in hand to hear the loser say “I quit” as is tradition. Edge went right after Bálor at the start, but Bálor was able to come back and target Edge’s left knee. He locked on a figure four, but Edge wouldn’t quit. Bálor continued to dominate for a really long extended period, but Edge was defiant.
Edge finally started a comeback by driving Bálor through the barricade. They brawled into a floor area near the pre-show set and Edge hit a vertical suplex on the floor. Edge found a hockey stick (we are in the Flyers’ arena, after all) and choked Bálor with it.
They climbed up towards the concourse, where Bálor repeatedly sent Edge into the wall. Edge countered a running attack by sending Bálor into a concrete overhang. They made their way back towards the ring, with Bálor regaining control as Edge sold his midsection.
Back inside the ring, Bálor attacked with repeated chair shots. “Screw you, Finn,” was Edge’s response. “I don’t quit.” Bálor locked Edge in a crossface, but Edge still wouldn’t quit. Edge regained control by sending Bálor into a chair that had been propped up in the corner.
Edge laid in chair shots on Bálor’s left leg. He locked on an inverted crab, but Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio ran out to break it up. Edge fought them off and Speared Bálor through the ropes onto Priest and Dominik. He set up for another Spear, but Rhea Ripley appeared and handcuffed Edge to the ropes.
Judgement Day surrounded Edge, who fought valiantly but was eventually overwhelmed. Bálor attacked with a kendo stick until Rey Mysterio ran out to make the save. Rey took out Bálor and hit a 619 on Priest but was attacked by his son. Dominik beat Rey down.
Bálor resumed attacking Edge with the kendo stick until Beth Phoenix, Edge’s wife, showed up and dispatched everyone — except Rhea, leading to the two women brawling. Beth took out Rhea with a Spear and freed Edge from the handcuffs, allowing him to Spear Priest.
Edge and Dominik were alone in the ring. Dominik pleaded his case, but Edge low-blowed him; however, the distraction was enough to allow Bálor to hit a Sling Blade. Edge fired back with a Spear out of nowhere, then a second, then a third. Edge was about to try and win with a crossface, but Rhea took out Beth with brass knuckles and Priest and Dominik leveled Edge.
Bálor landed three Coups de Grâce. He demanded Edge say it, but Edge told him to “go to hell.” The three Judgment Day men restrained Edge as Rhea was about to con-chair-to Beth, leading to Edge quitting to save his wife.
– After the match, Rhea hit Beth with the con-chair-to anyway.
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Backstage, Miz had had it with Gritty, attacking him (it?). Dexter Lumis appeared behind him and choked him out. Lumis helped Gritty up, and Gritty got a shot in before they walked off.
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Matt Riddle defeated Seth “FREAKIN” Rollins in the Fight Pit (special guest referee: Daniel Cormier) [16:54]
This was a strong main event with some major high spots and cool sequences, but I can’t help but feel they left a big on the table. Some of the Cormier stuff was oddly paced too.
Riddle quickly used the cage structure to his advantage with a step-up enzuigiri. He laid in palm strikes, leading to Cormier pulling him off, and the momentary distraction allowed Rollins to attack and gain the upper hand. Cormier had to lay the law down on Rollins as well. Riddle attacked with overhand chops, but Rollins sent him into the cage.
Cormier made it to an eight count before Riddle got up. Rollins attacked with superkicks and laid in rabbit punches to the back of Riddle’s head. He then suplexed Riddle into the cage. Rollins took too long to capitalize, allowing Riddle to surprise him with an RKO out of nowhere.
Rollins reversed a second RKO attempt and hit the Stomp. He went for a Stomp from the top of the cage, but Riddle avoided it; however, Rollins was able to climb up to the top of the pit. Riddle pursued him and locked on a jumping rear naked choke around a one of the structure’s chains. Rollins escaped and repeatedly drove Riddle into the cage before hitting a powerbomb into the cage wall. He followed it up with a Pedigree on the platform.
Cormier wouldn’t count Riddle out, as he wasn’t in the ring. Rollins continued to plead his case with Cormier, allowing Riddle to hit an RKO on the platform, which sent Rollins back down to the mat. Riddle then hit a Bro-ton from the top of the pit.
Riddle went for a flying triangle, maintaining the hold even after Rollins tried to send him into the cage walls. Riddle eventually forced Rollins to tap for the win.
Bray Wyatt return
– After the match, as the end-of-show logo came on the screen, the lights in the arena went out. A recording of “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands” played. Various people in creepy costumes were shown around the building. A Fiend mask was on the announcer’s table, then The Fiend showed up at ringside briefly before a door appeared on the entrance ramp.
The broadcast cut to a video, presumably at the Firefly Funhouse. A broadcast played on a TV with someone in a creepy mask talking and laughing (a different mask than the Fiend one). The door on the entrance ramp opened, a light shined, and the new-masked man emerged with a lantern. He unmasked as Bray Wyatt, blew out his lantern, and the show ended.
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Final Thoughts —
Extreme Rules 2022 was a middling show with six matches: a stellar opener, three good-to-very good showcases, and two absolute duds. The live crowd adored the Bray Wyatt return; I’ll wait and see if it translates to entertaining wrestling matches.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including Nick Gage vs. Moxley this weekend and the sticky situation they found themselves in, AEW Rampage, Battle of the Belts, Smackdown, Bound for Glory, Extreme Rules, A FUCKING MAGIC SHOW, and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including more Inoki questions from the mailbag, Royal Rumble ticket sales, ratings, NXT and AEW Dynamite previews, RAW report and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Royal Rumble tickets, NXT & AEW Dynamite previews, Andrade
WWE’s latest White Rabbit QR code points to an Extreme Rules debut for the character.
A QR code aired in multiple segments on Monday’s Raw show, leading to a WWE.com link. A coded message at the link included a line similar to one used in past Bray Wyatt Firefly Funhouse segments, “All hope abandon, ye who enter here.”
A link in the first photo points to a second photo, which includes the latitude and longitude coordinates for Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, the site of Saturday’s Extreme Rules premium live event, and the date of the show, 10/8/22.
The QR code numbers behind the picture are 399012n751720w. Those are the latitude and longitude coordinates of Wells Fargo Center. #ExtremeRules is being held at Wells Fargo Center this Saturday #WWERAW#WhiteRabbitpic.twitter.com/XgH148MvfR
“Gacy” is also hidden in the source code of one of the links, perhaps indicating that the next QR code will air during a Joe Gacy segment on Tuesday’s WWE NXT episode. A code hidden in a link from Friday’s SmackDown pointed to “BELAIR,” and the QR code aired during multiple Bianca Belair segments on Monday’s Raw episode.
It was announced today that Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci) and The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland & Butch) will meet in a “Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook” six-man tag match at Extreme Rules. The match will be “an absolute free-for-all brawl with numerous weapons at every turn that guarantee a display of all-out mayhem.”
Extreme Rules is taking place on Saturday, October 8. The night before the pay-per-view, Gunther will defend his Intercontinental title against Sheamus on SmackDown’s season premiere episode. That’s a rematch from Clash at the Castle, where Gunther retained against Sheamus in a hard-hitting instant classic.
On SmackDown last week, Holland & Butch challenged The Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles. Imperium got involved in the match and cost The Brawling Brutes a chance to become champions.
Sheamus also wrestled in a Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook match this July, losing to Drew McIntyre on an episode of SmackDown.
Extreme Rules is being held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The updated card for the PPV is listed below:
Extreme Rules match: SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan defends against Ronda Rousey
Ladder match: Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Bayley
Fight Pit match: Matt Riddle vs. Seth Rollins
Strap match: Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross
“I Quit” match: Edge vs. Finn Balor
Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook match: Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci) vs. The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland & Butch)
The clues to the “White Rabbit” on SmackDown lead to another show. These clues need to be more than just promos for the next episode, otherwise WWE risks fans turning on this angle. So far, it’s turned out to be just a carny trick in the digital age. Fans need to be rewarded for their time, not used.
Plus, a monologue from three weeks ago turns out to be prophetic when it comes to the CM Punk controversy, The Great Muta and Bobby Fish make surprise appearances on AEW and IMPACT respectively, the lineup for EXTREME RULES so far, and more. Check it out.
WWE has announced a new addition to its 2022 pay-per-view schedule.
It was revealed via the Philadelphia Inquirer today that Extreme Rules 2022 will take place at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, October 8. WWE previously didn’t have a PPV event scheduled for October.
The event will be WWE’s first PPV in Philadelphia since the Wells Fargo Center hosted Elimination Chamber in March 2020. That was WWE’s final PPV before the company was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tickets for Extreme Rules will go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 15 at 10 a.m. Eastern time. WWE has also opened up a mailing list for those interested in receiving pre-sale information.
Paul Heyman spoke to the Philadelphia Inquirer about Extreme Rules coming to the former home city of ECW. Heyman said performing in Philly is a “litmus test” for pro wrestlers:
It’s a litmus test. There’s an honesty from the Philadelphia sports fan that comes through, that permeates through the television set when you watch these events on television. There’s no BS from a Philadelphia crowd. If they like you, they will reward you and bestow on you an affirmation that is quite — no pun intended — extreme and if they don’t like you and don’t like what you’re presenting, their negative reaction is quite — no pun intended — extreme. You’re going to know where you stand when you perform in Philly.
Last year’s Extreme Rules was held in Columbus, Ohio. In the main event, Roman Reigns defeated “The Demon” Finn Balor in an extreme rules match to retain the Universal Championship.
WWE’s updated PPV schedule for the remainder of 2022 is listed below:
Saturday, July 2: Money in the Bank at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday, July 30: SummerSlam at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee
Saturday, September 3: Clash at the Castle at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales
Saturday, October 8: Extreme Rules at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Saturday, November 5: Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Saturday, November 26: Survivor Series at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
WWE’s Extreme Rules show on 9/26 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH was decent. Most of the matches were good, but nothing was a blowaway.
The show was built around two bouts, Roman Reigns vs. Demon Finn Balor for the Universal title and Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair for the women’s title. Both had gimmicked finishes.
The Demon match ended with Demon on the top rope when the top rope suddenly collapsed and he fell into the ring injured and got pinned by a spear. The bout had been the most exciting on the show, but at one point the idea was that Demon had died. Then his music played and he acted as though he was resurrected, and in fact, that was the verbiage used, and he made a comeback until the rope broke.
In the Smackdown women’s title match, Belair powered out of the disarmer and set up the KOD when Sasha Banks ran into attack Belair for the DQ. Banks also laid out Lynch after the match to set up a three-way program.
Alexa Bliss is reportedly taking time off for sinus surgery.
PWInsider reported this afternoon that Bliss was written off WWE TV following Extreme Rules due to upcoming sinus surgery. They could not confirm how long she would be out of action for.
At Extreme Rules, Bliss was unsuccessful in challenging Charlotte Flair for her Raw Women’s title. After the match, Charlotte laid out Bliss and proceeded to destroy Bliss’ doll, Lilly. Once Bliss was able to recover, she became inconsolable over the apparent death of her doll, wailing on the entrance ramp with what remained of Lilly.
Sheamus is another WWE star that is set to undergo surgery. He underwent surgery for a second time for a broken nose that will keep him out of action for a few weeks. He lost the three-way United States title match between himself, champion Damian Priest, and Jeff Hardy at Extreme Rules, then lost another title match the following night on Raw where there were no disqualifications and no count outs.
For the first time since having to miss SummerSlam, Sasha Banks is back on WWE programming.
Banks made her return by getting involved in Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair’s SmackDown Women’s Championship match at tonight’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view. As Belair was going to hit the KOD on Lynch, Banks interfered and attacked Belair to cause the match to end in a disqualification.
Banks continued to attack Belair after causing the DQ. When Banks and Lynch then went face-to-face, Banks started to beat her down too. Belair recovered and went after Banks, but Banks slapped her and hit a backstabber. Banks then laid out Lynch with a backstabber as well.
As she was heading up the ramp, Banks said she’ll see Lynch and Belair on SmackDown this Friday night.
Banks was scheduled to challenge for Belair’s SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam last month, but it was announced just before the match was supposed to start that Banks wouldn’t be able to compete at the show. Lynch made her surprise return and defeated Belair in 26 seconds to win the SmackDown Women’s title.
Banks and Belair both missed two house shows the weekend before SummerSlam due to “unforeseen circumstances.” Belair returned on the pre-SummerSlam episode of SmackDown.
Roman Reigns faces off with “The Demon” Finn Balor in the main event of tonight’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
The Universal Championship will be on the line in Reigns and Balor’s Extreme Rules match. If Reigns wins, he’ll defend the title against Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia next month. Reigns vs. Lesnar at Crown Jewel will be a non-title match if Balor wins the Universal Championship tonight.
Becky Lynch made her surprise return at SummerSlam last month, defeating Bianca Belair in 26 seconds to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship. The two will have a rematch for the title tonight.
Three other title matches are also set for Extreme Rules. Charlotte Flair will defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss, Damian Priest will face Sheamus and Jeff Hardy in a triple threat match for the United States title, and The Street Profits will challenge for The Usos’ SmackDown Tag Team titles.
Plus, Liv Morgan goes one-on-one with Carmella.
Tonight’s pre-show begins at 7 p.m. Eastern time. The main card will then start at 8 p.m. Eastern.
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Pre-Show
Kayla Braxton started the kick-off show by introducing her panel members JBL, Pete Rosenberg, Kevin Patrick, and Booker T. They ran down the lineup for tonight’s card and announced Liv Morgan vs. Carmella for the pre-show.
They recapped the Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair feud. Sonya Deville joined the panel to discuss the matches tonight. Braxton pointed out that Deville seems to have a problem with Naomi. Deville said she’s an authority figure, and Naomi needs to respect her.
The panel discussed the SmackDown Women’s title match. Rosenberg wondered if Belair could gain an advantage after losing in 26 seconds, and Booker bluntly said no. JBL agreed and felt Belair should have turned Lynch down at SummerSlam.
They recapped Big E defeating Bobby Lashley to win the WWE Championship two weeks ago. The recap included Bloodline against New Day and Roman Reigns winning the triple threat match.
In the back, Sarah Schreiber was waiting for the New Day when AJ Styles and Omos approached. Styles began talking when The New Day showed up. They pointed out that Styles and Omos don’t have a match tonight. Suddenly, Bobby Lashley jumped Big E, and a brawl broke out.
The panel turned their attention to the triple threat match between Sheamus, Damian Priest, and Jeff Hardy. They announced New Day vs. Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles & Omos in a six-man tag team match for the pay-per-view.
Booker thinks Big E needs to stop helping out his friends and should focus on his career. During the segment, the fans broke into a brief “JBL” chant.
They recapped Roman Reigns defeating Montez Ford and the post-match beat down from SmackDown. Earlier today, Street Profits arrived at the building. Angelo Dawkins didn’t like that Reigns, and The Usos jumped Ford. They promised to win the titles tonight.
They recapped the Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair feud. They then showed Flair arriving at the building in a limo. Deville joined the panel again to discuss the Raw Women’s title match.
Liv Morgan defeated Carmella (7:51)
Morgan and Carmella had a fine pre-show match. This was better than their recent encounters on SmackDown partly because of the crowd.
They recapped Carmella claiming Morgan broke her nose two weeks ago. Morgan got a good reaction from the crowd.
Before the match, Carmella grabbed the mic, and the fans erupted in boos. Carmella bragged that her pretty face is her greatest asset, which separates her from people like Morgan. Carmella added that she’s hot and Morgan’s not.
Morgan jumped Carmella and had the early advantage. She tried to send Carmella face-first into the turnbuckle, but she avoided it. Morgan then sent Carmella to the floor with a dropkick.
Carmella dropped Morgan on the apron and hit a superkick to take over. She followed up with a suplex for a near fall. Carmella slowed the pace down with a chin lock, but Morgan broke free to loud cheers. Carmella then dropped Morgan on her head for another near fall. Morgan fought back with a Thez Press to more loud cheers. She followed up with an enziguri and a stomp for a two-count. The fans broke into a loud “Let’s go, Liv” chant.
Carmella hit a superkick for another two-count. Morgan fought back and hit the double knees for a close near fall. Carmella then trash-talked Morgan and dragged her to the floor. The fans broke into a loud “Let’s go, Morgan” chant. Morgan fought back and dropped Carmella face-first on the announce table. Morgan then hit the oblivion for the win. The fans popped for the finish.
They recapped the Roman Reigns and Demon Finn Balor feud. Sarah Schreiber interviewed Paul Heyman in the back.
She wondered if they overlooked the Demon Finn Balor. Heyman mocked her and said, that’s the stupidest question. He believes Braxton probably requested not to interview him tonight. Heyman promised that Reigns would retain the title and said that’s not a prediction but a spoiler.
Main Show
The New Day defeated Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles & Omos (18:10)
This was a good six-man tag opener.
They recapped Big E winning the WWE Championship two weeks ago.
Fans broke into a loud “New Day Rocks” chant at the ring of the bell. Woods had the early advantage, but Styles fought back with the calf crusher. Woods made it to the ropes and tagged in Kofi Kingston. The fans erupted in a loud “Kofi” chant.
Kingston missed the trouble in paradise, and Styles went for a back suplex. Kingston landed on his feet and went for a back suplex, but Styles slipped out and went for a chop block.
Big E tagged in and got a big pop. Big E threw Styles into his corner and demanded Lashley tag in the match. Big E backed Lashley into his corner, and New Day stomped down Lashley.
Kingston attempted a dive on the floor, but Lashley caught him. Woods then hit a dropkick, knocking them both down. Lashley took over after tossing Kingston across the ring. The heels isolated Kingston on their side of the ring. The fans reacted big when Omos entered the match and rocked Kingston with forearms and an uppercut.
Omos lifted Kingston with a vertical suplex but dropped him face-first. Styles tagged in and slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Styles went after the New Day, but that gave Kingston the chance to fight back. Lashley tagged in, but Kingston sent him to the floor. Lashley then pulled Big E off the apron and dropped Kingston face-first for a near fall.
Kingston regained control but had nobody to tag. Lashley took back over and went for a power slam, but Kingston slipped out the back. Woods got the hot tag and ran wild on Lashley. He caught Lashley with a shotgun dropkick and DDT for a near fall. Lashley fought back and hit a power slam on Woods.
Woods hit a missile dropkick and tagged in Big E. Big E caught Styles with a belly-to-belly suplex and knocked Omos off the apron. Big E followed up with a big splash. He went for the Big Ending, but Styles avoided the move. Styles charged at Big E, but he caught him with a uranage. They almost messed up the move, but Big E recovered and planted Styles for a two-count.
Big E went for the spear off the apron, but Styles counted with a leg drop. Big E and Kingston hit a powerbomb/double foot stomp for a near fall, but Lashley broke up the pin.
Kingston avoided a spear with a leapfrog and sent Styles to the floor. Big E sent Kingston over the top rope, but Omos rocked him with a big chop.
In the ring, Lashley dropped Big E face-first for a two count. Lashley set up for the hurt lock, but Styles tagged himself in and went for the Phenomenal Forearm. Lashley tagged himself back in and accidentally hit the spear on Styles. Big E then hit the big ending on Lashley for the win.
They showed Becky Lynch in the back getting ready for her match. The fans popped for Lynch.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defeated The Street Profits to retain the titles (13:43)
The Street Profits and Usos had a really good match and had the fans going crazy by the end.
They recapped Roman Reigns and The Usos attacking Montez Ford last Friday.
Ford heavily taped up his ribs because of the attack. The Street Profits had the early advantage after a pair of dropkicks.
The fans broke into a loud “We want the smoke” chant. The Usos took over after Jimmy targeted Ford’s ribs. Jimmy and Jey then dropped Ford on the top rope. Jey then gave Ford a back suplex on the floor and pulled off the tape.
Jey slowed the pace down by working over the ribs. Ford tried to make the tag, but Jey pulled him back and hit a forearm. Jey then missed a splash, and Dawkins got the hot tag.
Dawkins ran wild and hit a flying elbow on Jey. He followed up with twisting splashes on Jey and then Jimmy. Jimmy recovered and sent Dawkins to the floor.
Jimmy attempted a suicide dive, but Dawkins caught him and hit a suplex. Jey attempted a suicide dive, but Dawkins cut him off. Dawkins hit a superplex into a twisting neck breaker on Jey for a close near fall. The fans broke into a loud “We want tables” chant.
The Street Profits hit a doomsday blockbuster for a close two-count. Jey hit a splash on Dawkins, but Ford made a blind tag. Dawkins then hit a spine buster, and Ford went for the frog splash, but Jey got his knees up. Jey rolled up Ford for a near fall.
Jey rocked Dawkins with a superkick, and Jimmy hit a splash for a near fall. The fans broke into a “This is awesome” chant. The Usos dragged Dawkins to the floor and threw him into the barricade. Ford then hit a huge flip dive over the ring post onto the Usos to a huge pop. Ford followed up with a frog splash for a close near fall, but Jimmy broke up the pin. The fans broke into another loud “This is awesome” chant.
Jimmy went for a superkick, but Dawkins took the bullet for Ford. The Usos took back over and hit a double superkick on Ford and followed up with a double splash for the win.
In the back, Bobby Lashley called Big E a coward and chicken and demanded a title match to win his title back.
Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defeated Alexa Bliss to retain the title (11:25)
Flair and Bliss had a fine match, but the finish was a bit sudden. The finish felt flat, and the post-match angle went on too long.
They did the special ring introduction, and Bliss got a huge pop from the hometown crowd.
The fans immediately broke into a loud “Let’s go Bliss” chant. Bliss caught Flair with a dropkick for the early advantage. Flair avoided a DDT, but Bliss sent her to the floor and hit a cannonball off the apron.
Flair caught Bliss and slammed her down. Bliss tried to fight back, but Flair hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near fall. Flair slowed the pace down with a submission, but Bliss broke free with a hurricanrana into the bottom turnbuckle.
Flair quickly regained control after dropping Bliss on the middle turnbuckle.
Bliss sent Flair to the floor with a dropkick and went for a sliding dropkick. Flair caught her and swung Bliss into the barricade.
Flair went for a moonsault, but Bliss rolled out of the way. Flair landed on her feet and hit a standing moonsault for a close near fall. Bliss avoided natural selection and rocked Flair with a right hand. Flair recovered and went for another moonsault but Bliss got her feet up. She followed up with a sunset bomb for a close near fall.
Flair avoided twisted Bliss. Bliss then hit a DDT for a near fall, but Flair got her foot on the bottom rope. The finish came when Flair threw Lilly at Bliss and hit a big boot. She followed up with natural selection for the win.
After the match, Flair threw Bliss out of the ring and ripped up Lilly to pieces. The fans booed the finish, and Flair tearing up Lilly. Bliss jumped back in the ring and beat down Flair. They fought around ringside, and the fans broke into a loud “table” chant. Flair gained control and tossed Bliss over the announce table. Flair possed with the title and walked off.
The fans applauded Bliss as she got back to her feet. Bliss started screaming and held the pieces of Lilly in her hands. The fans broke into a loud “Thank you Lilly” chant. Bliss screamed some more as she held Lilly.
In the back, Kayla Braxton snuck up on Paul Heyman on the phone. He was talking about the draft when Braxton approached. Heyman mocked Braxton and wondered if she was jealous that he was on the phone with another journalist. He said it didn’t matter if he’s on the phone with Brock Lesnar. He walked off when the Usos came by.
Triple Threat Match: United States Champion Damian Priest defeated Jeff Hardy and Sheamus to retain the title (13:18)
They had a good match that picked up towards the end. The fans were firmly behind Hardy and wanted him to win the title.
Sheamus jumped Hardy at the ring of the bell. Priest and Sheamus then brawled around ringside. Priest was firmly in control when Hardy hit a dive off the steps. Hardy took over and hit a dive off the apron on Sheamus.
Priest regained control and hit a series of splashes on Hardy and Sheamus. He followed up with the falcon arrow on Hardy for a near fall, but Sheamus made the save. The fans broke into a “Hardy” and then a “table” chant.
Sheamus took over and isolated Hardy. Sheamus tried to hit the forearms to the chest, but Priest fought back. Priest seemed to slip off the apron, but he recovered. Sheamus knocked him back down, but Hardy hit a crossbody on Sheamus to gain control.
Hardy rolled up Sheamus, but Priest broke up the pin attempt. Hardy then hit whisper in the wind on both Sheamus and Priest for a near fall. Sheamus hit the Alabama Slam on Hardy for a near fall, but his mask fell off. Sheamus locked on the cloverleaf, but Priest attacked Sheamus.
Priest kicked Sheamus in the face. Sheamus recovered and hit White Noise for a close near fall.
Hardy caught Sheamus with a twist of fate. Priest went for his finisher, but Hardy tried countering with a twist of fate. They messed up the move and ended up in a dragon sleeper accidentally.
Hardy hit the twist of fate and climbed to the top. Sheamus knocked off Hardy and mocked him.
Sheamus hit a knee drop on Preist for a near fall. Priest fought back and went for the pin, but Hardy hit a Swanton bomb to a huge pop to break it up. The fans broke into a loud “Hardy” chant. Hardy and Preist traded shots in the middle of the ring.
The fans booed Priest and cheered Hardy. Preist went for a springboard off the middle rope, but Sheamus caught him with a knee. Hardy knocked Sheamus out and scored a very close near fall on Preist.
The finish came when Sheamus hit the brogue kick on Hardy, but Priest rolled up Sheamus to retain the title. Priest celebrated his win and showed Hardy respect after the match.
In the back, Big E accepted Bobby Lashley’s challenge and said he’ll be in the ring at 8 p.m. Monday for his title defense.
Lynch and Belair had a good match until the disqualification finish. Sasha Banks made her surprise return and attacked Belair and then Lynch.
They did the special ring introduction. The fans broke into a loud “Becky” chant and an “EST” chant.
Lynch went for the manhandle slam early, but Belair countered with a KOD. Lynch avoided the KOD and rolled to the floor. Michael Cole pushed that Belair almost beat Lynch in 26 seconds. The fans broke into dueling “Let’s go Becky” and “EST” chants.
Belair used a slam and hit a splash for a near fall. Lynch was briefly in control, but Belair avoided her with a moonsault and hit a dropkick. Lynch hung Belair on the top rope using Belair’s ponytail.
Lynch took over and slowed the pace down. The fans continued with the dueling chants of “Let’s go Becky” and “EST.” Lynch followed up with a sliding leg drop and an elbow drop.
Belair avoided the dis-arm-her, but Lynch hit a suplex. Lynch slowed the pace down again with a chin lock. The fans broke into another “Let’s go Becky” and “EST” chant.
Belair powered out of the chin lock and hit a suplex. She followed up with forearms and dropkicks. Belair then hit a suplex, rolled through, and hit a delayed vertical suplex. Lynch and Belair had a tug-o-war over Belair’s hair. Belair pulled Lynch in and hit a spine buster for a close two-count.
Lynch hit a crossbody, but Belair caught her and hit a fallaway slam for a near fall. Lynch recovered and climbed to the top rope, but Belair cut her off.
Belair picked up Lynch in a press slam, but Lynch escaped. Lynch went for the dis-arm-her, but Belair made it to the ropes.
Belair sent Lynch to the floor and went for the double arm chicken wing. Lynch countered and sent Belair into the steps. She followed up with a leg drop off the middle turnbuckle for a near fall. Lynch hit a second leg drop on Belair hanging over the middle rope for a two-count.
Lynch went for the manhandle slam, but Belair countered with a suplex. Lynch rolled through and went for an armbar. Belair countered with a powerbomb for another near fall. They traded shots and pinfall attempts. Lynch rolled through and went for the dis-arm-her, but Belair powered out. Belair went for the KOD when Sasha Banks ran out for disqualification.
After the match, Banks attacked Belair and brawled with Lynch. Banks gained the upper hand and beat down both Lynch and Belair. She promised to be on SmackDown for the Draft.
Extreme Rules: Universal Champion Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) defeated The Demon Finn Balor to retain the title (19:38)
Reigns and Balor had a really good match, although the finish had a ton of smoke and mirrors. They told a good story and had the fans going crazy by the end.
They recapped Brock Lesnar returning at SummerSlam and Reigns’ feud with The Demon. Michael Cole pointed out that Reigns has been Universal Champion for 391 days and wondered if he’d be champion at Crown Jewel. Cole also pointed out that Balor is undefeated as The Demon.
Balor and Reigns traded shots to start the match. Reigns went for a slam, but Balor attacked the eyes. Reigns fought back and hit a Samoan Drop for a near fall. He rolled out of the ring and grabbed a kendo stick. The fans booed that it wasn’t a table.
Reigns looked around, and Balor appeared on the other side of the ring with a bundle of kendo sticks. Balor used the kendo sticks to beat down Reigns but Reigns fought back.
The fans broke into a “We want tables” chant. Balor trapped Reigns in the ring curtain and beat him down. He started to pull out a table from under the ring to a massive pop. Reigns cut Balor off and put the table back to thunderous boos. The fans erupted in a loud “We want tables” chant.
Reigns grabbed a chair and beat down Balor. Balor fought back and hit a double foot stomp with the chair. The fans broke into a loud “table” chant.
Balor brought in the table to a huge pop. Reigns suddenly hit the drive-by out of nowhere. He then threw Balor over the barricade into the crowd. Reigns put on a mask and brawled with Balor through the crowd.
They fought near the kick-off panel’s table. Balor hit a crossbody off the panel’s table onto Reigns through a second table.
In the ring, Balor set up the first table but Reigns recovered. He slammed Balor through the table for a close near fall. The fans broke into a “This is awesome” chant. Reigns missed the superman punch, and Balor hit a Pele kick. Reigns recovered and hit a superman punch for a two-count.
Reigns went for a spear, but Balor countered with a kick to the face. He followed up with the sling blade. Balor went for the shotgun dropkick, but Reigns hit a spear for a near fall. When Balor kicked out, he gave Reigns a low blow, which Reigns did a few weeks ago to Balor.
Balor took over and hit a dive to the floor. He followed up with the coup de grace, but The Usos ran out and broke up the pin. The Usos beat him down and hit a double superkick. They set up a table at ringside.
Balor fought back and took out Jimmy. Balor then gave Jey a powerbomb through the announce table to a huge pop. The fans were going crazy when Reigns speared Balor through the barricade to a massive pop. The fans went crazy and broke into a loud “Holy s***” chant.
Suddenly, the lights turned red, and a heartbeat played in the arena. Balor suddenly jumped to his feet, and his music started playing. He ran wild and beat down Reigns with a chair around ringside. Balor then put Reigns through a table.
Balor sent Reigns back in the ring and climbed to the top rope. Suddenly, the top rope broke, and Balor fell in the ring. The lights turned back on, and Reigns hit the spear for the win. There was no explanation why the top rope suddenly broke and the red light made it difficult to watch the last few minutes.
Reigns and The Usos celebrated his win to end a fun pay-per-view. WWE Champion Big E vs. Bobby Lashley is official for tomorrow night on Raw.
Dave Meltzer and I are back with Wrestling Observer Radio.
We talk about the latest with Jon Jones and then discuss UFC 266 from Saturday Night. We go over the AEW Dynamite ratings and talk about Friday’s Rampage show.
We dig into the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and talk about Dave’s story on WrestleMania in Dallas as well as the booking of last Monday’s RAW.
We look at night three of the G1, the furvor over star ratings, the STARDOM 5 STAR GP, Kanyon, and the WON HOF.
Timestamps:
Start: Jon Jones arrested, Nick Diaz returns
11:50: UFC 266 rundown
31:02: AEW Dynamite ratings
40:10: Rampage thoughts (includes NJPW taping spoilers), Moxley appears on Defy
44:52: WrestleMania 38 plans being discussed, plans from last week’s Raw
49:39: Extreme Rules preview
53:40: The latest on G1
47:30: Stardom 5 Star GP winner
58:31: People mad at star ratings, Danielson interview thoughts
1:07:28: Chris Kanyon Dark Side of the Ring
1:11:48: Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, reflecting on this week’s Grand Slam event
