Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro vs. The New Day in a Tables Match for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships
I enjoyed how WWE began the night with a championship match. Big E and Kofi went right after Cesaro and Nakamura. The heels were able to takeover the match once taking the champs to the corner. Kofi hit an impressive dropkick to Cesaro with his head bouncing off the steel steps. Nakamura hit Kofi with a table but it wasn’t enough to break the table. Big E and Kofi set up two tables stacked on top of each other. Kofi started to trash talk his opponents. Cesaro powerslammed Kofi through both tables to win the championships.
Results: Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro defeat The New Day to win the Smackdown Tag Team Championships
Grade: B+
Nikki Cross vs. Bayley for the Smackdown Women’s Championship
Nikki Cross was accompanied by Alexa Bliss while Bayley was accompanied by Sasha Banks. Bayley started off controlling the match. It almost looked like Cross lost confidence in herself. Cross regained composure and slapped Bayley of her own and got a few moves in. She pinned Bayley and already almost got the three count. Cross hit Bayley with two cross bodies off the top rope. Bayley hit Cross with a Bayley-to-Belly but kicked out. Bayley went face first into the middle turnbuckle which was the change of momentum Cross needed. She then hit a crossbreaker on the outside of the ring. Sasha Banks gave Bayley the Boss ring that she wears on her hand. As Banks got on the top rope, Bayley used it on Cross. Cross showed a valiant effort and performed better than expected.
Results: Bayley defeated Nikki Cross to retain the Smackdown Women’s Championship via pinfall
Grade: A-
Seth Rollins vs. Rey Mysterio in an Eye-for-an-Eye Match
Rey Mysterio came from behind and went after Rollins early. However, Rollins was able to quickly take advantage again. Both wrestlers used eye gages often. Mysterio took the pliers and brought out a table. Mysterio tried to hit Rollins with steel but Rollins got out of the way and hit Mysterio with a kendo stick. The Monday Night Messiah tried to rip and tear Mysterio’s left eye. Rollins went with the same tactic he used last time with the steel steps and he succeeded. This match was very weird and messed up. After seeing Mysterio’s face, Rollins threw up at ringside. This match was sick and twisted but I was at least hoping Mysterio can get vengeance. Hopefully, Mysterio can heal soon.
Results: Seth Rollins defeats Rey Mysterio
Grade: B-
Sasha Banks vs. Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship
Sasha Banks looks to defeat Asuka and also have dos straps. If this happens Bayley and Sasha Banks truly would be running the Women’s Division as they would have every Women’s Title on the main roster. Asuka was accompanied by Kairi Sane and Sasha Banks was accompanied by Bayley. The match began with both wrestlers being tied up until they each took each other to the corner. Banks was able to reverse a move and lock in the Bank Statement. Banks hit the double knees on Asuka. Both wrestlers are competing with back-and-forth moves. Banks sent the champ into the plexiglass with a powerbomb. Banks then hit Asuka with a 450 Splash for a two count. Banks wasted no time then locking in the Bank Statement until Asuka grabbed the rope. As Banks started to feel herself and started talking trash Asuka used her strong striking abilities to gain momentum. Bayley tried to distract the ref but Kairi Sane pulled Bayley down and they brawled until Bayley took her out. Bayley smartly gave the ref a title so the ref was distracted and never saw Banks tap out to the Asuka lock. Asuka used the green mist to the ref as Banks ducked. Bayley once again took advantage and used the title. Bayley took the referee shirt and made the three count.
Results: Sasha Banks defeats Asuka to win the Raw Women’s Championship via pinfall
Grade: A
Dolph Ziggler vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship in an Extreme Rules Match
Dolph Ziggler picked the rules and they are heavily in his favor. For Ziggler it is an Extreme Rules match but McIntyre must obey the rules of a normal sanctioned match. Also, if McIntyre gets counted out or disqualified Ziggler becomes champion. Ziggler went under the ring looking for a weapon to use early but McIntyre stopped him in his tracks. Ziggler set up a table but McIntyre was able to take advantage. Ziggler used a low blow which is perfectly legal for his match. He then used a steel chair and repeatedly hit McIntyre in the back with the chair. McIntyre lost his breath for a few moments as the legs of a chair went into his throat. Ziggler hit the Famouser outside the ring but Drew made it back to the ring at a count of eight. Ziggler locked in a sleeper hold and grabbed the ropes but there is no rope break for this type of match. Dolph put McIntyre through a table with an elbow drop off the top rope. McIntyre hit Ziggler with the Claymore before Ziggler could hit the Superkick.
Results: Drew McIntyre defeats Dolph Ziggler via pinfall
Grade: C
Bray Wyatt vs. Braun Strowman in a Swamp Match for the WWE Universal Championship
I was very excited for this Main Event. However, I feel like a Swamp Match is a little weird for a Championship Match. Bray Wyatt was in his rocking chair as he waited for Braun Strowman to pull up in his truck. As the lights go out, Wyatt is no longer in his chair and in anger Strowman broke the chair. Random guys attacked Strowman while he was in the woods until someone hit Strowman with a shovel. There was often clips of the Firefly Fun House and Strowman’s time as a member of the Wyatt family. At times, it was often confusing and hard to follow. Strowman regained consciousness as he was tied up and heard Wyatt’s music with the lantern. Wyatt even used Strowman’s former alliance with Alexa Bliss as more mind games. Strowman slammed Wyatt into a boat and sent him across the swamp. However, the boat came back but Bray was nowhere to be found. Strowman got up and kicked Wyatt into the water but Wyatt dragged down Strowman with him. However, The Fiend was able to come up out of the water.
Results: This match ended in a no-contest therefore Strowman retains
Grade: F
This PPV was very good except for the Main Event. It was a lot like the WrestleMania Match between The Fiend and John Cena that I did not enjoy as well. I would still give Extreme Rules a B-.
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