Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.
This week, Dallas Allsopp, Greg Coleman and Robert DeFelice review Extreme Rules 2022.
Question 1: What are your thoughts on the overall quality of the show? Was this the best Extreme Rules event for a while?
ALLSOPP: I enjoyed it, which was the main thing for me at a time when I am really enjoying the offerings from WWE. It wasn't perfect, but it was the most enjoyable iteration for me since Extreme Rules 2012. The matches were solid, with nearly all of them pushing at least 3 stars, whilst the performers rode a wave of interest from fans to continue the high level of interest in Triple H's product. It wasn't perfect, but it sure was fun.
COLEMAN: I would have to go back and rewatch some of the previous Extreme Rules events in order to rank Extreme Rules 2022 amongst them, but overall, it was a really good show. I liked that each match had a different stipulation and every match on the card was an ongoing rivalry that having a stipulation-based match made sense. Now, an argument could be made about some of the stipulations, such as Drew McIntyre and Karrion Kross not having a singles match prior to them having a Strap match. However, this doesn’t take away from what was a well-booked and well-constructed card and show.
DeFELICE: This was a solid B- event. I really enjoyed the fact that all of the matches meant something, and they all had stipulations that catered to the event. I think the comeback of Bray Wyatt will be played for years to come, and in a lot of cases, the right individuals won their matches. Overall, this was a solid show that I think sets the stage well for future events under the new regime.
Question 2: Which match stood out to you most as the most enjoyable contest of the night? Conversely, which was the poorest?
COLEMAN: The Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match between Imperium and The Brawlin' Brutes was extremely fun and the most enjoyable match for me at Extreme Rules. I know there is little to no chance that these two teams will face off against each other in WarGames, but I would love to see these two factions blow off their feud in 'The Match Beyond'! These two groups are made for each other.
The poorest match for me was the I Quit Match between Edge and Finn Balor. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the match, and the right person won. I loved that Judgment Day got a much needed win in a big spot, whilst the group looked sinister in doing so. I just don’t feel the rivalry between Balor and Edge called for an I Quit stipulation. If this match was Falls Count Anywhere or a Cage match, I believe it would’ve been much better. The I Quit stipulation nearly made it a foregone conclusion that Balor was going to win the match. We also knew that the likelihood of Edge legitimately quitting due to the amount of punishment he took was extremely low.
DeFELICE: I think the best match on the card was probably the Donnybrook match, but there's also something to be said for the Fight Pit. Well, I think that whilst Daniel Cormier took away from the match a little bit, Seth Rollins and Matt Riddle did a tremendous job in showcasing the event.
ALLSOPP: I was a sucker for Bianca Belair vs Bayley, as I was quite invested in their ongoing storyline. They hit a home run, underlining just how talented Belair is. This was in stark contrast to Liv Morgan vs Ronda Rousey, which continued their trend of mediocrity to put in easily the worst match of the night.
Question 3: How important was the crowd's reaction to the return of Bray Wyatt? How high is his ceiling in WWE now he has returned?
DeFELICE: As I mentioned above, I think this will be played for years and years and years to come. The crowd added so much to this moment, and I think they will be a huge part of his story going forward. Of course, with Bray Wyatt, it always comes down to one thing: the follow-through. If WWE can stick the landing with this one, maybe Wyatt can finally become the star he was always destined to be.
ALLSOPP: That crowd reaction gave me goosebumps! I proudly wear my heart on my sleeve as a huge fan of Bray Wyatt, so I'm relieved that fans were just as excited as I was to see him return. Could he dethrone Roman Reigns? Potentially, but only if The Tribal Chief is not facing The Rock at WrestleMania. Either way, it is clear he is going to be the rock around which SmackDown is booked, which is perfect as the blue brand needs a real star. Here's hoping Wyatt puts his all into his character, with Triple H supporting him to keep it fresh and exciting.
COLEMAN: For the crowd in Philadelphia to react as positively as they did to the return of Bray Wyatt, that has to be seen as instant validation that Triple H and WWE made the right move in bringing him back. Philly is the same city that booed Roman Reigns when he won the Royal Rumble, before proceeding to boo The Rock when he came out to celebrate with Reigns. For that crowd to pop as big as they did was a major thumbs up for WWE.
The answer to the question of how high Wyatt’s WWE ceiling is the same as it’s always been: the ceiling is as high as WWE allows it to be! The original Wyatt Family version of Wyatt’s character was a hit, but bad booking and a lack of confidence ruined him. The Fiend was the best character in all of pro wrestling / sports entertainment, but bad booking (Hell in a Cell vs Seth Rollins, and also losing to Goldberg) combined with a lack of direction for the character absolutely ruined him. I really hope that the third time for Wyatt will be the charm, and that Triple H has a vision for how the new character will work.
Those are our thoughts on the issue, but where do you stand?
Let us know your answers to these questions in the comments below!
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