Alright, so here’s my first write-up in a while and who’s surprised that it’s in the wrestling section?
None of you, that’s who.
Anyway, I had the pleasure of enjoying the best PPV since Wrestlemania 23 (which I also attended) in person: Extreme Rules 2012. Now for any of you that watched the show, you saw how awesome of a show it truly was. From top to bottom, the crowd was hot; as expected in Chicago. The matches were all real good or entertaining in their own right. This pay-per-view had a bit of everything in it. Brutal battles, fun moments, brilliant technical wrestling and just a feeling of excitement.
The way I’m going to do this write-up is the first account will be how I felt during the show while I was there and the second will be from re-watching the show on DVD.
Opening the show, I just wanted to say I love going to the Rosemont Horizon/All-State Arena. So much history. Hosting three Wrestlemania PPVs as well as Night of Champions 2010 that I was at as well as this show. Great stuff. Always a good time with a great crowd.
Randy Orton vs. Kane – Falls Count Anywhere
-Well, for starters, Kane’s pyro scared the piss out of me, totally unexpected. Crowd supported Orton pretty favorably as I expected they would. I enjoyed the match, which is rare with the two involved. The crowd hated it when they went to the back and they popped when Ryder got involved (which was worthless). They used some good psychology and got the match over with the crowd.
–This was a pretty good opener. It got the crowd amped up for the show with a great brawl. You don’t normally see matches at the start of shows go out in the crowd but everyone in attendance loved it. It was a bit slow but they managed to make it work and really had some good psychology in it.
Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler
-I was amped as soon as I saw the disco ball in the rafters: The Funkasaurus had been spotted. Crowd popped big time for him, I love the character. Then when Vickie came out, she got nuclear heat as expected. Then when Dolph’s theme song hit … I jizzed. He was over huge with the crowd, except me when he first came out. I bought his shirt just so I could ass-cape with him but he came out with the entrance jacket so I was a bit bummed. Dolph got some good cheers and sold like a champ for the big man. They work well together and wouldn’t mind seeing them work again soon.
–Two of my favorite wrestlers going right now. Forgot there was a huge “Dolph! Dolph! Dolph!” chant and “Let’s Go Ziggler!” chant to start the match. Swagger and Vickie getting involved was a good touch and if I remember correctly, this is when Brodus started showing vulnerability … which they needed to do soon. Vickie looks damn good in the top she wore this night. Hi-yo! A fun match that had a good pace to it and again, the crowd was into it.
Cody Rhodes vs. Big Show (c) – Tables Match [Intercontinental Championship]
-I was curious to know how if Rhodes were going over, how he was going to do it. I expected a drop toe hold or something into the table to put the big man through. I wasn’t really into this match because the Big Show really is no fun to watch in person. Absolutely dreadful on TV and even worse in person. Rhodes was over HUUUUUUUGE in Chicago and we were all happy as shit when he won. The fucking bump he took post match …. Rhodes is a hero.
–Creative finish. I really enjoyed it and loved the crowd coming unglued when it happened. Show played it off extremely well as if it were an accident and Rhodes looked like he had shit his pants for a minute then played the excitement off to a t. He’s a great asset to the WWE and has unlimited upside potential. The fucking bump he took post match …. Rhodes is a hero.
Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus (c) – 2/3 Falls Match [World Heavyweight Championship]
-Other than seeing Lesnar in person, this is what I was most excited about. I prayed [Proud of me, Rob!?] that they didn’t pull a WM28 on us and have the first fall in 28 seconds. I knew if given the time, these guys would put on a MOTY candidate, which they did (I still feel it’s the MOTY, even more-so than Punk/Bryan from Over the Limit). Bryan was over big time and Sheamus ended up winning some of the crowd over by the end of it. Flawless match.
–I got chills reliving this match. An absolute masterpiece. Those of you that doubt Sheamus need to watch this match. When given the right opponent, the man can put on one hell of a match. The intensity that these two brought to this match … the passion these two brought to this match … the energy this match had from the competitors and the crowd. God damn. Match of the night and thus far my Match of the Year.
Ryback vs. Aaron Relic and Jay Hatton (Two is Greater than One)
-Fuck, probably the most amazing promo I’ve ever heard from jobbers. These guys got booed to shit. Ryback came out and got a decent pop. During this match is the match that pretty much ruined Ryback matches from here on out. **I started the Goldberg chant** I was glad to see Ryback in person though. Was a fun squash.
–I still laugh my ass off watching this promo. The match was brutal. Absolutely brutal stuff.
Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk (c) – Chicago Street Fight [WWE Championship]
-I’m not a big Jericho fan but am always thrilled to see CM Punk in person. As always, Punk was over as fuck being in Chicago, his hometown. I loved this brawl. Absolutely brutal. Had some awesome moments in it and some sloppy moments but a great match no less.
–Crowd was crazy. Match was crazy, better than I expected. Was weird seeing both guys not in their actual wrestling gear but it fit the gimmick of the match. Great atmosphere for this one and had some brilliant psychology in it. Some say match of the night but I don’t think that. To each their own.
Layla vs. Nikki Bella (c) – Diva’s Championship
-When Nikki came out, the crowd started buzzing for Kharma. Boy were we let down. I didn’t really pay much attention to this one after Kharma wasn’t the surprise. Layla looked good though, glad she’s back.
–Layla worked well after being out for so long with a serious injury. Glad she’s back.
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar – Extreme Rules Match
-Finally, Brock Fucking Lesnar! I’d waited 8 fucking years for this moment. I have been a big Lesnar fan since he debuted. Followed him to UFC and was happy to see him come back. I knew this was going to be fucking brutal and knew I was in for a treat. This was a roller coaster of adrenaline and ass kicking. Cena took massive amounts of beatings and looked good doing it. He was even selling for the most part. The spill Brock took over the top rope … WOW!
–Absolutely brutal. Getting to see the action in a “normal” view was awesome. You could practically feel every blow in that match. The third best main event of the evening but the most intense, no doubt.
Overall I had an amazing time at the pay-per-view. Had a good time waiting in line (met “Mick Foley”)
Then actually met fellow FNXer, ant .. but no picture proof, sorry. Had open seats by me so he came and sat by me … then the ticket owners showed up so he moved a few seats down. Then finally he said fuck it and went back to his actual seat. Poor guy.
Would say it’s my favorite show I’d ever been to but it’s going to be hard to top Wrestlemania 23…Like I said though, it’s the best PPV WWE has done since that very show. Everyone brought it and was a near flawless show.
