'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE has produced yet another solid pay-per-view this year, with Extreme Rules delivering pretty well.
While there was a clear lack of gimmick matches, the action at the pay-per-view did not disappoint. All six matches at the show turned out great, with no exceptions. There may have been a couple of slight hiccups, especially with the way the main event ended. Regardless, it was still very good.
WWE continues to deliver great pay-per-view action even when the build-up isn't the greatest. Extreme Rules has set up some exciting things for the future, even if it ended without a single title change. There may be bigger shows to come, but none might match the consistency in the quality of this one.
Let's take a look at every match at WWE Extreme Rules 2021, grade them, and rank them from worst to best. What was your favorite match at the event? Let us know in the comments below.
#6 The New Day vs. Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles, and Omos - WWE Extreme Rules
WWE made this six-man tag team match on the Extreme Rules Kickoff Show, following some backstage animosity between the two sides. This was a showcase for The New Day, as they opened up the event with a solid win. The action was great, with all superstars looking good.
Big E was particularly impressive here, leading The New Day's comeback after a lengthy period of dominance from AJ Styles, Omos, and Bobby Lashley. Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston complemented the WWE Champion perfectly, as he picked up the win over Lashley after he accidentally speared Styles.
The best part of this match was how hot the crowd was, particularly towards Big E. He looked smart during the finish too, avoiding the heels' trickery before pinning The All Mighty.
The fact that this match is at the bottom of this list shows how good of a pay-per-view Extreme Rules was.
Grade: B
#5 Damian Priest vs. Sheamus vs. Jeff Hardy for the United States Championship
The action in this triple threat match at Extreme Rules kicked off immediately, as Sheamus booted Jeff Hardy out of the ring as soon as the bell rang. It only increased as the bout went on. Damian Priest had a good night, as he delivered his own hard-hitting offense. He even busted out a flip over the top rope, on both opponents.
Hardy was the crowd favorite and nearly pulled off the victory with a Swanton Bomb on both Priest and Sheamus, but he couldn't go for the cover. He eventually lost out when The Archer of Infamy rolled The Celtic Warrior up to retain his title.
All three men contributed equally in making this an entertaining contest, although it could have done with some more brutal spots. This was at Extreme Rules, after all.
Grade: B+
#4 Charlotte Flair vs. Alexa Bliss for the RAW Women's Championship - WWE Extreme Rules
Alexa Bliss was ridiculously over at Extreme Rules, as she challenged WWE's Queen for her crown. Charlotte Flair brought her A-game here, as she and Bliss put on a great title match. The challenger's gimmick did not affect the quality of it, while she showcased her ever-improving in-ring skills.
Flair used her power multiple times during the match, while also hitting a double moonsault just like Andrade. Meanwhile, Alexa Bliss came close with a DDT. The two traded roll-up attempts for a while before The Queen took control.
The RAW Women's Champion pinned Bliss with Natural Selection and then proceeded to tear Lilly the doll apart. Luckily for the match, these shenanigans came after it.
Grade: A-
#3 Roman Reigns vs. 'The Demon' Finn Balor - Extreme Rules Match for the WWE Universal Championship
While every match at Extreme Rules delivered in the ring, this was the only one WWE gave a stipulation to. Roman Reigns and Finn Balor were good value for their Extreme Rules Match as well. The two battered each other relentlessly for almost 20 minutes, crafting a great match in the process.
The Demon was constantly on top, as he and Reigns fought near the crowd, as The Tribal Chief masked up. Following a couple of table spots, things nearly turned disastrous for the Universal Champion. Finn Balor low-blowed Roman Reigns as he kicked out of a Spear, but The Usos' interference prevented a title change.
They were disposed of by The Demon, who was then speared through the barricade. What happened next was utterly bizarre. The Demon's heartbeat sounded around the entire arena, giving him life.
The lights turned red, as Balor rose and took complete control of Reigns. All of this was happening with his theme song playing. As he was set for the Coup de Grace, the top rope completely broke. Roman Reigns would then spear Finn Balor for the win, ending a complete war to retain the Universal Title.
The finish was pretty poor and took away from the match, which had been stellar until that point. It may have even been the best one at Extreme Rules, before the finish. The top rope breaking did not make sense and hopefully, WWE has a decent follow-up for this.
Grade: A-
#2 Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair for the SmackDown Women's Championship - WWE Extreme Rules
Becky Lynch wrestled her first proper pay-per-view match in over a year at Extreme Rules, as she and Bianca Belair delivered well. The two meshed perfectly together, especially with a great story being told.
Lynch did well as the heel veteran who tried everything to get an advantage over the younger challenger, but Belair always had an answer. Her power was on full display, as she did not allow The Man to escape with the win. At least until external forces intervened.
The EST of WWE was about to successfully counter the Dis-Arm-Her into the KOD, but Sasha Banks ran in to attack her. The Boss made her WWE return at Extreme Rules, causing this match to end in a disqualification.
While this finish is usually annoying, the company did well with this booking decision. Banks' return further spices up the issue between Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair, while the two competitors remain strong. The action was good enough for the match to be fondly remembered before the run-in.
Grade: A-
#1 The Usos vs. The Street Profits for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship - WWE Extreme Rules
The Usos and The Street Profits are usually great in WWE pay-per-view matches, but this one at Extreme Rules was a notch better. The two duos shared a brilliant contest, with the SmackDown Tag Team Championship up for grabs. Both teams brought their all, with Montez Ford having a fantastic night.
Despite his rib injury, he and Angelo Dawkins came pretty close to becoming champions. While the first part of it was solid, the match kicked into a higher gear in the second half. The Usos initially dominated proceedings, but The Street Profits fought like warriors at Extreme Rules.
Dawkins even kicked out of an Uso Splash. Meanwhile, Ford flew all over the place. He hit a beautiful Frog Splash on Jey, but Jimmy broke up the pin at the last moment. The athletic phenomenon would be stopped by the twins, who finally put him down following a double Uso Splash.
The Street Profits were excellent here, possibly more so than The Usos. They truly stole the show at Extreme Rules. Tag Team Title matches in WWE don't come much better than this.
Grade: A
