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Initially presented as an ECW exclusive event, the concept of Extreme Rules dates back to 2005 when it was started as One Night Stand, an event to bring back all the ECW originals together. After two successful events predominately featuring ECW superstars, the event became one of WWE's regular pay per views in 2007 and was rebranded as Extreme Rules in 2009.
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Between 2009 and the present day, WWE has presented 9 annual Extreme Rules events. Officially billed by WWE as 'The One Night WWE goes Extreme', the pay per view has been home to some of the most memorable events in the history of the company. This edition, which will be headlined by AJ Styles' defense against Rusev and will feature a 30-minute Iron Man match between Dolph Ziggler and Seth Rollins, has all the ingredients to become the best WWE show of the year.
There are 3 matches on the card so far that can steal the show on any day. Whether or not those matches will deliver, only time will tell. Until then, here are the 10 best matches from the last 9 editions of WWE Extreme Rules.
#10 Rey Mysterio(c) vs Chris Jericho - No Holds Barred for Intercontinental Title (2009)
If we take out the recent resurgence of the Intercontinental Title ever since The Miz won it back in 2016 and subsequently feuded with Dolph Ziggler and Seth Rollins, 2009 was the last time that the Intercontinental Title was treated with legitimacy and respect.
In fact, it won't be wrong to call the period after 'Mania 25 and Summerslam 2009 as the last Golden period of Intercontinental Title, as two certified legends and former World champions in Rey Mysterio and Chris Jericho were engaged in a heated rivalry for the prestigious title.
Jericho had accused Mysterio of hiding under the mask after losing to him at Judgment Day, and continued targeting it during the match as well. The added No Holds Barred Stipulation didn't have any impact on the match as the two veterans wrestled a very heated technical contest. Jericho eventually succeeded in removing Mysterio's mask and pinned him to win his record 9th Intercontinental Title.
#9 The Evolution vs The Shield - 6 Man Tag Team Match (2014)
There has not been a stronger and more dominating three-man group in the WWE than The Shield. The Trio of Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, who debuted in the WWE as CM Punk's unofficial henchmen, became the hottest property in the company in just a year.
Despite being aligned to the Authority, the Trio became highly popular with the crowd and eventually turned on Triple H on the night after 'Mania 30. There was only one way for Triple H to tackle the Hounds of Justice - bring back his own band, and he did exactly that when he brought back Evolution, with Orton and Batista, to bring an end to The Shield.
This match was not an ordinary 6-Man Match. It was a showdown, a cross-generational fight between two of the biggest stables in WWE History. Taking full advantage of the No Holds Barred Stipulations, the two trios battled it out through the crowd in the later stage, with Ambrose falling down the stairs and Rollins diving from the balcony. With only Batista and Reigns left in the ring, The Big Dog dispatched The Animal with a spear to win this first battle.
#8 Finn Balor vs Samoa Joe vs Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins vs Bray Wyatt - Fatal 5 Way Extreme Rules Match for #1 Contender ship of WWE Universal Title (2017)
While Brock Lesnar's absence from regular TV Programming, despite being the Universal Champion since WrestleMania 33 has gotten on the nerves of the fans as of late, there is one thing that his reign as done - produce some of the best #1 contender matches in the last few years.
It all began with the 5-Way Extreme Rules match at the 2017 edition of the Pay Per View. Just listen to the names involved in that match - Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe. That's 4 former World Champions and the fifth one was probably the hottest property on Raw at that point. How can you not have a fantastic match with so much talent in the ring together?
A typical multi-man brawl from the word go, this 29-minute slugfest was exactly what WWE fans expect from a pay per view main event. While adding Extreme Rules stipulation to this single fall match was a nonsensical decision, the dynamics of the match and the chemistry between the contestants raised it to a whole new level. Shocking everyone, it was Samoa Joe who emerged victorious by submission, setting up a dream match with Brock Lesnar.
#7 John Cena(c) vs Batista - Last Man Standing Match for WWE Title (2010)
It took WWE a whole 5 years after 'Mania 21 to bring together their top two stars, Batista and John Cena, from that period for a sensible feud. While the two had a rather eventful one-off match at Summerslam 2008, there was no real animosity between the two at that time as both of them were fan favorites. A lot had changed by the time 'Mania 26 came around.
Not only was Batista in the middle of his impressive heel, there was a strong bad blood brewing between the two megastars. In what turned out to be Batista's final feud as an active wrestler, the two faced each other in 4 consecutive pay per view matches for the WWE title, including a match at 'Mania and this Last Man Standing Match at Extreme Rules
Fondly remembered for its finish, this match was their best outing together. Equally balanced throughout, both competitors tried their best to keep other down. Despite taking a lot of punishment, including going through 2 tables and the barricade, Cena fought back to win the match by wrapping Batista's leg around the ring post with a duct tape and preventing him from getting on his feet.
#6 Roman Reigns(c) vs AJ Styles - Extreme Rules match for WWE World Heavyweight Title (2016)
Roman Reigns post WrestleMania feud against AJ Styles was exactly the kind of rivalry The Big Dog needed to establish himself as a workhorse in the ring. Not only that, it also provided a much needed fresh air to AJ Styles' WWE career.
Their match at Payback a month ago was a phenomenal affair that was somewhat marred by 2 horrendous restarts and outside interference by The Usos and Gallows and Anderson. It was during the build of this match that Styles started showing his cocky and aggressive side.
A complete train wreck from the beginning, the match lived up to the extreme rules stipulation as the competitors fought all across the arena and with all type of weapons. Styles took a hell of a beating, going through both announce tables. As expected, the Usos and The Club interfered. Even a late mean streak by Styles wasn't enough to beat Roman Reigns.
And then, the big surprise. Seth Rollins returned, pedigreed Reigns and made it clear that he was coming for the WWE Title. If that isn't shocking, then I don't know what is.
#5 Brock Lesnar vs John Cena - Extreme Rules Match (2012)
Even though his presence (well actually, absence) has gotten on the nerves of the people in recent times, Brock Lesnar was the hottest property in the whole world back in 2012. His phenomenal return on the night after 'Mania 28 generated one of the biggest reaction in the history of the company.
And guess who he targeted straight away? The one and only, Big Match John. The equation of the match was pretty simple - the former top star has returned and wants to reclaim his position by targeting the current top star. The biggest match of the company at that time, this feud brought out a level of violence that was last seen in WWE in the pre PG era.
Bringing his MMA experience to the WWE ring, Lesnar wrestled like a ruthless beast as he busted Cena open straight away. Even Cena's mini fight back couldn't keep Lesnar down as he bashed Cena everywhere for almost 15 minutes.
The ending, however, was the only letdown as Cena, in typical Super Cena style, bashed Lesnar with a steel chain, busted him open and won the match. Leaving that aside, the whole contest was a gem of a match.
#4 Edge(c) vs Jeff Hardy - Ladder Match for World Heavyweight Title (2009)
There is no better dynamics for a WWE rivalry than a crowd favorite face superstar that everyone loves to cheer and a vile, cocky heel that everyone loves to hate, and Jeff Hardy and Edge were respectively on the top of either list at the time of 2009 Extreme Rules. Their classic at Extreme Rules brought an end to this year-long fantastic rivalry.
After their World Title match at Judgment Day ended in a controversy, after Matt Hardy interfered and attacked Jeff Hardy, it made absolute sense to give Jeff his rematch at the next event. And what better way to wrap up an awesome rivalry by fighting in a match that made each of them megastars - A Ladder Match.
It's not that often that you see two superstars main event two successive pay per views in the presence of John Cena, but, since this rivalry was more personal, this match went at last. Ladders were shattered, bodies were broken in that 25-minute contest before Hardy trapped Edge and unhooked the title belt to bring an end to the show, or as everyone thought.
CM Punk rushed out, MITB briefcase in hand and a referee behind him, and pinned Hardy to win the World Title from, ending the night and Hardy's reign on a sour note.
#3 Sheamus(c) vs Daniel Bryan - 2 out of 3 Falls match for World Heavyweight Title (2012)
Now, this is what you expect from two superstars who are as talented and smooth in the ring as Daniel Bryan and Sheamus, not the horrendous, joke of a contest that we got to witness between the two at WrestleMania XXVIII. Daniel Bryan's slow brewing heel turn also added more buzz and animosity to this rivalry.
Extreme Rules 2012 is one of the best WWE pay per view of all time, and this match is a big part of its success. Unarguably the best pure technical match from this decade, this match stole the show on a night that had CM Punk and Chris Jericho tear each other apart and had Brock Lesnar's first WWE match in 8 years.
The 2-out-of-3 falls stipulations played really well, for the vile challenger as he deliberately lost the first fall by disqualification before making the champion pass out on his submission move to level the score. The last 5 minutes were as thrilling as a 'Mania main event, as Sheamus made a herculean style comeback to dispatch Bryan and win this instant classic.
#2 Christian vs Alberto Del Rio - Ladder Match for Vacant World Heavyweight Title (2011)
This match was the culmination of a long journey for one of the most underrated wrestlers of all time. As someone who grew up watching Christian wrestle with some of the biggest names in the wrestling world in the decade before this showdown, this classic has a very special place in my heart.
Staying in the shadow of his more successful best friend Edge for the majority of his career, Christian finally got his log due chance to fight for the World Title after Edge was forced to retire and relinquish the title due to injury. This match was less about the rivalry between the two wrestlers. It was more about a long due quest of one of the most deserving WWE wrestler.
Del Rio played his part pretty well, constantly trying to stop his determined opponent on every step. Even the outside interference from Del Rio's stooges wasn't enough to halt Christian's quest, as he finally climbed the top of the ladder to win the title. With his best friend Edge watching from ringside, this was one of the most memorable feel-good moment in WWE history, as evident from the pop his win generated.
#1 The Miz(c) vs Cesaro vs Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn - Fatal 4 Way for WWE Intercontinental Title (2016)
Before you guys start judging me for my choice, I just want to say that this is my personal opinion and in my opinion, this match is inarguably the best match in the history of Extreme Rules. I mean, how often do you have AJ Styles wrestle a barn-burner of a match on a pay per view and that match still doesn't get the Match of the Night title? Once in a blue moon, right? But this is exactly what happened at 2016 Extreme Rules
The build-up of this match was one of the best Intercontinental Title buildups in a long, long time, with two intense rivalries brought together to produce a breathtaking contest. Kevin Owens was determined to win back his Intercontinental Title, Sami was determined to prevent him from doing so, Cesaro just wanted to entertain his fans and Miz, well, he was just being himself - What else do you want from the build up of a match?
Everyone who hasn't watched this match, I request you just go and watch this match in one go. Right from the opening bell when Zayn bashed Owens with Helluva Kick to start the match to the climax where every superstar successively executed their signature moves, this match has classic written all over it. Each superstar got plenty of time to shine, and it was The Miz who rightfully prevailed at the end. Even though Shawn Michael is called the Show Stopper, it was these four young men who earned the title for themselves that night.
