5 things that should have happened at Extreme Rules 2018

This year's edition of the Extreme Rules pay-per-view was a surprisingly entertaining show that had huge moments that changed the landscape of Smackdown Live and Raw going forward, while on the other hand, it was a show that could have been better if WWE actually cared about getting the creative team to do a stellar job in the storytelling department. And before this article delves deeper into what WWE could have done better, they did do a splendid job with most of the programmes at the pay-per-view.

As the entire United States Championship picture was perfect, some underdogs came out on top, and WWE's big 'money' match of Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley outdid the low expectations that were afforded to them. However, in the modern era of wrestling, one cant come away from a WWE pay-per-view wholly satisfied, as the company keeps on making certain decisions that make no sense and some that could have been better.

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#1 Asuka decimates everyone

The point when Asuka started kicking the living daylights out of Ellsworth and the ringside crew should have been this entire match.

How does the wrestling fanbase feel about a match between Asuka vs. Carmella? Well, most would say its a war between a badass and a coward. That is precisely how WWE want their fanbase to feel, as emotions of anger towards Carmella who is a not so talented in-ring worker beating world-class performers such as Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Asuka on a regular basis leads to fans becoming frustrated.

But while that frustration is essential for Carmella's heel persona to work it becomes tedious to witness the same match ending every single time, and that too at the expense of Asuka's credibility. Therefore, instead of continuing with Carmella's reign of nothingness which is not elevating the Smackdown Live women's division to any new levels.

WWE should've just had Asuka walk into Extreme Rules kick the crap out of Ellsworth, Carmella and whoever else stood in her way, thus redeeming herself as an unforgiving beast between the ropes, as that is what Smackdown Live needs right now a real champion.

#2 Orton lays a more vicious beatdown on Hardy

Someone stomping you in the family jewels must be painful, but in the wacky world of professional wrestling, a little more theatrics is needed to get the point across.

Speaking of redeeming oneself, the creative team redeemed Shinsuke Nakamura as an intelligent, crafty heel that is a force to be reckoned with, as "the king of strong style' won the United States Championship in such a quick, precise and unique manner that took everyone by surprise. Moreover, the return of Randy Orton is what overshadowed Nakamura's moment as "the viper" returned to in-ring action after two months, and his first order of business was kicking Jeff Hardy while he was down.

And it is completely fine the way in which Orton had turned heel as he found Hardy not worthy of exerting anymore of his energy, and just stomped him where it hurts most. However, It would've been more eye-catching if Orton had taken Hardy out with an RKO or even his rarely used punt kick, as it seems as if Hardy is being written off television for his recently sustained injuries. Thus, a harder beatdown would've been perfect to cement Orton as a heel after three years, and more sympathy would have been afforded to Hardy.

#3 Balor begins his feud with The Authority

The Authority has no place on Raw but if they have the right narrative to work with, they can make another top star.

Finn Balor's fued with Constable Corbin is one of the least interesting things that was display at Extreme Rules, as the two just don't have much momentum to make a match between themselves feel anything more than filler, but could WWE have taken this match and made a feel like a stepping stone to more important things? You damn right they could have, as there is a narrative just floating around Balor and management which has been building for over two years.

Moreover, on the Extreme Rules kick off show, Balor even mentioned that if feuding with Stephanie McMahon means that he would finally get a shot at the Wolrd Title again, he's all up for it. And that is the story here, the Universal Championship, Balor was forced to relinquish the Universal Title as he was injured and couldn't wrestle for months, but Brock Lesnar who is physically in peak condition hasn't been obligated to on Raw in the last few months, this double standard is a perfect element for Balor to get his foot back in the main event scene, and WWE could've kicked that off at Extreme Rules.

As instead of Balor taking on Corbin, Stephanie McMahon could've made a return and suspended Balor for disrespecting her appointed constable. From there on out WWE could've built a perfect narrative around Balor, that could see him ascend the ranks of Raw again, as he has the skills, he has the look, and all he needs now is not a big push but the right push.

#4 Kane and Bryan compete in a show-stealing bout

A fun ride that WWE ruined.

When Kane burst back into Smackdown Live a few weeks ago although being a Raw superstar, no one even cared as for the first time in forever; a crowd exploded when "the big red machine" came out to save his former tag team partner, Daniel Bryan from a beatdown via the Bludgeon Brothers.

So, Smackdown Live GM Paige made the match for Bryan and Kane vs. Harper and Rowan for the Smackdown Live Tag Team Titles, everyone was happy, and WWE did a good job. But last night at Extreme Rules, WWE made the odd decision of cutting the Team Hell No reunion short by having The Bludgeon Brothers assault them backstage before the match even begun.

What ensued was Kane and Bryan trying to pull off a decent match by selling their kayfabe injuries, but it fell flat as fans didn't want to see this lovable duo broken down but they wanted to see them kicking ass and arguing at the same time. Its a predictable formula but as they say 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' WWE should have just booked a competitive match between these two teams and had them duking it out to see who was better, and even if WWE wanted to keep the Tag Team Titles on The Bludgeon Brother, they could've booked an interference from The Miz, The Bar or even Sanity. But booking a match that was ruined from the onset wasn't a great plan.

#5 Rusev climbs the mountain

It was a good run Rusev, but it could have and should have been better.

Rusev Day was the yes movement of 2017/2018 as the lovable big man Rusev had weaved his way into the WWE Universe's favour as the next big thing, and for those who think that Rusev Day was a concept that existed only in the WWE are ironically wrong, as at the height of Rusev's popularity, fans were chanting his name in other promotions such as Ring of Honor.

Still, WWE did not pay any attention and tried their best to bury Rusev and his growing popularity, but nothing worked as the Rusev Day chants kept filling arenas throughout the USA and across the world. Therefore, after months of trying their best to stop Rusev from ascending to the main event, WWE gave him a shot at Extreme Rules against AJ Styles, but "the Bulgarian brute" lost at the pay-per-view in a blistering match.

Now, this could mean one of two things either WWE gave the fans the match they wanted and are done with Rusev as a main event player, or they are building him up even stronger to capture the WWE Title sometime down the road. Most feel the former is the logical option and that is unfortunate, as Smackdown Live gave Jinder Mahal of all people a shot at the big time, maybe Rusev should have been given the same opportunity as he has the talent, in ring, skill, the look, and mic skills to be WWE Champion.