WWE Extreme Rules 2021 - 5 Takeaways from the show

WWE Extreme Rules 2021 featured the best and biggest superstars from both Raw and SmackDown. It was the first major event since SummerSlam and presented the company with an opportunity to progress things heading into the WWE Draft and the fall season.

With titles at stake and grudges being settled, Extreme Rules 2021 saw many superstars' final times going after their rivals and titles of their desire before they were drafted to a new show.

It was the return of a popular persona of a superstar, a potential end to another persona and the return of one of the biggest female superstars in the company.

Extreme Rules 2021 proved to be an exceptional night for fans looking for quality in-ring action. In this article, let's take a look at the five biggest takeaways from WWE Extreme Rules 2021.

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5) The Usos are still the best tag team in the company - WWE Extreme Rules 2021

The Usos defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Street Profits at WWE Extreme Rules 2021. The two teams have mixed it up quite a bit in the past few months, but this proved to be their best match together. Jimmy and Jey have found chemistry with a number of tag teams over the years, with Street Profits yet another to add to the list.

Jimmy Uso just returned to WWE after over a year out of action. In that time, teams like Street Profits and RK-Bro had stepped up, while The New Day continued to be a mainstay on both brands.

Jey Uso also stepped up, but in singles competition, winning the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal and being a fixture in the main event scene on SmackDown.

In short order, the Usos have firmly established themselves as the best tag team in all of WWE again with Extreme Rules 2021 further adding to their credibility. They have delivered quality against Street Profits every time as well as good matches with Rey and Dominik Mysterio. The Bloodline has become the most dominant stable in the WWE, so it remains to be seen what will stop their reign of terror.

4) The end of the Lilly era for Alexa Bliss - WWE Extreme Rules 2021

Heading into Extreme Rules 2021, Alexa Bliss was still regarded by many as a polarizing superstar. Despite the many spooky elements to her character being taken away, Lilly's presence as a part of her act remained divisive. Lilly remained because it has proven to be a merchandise seller despite some fans' disapproval of the doll.

Extreme Rules 2021 saw Charlotte Flair defend the Raw Women's Championship against Alexa Bliss. It was a solid bout with both women delivering good action throughout the duration of the contest. Charlotte got the victory by throwing Lilly in Alexa's face, nailing a big boot and finally the Natural Selection. The post-match was the overarching takeaway here.

Following her win, Charlotte Flair ripped apart the doll and beat up Alexa Bliss at ringside. Bliss was clearly distraught, breaking down into tears at the sight of her doll and best friend being torn apart. This went a little long, but it felt like a moment that WWE wanted us to remember and signaled the possible end of Lilly completely.

If this marks the end of Alexa's doll, it will be a pleasant removal from her current act to many fans. Fans could be seeing Bliss adding to her act by possibly going full Fiend with a Lilly-style mask or maybe revamping her character altogether. There have been reports that Alexa Bliss will be taking a few months following Extreme Rules 2021, so fans will have to wait and see.

3) Damian Priest may be the best booked NXT call-up in recent memory - WWE Extreme Rules 2021

Damian Priest once again successfully defended the United States Championship in a Triple Threat Match over Sheamus and Jeff Hardy in a fun bout at WWE Extreme Rules 2021. The Archer of Infamy has made the most of his title reign thus far and has proven to be one of the best babyfaces on the main roster.

Priest was called up to the main roster in January at the Royal Rumble. He was immediately placed in an act with Grammy Award Winner Bad Bunny in the lead-up to WrestleMania 37 where the two men defeated The Miz and John Morrison. Despite a loss in a handicap match against Miz and Morrison, Damian Priest hasn't lost a singles bout since his call-up from NXT.

There were many NXT alumni on the WWE Extreme Rules 2021 card and kickoff. Liv Morgan and Carmella both graduated from the black and gold brand, while superstars like Becky Lynch, Finn Balor and Bianca Belair all have their own legacy in NXT. However, there might not have been a better booked NXT call-up in recent memory quite like Damian Priest.

The Archer of Infamy is heavily protected and has been given plenty of opportunities to shine in 2021. His aforementioned tag team win with Bad Bunny at WrestleMania 37 was one of the highlights of the two-night event. He defeated Sheamus to win the United States Championship at SummerSlam 2021. Extreme Rules 2021 continued Priest's momentum and showed his future is bright.

2) The return of Sasha Banks sets up a huge three-way feud on SmackDown - WWE Extreme Rules 2021

Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair for the SmackDown Women's Championship was arguably the most anticipated bout heading into WWE Extreme Rules 2021. The two ladies have had the spotlight on them since their short and much-maligned 26-second contest at SummerSlam 2021. This was their opportunity to show what they could do in an actual matchup.

Lynch and Belair delivered a very good contest that escalated in intensity and pace as the match went on. Just when it seemed like Bianca would overpower Becky to win the SmackDown Women's Championship, Sasha Banks returned after over a month away to lay out both women.

Many fans and pundits have wondered when The Boss would be coming back after mysteriously being taken off the SummerSlam 2021 card when she was supposed to face Bianca Belair in a WrestleMania 37 rematch. Her involvement in the finish to this Extreme Rules 2021 match seems to hint that fans will witness a showdown with all three women.

After the stellar WrestleMania 37 bout between Banks and Belair as well as the quality of what Becky and Bianca put together at Extreme Rules 2021, it isn't difficult to expect something special when these three women meet in a Triple Threat Match. The SmackDown Women's Championship scene has consistently delivered good to great matches as of late and this should be no different.

1) WWE wanted to protect The Demon Finn Balor - Extreme Rules 2021

The main event of WWE Extreme Rules 2021 saw Roman Reigns defending the WWE Universal Championship against The Demon Finn Balor in an Extreme Rules Match. This was another tough test for The Tribal Chief because The Demon persona of Balor was undefeated on the main roster. It was a battle between two of the most protected acts in the WWE today.

The Universal Championship Extreme Rules Match was great for the most part. Both men worked very hard and meshed well with one another again. It fits the stipulation with the two superstars fighting in the ring, at ringside and into the crowd. There were kendo sticks, steel chairs and tables involved. The action picked up in intensity as the bout went on.

The ending saw things get a bit strange. The Usos got involved and stopped Roman Reigns from losing after Balor hit the Coup de Grace. Before Jimmy and Jey would take him out, The Demon made a comeback and laid out the SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Reigns hit a massive spear through the guardrail on Finn, but the lights went red and the Demon's heartbeat played.

Finn Balor rose as his music started to play. He made a huge rally and started beating down the Head of the Table. Balor hit a shotgun dropkick that sent Reigns flying through a table at ringside. The Demon put Roman back in the ring and went to the top rope for the Coup De Grace to win this Extreme Rules Match, but the ropes suddenly broke out of nowhere.

Roman Reigns hit a spear on The Demon to retain the WWE Universal Championship at Extreme Rules 2021. Although the finish came off very weird, it did show that the company wanted to protect The Demon. Finn Balor just returned to the main roster in July and this was the first time The Demon persona has been used in two years.

WWE tried to be as creative as possible with the finish to the Extreme Rules main event. It wasn't like the other Universal Championship title defenses for Roman Reigns where The Usos have gotten involved.

Balor overcame what others haven't, but something out of this world, much like The Demon, stopped him. It shows that WWE wanted to make him look good in defeat at Extreme Rules 2021.