All 8 WWE Extreme Rules PPVs, Ranked
By Tim Sherry
credit: wwe.com
2. Extreme Rules 2011
Following a pretty lackluster Wrestlemania, the 2011 Extreme Rules needed to be strong. And strong it was. With four matches that produced fireworks, this might be the most consistent show of all 8. It had some weak moments, of course. One of the matches was a tag team strap match with Michael Cole and Jack Swagger in one corner and Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross in the other. Nonsense. There was also a lumberjack tag match between the team of Kane and The Big Show against Wade Barrett and Ezekiel Jackson. I don’t have a problem with any of those guys individually but this match was bad. Really bad.
There were really some great moments though. The opening match of the night was a Last Man Standing match between Randy Orton and CM Punk which was vicious and had an amazing ending. The Rey Misterio vs. Cody Rhodes Falls Count Anywhere bout was short but exciting. And the main event pitting John Cena, John Morrison, and The Miz in a Triple Threat Cage Match far exceeded any expectations.
However, the crowning jewel on this night in Tampa, Florida was the Christian/Alberto Del Rio ladder match for the World Heavyweight Championship. After 13 years and a slew of attempts to become a world champion, “Captain Charisma” finally achieved his goal. And did he ever earn it in this match. Maybe not the greatest ladder match in history, fine, but considering that Christian had to battle through both Del Rio and his buddy Brodus Clay, the courage in this performance was immense. In one of the most emotional WWE moments, he got to celebrate alongside his best friend and recent retiree Edge. Truly a remarkable show.