WWE Extreme Rules 2019: Live results, highlights, and grades

WWE Extreme Rules Kickoff Show

The Kickoff Show got rolling with a panel of Jonathan Coachman, Beth Phoenix, Charly Caruso, and Sam Roberts. We got a few backstage moments before we saw some action, including the arrival backstage of Kevin Owens.

We also got a short backstage segment with Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans. “The Sassy Southern Belle” was polishing her tea dishes, and talked about looking forward to taking the titles from both Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins tonight as well as wrecking their “disgusting relationship.”

Intercontinental Championship Kickoff Match: Finn Balor (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

The first in-ring action of Extreme Rules Kickoff saw reigning Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor defend his title against Shinsuke Nakamura. Some of the crowd was still filing in during this, but Nakamura and Balor still had a firm grasp on their attention.

Shinsuke Nakamura showed some ferocity early that had been missing from him for quite some time. We saw it on SmackDown Live when Nakamura picked up a win over Finn Balor in non-title action, and it was on display yet again at Extreme Rules.

Despite that edge from Nakamura, Finn Balor refused to back down as the match continued. He fought through things and even began to mock Nakamura in an attempt to goad the best out of The King of Strong Style.

Nakamura retaliated with his signature striking offense, but Finn Balor turned the tide once again. Some stiff kicks and a slingblade put Balor firmly in control as he was looking for the dropkick and Coup de Grace, but Nakamura countered it.

Regaining control, Nakamura hit a devastating sliding snap german suplex to plant Finn Balor. He went for Kinshasa to finish things, but was caught with a double stomp to the chest by Balor.

Finn Balor looked for the Coup de Grace, but Nakamura rolled out of the show. Shinsuke drove his knee into the back of Balor’s head before finally nailing a stiff Kinshasa to pick up the win and capture the Intercontinental Championship.

Grade: B+, There was literally nothing wrong with this, but it could’ve gone on for longer. The Kickoff Show has plenty of time, and WWE should’ve let this have an extra five or ten minutes. That said, a really good match with a great finish. 

After the match, we got another short backstage segment. This time we saw The New Day in a weird stackable heads formation, but they were as entertaining as ever talking about their goals of all leaving Extreme Rules as champions.