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

Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler

Next up we saw Kevin Owens ready to take on Dolph Ziggler. The bell rang and Ziggler delivered a cocky slap to Owens. In the blink of an eye, Kevin Owens responded with a kick to the gut and a Stunner to finish off Dolph Ziggler in seconds!

After the match, Owens grabbed a microphone and berated Shane McMahon yet again for soaking up TV time and delivered a fun “Shane McMahon can kiss my ass” before he left the arena.

Grade: B, I mean, there wasn’t anything bad here. This was a fun little squash that made Owens look great and hopefully gets rid of Ziggler for a while. 

WWE Championship Match: Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Samoa Joe

Next up it was time for our first huge world title match as Kofi Kingston defended the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe. Right from the get, Samoa Joe went on offense and took control of the pace.

Joe delivered several strikes and swept the leg of Kingston when the champion tried to turn the tide. Samoa Joe locked on a tight headlock, wearing him down and keeping the pace at his own speed.

Kingston fought back with a big dropkick and went for a suicide dive, but Joe caught him at the ropes with a stiff elbow. Joe then began to target the fingers of Kingston with some joint manipulation, wrenching at the champ’s digits.

Joe dragged things to the outside and then got to a sick point as he wedged Kingston’s fingers between the two layers of steel steps. Joe suddenly stomped on the steps, sandwiching Kofi’s fingers in a scary way between the steel.

Joe grinned at his handiwork, screaming “who’s number one now?” The action moved back into the ring where Kingston tried to turn the tide. He managed a big crossbody, but was still feeling the damage done to his fingers.

Samoa Joe took the chance to take control once again, locking Kingston in an STF to wrench at the limbs of the champion and continue to weaken him. Kingston fought back and managed an SOS, but Samoa Joe kicked out at one.

Kingston went for Trouble in Paradise to end things in a flash, but Joe caught him in the Coquina Clutch. Kofi struggles and squirmed before Joe could get it fully locked in. He hit a powerful senton for another near fall, but Kingston suddenly nailed Trouble in Paradise seconds later to topple Samoa Joe and retain his WWE Championship.

Grade: A, This was a really good match. Maybe not match of the night, but still a great match. Kingston looked very strong, and it was nice to see Joe lose with something other than a roll-up.