By Jake Barnett

WWE Extreme Rules PPV Live Coverage and Review
Live on 4/29/2012 from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Ill.

WWE on Youtube Preview Match:

My feed got interrupted when my cable modem reset, but I rejoined the action with the Miz in the middle of a promo about how he wasn’t on the show this year. He said he didn’t care whether he was on the Pre-Show, opening match, main event or whatever. He claimed he would make this the most popular pre-show of all time, and it would be the most popular video on youtube. The crowd chanted “You Suck”. The Miz said it was impossible for him to suck because he’s not from Chicago. He then said he was going to win the US Title, and it would be the best moment in all the fans lives. He then said he hates Chicago.

Santino Marella interrupted The Miz before he could say his catchphrase, and power walked around ringside.

1. The Miz vs. Santino Marella: The Miz dominated early with stomps and a kick for a 2 count. He then hit a high knee, and covered for a two count. Miz locked in a chin lock briefly, and then hit a clothesline for a near fall. Miz then choked Santino on the ropes, followed by his signature clothesline in the corner. He climbed up top and hit a double axe handle, and immediately covered for a two count. Santino ducked a kick and rolled up The Miz for a two count of his own, but Miz quickly regained control. Miz left the ring and pulled Santino onto the apron under the ropes for a kick.

Miz the climbed up top again for another axe handle, but Santino caught him in the gut and went of offense. He fired up and hit some punches and a hip toss, followed by a headbutt to a grounded Miz. Santino went for the Cobra, but was kicked away. Miz charged Santino in the corner and went for another clothesline, but Santino moved and hit the Cobra for a clean pin.

Santino Marella defeated The Miz to retain the US Title at 4:40.

Barnett’s Brief: Oh, how The Miz has fallen. Poor guy is languishing in mid card hell and there doesn’t appear to be an easy path for him to crawl back up towards the top of the card from where he sits now. He’s still one of the most entertaining stars in the company, so I hope they can find something interesting to do with him very soon. Santino was exactly what you’d expect from him, and I’m not sure he’s capable of much more. The US Title is wasted on him, as his current character is not capable of making the title mean anything.

Backstage, Eve stood in front of the gimmick wheel to determine the stipulation for the IC Title match between Cody Rhodes and Big Show. She went over the various options, and then Teddy spun the wheel. Magically, the wheel picked up sped up after it slowed down, and landed on a Tables Match. Teddy Long was wearing a ridiculous “Hello, my name is Teddy” name tag that was the size of a billboard.

Barnett’s Brief: Tables match is one of the go to gimmicks to take the belt off a strong champ, so I’m guessing that’s where this goes.

Various videos aired for the feuds on the PPV Card, and then the main show launched…

Main PPV Card:

A Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena recap video aired with and “Here comes the pain” was billboarded early on. Cena and Lesnar were shown talking in sit down interviews, but were cut together to make it appear is if they were answering each other. It was well done, and it was the most somber we’ve seen John Cena as he’s headed into a PPV match in quite some time. Cena closed and said “Whatever he gets, he’s gonna earn.” Lesnar closed and said “This big steam engine is going to run him over.”

The show then cut to the live arena and Cole welcomed us to the show. He said the arena was at capacity with over 15,000 WWE fans in attendance. Kane’s ring of fire lit up and he headed towards the ring in his Welder’s Mask. A video was shown from 3 weeks ago that showcased the angle with Bob Orton on Smackdown. It then cut to this last Monday with Paul Bearer, and the brawl that ensued. Randy Orton then made his entrance. A very elaborate lit up “Viper” sign was shown in the crowd. Some people have WAY too much time on their hands. The almost certainly doomed Spanish announce crew was then shown making their comments that I do not understand.

2. Randy Orton vs. Kane in a Falls Count Anywhere match: Kane backed Orton into the corner early and brawled, but Orton fought out. Kane charged again and got a foot up. Orton tried to climb the ropes, but Kane hit an uppercut and he tumbled to the outside. Kane went for a fall on the floor but got two. Kane picked up a pipe and both men ended up back in the ring. Orton blocked a swing and grabbed the pipe and battered Kane with hit. The final shot knocked him to the outside.

Kane hit an uppercut on the outside and Randy dropped the pipe, and the men went behind the announce tables and continued to brawl. They traded offense all the way to the back of the arena, where Orton took control by ramming Kane into a barricade multiple times. Kane was sitting on the barricade, and Orton took a running knee to his face and covered for a near fall. Orton continued the assault, but Kane hit a bodyslam on the concrete for another near fall. Kane hit a seated dropkick on the floor for another close fall. Both men brawled back towards ringside, and ended up back towards the entrance stage.

Kane picked up Orton to slam him into the stage, but Orton slipped and hit a drop kick. Orton crawled over and covered for two. Orton went for an RKO, but Kane avoided and hit a big boot for a two count of his own. They then brawled backstage, where Kane slammed Orton into several equipment cases. He then slammed Orton into a locker room door, and Orton returned the favor and slammed Kane into a sitting area where people were watching the show. Zack Ryder then attempted to assault Kane, but Kane grabbed him by the neck.

Orton took advantage and hit an inverted backbreaker for a two count. Kane fought back and threw Orton into a bunch of free standing aluminum pipes. They the brawled out of that room back into the main hallway, where Kane threw a cart at Orton and then covered for a two count. Both men then brawled their way back into the arena, where Orton surged back and threw Kane into the ring steps. Orton was in control back in the ring, and hit a big clothesline out of the corner. Orton then hit a big powerslam, and rolled out of the ring to get a steel chair.

Orton then hit Kane in the gut and began to work over his back with the chair. Orton flashed a smile and continued to assault Kane to YES chants with each impact. Kane escaped to the outside briefly, but Orton chased and slammed him into the announce table. Orton cleared off the announce table and set up an announce table spot. Kane grabbed him by the throat, but Orton powered out and threw Kane on top of the table. He then hit his hanging DDT off the announce table to the floor, and only got a near fall.

Orton attempted another RKO, but Kane shoved him into the ring post and got a two count on the floor. Orton went back into the ring, and Kane climbed the top rope, but got crotched for this troubles. Orton climbed up top, and hit a superplex from the top for another near fall. Orton charged up for the RKO, but Kane reversed into a chokeslam. Kane covered, but Orton kicked out at the last possible second. Kane picked up the chair in frustration, and planted it center ring. He stalked Orton, and picked him up for a tombstone on the chair. Orton slipped out, however, and hit an RKO on the chair. Orton then picked up the victory with a clean pin.

Randy Orton pinned Kane at 17:06.

Barnett’s Brief: A match that got a lot more time than I expected, and I can see why as it was shortcut city. These guys brawled all over the arena, but managed to save the best stuff for the ringside area for the fans in the arena and delivered a satisfying if not predictable finish. Both men managed to look strong.

Eve and Laurinitis were shown backstage, and they celebrated the “Extreme” start to theshow. Eve had Teddy wheel in a cart with some Champagne. Teddy and Eve shared a toast to people power, but Teddy’s phone rang and it was Triple H. Johnny said that he could talk, and left to find a more private location.

Brodus Clay made his entrance with Hornswoggle. I cannot fathom how this pairing was thought to be a good idea. Vickie Guerrero then walked out onto the stage and got great heat for her “Excuse Me!” line. She then introduced the man who would “extinct” the Funkasaurus, Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler then made his entrance accompanied by Jack Swagger and Vickie.

3. Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler: Ziggler attempted to get a single leg take down early, but was rebuffed. Swagger came up on the arpon, and Clay charged him, which allowed ZIggler to hit a drop kick and knock him to the outside. Swagger then hit a shoulder block and knocked down Clay on the outside. Clay climbed back in and got hit by a low drop kick and a rocker dropper. Ziggler covered for two, and then locked in a chin lock. Clay powered out and got to his feet, but got hit with a drop kick for another two count. Ziggler then locked in a sleeper hold, but Clay got to his feet and threw Ziggler over his shoulder.

Dolph hit some punches in the corner, and made a vain attempt at a suplex. Clay shoved him off and hit a couple clotheslines. Swagger interfered again, and Ziggler tried another sleeper, but was shoved off quickly. Clay then hit a huge headbutt to the chest off Ziggler, and followed up for a splash for the clean victory.

Brodus Clay defeated Dolph Ziggler at 4:12.

Barnett’s Brief: Quick and painless match that had Ziggler selling his ass off to cover for Clay’s limited movement in the ring. Clay still has trouble selling, but Ziggler still made him look damn good in the victory.

The spin the wheel from the Youtube pre-show was shown again, which showed the stipulation for the IC title match as a tables match.

Big Show and Cody Rhodes made their entances. A video was shown of Big Show’s WrestleMania victory over Cody.

4. Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes: Show slapped Cody’s chest early and hit a big back body drop. Cody rolled to the outside, and Show followed and hit another big slap to Cody’s chest. Show set up a table in front of the announce tables, and attempted to body slam Cody through it. Cody slipped out and hit a chip block, but Show quickly recovered and shoved Cody into the barricade and hit another chest slap. Show tossed Cody back over the barricade and he climbed back into the ring. Show tossed another table back into the ring, and set it up in the corner.

Show tossed Cody into the corner, but he jumped off the table and hit his Disaster Kick. Show recovered again and hit a shoulder block. Cody rolled to the outside, where show threw him into a table that is leaned up against the barricade. Cody climbed into the ring and out the other side to attempt to set up a table. Show followed and hit a clothesline on Cody. Show put another table into the ring and climbed up on the apron.

Cody hit a dropkick, which caused Show to step off the apron and through a table set up at ringside. The ref called that match, and Show came into the ring and speared Cody. He then set up a table center ring, and choke slammed Cody through it. He then teased leaving, but came back into the ring and press slammed Cody to the outside through a second table at ringside.

Cody Rhodes defeats Big Show and wins the InterContinental Title at 4:40.

Barnett’s Brief: Well, whatever heat they put on Cody with the win was extinguished with the post match attack by Big Show. Are they turning Show heel here? I guess that remains to be seen.

A video was shown for Edge’s new “You think you know me: The Story of Edge” DVD. It showed some key moments from his WWE Career, including his WWE HOF Celebration. Daniel Bryan was then interviewed backstage. Striker asked him what advantages he has over Sheamus. Bryan said he gets more chicks, has a manlier beard, and isn’t weighed down by 5lbs of Corned Beef. He said Sheamus was like the Chicago crowd, overrated. He led the crowd through a few yes questions regarding winning the WWE Title, and walked off chanting Yes. AJ was shown creeping out from behind some equipment cases watching Bryan. A video package was then shown for the Bryan and Sheamus feud.

Bryan made his entrance to a chorus of yes chants. Sheamus then made his entrance to a mix of cheers and boos, wearing a red “18 Seconds” shirt.

5. Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan for the World Heavyweight Championship in 2 out of 3 falls: Both men locked up, and Sheamus got the better of it with a knee to the gut. Sheamus got a headlock take over that Bryan reversed into a head scissors. Sheamus quickly got to his feet and attempted a Brogue Kick, but Bryan avoided by falling away. Sheamus dropped some knees on Bryan’s arms and went for a pin and got a one count. They worked some more chain wrestling with hip lock reversals and arm bars, until Sheamus hit an irish whip into a rolling senton for a two.

Sheamus locked in a Texas Cloverleaf a moment later, but Bryan was able to reach the ropes to avoid the submission. Sheamus went to lock in the old again, but Bryan rolled him up for two. Sheamus recovered and hit a clothesline, and then worked over Bryan in the corner with punches. Sheamus whipped Bryan, but he jumped out of the corner and hit a clothesline. Sheamus rolled to the apron, but Bryan kicked him out of the ring. Bryan went for his knee from the apron, but Sheamus caught him and hit a spine buster into the barricade for a nice spot.

Sheamus went for his battering ram coming back into the ring, but Bryan avoided and went to work on Sheamus’s left knee. Bryan then dropped knees on Sheamus’s head and covered for a one count. Bryan then locked in a hammer lock and pulled apart Sheamus’s fingers painfully. He then moved into a different submission by stepping on Sheamus’s arm while holding the hammer lock in place. Sheamus fought back to his feet, but got hit with a knee to the chest and a seated drop kick for two.

Bryan stayed in control with a head butt and some European uppercuts. Sheamus missed a clothesline and got rolled up for two. Bryan choked Sheamus on the second rope, and followed up some some stomps. Bryan hyper extended Sheamus’s arm over his shoulder, and went back to the hammer lock. Sheamus fought back to his feet and hit some elbows, and hit a nice spear in the corner followed by a high knee to take control.

Sheamus then hit his signature clubbing chest blows, and then a fall away slam for a two count. He then picked up Bryan for a power slam, but he slipped out and hit a nasty kick after a drop toe hold on to the turnbuckle.. Bryan then rolled up Sheamus for a two count. Bryan put Sheamus up top and attempted a hurricanrana, but Sheamus held on and hit his flying shoulder block for a near fall. The announcers continue to put over Bryan’s toughness.
Sheamus rolled to the outside. Bryan went for a suicide dive, but Sheamus hit him with a forearm before he left the ring. Sheamus went for a power bomb, but Bryan rolled through for a roll up two count. Bryan then attempted a Yes Lock, but Sheamus denied him. Sheamus then charged Bryan in the corner, but ate the ring post. Bryan went to the outside and rammed Sheamus’s shoulder into the post several times. He then wrapped his arm around the post. Bryan kicked Sheamus’s shoulder multiple times until the ref DQ’ed him on the first fall.

Sheamus wins the first fall by DQ at 14:30.

Bryan hit a diving kick in the corner right away after the match was restarted. He then applied the Yes Lock. Sheamus made a break for the ropes, but couldn’t make it. He eventually passed out to give up the second fall.

Daniel Bryan wins the second fall by submission at 16:31.

The trainers tended to Sheamus, who was still face down in the ring. Bryan led the crowd in competing Yes and No chants. He finally came to, and the refs asked him if he wanted to compete. He said yes, and hit a Brogue Kick as Bryan charged him to start the third fall. Sheamus crawled over, but Bryan kicked out at the last moment. Bryan stumbled back to his feet and kicked Sheamus’s injured shoulder. They traded kicks and punches until Bryan hit a kick right behind the ear. He then covered for another great near fall. Bryan went to the top rope, but Sheamus interrupted him and hit punches. He climbed up for a superplex, but Bryan sat down and hit headbutts to knock Sheamus down.

Bryan went for a flying headbutt, but Sheamus rolled out of the way. Bryan went for another running drop kick in the corner, but missed. Sheamus then hit a group of clotheslines, followed by the Irish Curse back breaker. Sheamus pumped up by hitting his chest, and hit another Brogue Kick for the clean win.

Sheamus wins the third and final fall at 20:30.

Barnett’s Brief: Great match with some great psychology with the shoulder. It’s a shame they don’t want to give Bryan a run as a legitimate heel, but he’s still got plenty of interesting things going on with AJ. Sheamus moves on to Del Rio, and Bryan gets to conclude his storyline with AJ before moving on to bigger and better things. Why wasn’t this match on WrestleMania again?

Santino and Khali were shown backstage looking at two jobbers in the ring. Aaron Relic and Jay Hatton were shown in the ring and cut a boring jobber promo about winning their first WWE match for their handicap match. They repeated “2 is greater than 1” about 100 times.

6. Ryback vs. Aaron Relic and Jay Hatton: A “Goldberg” chant broke out. Relic tried a couple of futile moves against Ryback until he crushed him with a boot, and then hit a nice power slam. Ryback then pulled Hatton into the ring and hit a Stunner on him. He then hit his samoan drop variation on Relic and stacked both men up to pin them both.

Ryback beat Jobbers at 1:41.

Barnett’s Brief: Jobber matches on PPV do nothing to dispel the feeling that we are watching expensive television shows.

CM Punk was shown backstage with Matt Striker. Striker brought up Chris Jericho’s actions over the past few weeks, and Punk said he had two points. The first was that this wasn’t any other title match. It was a Chicago Street Fight. Punk said that Jericho has been waging psychological warfare, but he isn’t prepared for CM Punk. He added that this isn’t about being best in the world, it’s about putting Jericho to sleep in front of his family and friends in his hometown of Chicago.

A video aired that recapped the blood feud between Punk and Jericho. Jericho made his entrance with his elaborate light bright jacket. Justin Roberts said there are no DQ’s and Count-outs, and you can only win by pinfall or submission. Punk kissed his sister at ring side. The crowd was absolutely crazy for him, as you would expect. Both men were in jeans for their ring gear.

7. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho in a Chicago Street Fight: Both men stared each other down and talked trash from the corners. They brawled immediately and Punk took control with knees and stomps. Jericho bailed out of the ring and Punk followed. Punk sent Jericho over into the timekeeper’s area and threw a chair into the ring. Punk grabbed a kendo stick from under the ring as well. He hit Jericho over the back with the stick. Jericho avoided a strike to the head and escaped outside. He ran around the ring to avoid Punk, but got hit with a clothesline anyway.

Punk set up a chair in the corner between the ropes. Jericho hid behind the ref and used it as an opportunity to poke Punk in the eyes. He then hit a drop kick. Punk rolled to the apron, but Jericho hit a springboard drop kick to send Punk to the floor. Jericho rammed Punk into the apron, and returned a favor by sending him into the timekeeper’s area. He then roughed up Punk with punches. They brawled around the announce table until Jericho threw Punk back in the ring. Jericho took a pad off of one of the turnbuckles, and dropped an elbow on Punk.

Punk recovered and went for a knee in the corner, but Jericho sidestepped and Punk crashed to the floor. Jericho hit several kicks to the gut and pulled some padding off the top of the barricades. Jericho threw Punk into the exposed barricade and beat him up in front of his family, but got slapped by his sister after he jawed with her. Jericho tried to go after her, but Punk flipped and slammed Jericho through one of the boards that sits atop the announce table.

Punk went for a piledriver, but Jericho back body dropped him onto the floor. Jericho picked up a monitor and hit Punk in the back with it. He then picked up a piece of the board that Punk put him through and broke it over his back. Jericho then put Punk back in the ring and covered him for a two count. Jericho then locked in a chin lock with a knee in the back. Punk escaped and side suplexed his way out of the hold. Punk rolled to the apron again, and Jericho intercepted only to get hung on the ropes. Punk went to spring board back in the ring, but he stumbled and Jericho hit him several times with a kendo stick.

Jericho jabbed the end of the stick into Punk’s back and talked trash. He picked Punk up and got rolled up for two. Jericho recovered and hit an enziguri for a two count of his own. Jericho rolled out of the ring and got a beer from underneath the apron. He then poured it on Punk’s head and punched him multiple times. He went back under the ring for a second beer. He started to drink it when Punk kicked him in the gut and worked over his back with a kendo stick. Punk hit a nice heel kick followed by a neck breaker.

Punk hit his high knee in the corner followed by a bulldog. Punk grabbed the kendo stick again and used it to crotch Jericho. Punk signaled for the GTS, but Jericho elbowed out and went for the Walls of Jericho but failed himself. Jericho charged Punk, but Punk hit a powerslam and covered for two. Punk climbed the top rop, but Jericho snapped up and crotched him on the ropes. Jericho hit a chop and a punch and climbed the ropes to meet Punk.

Jericho went for a superplex, but Punk wouldn’t budge. He elbowed and chopped Jericho off the ropes and climbed back up and hit the Savage Elbow. He covered immediately and Jericho kicked out at two. Punk went for the GTS again, but Jericho elbowed out and hit a bulldog. He went for a Lionsault after a delay, and Punk turned it into another GTS attempt. This time Jericho vaulted out and hit a clothesline. He then threw Punk into the chair set up in the ropes and rolled him up for a good near fall.

Jericho played possum a bit and hit a Codebreaker as Punk stumbled to his feet. Jericho didn’t cover, and instead applied the Walls of Jericho. Punk was locked in center ring, and struggled towards the ropes. The ropes don’t cause a break in a No DQ match, so Jericho held on. Punk grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed Jericho with it to break the hold. Punk then picked up the extinguisher and hit Jericho in the gut with it, which knocked him to the outside. He then hit Jericho again in the gut and hit a kick, which sent Jericho onto the Spanish Announce Table.

Punk climbed up to the top rope, and slipped a bit before regaining composure and putting Jericho through the table with the elbow. Both men were laid out. A replay was shown several times of the impressive spot. Punk rolled Jericho back into the ring, and Jericho was still basically out. Punk covered but only got a near fall for a great spot. Punk immediately transitioned into the Anaconda Vice. Jericho appeared to be close to tapping, until he found the kendo stick and hit Punk in the back of the head to force a break.

Jericho went for another shot with the stick, but Punk hit him in the gut with the chair. Punk went for another chair shot, but Jericho hit a Codebreaker with the chair for a great near fall. Jericho hit him with the stick again and was exasperated with Punk’s kick outs. Jericho lifted Punk up for the GTS, but Punk avoided and catapulted Jericho into the exposed turnbuckle. He followed up with the GTS for the pin.

CM Punk defeated Chris Jericho at 25:15 to retain the WWE Title.

Barnett’s Brief: Another phenomenal match from these two. There was great psychology with the family angle and a lot of brutal looking spots that did justice to the Chicago Street Fight label. Say what you want about the drinking angle, but Jericho and Punk delivered in the ring in this feud in a big way.

A video recapped the pre-show angle with Miz and Santino was shown. Backstage, Eve walked by The Bellas and Beth Phoenix arguing about their match. Eve told Beth she wasn’t cleared to wrestle, to which she replied she’ll just take it back another day. Eve then told Nikki she had a mystery opponent, and they headed out towards the ring.

The Bella’s made their way out, looking about as irritated as humanly possible. The Bella’s cut a promo about deserving the title and being the longest title reign of all time. Layla El then came out at the Mystery Opponent, and Nikki looked upset.

8. Nikki Bella vs. Layla for the Divas title: Layla started out hot with a nice hip toss, but Brie pulled on her bad knee as she was on the ropes to turn the tides. Nikki remained in control from a moment until Layla hit a clothesline coming out of the corner. Layla hit a springboard cross body that looked nice, and then Brie interfered again to buy Nikki some time. Later on after Nikki pulled Layla down by the hair, they tried some twin magic, but it backfired as Brie got pinned by Layla after a neck breaker.

Layla pinned Nikki Bella to win the Divas Title at 2:39.

Barnett’s Brief: Meh. Nothing special there. Typical divas match that ended as you would expect with the Bella’s contract expiring. Layla can’t have gotten the reaction they would have hoped.

They hype video for the Cena vs. Lesnar match aired again. After the video, Lesnar’s music hit and the crowd had a much tamer reaction than I would have expected. He was wearing his MMA shorts and a tank top. He jumped on the apron from the floor, and took off his shirt to reveal himself more cut than he was for his last MMA fight. Cena then made his entrance to mostly jeers from the crowd. He had his chain on again.

9. Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena: Cena got taken down with a double leg and brock went to work with the MMA punches and elbows on the ground. Cena bled immediately from the forehead. Lesnar hit a clothesline that took Cena over. Cena got a waist lock take down, but continued to hit punches to Cena’s head. A trainer came in to check on Cena’s cut. The refs let it continue and Lesnar continued to work the ground and pound and beat the piss out of Cena. He took him down again near the ropes and hit a knee to the ribs that sent Cena to the floor.

Cena’s head is opened up pretty big. He’s going to need some stitches for that. Cena picked up Lesnar for the AA, but Lesnar escaped and hit a couple of German suplexes. Lesnar got another waist lock, and Cena elbowed out and caused a ref bump. Cena charged again but Lesnar knocked him down with a shoulder block. Cena continued to act rocked as Lesnar wiped his blood on his chest and hit a kidney punch. Lesnar went for a Kimura, but Cena escaped to the outside.

Lesnar gave chase to the outside and reapplied the Kimura, and then threw Cena’s shoulder into the barricade. Cena rolled back in, and Lesnar grabbed his chain. He contemplated hitting him with it, but he dropped the chain and hit another knee to the ribs. He then used the chain around Cena’s ankles and dared Cena to get up. Lesnar then hit a huge clothesline to knock Cena down again. Brock then hung Cena up on the ring post with the chain and worked over Cena’s arm. Cena fought back briefly, but Lesnar tossed Cena into the ring steps to stop his momentum.

Lesnar went over to check on Charles Robinson. He picked him up with one arm by the belt and threw him into the ring. Cena crawled back in the ring with his chain, but Lesnar had none of it. Cena went for an AA again, but Lesnar slipped and hit an F5 and killed Charles Robinson again. Another ref got into make the count by got a near fall. Lesnar killed him for his trouble. Lesnar then threw the steps into the ring and climbed on them to signify he is the king of the hill. Cena tried to fight back again, but Lesnar locked in a kimura with leg hooks on top of the steps.

Cena refused to give up and eventually picked up Lesnar and threw him onto the steps to break the hold. Cena climbed the top rope and went for a leg drop but missed. Lesnar snapped out of it and looked pissed in the ring, wondering where Cena went. Lesnar taunted, and once Cena got on the ring he vaulted off the ropes and steps into Cena in an ugly crash to the floor. Lesnar got back in the ring and jumped at Cena again, but got caught with a chain punch to the face.

Lesnar is bleeding now, and got to his feet with Cena stalking him. Cena picked up Lesnar, and hit an AA on to the ring steps for the pin.

John Cena defeated Brock Lesnar via pinfall at 17:44.

Barnett’s Brief: Well, that was a disaster. I wouldn’t be surprised if both of these guys are legit hurt. Lesnar tweaked his knee going over the top ropes in that last spot, and Cena looks like he has a nice gash in his head as well as that Kimura possibly hyper extending his elbow a bit. I don’t think either will be hurt long term, but that match was sloppy. It had good intensity, and it was nice to see Lesnar back again, but my fears were realized that he was coming back in the ring a little rusty and willing to take too many chances. I’ll discuss this more with Jason Powell in PPV Audio coming up later tonight.

After the match Cena grabbed a mic. He said he was speaking out of turn and will probably get punished. He said tonight the crowd was supposed to see the extreme. He said everybody in the back big or small gives their heart every night and if he had to take a vacation he wouldn’t have had it any other way. He wished the crowd well and headed towards the back.

Do you have questions, comments or concerns? Contact me at barnett.jake@gmail.com or on twitter @barnettjake.

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