A new Jim Ross blog has been posted over at www.jrsbarbq.com, and below are some highlights. As always, you can purchase JR's BBQ products on WWEshop.com.
Good crowd, or so it seemed on my iPad, from Jersey for the show. Audiences are getting more educated all the time and many seem to truly enjoy cheering for the talents cast as villains. That's largely a product of knowing that the genre is a show biz entity and not allowing one's self to be caught up in the moment and suspending one's disbelief. The composition and demeanor of today's pro wrestling fan is more unique than it ever has been in my 40 year career.
I'd give the overall grade of Extreme Rules a B+. I enjoyed it by and large and anyone who complains about the efforts of the talents is misguided IMO. Of course, creative can always be second guessed and is on every pro wrestling, TV event by every company.
The Torito-Hornswoggle opener on the Network was funny, entertaining and did what it was created to be… provided comedy and stunts.
Enjoyed Cesaro-Swagger-RVD elimination three way which was MUCH better than the usual Triple Threat Match. The right guy won as Cesaro is going to be a top level player and with @HeymanHustle will elevate Cesaro to star status.
The IC Title bout was OK and the right guy won again with the Brit Wade Barrett taking the championship. The bigger story is now what does WWE and Barrett do with the championship? Can they add much needed luster to the title while seeing Barrett's in ring persona grown into that of a main event level star?
The 6 man tag stole the show. Helluva bout and a true, announcer's dream to call. Congrats to all six men for pulling off a great match.
Thought the cage match was a little too long. Also, didn't like all the outside interference inside the cage. WWE worked very hard to protect Cena's image when it's strong enough to sustain a loss to a new star (Bray Wyatt). Admire how hard the talents worked but the finish was a head scratcher although I'm curious as to where this is going because as of right now I have no idea.
For the record and merely a personal preference, escaping the cage through the door is a lame stipulation in today's world.
The Divas were placed in a no win situation on the card but their match wasn't bad whatsoever.
A NO Holds Barred scenario isn't playing to Daniel Bryan's strengths but DB defeating a much bigger, stronger adversary in Kane is what most people will remember. Thought the special effects with the forklift was a little time consuming and detached the live audience a a bit too long but the flaming table was a colorful blast from the past.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
