10 WWE Extreme Rules 2018 Impulse Reactions
7. A Load Of Balls
The Hardy Ballz may have been victims of a punch-and-kick fest, but there was something curiously enjoyable about Shinsuke Nakamura's seven second title win and the Randy Orton heel turn that followed.
Though 'The King Of Strong Style' and 'The Charismatic Enigma' had the potential to have one of the better matches of the evening, if Hardy was as IRL injured as reports suggested, the contest could never live up to the fantasy anyway. The last thing Nakamura needed was another dream becoming a nightmare, and the first thing he needed was a title win, so a mission at long last being accomplished for the character was at satisfying for his punished fanbase.
Meanwhile, 'The Viper' functions better as a heel, even if his first act was driving that part of his boot into Jeff Hardy's spuds. If Hardy has to be gone again for a little while, this was as good a way as any to write him off - whilst Orton can claim retribution for his own hiatus as well as targeting his reptilian eyes once again on the blue brand's top prize.