13 Match Star Ratings For WWE Extreme Rules 2019

12. KICKOFF: Drew Gulak Vs. Tone Nese - Cruiserweight Title Match

AJ Styles Ricochet
WWE.com

This could be written about most of the performers on 205 Live, but Drew Gulak is wasted on that show.

A funny talker and excellent wrestler, he has keenly grasped character development. Seduced by the gold, he has sacrificed his old principles to get it. Anything flies for the former 'No Fly Zone' in 2019; to evade his opponent's always incredible-looking explosive power game, he launched himself from the ring apron to crack Nese with a flying lariat, the connection of which sounded revolting.

That was a quality spot, but the pace crawled from there, losing the crowd. Nese countered with a German suplex into the turnbuckle, utilising his power to get back in the match, and while the storytelling was decent enough, it didn't matter and ultimately, it never does. This was a 205 Live Kickoff match; unless the performers destroy themselves, or it manifests as a relentlessly exciting multi-man affair, the view never changes. The crowd never invests, and the action never reaches the 20 minute mark, which is about the only time the Wednesday matches work through sheer force of will.

Gulak won, but not before Nese attempted a risky and ugly moonsault, as Nese clung to the rope from the apron. There wasn't enough space to pull this off, but they can't be blamed for trying something to elicit a reaction that never reflects the effort.

Star Rating: **3/4

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!