13 Match Star Ratings For WWE Extreme Rules 2019
11. The Undertaker & Roman Reigns Vs. Drew McIntyre & Shane McMahon - No Holds Barred Match
Precisely the sort of match a star rating doesn't capture, this was inconceivably good - the best, limited use of The Undertaker since 2015.
The best version of itself, it flattered the performers that needed to be flattered and, sensibly, belatedly, humiliated the performer that needed to be humiliated. If The Undertaker rolled back the years in a powerful and at times explosive performance, so did Shane McMahon; after months of over-powered bullsh*t, he reverted to the slippery, out-of-his-depth Attitude Era sh*theel in a professional showing so much more effective than his aspirational hard man bit. Drew McIntyre was framed (with cinematic majesty, at one point) as the real danger to 'Taker's improbable comeback story in a presentation so well thought-out that even Kevin Dunn was mesmerised by it; his disciplined direction captured Roman's out-of-nowhere Spear to its fullest surprise effect.
The match was laid out so brilliantly that the crowd went apesh*t for the furniture-destroying tropes that are firmly established as clichés now. That's what happens when true stars put on a spectacle with masterful pacing.
It was a bit weird that it didn't descend into a tornado quicker - and a bit infuriating that, of all people, 'Taker dealt Shane his first singles loss in this controversial heel role - but it hardly mattered.
This was WWE putting on a proper WWE match that only WWE can.
Star Rating: ***1/2