13 Match Star Ratings For WWE Extreme Rules 2019

6. Daniel Bryan & Rowan Vs. Heavy Machinery Vs. The New Day - SmackDown Tag Team Title Match

AJ Styles Ricochet
WWE.com

The best match of the night, Daniel Bryan has hopefully left the SmackDown doubles division in a better state than he found it.

He isn't just too good to not main event; he is too effective. Consider that climactic, awesome sequence with Big E. He made him look like the strongest, most formidable performer on the roster in that deeply impressive match-within-a-match. Big E for his own part, in contrast to his absurd Twitter persona, seemed to revel in his role as a serious proposition. He glowered at Bryan with the intense eyes of a performer determined to prove that he is capable of levelling up to the best.

The wider match shone as a spectacle rich in character and entertainment value. Heavy Machinery starred, with a more receptive crowd urging them on, in a performance not unlike that of their decorated opponents. They straddled the line between comedy and real endeavour in another great breakthrough performance that further fleshed out their act.

But ultimately, it was the Daniel Bryan show, again. He is the best. He is so impeccable at cutting off the field in these multi-man tag situations, casting himself as an astute tactician, only to subtly elevate the men that confront him in electric standoffs. Both Otis and Big E have basked in his star power.

It's time for the main event picture to follow.

Star Rating: ****

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 current Undisputed WWE 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!