20 Reasons Why WWE The Horror Show At Extreme Rules Was An Absolute Mess

19. Undeliverable Violence

Seth Rollins vomit
WWE

A longstanding issue with Extreme Rules and other gimmicked WWE pay-per-views is that they promise levels of violence that the promotion cannot realistically deliver in the PG era. Fans have been conditioned to expect the safest, cleanest version of "violence" that wrestling can offer and are daft if they don't temper their expectations accordingly, but that's the problem: you shouldn't have to perform these mental gymnastics in order to enjoy what is supposed to be an easily-digestible form of entertainment.

Promising that one of Rey Mysterio or Seth Rollins would tear their opponent's eye out was dumb marketing. WWE knew they weren't going to film such a grisly act, so why bother with the unrealisable stipulation? Like promoting today's sanitised Hell In A Cell bouts as potential career-enders, it takes the piss out of the audience.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.