5 Most Insane Things Happening In Wrestling Right Now (May 19)

4. Extreme(ly Tepid) Rules

Randy Orton No Fly Zone
WWE.com

WWE's Extreme Rules pay-per-view has largely lived up to the moniker since its introduction to the pay-per-view calendar in 2009.

With the notable exception of a Hell In A Cell match - which has to take place in October, regardless of whether or not a feud is hot enough to warrant it - WWE has presented virtually every stipulation match of note. Ladders, Last Man Standing, Luchas de Apuestas - WWE has given us everything over the years.

And now it's giving us nothing.

There are five matches confirmed thus far, and three are in dire need of something, anything, to justify even the low low cost of $9.99. Neville and Austin Aries are set to clash for the third consecutive pay-per-view. No add-ons are yet in place, but given the events of Payback, a No Disqualification stip seems certain - even though that it is already the plan for the Fatal 5-Way main event. That is something, incidentally, we've seen done to death on 205 Live. Ah well - nobody watches that show anyway, so who cares?

Vince Russo has taken a break from alienating the gay community and booked a Kendo Stick On A Pole match between Alexa Bliss and Bayley, but somehow WWE has contrived to book something even more daft than that: if Dean Ambrose gets extreme in his challenge of The Miz's Intercontinental Title, he will be disqualified.

On this evidence, Great Balls Of Fire is a more fitting name.

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!