7 Match Star Ratings For WWE Extreme Rules 2021

4. Charlotte Flair Vs. Alexa Bliss - RAW Women's Championship Match

Demon Roman Reigns
WWE.com

This was shockingly good in parts.

And then WWE made everybody forget about the in-ring over-delivery by selling the apparent death of an inanimate doll for more time than they have several independent contractors.

Before Alexa Bliss developed rabies or whatever was meant to be conveyed there, thus ruining any mildly impressed good will, the match was worked with a sense of energy and animosity and tightened up considerably after Charlotte took the heat segment with a pair of ropey-looking backbreakers. There was a snap to almost every move, a not inconsiderable number of which rarely make it onto WWE screens. Some of the things WWE fans popped big for here were innovated in New Japan Pro Wrestling, but that'll just be our little secret.

The tempo here rocked, and fans responded enthusiastically to the action they did see and the bullsh*t they didn't, at least until the post-match. Almost entirely divorced from the supernatural b*llocks that invariably dies as gruesomely as Lilly did here, at its best - and it wasn't an outstanding match but a damn fine one for a while - this felt like two (sorry) competitors doing various, cool, spirited things to win a wrestling match.

And then Charlotte dismembered a doll.

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!