8 Match Star Ratings From WWE: The Horror Show At Extreme Rules
2. Drew McIntyre Vs. Dolph Ziggler - WWE Championship Match
Dolph Ziggler invoking Bret Hart on his attire was more offensive than the Asuka Vs. Sasha finish.
That's harsh, because, and here's that refrain again: much of the work here was really damn good, but WWE ruined it. They might have somehow ruined this in record time: Ziggler revealed the secret stipulation before the bell, one he thought would guarantee him the WWE Championship. No, not a Who Sucks The Most Sh*t At Stand-Up Comedy match, but a match in which only the challenger was permitted to use Extreme Rules to his advantage.
Drew McIntyre immediately smashed him in the face with a closed fist.
He was dumb for doing it. The referee was dumb for not registering it. Ziggler was dumb for not protesting it. The agent was dumb for ordering or permitting the spot. This is a dumb organisation.
If that is pedantic - maybe a closed fist only warrants a warning, not a disqualification - then WWE undermined a planned story beat, as opposed to digging a careless plot hole, later in the match. McIntyre nearly slammed Ziggler through a table. He sh*t himself, because he almost lost the title. Then, with no compunction, disqualification, protest, or thought, he drilled him on top of the announce table. Is it only a DQ if it breaks? How was he sure it wouldn't then break? How is that WWE can possibly ruin such beautiful violence?
In and around the WWE bullsh*t, this was a very well-done war; in a great spot that wasn't a hollow flex, Ziggler executed a Fameasser from the announce table. McIntyre only just beat the count as WWE only just remembered the inimitable thrill such a spot can provide.
They beat the sh*t out of each other, the finish was timed with gorgeous, brutal precision, and they at times cast doubt on a cast-iron finish.
In a competent wrestling promotion, this would have ruled.
Star Rating: ★★★¼