8 WWE The Horror Show At Extreme Rules Impulse Reactions
3. Asuka (c) Vs. Sasha Banks
When Sasha Banks challenged Asuka for Extreme Rules, it didn't just f*cking rule, hard, because she'd teased finally pulling the trigger on the eagerly-anticipated turn on Bayley.
'The Boss' and 'The Empress Of Tomorrow' have had scant few physical interactions together beyond a Raw singles match and odd scuffles in the tag division. This - especially for Asuka's title - felt like huge deal. Well worthy of main eventing this show in fact.
Instead, the company used it to follow the bizarre Eye For An Eye encounter, highlighting how they are indeed the all-you-can-eat buffet of wrestling in 2020 even if one of the dishes is literal sick. The contest f*cking ruled, hard until an over-thought finish did a number on the final outcome.
Bayley running interference ultimately resulted in the referee taking the green mist. From there, she cracked Asuka in the back with a title belt before placing Banks on top for the cover. With the referee still incapacitated, she took the shirt herself and counted the fall.
The story is still strong - Bayley was desperate for Banks to win to get her away from her own title, and this was a bodge job compared to 'The Boss' efforts for her earlier in the night - but this finish was not. Nor was the "tune in tomorrow night" vibe about playing Sasha's music as the pair scarpered with the gold.
There were visual horrors either side of this excellent encounter, but this particularly shoddy ending was arguably the most evening's most egregious assault on pro wrestling.