WWE Extreme Rules 2018: Star Ratings For All 12 Matches

6. Braun Strowman Vs. Kevin Owens - Steel Cage Match

Minus Four Stars
WWE.com

In which both man and monster were portrayed as absolute idiots.

This played out as expected. Kevin Owens, more chickensh*t than flesh, attempted to escape the cage immediately. Braun Strowman pulled him down from the walls and beat him up. As he is prone to do - in every match - the Monster missed a move, allowing Owens an opening. Owens used it to sprint through his signature offence… all of which was rendered impotent as Strowman shrugged it off.

Strowman is strong, but also very stupid, Strowman missed once more, allowing Owens to handcuff Strowman to the ropes. Owens, another idiot in a roster full of them, did not immediately escape. It’s not as if he wasn’t well-practised, having ran away from Strowman for weeks and suffered the very painful (nominal) consequences of failing to do so. He mugged for the cameras like the mug he is. Strowman - again, he is very strong - broke free from the cuffs, before he - again, he is very stupid - lost the match by hurtling Owens from the top of the cage and through an announce table in a jaw-dropping spot.

Jaw-dropping is the word; this looked incredible, there is no denying that, but it was so tonally wrong. This was an abysmal comedy feud Owens suffered for. Strowman meanwhile willingly lost a match purely to maim an absurdly outmatched opponent. Some babyface.

We have referred to him twice as stupid, but he knows that wins and losses don’t mean a thing in WWE, at least.

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!