WWE Extreme Rules 2018: Star Ratings For All 12 Matches

5. The Bludgeon Brothers Vs. Team Hell No - SmackDown Tag Team Title Match

Minus Four Stars
WWE.com

Daniel Bryan is an underdog. A man boasting the richest and most layered character arc in WWE is presented by that company as a one-dimensional underdog.

We get it.

To tell another unnecessary chapter of a story spun to death, the Bludgeon Brothers attacked Team Hell No before the bell, injuring Kane’s leg in the process. This begat a handicap match in which Bryan’s performance was paradoxically uplifting and depressing. He used his maverick storytelling ability and explosive athleticism, to work a mini-match opposite two behemoths that was somehow believable. As fun as it was to watch Bryan unglue a dead crowd, the subtext was borderline depressing.

Bryan is the guy. Bryan is the guy to wrestle the excellent, important singles matches that might save these overlong pay-per-views from eating themselves. Bryan can wrestle awesome, different matches. Bryan can play it seriously, he can work technically, he can fly.

But no: Bryan is an underdog, and, on this evidence, a loser. Kane was injured, but Bryan took the fall. He was protected somewhat, but why is he losing to a team in which Rowan is a member months after mounting the greatest comeback story of all time?

Did Shawn Michaels lose to Spike Dudley in 2002?

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!