Extreme Rules is a yearly pay-per-view event held by WWE in the months of April or May. It is considered one of WWE’s “Big Five” pay-per-views along with Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series. The concept behind Extreme Rules is that the matches are contested under extreme rules, meaning there are few disqualifications and weapons are legal.
History of Extreme Rules
The first Extreme Rules pay-per-view was held in 2009, replacing the previously held One Night Stand event. One Night Stand originated in 2005 as an ECW-branded event, reviving the defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion. When WWE relaunched ECW as a WWE brand in 2006, One Night Stand became a yearly pay-per-view event affiliated with the ECW brand.
In 2009, the WWE scrapped the ECW brand and subsequently replaced One Night Stand with Extreme Rules. The new event was made available to all WWE brands and superstars rather than just the ECW ones. Extreme Rules continues to be held annually in the spring. It is promoted as the night when WWE goes extreme and showcases high stakes matches without traditional rules.
Notable Extreme Rules Matches Over the Years
Some of the most memorable and significant Extreme Rules matches over the years have included:
- Jeff Hardy vs. Umaga in a Falls Count Anywhere match in 2009 – This was a wild match between the high flyer Jeff Hardy and savage brawler Umaga. They battled all over the arena and Jeff Hardy prevailed with a Swanton Bomb off the top of equipment cases.
- John Cena vs. Batista in a Last Man Standing match in 2010 – The two powerhouses completely destroyed each other throughout the arena until the match ended in a draw after both men failed to answer the 10-count.
- Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H in a Steel Cage match in 2013 – In one of Brock’s first matches back in WWE, he defeated Triple H in a brutal and bloody Steel Cage match.
- The Shield vs. Evolution in a Six-Man Tag Team Elimination match in 2014 – The Shield’s Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose beat Evolution’s Triple H, Randy Orton & Batista in an all-out war involving tables, ladders and chairs.
- AJ Styles vs. Roman Reigns in an Extreme Rules match in 2016 – In a star-making performance, AJ Styles prevailed over Roman Reigns in an intense back and forth battle.
- Bray Wyatt vs. Seth Rollins in a Steel Cage match in 2018 – Bray Wyatt escaped the cage in twisted fashion after using his supernatural abilities against Rollins.
- Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair in a Winner Take All match in 2019 – In the first women’s match to main event an Extreme Rules PPV, “The Man” Becky Lynch defeated Charlotte Flair to become dual Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Types of Matches at Extreme Rules
Since there are few rules governing what can happen, a variety of match types have taken place over the years at Extreme Rules to highlight the anarchy and chaos:
No Disqualification Match
As the name suggests, there are no disqualifications in a No Disqualification Match. Anything goes and weapons are legal. Pinfalls and submissions can occur anywhere. It often results in brawls all over the arena and outside of the ring.
Falls Count Anywhere Match
This is an even more extreme version of a No DQ match. Not only are there no disqualifications, but pinfalls and submissions can also take place anywhere in the arena, not just inside the ring. Competitors will battle throughout the crowd and backstage areas.
Steel Cage Match
A Steel Cage surrounds the ring and competitiors must escape the cage through the door or climbing over the top of the cage in order to win. This confines the contestants while allowing violence with weapons inside the cage.
Ladder Match
A ladder is placed inside and outside the ring. An object (usually a championship title) hangs above the ring. To win, competitors must climb a ladder and retrieve the hanging object.
Table Match
The way to win a Tables match is to drive your opponent through a table by putting them through it. Tables matches often feature flaming tables and superstars crashing through multiple tables.
Last Man Standing Match
There are no pinfalls, submissions, disqualifications or count-outs in a Last Man Standing Match. Competitors simply have to incapacitate their opponent to the point that they cannot stand up by the count of 10. Anything goes weapons-wise.
Significance of Extreme Rules in WWE
The Extreme Rules pay-per-view provides an exciting change of pace on WWE’s calendar. While most main WWE events have standard rules and regulations, Extreme Rules allows for crazy brawls and violent stunts.
It began as a way to showcase the extreme ECW style of wrestling in WWE. Over the years, it has evolved to highlight extreme matches across all WWE brands and divisions. The event is anticipated by fans hungry to see wrestlers pushed to their limits in matches with high stakes and minimal rules.
WWE uses Extreme Rules as a stage for resolving heated rivalries and championship feuds in extreme environments. With weapons, stipulations, and settings that aren’t permitted on normal shows, fans get taken on a wild ride at Extreme Rules.
Lets WWE Stars Showcase Hardcore Wrestling Styles
Many WWE superstars come from hardcore and extreme wrestling backgrounds before joining WWE. Performers like Mick Foley, Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer built their careers on taking risks and wrestling in violent matches.
While WWE typically restricts such styles, Extreme Rules allows these performers to show off their hardcore roots. Stars like Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, and Brock Lesnar relish the brutality of Extreme Rules.
Produces Memorable & Significant Moments
Some of WWE’s most memorable matches and moments have occurred at Extreme Rules and its predecessor One Night Stand. In addition to outstanding wrestling action, the event has showcased WWE superstars at their limits.
Championship victories at Extreme Rules have also helped propel stars into the spotlight. Wins for AJ Styles, Becky Lynch and The Shield at the event marked their rise to the top of WWE.
Criticisms of Extreme Rules
While Extreme Rules has its share of passionate fans, some critics over the years have questioned if it goes too far in showcasing brutality and violence:
Overly Dangerous Spots
Some of the stunts performed at Extreme Rules over the years have seemed overly dangerous and reckless. Critics argue that while pops from the crowd are good, the health of performers should be valued over putting on the most extreme show.
Too Gimmicky
Matches at Extreme Rules are often built around stunts and spectacles rather than solid in-ring wrestling. While this can be exciting, some fans think gimmick-heavy matches are overly contrived and ridiculous at times.
repetitive Stipulations
With so many years of Extreme Rules events, some have argued the shock factor and uniqueness of the extreme stipulations have worn off. What felt groundbreaking 10 years ago, now feels repetitive to some long-time WWE fans.
Less Suitable for Current Product
As WWE has shifted to a more family-friendly, TV-PG product, some argue Extreme Rules feels out of place and incongruous with their current programming.
Rules That Still Exist
While Extreme Rules features limited rules and oversight, there are a few regulations that still exist for the safety of performers:
No Time Limit
Matches can go on as long as needed until a victor emerges, unlike normal matches which have time limits if the show is running long.
No Jobbing
Wrestlers cannot intentionally lie down and lose. There must still be legitimate effort and competition in every match.
Medical Personnel Nearby
Doctors and medical staff are always standing by at ringside to check on wrestlers and treat any injuries.
Referee Stoppage
The referee still has the power to stop a match if a performer appears unable to continue or defenseless against further punishment.
Performer Discretion
Wrestlers ultimately have the final say over what risks they are comfortable taking in any stipulation. If they personally object to a spot, they have the right to refuse.
Select List of Extreme Rules Match Stipulations
Here is a select list of some of the most extreme match stipulations that have taken place over the years at WWE’s Extreme Rules event:
| Match | Rules |
|---|---|
| Taipei Deathmatch | Wrestlers’ hands are taped and dipped in glue and broken glass before the match. |
| Stretcher Match | The winner is the first wrestler to incapacitate their opponent and then place them on a stretcher at ringside. |
| I Quit Match | Wrestlers battle until one says the words “I Quit” into a microphone, submitting to loss. |
| Empty Arena Match | Held in an empty arena with no audience, wrestlers battle backstage and around the venue. |
| Clockwork Orange House of Fun | Weapons like chains, steel chairs, ladders surround the ring and can be legally used. |
Controversial Extreme Rules Moments
While fans have been thrilled by many matches, some Extreme Rules moments have generated controversy and criticism as well:
Orton’s Broken Collarbone
At Extreme Rules 2008, Randy Orton broke his collarbone whilebike Orton broke his collarbone while attacking Triple H. The injury was graphic and raised concerns about wrestler safety.
Mass Transit Incident
ECW’s original Extreme Rules pay-per-view One Night Stand in 1997 was marred by an incident where an untrained teen named Mass Transit was badly cut during a match and had to be hospitalized.
Lesnar Goes Too Far
In a 2012 match against John Cena, Brock Lesnar cut Cena open the hard way by elbowing his head purposefully. This blurred the line between reality and entertainment.
Puder Shoots on Angle
In a reality TV angle at the 2005 PPV, Kurt Angle was embarrassed when wrestler Daniel Puder tried to legitimately submit him rather than cooperating for show.
Most Extreme Moments in WWE History
While many extreme moments have occurred at WWE’s Extreme Rules event, here are some of the most extreme to ever take place on WWE programming:
Shane McMahon’s Titantron Leap
At Backlash 2000, Shane McMahon memorably leaped off the Titantron screen scaffolding onto Big Show and Test below to the shock of fans.
Mankind Thrown Off the Cell
Mick Foley becoming Mankind and getting thrown off of the top of the Hell in a Cell cage by Undertaker at King of the Ring 1998 is legendary for its risk.
Academy Award on Jarrett
Chyna violently struck Jeff Jarrett using a guitar on Raw in 1999. Glass was scattered everywhere in a chilling moment.
Boiler Room Brawl
Mankind vs. Undertaker’s wild Boiler Room Brawl at SummerSlam 1996 turned savage when Paul Bearer burned The Undertaker with a fireball.
Paper Bag Suffocation
When Kane suffocated Vince McMahon with a paper bag on Raw in 2003, it remains one of the most controversial “Attitude Era” moments in WWE history.
Future of Extreme Rules in WWE
It remains to be seen what direction WWE takes Extreme Rules in the future. There are compelling arguments on both sides regarding its place in modern WWE.
On the one hand, the wild spectacle of Extreme Rules matches attracts viewer interest and network subscriptions. On the other hand, the risks involved, like concussions, as well as the violent tone, give WWE pause.
Extreme Rules will likely continue, but potentially with additional safety measures and parameters in place. The WrestleMania Backlash event has also integrated some extreme stipulations on occasion. This allows WWE to have it both ways – an extreme event but also more restraint when desired.
Regardless of form, the spirit of WWE’s extreme roots will live on even in a changing climate and continue to deliver both breathtaking and hard-hitting moments in its signature anarchic style at Extreme Rules.
Conclusion
Extreme Rules has a celebrated place as one of WWE’s classic pay-per-view events. While controversial at times, it has produced some of wrestling’s most memorable matches and outlandish moments. Extreme Rules allows the WWE Universe to see a more unrestrained version of the brand with fewer rules and limitations in place during matches.
With origins going back to hardcore legends like ECW, Extreme Rules lets the current generation of WWE superstars honor that legacy each year. The spectacle of steel cages, flaming tables, and total chaos intrigues fans eager to see what happens when you remove restraints from the squared circle.
WWE uses this platform to blow-off heated feuds in dramatic fashion. When the stakes are at their highest, Extreme Rules makes sure the resolution is equally extreme. Though some argue it has lost a step from the pioneering days, Extreme Rules delivers an annual jolt of pandemonium that true WWE fans crave.
