SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
EXTREME RULES MAIN EVENT IS CANCELED…
Recap: The show began with Kurt Angle and Constable Corbin in the ring. Angle informed the crowd that Paul Heyman had made a long Facebook post that required explanation. Just as Kurt Angle was about to continue, he was interrupted by Roman Reigns.
Reigns stated that he wanted to hear Angle’s announcement face-to-face, and was himself then interrupted by Bobby Lashley.
Lashley told Reigns that he already had his chance at the Universal Title. He told Reigns,“three years of chances and the only thing you’ve proven is you can’t beat Brock.” Lashley said that it was time for Reigns to move on, to cheers from the crowd.
Reigns asked if he should move on like Lashley did 10 years ago, and mocked Lashley’s attempts at MMA after his first WWE run. Reigns reiterated that he had headlined WrestleMania four years in a row.
Kurt was finally able to get a word in, and announced that due to a “contractual snag” with Brock Lesnar, the Number One Contender match at Extreme Rules was canceled. Reigns responded with the usual speech about Brock not caring about WWE or the fans.
The Revival then came to the ring and challenged Lashley and Reigns to a tag match. Corbin set the match, which began immediately. Reigns and Lashley were not on the same page during the match, and it ended with Dash Wilder rolling up Roman Reigns for the win.
Evaluation: Roman Reigns’ recent media assertions that he’s already a heel almost began to make sense after this segment. It was like he was intentionally being written to be booed. Lashley asking Reigns to “move on” clearly reflected the frustrations of many fans, and got a positive crowd reaction. The writers had to know that having Lashley voice the fans’ frustrations with Reigns would set up Lashley to be cheered against Reigns. He also consistently acted like a jerk, even dismissively referring to Bobby Lashley (a face) as “Bob”.
Forecast: It seems like the strategy here is to play up how little Brock Lesnar cares about WWE and the fans in hopes that the fans will cheer anyone who opposes him. While that is likely the best strategy available to get Roman Reigns cheered at this point, it is unlikely to work. It’s too late for Reigns at this point. Even if it weren’t too late, giving him heel dialogue tonight certainly didn’t help.
BAYLEY TURNS HEEL(?)…
Recap: Backstage, Kurt Angle approached Bayley and informed her that she would be teaming with Sasha Banks and Ember Moon against Riott Squad. Bayley was clearly unhappy at being teamed with Sasha.
During the tag match, Sarah Logan distracted Sasha, which allowed Ruby Riott roll up Sasha for the win.
Immediately after the bell, Bayley viciously attacked Sasha. Long after Sasha was incapacitated, Bayley threw her into the steps twice.
Later backstage, Kurt Angle informed Bayley that he was sending her to counseling beginning next week.
Evaluation: The crowd’s pop for Bayley’s heel turn was HUGE. They absolutely loved it and chanted for her.
One one level, this is a success. This feud had been dragged out for so long that the fans had stopped caring and were sick of it, but tonight’s turn clearly elicited a reaction. It can no longer be said that no one cares. Further, Bayley has been cold ever since being called up from NXT, and if tonight’s pop is any indication, that’s no longer the case.
On the other hand, the fans were clearly behind Bayley rather than Sasha, which would be a negative if Bayley is supposed to be a heel.
Considering that before tonight the predominant emotion from the fans was apathy, tonight still has to be considered a big win.
Forecast: Not only are we going to get a payoff to this feud, we’re getting one that people actually want to see. As someone who had lost all interest in this feud, I admit that even I was wrapped up in tonight’s turn when it actually happened.
A WEIRD NIGHT FOR BRAUN…
Recap: Early in the night, Braun Strowman approached Kurt Angle backstage and indicated that he felt bad about rejecting Kevin Owens’ attempts in recent weeks to be his friend. He then asked to be Owens’ tag team partner. Angle agreed and assigned the team of Finn Balor and Baron Corbin to be their opponents.
Later, Kevin Owens approached Kurt Angle, apprehensive about Braun’s intentions. Kurt left the match in place, assuring Owens’ that Braun’s motives appeared insincere.
During the match, Owens and Strowman worked well together while Balor and Corbin did not. The match ended with Balor and Corbin counted out as they fought each other outside the ring.
After the match, Owens offered Strowman a handshake. Braun stared him down instead, leading Owens to flee, asking “we did great; what’s your problem?” Braun chased after him.
Owens escaped to the valet to get his keys. Once there, he discovered that Braun had beaten him there and destroyed his car.
Evaluation: I have no idea what the point of this was. Considering Braun is supposed to be a top face right now, it was a weird choice to put him in a match where he beat on Finn Balor. Even weirder was his terrorizing of Kevin Owens, who performed well in the match and did nothing that should’ve provoked Braun’s ire.
Braun essentially acted like a complete heel for the entire evening.
Forecast: I guess we are going to get Braun Strowman vs Kevin Owens at Extreme Rules. Hopefully this feud is better written going forward, with Owens acting like the heel instead of Strowman.
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: TOP 3 DEVELOPMENTS – RAW 6/18: Ronda is Suspended, Dolph is the IC Champion, Lesnar’s Next Opponent
If Bailey really did turn heel they need to do more with it. They need to change her music and change her clothes and she needs to turn against the fans.