WWE Extreme Rules PPV results
May 19, 2013
St. Louis, Mo.
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Third Hour Results

7 -- WWE champion JOHN CENA vs. RYBACK -- WWE Title match -- Last Man Standing match

As the bell sounded, Michael Cole re-visited Bruno Sammartino's longest WWE Title run in history starting 50 years ago this weekend. Cole linked Sammartino's title run to Cena's title history, then Cena opened the match on the offensive. The crowd quickly began taunting Ryback with "Goldberg" chants, then the crowd quieted down and the match resumed with Cena knocking down Ryback. But, Ryback responded with corner shoulder thrusts.

Ryback followed by hoisting Cena into the air before dropping him to the mat, almost taunting Cena. As Ryback continued to toy with Cena, the announcers wondered if Ryback is hungrier or if Cena left everything at WrestleMania when he defeated The Rock. Cena made it to his feet at eight, then ducked when Ryback charged, causing Ryback to fly over the top rope to the outside. While Ryback recovered on the outside, Cena brought a table into the ring. Cena wanted an AA when Ryback returned to the ring, but Ryback countered with a backpack jawbreaker.

At 6:30, Cena and Ryback came to their feet and traded blows. Cena then built momentum and wanted a shoulder tackle, but Ryback intercepted and sent Cena through the table with a fallaway slam, stunning the crowd. Ref Robinson administered a count, but Cena reached his feet at eight. Cena then ducked a clothesline, slammed Ryback, and delivered the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena wanted the AA, but Ryback blocked and shouldered Cena to the mat. Another count, and this time Cena reached his feet at eight.

Ryback wanted to follow with a powerbomb, but Cena blocked, reversed momentum, and delivered a powerbomb of his own. Cena used the ropes to hold himself up as ref Robinson counted Ryback, who barely reached his feet before collapsing to the mat again. Ryback reached his feet at six, then Cena ran at Ryback to attempt an MMA submission of sorts. The announcers called it a sleeperhold. Ryback shook it off, then lifted Cena into the air to slam him to the mat. Ryback followed with a massive clothesline that put Cena on the mat.

At 11:30, Cena reached his feet, then ducked a clothesline and slapped on the STF. Cena locked the hold on, then released the hold when he determined that Ryback was out cold. But, in case Ryback woke up, Cena went under the ring and retrieved a table. Ryback reached his feet at nine while Cena was setting up the table. But, Ryback blocked a move and wanted Shell-Shock through the table, but Cena escaped. Cena then AA'ed Ryback through the table, popping the crowd. Both men fell to the mat selling the effects of the move, then ref Robinson started his count. Cena reached his feet at seven, but Ryback hit his feet at nine.

Cena and Ryback reset with Cena trying to climb the top rope, but Ryback cut him off. Ryback wanted Shell-Shock and this time he connected. Ryback collapsed into the corner trying to hold himself up as the ref counted Cena again, but Cena hit his feet at nine. Cena used the ropes to hold himself up, then Ryback knocked down Cena and wrapped his ankle around the ringpost. Ryback then retrieved a chair to smash Cena's ankle into the ringpost, but Cena kicked the chair into Ryback's gut. Cena then suddenly got a burst of energy to spear Ryback through the gimmicked barricade in front of the timekeeper. Out of the rubble, Cena reached his feet, followed by Ryback.

At 16:00, Ryback and Cena fought into the crowd. Ryback pounded Cena across the back as they hit the production area. Ryback then removed one of the hockey rink boards and proceeded to smash Cena with it. Cena sold the effects as Ryback engaged an adult Cena fan in an interesting discussion. Cena reached his feet, then hopped on Ryback's back to apply a sleeperhold. Ryback carried Cena through the production area, then began fading. Both men fell to the floor, then Cena popped to his feet and ref Robinson began counting again. Cena watched as Ryback began stirring, then Ryback reached his feet at eight.

At 18:30, Cena cleared a media table positioned on the floor. Cena placed Ryback on the wooden table, then Cena hopped into the stands. Cena balanced himself, then came off the stands with an elbow drop through the table, sending Ryback to the floor. Both men made it to their feet, though. Cena suddenly found a fire extinguisher to his liking and sprayed Ryback in the face. This sent Ryback reeling up the production steps to the stage. Cena then sprayed Ryback over and over as if he were trying to kill a roach with roach-spray. Ryback, "blinded," stood up and took an extinguisher shot to the face. And again. But, Ryback reached his feet again.

At 21:00, Cena hoisted Ryback in the air for an AA off the production stage, but Ryback blocked and smashed Cena through the Extreme Rules set. Both men disappeared through the LED lights, prompting Charles Robinson to try to find them. Robinson then ran down the ramp and to the back, looking for the wrestlers. WWE replayed the big spot as the announcers wondered where they went.

Suddenly, WWE cut backstage showing both Cena and Ryback selling unconsciousness backstage. Medics and refs called for EMTs. The crowd booed as it became obvious that this was ending with a non-finish. Ryback was then helped to his feet and carried away from the backstage area. Meanwhile, Cena was fitted for a neckbrace as everyone sold panic with Cena "trapped" inside a piece of the stage. In the background, vocal males picked up a chant as they watched Cena being placed on a backbrace while selling unconsciousness. WWE stayed with audio of medics, refs, and EMTs helping Cena away as the authority figure for the night, Teddy Long, shouted instructions. WWE then replayed Ryback and Cena crashing through the stage, with Lawler saying he thinks Ryback was just looking for a hard surface to inflict pain, not injure Cena. WWE suddenly cut away from the match segment.

WINNER: No Finish around 21:30 when they crashed through the set. The finish answered the question of why this match was not placed in the main event slot. WWE was booked into a corner where Ryback could not afford yet another high-profile loss, but they couldn't end Cena's title run after one month. So, they went for a non-finish and Cena Injury Angle, which will be interesting to see play out. (**3/4)

Payback Hype Video: Randy Orton vs. The Voices in his Head.

Announcers: Cole, Lawler, and JBL were shown at the announce table reacting in hushed tones to the events. Lawler said he thinks this went too far, fulfilling Vince McMahon's kayfabe tweet about being nervous for injuries tonight. Lawler then introduced a comment about this perhaps being on the promotion for allowing this to go too far. Lawler's comment came across like a set-up for WWE to introduce a higher authority figure (e.g. a McMahon) into storylines in light of sagging post-Mania Raw ratings.

Suddenly, the crowd woke up as a newly-designed steel cage began to be lowered, signaling the main event up next. After a video package aired on the Lesnar-Hunter feud, the announcers discussed the main event up next. Included were comments about Lesnar's MMA background, including Lesnar fighting inside an octagon cage.

In-ring: Justin Roberts introduced the steel cage match as WWE focused on the new-look cage. Brock Lesnar's music then played to bring out Lesnar flanked by Paul Heyman. No beanie for Lesnar tonight. Lesnar paced back-and-forth on-stage before pyro shot off and Lesnar began his slow march to the ring. Suddenly, a heavily-tanned Triple H stormed the ringside area and smashed Lesnar from behind. Hunter knocked down Heyman, then sent Lesnar into the steel cage. This prompted the ref to call for the bell. Apparently the show is running long and they decided to cut out Hunter's ring entrance.

8 -- TRIPLE H vs. BROCK LESNAR (w/Paul Heyman) -- steel cage match -- Match 3 in the Series

Lesnar absorbed Hunter's pre-match attack and began bashing Hunter into each side of the new cage walls. Lesnar then measured Hunter for a big running knee smash into the cage wall, but Hunter moved and Lesnar ate the cage. "Oh my knee!" Lesnar shouted. Lesnar then leaned against the cage and shouted, "Oh my knee, Paul." Hunter and Lesnar reset as Heyman sold concern from outside the cage before telling him to shake it off. Hunter then teased the Pedigree, but Lesnar blocked and went for a kimura lock. But, Hunter punched the injured knee to escape.

After Hunter escaped the kimura, Lesnar tried to escape the cage as Heyman called for the door to be opened, but Hunter smashed Lesnar's knee from behind. Lesnar shook it off, though, and delivered an F5 center-ring. Lesnar covered, but Hunter kicked out. Heyman then sent a chair into the cage after shoving away ref Robinson. Lesnar bashed Hunter with the chair, but continued to sell the knee. Lesnar again told Heyman that his knee is bad, but Heyman kept telling him to shake it off, leading to the announcers discussing whether Heyman actually cares about Heyman or his own agenda.

Lesnar again tried an F5, but his knee buckled. Hunter then retrieved the chair and bashed Lesnar's knee with the chair. Hunter continued attacking Lesnar and Heyman begged for Hunter to stop the attack from outside the cage. Hunter ignored Heyman and went to work on the knee before slapping on the figure-four leglock center-ring. Lesnar waved his arm in the air selling the hold, exposing a really bad tanning situation around his armpit. Lesnar looked for an escape, then reversed the pressure, putting Hunter on his belly. Hunter broke free, putting both men on the mat. The crowd became restless as the two men reset.

At 14:00, Lesnar began climbing the cage on one good leg. Lesnar eyed Heyman as his target, but Hunter grabbed the chair and smashed Lesnar's knee with the chair, sending Lesnar reeling back inside the cage. Hunter then grabbed a camouflaged sledgehammer that he hid atop the cage, but Lesnar knocked it away from Hunter. Lesnar then scooped up the sledgehammer and tried a hammer shot, but Hunter ducked. Hunter then applied the Sharpshooter, "tributing" Bret Hart in his own way. As Lesnar fought the hold, Heyman decided to enter the cage. Hunter saw him coming, though, and Pedigreed Heyman. Hunter then blocked a sledgehammer shot and delivered a Pedigree to Lesnar. The crowd thought it was over, but Lesnar escaped a pin attempt.

At 18:00, Hunter stood up with hammer in-hand, but Heyman low-blowed Hunter from behind. "That's my manager," Lesnar gleefully said. Lesnar then hobbled to his feet and retrieved the hammer. Lesnar waited for Hunter to get up, then he popped him in the mouth with the hammer. Lesnar celebrated his work, then hobbled around the cage before posing. Hunter sold unconsciousness as the announcers said Lesnar could just walk out of the cage right now. But, Lesnar wanted more. Lesnar hobbled into position for the F5 and delivered it center-ring. Lesnar covered and it was good for the pin and the win.

Post-match, JBL talked in hushed tones about this being an extreme Extreme Rules show tonight. JBL then noted Heyman was the difference-maker tonight. Lesnar, not done, placed the sledgehammer on Hunter's chest and forced Hunter to pose with it, having sent a message that you live by the sword and die by the sword. Lesnar then hobbled out of the ring before WWE replayed high-points from the match. Back live, Hunter was shown being attended to by medics as Lesnar hobbled up the stage by himself. Lesnar then met Heyman on-stage and they celebrated while selling pain.

WINNER: Lesnar at 20:08 to win the Series 2-1. Lesnar needed the win, but it wasn't realistic to expect a decisive victory since WWE has shifted away from Lesnar as a B.A. special attraction to a monster heel who needs help to tie his shoes, much less win a PPV main event. Overall, Lesnar and Hunter just don't mix at a high-level, but they had a serviceable main event. And, it turns out the crowd got its satisfying event about an hour ago when Orton beat Big Show decisively in Orton's hometown. (**3/4)

Before the PPV ended, WWE cut to the arena studio, where Renee Young asked Wade Barrett for reaction to the cage match. Barrett said he thinks Hunter fell on his own sword in the main event. Renee plugged the post-show on social media before WWE cut to another shot of Triple H selling the effects in the ring. The PPV kept rolling with Hunter still in the ring trying to regain his bearings. WWE replayed the finish one more time before going to a final shot of Hunter dragging himself out of the ring. Hunter's music then played as Cole plugged the Extreme Rules post-show. One final shot of Hunter bent over about to hurl or selling the effects of the main event closed the PPV at 9:54.

After the PPV went off the air, during the PPV post-show, they showed footage of John Cena refusing medical treatment as he was about to be placed in an ambulance. Cena was shown removing the neckbrace and walking away to the trainer's room to be evaluated, essentially rendering the WWE Title match non-finish irrelevant.

Back to the announcers, who sold that Cena is stubborn and needs to admit when he's hurt.

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