I had the pleasure of watching this event live back in 2012. It was an awesome show. The Chicago crowd and atmosphere is amazing as always. The undercard was solid and the main event matches really delivered.
Falls Count Anywhere Match: Randy Orton vs. Kane - I thought this was a very good way to start the show. Like most FCA matches, it was fun and all over the place, and they did some really good near-falls toward the end. Randy Orton wins with an RKO on a steel chair. RATING: ***1/4
Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler - Boring match. Thankfully, it didn't last too long. Brodus Clay wins. RATING: *1/2
Tables Match for the Intercontinental Championship: The Big Show (c) vs. Cody Rhodes - It was a short match, but it was pretty good while it lasted. It had the same big man/little man dynamic they used in their WrestleMania match. Cody surprisingly wins back his title. RATING: **3/4
2-Out-Of-3 Falls Match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Sheamus (c) vs. Daniel Bryan - This was a great technical match that excellently showcased both men. This is what their WrestleMania match should have been. They prove to have stellar chemistry. This is perhaps Daniel Bryan's breakout match. Winner of the match 2-1 and still World Heavyweight Champion: Sheamus. RATING: ****1/4
Handicap Match: Ryback vs. 2 Jobbers - Epic squash. Next. RATING: N/A
Chicago Street Fight for the WWE Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Chris Jericho - This was even better than their WrestleMania encounter. The crazy stunts and use of weapons was very exciting, and the emotion in this match feels so real. Chicago was, of course, very hot for CM Punk. An amazing ending to an amazing rivalry. CM Punk retains with a catapult to exposed turnbuckle followed by a GTS. RATING: ****1/2
Extreme Rules Match: John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar - What an intense, bloody, brutal brawl this was! His first match since his return, Brock Lesnar was an absolute beast, suplexing John Cena all over the place. The match perfectly told the story of Cena being the underdog and trying to find a way to outsmart him. The finish was brilliant. John Cena wins with a chain to the skull followed by an Attitude Adjustment on the steel steps. RATING: ****1/2
This is one of the very best Pay-Per-Views of the 2010's. This outdid that year's WrestleMania. The match quality was very high and the hot crowd is just another good thing. Get this show now.
RATING: A
Falls Count Anywhere Match: Randy Orton vs. Kane - I thought this was a very good way to start the show. Like most FCA matches, it was fun and all over the place, and they did some really good near-falls toward the end. Randy Orton wins with an RKO on a steel chair. RATING: ***1/4
Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler - Boring match. Thankfully, it didn't last too long. Brodus Clay wins. RATING: *1/2
Tables Match for the Intercontinental Championship: The Big Show (c) vs. Cody Rhodes - It was a short match, but it was pretty good while it lasted. It had the same big man/little man dynamic they used in their WrestleMania match. Cody surprisingly wins back his title. RATING: **3/4
2-Out-Of-3 Falls Match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Sheamus (c) vs. Daniel Bryan - This was a great technical match that excellently showcased both men. This is what their WrestleMania match should have been. They prove to have stellar chemistry. This is perhaps Daniel Bryan's breakout match. Winner of the match 2-1 and still World Heavyweight Champion: Sheamus. RATING: ****1/4
Handicap Match: Ryback vs. 2 Jobbers - Epic squash. Next. RATING: N/A
Chicago Street Fight for the WWE Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Chris Jericho - This was even better than their WrestleMania encounter. The crazy stunts and use of weapons was very exciting, and the emotion in this match feels so real. Chicago was, of course, very hot for CM Punk. An amazing ending to an amazing rivalry. CM Punk retains with a catapult to exposed turnbuckle followed by a GTS. RATING: ****1/2
Extreme Rules Match: John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar - What an intense, bloody, brutal brawl this was! His first match since his return, Brock Lesnar was an absolute beast, suplexing John Cena all over the place. The match perfectly told the story of Cena being the underdog and trying to find a way to outsmart him. The finish was brilliant. John Cena wins with a chain to the skull followed by an Attitude Adjustment on the steel steps. RATING: ****1/2
This is one of the very best Pay-Per-Views of the 2010's. This outdid that year's WrestleMania. The match quality was very high and the hot crowd is just another good thing. Get this show now.
RATING: A