Extreme Rules 2021

Extreme Rules was a professional wrestling pay-per-view and WWE Network event produced by WWE for their Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. It took place on September 26, 2021 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. It was the 13th event under the Extreme Rules chronology and the first to be held in September. The event was originally scheduled to be held at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, but was relocated due to issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. After the previous year's event was titled as The Horror Show at Extreme Rules, the PPV returned to its original name for 2021.
Seven matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event, Roman Reigns defeated "The Demon" Finn Bálor in an Extreme Rules match to retain the Universal Championship. In other prominent matches, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) defeated The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch faced Bianca Belair, which ended in a no contest after Sasha Banks made her return and subsequently ambushed both competitors, and Damian Priest defeated Jeff Hardy and Sheamus in a triple threat match to retain the United States Championship.
==Production==
===Background===
Extreme Rules is an annual gimmick pay-per-view (PPV) and WWE Network event produced by WWE since 2009. The concept of the show is that the event features various matches that are contested under hardcore rules and generally features one Extreme Rules match. The defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion, which WWE acquired in 2003, originally used the "extreme rules" term to describe the regulations for all of its matches; WWE adopted the term and has since used it in place of "hardcore match" or "hardcore rules." The 2020 event was titled as The Horror Show at Extreme Rules, but the title returned to "Extreme Rules" for 2021. The 2021 event will be the thirteenth event under the Extreme Rules chronology and feature wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brands. It was originally scheduled to be held on July 18, 2021, but that date was instead given to Money in the Bank after WWE announced that they would be resuming live touring in mid-July.
The 2020 Extreme Rules event was originally to be held at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, but had to be relocated to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida and held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The SAP Center put out an official statement that they would instead host the 2021 event. The venue also announced that there would be no refunds (unless a new date was not determined within 60 days), but tickets purchased would be honored for the following year's event. However, on July 9, 2021, WWE announced that Extreme Rules would take place on September 26, 2021 and would instead be held at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, which was the originally scheduled date and venue for Clash of Champions 2021.
===Storylines===
The event comprised seven matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. The matches resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.
At SummerSlam, Bianca Belair was originally set to defend the SmackDown Women's Championship against Sasha Banks. However, Banks was unable to appear for unknown reasons. Carmella was then announced as Banks' replacement. Before the match could begin, however, Becky Lynch, in her first appearance since the Raw after Money in the Bank in May 2020, made a surprise return, attacked Carmella, challenged Belair, and subsequently defeated her in 26 seconds to win the title. On the following SmackDown, Belair challenged Lynch to a rematch, however, Lynch refused. Belair then won a fatal four-way match to become the number one contender. The following week, Belair challenged Lynch to a match for that night, but Lynch again refused, stating she would defend the title when she was ready. Later backstage, WWE officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville told Lynch that she would defend the title against Belair at Extreme Rules.
On the July 23 episode of SmackDown, after Roman Reigns declined John Cena’s challenge to a match for the Universal Championship at SummerSlam, Finn Bálor challenged Reigns for the title at the event, which Reigns accepted. During the contract signing, however, an altercation occurred, resulting in Cena signing the contract and becoming Reigns' opponent at SummerSlam where Reigns retained. Bálor then got his opportunity at the title on the September 3 episode of SmackDown, but he was unsuccessful. A rematch between the two for the Universal Championship was scheduled for Extreme Rules. On the September 10 episode, it was revealed that Reigns would be facing Bálor's alter ego, "The Demon", and it was later stipulated to be an Extreme Rules match.
At SummerSlam, Damian Priest defeated Sheamus to win the United States Championship. On the August 30 episode of Raw, Priest retained the title against Sheamus and Drew McIntyre in a triple threat match. On the following episode, Sheamus defeated McIntyre to earn a United States Championship match against Priest at Extreme Rules. On the September 20 episode, Jeff Hardy defeated Sheamus to earn a spot in the title match at Extreme Rules, thus making it a triple threat match.
==Event==
=== Pre-show ===
During the Extreme Rules Kickoff pre-show, while The New Day (WWE Champion Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods) were interviewed backstage after arriving at the arena, they were confronted by AJ Styles and Omos. Bobby Lashley then attacked Big E from behind and all six men brawled. Shortly thereafter, backstage personnel separated them. A six-man tag team match was announced for the main card.
Also during the pre-show, Liv Morgan faced Carmella. Before the match, Carmella insulted Morgan by stating that Morgan was not beautiful. Morgan then attacked Carmella from behind and the match began. In the end, Morgan threw Carmella into the announce table. Back in the ring, Morgan performed a Springboard Flatliner on Carmella to win the match.
=== Preliminary matches ===
The actual pay-per-view opened with The New Day (WWE Champion Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods) facing Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles, and Omos in a six-man tag team match. During the match, Kingston tried to make the tag to Big E, but Lashley pulled Big E off the apron and attacked him. Woods tagged in and hit a Tornado DDT on Lashley for a nearfall. Lashley then hit a Running Powerslam on Woods for a nearfall. Big E tagged in and hit three Belly-to-Belly Suplexes and a Warrior Splash on Styles. Big E and Kingston hit a Double Stomp/Powerbomb combination on Styles, but Lashley broke up the pin. Lashley went for a Spear, but Kingston sent him outside the ring. Kingston went for a Suicide Dive on Lashley, but Omos caught Kingston in mid-air with a Chop. As Lashley went for the Spear on Big E, Styles tagged himself in and missed a Phenomenal Forearm on Big E while Lashley tagged himself in and Lashley accidentally hit a Spear on Styles. Big E hit the Big Ending on Lashley to win the match.
Next, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) defended the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford). The Usos attacked the injured ribs on Ford throughout the match. Towards the end, The Street Profits hit a Blockbuster on Jimmy, and Ford got a nearfall. The Usos threw Dawkins into the barricade and Ford hit a Running Flip Dive on both Jey and Jimmy. Back in the ring, Ford hit a Frog Splash on Jey for a nearfall. The Usos hit a Double Superkick on Dawkins and one to Ford. The Usos hit a Double Superfly Splash on Ford to retain the titles.
After that, Charlotte Flair defended the Raw Women's Championship against Alexa Bliss. During the match, Flair attempted a Top Rope Moonsault, but Bliss moved, however, Flair landed on her feet and hit a Moonsault for a nearfall. Flair missed Natural Selection and Bliss hit a Sunset Flip Powerbomb for a nearfall. Bliss went for Twisted Bliss, but Flair moved. Flair went for the Figure-Eight, Bliss countered into an Inside Cradle for a nearfall. Bliss hit a DDT, but Flair got her foot on the bottom rope. Flair grabbed Lilly and threw it at Bliss, causing a distraction for Flair to hit the Queen's Boot and Natural Selection to retain the title. Afterwards, Flair attacked Bliss and ripped Lilly apart. A distraught Bliss sat in the ring and cried while holding Lily's remnants.
In the fourth match, Damien Priest defended the United States Championship in a triple threat match against Jeff Hardy and Sheamus. As the match started, Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick on Hardy. During the match, Priest hit a Falcon Arrow on Hardy, but Sheamus broke up the pin. On the outside, Sheamus threw Priest into the ring post. Hardy hit a Double Whisper in the Wind and got a nearfall on Sheamus. Sheamus locked in the Cloverleaf on Hardy, but Priest broke it up. Sheamus hit the White Noise on Priest, but Hardy broke up the pin. Hardy hit the Twist of Fate on both Priest and Sheamus. In the end, Hardy hit the Swanton Bomb onto both Priest and Sheamus. Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick on Hardy, and Priest got a roll-up on Sheamus to retain the title.
In the penultimate match, Becky Lynch defended the SmackDown Women's Championship against Bianca Belair. Belair went for the KOD, but Lynch got out of the ring. Lynch then went for the Manhandle Slam and the Dis-Arm-Her, but Belair countered both times. Towards the end on the outside, Lynch hit a Hurricanrana to Belair into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Lynch attempted an Armbar, but Belair countered into a Powerbomb for a nearfall. Lynch locked in the Dis-Arm-Her, but Belair countered and went for the KOD, but Sasha Banks returned and attacked Belair, causing a disqualification with Lynch retaining the title. Afterwards, Banks laid out both Belair and Lynch with a Backstabber.
=== Main event ===
In the main event, Roman Reigns defended the Universal Championship against "The Demon" Finn Bálor in an Extreme Rules match. During the match, Bálor attacked Reigns with a bundle of kendo sticks taped together. Bálor pulled out a table, but Reigns hit the Running Driveby Dropkick to put Bálor head first into the ring post. The two brawled into the crowd where Bálor hit a Crossbody, putting Reigns through a table. Back in the ring, Reigns put Bálor through a table with a Uranage for a nearfall. Reigns hit a Superman Punch on Bálor for a nearfall. Reigns hit a Spear on Bálor and kicked out while also hitting Reigns with a low blow. Bálor hit the Coupe de Grace on Reigns, but The Usos came out and pulled Bálor out of the ring. Bálor put Jey Uso through the announce table with a Powerbomb. Reigns hit a Spear on Bálor through the barricade. With everyone down, red lights flashed and a heartbeat sound was heard as The Demon rose to his feet and attacked Reigns with a steel chair and put him through a table. As Bálor went for the Coupe de Grace, the top rope snapped and Bálor fell and hurt his knee. Reigns hit a Spear on Bálor to retain the title.
==Match Preview==
Liv Morgan vs. Carmella 	Preview
The Usos vs. The Street Profits 	Preview
Charlotte Flair vs. Alexa Bliss 	Preview
Damian Priest vs. Sheamus vs. Jeff Hardy	Preview
Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair 	Preview
Roman Reigns vs. Finn Bálor 	Preview
==Results==
;
;
*Pre-Show: Liv Morgan defeated Carmella (w/ Zelina Vega) (7:52)
*Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defeated Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles & Omos in a Six Man Tag Team Match (18:15)
*The Usos (Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso) (c) defeated The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) to retain the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship (13:45)
*Charlotte Flair (c) defeated Alexa Bliss to retain the WWE Raw Women's Championship (11:25)
*Damian Priest (c) defeated Sheamus and Jeff Hardy in a Triple Threat Match to retain the WWE United States Championship (13:25)
*Bianca Belair defeated Becky Lynch (c) by DQ. Lynch retains the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship (16:30)
*Roman Reigns (w/ Paul Heyman) (c) defeated "The Demon" Finn Bálor in an Extreme Rules Match to retain the WWE Universal Championship (19:45)
==Other on-screen talent==
;Commentators
*Michael Cole 
*Pat McAfee 
*Jimmy Smith 
*Corey Graves 
*Byron Saxton 
*Carlos Cabrera 
*Marcelo Rodriguez 
;Interviewers
*Sarah Schreiber
;Ring announcer
*Greg Hamilton 
*Mike Rome	
;Pre-show Panel
*Kayla Braxton
*John Bradshaw Layfield
*Peter Rosenberg
*Booker T
*Kevin Patrick
*Sonya Deville
;Referees
*Jason Ayers
*Jessika Carr
*Dan Engler
*Darrick Moore
*Chad Patton
*Rod Zapata
==See also==
*List of WWE pay-per-view events
*WWE Event History
*Event gallery
*Extreme Rules
==DVD release==
* Extreme Rules 2021 on DVD
==External links==
* Extreme Rules 2021 Official Website
* Extreme Rules 2021 Kickoff Show on WWE Network
* Extreme Rules 2021 on WWE Network
* Extreme Rules 2021 Kickoff Show at CAGEMATCH.net
* Extreme Rules 2021 at CAGEMATCH.net
Category:Extreme Rules
Category:Extreme Rules 2021
Category:World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view events
Category:2021 pay-per-view events