After absorbing a ferocious beating that was worked, but more shoot in the delivery of genuine punishment, a bloodied John Cena with a chain wrapped around his fist, managed to get in a reverberating punch to the forehead of Brock Lesnar and deliver an Attitude Adjustment on the steel ring steps to score a pinfall victory in the main event of last Sunday evening's Extreme Rules pay-per-view in front of a rowdy sell-out crowd at Chicago's All State Arena.
While it is questionable as to why WWE would pay the former UFC champion a whole lot of money to come in as the monster that he portrays so effectively and lose in his first ppv appearance back in the company in eight years, apparently the rehabbing of Cena from his loss to the Rock at Mania was seen as more important.
Judging from the reported response from the rabid Windy City fans and scores of Internet website fans who posted feedback, fans who started squarely in Brock's corner began to appreciate Cena for the legitimate beating he was absorbing during the bout and were vigorously cheering him by the end of the match - similar to what took place when Steve Austin lost a bloodbath to Bret Hart, but got over huge because of the fight he put up before "passing out" at the finish.
Of course, the next night at Raw, Brock Lesnar was out to brag about the beating he gave Cena, but didn't get much of a chance before he was interrupted by Triple H. Hunter came down to the ring to explain that none of the demands Lesnar made the previous week at Raw when holding up director of talent relations John Laurinaitis before signing the ppv contract for the match with Cena, were going to continue to be met.
Somewhat hilarious was the warning that he would not be flying home on Vince's private jet - apparently the mode of transportation that got him to Dayton for Raw. Meanwhile, the cowardly Laurinaitis was feebly trying to stick up for Lesnar and distance himself from any responsibility for going back on the previous week's enhanced agreement.
Naturally, it all quickly broke down when HHH turned around to stifle the whiney talent relations suit and Lesnar attacked the COO, eventually snapping his arm with the deadly kimura double arm lock that led to Helmsley being saved by guys from the locker room and helped out of the ring while clutching his "broken" arm. Looks like they are going with Lesnar and Triple H at SummerSlam.
Another hot match at Extreme Rules was the Punk and Jericho Chicago street fight title match, which was won by Punk to seemingly end that feud. Daniel Bryan was unsuccessful at regaining the world heavyweight championship from Sheamus in their old school two-out-of-three-falls bout. The match was very good and given enough time to tell a story and showcase Bryan's wrestling skill, unlike the 18 second debacle that rankled many fans at Mania.
Believe it or not, there are signs over at TNA that they may be headed for another Ric Flair-Hulk Hogan match at a ppv. With all the young talent in the promotion, why they go back to the notion that either of those guys ought to be in a match is beyond a lot of people. Managers or antagonists on behalf of other guys who can still go in the squared circle seems to suit them fine, but not headlining a match, please.