Extreme Rules (2017) – Knowipedia – The Next Generation of Global Knowledge

**Extreme Rules (2017)**

**Definition:**
Extreme Rules (2017) was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by WWE, held on June 4, 2017. It featured various matches with stipulations emphasizing hardcore wrestling rules, continuing the annual tradition of the Extreme Rules event.

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# Extreme Rules (2017)

**Extreme Rules (2017)** was the ninth annual Extreme Rules professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by WWE. It took place on June 4, 2017, at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. The event featured wrestlers from WWE’s Raw and SmackDown brand divisions, showcasing matches with hardcore stipulations or “extreme” rules, a hallmark of the Extreme Rules series. The event was notable for its blend of high-profile championship bouts and specialty matches, including a Steel Cage match and a Punjabi Prison match.

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## Background

Extreme Rules is a recurring WWE pay-per-view event that traditionally features matches contested under hardcore or extreme stipulations, such as no disqualification, steel cage, or street fight rules. The 2017 edition was the ninth installment in the Extreme Rules chronology, following the 2016 event and preceding the 2018 event.

The 2017 event was held at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, marking the first time Extreme Rules took place in Baltimore. The event included wrestlers from both the Raw and SmackDown brands, following WWE’s brand split, which had been reinstated in mid-2016. This allowed for interbrand competition and multiple championship matches representing each brand.

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## Storylines

The matches at Extreme Rules (2017) were the culmination of scripted storylines and rivalries developed on WWE’s weekly television programs, Raw and SmackDown Live. Wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or ambiguous characters, engaging in feuds that built tension and led to matches with specific stipulations.

### Raw Brand Storylines

– **Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman (Steel Cage Match):**
Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman’s rivalry escalated after Strowman attacked Reigns on multiple occasions, including an assault on Reigns’ family. The animosity led to a Steel Cage match at Extreme Rules, designed to prevent outside interference and settle their feud decisively.

– **Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe (Extreme Rules Match):**
Seth Rollins and Samoa Joe had a heated rivalry marked by physicality and personal animosity. Their match was contested under Extreme Rules, meaning no disqualifications or count-outs, allowing for a brutal and unrestricted contest.

– **Cesaro vs. Sheamus (Best of Seven Series, Match 6):**
Cesaro and Sheamus were engaged in a Best of Seven series to determine the superior competitor. The sixth match took place at Extreme Rules, with the series tied 3-2 in favor of Cesaro.

– **Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss (Raw Women’s Championship):**
Bayley defended her Raw Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss, who had been aggressively pursuing the title and had previously defeated Bayley in non-title matches.

– **Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz (Intercontinental Championship):**
Dean Ambrose defended the Intercontinental Championship against The Miz, who had been antagonizing Ambrose and seeking to regain the title.

### SmackDown Brand Storylines

– **Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton (Punjabi Prison Match for WWE Championship):**
Jinder Mahal, the WWE Champion, was challenged by Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison match, a rare and complex match type involving two bamboo cages. The match was designed to be a brutal and unique contest to settle their rivalry.

– **AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens (United States Championship):**
AJ Styles defended the United States Championship against Kevin Owens, who had been feuding with Styles over the title and their mutual animosity.

– **Naomi vs. Natalya (SmackDown Women’s Championship):**
Naomi defended the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Natalya, who had earned a title shot through a series of victories.

– **The Usos vs. The New Day (SmackDown Tag Team Championship):**
The Usos defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against The New Day, continuing their long-standing rivalry as two of SmackDown’s premier tag teams.

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## Event

Extreme Rules (2017) featured a total of nine matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. The event was characterized by intense physicality, high-risk maneuvers, and the use of weapons and stipulations that enhanced the drama and spectacle.

### Pre-show

– **The Hardy Boyz vs. Cesaro and Sheamus:**
The pre-show featured a tag team match with The Hardy Boyz facing Cesaro and Sheamus. The match served as a continuation of the ongoing rivalry between Cesaro and Sheamus, with The Hardy Boyz involved as allies of Cesaro.

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### Main Card Matches

#### 1. Dean Ambrose (c) vs. The Miz – Intercontinental Championship

Dean Ambrose successfully defended the Intercontinental Championship against The Miz. The match featured back-and-forth action, with Ambrose ultimately retaining the title after countering Miz’s Skull Crushing Finale into a Dirty Deeds finisher.

#### 2. Naomi (c) vs. Natalya – SmackDown Women’s Championship

Naomi retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Natalya. The match showcased athleticism and technical wrestling, with Naomi securing the victory after a split-legged moonsault.

#### 3. The Usos (c) vs. The New Day – SmackDown Tag Team Championship

The Usos defended their SmackDown Tag Team Championship against The New Day. The match was competitive and fast-paced, with The Usos retaining their titles after a superkick on Big E.

#### 4. AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens – United States Championship

AJ Styles retained the United States Championship against Kevin Owens. The match was marked by intense exchanges and near falls, with Styles winning after a Styles Clash.

#### 5. Bayley (c) vs. Alexa Bliss – Raw Women’s Championship

Bayley successfully defended the Raw Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss. The match was competitive, with Bayley countering Bliss’ Twisted Bliss finisher into a Bayley-to-Belly suplex for the win.

#### 6. Cesaro vs. Sheamus – Best of Seven Series, Match 6

Cesaro defeated Sheamus in the sixth match of their Best of Seven series, taking a 4-2 lead and winning the series. The match was physical and hard-hitting, with Cesaro winning after a Neutralizer.

#### 7. Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe – Extreme Rules Match

Seth Rollins defeated Samoa Joe in an Extreme Rules match. The no disqualification stipulation allowed for the use of weapons and outside interference. Rollins won after countering Joe’s Muscle Buster into a Curb Stomp onto a chair.

#### 8. Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman – Steel Cage Match

Roman Reigns defeated Braun Strowman in a Steel Cage match. The match was brutal and intense, with both men using the cage as a weapon. Reigns won by escaping the cage first after a spear.

#### 9. Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton – Punjabi Prison Match for WWE Championship

Jinder Mahal retained the WWE Championship against Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison match. The match involved two bamboo cages and was notable for its unique structure and difficulty. Mahal escaped the outer cage first to retain the title.

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## Reception

Extreme Rules (2017) received mixed to positive reviews from critics and fans. The event was praised for its high-energy matches and the unique Punjabi Prison match, which was the first WWE Championship match contested under that stipulation in over two decades. The Steel Cage match between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman was also highlighted for its physicality and storytelling.

Some criticism was directed at the pacing of the event and the predictability of certain outcomes, particularly the WWE Championship match. However, the event was generally regarded as a solid PPV that delivered on the promise of extreme stipulations and intense wrestling action.

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## Aftermath

Following Extreme Rules (2017), several storylines continued to develop on WWE’s weekly programming.

– **Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman:**
Their feud continued, leading to further matches and confrontations on Raw.

– **Seth Rollins and Samoa Joe:**
The rivalry extended, culminating in additional matches and storyline developments.

– **Cesaro and Sheamus:**
Cesaro’s victory in the Best of Seven series elevated his status, leading to new opportunities.

– **Jinder Mahal:**
Mahal’s WWE Championship reign continued, with new challengers emerging on SmackDown.

– **Women’s Divisions:**
Both Raw and SmackDown women’s divisions saw continued competition for their respective championships.

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## Match Results Summary

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## Significance

Extreme Rules (2017) reinforced WWE’s commitment to delivering themed events centered around hardcore and stipulation-based matches. The event showcased the depth of WWE’s roster across both brands and highlighted the ongoing brand split’s impact on storytelling and championship competition.

The Punjabi Prison match was a rare and historic stipulation, adding a unique element to the event and drawing attention to WWE’s willingness to revisit classic match types. The event also served as a platform for emerging stars and established veterans to further their careers and storylines.

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## Conclusion

Extreme Rules (2017) was a notable installment in WWE’s Extreme Rules series, combining traditional hardcore wrestling elements with contemporary storytelling and athleticism. The event featured memorable matches, including the rare Punjabi Prison match and a brutal Steel Cage encounter, contributing to WWE’s summer pay-per-view calendar and setting the stage for future rivalries and championship pursuits.

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**Meta Description:**
Extreme Rules (2017) was a WWE pay-per-view event featuring hardcore stipulation matches, including a Punjabi Prison match and a Steel Cage match, held in Baltimore, Maryland. The event showcased intense rivalries and championship defenses from both Raw and SmackDown brands.