WWE Extreme Rules 2018 review: What we learned, highlights, takeaways, future projections

SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match

The Bludgeon Brothers (c) vs. Team Hell No

What we learned: I think we learned here that it’s just simply time for Kane to hang up the boots…or the mask as the case may be.

Earlier in the evening, just before the monstrosity that was the SmackDown Women’s Championship Match, Harper and Rowan attacked Daniel Bryan and Kane in the backstage area, throwing DB into a door and smashing up Kane’s leg, leaving this match in jeopardy (like it wasn’t going to actually happen).

With Kane still hurt as it was time for the match, Bryan came out to the ring alone to battle for the blue-brand tag titles on his own, putting up the best fight he could against the two former members of The Wyatt Family. Are we supposed to forget that was a thing or not? I’m always unclear on these things.

While I was sort of hoping that The Miz would somehow get involved and become Bryan’s tag partner to keep that whole thing going, Kane came down to the ring in a walking boot. Now, I know the “injury” was supposed to slow him down a bit but it was molasses in there. The story of the reuniting of Team Hell No was fun and all but I’m done with it, especially since we didn’t even get a heel turn or any involvement whatsoever from The Miz.

Bryan fought the good fight for as long as he could but it wasn’t enough and The Bludgeon Brothers walked away still SmackDown Tag Team Champions.

What’s next: This program really doesn’t need to go any further. The throwback was nice for a night but Bryan and Kane really didn’t earn that title shot. With plenty of teams on the blue brand to step in for a match at SummerSlam, it’s time to go that route and leave Bryan and Kane on their own. Kane may not even be around that long due to his mayoral campaign and I’m sure creative wants something bigger for Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam anyway so it’s time to get the ball rolling on that.