Extreme Rules Preview

A mere handful of weeks after WWE Payback we are back with the next PPV/whatever it is you call a show that is mainly watched via the Network. Special show? Who knows. Either way, there is a sense of deja vu about this. In many ways, this is just a rehash of what we got at Payback and even as someone who enjoyed that show, it all feels a bit lazy.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin No DQ Match

Ziggler going over at Payback was a strange decision, so it makes sense to reverse the fortunes here. After coming in hot WWE seems to have pulled back on Corbin and he no longer feels exciting. He stills has a bit of a way to go in the ring, but character wise he has nailed it. Let’s hope WWE make up for last month by giving Corbin the victory here.

Baron Corbin wins by pinfall

Dean Ambrose vs. Chris Jericho Asylum Match

What is an ‘asylum match’? It obviously involves the cage and some weapons but beyond that not much is clear. Like all of Jericho’s matches in his current run, this feud hasn’t been as good as it should have been. Part of that is because it was built around a potted plant, but the two men also don’t seem to have clicked. I like Jericho in his heel role, but Ambrose doesn’t seem to know who he is as a babyface. He needs to cut back on the comedy and focus on just being himself. I can only see Ambrose coming out with the win because Jericho has hinted he will be off again soon.

Dean Ambrose wins by doing whatever you do to win an Asylum match

The Miz (C) vs. Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn for the IC Title

I would almost be happy for any of these four men to win the title. I think Miz is probably the least likely but with his current work, I’d even be happy for him to keep it a bit longer. There are so many possibilities coming out of this match that I am just excited to see where WWE are going with it. Personally, I’d like to see Cesaro pick up the belt. Zayn and Owens don’t need it to continue their personal feud, and I’d like to see a face Cesaro take the Cena Open Challenge to the IC Title and continue to build its reputation. He is the perfect man to return it to the wrestler’s belt.

Cesaro wins by pinfall, we all win because this match will be great

Kalisto (C) vs. Rusev (w/Lana) for the US Title

Rusev crush. Please, let him crush.

Rusev wins by crushing

Charlotte (C) vs. Natalya for the Woman’s Title in a Submission Match

Classic storytelling would suggest that Natalya gets the win here. However, I just don’t see what is gained by taking it off Charlotte at this point. All rumours point to Sasha doing that at SummerSlam, and while that might seem a bit predictable, it makes all the sense. So I think this has to be the moment where we begin to see a development in Charlotte’s character, away from her famous dad. If she can get the business done without him getting involved, it legitimises her and allows them to split the two in the weeks ahead. If Charlotte were to get so arrogant that she turned on Flair, it would lead to major heat.

Charlotte wins by submission

The New Day (C) vs. The Vaudevillains for the Tag Team Titles

It might be time for The New Day to lose the belts but I don’t know whether WWE has enough faith in The Vaudevillains to allow them to be the team to take them. It’d be good to have a heel team being chased by the likes of New Day and Enzo and Cass (that in particular, being an obvious feud) and I genuinely believe that The Vaudevillains are perfectly capable of being that team. However, their slightly old-fashioned gimmick doesn’t seem to have clicked on the main roster. Because of that, I can’t see Vince having the balls to make the switch.

The New Day win by pinfall

Roman Reigns (C) (w/ The Usos) vs. AJ Styles (w/The Club) in an Extreme Rules match for the WWE Title

Does anyone else feel like we haven’t seen these six men wrestle enough in the last few weeks? I’m sure WWE could have fit it in at least a couple more times. I worry about this match. Their encounter at Payback was great, but the feud has stagnated a bit since then. Anderson and Gallows have been made to look weak by the way that Reigns just punches his way through them, and The Usos are basically irrelevant. If WWE doesn’t pull the plug on whatever it is they’ve got planned, then I think this feud will sputter out. With all that in mind, I still think Reigns retains. Possibly after The Club and whoever it is they are in line with turn on AJ.

Roman Reigns wins by pinfall following shenanigans