The buildup to Extreme Rules has been, let's face it, terrible. But the card is actually pretty intriguing, so let's get into it. I'll be previewing in the order in which the matches are listed on wikipedia, though I doubt that'll be the actual order.
Kickoff
Sin Cara vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas
Regular rules match
All images are promotional materials released by WWE
This should be fun. While Sin Cara should win to continue the feud and lead to the rubber match, I suspect they'll end it here, with Cien moving on.
Prediction: Andrade
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods) vs. Sanity (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain)
Tables match
Oh, this will be super fun. All of these guys can go, and I hope Wolfe gets the chance to show off his skills. He's such a fun seller that they often book him to mostly do that, but his offense is fun too! Everyone in this match is very good, and this is gonna be epic. I expect this will steal the show, and have the highest excitement level. Also, dear WWE fans, this is the only match where you're allowed to chant "we want tables." Okay?
Prediction: SAnitY wins in an absolute slobberknocker.
Main Show
Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax
Extreme Rules match for the WWE Raw Women's Championship
It's the return of the worst written feud of 2018. Who asked for this? The added wrinkle is Ronda Rousey at ringside, who will be way more over than either of the women in the ring and will probably intervene. This will likely an be okay match with terrible booking surrounding it.
Prediction: Alexa retains due to Rousey interference, somehow
AJ Styles vs. Rusev
WWE Championship match
This barely had a buildup. Amazingly, this is Rusev's first crack at one of the two major titles. This will be good. Rusev is good at wrestling, and Styles is hella super good at wrestling. I'd like to think Rusev has a shot, but I don't think it likely.
Prediction: The phenomenal one retains
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt vs. The B-Team
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship match
As delightful as the B Team's efforts have been in the build up, nothing that has happened during that time has convinced me that they have a shot, which brings the whole thing down a few notches. Still, this is the first time the Rotunda boys have been in a high profile match against each other, and that's interesting. Bo's imitation of his brother Bray have been hilarious.
Prediction: Deleter Of Worlds retain.
Carmella vs. Asuka
WWE SmackDown Women's Championship match
James Ellsworth will be suspended above the ring in a shark cage
With Elsseworth in a cage, this is likely to get played for comedy value, at least somewhat. Match should be okay. Carmella is good, but not to the level of having the kind of truly classic match Asuka is capable of. I think it's time for Asuka to win this.
Prediction: Carmella will not be ready for Asuka.
The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) vs. Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane)
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship match
Here's a thing: Both Kane and Bryan have tons of history with Harper and Rowan, from the latter's days as members of the Wyatt Family. But this has gone entirely unmentioned. I think the Bludgeons have to retain here, because Bryan should be doing singles stuff, and Kane has an election to win next month.
Prediction: Bludgeons win, Bryan still looks strong.
Dolph Ziggler (with Drew McIntyre) vs. Seth Rollins
30-minute Iron Man match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Finally, a match I am actually really looking forward to. Interestingly, this is the one type of match where Drew is somewhat negated: a DQ counts as much as a pin or submission when it comes to the win count. Seth has been trying to sow seeds of discord between Dolph and Drew, and the very obvious fact that Drew is a monster who should be contending for the major titles makes that work in the storyline. This should be the match of the night, and should be an absolute wrestling clinic.
Prediction: Seth gets his title back.
Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley
A regular rules match with zero stakes
This may actually be the main event, which would be a damn shame. Neither guy is really a face here, and neither is supposed to be a heel. Which... there's a reason why faces and heels exist. They're how this works. The crowd may turn on this match, HARD.
Prediction: Reigns, I guess?
Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE United States Championship match
The US title should be beneath Shin, but at this point, I'll settle for it. Give the man SOMETHING to validate his heel turn. He's done such tremendous work, and he should be the champ right now. Probably would be, if AJ wasn't on the cover of the next big WWE game.
Prediction: Nakamura wins.
Finn Bálor vs. Baron Corbin
Regular rules match
Oh, hey, this is, like, a feud. Like in wrestling! These guys have valid reasons to dislike each other, rooted in their characters and story. I just wish Corbin was good enough in ring to make the payoff worth it.
Prediction: Finn Win
Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens
Steel Cage match
This match exists because Kevin Owens is an asshole, Kurt Angle is an asshole, and Braun is a bully. KO has basically been a victim of bullying for weeks now, and he's supposed to be the villain here. What a weird world WWE is. Don't be a bully, be a STAR, Braun! Nothing in the booking has made this seem like it could even be competitive. But KO is great, and Braun is actually a decent worker, and I think they'll make this work. I also think KO will sneak out a win here.
Prediction: KO escapes with the win
What are you looking forward to at Extreme Rules?
