Welcome on and all to my preview and predictions blog for the upcoming "WWE" live special, "Extreme Rules". As always if you have any comments or want to add anything please leave a comment below or by following me on "Twitter" or "Instagram".
"Extreme Rules" if you can't get the theme from the title, is a live special with numerous matches that incorporate extreme aspects. There is a extremely large notable absence from the event, Brock Lesnar, whom from if the rumours are true, is heading back to "UFC" and might be on the outs as soon as "Summerslam". Another absence is any representation of the "205 Live" brand which is a shame. For the first time in a while every other championship is on the line at this event. There have been no matches announced for the pre show as of writing but, I will edit accordingly. As always I talk abut the matches in no order.
1. RAW Tag Team Championship: Matt Hardy And Bray Wyatt (C) Vs. Curtis Axel And Bo Dallas: This is a strange mix of characters that have all been under rated and a lot less successful than they should have been. For that reason this match should be great but, it won't. I have been a huge supporter of Bray Wyatt for a long time and feel he has been stepped over a lot and this change to his character has done very little to boost his profile. That's not saying that Wyatt and Hardy don't work as a team I just feel that they are a comedy duo and this match has tow comedy duos playing off of each other. Axel and Dallas have been on a great run that is proving how good they are and have been in the shadow for a long while. This will be an OK match that will more than likely see the title change that everyone expects.
2. Smackdown Live Women's Championship: Carmella (C) Vs. Asuka: This is a strange gimmick match that has been re introduced in the past few years, the shark cage match. The returning James Ellsworth will be suspended in a shark cage above the ring preventing him from interfering in the match. This has been a surprisingly good feud that is solidifying Carmella as a credible performer. Asuka has been just as good as she always has been even after losing the mystique of the undefeated streak. This will be a decent enough match and even with Ellsworth out of the way I feel Carmella will come out on top with a little bit of outside interference in the shape of The Iconics.
3. Tables Match: The New Day Vs. Sanity: Sanity have been largely silent on "Smackdown Live" since they made the move from "NXT" which is a shame as they could have been a credible threat to the tag team championship by now but, this hastily thrown together match could be a great jumping off point for Sanity. New Day, as well as The Usos, have been a little bit lost in the shuffle in the past few months. which is a shame as they are incredible team and have effortless chemistry which is lost in a lot of teams today. This could prove to be the highlight of the night. I am a sucker for a table match and hopefully this match will be given the spot it deserves.
4. Finn Balor Vs. Baron Corbin: I have been a huge supporter for Corbin for a little while and I feel that this new character is the first time he has actually been given more of a personality. The bully for hire, or constable of "RAW" will hopefully push him further up the card and give him a few more high profile matches. A match with the first Universal Champion, Finn Balor, is a good start. Finn Balor has been pushed into the white meat baby face character which is OK with me because he is very likeable. This will be a hard hitting match that will be a very slow pace to begin with but, once Balor gets a bit of momentum he'll more than likely pick up the win because good always trumps bad right ?
5. 30 Minute Iron Man Match Intercontinental Championship: Dolph Ziggler (C) Vs. Seth Rollins: To have a 30 minute match in the middle of a card that is only 3 hours and has at least 9 matches seems a little bit strange but, both Ziggler and Rollins are doing some of the best work in recent memory. Ziggler is a great game player, keeping people guessing about whether he'll stay or go and one would think that he probably won't be going anywhere soon as his current run with unlikely team mate Drew McIntyre has been some of my favourite work he's done in a long time. Rollins and Ziggler are doing some great work giving the Intercontinental Championship the attention it needs seen as the grumpy man baby isn't defending his Universal Championship any time soon. This will be a great match that will almost certainly end with Ziggler picking up the win with the help of McIntyre.
6. Roman Reigns Vs. Bobby Lashley: I really don't care for this match and the only reason that this is on the card is because this was originally supposed to be a triple threat for the Universal Championship and now it's not. Roman Reigns has actually been entertaining in his constant jabs at Bob Lashley. This will be a slow match and the crowd will turn on both men. Reigns will win because, well why wouldn't he ?
7. Extreme Rules RAW Women's Championship: Alexa Bliss (C) Vs. Nia Jax: I think everyone was surprised when Alexa Bliss cashed in her newly won "Money In The Bank" contract last month at the same event but, it was a genius move for all involved. Nia had been floundering a little as champion and Rousey is far too early into her career to even consider a championship run. Alexa winning the "RAW" Women's Championship has set up not only a feud with Nia but, a feud with Ronda Rousey. This match should be a decent enough match with both Alexa and Nia getting some great spots in. I have a funny feeling that Ronda will make a run in towards the end and probably either cost Nia the win or just beat up both of them.
8. United States Championship: Jeff Hardy (C) Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: There could have been the prospect of making this match a ladder match but, I feel a straight match between these two incredible characters will be the best match we could ask for. Jeff Hardy has been teasing a change over to the face painted "Charismatic Enigma" character which I'm not a huge fan of but, it'll be interesting to see what happens with this character and whether some of the "broken" gimmick will be included. Nakamura has run with becoming a heel character and is so over the top that it runs the risk of becoming a bit too much. This should be a really physical match between two of the most incredible characters. I think this match may result in a Nakamura win giving him his first main roster championship.
9. Steel Cage Match: Braun Strowman Vs. Kevin Owens: This feud has been some of the most entertaining because both men are finally showing their more comical side. This is a feud that has been a call back to the later era "Attitude" style story lines such as Booker T and Steve Austin with a lot of "real life" scenarios such as the recent incident with the portable toilet. This match should be physical match that will be a great back and fourth if given the right amount of time. I have no doubt that as much as I like Kevin Owens I think Strowman will come out on top.
10. Smackdown Live Tag Team Championship: The Bludgeon Brothers (C) Vs. Team Hell No: I think I speak for a lot of people when I say I really didn't expect to see Kane back on "WWE" television any time soon due to his political career taking off. This is a great call as it gives fans a throw back to keep them happy as creative figures out what they want to do with Daniel Bryan. the Brothers have been great as the unbeatable duo and more than deserve a run with the Tag Team Championship. This will be a great filler match that, as much as I want the Team Hell no win, will probably be a successful defence by the brothers of Bludgeon.
11. WWE Championship: AJ Styles (C) Vs. Rusev: Many would argue that Rusev has deserved a Championship match way sooner than now but, I feel that, through no fault of his own, he hasn't really been in the spot to really warrant a championship match. AJ Styles continues his run as champion after beating all comers. This should be a great main event match that will be incredibly physical. I fully expect both Lana and Aiden English to get involved in some way or another. I really enjoy the trio and would hate to see any of them leave the group but, I think that English may cause Rusev the match in some way shape or form and thus end their relationship. AJ Styles to retain.
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