With the dust settling over Payback, it's time for the most extreme night of the year in the WWE.
The company will present Extreme Rules live from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on May 22 and there are several directions the company can go in.
While the main event has already been determined -- an Extreme Rules match pitting WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns against AJ Styles for the gold -- the rest of the card is up in the air.
Here is our projected card for WWE Extreme Rules. CLICK START at the top right to view our slideshow.
Singles Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin
Considering these two have been at odds for weeks, their feud likely won't be a one-and-done. "The Showoff" got the better of the "Lone Wolf" this past Sunday at Payback, but they're likely to go head-to-head once more at Extreme Rules.
Last Man Standing Match: Chris Jericho vs. Dean Ambrose
The "Lunatic Fringe" earned some much-needed momentum by defeating "Y2J" on Sunday, but it's unlikely the program is over. Ambrose and Jericho are two of the very best stars the WWE has to offer, so it might as well embrace the feud by having it last another month -- even if Jericho's contract status is as always murky. While the Last Man Standing stipulation often lends itself to guys laying around and stalling, Ambrose and Jericho hopefully have the ring sense to make it a worthwhile match.
WWE United States Championship: Kalisto (c) vs. Sheamus
The Lucha Dragons star has taken out Ryback at consecutive pay-per-views, on the pre-show of course because that's what the WWE thinks of the title. Now, he's in need of a new adversary and hopefully a program that will merit putting the title defense on the main show. The "Celtic Warrior" needs something to do now that his stable has imploded and though he isn't always the IWC's favorite, (blamed mostly on the WWE's poor rushed early booking of him) he is always primed to put on a great match and the clash of styles between Sheamus and the under-sized Kalisto could provide an interesting dynamic as the champion looks to slay another giant.
Tornado WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The New Day (c) vs. The Vaudevillians
Enzo Amore's concussion was a terrible way to get things rolling at Payback, and it also left a void in the tag team division. Amore and Big Cass were looking like the next big thing for the WWE, but their road to the titles will have to wait. Given the lack of finish to Sunday's match to determine the No. 1 contenders for the belts, The Vaudevillians will likely emerge as the de facto challengers for The New Day. To embrace the nature of the event, making it a tornado tag team match (no tags needed) would add an interesting wrinkle to the proceedings.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way: The Miz (c) w/ Maryse vs. Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
Based on the results of Payback, it appears the WWE is set to merge these two feuds, which gets no complaints out of me. The Intercontinental Championship scene is heating up and there are several of factors at play here. There is obviously history between Zayn and Owens and Miz has been at odds with Cesaro, but Owens also has the gripe of never being pinned to lose his title in the first place. Throwing all four of these guys in the ring will continue the WWE's masterful job at revitalizing the midcard picture with an influx of talent.
WWE Women's Championship Submission Match: Charlotte (c) w/ Ric Flair vs. Natalya
After her uncle Bret Hart was less than thrilled to be a part of Payback, it's unlikely he'll return later this month for Extreme Rules. With Natalya never actually tapping out against Charlotte, she obviously will deserve another crack at her in kayfabe terms. With Nattie and the "Excellence of Execution" hitting stereo Sharpshooters on Charlotte and Flair, it makes sense that the two women's wrestlers would be headed toward a submission match at Extreme Rules.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match: Roman Reigns (c) & The Usos vs. AJ Styles, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows
The WWE has already announced an Extreme Rules Match between Reigns and Styles, but since this is a fantasy column, we're taking things a step further. The WWE could play on the War Games format by having Reigns team up with his cousins to take on whatever the WWE ends up calling this Bullet Club reincarnation.
Taking it to the next level, the match will be fought under elimination rules and if Reigns' team survives, he retains the championship, while if Styles' team emerges victorious, "The Phenomenal One" leaves New Jersey with the richest prize in the game. This would display the unity and loyalty both sides have toward their respective leaders.
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