This Sunday night, the WWE gets extreme.
The WWE is set to invade the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. for Extreme Rules as Roman Reigns defends his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles in an Extreme Rules match. Four other titles will be defended at this event, which has eight matches total.
Here are our match-by-match predictions for Extreme Rules. To view this article in slideshow form, CLICK START at the top right of this page.
Pre-show No DQ Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin
There isn't a lot of importance here, but the no DQ stipulation should keep it fun. Since "The Showoff" got the win last time out in a bout that was also on the pre-show, it would make sense for Corbin to go over here and necessitate a rubber match next month.
The Pick: Baron Corbin.
Fatal 4 Way WWE Intercontinental Championship: The Miz (c) w/ Maryse vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Cesaro
This will be a great bout as the Intercontinental Championship scene is thriving. All three challengers are fun to watch and while The Miz is very polarizing, he at least plays up his character very well.
It would be great to see Zayn turn around his fortunes on the main roster so far by winning or to see the "Swiss Superman" get a legitimate run with the gold since Cesaro is one of the most entertaining forces in the company. Owens is the man, but he's already had two runs with the title and it's doubtful a third one is on the horizon.
The Miz is probably the least fun pick to win out of any of these four combatants, but with the WWE pushing him and Maryse thanks to "Total Divas," it's hard to imagine the company aborting his reign this quickly. Owens and Zayn will probably take each other out, leading to Maryse helping Miz overcome Cesaro.
The Pick: The Miz.
WWE Tag Team Championships: The New Day (c) vs. The Vaudevillians
I'm a huge fan of the Vaudevillians as they have a very fun gimmick, but it's unfortunate to think that Enzo Amore's injury has kept him from what would undoubtedly be entertaining spars on the mic with The New Day. Simon Gotch and Aiden English appear to have bright futures ahead of them, but The New Day's lengthy run atop the tag division should continue until Amore and Big Cass are both healthy enough to unseat them as the new force in town.
The Pick: The New Day.
WWE United States Championship: Kalisto (c) vs. Rusev w/ Lana
I picked against Kalisto time and time again against Ryback during their feud and was wrong every single time. That could have more to do with "The Big Guy's" contract complications than the WWE's desire to push the reigning U.S. Champion. Now that Rusev is back to being pushed as a single star after the lame League of Nations stable thankfully disbanded, it's tempting to bet against the underdog again.
With Lana set to appear on "Total Divas," the WWE may give Rusev the Miz treatment, especially if they decide to have Miz drop his belt. Rusev could win the U.S. Championship and continue the feud with Kalisto, who may get a valet of his own, or, possibly, renew his rivalry with the returning John Cena.
The Pick: Rusev.
Asylum Match: Chris Jericho vs. Dean Ambrose
This should be one of the best matches of the night as "Y2J" and the "Lunatic Fringe" are two of the best competitors in the WWE. It's an interesting concept with weapons hanging above the cage and both Superstars will probably make the most of this big-match setting. As far as a winner, it's really a tough call since both have had the upper-hand at various spots throughout this rivalry.
It's hard to see Jericho losing twice in a row to Ambrose, especially if he's sticking around, so he may go over to force a third match. Then again, the next event is Money in the Bank, so their rivalry could continue within the confines of the multi-man Ladder Match. Ambrose could use a victory in a rivalry since the WWE needs to do a lot to repair his damaged character after he absorbed so many losses following The Shield split.
With Jericho in the role of elevating stars and Ambrose in need of a crucial winning streak, we'll stick with the "Lunatic Fringe" this month. Plus, it's his own stipulation. Regardless of the outcome, this one should be fun.
The Pick: Dean Ambrose.
Tornado Tag Team Match: The Usos vs. The Club
Hopefully both of these teams use the tornado gimmick to keep this a fast-paced, wild match. The Club really needs a statement outing to establish itself as a force within the WWE, so it would make sense for them to go over The Usos to give Styles' stable a 1-0 edge heading into the main event.
The Pick: The Club.
WWE Women's Championship Submission Match: Charlotte (c) vs. Natalya
*Ric Flair is banned from ringside.
It's the Sharpshooter vs. The Figure Eight as the WWE correctly made this a Submission Match in another attempt to give the women's division a greater sense of importance. Good for them for doing so and also for allowing their contract signing to close the go-home "RAW" this past Monday.
The question here is whether or not the WWE is using Natalya as a worthy foe to continue to build up Charlotte, or if they're serious about giving her a run with the belt. If Nattie loses yet again, she'll undoubtedly fall out of the hierarchy in the division. It's possible Flair could disobey the rules and cause a distraction to cost his daughter the match, setting up a storyline rift between them.
The safe bet is that the WWE will continue to build Charlotte up as a dominant champion only to have her fall to eventual top babyface Sasha Banks at SummerSlam in August. That is, of course, if the WWE ever decides to allow "The Boss" to live up to her full potential.
The Pick: Charlotte.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Extreme Rules Match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. AJ Styles
Despite the overbooking, these two put on a great main event earlier this month at Payback, so with the no DQ, no countout stipulation, things should only get better. Will Reigns and Styles live up to expectations or disappoint? We'll know for sure come Sunday night.
Reigns held his own in their last meeting, though it's fair to question whether it was a true step in the right direction for the most maligned World Champion this side of John Cena, or if a veteran the caliber of Styles was able to carry his opponent to one of the best matches of his career.
Regardless of what factors led to their chemistry, it's clear the two should be able to click again at Extreme Rules. There are many potential swerves that could occur in this match, and it's unlikely we've seen the last of The Club and The Usos after their tag team match.
One also can't rule out a possible return of Superstars such as Seth Rollins or Randy Orton, especially since the stipulation lends itself to a wild ending. Triple H also hasn't been seen since losing to Reigns at WrestleMania 32.
Styles is banged up heading into the bout, but hopefully the injury won't hamper him too much during the main event.
It's unlikely the WWE will abort their mega push of Reigns this quickly by having him drop the belt, especially with Money in the Bank looming next month. Given the way the WWE has treated Sting and Styles, Vince McMahon may never throw the belt on a WCW or TNA guy ever again.
Reigns is less than two months into his third reign as champion, so by hook or by crook he seems likely to walk out of New Jersey with his belt in tow.
The Pick: Roman Reigns.
Anything can happen on the most extreme night of the year in the WWE when Extreme Rules goes live this Sunday.
