Extreme Rules 2013: Last-Minute Predictions for WWE's PPV

There are just a few hours until the WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view, and the excitement around the marquee event has casual and hardcore wrestling fans alike at a fever pitch.

As the event draws close, the predictions are flowing in, but this event is so exciting because of the unpredictability. That doesn’t mean all the matches are unpredictable, though.

All of the following matches will be a major focus for the WWE Universe, and these are lead-pipe locks you can take to the bank Sunday.

WWE Champion John Cena vs. Ryback

Stipulation: Last Man Standing Match

The WWE is in a very tough spot with the WWE Championship match between defending champion John Cena and Ryback. Not only should Cena be victorious since he just beat The Rock in his redemption match, Ryback has an awful PPV record and needs a marquee win desperately.

The company is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Instead of picking between Cena and Ryback at this point, the WWE would be wise to extend this feud at least through the June Payback PPV by allowing both men to be down for the 10-count on Sunday night.

While a draw may feel like the easy way out for the company, The Shield’s non-stop attacks on both combatants could easily result in the trio beating both men down and each failing to stand up before the match is called a draw.

Predicted Winner: Draw

Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar

Stipulation: Steel Cage Match

The bout with the most build at Extreme Rules is the steel cage match between Triple H and Brock Lesnar. After Lesnar took the first meeting at SummerSlam 2012 and Triple H took the second meeting at WrestleMania 29, this will likely be the final battle in this storied feud.

With both men understanding that this is their final meeting, the decision to allow Lesnar to gain the victory is the smart move for all future booking. Lesnar is flat-out more valuable as a PPV draw than Triple H.

That doesn’t mean Triple H will go down without a fight, though.

There are several ways that this match could end with Lesnar walking away victorious without Triple H looking too weak. The most intriguing possibility would be the duo actually going through the wall of the steel cage and Lesnar touching the ground first for the win.

That proposed outcome would send everyone home happy.

Predicted Winner: Brock Lesnar

United States Champion Kofi Kingston vs. Dean Ambrose

Stipulation: None

As great as United States champion Kofi Kingston is in the ring, there are much bigger plans for The Shield and Dean Ambrose. Kingston was merely a paper champion used so the WWE wouldn’t have to allow former heel champion Antonio Cesaro fight another heel.

Kingston’s title run was just a way to get the strap from one bad guy to another.

There is undoubtedly still a very bright future for Kingston and his high-flying style—his skill coupled with Ambrose’s talent will make their bout Sunday a candidate for match of the night—but the recent push and a win at Extreme Rules for Ambrose signals huge things for the former indie sensation.

After fighting The Undertaker, Kane and Daniel Bryan over the last several weeks, expect Ambrose to walk out of Extreme Rules the new U.S champion.

Predicted Winner: Dean Ambrose

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