Extreme Rules 2012: Predictions for PPV's Marquee Matches

The WWE will attempt to capitalize on the amazing success of WrestleMania with another strong card at Extreme Rules, highlighted by the return of former UFC champion Brock Lesnar. The trio of main event matches should make for a memorable pay-per-view.

Here are predictions for the three most important matches on the card, all of which have the potential to steal the show if they are booked without too many gimmicks.

Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan

The amount of crowd support Bryan has received since dropping the world heavyweight championship to Sheamus has been remarkable. When you consider how far he's come since his title reign got off to a shaky start, it gives you even more respect for one of the company's best workers.

That said, it's hard to imagine the WWE allowing Sheamus to pick up major victories at Royal Rumble and WrestleMania only to relinquish the belt on a secondary PPV. Those are two of the biggest pushes a wrestler can receive during any given year, so you have to believe there are big plans in store for him.

Since it's a best two out of three falls match, I wouldn't be surprised to see Sheamus win 2-0. Everybody expects it to start off 1-1 before getting decided by the final fall, but an "easy" win for Sheamus would ensure Bryan's strong fan support continues.

Prediction: Sheamus

CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho

This feud has been one of the most entertaining in a long time despite getting overshadowed by other storylines almost every week. Bringing Punk's real lifestyle into play has helped add to the realism factor, and Jericho portrays an ideal heel.

I'm shocked Y2J has been back for this long without winning a key match, though. It's hard to believe he would have agreed to a comeback if he was only going to become Punk's personal jobber at major events. That makes me lean toward Jericho in this match.

Punk returns to the site of perhaps his biggest victory. He beat John Cena at Allstate Arena, in his hometown of Chicago, last summer during his rise to the top. It seems like the perfect opportunity for Jericho to win the belt and get massive heat in the process.

Prediction: Chris Jericho

Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena

Even though most fans had a pretty good idea that Lesnar was likely going to return after WrestleMania because of various leaks around the Internet, that didn't dampen the reaction he received when he came back on Raw a couple weeks ago.

By aligning him with John Laurinaitis and letting him get the better of Cena in their recent confrontations, it shows the company views Lesnar as a huge attraction. Due to that, it needs to continue his push with a victory.

Cena's loss to The Rock proved his character will always receive support from the younger audience, regardless of results. So there's really no major risk associated with him losing and it could be another step toward a character change, which most people have been clamoring for anyway.

Prediction: Brock Lesnar