WWE Extreme Rules 2012: Full Card and Predictions

We're one day away from the one night the WWE, hopefully, gets extreme.

It's been a long time since this follow-up to WrestleMania has created such a buzz with fans, and Extreme Rules should be a spectacle and a great way to kick off the New Year leading up to WrestleMania 29.

A couple of long-standing feuds might possibly come to an end this Sunday. Because, really, can WWE do anything else with Randy Orton vs. Kane within their PG guidelines?

It'd have to be a First Blood match before anything else continues.

Nevertheless, there are some good matches on this year's card, and everyone is buzzing about Brock Lesnar and John Cena and rightfully so. But CM Punk and Chris Jericho may be the match that steals the show.

So without further ado, here are my predictions for Extreme Rules.

Pre-Show Match: The Miz vs. Santino Marella for the United States Championship

I'm not quite sure what it says about the U.S. title that it's going to be defended before the actual show gets underway, but it is what it is.

Santino Marella has done a rather good job of holding onto the title for a couple of months, and he's obviously become one of the biggest fan favorites in the company. But is he really going to lose it in the pre-show to The Miz?

I don't see that happening.

If WWE was serious about getting the title off Santino, they would put this match on the card. They might even make it the first match of the night, because there hasn't been a feud brewing between Santino and Miz that screams title change right now.

I do think he's held onto the title much longer than necessary, but common sense tells us that Santino should retain it in a rather good match.

As for The Miz, if they have him losing this match, what does that do for his status in the coming months on the card? I'm not sure this puts him back in the main-event picture, and John Laurinaitis still "owes" him from WrestleMania.

This surely won't be the only time he repays him.

Winner and still United States Champion: Santino Marella.

Nikki Bella Defends the Diva's Championship Against Beth Phoenix

For a good majority of us, the perfect time to grab a bite to eat would be during this match.

I try not to bash the Divas as much as most do, but it's unavoidable to point out that any match that features these beautiful women nowadays is boring and features the worst finishes we've ever seen.

I do give Nikki and Brie credit in the fact that they've both improved over the last few months, especially Nikki since, of course, she holds the title now.

But I don't think it'll be for long.

I like the concept of having one of the Bella Twins holding the title so they could do their switch-a-roo trick, but if it hasn't already, it gets old rather quickly. And I believe it's essential to have a dominant, physical Diva to hold the title.

Beth Phoenix should win this filler of a match in about seven minutes and once again show her dominance and unimportant reign in the Divas division.

Winner, and NEW Divas Champion,

Beth Phoenix.

Big Show Defends the Intercontinental Championship Against Cody Rhodes

This has truly been one of the more lopsided rivalries in WWE history, and it's almost unfair to Cody Rhodes at this point. But luckily for both the Big Show and Rhodes, this should be the last time they face off.

It would've been better if WWE pushed Rhodes after the loss to Show at WrestleMania to a possible main-event level, but it's nice there's going to be a rematch on Sunday.

With the match being no disqualification, more than likely, it'll be more level and competitive than most want to think.

Rhodes will use everything and anything to keep the largest athlete in the world down, and it should stretch into the early 10-15 minute range.

But if we want to assume that Rhodes is going to get that push and go for either major title — depending on how the draft shapes up — it's almost academic that he falls to the Big Show.

It will also be interesting to see how long Show keeps that title.

Winner and still Intercontinental Champion: Big Show.

Randy Orton vs. Kane in a Falls Count Anywhere Match

Refer back to the first slide of this article: What more can WWE do with this rivalry that already hasn't been done within its PG guidelines?

If this feud doesn't end on Sunday, I won't know what to think.

But this rubber match should be entertaining — to say the least — and Orton does have Kane's number from that rematch on SmackDown following WrestleMania.

Whoever wins this match is anyone's guess, because it'd be tough to depict where either of these two go after Extreme Rules.

Many have said that if Kane wins, it sets up a heel turn for Orton, and he would go for either major title as a heel.

If Orton wins, no one has an idea what happens with Kane. He already had the short-lived feud with John Cena that meant nothing, and now, this encounter with Orton is coming to a close.

What other top guys in the company could Kane go after?

I don't see Orton losing here unless the company has a big-time plan for him in the future. There may be more of a set plan if Kane were to lose, which might involve him terrorizing mid-carders for a while.

Maybe a feud with Lord Tensai? Who knows. But The Viper should get the victory here. 

Winner: Randy Orton.

Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan, World Heavyweight Championship: 2 out of 3 Falls

Well, the good news is this one isn't expected to go 18 seconds.

If it does, we riot.

I can't recall the last time there was a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match in the WWE — let alone for the World Title — and Daniel Bryan is quickly becoming one of the more annoying superstars to step foot in the company.

Even more than Zach Ryder? You know it.

This one should go all three falls. It would be stupid if someone swept the match, and there's no way Sheamus can lose after holding the title only for a month.

There's been huge talk about bringing credibility back to the Royal Rumble, and it would still be an injustice if Sheamus didn't keep the title for a few more months.

Bryan will still be a main-event player at the end of the day, but he'll need to take a break for a while and take on another big name.

And just for kicks: If AJ gets involved and costs him the title, how cool would that be?

YES! That would be awesome. See what I did there?

Winner and still World Heavyweight Champion: Sheamus.

CM Punk Defends the WWE Championship vs. Chris Jericho in a Chicago Street Fight

Of all the matches on the card, this one may have a chance to steal the show.

Throw out any technical wrestling prowess in this one, because two of the biggest names in the company are hopefully going to fight all over Chicago — maybe even atop the Sears Tower.

When you talk about a feud between a true face and heel, Punk and Y2J have been one of the greatest examples. You can truly feel the emotion these two have brought out on RAW from a personal level, and it finally comes full circle on Sunday.

There needs to be some consideration on how much longer Jericho stays in the company before he goes on tour with Fozzy, and the projected time is about August and SummerSlam.

So what happens? Does Punk drop the title to Jericho and have him go for one more title run until he leaves? Or does the company do the safe thing and let Jericho go after someone else?

I truly believe this rivalry can hit another month and one more pay-per-view. Maybe the next match could be something absurd.

Maybe a Shot Glass Match? In order to win, you need to take a hit of vodka?

Yea, people wouldn't be that stupid.

Winner and still WWE Champion: CM Punk.

Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena in an Extreme Rules Match

From a company standpoint, this may be the biggest match in Cena's career, and it could determine whether he's ready to become a heel.

So much is being made of this match regarding Cena and how he'll rebound after losing to The Rock. But just as much noise should be made about Lesnar and his return to the ring for the first time in eight years.

Don't forget: Lesnar was also diagnosed with an illness that spelled the end to his short-lived UFC career. It'll be interesting to see how his stamina can hold up throughout a match that should go about 15-20 — or maybe 25 minutes.

This is a tossup for the simple fact that it would be rather odd for Lesnar's first match to be a loss. If the conditions he and Laurinatis agreed to in last week's RAW are actually true, that could only mean more momentum for Lesnar going forward.

Plus, I think the fans want to see what happens to Cena if he loses. Many believe he got a huge jolt of momentum back after Edge spoke with him on Monday, and he came out determined and focused when he had that chain wrapped around his fist.

But last Monday may have told more than many are thinking. And I don't think in his first match back Lesnar should drop to anyone — even if it's John Cena.

Winner: Brock Lesnar.