WWE Extreme Rules 2014: Matchups That Will Fail to Excite Fans for Event

WWE Extreme Rules presents several exciting matchups featuring promising young stars, but the post-WrestleMania pay-per-view is not without its flaws.

The Shield and Evolution will clash in what can safely be considered a poor man's dream match. Extreme Rules, like most pay-per-views, pales in comparison to WrestleMania. But WWE has excelled in booking stables as of late, and this gang warfare showdown makes Extreme Rules more of a must-watch event.

By the same token, this feud has cast somewhat of a shadow over the early days of Daniel Bryan's WWE world heavyweight title reign, albeit under unique circumstances.

Some Bryan fans are already grumbling about his match against Kane, but such grumbling has come to define the restless fanbase.

"

Kane vs Daniel Bryan to main event Extreme Rules, please.

— A+ Player Justin. (@CertifiedWWEFan) April 26, 2014"

"

the lackluster #ExtremeRules @WWEDanielBryan @KaneWWE main event would be emotionally engaging if #TeamHellNo had properly broken up. #RAW

— David Garcia (@maloned1) April 22, 2014"

"

So if it is @WWEDanielBryan vs Kane at #ExtremeRules. It's save to say that #TheShieldVsEvolution will be the main event.

— Bryan Byrne (@bryanamaniac) April 22, 2014"

Yes, the argument can be made that Bryan, the hottest WWE star coming out of WrestleMania XXX, is suddenly playing second fiddle to Evolution-Shield. And while Bryan-Kane feels like a rerun on paper, Kane's impressive beatdown of Bryan—and the return of the tombstone to his arsenal—have already made him a credible monster.

The same can barely be said about Alexander Rusev. Despite noticeable potential, Rusev will be saddled with another squash match where the result will not be in doubt. Despite the two-on-one matchup against Xavier Woods and R-Truth, fans will be apathetic toward a match blatantly designed to make Rusev look strong.

So much time has been invested in hyping up Rusev, fans are ready to see him in a legitimate feud against a stronger babyface threat. The comedy hip-hop duo of Truth and Woods are not that threat.

The series of one-sided affairs for Rusev have showcased his move set and built him into a threat, but squash matches largely went out of vogue with the dawn of the Attitude Era.

The Divas division, which surged during that era, seems to be on the verge of another golden age. Unfortunately, Paige's arrival has been booked to peak early, with the babyface winning the Divas Championship upon her WWE debut.

WWE is now attempting to build its young star into a fighting champion, but it will be tough to match the enthusiasm created by her hotshot debut in front of the most lively crowd of the year.

Paige's talent will overcome any problems she has connecting with fans. But growing pains will persist, and a match against the upstart Tamina seems forced.

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