WWE Extreme Rules 2014: GSM's Pick, Preview and Potential for Each Match
On Sunday, May 4, WWE will present its sixth annual Extreme Rules pay-per-view event, live from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, at 8 p.m. ET.
While this year's installment may not be carrying the stipulation that every match must be contested under "extreme rules," it has still shaped up to be a solid show, regardless. The post-WrestleMania PPVs have always been spectacular, and this show looks to be no exception.
Headlining the event will be the highly anticipated matchup of The Shield taking on the trio of Triple H, Randy Orton and Batista, collectively known as Evolution. Will the young guns prove their superiority over Evolution, or will the old guard solidify their dominance over The Shield?
Daniel Bryan will have his first official defense of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Kane in an Extreme Rules match. Will Bryan's recent injuries play a factor in his brutal battle with The Big Red Monster, and will Brie Bella involve herself in any way?
John Cena and Bray Wyatt will meet in a WrestleMania rematch, this time inside a Steel Cage. Will Wyatt's mind games with Cena cause the former multi-time world champion to snap come Sunday, or will Cena once again rise above and emerge victorious?
Here, I will provide my personal preview, prediction and potential for every match on the advertised card.
Pre-Show: El Torito vs. Hornswoggle (WeeTLC Match)
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Preview
The rivalry between El Torito and Hornswoggle first began at the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, when El Torito chased Hornswoggle all over the stage.
Tensions rose on the April 15 edition of WWE Main Event. It was revealed that Hornswoggle was the newest member of 3MB and that he was out to prove that he was better than El Torito of Los Matadores. They have traded wins in singles competition in recent weeks, thus leading to the rubber match at Extreme Rules.
Prediction
I've seen some people enjoy this feud more than others, but personally, I couldn't care less for it and don't really see what purpose it serves. The live crowds hardly reacted to their last two matches, so the chances they'll get a reaction out of the New Jersey crowd on Sunday are slim.
I don't see why The Usos couldn't have gotten this slot instead of El Torito and Hornswoggle, but it is what it is. Hornswoggle got the better of El Torito in their last match on this week's Raw, so Booking 101 says El Torito picks up the win here.
Potential
As much as I don't care for this feud, I will give credit where credit is due and say that at least they have tried hard in their last two outings together. They were no five-star classics, but they were pretty passable in terms of what both can do in the ring.
I'm not exactly sure what the rules of a WeeLC match are, but one can assume that mini tables, ladders and chairs will surround ringside. Take that for what it's worth.
Alexander Rusev vs. R-Truth and Xavier Woods (Handicap Match)
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Preview
Alexander Rusev first arrived on the WWE scene on the post-WrestleMania Raw, scoring a quick, decisive victory over Zack Ryder. The next week, he soundly defeated Xavier Woods and R-Truth on Raw and SmackDown, respectively.
The duo of Truth and Woods got the upper hand over Rusev on the April 28 edition of Raw, when they cleared him from the ring, but whether they will be able to do the same thing come Sunday, when it matters most, remains to be seen.
Prediction
Though the gimmick is outdated, I personally believe Rusev has potential be a star in WWE. I'm glad WWE didn't pull a "Sheamus" with him by inserting him into a top-tier feud so quickly and are instead building him up slowly.
It was smart to have Truth and Woods be the ones standing tall on Raw because it at least gives potential pay-per-view buyers some hope that they might win. In a dream scenario, I'd have Truth turn on Woods by walking out on him, but in reality, Rusev will easily crush both of them on his own within minutes.
Potential
The recent string of matches between Rusev, Woods and Truth haven't been anything special and I don't expect this match to be any different. It won't be much more than a glorified squash match, so I could see it being served as a buffer in between big bouts later on in the night.
Paige vs. Tamina Snuka (Divas Championship)
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Preview
One night removed from WrestleMania 30, Paige made her highly anticipated WWE debut and immediately captured the Divas Championship from AJ Lee in quick fashion.
On the April 16 edition of WWE Main Event, Tamina Snuka won a Battle Royal to become the new No. 1 contender to the title at Extreme Rules. Paige and Tamina engaged in a brief staredown on the April 28 edition of Raw with the Divas champion showing fear for her pending opponent.
Prediction
The Divas division became infinitely more interesting when Paige won the strap, but there is still plenty of work to do. I would have liked to see Paige and/or Tamina get some mic time on Raw, but we all know that's simply wishful thinking when it comes to the ladies.
Even still, Paige has a bright future ahead of her as champion if she continues to be booked correctly, and that includes her successfully defending the title against Tamina on Sunday.
Potential
Paige has proven herself in the ring since her arrival on the WWE scene, having decent to good matches on a weekly basis. Tamina is no joke inside the squared circle, either, and she should have an exceptional match with Paige if it's given the time it deserves. I don't see the live crowd being electric for this contest, but Paige and Tamina just might exceed expectations.
Cesaro vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Jack Swagger (Elimination Triple Threat Match)
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Preview
At WrestleMania 30, Cesaro and Jack Swagger, collectively known as The Real Americans, parted ways after Cesaro performed his signature swing on his ex-tag team partner. The split was solidified the next night on Raw, when it was revealed that Cesaro was the newest "Paul Heyman Guy."
Cesaro and Swagger continued to butt heads in subsequent weeks, with Swagger costing Cesaro his spot in the Intercontinental Championship tournament in a match against Rob Van Dam on the April 21 edition of Raw. Cesaro called RVD's victory a "fluke," triggering a rivalry between the two in the process.
RVD, Cesaro and Swagger all brawled on the April 28 Raw with a Triple Threat involving the three competitors confirmed for Extreme Rules later on in the night.
Prediction
Is it just me or has Cesaro's 'Mania momentum really cooled off in recent weeks? I don't blame his partnership with Heyman in the slightest, as I think the two are a perfect pair, but he's been booked as a shades-of-grey character as of late. Fans desperately want to cheer him, but his alliance with Heyman makes it difficult for them to do so.
I don't see Swagger having a chance at winning this match, so it really comes down to Cesaro and RVD. Cesaro is the one officials are keen on pushing at the moment, so he's my pick to win.
Potential
This is the first Triple Threat match in quite some time that doesn't have any ramifications. With nothing on the line, fans don't have much of an incentive to care about who wins, but it should deliver from an in-ring standpoint. All three guys are excellent workers, and they should develop fun chemistry together, which should keep the live crowd entertained from start to finish.
Big E vs. Bad News Barrett (Intercontinental Championship)
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Preview
On the April 14 edition of Raw, a tournament began to crown a new No. 1 contender for the Intercontinental Championship.
The finals were held on the April 28 Raw, which saw Bad News Barrett defeat Rob Van Dam to earn the title shot at Extreme Rules. Big E has defended his strap against all comers since initially winning it back in November, but Barrett might prove to be his most difficult challenger to date.
Prediction
Some will be quick to call Big E a "bad" Intercontinental champion, but it isn't his fault. He had a good run with the belt early on, but he hasn't appeared consistently on Raw in months, and the title has essentially become an afterthought.
On the same token, I don't think giving it to Barrett will boost its prestige, either, but I guess it's worth a shot. Barrett's previous three stints as champ were all horrendous, so here's hoping WWE is intent on pushing the British brawler for real this time around.
Potential
To my knowledge, Barrett and Big E have yet to clash in a singles match on the main roster, so this match should be interesting. Barrett is a strong in-ring worker, and Big E is more than capable of holding his own against his opponents, so this bout should be good if the right story is told.
John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt (Steel Cage)
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Preview
After months of being held down by The Wyatt Family, John Cena and Bray Wyatt finally clashed in a match at WrestleMania 30, where Cena emerged victorious.
The feud was still far from over, however, as Wyatt continued to target Cena and make his life as miserable as possible. The cult leader played mind games with Cena on the April 28 Raw, bringing out a children's choir to sing to him as he stood alone inside the Steel Cage that surrounded him.
Prediction
Wyatt's WrestleMania loss still annoys me, but he's bounced back nicely in recent weeks and has forced fans to forget all about it. However, given that he lost in their first encounter, Wyatt must defeat Cena on this show.
I won't say that his act will be completely damaged if he comes up short here, but he has a lot more to lose than Cena does to gain, so I see no reason why he should lose to Cena again. As entertaining as this rivalry has been in the last few months, it's high time for it to end after Extreme Rules.
Potential
Personally, I was underwhelmed by their 'Mania match if only because the story told during the bout wasn't the same story told going into the event. WWE did a much better job this time around of relaying the message to viewers that Wyatt's intentions are to bring the "monster" out of Cena.
No, I don't see Cena turning heel here (or anytime soon for that matter), but fans buying into the possibility of it happening makes this match more interesting. The Steel Cage should work to their benefit before the inevitable interference from Luke Harper and Erick Rowan.
Daniel Bryan vs. Kane (Extreme Rules for WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
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Preview
Daniel Bryan achieved the impossible when he defeated Randy Orton and Batista at WrestleMania 30 to become the new WWE World Heavyweight champion. Now, he faces a new threat in Kane, who has since re-masked and has targeted him in recent weeks.
It began on the April 21 Raw, when Kane ambushed Bryan at ringside and continued the following week when he nearly kidnapped Bryan's wife Brie Bella. Being injured puts the current champ at a distinct disadvantage going into the contest, but he has been adamant that he will defend the gold on Sunday, regardless.
Prediction
This feud has exceeded expectations so far. While Kane still may be no threat to the title, WWE has done a superb job of making him feel dangerous again with the mask back on.
Bryan's honeymoon and the unfortunate passing of his father have reduced his television time lately, but he has appeared enough on Raw to make this match feel meaningful. It's far too early in Bryan's reign to be taking the title off him now, so he is definitely my pick to win here, but don't be surprised to see this rivalry continue past this point.
Potential
Yes, Kane and Bryan have had countless matches against one another in the past, but they have always been solid, so I have no doubt they'll produce another very good match at the event. The Extreme Rules stipulation will only enhance the excitement and will allow both competitors to work in some fresh, innovative spots.
The Shield vs. Evolution
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Preview
Since early 2013, many comparisons have been drawn between Evolution and The Shield due to the groups being two of the most successful factions of all time. The Shield initially aligned with The Authority last summer, but broke apart from the faction the night after WrestleMania 30.
On the April 14 Raw, Triple H, Batista and Randy Orton reunited as Evolution to take out a common enemy in The Shield. Now, the two stables will clash at Extreme Rules in one of the most highly anticipated matches of all time.
Prediction
I have enjoyed almost all of the build this match has received thus far, but the booking thus far has indicated that it could go either way. The Shield has been on a hot streak since turning face, but a loss here wouldn't damage them in the slightest.
The same can be said for Evolution, who will likely be breaking up after Extreme Rules if Batista does indeed take time off as expected. The Shield has gotten the better of Evolution more often than not, so I assume Evolution emerges victorious here to keep the feud alive.
Potential
I have no doubt in mind that this will end up being a great matchup given its participants. It could potentially be a show stealer and a match of the year contender, but time will tell. I'm also unsure as to whether this closes the show or if the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match will, but since this match has had more focus as of late, I guess it will be on last, but I'll be content either way.
Read more prediction pieces for past WWE pay-per-views here.
Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, is a journalism major at Endicott College. Visit his website at Next Era Wrestling and "like" his official Facebook page to continue the conversation on all things wrestling.
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