WWE Extreme Rules 2015: Updated Predictions for Each Match at Event
After one of the wildest WrestleMania pay-per-view events in WWE history, the company is now tasked with crafting a follow-up, and the result has been a lackluster build to an Extreme Rules card full of rematches and uninteresting battles.
The lull period in at WWE started early.
Still, from Seth Rollins defending the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Randy Orton to Rusev looking to regain the United States Championship from John Cena, there are still several matches with the potential to be better than expected.
Here are the updated predictions for every match announced for Extreme Rules 2015.
Sheamus Defeats Dolph Ziggler
1 of 8
Since returning as a heel, Sheamus has been looking to get his first PPV win over a marquee challenger. Dolph Ziggler is the perfect answer, but the stipulation of a “Kiss Me Arse” match has the WWE Universe angry.
At Survivor Series 2014, Ziggler was one of the top faces in the company and red hot. Now, just a few months later, there is a legitimate chance that he will be forced to kiss Sheamus’ butt live on the WWE Network.
How the mighty have fallen.
There is no way Sheamus has returned to lose his first PPV match, and Ziggler has nothing going on in terms of storylines. The newly heel former world champion will collect the victory, but let’s all hope The Showoff gets out of joining the “Kiss Me Arse” club.
Tyson Kidd and Cesaro Defeat the New Day to Retain WWE Tag Team Championships
2 of 8
Fans are getting excited for the heel turn by The New Day, but the trio will hit another speed bump on the road to becoming full-blown heels when they take on Tyson Kidd and Cesaro in the pre-show Tag Team Championship match.
Kidd and Cesaro have been great as tag team champions. As a heel duo themselves, WWE must keep the two strong in this match in preparation for a long-term feud against The Lucha Dragons.
Another loss for The New Day would add fuel to their fire.
The match itself should be very entertaining, but anyone not picking Kidd and Cesaro to retain their titles is missing the mark. Unfortunately, WWE Creative has become great at missing the mark.
Big Show Defeats Roman Reigns
3 of 8
There is no way Big Show should get the victory over Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules, but the 2015 Royal Rumble winner could easily take the loss in the bout to outside interference from the person he is going to feud with next.
The most intriguing possibility would be Bray Wyatt.
The majority of the WWE Universe thinks Wyatt is talking to Ryback, but what if it’s a swerve from the new face of fear? Reigns could dominate Big Show for the majority of the match, and last-second interference from Wyatt could give the giant the win.
Big Show would successfully build off his Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal victory and Reigns would get involved in a marquee secondary storyline that kept him out of the main event while he continued to improve on the mic and in the ring.
Dean Ambrose Defeats Luke Harper
4 of 8
There is a distinct lack of a storyline behind the match between Dean Ambrose and Luke Harper, but most educated wrestling fans are willing to overlook all of that to see the quality in-ring battle they expect.
Ambrose has not had the time on the mic needed to shine in the build to this match but will take advantage of any time WWE gives him in the ring. In the same vein, Harper said all of one line in the last month but is arguably the most talented big man on the roster.
The result could go either way, but since Ambrose has more upside right now, he should be able to pull off the victory. Both men deserve so much better than a throwaway match at Extreme Rules, though.
Naomi Defeats Nikki Bella to Win Divas Championship
5 of 8
The problem with the Divas Championship match between Nikki Bella and Naomi is that WWE has decided to do a surprise double turn before the PPV. Naomi’s heel turn has been great, but Nikki as a face does not work.
After a long run with the Divas title, Nikki could afford to give the belt up, and Naomi is a worthy champion. Add in the fact that there is a built-in feud with Paige upon her return, and Naomi should walk out of Extreme Rules with the Divas Championship.
Bad News Barrett Defeats Daniel Bryan
6 of 8
In what will become the most talked-about portion of the PPV, Bad News Barrett should hit Daniel Bryan with the Bull Hammer Elbow to win the Intercontinental Championship in under 30 seconds.
Bryan has been dealing with an injury, so it will be important for him to take as much time as needed to come back healthy. This would be a way to have him drop the belt without taking the abuse of a full match, while also building heat for Barrett and sympathy for Bryan.
It would be a stunning outcome, but with the unique situation of WWE's admission that the bout may not even happen, a quick Bryan loss would have the WWE Universe up in arms. When Bryan returns from injury, the crowds will go wild once again.
Rusev Wins the United States Championship from John Cena
7 of 8
John Cena has helped bring prestige back to the United States Championship, but after weeks of dealing with open challenges, he is starting to wear down. Add in several attacks at the hands of Rusev, and it’s time for Cena to help build a new star.
Cena must drop the U.S. title to Rusev at Extreme Rules.
Not only is Cena fighting every week in open-challenge matches, but he is also dealing with a stipulation that favors the challenger. The Russian Chain match could be tacky, but Rusev has looked strong thus far.
It doesn’t make Cena look weak to lose a match with a wild stipulation like having to touch all four corners of the ring, and regaining the United States Championship by beating Cena would return Rusev to his rightful place as a top heel in the company.
Seth Rollins Defeats Randy Orton Via Disqualification
8 of 8
From a technical standpoint, the match between Seth Rollins and Randy Orton should be one of the best on the card, but the stipulations and the involvement of The Authority have many members of the WWE Universe concerned about a convoluted finish.
With Kane holding the role of Guardian of the Gate and plenty of heat between the champion and The Authority’s muscle, the expectation is that the match will end with some sort of interference, but the final result will be even worse than that.
Rollins will win via disqualification when Orton hits the RKO. Yes, a DQ in a cage match.
It is clear Rollins has to retain the title as the newly crowned heel champion, but the company has made him look very weak since winning the belt. If Orton costs himself the victory and the champion doesn’t earn it, WWE must book Rollins in incredibly strong fashion moving forward in order to salvage his reign.
It’s acceptable to be a weasel champion, but he has to win matches decisively, too.
For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics or catch the latest episode in the player below (some language NSFW).
.jpg?w=600 "WWE Raw Results & Grades 🔠")
