5 Best Opponents for Bray Wyatt After WWE Extreme Rules
Bray Wyatt is back to his usual tricks again.
Since losing to the Undertaker in a hard-fought battle at WrestleMania, the self-proclaimed "New Face of Fear" has been delivering a series of cryptic promos. It is obvious Wyatt has an opponent in his sights, but he is yet to reveal who this new rival will be.
Wyatt is one of the most intriguing performers on the WWE roster, but his booking has been underwhelming since he concluded a blockbuster feud with John Cena a year ago. He is a performer in desperate need of direction off the back of his WrestleMania loss.
It's clear WWE Creative is high on Wyatt because he is consistently booked against top stars, but there's a lack of commitment in allowing him to emerge strong from his high-profile feuds.
With the Extreme Rules pay-per-view on the horizon and Wyatt missing from the card, it is possible the "Eater of Worlds" will make his presence felt and set up his latest battle.
There are a number of Superstars who could help to put Bray Wyatt on the map.
Honourable Mention: Brock Lesnar
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Brock Lesnar has not been seen on WWE television since the night after WrestleMania, when he was kayfabe suspended by Stephanie McMahon.
When the former WWE Champion returns to the ring, it would be logical for him to pursue Seth Rollins and the world title. However, Bray Wyatt could put a formidable obstacle in his path.
Lesnar succeeded where Wyatt didn't and beat the Undertaker at WrestleMania. Wyatt's jealousy could spur him into challenging the Beast Incarnate to a match when he returns to programming.
This is an unlikely option and one that would necessitate a slow build as it seems unlikely Lesnar will don his ring gear any earlier than SummerSlam.
The prospect of a battle with Lesnar, though, could provide Wyatt with some real creative momentum as WWE heads into its blockbuster summer period.
5. John Cena
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At last year's Extreme Rules PPV, Bray Wyatt finally picked up a win over John Cena, with the help of interference from a bizarre demon child.
Twelve months later, Wyatt is floating in the creative ether, whilst Cena is proudly wearing the WWE United States Championship around his waist. It might be time for the two old rivals to meet again.
If Cena defeats Rusev at Extreme Rules, he will presumably continue to offer up his title in a weekly open challenge on Raw. The night after the PPV, as Cena stands weakened but defiant in the ring, Wyatt could accept that challenge and take advantage of the battered champion.
The gold could provide a fresh impetus for the Cena vs. Wyatt rivalry and would allow the two men to return to the chemistry that made their previous battles work.
4. Dolph Ziggler
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Dolph Ziggler will meet Sheamus in a Kiss Me Arse match at Extreme Rules. This could present the perfect opportunity for Wyatt to make a mischief of himself.
If Wyatt were to cost Ziggler the bout, he would force the Show-off into a humiliating post-match display. This would create real heat around a pairing that has produced several solid television matches.
Ziggler's renowned selling ability makes the big man's powerful offense look devastating. If anyone can make Wyatt look like a formidable beast, it's Ziggler.
It's not a rivalry that feels as fresh as several of the others on this list though.
3. Ryback
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Many in the WWE Universe believe Ryback is likely to be the subject of Bray Wyatt's recent cryptic promos. His last message referred to lifting weights and, tellingly, Ryback entered the arena immediately after Wyatt finished speaking.
A feud between these two powerhouses could make for compelling programming in the weeks to come. Both men are struggling to find their niche in WWE and would benefit from a sustained rivalry that could keep them on television regularly, and it would improve their prominence on the card.
Wyatt would be the logical choice to go over in this rivalry, too, which negates one of the issues that has damaged him when placed against more prominent Superstars.
Ryback vs. Wyatt is a fresh feud that has real promise.
2. Roman Reigns
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The battles between The Shield and the Wyatt Family were one of the highlights of early 2014 in WWE. There was an electricity between the two groups that created several memorable bouts. That's the kind of chemistry WWE would be wise to return to in the aftermath of Extreme Rules.
With former Shield member Roman Reigns only a month removed from competing in the main event of WrestleMania, a feud with Wyatt would confirm the latter as a potential main event player.
Reigns will compete against Big Show at Extreme Rules in a Last Man Standing match. The former Shield man is a dead cert to go over, but his celebration could be cut short by a brutal Wyatt attack. This could set up a hot new feud between two stars who know how to work with each other.
This is a rivalry, however, that could do more harm than good to the star who comes out on the losing end. As a result, it just misses out on the top spot.
1. Randy Orton
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Randy Orton will challenge for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the Extreme Rules main event, meeting champion Seth Rollins inside a steel cage.
It's far too early for the anointed future of the company to drop his title, so Orton will definitely come out of the PPV as the loser. As he cuts a bravado-filled promo on Raw, the time would be right for Wyatt to appear.
Wyatt could scoff at Orton's new fan-favourite persona, asking whether he can ever truly tame the Viper that lurks within him.
It would be a similar story to the one Wyatt told with Cena, enhanced by the fact that Orton is a performer who has always been defined by his dark side.
Orton is comfortably one of the top babyface figures on the WWE roster right now. He is also in a phase in his career where he can take a loss to a new prospect without it damaging his standing.
Orton is already a guaranteed Hall of Famer, so putting over Bray Wyatt would be a great use for him after he leaves the title picture.
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