WWE Extreme Rules 2017: Most Intriguing Storylines to Track on Road to Raw PPV

WWE Extreme Rules is typically a fan-favorite show, if for no reason other than the creativity and unpredictability that goes into the night's gimmick bouts.

As the 2017 edition of the event approaches, there are several storylines worth tracking on the road to the WWE Network broadcast.

The lack of a major singles title has shifted the focus of WWE Creative to the Intercontinental Championship, which has dominated airwaves in the post-Superstar Shake-up era of Raw. That title figures to play a major role in the event, but will it headline the show?

Or will that honor be bestowed upon Finn Balor or Bray Wyatt, two Superstars who appear destined to collide at some point in the near future?

Maybe the storyline most important to the extravaganza will be Alexa Bliss' newfound alliance with Nia Jax? How will that partnership affect Little Miss Bliss' ability to leave Baltimore on June 4 with the Raw Women's Championship in her possession?

Then there is Braun Strowman and an ill-timed injury that calls into question whether he and Roman Reigns will ever be able to bring their feud to a suitable conclusion.

These are the stories most deserving of your attention ahead of the Raw brand's next exclusive presentation.

The Reaper of Souls vs. The Demon

From the moment Bray Wyatt returned to Raw on the April 10 episode, he targeted Finn Balor. He warned the former NXT and Universal champion that he was coming for him, and on the May 1 broadcast, he made good on his promise.

The Reaper of Souls interfered in a Triple Threat No. 1 Contender's match, laying the Irishman out with Sister Abigail and costing him the opportunity to challenge Dean Ambrose for the Intercontinental Championship.

There may not have been an ounce of follow-up the next week, but the prospect of a rivalry between the two most captivating stars on the WWE roster hangs over the company like a heavy, rain-filled cloud. At some point, preferably Extreme Rules, Balor and Wyatt will battle for the first time in their main roster careers.

The Irishman will likely answer Wyatt's mind games by reintroducing the WWE Universe to The Demon persona that earned him such a strong following in NXT, and the result will be a battle as memorable for the histrionics as the actual in-ring production.

The biggest question surrounding the feud is why Wyatt set his sights on Balor. Does he intend on bringing The Demon out of Balor and manipulating it for his own benefit? More likely is the explanation that certain members of WWE Creative are drooling over the opportunity to present wildly over-the-top angles revolving around supernatural goofiness, not unlike it does anytime Undertaker or Kane is involved in a high-profile program.

Whatever the case may be, the booking on the road to Extreme Rules will revolve heavily around Wyatt, Balor and their budding rivalry.

Braun Strowman's Ill-Timed Injury

The rivalry between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman dates back to last fall, and the fact that it has remained as hot as it has almost eight months later is a testament to WWE Creative and its determination to keep the program fresh, exciting and engaging.

Strowman's victory over Reigns at Payback catapulted the feud forward, giving the heel some much-needed momentum as he continues his war of attrition with the top star in professional wrestling. That it was clean and in the center of the ring only helped to lend credibility to The Monster Among Men.

An injury to Strowman, as reported by Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet, threatens the conclusion of the program.

Slated to be out for four to eight weeks while undergoing surgery for an elbow injury, Strowman was written off the show on the May 8 episode following a vicious, brutal assault by Reigns. While WWE Creative could easily book that as the conclusion of the program, the conquering good guy returning the favor to his unstoppable force of a rival, it would be an unsatisfactory way to wrap up what has been a fantastic bit of storytelling.

While Strowman is unlikely to compete at Extreme Rules, expect clarification on the future of the feud in the weeks leading into the show.

Sheamus and Cesaro's New Attitude

Sheamus and Cesaro's heel turn at Payback and their subsequent beatdown of The Hardy Boyz ignited a red-hot tag team rivalry at the center of which are the Raw Tag Team Championships.

The international duo's meaner, nastier and more aggressive side has instantly revived their push. Their victory in a May 8 Tag Team Turmoil match, in which they started the bout and systematically dispatched of every other tandem on the Raw roster not named The Hardys or the injured Revival, sets them on a collision course with Matt and Jeff Hardy.

The match could easily occur before Extreme Rules, but it makes the most sense for the promotion to hold off and promote the match for the June 4 pay-per-view spectacular.

Given Matt and Jeff's history with ladders, and the fact that they won the titles at WrestleMania in a ladder match involving Sheamus and Cesaro, it would make sense to bring the program full circle. Only time will tell as to whether that is the case, but one thing is for certain: The booking decisions made to this point have benefited a tag team division that needed a spark after Dash Wilder's unfortunate injury halted The Revival's push.

Alexa Bliss' New Best Friend

Alexa Bliss is a master manipulator, an old school wrestling villain who is always looking for the next, best way to achieve success.

On the May 1 episode of Raw, she found herself surrounded by her fellow Raw women's competitors, including Nia Jax. While she was quick to poke fun of, mock and disrespect the likes of Bayley, Sasha Banks and Mickie James, Bliss recognized the significance of having Jax on her side.

Calling her great and reiterating, "we're good," she slowly backed off.

One week later, Jax approached Bliss and informed her of her desire for a Raw Women's Championship opportunity. Bliss stuttered and stammered her way to a response, assuring Jax that she would speak to Kurt Angle about it. In the meantime, Jax informed Bliss she has a new best friend, to which Bliss looked confused.

It was an intriguing development, one that suggests Jax may be smarter than one would think. By volunteering herself to be Bliss' ally, she ensures she will be as close to Bliss as possible. Could WWE Creative be setting her up to replicate the role of Batista, who saw through Triple H's manipulative ways during his days with Evolution and ultimately became a massive babyface as a result?

It is too early to know that, but expect Jax to have Bliss' back come Extreme Rules, where she will likely defend her title against Bayley in a rematch of their Payback bout.

Renewed Emphasis on the Intercontinental Championship

Things got off to a bumpy start on the May 1 episode of Raw when both Finn Balor and Seth Rollins insisted on challenging for the WWE Universal Championship, only to settle for a place in the Triple Threat No. 1 Contender's match that would crown the top challenger for Dean Ambrose's Intercontinental Championship.

The execution of the segment felt condescending to the IC title, as if it was a consolation prize of sorts for the former world champions. Fortunately, the match that unfolded later in the night—also involving The Miz—was an intense and competitively wrestled match that put emphasis on the championship.

One week later, the winner of that match and the IC champion were prominently featured on Raw, and The Miz and Dean Ambrose dominated airwaves and built anticipation for their championship clash on the May 15 broadcast.

The increased emphasis on the title is of the utmost importance given the absence of the aforementioned Universal Championship, currently held by part-time performer Brock Lesnar. It allows talented stars such as Miz, Ambrose, Balor, Rollins and Bray Wyatt to compete for it and, at the same time, builds the prestige of the title by having so many immensely talented and accomplished performers battling for the right to attain it.

While Ambrose vs. Miz is slated for an upcoming episode of Raw, expect the title to play heavily into the company's plans for the Extreme Rules pay-per-view, perhaps even headlining a show devoid of Lesnar, the Universal Championship and the recently injured Braun Strowman.