WWE Extreme Rules: The Matches That Need to Happen in Order to Draw PPV Buys

So Edge has retired and we all need to come back to reality. The show must go on and there's a pay per view just two weeks away.

The post-WrestleMania swoon is upon us, but if the WWE creative team plays their cards right, there are plenty of matches that will get the pay per view buys up and keep the IWC satisfied.

Last year at Extreme Rules there were nine matches.  There was a dark match and eight on the main card.  I'm going to give you the nine matches that need to happen (including the matches already announced) to make me purchase the pay per view.

I'll refrain from choosing the stipulations on the matches because I want you, the reader to leave your comments on what type of matches you would like to see happen.

Without further ado...

The Miz vs John Cena vs R-Truth for the WWE Championship

Everything has already been written about how R-Truth doesn't deserve to be in this match. I hear you.

Let's just be happy that the most likely scenario has The Miz pinning R-Truth thus eliminating John Cena from the title picture, at least for now.

It doesn't make any sense for Cena to win here, and I'd much rather see him chasing the title all summer with The Rock potentially interfering months down the line.

Then, The Rock can cut one of his great promos telling us his rivalry with Cena isn't about championships, it's about icons clashing, respect, etc.

Alberto Del Rio vs Christian for the World Heavyweight Championship

Will Alberto Del Rio finally achieve his destiny? Honestly, I don't think so.

With Edge's retirement fresh in everyone's memory, it will be a heartwarming story for his best buddy Christian to win the World Title in his honor.

I wouldn't even be surprised if during their match, Edge gets the final jab in on Del Rio and costs him the victory.

This would ensure that Del Rio's main-event status won't be affected by the loss and give the fans one last opportunity to cheer Edge and Christian together in the same ring.

Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross vs Michael Cole & Jack Swagger

I have a good feeling that the WWE is finally going to give the fans what they want here. We all want a short five-minute match where Cole gets his ass handed to him.

I envision another Cole-Swagger altercation with Swagger finally striking Cole in some way to help Good 'Ole JR and The King pick up the victory.

This will also mark the end of this feud and give us a Jack Swagger face turn. With Edge leaving, that opens up a main-event face spot and I think Swagger could fill that role.

CM Punk vs Randy Orton

The Punk and Orton feud is far from over. After Nexus returned last week and cost Orton a shot at the WWE Title, expect a big confrontation this week on RAW.

There are only a couple of matches that make sense for these two. It will have to be able to keep Nexus from interfering, so expect either a Hell in a Cell or Steel Cage match.

This (like at WrestleMania) has a chance to be the best match on the card, so let's hope the WWE does the right thing and gives these two as much time as they need.

Cody Rhodes vs Rey Mysterio

I say that there's no reason to wait for a mask vs mask match. Let's have it at Extreme Rules.

With WWE trying to get away from the "extreme" aspects of their matches anyway, make this match's stipulation "mask vs mask" instead of having them go at it a third time at the next pay per view.

It's time for Cody to explode onto the main event scene, so even if he has to lose the match because Rey isn't taking his mask off, the feud can end and the process of elevating him into the World Title picture can take place.

As for Mysterio, a dream scenario will have Mysterio enter into a feud with Sin Cara. I think Rey has enough left in the tank to create magic with Sin Cara in the ring and it would be a treat for all of us to see some old school lucha libre wrestling.

Speaking of Sin Cara....

Sheamus vs Sin Cara for the United States Championship

They teased this potential match last week on RAW. Sin Cara is being pushed very hard by WWE and it only makes sense to put him on the pay per view.

Lots of wrestlers come in and are handed a mid-card title, and I believe Sin Cara winning the U.S. Title makes a lot of sense.

And if you follow my lead and have Mysterio and Sin Cara enter into a feud, it would just bring another big name into the U.S. Title picture and give the championship more meaning.

Burying the U.S. and Intercontinental Championships is not the answer and having Sin Cara, Mysterio and Sheamus all vying for one of them only makes the matches, and the title, more meaningful.

Wade Barrett vs Ezekiel Jackson vs Justin Gabriel vs Heath Slater

On Smackdown during the battle royal to determine the #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Title, Justin Gabriel eliminated Wade Barrett from the match. I think this is leading to a Corre break-up.

The stable isn't gaining any momentum and even holding the Intercontinental and Tag Team Championships isn't helping.

They were crushed at WrestleMania in under two minutes and the only thing the stable is doing is holding them all back from what could be successful singles careers.

I know this eliminates the chances of a Tag Team match with maybe APPLE or the Big Show and Kane but having all four members of The Corre fighting in some sort of Fatal Four Way match would be much more interesting.

John Morrison vs Dolph Ziggler

These two guys are simply too talented to be left off the card. Give this some sort of stipulation where it's a No. 1 Contender's Match for the WWE Championship.

If these two guys get jobbed again like they did at WrestleMania, it will be a shame. I understand that Morrison has been in the doghouse, but it's time to get over it.

Let these two incredible in-ring performers give the fans what they want. Great entertainment. Ziggler and Morrison could steal the show.

Brie Bella vs Eve Torres for the Divas Championship

Now hear me out...

Let's set the stage. Eve gets her rematch at Extreme Rules. It gives the Divas a prominent spot on a pay per view card.  It doesn't really matter who wins the match. Give them 3-5 minutes and right after the pinfall...

Enter Awesome Kong.

Everyone knows that she's the one that knocked the Barbie doll head off her body in last week's RAW promo. Have her come out and just destroy everyone in her way.

The Divas division needs a swift kick to the rear and Awesome Kong is ready to make it happen. She's the anti-diva.

She doesn't need to win the belt right away, but the sight of the Divas horrified every time Kong's music hits will be fantastic.

Cross Your Fingers

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

UNCASVILLE, CT - AUGUST 3: Actor Jeremy Piven guest hosts WWE's 'Monday Night Raw' at Mohegan Sun on August 3, 2009 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

That gives us the following card:

The Miz v. John Cena v. R-Truth

Alberto Del Rio v. Christian

Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler v. Michael Cole & Jack Swagger

CM Punk v. Randy Orton

Cody Rhodes v. Rey Mysterio

Sheamus v. Sin Cara

The Corre Fatal Four Way

John Morrison v. Dolph Ziggler

Brie Bella v. Eve Torres w/ Awesome Kong's debut

Honestly I think that would make for a solid pay per view and keep us moving in the right direction towards SummerSlam and ultimately WrestleMania 28.

As always, please leave comments about what you would do differently and let's hope the WWE gets it right.

Spending hard earned money on lackluster pay per views is only going to lead more people to stray away, and that's not good for the fans or the product.