Extreme Rules 2016 – Predictions

Excuse the cliches, but The New Era rolls on into Extreme Rules! We’re a couple of months removed from Wrestlemania, and this still does feel like a bit of a filler Pay Per View. In fact, there is a lot of repeat matches from last month. I guess you could say it’s Payback?

The weeks leading up to Extreme Rules has seen Raw slightly go off the boil a bit? The hot streak of Raws between Wrestlemania and Payback are over which – kayfabe wise – could be given to the reason that Steph is back calling shots as well as Shane. I feel though that the injuries are beginning to take their toll, with another couple causing grief (Emma went down just as she began getting a bit hot, and AJ Styles isn’t 100%), they’re running out of ideas and need big returns. They’ve enough for this month PPV, which should be at least watchable.

Anyway, my opinions have changed slightly since last week’s Wrestling Betting Podcast, so if you’ve checked in with that err – sorry – I’ve changed my mind. I could be wrong though (it won’t be the first time!). Here are my Extreme Rules Predictions.

Extreme Rules Match for the WWE Championship

Roman Reigns (c) (/w The Usos) vs. AJ Styles (/w Gallows & Anderson)

I’ll give it to WWE. They’ve found a way to push Roman Reigns as champion whilst not turning him heel, but keeping him teetering on the edge. I like the “I’m not a Bad Guy…” line as it fits his character perfectly. Admittedly they don’t need to say it every match to be fair, but this feud with AJ has been great, and every single participant has been a heel and a face along the way. Dare I say that this feud has been the best booked feud where both participants have been tweeners?

As far as the winner goes, I feel it’s going once again to Roman Reigns. There has been talk of Vince cooling on Roman, especially with AJ Styles being so strong. Also AJ Styles is working hurt so I cannot see him being the champion and working a heavy schedule. So Roman Reigns to win.

Prediction: Roman Reigns wins

WWE Tag Team Championship

The New Day (c) vs. The Vaudevillians

Ouch.

If you didn’t listen to the podcast, or see Payback, you will not know how the match between Enzo & Cass and The Vaudevillians ended up. Enzo Amore took one of the sickest bumps in a while, nearly decapitating himself on the middle rope, and suffering terrible whiplash. The match was immediately ended and – thankfully – he appears to only have a concussion. “Only” being the operative word, as it could’ve easily been a broken neck.

As such, the Vaudevillians end up challenging The New Day for the titles. The build up to this has been fantastically silly, with the “New Day Time Machine” being a stupid highlight of mine. The Vaudevillians have held up pretty well on the roster, but I cannot see them winning this. The New Day to retain.

Prediction: The New Day Wins

Submission Match for the WWE Women’s Championship

Charlotte (c) vs. Natalya

So this feud got the prized main event segment in the go home show. Again, this hasn’t been a bad feud, with Charlotte being cast doubt in her performance. Can she win without Ric Flair? She didn’t against former champion Paige, did she?

Since the strange finish to Payback, I can see Charlotte winning. Hopefully the lazy route isn’t taken and Charles Robinson isn’t the ref, maybe a Natalya pass out? I don’t know. Natalya has been built brilliantly in this feud, she needs to be kept a wee bit strong. But Charlotte to retain.

Prediction: Charlotte to win

US Title Match

Kalisto (c) vs. Rusev (/w Lana)

Well Rusev has been built up again since the dismal League of Nations folded.

Rusev is taking the role of monster heel, against Kalisto. A monster heel that loses to Sin Cara, but a monster heel nonetheless.

Kalisto’s reign hasn’t set the world on fire, and I can see Rusev winning this title, possibly to drop (once again) to a returning John Cena?

Prediction: Rusev to win

Fatal 4 Way Match for the Intercontinental Championship

The Miz (c) (/w Maryse) vs. Sami Zayn vs. Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens

Another great build up has been the build up for the Intercontinental Championship match. It seemingly was on the cards after Payback, so it makes a bunch of sense. There has been great matches between the participants, and nobody looks weak, and nobody looks particularly weak. Go and check out some of their matches in the past few weeks.

On the Wrestling Betting Podcast, I said my outside bet was Sami Zayn was to win, as he seemed great value at his price (7/1 on bWin, now out to 10/1). I’m going to suggest a possible Cesaro win, as although Miz is now the favourite, he doesn’t have to be involved in the loss.

Prediction: Cesaro wins

Asylum Match

Chris Jericho vs. Dean Ambrose

Here’s a new one, an Asylum match.

Chris Jericho and Dean Ambrose have done the proverbial turning lemons into lemonade.

Some of the stuff Jericho and Ambrose has had to work with recently has been – quite frankly – dismal. But they’ve not stunk up the joint! Ambrose and Jericho has got over a pot plant over more than 90% of the current roster. So bravo to them. And they settle their differences in an asylum match.

An asylum match, similar to a Steel Asylum match from TNA (yeah, I checked), is a cage match with a bit of a roof. The roof contains weapons hanging from it, and the only way to win is by pinfall or submission. Of course, the weapons are legal.

This appears to be Dean Ambrose’s signature match now, so hopefully it turns out to be a goodun, so he has more. I’m going to say Ambrose wins, and that Jericho rides off into the sunset for the summer.

Prediction: Dean Ambrose Wins

Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin

This match is on the pre-show. I don’t really care about it if I’m honest. Corbin should win though to avenge the loss last month.

Prediction: Baron Corbin Wins

Anyway, these are my predictions, what are yours? Please leave them in the comments below!