<img height=300>http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/extrem10.png
Extreme Rules has always seemed a little silly to me in the PG-era of the WWE. I mean, there's no (intentional) bleeding, no shots to the head, and few spots that have real danger to them. WWE wants to appeal to a family audience -- and let's disregard the fact that it always has -- and it decided to neuter itself in order to do that. Extreme Rules reminds us of a bygone era. ECW, the TV-14 rating -- anything that came before the move to PG, really. I'm not entirely sure why Extreme Rules is even still a thing. It's just another PPV, one in which a couple of the matches are of the "extreme" variety. I digress. This year's card isn't particularly strong, but we should still get a couple of good matches out of it. Here are my predictions for the 2014 iteration of Extreme Rules.
<color=red>WeeLC Match: El Torito vs. Hornswoggle
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb638.jpg
Prediction: There's no clear winner here. Both El Torito and Hornswoggle have little reason to win, and this feud is seen more as a joke than anything else. And that's a shame, since El Torito is a phenomenal athlete, and Hornswoggle is a decent-to-good technical wrestler. The fan in me wants to see the better athlete win, but the cynic reminds me that there's a new Leprechaun movie coming out soon, and WWE will want to push its star. That's what I'm going to go with here. I think Hornswoggle will win.
Random Thoughts: This is a thing, for some reason. Like many of the non-continuing feuds on the card, the Hornswoggle/El Torito one seemed to come out of nowhere and hasn't really been able to build any momentum for itself. Apart from the singles match the two shared on Smackdown, the TV matches between their two stables have been lackluster and uninvolving, despite the hyperbolic commentating that takes part during them. I'm glad this is on the Extreme Rules Pre-Show, because it means I don't have to watch it (not having access to the WWE Network, which still isn't available to anyone but Americans).
<color=red>Steel Cage Match: John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb639.jpg
Prediction: It's always a fool's bet to go against John Cena, but for the second straight PPV, that's exactly what I'm going to do. I was wrong last time, as Cena prevailed against Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania. This time, though, Wyatt needs to go over. I don't see this feud ending at Extreme Rules -- it's been too good and given too much time to end after two PPVs -- and if it's not ending, it needs to have its results evened up. Wyatt should win so that the rubber match can take place at Payback and give us the conclusion to the feud.
Random Thoughts: I know it'll never happen, but how cool would it be for Cena to turn heel during, or directly after, his fight against Wyatt? Cena's character is fresher than it has been in years, but it could become stale again right after the Wyatt Family is done with him if WWE doesn't handle it carefully. Right now, both men are getting something out of this feud. And even with Bray winning -- after Payback, I think -- it could have benefited both men if Cena's character is handled well. A heel turn would certainly be just that. Even a very short turn would work wonders. Think on it, WWE.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Big E vs. Bad News Barrett
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb640.jpg
Prediction: Big E's title run has been less than stellar. He hasn't had to defend it much, it hasn't done anything for his character and -- just like the United States Championship -- it has been mostly an afterthought on both weekly TV and at the PPVs. WWE Creative couldn't even come up with a proper feud for Big E; they instead came up with a tournament full of midcarders to compete for the championship at Extreme Rules. Bad News Barrett, who had been inactive for the longest time until just a couple of weeks before this tournament, wound up winning. Barrett has been over with two gimmicks now, and it looks like WWE is finally ready to give him another push. Look for him to win the title at Extreme Rules.
Random Thoughts: The only shred of doubt to this match is that there isn't really anywhere for Big E to go if he loses. What does his character do afterward? A title rematch and possible feud with Barrett would be the immediate step, but after that? He fits in alongside Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio as Superstars with nothing to do and nowhere to go. If both the Intercontinental Championship and the United States Championship were worth something, perhaps they'd have something to do, but as it stands, they're in limbo. Hopefully WWE can find something to do with all three of them.
R-Truth and Xavier Woods vs. Alexander Rusev (with Lana)
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb641.jpg
Prediction: If there's a sure thing on the card, this is probably it. Alexander Rusev cannot lose this match. He's the newest monster heel, and despite Woods and Truth putting up a little bit of a fight in the last week, they've looked pathetic in this feud. They'll put up an offensive in this match to cast a little doubt over the outcome, but there is no reason at all to see them -- two men struggling to find a spot on TV -- beat an up-and-comer like Rusev.
Random Thoughts: Rusev is a far better in-ring worker than he's shown on TV thus far. That's what happens when you make him feud against men who can't even make the midcard. Hopefully some of his talent will finally be shown in this match. He might even debut a new finisher, as The Accolade might be difficult to lock in when the second man can break it up.
The Shield (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins) vs. Evolution (Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton)
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb642.jpg
Prediction: The Shield wins. I think this rivalry will continue -- at least in part -- past Extreme Rules, but The Shield needs to draw first blood. I'm guessing that soon after this match, the feud will go on with just Triple H and Roman Reigns. There are reports that Batista is taking time off after this match, and both he and Orton feel wasted in the rebirth of Evolution. They're The Game's lackeys, which shouldn't be where either man sits. They're both main eventers. Yes, even Batista. "Deal with it!" This could be the match of the night.
Random Thoughts: I wonder where it will be slotted on the card. It could easily be the main event, but the Bryan/Kane match for the championship shouldn't really be placed anywhere but the main event. It'll be interesting.
Divas Championship Match: Tamina Snuka vs. Paige
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb643.jpg
Prediction: I'm going to pick the dark horse here and say that Tamina will win this match. Paige debuted in a rushed fashion because AJ Lee asked for time off after WrestleMania. (Note: She asked; she didn't just leave, like a certain person did.) Paige was a convenient person to whom WWE could give the belt. She's been getting more comfortable on TV lately, and has managed to get good-to-great matches out of Divas who previously looked almost hopeless in the ring. But Tamina should win this match and get the belt.
I say this with the idea that AJ will be coming back either at(!) or directly proceeding Extreme Rules. I'm sure we'd all love a Paige/AJ feud, and that will be coming. But I'm sure the original plan was to have Tamina and AJ go at one another, and it would make sense for that battle to happen after Tamina wins and then refuses to give AJ the belt upon her return. Let Paige have at least one real feud before having her and AJ go at it.
Random Thoughts: If you go back and watch the episodes of Raw and Smackdown before WrestleMania, you can actually tell the point in time when AJ asked for time off. There was a point when it looked like she and Tamina were almost going to break it off, but then the next show, Tamina was her loyal bodyguard, as if there was no tension between them at all. WWE had to reaffirm Tamina as on AJ's side now that we couldn't go straight to a feud between them. It's the only way I can see why they'd flip Tamina like that.
<color=red>Triple Threat Elimination Match: Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Cesaro (with Paul Heyman)
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb644.jpg
Prediction: Cesaro is being pushed as the next best ... guy right now, and it seems unlikely that WWE would give the win to anyone else. Rob Van Dam's best role right now is to push younger talent, while Jack Swagger hasn't really looked like a credible opponent for Cesaro. He could win here, but that would be a pretty big upset in my opinion. I'd like to see Swagger win so that their feud -- without RVD -- could continue, but Cesaro will probably win and move on to bigger and better things.
Random Thoughts: Man, Rob Van Dam must have really pushed for a spot on this PPV, because he was added really hastily and awkwardly to a feud that didn't need him at all. His involvement is kind of justified, but he could have been better utilized. I mean, I would have rather seen him as one of the people Rusev fights than interrupt a perfectly good war between Cesaro and Swagger. About the only good thing that RVD does is ensure that we don't get a tag team match between Cesaro/Heyman and Swagger/Colter. That would have been a disaster. At least this should still be a good match.
<color=red>Extreme Rules Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Bryan vs. Kane
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb645.jpg
Prediction: After conquering the world at WrestleMania, it might have seemed difficult to build him as the underdog, but that's what WWE has done by giving Kane back his mask and making him once again seem like a real threat in the company. Thank. Goodness. Anyway, I don't know if anyone thinks Kane is going to win this match, and I'm of that same mindset. Bryan will overcome the odds again and defeat the Big Red Monster. Stephanie McMahon will probably get involved in the match somehow, putting even more doubt into the minds of fans, but I just don't see Bryan losing -- even if the fan in me would love to see Kane with the championship. Bryan has had the title for a month, and it would do him a disservice to have him lose it here.
Random Thoughts: Kane is another character for whom I cannot see a plan in place following Extreme Rules. He and Bryan could continue to feud for a little while, but that'll get dull really fast. I think WWE needs to take him off TV for a while after this in order to maintain the "Monster Kane" image. A feud with almost anyone else seems like it would diminish that. Perhaps Triple H could enlist his help to fight Roman Reigns -- Kane/Reigns would be fun for a month -- but that's about all I'm seeing here.
<color=D6D9DA>_________________________________________________________________________________
You know, I wasn't particularly high on this card before writing my predictions, but looking at it now, there will likely only be one dud of a match (not counting the WeeLC match on the Pre-Show), and even that -- the inevitable Rusev squash -- might be okay. I'm disappointed that the Tag Team Championships aren't being defended at all, but we got a good match between The Usos and RybAxel already, so we'll just have to be happy with that. I'm looking forward to Extreme Rules this year. Let me know your thoughts and predictions.
<color=D6D9DA>_________________________________________________________________________________
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Extreme Rules has always seemed a little silly to me in the PG-era of the WWE. I mean, there's no (intentional) bleeding, no shots to the head, and few spots that have real danger to them. WWE wants to appeal to a family audience -- and let's disregard the fact that it always has -- and it decided to neuter itself in order to do that. Extreme Rules reminds us of a bygone era. ECW, the TV-14 rating -- anything that came before the move to PG, really. I'm not entirely sure why Extreme Rules is even still a thing. It's just another PPV, one in which a couple of the matches are of the "extreme" variety. I digress. This year's card isn't particularly strong, but we should still get a couple of good matches out of it. Here are my predictions for the 2014 iteration of Extreme Rules.
<color=red>WeeLC Match: El Torito vs. Hornswoggle
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb638.jpg
Prediction: There's no clear winner here. Both El Torito and Hornswoggle have little reason to win, and this feud is seen more as a joke than anything else. And that's a shame, since El Torito is a phenomenal athlete, and Hornswoggle is a decent-to-good technical wrestler. The fan in me wants to see the better athlete win, but the cynic reminds me that there's a new Leprechaun movie coming out soon, and WWE will want to push its star. That's what I'm going to go with here. I think Hornswoggle will win.
Random Thoughts: This is a thing, for some reason. Like many of the non-continuing feuds on the card, the Hornswoggle/El Torito one seemed to come out of nowhere and hasn't really been able to build any momentum for itself. Apart from the singles match the two shared on Smackdown, the TV matches between their two stables have been lackluster and uninvolving, despite the hyperbolic commentating that takes part during them. I'm glad this is on the Extreme Rules Pre-Show, because it means I don't have to watch it (not having access to the WWE Network, which still isn't available to anyone but Americans).
<color=red>Steel Cage Match: John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb639.jpg
Prediction: It's always a fool's bet to go against John Cena, but for the second straight PPV, that's exactly what I'm going to do. I was wrong last time, as Cena prevailed against Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania. This time, though, Wyatt needs to go over. I don't see this feud ending at Extreme Rules -- it's been too good and given too much time to end after two PPVs -- and if it's not ending, it needs to have its results evened up. Wyatt should win so that the rubber match can take place at Payback and give us the conclusion to the feud.
Random Thoughts: I know it'll never happen, but how cool would it be for Cena to turn heel during, or directly after, his fight against Wyatt? Cena's character is fresher than it has been in years, but it could become stale again right after the Wyatt Family is done with him if WWE doesn't handle it carefully. Right now, both men are getting something out of this feud. And even with Bray winning -- after Payback, I think -- it could have benefited both men if Cena's character is handled well. A heel turn would certainly be just that. Even a very short turn would work wonders. Think on it, WWE.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Big E vs. Bad News Barrett
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb640.jpg
Prediction: Big E's title run has been less than stellar. He hasn't had to defend it much, it hasn't done anything for his character and -- just like the United States Championship -- it has been mostly an afterthought on both weekly TV and at the PPVs. WWE Creative couldn't even come up with a proper feud for Big E; they instead came up with a tournament full of midcarders to compete for the championship at Extreme Rules. Bad News Barrett, who had been inactive for the longest time until just a couple of weeks before this tournament, wound up winning. Barrett has been over with two gimmicks now, and it looks like WWE is finally ready to give him another push. Look for him to win the title at Extreme Rules.
Random Thoughts: The only shred of doubt to this match is that there isn't really anywhere for Big E to go if he loses. What does his character do afterward? A title rematch and possible feud with Barrett would be the immediate step, but after that? He fits in alongside Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio as Superstars with nothing to do and nowhere to go. If both the Intercontinental Championship and the United States Championship were worth something, perhaps they'd have something to do, but as it stands, they're in limbo. Hopefully WWE can find something to do with all three of them.
R-Truth and Xavier Woods vs. Alexander Rusev (with Lana)
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb641.jpg
Prediction: If there's a sure thing on the card, this is probably it. Alexander Rusev cannot lose this match. He's the newest monster heel, and despite Woods and Truth putting up a little bit of a fight in the last week, they've looked pathetic in this feud. They'll put up an offensive in this match to cast a little doubt over the outcome, but there is no reason at all to see them -- two men struggling to find a spot on TV -- beat an up-and-comer like Rusev.
Random Thoughts: Rusev is a far better in-ring worker than he's shown on TV thus far. That's what happens when you make him feud against men who can't even make the midcard. Hopefully some of his talent will finally be shown in this match. He might even debut a new finisher, as The Accolade might be difficult to lock in when the second man can break it up.
The Shield (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins) vs. Evolution (Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton)
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb642.jpg
Prediction: The Shield wins. I think this rivalry will continue -- at least in part -- past Extreme Rules, but The Shield needs to draw first blood. I'm guessing that soon after this match, the feud will go on with just Triple H and Roman Reigns. There are reports that Batista is taking time off after this match, and both he and Orton feel wasted in the rebirth of Evolution. They're The Game's lackeys, which shouldn't be where either man sits. They're both main eventers. Yes, even Batista. "Deal with it!" This could be the match of the night.
Random Thoughts: I wonder where it will be slotted on the card. It could easily be the main event, but the Bryan/Kane match for the championship shouldn't really be placed anywhere but the main event. It'll be interesting.
Divas Championship Match: Tamina Snuka vs. Paige
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb643.jpg
Prediction: I'm going to pick the dark horse here and say that Tamina will win this match. Paige debuted in a rushed fashion because AJ Lee asked for time off after WrestleMania. (Note: She asked; she didn't just leave, like a certain person did.) Paige was a convenient person to whom WWE could give the belt. She's been getting more comfortable on TV lately, and has managed to get good-to-great matches out of Divas who previously looked almost hopeless in the ring. But Tamina should win this match and get the belt.
I say this with the idea that AJ will be coming back either at(!) or directly proceeding Extreme Rules. I'm sure we'd all love a Paige/AJ feud, and that will be coming. But I'm sure the original plan was to have Tamina and AJ go at one another, and it would make sense for that battle to happen after Tamina wins and then refuses to give AJ the belt upon her return. Let Paige have at least one real feud before having her and AJ go at it.
Random Thoughts: If you go back and watch the episodes of Raw and Smackdown before WrestleMania, you can actually tell the point in time when AJ asked for time off. There was a point when it looked like she and Tamina were almost going to break it off, but then the next show, Tamina was her loyal bodyguard, as if there was no tension between them at all. WWE had to reaffirm Tamina as on AJ's side now that we couldn't go straight to a feud between them. It's the only way I can see why they'd flip Tamina like that.
<color=red>Triple Threat Elimination Match: Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Cesaro (with Paul Heyman)
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb644.jpg
Prediction: Cesaro is being pushed as the next best ... guy right now, and it seems unlikely that WWE would give the win to anyone else. Rob Van Dam's best role right now is to push younger talent, while Jack Swagger hasn't really looked like a credible opponent for Cesaro. He could win here, but that would be a pretty big upset in my opinion. I'd like to see Swagger win so that their feud -- without RVD -- could continue, but Cesaro will probably win and move on to bigger and better things.
Random Thoughts: Man, Rob Van Dam must have really pushed for a spot on this PPV, because he was added really hastily and awkwardly to a feud that didn't need him at all. His involvement is kind of justified, but he could have been better utilized. I mean, I would have rather seen him as one of the people Rusev fights than interrupt a perfectly good war between Cesaro and Swagger. About the only good thing that RVD does is ensure that we don't get a tag team match between Cesaro/Heyman and Swagger/Colter. That would have been a disaster. At least this should still be a good match.
<color=red>Extreme Rules Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Bryan vs. Kane
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/clipb645.jpg
Prediction: After conquering the world at WrestleMania, it might have seemed difficult to build him as the underdog, but that's what WWE has done by giving Kane back his mask and making him once again seem like a real threat in the company. Thank. Goodness. Anyway, I don't know if anyone thinks Kane is going to win this match, and I'm of that same mindset. Bryan will overcome the odds again and defeat the Big Red Monster. Stephanie McMahon will probably get involved in the match somehow, putting even more doubt into the minds of fans, but I just don't see Bryan losing -- even if the fan in me would love to see Kane with the championship. Bryan has had the title for a month, and it would do him a disservice to have him lose it here.
Random Thoughts: Kane is another character for whom I cannot see a plan in place following Extreme Rules. He and Bryan could continue to feud for a little while, but that'll get dull really fast. I think WWE needs to take him off TV for a while after this in order to maintain the "Monster Kane" image. A feud with almost anyone else seems like it would diminish that. Perhaps Triple H could enlist his help to fight Roman Reigns -- Kane/Reigns would be fun for a month -- but that's about all I'm seeing here.
<color=D6D9DA>_________________________________________________________________________________
You know, I wasn't particularly high on this card before writing my predictions, but looking at it now, there will likely only be one dud of a match (not counting the WeeLC match on the Pre-Show), and even that -- the inevitable Rusev squash -- might be okay. I'm disappointed that the Tag Team Championships aren't being defended at all, but we got a good match between The Usos and RybAxel already, so we'll just have to be happy with that. I'm looking forward to Extreme Rules this year. Let me know your thoughts and predictions.
<color=D6D9DA>_________________________________________________________________________________
If you wish to be notified whenever I post something new, please join this <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/2-50-Reviews>user group.
For an archive of all my previous WWE reviews, please go <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.846764-Marters-WWE-Reviews-Archive>here.
Talk to me on the Twitter, <url=https://twitter.com/martertweet>@martertweet.