5 Matches that should have happened at Extreme Rules 2021 but didn't

Extreme Rules 2021 is only a few days away, and it's the final pay-per-view before the WWE Draft. In that context, WWE could be looking to wrap up a few feuds before superstars make the jump to the opposite brand.

It will be interesting to see how things play out at Extreme Rules. So far, there are only six matches on the card. While there are some good bouts, WWE could have put out a better pay-per-view.

Here are five matches that should have been booked for Extreme Rules 2021:

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#5. Big E vs Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship at Extreme Rules 2021

Barring any last-minute addition, there is no WWE Championship match on the Extreme Rules 2021 card. The originally scheduled WWE title match at Extreme Rules was between Bobby Lashley and Randy Orton but plans changed.

Orton "politicked" his way in the storyline to get his WWE title shot early on RAW, with Big E announcing beforehand that he intended to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase.

In hindsight, it was a clever move by WWE. With Big E announcing it on Twitter and mentioning it on an interview before RAW, nobody actually believed that he would cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase.

But it was as straightforward as possible. Lashley retained the WWE Championship against Orton, and Big E came out as promised and successfully cashed in the MITB briefcase to become the new WWE Champion.

While WWE could have easily booked a Big E vs Bobby Lashley rematch for Extreme Rules 2021, they opted not to. The only reason we can think of for not adding the match to Extreme Rules is that WWE wants to extend the feud until before Crown Jewel at least.

Goldberg could come out and cost Lashley his WWE title rematch, setting up the WWE Hall of Famer to get his win back over The All Mighty.

This could mean that Bobby Lashley will stay on RAW in the upcoming WWE Draft. That way, WWE can finish his feud with Big E and Goldberg in the coming month.

#4. Damian Priest vs Drew McIntyre for the US Title at Extreme Rules 2021

Damian Priest is currently scheduled to face Sheamus and Jeff Hardy at Extreme Rules 2021. It will be yet another US title defense for Priest, who has been a busy man throughout 2021.

While Damian Priest's popularity has been on the rise, SummerSlam was the perfect moment, and he has only taken it to a new level since then. Ahead of Extreme Rules 2021, Priest had multiple US title defenses, pinning the likes of Drew McIntyre and Jeff Hardy.

With Drew McIntyre, there was an interesting feud teased. However, McIntyre's attempt at the US title in a triple threat match resulted in him getting pinned. While he shook Damian Priest's hand, there seemed to have been a missed opportunity.

A Damian Priest vs Sheamus is logical, but adding Jeff Hardy to the mix doesn't make much sense. It was only a few weeks ago that Hardy was seen chasing after the 24/7 Championship. Soon after, he lost a US title match to Priest before getting an opportunity to enter the bout at Extreme Rules 2021, defeating Sheamus to do so.

Damian Priest vs Drew McIntyre would have been a far better match at Extreme Rules 2021. No Superstar has been as consistent on pay-per-views as McIntyre.

#3. King Nakamura vs any contender at Extreme Rules 2021

King Nakamura won the Intercontinental Championship, but won't be defending it at Extreme Rules 2021. The Japanese star has had a surprising amount of momentum ever since his pairing with Rick Boogs, who quickly gained popularity himself.

The pairing has worked, and with Apollo Crews losing significant momentum on SmackDown, King Nakamura defeated him to win the Intercontinental Championship. Given that there are only six matches on the card, of which one is a non-title bout, it would have made sense to add Nakamura to the Extreme Rules 2021 card.

The Intercontinental Championship hasn't been defended on pay-per-view since WrestleMania 37, where Apollo Crews defeated Big E to capture the title. It's a shame, but we also understand WWE's decision to make the Intercontinental Championship a "TV exclusive" title to make SmackDown feel bigger.

Even then, it's a shame that the Intercontinental Championship won't be defended at Extreme Rules 2021. WWE could have booked the King Nakamura-Apollo Crews rematch for Extreme Rules 2021 instead of SmackDown.

Otherwise, WWE could have had a mini-tournament on SmackDown to determine Nakamura's opponent at Extreme Rules 2021.

#2. Seth Rollins vs Edge with a stipulation match at Extreme Rules 2021

Seth Rollins vs Edge III surprisingly wasn't booked for Extreme Rules 2021. They had an instant classic at SummerSlam 2021, and while Edge was trying to redirect his focus to the Universal Champion, Seth Rollins simply didn't allow that to happen.

Instead, he provoked Edge and set up a rematch on SmackDown at Madison Square Garden. Rollins hit the WWE Hall of Famer with a low blow while the referee wasn't looking, and it led to him getting his win back. A brutal post-match assault was used to write Edge off WWE TV.

While it should have logically set up a rematch for Extreme Rules 2021 between Seth Rollins and Edge, that didn't happen. Instead, it was reported that Edge will be off WWE TV for months. However, Edge announced that he would return on the SmackDown after Extreme Rules 2021 to respond to Seth Rollins

Extreme Rules 2021 would have been the perfect pay-per-view for their rivalry to conclude, as it would have warranted a stipulation match. It would have made the card feel far bigger than it is right now.

#1. Becky Lynch vs Bianca Belair vs Sasha Banks at Extreme Rules 2021

Becky Lynch is currently scheduled to take on Bianca Belair at Extreme Rules 2021. It's been a good build, and perhaps the only thing missing from it is a proper stipulation to make the match hotter.

However, another great addition to the SmackDown Women's title match at Extreme Rules 2021 would have been former champion Sasha Banks. Bianca Belair was originally scheduled to face Sasha Banks at SummerSlam 2021 in a WrestleMania 37 rematch, but the latter was pulled for unknown reasons.

WWE has been quiet about Sasha Banks' sudden disappearance from television, with no word yet. However, Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair is admittedly a big enough match for the card.

Sasha Banks' addition would have only enhanced the match. Usually, that would mean a poorer build-up, but a better match at Extreme Rules 2021. WWE normally gets triple threat and fatal four-way matches right, and this wouldn't have been an exception.

However, we understand WWE's decision to want to continue the Becky Lynch vs Bianca Belair feud.