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Extreme Rules is almost here, and we can't wait to witness what does WWE have in store for us on the one night when they go extreme. After a pretty decent Stomping Grounds PPV, Extreme Rules will be the last major stop for the company before the Biggest Party of the Summer, SummerSlam.
The card of the PPV is filled with some interesting matches, and if done correctly, could make Extreme Rules one of the best PPVs of this year. Other than match quality, be prepared to get some surprises and character changes on the show as WWE is sure to spice things around for SummerSlam.
With this being the first WWE PPV after Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff being made the Executive Directors of RAW and SmackDown, respectively, all eyes will be on whether they start impacting the programming already.
In this article, I'll share my five bold predictions for WWE Extreme Rules 2019, which will come live to us from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Feel free to share your thoughts and views in the comments section below.
#5 Drew McIntyre will turn on Shane McMahon
The alliance between Drew McIntyre and Shane McMahon is not something anyone saw coming a few months ago. From being the unstoppable monster to being Shane McMahon's sidekick, the Scottish Psychopath hasn't had a great showing in the past couple of months.
McIntyre is considered by many as the next big thing in WWE, and just one look at the guy tells you that he does have it in him. But if the creative keeps booking him in a current manner, it won't be long before he just becomes another random big guy lost in the shuffle.
At Extreme Rules, Drew and Shane are teaming up to face Roman Reigns and The Undertaker in a No Holds Barred match. The rumours suggest that this match will lead to a future feud between the Dead Man and McIntyre, which should logically end with a monster heel McIntyre taking out Taker.
But before that, McIntyre needs to get out of this partnership with Shane, and that might happen at Extreme Rules. In all likelihood, Shane and Drew will not win the match and it should be the former who takes the pin. The match could be booked in a way in which Drew saves Shane multiple times, leading to a lot of frustration for him.
Drew snapping and destroying Shane-o-Mac would be a great sight to watch!
#4 Samoa Joe will become the new WWE Champion
Being a huge Samoa Joe fan, from his days in TNA, the fans have failed to understand how has this guy not won a World title on the main roster in WWE after more than two years of his debut.
We often talk about how AJ Styles is a great wrestler and got fame in other promotions as well as WWE by becoming the champion, but Joe is another star who deserves all the accolades in this world.
Currently feuding with Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship, Joe has brought out some lost intensity in the WWE Champ, telling a great story at the same time. The fierceness with which Joe cuts his promos on his opponents is a treat to watch.
While many are not expecting him to win the title this Sunday, him defeating Kofi would be a huge surprise. But with Paul and Eric in command, they might want a fresh and different WWE Champion, and no one fits better than the Samoan Submission Machine.
As much as we've enjoyed Kofi's title reign, I believe it's time for a change.
#3 Finn Balor would show signs of turning heel and joining The Club
The reforming of WWE's version of Bullet Club has been one of the biggest hints that WWE is trying to please its fans and give them what they want. With AJ Styles turning heel and leading the group currently, there's another member that the trio might want to join them as well.
Our Intercontinental Champion, Finn Balor, hasn't been involved in any interesting storylines for some time now, with many fans asking him to turn heel to refresh his character. It has been a proven record that a proper faction can lead and dominate the entire show, creating many interesting storylines as well.
There can't be a better time to turn Finn Balor heel and let him join The Club. These four can cause havoc on the entire roster, establishing themselves as the biggest heels. If written and produced correctly, this storyline in itself could give WWE an edge over AEW.
At Extreme Rules, I can see The Club approaching Balor to join them, and Balor showing signs of his dark side. The slow and steady heel turn of Balor would make for amazing segments.
#2 The Fiend would attack Bobby Lashley
It's been almost three weeks now since the last episode of Firefly Funhouse aired, which indicated that The Fiend has been set free. Ever since then, Abby the Witch, Ramblin' Rabbit, Mercy the Buzzard and Husky the Pig Boy have been caught backstage spying on many other wrestlers like The Miz, Kofi Kingston, etc.
It is all but certain that Bray Wyatt can make his return anytime now, and I believe that will finally happen this Sunday. Bobby Lashley has had a very interesting exchange with Bray on Twitter, and he could have just given us a hint of Bray's first opponent (or should we say, victim?)
Lashley is supposed to face the Monster Among Men, Braun Strowman at Extreme Rules, and in all likelihood should put the younger monster over. Bray could appear after the match to attack Lashley, or he could confront him in a secluded place backstage.
Wyatt needs a big win to start of his new gimmick on a good note, and a win over the All-Mighty would be a good start for him.
#1 Sasha Banks will return and take out Bayley
The SmackDown Women's Championship scene leading to Extreme Rules is pretty interesting. The current champ, Bayley is scheduled to defend her title against both Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross in a handicap match.
With many fans expecting either Bliss or Nikki to turn on the other after they win the title, I believe their feud should not involve the title. Bayley has been coming on her own as a singles competitor and taking the title off her in such manner won't be a popular decision with the fans.
Bliss and Nikki getting into an argument mid-match and either of them crossing (no pun intended) their boiling point to attack the other could help Bayley make use of the distraction and defend her title.
But the real twist would be if Sasha Banks returns to TV after more than three months, only to turn on Bayley moments after congratulating her would make fans cheer on top of their voice. This could set up a massive Sasha vs Bayley feud for SummerSlam, that could end with Sasha becoming the new SD Women's champion.
What would be your bold predictions for the Extreme Rules PPV? Let us know in the comments section below.
