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The Extreme Rules pay per view is only days away and while there will be no Universal Title defense happening at the event, there is still a lot of things for fans to look forward to. In fact, between a 30-minute iron man match for The IC title, and an Extreme Rules match for The Raw Women's title, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy if done right.
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With that being said and WWE's controversial booking habits when it comes to big pay per views that have a lot riding on them, here are five things WWE must do at Extreme Rules to make it interesting. Keep in mind that some of these will be opinion based, but there are also legitimate reasons for why these five things should happen as well!
#5 Finn Balor must lose
Finn Balor has suffered from start-stop pushes and errant injuries for a majority of his career, but Sunday night at Extreme Rules is his best chance of turning all of that around. Unfortunately for The WWE Universe, that should start with a dirty loss to Baron Corbin, which will set the stage for something bigger.
Its no secret that WWE is putting Balor up against authorities figures in order to try to give him the same organic push that Daniel Bryan had, and what better way to start this than a match against Constable Corbin. Not only does it allow Balor to be screwed out of a much-needed win, it also achieves the goal of getting fans angry and behind him.
How WWE does this is up to them, but it needs to be something that angers fans in the process. Maybe Corbin can tell the ref to count fast or maybe Stephanie McMahon could even serve as a distraction and ensure that Balor losses the match. Maybe WWE could even bring in Triple H to distract him or even cause a DQ finish, but that's probably unlikely.
In the end, Balor needs to take a loss against Corbin. Sure, it might rub fans the wrong way in the beginning, but as Balor continues to buck authority figure after authority figure on his path back to the championship, it could turn out to be a very good thing. In fact, it could just make his eventually Universal Championship run even 'too sweeter'!
#4 Team Hell No Must Win The Tag Team Titles
Another example of setting the stage for something bigger, Team Hell no winning the titles from The Bludgeon Brothers is the perfect way to reignite the tag team division on The Blue Brand, bring in some nostalgia in the process and set the stage for something interesting. In fact, it could even lead to another title opportunity for Bryan down the line if done right.
Let's be honest here. Nostalgia is a big thing in WWE right now and Team Hell is the perfect example of that. Not only did the fans go crazy when the team finally reunited back in June, they also went even crazier when the two went back into their old back and forth antics. If nothing else, this is money for WWE and will be a great starting point for telling a story.
With that being said, all good thing things must come to an end and when Team Hell No's title run does come to an end, the break up needs to be epic! That's why Kane and Bryan need to have a slow burn over the course of a couple months as champion, which will culminate in the team losing the titles and Kane betraying Bryan.
In the end, it will be a great way to gain sympathy for Bryan from The WWE Universe, The WWE can capitalize on the nostalgia in the meantime and The Tag team division looks like gold in the process. What outcome could possibly be better than this?
#3 Shinsuke Nakamura Must beat Jeff Hardy For The United States Title
Shinsuke Nakamura has suffered a fall from grace since coming up the main roster and while he has picked up a few key wins during that time over midcard stars, he has brutally floundered when the title was on the line. WWE then decided to turn Nakamura heel as a way to freshen up his character, which only seemed to have made things worse.
Combine that with Jeff Hardy's absolutely abysmal run as United States Champion and it should be obvious in everyone's mind that WWE needs to change the belt as soon as possible. Hardy is also dealing with a number of injuries right now, which is another good reason why they need to get the belt off of him now!
In the end, WWE has really dropped the ball with Nakamura during his time in WWE, but they have a chance to change all that if they put The U.S Title on him at Extreme Rules. In fact, it could be the start of a great anti American gimmick, which would eventually give a up and coming babyface a chance to take the title away later.
#2 AJ Styles must beat Rusev
Rusev might have the fans behind him. He also might have one of the most versatile and punishing move sets on The WWE roster, but the one thing he doesn't have is the WWE behind him. With that being said its, it's more than obvious what is going to happen Sunday at Extreme Rules and who can blame WWE for doing it?
Sure, Rusev day is a powerful fan movement that started organically when fans realized that someone as talented as Rusev wasn't being given a fair chance, but it is still not something WWE is behind. In fact, many rumors are circulating that Rusev will simply be a stop gap for Styles and The Phenomenal One will have a new opponent by Summerslam.
In the end, Rusev deserves this chance to show WWE what he can do in a main event role, but fans probably shouldn't get too used to and learn to love Rusev in his limited role. Think about it! Where does the company go after Rusev day takes the title? What happens to AJ Styles in the process?
#1 Seth Rollins must lose To Dolph Ziggler
Another one that sounds absolutely crazy, but becomes less crazy when you consider what losing the title will do for Seth Rollins. Not only would the loss-free Rollins up to become a contender for The Universal Title, it also opens the door for WWE to do more with the mini Shield Reunion and have him team with Reigns for a tag team title run.
As for Ziggler, McIntyre and The Intercontinental title, Ziggler has proven time and time again that he is able to put on a good match on any given night, which makes him the perfect replacement to carry the banner that is the IC Title. Maybe McIntyre can could even eventually betray Ziggler for the belt, which would be another interesting angle.
In the end, Rollins has bigger and better things right then try to bring prestige back to The IC title and he will be much better off trying to insert himself into The Universal title picture instead. Maybe WWE would do one or two rematches to help keep the wheels turning until Summerslam, but by the end of July, Rollins should be on to something else.
