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WWE is just a day away from presenting its latest PPV show, Extreme Rules, and although the event isn't shaping up to be completely extreme, there should be a fun few matches throughout the night.
We've seen some of these matches before, but others are very fresh, and if WWE can stay out of its own way and just let the performers put on a good show, this should be quite an enjoyable one.
Sure, their last few PPVs have been more bad than good, but with the new direction of Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman, things seem to be slowly turning around for WWE.
Those two won't fully have their fingerprints all over WWE shows until SummerSlam, as these processes certainly take their time. But, if they can influence this show, it will be one worth watching. So without further ado, sit back and read along as we look to July 14th and WWE's Extreme Rules 2019 event, and try to predict the result of all ten matches announced so far.
#10 Drew Gulak (c) vs. Tony Nese - Cruiserweight Championship
For years now, the cruiserweights have been doing fantastic work, and despite the fact that they've lost their big names like Ali, Buddy Murphy and Cedric Alexander, they still have a very talented roster. Two of the stalwarts of 205 Live from the beginning have been Drew Gulak and Tony Nese.
Given their contrasting styles, this will no doubt be a fantastic contest.
This one will most likely take place on the pre-show, and as always, it won't get the recognition that it deserves, but both men combine great athleticism with character work, and as such, it's a hard one to pick. We've not yet seen a 2-time Cruiserweight Champion, and while Nese has everything it takes to be a star, we just can't see that changing here.
Prediction: Drew Gulak submits the ultra-athletic Tony Nese.
#9 The Usos vs. The Revival (c) - Raw Tag Team Championship
These two are considered the best two tag teams in all of WWE, but despite this, their story has taken a backseat to everything else happening on RAW. While it will certainly be a great match, it's going to be way overlooked. Their styles mesh perfectly, and given the long backstory that's gone into this one, these four men will tell a great story if given time. They deserve the recognition for their talents.
Ultimately, this one is just a stepping stone until one of these teams face the Viking Raiders at SummerSlam, and given The Revival's continued unhappiness with WWE management, it doesn't bode well for them. This match may be one of the best main roster tag team matches in recent memory, but unfortunately for the 2-time NXT Tag Team Champions, we can't see them coming out on top.
Prediction: The Usos topple the top guys en route to a collision with the Viking Raiders.
#8 Bobby Lashley vs. Braun Strowman - Last Man Standing
The name of this PPV is "Extreme Rules", and while WWE no longer makes every match on the card "extreme", this is one that will no doubt be a chaotic, brutal brawl. Lashley and Strowman are two of RAW's top names, and should both be in the main event scene. A hard-fought victory here for either man may catapult them into title contention in the near future.
Given how heavily they've pushed both of these men at different times over the past year, this is a hard one to predict, as both men have the talent to be Universal Champion right now.
Ultimately, this one is a coin toss, and given the things that Strowman has done over the past few years, it will no doubt be a fun brawl to see, but we have to side with Lashley here.
Prediction: Lashley survives a brutal, chaotic brawl to be the Last Man Standing.
#7 Aleister Black vs. Cesaro
For weeks now, Aleister Black has been goading someone to challenge him to a fight, and on Smackdown Live this past week, it was finally revealed that Cesaro was the one to take him up on that offer.
The story to tell here is simple: Cesaro is stepping up to challenge the up and coming star who's looking to take his spot, and given how amazing both men are between the ropes, this one will steal the show.
Black carries an aura with him wherever he goes, and if WWE management can protect his character and not over-expose him, The Dutch Destroyer will be a main-event talent in no time. Ultimately, this one is quite predictable, as Black losing his first singles PPV bout would just be stupid. Considering how great both men are, they'll do their best to have us on the edge of our seats.
Prediction: The Dutch Destroyer gets his singles run started right.
#6 AJ Styles vs. Ricochet (c) - United States Championship
Given the talent and prolific careers of both of these men, this one is no doubt a dream match. If their recent RAW encounters are anything to go by, this one will be an absolute classic. Surprisingly, AJ has done his best work in WWE as a heel, and with now Gallows & Anderson back by his side, he will no doubt be at his best for the Extreme Rules event.
Styles can work many different paces inside the ring, and whether he flies around with The One and Only or he grinds it down to a slow, methodical pace, these men are both great at storytelling.
While Styles is one of WWE's best, Ricochet has only just won the United States Championship, and whether it's a DQ/Countout finish or a fluke victory, we just see Ricochet's run going on for now.
Prediction: The One and Only (Ricochet) gets lucky, and overcomes the odds.
#5 Daniel Bryan and Rowan (c) vs. The New Day vs. Heavy Machinery - Triple Threat for the Smackdown Tag Team Championship
The tag team scene has been largely forgotten over the past few years, but considering all of the talent involved in this match, that definitely shouldn't be the case. Daniel Bryan was one of WWE's best over the past twelve months until this happened, and while it will be a fun match, it's ultimately going to be overshadowed by the rest of the card.
The New Day and Bryan have had a great rivalry over the past year, and given the X-factor of Heavy Machinery, this will no doubt be absolutely chaotic, and with enough story, it will be fun to watch. Ultimately, the pairing of Bryan and Rowan as Tag Team Champions is still fresh, and we can't see them coming up short here, as they need to carry the division going forward.
Prediction: Bryan and Rowan retain in a chaotic bout.
#4 Bayley (c) vs. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross - 2-on-1 Handicap Match for the SmackDown Women's Championship
This one is just another example of how the 'Wild Card' rule is messing with the brand split, but it's a fresh take on the SmackDown Women's Championship, so it could be a very fun story. The seeds were definitely planted for a return (perhaps even heel turn) from Sasha Banks, and whether that happens or not, these 3 should make this an enjoyable contest.
Not only is there a tease of The Boss coming back, but there's the tension between Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross, as Little Miss Bliss has become infamous for turning on all of her friends in the past.
Whether or not that is the story here, or whether The Boss returns to save or cost Bayley the title, this is going to be a fun one to watch, but we see the title reign of Bayley going on here.
Prediction: Bayley continues her reign until she has to face The Boss.
#3 Samoa Joe vs. Kofi Kingston (c) - WWE Championship
Kofi Kingston had an incredible run to the WWE Championship leading into WrestleMania, but he's cooled off considerably since because of his rivalry with Dolph Ziggler, someone we all know isn't a threat. But now, Kofi faces his toughest challenge yet, with a motivated, dominant Samoa Joe coming for his gold, and it feels very much like Kingston is in trouble.
The rivalry heated up considerably when Kofi gave Joe the finger on SmackDown Live, and given the talent of both men involved, this one is bound to a fantastic heel vs. babyface matchup. It feels like there are legs to this rivalry, but also to the reign of Kingston, so on this night, we will see Kofi coming out on top, leading to a much bigger match down the line.
Prediction: The fairytale run of Kofi Kingston continues, for now.
#2 The Undertaker and Roman Reigns vs. Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre
This match was certainly a big surprise, and given how important Roman Reigns and The Undertaker are to WWE, it's highly unlikely that they'll be coming out on the short end of the stick here. Everyone is sick of seeing Shane McMahon on TV every week, but with Drew McIntyre by his side, we could be seeing more going forward, and that's the only thing that gives their team some type of hope.
Ultimately, this is probably going to be a very forgettable match, but there's enough of a story here to keep it interesting, especially if WWE build on their KO vs. McMahon feud from Smackdown. It will probably be a fun one, but given the characters involved, this will be one that doesn't mean much, and because of that, we can't see Reigns or 'Taker getting pinned here.
Prediction: The Big Dog and The Deadman put down Shane O'Mac.
#1 Seth Rollins (c) and Becky Lynch (c) vs. Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans - 'Winner Take All' Extreme Rules Mixed Tag Team Match
Over the past few weeks, WWE has been heavily pushing the relationship between Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, and now, they have to count on each other to defend their Championship gold. Their challengers are Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans, and if there was ever two performers in WWE with 'go away heat', it's these two, and we just can't see them coming away with the gold.
With guys like AJ Styles, Braun Strowman, Brock Lesnar and so many others on the RAW roster, Corbin is just a placeholder before SummerSlam, and we just can't see him dethroning Rollins before that big show. It may surprise us all, but right now, this one doesn't look too appealing, especially given how predictable it is.
Prediction: WWE's new power couple cements their spot at the top.
