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With The Horror Show at Extreme Rules just over a week away, we know what most of the card looks like. There are several matches set for the event, including multiple different cinematic bouts. It could be quite an interesting show, but not necessarily the best one of the year.
WWE has marketed this pay-per-view differently, with the "horror show" theme being implemented to Extreme Rules. It remains to be seen just how terrifying it really is. But there is more concern heading into the show than just the horror of it.
A lot of the WWE Superstars on the card have their momentum in the balance, with Extreme Rules representing a crucial point in their current storyline trajectories. These stars have to win their respective matches at the show, with failure to do so likely damaging their character.
If any of them lose, the consequences for their characters on RAW or SmackDown could be as scary as the possible horror show we could see next Sunday. Here are five Superstars who cannot afford to lose at WWE Extreme Rules 2020.
#5 Seth Rollins
A few matches at Extreme Rules seem pretty predictable, including Drew McIntyre vs Dolph Ziggler. There is hardly any chance that the WWE Championship changes hands, which is why the Scottish Terminator is not on this list.
Another match which may have a clear winner beforehand is the 'Eye For An Eye' match between Seth Rollins and Rey Mysterio. With the latter's WWE contract having expired, the 'Monday Night Messiah' seems like the obvious winner. But Mysterio may be sticking around for a little while longer, at least until he can work with his son, Dominick, in the ring.
WWE could give the masked veteran a feel-good victory in a cinematic setting to somewhat protect Rollins, but the former Universal Champion needs a win. His character doesn't seem all that interesting and he has been placed in limbo over the course of this feud. A victory would likely do wonders for Rollins and his momentum as a heel on RAW.
It wouldn't help anybody if Rey Mysterio came away victorious at Extreme Rules, least of whom would be Seth Rollins. He needs to win to establish himself as a strong character again.
#4 Asuka
One of the most exciting matches happening at Extreme Rules is the RAW Women's Championship contest between Asuka and Sasha Banks. Stipulation or not, these two women could steal the show. It seems like the match at Extreme Rules is merely a storytelling device for the ultimate culmination of the Sasha and Bayley angle.
And while a Sasha Banks victory might have some very interesting consequences, Asuka would be hurt a great deal if that happens. She has only recently gotten going as the RAW Women's Champion, following a program with Nia Jax that did not set the world on fire. Victories over Charlotte Flair and Bayley did help the 'Empress of Tomorrow' out though.
Asuka is finally getting an opportunity to go on a long run as the Champion on the main roster and as a result, we could see her have some excellent matches and feuds with a variety of strong competitors. She has definitely earned her position as the top woman on RAW.
A defeat would be a massive blow to Asuka, with the possibility of her being cast aside as a result. She needs to remain the Champion beyond Extreme Rules to continue to thrive on the Red brand.
#3 Apollo Crews
Shortly after his United States Championship victory, Apollo Crews saw his biggest backstage supporter, Paul Heyman, step down from his creative duties on RAW. This instantly seemed to be a big concern, with his title match against Andrade at Backlash being moved to the Kickoff Show. Heading into Extreme Rules, some of those concerns are still present.
Crews has been a target for MVP and the 'Hurt Business'. He lost a non-title match to the former 3-time US Champion, leading to match at Extreme Rules between the two for the gold. And to add to things, a new-look United States Title will be up for grabs between MVP and Apollo Crews.
While his reign is not expected to last much longer, a defeat for Crews against a "manager" like MVP would do a lot of damage to him and undo all the work that was put in trying to make him a credible Superstar on the main roster. The current United States Champion has to win at Extreme Rules.
Even if Vince McMahon does not like him, Apollo Crews should remain as Champion until a bigger threat goes after him. That bigger threat might be Bobby Lashley, MVP's primary client.
#2 Bray Wyatt
In what should be an entertaining cinematic experience, Bray Wyatt is set to face Universal Champion Braun Strowman in a non-title Swamp Fight at Extreme Rules. This is likely the marquee match of the entire event, with the horror show connection.
The fact that the Universal Championship is not on the line would make us believe that Wyatt is definitely winning this match. But remember, this is the original Bray Wyatt we are talking about. The one who is all about hats, Hawaiian shirts, following the buzzards, and The Wyatt Family compound, before Randy Orton set it on fire. The one who has infamously lost almost every big match he was a part of.
There is no other alternative this time. The 'Eater of Worlds' has to win at Extreme Rules for a variety of reasons. It is his own match, this character's version of the Firefly Fun House Match we saw at WrestleMania. Also, Strowman already has a victory over Wyatt at Money in the Bank.
For the sake of his character and the feud, Bray Wyatt must win the Swamp Fight at Extreme Rules. After that, we might see The Fiend show up at SummerSlam and take back his Universal Title.
#1 Jeff Hardy
It has been confirmed on SmackDown that Jeff Hardy will face Sheamus in a Bar Fight at Extreme Rules. This is likely to be another cinematic match on the card and hopefully, it delivers, unlike some of the segments Hardy and Sheamus shared in the ring in the past few weeks.
The Charismatic Enigma has been fighting from underneath throughout this feud, with Sheamus constantly commenting on Hardy's real-life struggles with substance abuse while standing tall on multiple occasions. The Celtic Warrior even won their first pay-per-view match at Backlash, which was an intense and hard-hitting affair.
The entire story of this angle is surely building up to a big, feel-good victory for Jeff Hardy. After months of abuse and torment from Sheamus, it only makes sense for the WWE legend to finally come away victorious at Extreme Rules. But if that is not the case, Hardy's redemption arc will pretty much be in the mud.
A lot rides on this match for him, especially following how Sheamus ran him down over the course of the rivalry. If he is to carry on near the top of the card on SmackDown, Jeff Hardy has to win the Bar Fight at Extreme Rules.
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