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Do you like cinematic, pre-recorded, edited matches? If not you had better learn to like them as that is what WWE Extreme Rules is all about. Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman are gonna brawl in a swamp. Rey Mysterio and Seth Rollins are gonna try to win a match by ripping each other’s eyes out. Jeff Hardy and Sheamus are gonna have a bar fight. The Slam brain trust presents their predictions and prognostications in our Countdown. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

Absolutely zero interest in this match which is strange because this is the main event of the card. Dolph is just another temporary challenger for Drew until he faces a real challenge in Randy Orton at SummerSlam. No star power or allure here. Winner: Drew McIntyre.

Matthew Byer

Contribtor

It feels like a lifetime since Dolph Ziggler was a serious contender for one of the top titles in WWE. Thus, going into this contest the likely prevailing expectation is that it will be a high caliber match, but McIntyre will retain. Still it feels like the smart decision would be for Ziggler to score the upset win, take the WWE Title for a while, and have McIntyre regain it at SummerSlam. Nah that would never happen as it would make too much sense!

Betonline.ag

Drew McIntyre: -2000. Dolph Ziggler: +700. Winner: Drew McIntyre.

Dave Hillhouse

Slam's Hollywood Headlock Editor

Here’s how this match breaks down for me: it’s not about the result, because there’s no way tha Ziggler walks away with a title win. However, after McIntyre’s big WrestleMania moment got doubly-screwed by working an empty arena and working one of Lesnar’s video game style matches, I just want to see him enjoy a run of entertaining tilts. Ziggler can provide that and more. So, McIntyre will win by way of how well Ziggler will lose. Winner: McIntyre

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

With Dolph choosing the stipulation, it’s likely going to be something like a No-Holds Barred match so he can bring in others to help him. That could work to spin Drew off into a different feud – but that would leave Dolph as champion, and that seems extremely (pardon the pun) unlikely. Instead, he’ll probably go with a stipulation that the Claymore is banned and if Drew uses it, he loses the title. All that means is that Drew wins in some other fashion. Winner and still champ: Drew McIntyre.

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

I don’t get all the hype surrounding Sasha Banks and probably never will. To me, she is as a run-of-the-mill, generic superstar. She has a limited arsenal moves and during her eight years in the WWE she hasn’t evolved as a performer. Asuka has a new energy, a new life to her. Winner: Asuka.

MATTHEW BYER

Contributor

This should be the match of the night with a slew of reversals and is somewhat difficult to predict a winner for. During her time on the main roster Sasha Banks despite winning the Raw Women’s Title multiple times has never had a lengthy reign with the championship. Asuka on the other hand is very early in her reign as Raw Women’s Champion and traditional booking would be for her to retain. So who wins? I’m going to be bold and predict that Banks becomes the new Raw Women’s Champion and continues defending the title against Asuka all the way to Summerslam.

Betonline.ag

Asuka: -300. Banks: +200. Winner: Asuka.

Dave Hillhouse

Slam's Hollywood Headlock Editor

Asuka is also in an interesting position as champion. Generally speaking, reigns that begin by being handed the belt are not the stuff of legends, so I feel that Asuka must prove herself through a super run of title defenses. Last month, I thought Asuka would lose the belt for this very reason, but Banks can provide the same thing as Ziggler: a strong showing and a chance to make Asuka look at her best. Winner: Asuka

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

As if this summer wasn’t bad enough, it seems it will be the season of Bayley and Sasha. Bayley and Kairi Sane get involved, leading to Sane getting injured (so they can write her off of TV, since she’s reportedly heading back to Japan). With Asuka distracted by that turn of events, Sasha gets the sneaky win. Winner, and new champ: Sasha Banks

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

I would really hope that Cross would be rewarded for all of her work over the last couple of years and adapting quite well to being part of a tag team. Unfortunately, I don’t think that will be the case as like Ziggler, this match has all the earmarks of a makeshift, fleeting feud to carry things over until SummerSlam for Bayley. Winner: Bayley.

MATTHEW BYER

Contributor

The odds makers are probably not giving Nikki Cross much of a chance of winning the Smackdown Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules. However, that would be a mistake as Cross is a talented performer who will probably get some help from Alexa Bliss that may cause Bayley to lose her title. The safe call is for Bayley to retain, but imagine the interesting dynamic that would be setup if she didn’t and Sasha Banks also won the Raw Women’s Title?

BetOnline.AG

Bayley: -600. Nikki Cross: +350. Winner: Bayley

Dave Hillhouse

Slam's Hollywood Headlock Editor

This one seems simpler in that it is giving Cross a big moment in the spotlight, but more likely it’s in the “just happy to be nominated” category. Cross is entertaining, but she would be perfect right now for a secondary women’s championship belt (such as a U.S. for Intercontinental), if one existed. As it is, Bayley retains. Winner: Bayley

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

Remember what I said about the season of Bayley and Sasha? Winner and still champ: Bayley

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

Wyatt has the home field advantage so things should go well for him. Strowman has outlived his tenure as champion. He is much better off as a furious heel or a lone wolf, don’t-give-a-crap character. His attempts at being humorous as a face have been awkward to watch. A win here for Wyatt should set up a title match for him at SummerSlam. Winner: Bray Wyatt.

MATTHEW BYER

Contributor

The ongoing feud between Strowman and Wyatt has been interesting, but this match almost feels like nothing will be settled. Wyatt again is not facing Strowman as The Fiend (which is probably being saved for SummerSlam) so while it may be entertaining it will likely end inconclusively with Strowman hanging onto his Universal Championship.

BetOnline.AG

Bray Wyatt -170. Braun Strowman +130. Winner: Bray Wyatt.

Dave Hillhouse

Slam's Hollywood Headlock Editor

You know what, why not? If anyone is perfect for cinematic matches, it’s Wyatt. Let him torment Strowman while the title doesn’t enter the picture at all – they can get to that later on. Long-term, I would love to see Wyatt chase down a title and win it at a big show, so l hope to see an out-there match in the swamp and a SummerSlam title win for either Wyatt or The Fiend. Winner: does it really matter? Wyatt.

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

Although there has been backlash against cinematic matches, I’m looking forward to what they do with this one. If they truly film this like a horror movie, with jump scares and such (and maybe a visit from The Fiend?), it could be a fun thrill ride. Or it could be lame. Fingers crossed. Winner: Braun Strowman

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

This is the most ludicrous match I have ever heard of. It is so incredibly stupid especially since the WWE has lauded their PG Attitude forever and ever it seems. I mean, what is supposed to be the outcome of this match? Is either wrestler supposed to wear a patch from now on? What are the mechanics of this nonsense? Not to get too technical or gross but your eye can pop out of its socket but it is attached to an optic nerve so it will stay close to the socket. It is not like it will fall in your lap. My best guess is the gimmick will be ignored or avoided in some way or the explanation will be the eye was popped in and out. In any case, such an injury would medical assistance to be repaired. My heart goes out to Mysterio. This wrestling legend deserves better than the slop he is stuck in. Winner: Rey Mysterio.

MATTHEW BYER

Contributor

This match will likely be full of a ton of interference and will likely have some cinematic elements in order to depict one of the competitors losing an eye. In the end the it seems likely that Dominik will either turn on his father or cost him the match in some way that will allow Rollins to wound Mysterio and leave with the victory.

BETONLINE.AG

Seth Rollins -170. Rey Mysterio +130. Winner: Seth Rollins.

Dave Hillhouse

Slam's Hollywood Headlock Editor

As far as wrestling goes, we could have expected a very entertaining match between these two. As far as a grudge-match with a horror-movie theme … I’m not sure what to expect. How about this: Mysterio continues to go down the dark road, even with Dominik begging him to not do it. When Dominik decides to save Rollins in an attempt to save his father’s soul, Rollins takes advantage and it all goes south for the Mysterio family.
Winner: Rollins Losers: Us.

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

Wouldn’t it be great if, just as a big FU to the internet wrestling community who’s dumping all over the concept, they actually pull someone’s eyeball out? Unlikely, but what a great way to shut up the critics. Still, with the right CGI and FX, this could be a neat effect. Look for Dominic to get involved and take out Murphy (whatever happened to Austin Theory?), and help his dad get the win. Winner: Rey Mysterio

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

Finally, a match with some promise. Apollo is a fantastic talent. He just needs more personality and this feud has brought some of that out in him. I wasn’t sold on MVP coming back. He is, however, one of the best things about Raw these days. He has become a welcome addition to the roster. And, come on, those Black Panther, Punisher outfits of his are awesome. Winner: Apollo Crews.

MATTHEW BYER

Contributor

This match is likely a setup for Bobby Lashley to again challenge for the U.S. Title as MVP while still incredibly gifted in the ring has been acting more as manager since his return to WWE. Consequently look for the match to end in a disqualification with Lashley beating down Crews to setup a match between them at SummerSlam.

BETONLINE.AG

Apollo Crews: -420. MVP: +260. Winner: Apollo Crews.

Dave Hillhouse

Slam's Hollywood Headlock Editor

By all rights, this should be a squash match. I’m not saying it won’t be fun to watch, but Crews should come out looking super strong from this with MVP just greasing the wheels for Lashley later on. Besides, the Ballin’ Elbow back on PPV? That’s pretty cool. Winner: Crews

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

I thought they really dropped the ball when they didn’t have Shelton Benjamin join MVP to set up a Nation of Domination type faction with them, Lashely, Cedric Alexander, and ultimately Crews. It may be a bit too controversial in this political climate, but it would be pretty compelling. Winner: MVP

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

Cesaro and Nakamura are next level talent. Why they are mired in tag team wrestling is beyond my understanding. Hopefully, Nakamura will head back to NJPW soon. What are the SummerSlam plans for the Smackdown tag team division? Who knows? Winners: The New Day.

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

After a series of wins by Cesaro and Nakamura, it would seem logical that they would have the New Day’s number and get the win. But that would make too much sense, so they probably won’t do it. Which is what they want you to think, so it’s a big shock when they win. Winners and new champs: Cesaro and Nakamura.

Dave Hillhouse

Slam Editor Hollywood Headlock

This late-added match is in a tricky spot for me now, because I hadn’t predicted any title changes for this show. So, this has to be it. Plus, a tables match can end in all sorts of weird ways. Alors: let’s have New Day cost themselves the titles by mistake, with something like an errant Trouble in Paradise sending Big E accidentally tumbling through a table.