WWE Extreme Rules Preview
By Phil Bausk
Jan 04, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; WWE announcer and Oklahoma Sooners fan Jim Ross on the sidelines during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2013 Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Tonight is the WWE pay-per-view, or whatever they can call it now with the network, Extreme Rules and there are some entertaining matches on the card. There may be a title change tonight, or perhaps some surprise visits by some old superstars (Ric Flair can ALWAYS use a pay check). Let’s take a look at each of the significant matches on tonight’s schedule:
Cesaro Vs. Rob Van Dam Vs. Jack Swagger
Since Wrestlemania, Cesar has been one of the guys the WWE is trying to push. They added him to the collection of “Paul Heyman” guys to mixed reactions from the crowd. The RVD element has possibly turned fans on Cesaro just a bit as well, as fans will always gravitate towards RVD’s high-flying style, even if he looks like a balding 40 year-old man…which he is?!?! Swagger will offer some pop with the Real American shtick, but he is there mainly for Colter and Heyman to yell at each other around the ring.
Predicton: Cesaro is the likely winner, and if I were a betting man, which I am, I would actually take RVD in this one. Cesaro may be getting a push towards the IC title after this, win or lose. But I would take the odds on this one and go with RVD.
Big E Vs. Bad News Barrett- IC Title Match
I was into the Bad News Barrett thing for a bit, but now that he is back to wrestling, I don’t know if I dig it as much. Big E hasn’t been given much an opportunity to shine and the IC title is back to being just as meaningless as it was a year ago. Barrett won’t give it a boost, but I do think these guys are capable of a good match together.
Prediction: Barrett winning opens up more compelling story lines with wrestlers like Cesaro, or Sheamus and others, as he is better on the mic than a guy like Big E. Look for Barrett to win the title and a third party to be involved.
Bray Wyatt Vs. John Cena – Cage Match
This may be the second-best match on the card. Wyatt was beaten by Cena at ‘Mania, much to the dismay of the fans, who may have been distracted by another surprising loss. Wyatt will get to throw Cena around the cage, and then we will get to see Cena make a valiant comeback, but the outcome of this match is still very up in the air.
Prediction: I think Wyatt gets a clean victory over Cena and then we are done with this storyline. It has kind of run its course and Wyatt will move into something new with another WWE superstar.
Daniel Bryan Vs. Kane – WWE Title Match
YES! YES! YES! The movement is still going strong and I love the return of the demonic Kane, though his run as part of the corporation had its moments. These men have had great matches both together and against one another and tonight should be no different. For a big guy, Kane moves pretty well, though his age is starting to catch up with him. This makes him a great match for Bryan, who is dealing with the loss of his father after his wedding (all real life), so it would be hard to not predict the outcome of this match.
Prediction: Bryan wins via pinfall. Kane will get a chokeslam and a tombstone in, but Bryan will kick out. The question is whether or not there will be any outside interference in this one.
The Shield Vs. Evolution
Old (kinda) against new. The recent push the Shield have gotten is putting them on the fast track to stardom, both as a group and as individuals. Perhaps we will see a three-team title introduced with all of these factions now becoming more prevalent. But first let’s see if they decide to give them all the individual push that we are all expecting. A win over Evolution would go a long way to bringing this idea of a three-team title to reality.
Prediction: But……I don’t think Triple H will want to lose this one. I think we see some Ric Flair interference and Evolution wins in an underhanded manner. I also think this makes for a more interesting storyline for after the PPV.