WWE Extreme Rules 2018 Breakdown & Predictions

With Money In The Bank behind us, the WWE will present Extreme Rules on Sunday, July 15th.  With that in mind, who will walk out with their hand raised in victory?

Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Nia Jax

Extreme Rules Match For The WWE Raw Women’s Championship

Martin’s Take: Ever since Alexa Bliss won Ms. Money In The Bank, and cashed it in to secure the WWE Raw Women’s Championship, she has been on a roll. Her first defense since becoming champion will come in the form of her former best friend, Nia Jax. This stipulation makes perfect sense, considering these two want to tear each other apart.

Since the WWE already gave us a feel-good moment at WrestleMania with Jax, Bliss should be able to reel in the victory. In an alternative scenario, don’t be surprised if Ronda Rousey interferes and costs Bliss the title, setting up a potential feud for SummerSlam.

Prediction: Alexa Bliss

Rami’s Take: I believe Nia Jax is going to win this one, due to the raw power that she has shown in previous matches. With Bliss consistently avoiding Jax, Extreme Rules always has a way of showcasing the bigger star.

Prediction: Nia Jax

Luke’s Take: The reign of Nia Jax was subpar at best. There was nothing that stood out about it, while Alexa Bliss ended that with a cash-in to become a three-time champion. Despite the fact that it’s an environment that should favor Jax, I’m going with Bliss in this event.

Prediction: Alexa Bliss

The Bludgeon Brothers vs. Team Hell No; For The WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship

Martin’s Take: From 2012-2013, Daniel Bryan and Kane dominated the Tag Team Divison as Team Hell No, securing the title on one occasion. Since splitting up, fans have been calling for a reunion. Just two weeks ago, fans got their wish when Kane came out to help Daniel Bryan from the Bludgeon Brothers.

Even though it would be a feel-good story for Team Hell No to win the title, it doesn’t make sense for them to win at this given moment. With the run the Bludgeon Brothers have been on, they should manage to retain the titles.

Prediction: Bludgeon Brothers

Rami’s Take: I would bet on Team Hell No in this instance, mainly for the fact that Daniel Bryan and Kane work so well together as a tag team. Harper & Rowan are one of the most dominant duos in the WWE, but I see Bryan and Kane winning the straps once again.

Prediction: Team Hell No

Luke’s Take: I’m not overly excited to see Daniel Bryan and Kane together again, but it is a fresh look on a tag division that has been a little stale in terms of fresh faces. There is potential for Bryan and Harper to take over this match, but I’m going with the Brothers to retain.

Prediction: Bludgeon Brothers

AJ Styles (c) vs. Rusev ; For The WWE Championship

Martin’s Take: After months of proving to be one of the best in the company, Rusev is finally going to earn a WWE Championship match. With that in mind, AJ Styles has been champion since winning the title last year against Jinder Mahal, and has taken on challengers such as Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, and most recently, Shinsuke Nakamura. Even though it would be amazing for Rusev to pull off an upset here, Styles will be walking out as the defending WWE Champion.

Prediction: AJ Styles

Rami’s Take: I have to go with Styles for this one, just because he’s such a well-balanced wrestler. While Rusev is one of the most underrated wrestlers in the WWE, Styles will retain his WWE Championship.

Prediction: AJ Styles

Luke’s Take: With AJ Styles and Rusev as some of the best in the company, there is potential for Rusev to pull off the upset. In this round though, it should be Styles coming away with the victory

Prediction: AJ Styles

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt (c) vs. The B-Team; For The WWE Raw Tag Team Championship

Martin’s Take: For the past several weeks, Matt Hardy, Bray Wyatt, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas have been attempting to gain momentum for their respective sides. Both Dallas and Axel have each respectively picked up victories over Hardy and Wyatt in singles competition. Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt have been disappointing as champions, so perhaps it’s time for Axel and Dallas to take over the Raw Tag Team Championship.

Prediction: The B-Team

Rami’s Take: I am predicting for Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy to take this one, due to how dominant they can be in the ring. The B-Team is very young and has a lot of heart, but expect for Bray and Hardy to retain the titles.

Prediction: Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

Luke’s Take: This is a great change of pace from the typical tag teams that we have seen over the last two years, with The B-Team skyrocketing in popularity. While it would be a fantasy for Dallas turn on Axel, I’m expecting for The B-Team to retain gold.

Prediction: The B-Team

Carmella (c) vs. Asuka; For The WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship

Martin’s Take: Since becoming champion, Carmella has backed up everything she has said thus far. At Money In The Bank, Carmella got some much needed assistance with the returning James Ellsworth distracting Asuka long enough for her to capitalize and retain the championship. With the momentum Carmella and Ellsworth have right now, Carmella will somehow walk out as the defending Women’s Champion.

Prediction: Carmella

Rami’s Take: Asuka has the skill set and jury to win the match against Carmella. While Carmella has potential to retain the title, she doesn’t contain enough championship material to be named the defending champion past Sunday night.

Prediction: Asuka

Luke’s Take: I’m not sure what is going to be more entertaining: Watching the actual match, or wondering if James Ellsworth is going to make a dramatic save to gift the “Princess of Staten Island” another win. A lot could happen, but I think it’ll be Carmella who sneaks away with another victory.

Prediction: Carmella

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Seth Rollins; 30-Minute Iron Man Match For The WWE Intercontinental Championship

Martin’s Take: At WrestleMania 34, Seth Rollins defeated Finn Balor and The Miz to capture the Intercontinental Championship. Once Rollins won the title, he hosted an open challenge for the title for the past two months, defeating all challengers.

Both Rollins and Ziggler are two outstanding wrestlers who can put on amazing matches, and with this being an Iron Man match, there are so many ways the company can go.  Both superstars have a lot to gain here, but the wrestler that is primed for a victory is Dolph Ziggler.

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler, 3-2

Rami’s Take: I believe Seth Rollins is going to win this one, as we all know he felt cheated by his previous match against Dolph Ziggler. With that, he should have the endurance to outlast Ziggler until he gets his championship back around his waist.

Prediction: Seth Rollins, 4-2

Luke’s Take: This could and should be match of the night, with plenty of technical work that will make the purists proud. I believe Ziggler will get the upper-hand, and that will create a clever backstory moving forward.

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler

Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens; Steel Cage Match

Martin’s Take: At Money In The Bank, Braun Strowman won the Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match, which gives him a shot at the Univeral Title anytime he wants for the next year. Even though it would be amazing to see Kevin Owens bring back a victory, with how the WWE has booked him previously, I don’t see this happening.

Prediction: Braun Strowman

Rami’s Take: Braun Strowman is someone you can’t doubt, due to the wrestlers he has faced in the past several months. Owens has proven to be an amazing wrestler, but against Strowman, he won’t have enough to overcome the odds.

Prediction: Braun Strowman

Luke’s Take: Logic would state that Braun Strowman wins here, but I’m going for an upset in Kevin Owens. The Money in the Bank holder never had a great record after winning the briefcase, and Owens could use a push to get himself back into a title picture. This very well could be how it occurs, with Owens sneaking out, literally, with the win.

Prediction: Kevin Owens

Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley

Martin’s Take: This match is going to be fun to watch if you’re a fan of two powerhouses that want to tear each other apart. For the past few weeks, Bobby Lashley and Roman Reigns have been trying to make their case on why they should be the next challenger for Brock Lesnar and the Universal Championship. Even though the WWE is grooming Reigns to take the title, this is a bout where I see Reigns losing. With a win, Lashley would look to be a more credible challenger to take the title off of Brock Lesnar.

Prediction: Bobby Lashley

Rami’s Take: This has the making to being the main event, as both wrestlers have credible resumes and momentum on their side. It will be close, but I think Lashley will be victorious. It appears that Roman Reigns has the advantage in terms of strength, but Lashley will escape with the win.

Prediction: Bobby Lashley

Luke’s Take: This is a classic matchup between two wrestlers a majority of the WWE community wants no part of. Without taking into account his return against Sami Zayn after WrestleMania, Bobby Lashley has done nothing of great substance since coming back. I am expecting for Lashley to win, but this won’t shake up the wrestling fan base.

Prediction: Bobby Lashley

Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura; For The WWE United States Championship

Martin’s Take: Just a few weeks ago, this was actually scheduled to be a match on SmackDown. After having it postponed, it will now take place at Extreme Rules. The WWE needs to do something with Shinsuke Nakamura, and putting a title on him would be the right call. Hardy is a credible champion, but it’s time for the WWE to give someone new a chance with the title.

Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura

Rami’s Take: This is a match I cannot wait to see, and I think Shinsuke Nakamura has this one in the bag. Jeff Hardy has not been all that entertaining, and it’s no one’s “fault.” Someone new with the belt around their waste is a smart look for the WWE.

Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura

Luke’s Take: This is a match I never thought I wanted to see happen until a few weeks back, and now I couldn’t be more excited. Shinsuke Nakamura needs the push after his feud with AJ Styles went south, and Jeff Hardy has done his job as a transitional champion. I would love to see Hardy battle it out with Nakamura for a bit, but Nakamura will be the new face of the United States division.

Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura

Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin

Martin’s Take: Since being appointed as the constable of Monday Night Raw by Stephanie McMahon, Baron Corbin has been thriving in his new role in the company. Since being appointed, Finn Balor seems to have a problem with Corbin in his new role. This feud has not been one worth following, but Balor cannot afford to lose this match. With that being said, look for Balor to come away with the victory.

Prediction: Finn Balor

Rami’s Take: Finn Balor will win this match in my eyes, and anyone who has witnessed his skill set in NJPW and the WWE will agree. Baron Corbin has had a great run as of late, but Balor will have what it takes on Sunday.

Prediction: Finn Balor

Luke’s Take: With Finn Balor needing a little bit of a shove to get going again, this is not a match fans are dying for, but it could turn into something worth watching. It won’t be anything spectacular, as Balor should win this, but it will be a bout that goes over well with the fans and audience.

Prediction: Finn Balor

The New Day vs. SAnitY; Tables Match

Martin’s Take: During the WWE Superstar Shakeup, SmackDown showed a video of SAnitY getting called up to the main roster. Both teams are very talented, and for a pre-show match, this is going to be a bout that’s simply fun to watch. SAnitY is in some need of victories under their belt, and this is the perfect opportunity to create some chaos.

Prediction: SAnitY

Rami’s Take: I believe The New Day is going to win, as they’ve been through this situation before. While SAnitY holds all the potential in the world, their time in the spotlight will be delayed a bit longer.

Prediction: The New Day

Luke’s Take: This is going to be a fun next few months in SmackDown’s tag division. SAnitY is going to make waves if they get the chance to, and they should get the debut win here. It will be a fun match to watch, with Killian Dain pinning Woods for the win.

Prediction: SAnitY

Photo credit: 24/7 Wrestling