Top-Down Smackdown: It’s PPV Time Again Already

I know, they do pay-per-views every month, so I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve just gotten used to the idea of spacing out the gimmick shows. Post-WrestleMania used to be Backlash, with rematches of many of the major encounters, but I guess now that the ‘Mania deck is stacked with part-timers, that doesn’t work so well. Another reason to be thankful Seth Rollins is champion. Let’s see what we have coming up on Sunday’s Extreme Rules…

World title match: Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton

Gimmick: Cage match in which Randy Orton cannot use his signature “RKO” move.

Most likely outcome: Despite the cage, Rollins’ goons storm the ring anyway. Kane once again teases turning on Rollins, but doesn’t pull the trigger yet. Orton loses, then RKO’s everyone around him the moment the bellrings. Seth Rollins is going to retain that titke for a while.

US title match: John Cena vs. Rusev

Gimmick: Russian chain match. Both men attached by a chain; to win, you must touch all four corners of the ring reasonably quickly and consecutively.

Most likely outcome: Cena wins again, because he’s Cena. If we’re lucky, Rusev and Lana will finally split, and Rusev will find some kind of new gimmick variation.

Intercontinental title match: Daniel Bryan vs. Wade Barrett

Gimmick: None, as far as I can tell. Maybe they’ll add one tonight.

Most likely outcome: Given all the talk that Bryan is in more serious pain than he lets on, and that he came back too soon, I’m expecting Barrett to win and deliver a beatdown which leads to an injury angle. Now done with Rusev, Cena will come to Bryan’s aid, leading to a Cena-Barrett feud, which we already know can be decent since it happened before when Barrett led the Nexus. Cena’s weekly title defense bit can’t go on forever unless WWE wants to make everyone on the roster look bad, so having Barrett start interfering every week while spoiling for a champ vs champ match is a good way to phase it down.

Roman Reigns vs. Big Show

Gimmick: Bore the Fans to Deathmatch. No, not really. It’s Last Man Standing, which means the loser has to stay down for a ten-count.

Most likely outcome: In the ongoing attempt to make Roman Reigns popular, WWE will come up with some crazy spot where he throws Big Show through the TitanTron, or something like that. Big Show plays hired muscle these days, and doesn’t need the win.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus

Gimmick: “Kiss Me Arse” match. Loser kisses the winner’s rear end with an Irish accent.

Most likely outcome: WWE gave Ziggler a mega-push last fall, than screeched it to a halt with no explanation. Nowadays, Sheamus serves as the mouthpiece for Vince McMahon’s genuine belief that big guys make better wrestlers, and I suspect he’s being used to send a message. Sheamus wins.

Divas title match: Nikki Bella vs. Paige.

Gimmick: WIMMINZ!

Most Likely Outcome: WWE likes the Bellas (as long as they’re bedding down with two top guys, anyway) and Paige is very young still. I suspect Nikki retains.

Meanwhile, the best feud in the entire company is happening purely on free TV – tonight’s Miz vs. Mizdow match with the winner keeping the “Miz” name is more exciting to me than anything on the Extreme Rules card.

Talk back to Raw below…