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411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE Extreme Rules 2010

April 24, 2010 | Posted by Stephen Randle

Introduction:

This Sunday, WWE will present the first PPV since their WrestleMania extravaganza. Traditionally named Backlash, the place for Mania rematches, this year WWE has shuffled the deck with their PPV schedule, and the result is WWE Extreme Rules. But don’t worry, there’s still more than enough WrestleMania rematches

This month, a long-time tag team explodes, CM Punk once again tries to convert Rey Mysterio to his way of thinking, Sheamus continues to stalk Triple H, and Beth Phoenix looks to put an end to the antics of Team LayCool. Plus, Edge and Chris Jericho put their careers (and respective injured body parts) on the line in a Steel Cage match, and both World titles are on the line as well, as John Cena looks to retain against the former champ Batista, and Jack Swagger attempts to prove that he is no fluke champion against Randy Orton. With the WWE Draft set to happen on Monday, anything could happen at the PPV on a night where WWE throws the rulebook out the window (well, you know, except for the actual stipulations).

And of course, the 411 Staff is here to provide you with the pick, predictions, and downright wacky guesses about what they think Sunday’s show will be all about.

The Staff

Stephen Randle, The Wrestling News Experience

Chad Nevett, High Road/Low Road

Aaron Hubbard, The Contentious Ten

Steve Cook, News From Cook’s Corner

Robert S. Leighty Jr, From The Bowery

Michael Bauer, NXT recapper

Jeremy Thomas, Wrestling’s 4R’s

Michael Weyer, Shining A Spotlight

Shad Gaspard vs JTG – Strap Match

Stephen Randle: I am shocked this made it onto PPV, but good on them. I think JTG has the wrestling skills and the charisma of the duo, but I can’t help but feel that Shad is in line for the push. However, I think JTG squeaks out the shocking victory here just to piss off his former partner further.

Winner: JTG

Chad Nevett: This split has been Shad-driven, so it would make sense for him to go over here. I’m interested to see how these two work against one another, but, otherwise, am not too excited about this match. It’s a blow off before the draft when one of them gets moved to Raw.

Winner: Shad

Aaron Hubbard: Holy Midcard, Batman! This was about the last thing I expected to be on PPV, but hey, cool for these guys. The sad thing is that if this is the four corners style match up, JTG could feasibly win here. Ah heck, why not?

Winner: JTG

Steve Cook: I didn’t really care about Cryme Tyme, and I don’t really care about them as singles guys. Shad seems more like the kind of guy WWE would like to push.

Winner: Shad

Robert S. Leighty Jr: I am thrilled they are giving these two time on PPV to settle things. I thought the best they would get was a top of the 1st hour match on SmackDown. It really looks like the WWE wants to push Shad between these two, and why not take a chance on the guy?

Winner: Shad

Michael Bauer: Well, I Guess this is one way to get these guys on Pay Per View, but splitting them up would make more sense of one of them was released instead of someone with actual talent like Shelton. Quite frankly, I don’t care about this feud and hopefully this match will be quick and painless.

Winner: Shad

Jeremy Thomas: Because tag team partners must always break up! Seriously though, I think this one kind of had the writing on the wall, and now we have the inevitable feud between the former partners. Of the two I think that JTG has the bigger upside, but the focus seems to be on Shad with his new look and the fact that he’s gotten promo time and such. I think that he picks up the win here, but the feud may well not be over.

Winner: Shad

Michael Weyer: Surprised at this going on a PPV show but these two guys should know about working together to make it a decent match. Hard to predict a winner here but it looks like Shad’s gotten momentum so he might win it.

WINNER: Shad


Michelle McCool © vs Beth Phoenix – Extreme Makeover Match

NOTE: As of press time, we have no idea what an Extreme Makeover match is.

Stephen Randle: Presumably this is going to have lots of outside interference from Layla and Vicki, but I’m pretty sure that Beth can overcome the stick girl and her posse. Especially since I don’t see them pulling a “total humiliation” gimmick on Phoenix. It just doesn’t work.

Winner: Beth Phoenix

Chad Nevett: I’ve been fast-forwarding through these segments on Smackdown since I really don’t care. I say put the belt on Beth Phoenix because she’s great in the ring and is so dominant in her matches that the longer she doesn’t have the belt, the weaker she looks.

Winner and NEW Women’s Champion: Beth Phoenix

Aaron Hubbard: This has potential to be decent if given time. The fans do care about Beth Phoenix, and both girls can wrestle. At any rate, this will be better than the 10-Diva Tag at Mania. I say Beth takes the belt here.

Winner and NEW Women’s Champion: Beth Phoenix

Steve Cook: With the departure of Katie Lea Burchill & Mickie James from WWE, I find it very hard to name a Diva that is better inside the ring than Michelle McCool or Beth Phoenix. I think McCool’s been treated unfairly by many IWC pundits and readers due to her personal life, and honestly she hasn’t always been the most charismatic of the Divas, but the addition of Layla & Vickie Guerrero have done wonders for that aspect of her persona, and watching AJ Styles & Alex Shelley matches has done wonders for her moveset. Some people bitch about that, but I love that she’s a student of the game. Beth Phoenix is a great wrestler and deserves a nice long title run, and I think she’ll get her chance here. With the draft coming up I think it’s a good idea to let Beth win the feud in case one of these women gets moved. If they don’t you get Beth fighting off Simply Flawless or whichever heel Divas come over, and that should be good.

Winner: Beth Phoenix

Robert S. Leighty Jr: This could be decent if they give them a little time. Beth is always impressive and it should be fun watching her toss McCool around.

Winner and NEW Women’s Champion: Beth Phoenix

Michael Bauer: It’s been far too long since Beth held a title. I can’t quite agree with her being a face, but with Mickie gone, someone needs to carry the torch.

Winner: Beth Phoenix

Jeremy Thomas: Let’s face it, Michelle’s current reign has only been because they didn’t want it on Mickie anymore. They’ve basically run her through a somewhat similar feud with Beth that they did with Mickie, with enough tweaks that it seems different, and Team Lay-Cool’s time at the top of the SmackDown Women’s Division is a little past its shelf life already. If Beth loses here than we’re in for a continuation of the feud, and while I haven’t hated this one I don’t think we need to see another long rivalry where Michelle keeps coming up on top.

Winner: Beth Phoenix (NEW WWE Women’s Champion)

Michael Weyer: With Mickie gone (*sob*), they need to get another big face in the title slot and Beth has proven she makes a great champion. It’ll be a good match as these two manage to click well together but I see another good reign by my favorite current blond worker in store.

WINNER and NEW Women’s Champion: The Glamazon

Edge vs Chris Jericho – Steel Cage

Stephen Randle: Well, the title’s no longer on the line, but I still maintain that this is the blowoff match, and with Jericho sporting the slowest-healing rib injury since DDP, I think the time has come to finish things off with a Spear.

Winner: Edge

Chad Nevett: Their double countout match on Smackdown was good and their triple threat with Jack Swagger was great, so I have high hopes for this match. Given the double countout finish of their match, though, I would have thought a ‘falls count anywhere’ match a more logical choice. Jericho won at ‘Mania and Edge needs momentum to face Swagger for the belt.

Winner: Edge

Aaron Hubbard: Normally, I’d say this would be the place where we blow off the feud and have Edge move on to a new rivalry. However, I just have a gut feeling that they are going to run a finish where Edge spears Jericho and the cage flies open and Jericho gets the cheap victory. Afterall, they’ll probably both be in the Smackdown! Fatal Four Way match next month, so why not keep the feud going? This will be a good match and might surpass ‘Mania.

Winner: Chris Jericho

Steve Cook: Chris Jericho can lose to anybody and everybody under the sun (he pretty much has), and it doesn’t matter because HE IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD AT WHAT HE DOES and all the gelatinous tapeworms will still pay to see him lose. Edge needs the win a lot more here to establish himself as a top baby face star on whatever show he’s on after Monday.

Winner: Edge

Robert S. Leighty Jr: A bloodless catch match makes me a sad Panda. The match itself should rock because of the men involved, but I want some blood and hatred in this match. Instead we will get some discomfort and extreme dislike. Just one night let these men go crazy,and ditch the PG stuff. Jericho won at Mania, so Edge should get the win here sitting up the rubber match at some point.

Winner: Edge

Michael Bauer: Jericho won shockingly at Wrestlemania and I think it’s time for Edge to get his one on one win here. Edge might be selling the ankle, but you have to imagine Jericho will be selling his ribs and his anger from losing to a rookie on NXT.

Winner: Edge

Jeremy Thomas: These guys’ feud was kind of waylaid by Jack Swagger’s World Title win. But that being said, they can certainly deliver here and hopefully outdo their decent-but-not-great WrestleMania match. This match is one of the continuation feuds from ‘Mania, and you’ll see a running trend through my predictions here. The fans have been wanting a match-ending Spear, and that’s what they’re gonna get.

Winner: Edge

Michael Weyer: The Swagger title win really shifted this feud up a bit. It’ll be a hard fought match as these two are great in the ring together but I think Edge will get back the Mania loss and set up a future title battle.

WINNER: The Rated-R Superstar

Triple H vs Sheamus – Street Fight

Stephen Randle: Rumour has Triple H taking some time off to steal Batista’s movie, and also continue to heal from injuries suffered in the Elimination Chamber. Whether it’s true or not, Sheamus really, really needs to pick up a victory over a major star if they want to continue to pretend that he has any credibility as a monster at all. I never thought somebody could lose more matches after getting the shocking monster title push than they did before, but Sheamus is currently showing that you can.

Winner: Sheamus

Chad Nevett: With Triple H possibly injured and filming a movie, Sheamus should pick up the victory here, one that he probably should have got at WrestleMania, but looks a little more earned by coming back to beat Trips. Should be a decent brawl.

Winner: Sheamus

Aaron Hubbard: I wasn’t exactly happy that Triple H won at Wrestlemania. If Sheamus is supposed to get a rub from this feud, he has to win at some point. Since this is a street fight, the Game can take some ridiculously brutal finish that not even Super H can overcome and save face. with more time and no rules, expect this to be better than the ‘Mania match.

Winner: Sheamus

Steve Cook: It seems foolish to think that Triple H will lose, even if he‘s “injured” and doing a movie. But with the Street Fight stipulations there are many ways that Sheamus can beat the Game without getting the clean victory.

Sheamus

Robert S. Leighty Jr: I thought HHH might put Sheamus over at Mania, and when he didn’t, I figured a rematch would be in order. These two should thrive in this environment and Sheamus definitely needs a win over a Main Event level guy to help justify the fact he is a former WWE Champion.

Winner: Sheamus

Michael Bauer: While Triple H didn’t put over Sheamus at Wrestlemania, I can’t see Sheamus not coming away with any wins during this feud. Sheamus has done enough to deserve a win here.

Winner: Sheamus

Jeremy Thomas: In another continued feud from WrestleMania, I think this is actually the most likely to have the guy who lost at ‘Mania go over. Sheamus looked pretty solid in his lost to ‘H at ‘Mania, but he needs something to really, truly and permanently put him over the top. A win over the H-Man would be that something. The Street Fight stipulation means that losing doesn’t make Hunter look weak, but that winning makes Sheamus look like a bad-ass. I can’t imagine that ‘H will go over Sheamus twice in a row if the guy is so big on the Irishman as a star in the making. I’ve been wrong before, but I doubt it here.

Winner: Sheamus

Michael Weyer: Their Mania match wasn’t too bad but these two should be able to improve on that as the stip will let them cut loose more. I know most will lean toward HHH again but he got the win at the big show so Sheamus should be able to win here and continue the feud a bit longer.

WINNER: The Celtic Warrior

CM Punk vs Rey Mysterio – If Punk Loses, He Gets His Head Shaved

Stephen Randle: This has been an oddly-booked feud, with two straight PPV matches where one side of the equation has nothing on the line. With that said, Rey has had a clear upper hand since WrestleMania, and I really don’t see Punk going bald. Sure, it might be an interesting look, but the current “Straight Edge Jesus” one is much more effective. Plus, like I said, if he beats Rey, nothing happens, and I think with the tension in his Society, still currently bottom-ranked NXT rookie Darren Young might be looking to make an impact and help out his Pro.

Winner: CM Punk

Chad Nevett: Does anyone ever win when the stipulation is this one-sided? People want to see Punk get his head shaved. People want to see Rey Mysterio win. Since there’s nothing that Rey is putting up like his mask or joining the Straight Edge Society, I see no reason to introduce the gimmick and not follow through.

Winner: Rey Mysterio

Aaron Hubbard: This stipulation bugs me; what is Rey Mysterio putting on the line here? It just seems wrong to me, but I guess you can say that since Rey put up his freedom last month that this is fair play, but it just seems, weird. PLEASE give these guys ten to twelve minutes this time? Based on the ‘Mania match, doubling the time may very well give us a MOTYC.

Winner: CM Punk

Steve Cook: CM Punk bald? I can’t imagine such a thing. Since Rey really has nothing on the line here, I see no reason for him to win this match. Hopefully it’ll be more like their match on Smackdown in January and less like their match at WrestleMania.

Winner: CM Punk

Robert S. Leighty Jr: They should get more time that they got at Mania and that should make this quite the awesome match. Punk has been growing his hair and beard out for a while and while the fans may want to see his head shaved, I don’t. Again, I will go with the idea that Rey won as Mania, so Punk gets the win here and saves his hair.

Winner: CM Punk

Michael Bauer: I kind of think this will end up much like Wrestlemania. Rey had everything to lose and he won. Now, Punk has everything to lose and Rey has nothing on the line except for humbling Punk. The interesting dynamic here will be if the Young/Gallows situation interjects itself here.

Winner: CM Punk

Jeremy Thomas: I have a lot of hopes for this match, and feel that if given the right amount of time (unless last month) they can really steal the show here. Rey Rey won at ‘Mania and shaving Punk’s head, though the fans would love it, would be a bit too much in insult to injury category. I think that they have Punk go over here, albeit with Straight-Edge Shenanigans, and the draft splits them up to end the feud semi-unresolved. Of course, they could always send Punk off to Raw with a bald head, but I just don’t see it happening.

Winner: CM Punk

Michael Weyer: Their Mania bout could have been awesome if it had been given more time so they can hopefully fix that this time. Hard to pick the winner here as a bald Punk is hard to imagine. But then again, so was a bald Kurt Angle once. Plus, again, the Mania loser might get the win back. However, I think Punk going bald can actually help the character a lot, make him even more intense and that’ll be a good thing for fans.

WINNER: Rey Mysterio


Jack Swagger © vs Randy Orton – Extreme Rules Match

Stephen Randle: Speaking of losing a lot of matches once you win the title, here’s Swagger, who not only loses matches but lost his personality as well. Anyway, this match couldn’t be more telegraphed if they tried, Swagger loses a bunch heading into the match, then pulls out a victory that nobody expects. The Extreme Rules stip seems ripe for interference, too, and I don’t think Orton has quite put his former protégés in the rear view mirror just yet.

Winner: Jack Swagger

Chad Nevett: Jack Swagger has been pinned by Orton twice, lost to the Undertaker, but managed to beat out Edge and Jericho in a triple threat — and, even in losing efforts, he’s look good. I could see Orton winning and moving to Smackdown, but I think they’ll give Swagger the victory. It will seemed earned and coninue building him as a main event-level talent. Plus, Edge/Swagger looks like the next feud.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: The All-American American American American American American American American American… AMERICAN Jack Swagger

Aaron Hubbard: Bah, I don’t know who to pick here. Orton is white hot right now, but Swagger needs the credibility, especially after losing to Undertaker and Morrison this week. I do think this has the potential to be a really good match though, and it’s certainly the freshest one on the card. I imagine Orton going over to Smackdown! so that he’s not competing with Cena over the “top face of RAW” position, but I don’t know if he should go there as champ or challenger. Ultimately, I think Orton can handle a loss here better than Swagger can.

Winner: Swagger

Steve Cook: They want you to think Jack Swagger has no chance of winning this…at least I think that’s why they’re jobbing him out during most of the build to this match. I have a feeling that the All-American American will manage to pull through here, and then we’ll get to see him get a better buildup after the draft. Orton’s very popular these days and I don’t think a loss here will hurt him at all. If Swagger loses, TNA might as well get their checkbook ready.

Winner: Jack Swagger

Robert S. Leighty Jr: Swagger needs this win badly and he needs it in a strong fashion. Orton is the most over face on RAW without even changing his charatcer which is awesome, but Swagger needs this so much more. I don’t want to see him get crushed in his first PPV tite defense, but I can’t see the WWE putting him over all that strong. He wins the match and keeps the title, but Orton probably comes out looking the better of the two.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Jack Swagger

Michael Bauer: Jack Swagger has been booked like complete shit for the entire length of time since Wrestlemania, except when the title is on the line. Orton has pinned him twice, he lost to the Undertaker, and he nearly lost to John Morrison twice. But I think Swagger’s stock isn’t high enough to beat most of those guys with nothing on the line. With the draft on Monday, it is very possible to see Orton move over to continue the feud, but only after Swagger beats him here.

Winner: Jack Swagger

Jeremy Thomas: Swagger needs this win. No, really…if he’s going to be taken seriously as a main eventer, he really needs this win. Orton does not need it. He’s insanely over as a face and he can take a loss without a hit to his credibility. I’m actually very interested to see what these guys do together in the ring; it could be very good work or it could be a slow, muddled disaster. The Extreme Rules stipulation will likely help because they can battle around the arena and use some foreign objects to keep things going strong. Anyway, I see Swagger walking out with the strap and gaining a boost of credibility in the process.

Winner: Jack Swagger (STILL World Heavyweight Champion)

Michael Weyer: This is Swagger’s chance to finally prove he belongs on top as a titleholder and WWE can hopefully make the best of it. The wild brawl should allow them to work together well but Orton needs to put Swagger over so the guy can be seen as a real champ and not a pretender.

WINNER and STILL World Champion: Jack Swagger


John Cena ©vs Batista – Last Man Standing Match

Stephen Randle: No secret that Batista was planning to take time off, although that might change due to the fact he’s not in a movie anymore. If his contract is truly just about up, I can’t see WWE pandering to his whining anymore, or putting a major title on him, until and unless he re-signs.

Winner: John Cena

Chad Nevett: What is it with John Cena and post-WrestleMania Last Man Standing matches? Last year, he won the belt at ‘Mania and dropped it back to Edge in a Last Man Standing match at Backlash. I don’t see that happening again as the only reason to put the belt on Batista right now is to appease him over his apparent anger at that whole movie thing with Triple H. And I don’t think the WWE cares enough. Cena as champ makes sense for now, so why change?

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena

Aaron Hubbard: I’m really starting to get a little sick of this gimmick. It seems we have at least one of these every six months and the effect is kind of being lost. So, I’m hoping against hope that we get a retention here, because I’m sick of the rapid-fire title changes. Batista is supposed to be taking time off, which indicates that Cena can win this. If Batista is motivated and they give this the proper booking, this could be a match that surprises people. Although, honestly, the haters will probably give it a DUD anyway.

Winner: John Cena

Steve Cook: John Cena said he would swim from Dublin to make it back to America in time for Extreme Rules. Do you think Batista would do such a thing? Child please.

Winner: John Cena

Robert S. Leighty Jr: These two have great chemistry and I suspect a kick ass match here. Both these man have been involved in Last Man Standing Matches to great results (Cena w/ Edge and Batista w/ Taker). Both those matches ended with someone getting speared or tossed off the stage. I look for someone (Batista) to end up flying here as well. Cena wins in the end and we have an entire PPV without one of the two World Titles changing hands. That hasn’t happened a lot recently.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena

Michael Bauer: With all the rumors about Batista ready for some time off, there is no way he wins here. Otherwise, why take the belt off of him at WrestleMania? Also, John Cena has made a living on this exact style of match with his toughest and biggest opponents. Just remember how his feuds ended with Umaga, JBL, and The Great Khali. There is no difference here.

Winner: John Cena

Jeremy Thomas: This feud has been going strong and despite being slightly waylaid, it still has a lot of potential to it. I know that a lot of people think that the Last Man Standing stipulation is going to be hindered by the WWE’s PG standards, but I don’t think so. First off, Last Man Standing does not mean “violent bloodbath” these days and I think Cena and Batista are capable of putting on an intense match without it going to places that the ‘E and Linda’s Senata campaign aren’t comfortable with. These guys put on a much better match than I expected at ‘Mania, and I think that they’ll do the same here. Ultimately, Cena is more money with the belt and with Big Dave’s contract coming up soon, they won’t want to put the title on him right away unless he re-ups. So that adds up to the Champ staying the champ.

Winner: John Cena (STILL WWE Heavyweight Champion)

Michael Weyer: These two blew away folks better than expected last month and now they should be able to really cut loose. Both do well with these kind of matches so we should be in for a real treat. As for the winner, Cena just got the belt back and Batista’s still uncertain due to his injury-prone ways so Cena stays on top after a wild battle.

WINNER and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena

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