Sunday 29 April 2012

WWE Extreme Rules 2012 Preview



Things are about to get EXTREME tonight! Yes, its that time of the year again. A time where WWE splashes out all these stipulation match that are supposedly really, really EXTREME! So EXTREME that they have different names for the same type of match.

First, we have the Falls Count Anywhere match between Randy Orton and Kane. A No disqualification match where falls... count anywhere.

Next is the Chicago Street Fight which see CM Punk defend his WWE Title against Chris Jericho. This match ain’t your normal Street Fight, oh no, because this one is taking place in CHICAGO. Which, you know, for some reason makes it a lot more EXTREME! Like the Falls Count Anywhere match however, this one also has no disqualification and because its a Street Fight, falls count anywhere.

Lastly, we have the Extreme Rules match between Brock Lesnar and John Cena. This match will be so EXTREME that the world EXTREME is even used in the title of the match. What makes this match so much more EXTREME than the other two above? Well, eh, its no count out, no disqualification... and stuff.

See the pattern here? Basically, despite all these names the matches are still identical. A Street Fight is still a Falls Count Anywhere match, which is the same as an EXTREME Rules match, which is also the same as any other match with no disqualification.

I'm not saying they should have gone with totally different stipulation matches, because quite frankly that would be a bit of an overkill. I do however wish that they would stick to ONE name.

Its like WWE is trying to fool us into thinking that a Falls Count Anywhere match is different to any other no disqualification match, a Street Fight is more EXTREME when its in Chicago, and an EXTREME Rules match is more dangerous because it has the word EXTREME before the word “match”.

At the end of the day, all the matches above are all the same, and of course, all EXTREME.

Divas Championship
Nikki Bella vs. Beth Phoenix

Although The Bellas are leaving in the next month or so, as it stands Nikki Bella is out new Divas Champion.

I didn't read much into Beth's injury (or “injury” as some people are putting it) so I really don't know if its a legit injury or not. Nonetheless, Beth will be challenging for the title tonight. No word on the stipulation of the match, so I guess the only thing EXTREME about this match is the fact (I think) that Beth is going through with this match injured.

I don't expect this to be very long, as per usual with Divas match. Don't be surprised if we see Twin Magic to finish off Beth here.

Winner: Nikki Bella

Intercontinental Championship
Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes

Again, no stipulation on this match (yet), but I have no doubt its going to be EXTREME. Who knows, it might be something different like a Hardcore Match, or a No DQ match.

Anyway, can't say I'm looking forward to the match that much. Don't get me wrong, Show and Rhodes actually work well together, but with the way Rhodes has been used since losing at WrestleMania it just hasn't been a fun feud to watch. Really, the only way for Rhodes to regain his reputation as a future star is to beat Big Show here. Sadly though, I don't see that happening.

Winner: Big Show

Falls Count Anywhere Match
Randy Orton vs. Kane

Speaking of feuds I don't care about, its the Falls Count Anywhere match between The Viper and the Devils' Favourite Demon/Big Red Monster/Big Red Machine/No seriously, its always been Glen Jacobs.

While Big Show and Cody Rhodes work well together, I just can't say the same about these two men. When I see them face each other I just don't see it. There's just no click.

With Kane getting the victory at WrestleMania, I think its only obvious that Orton gets the victory here. Unless of course, they decide to continue with this feud after tonight. Yeah... lets hope that’s not the case.

Winner: Randy Orton

WWE Championship
Chicago Street Fight
CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho

While their WrestleMania match was a nice mix of a brawl and pure wrestling, I see this one just being a fight.

The build-up to this match has been pretty enjoyable, with both men being impressive on the mic and in the ring also. The atmosphere will surely be intense for this one, and both men will probably make the most of it.

As for the winner, its a tough one. If Punk loses, that’s his great reign done with. And after that, what face would challenge Jericho for the title? However, if Jericho loses that would make him win-less at every PPV this year, and thus making his return a bit useless. Its just hard to say really, and I've been torn between the two for quite a while now.

I'll go with Punk on this one, but really wouldn't be surprised if Jericho claims the gold here tonight, and even while typing this I'm thinking that I should probably go with Jericho.

Winner: CM Punk

World Heavyweight Championship
Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan

Forget Lesnar/Cena, this is the match I'm most looking forward to. Its not exactly an EXTREME match, but don't be surprised if this one ends up being the most hard-hitting.

With a lot of people showing there displeasure to Bryan losing in 18 seconds at WrestleMania, this looks like WWE trying to justify it all by giving everyone this 2-out-of-3 Falls match.

I think its fairly obvious who's going to win this match, and I think WWE have done a pretty bad job at even contemplating to the fans that Bryan may indeed win, but in saying all that, I'm still really looking forward to it.

Give these two men 30 minutes in the ring and you have your self a great match.

Winner: Sheamus

Extreme Rules Match
Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena

The big one. Here Comes the Pain meets the face of the WWE. Frankly, I don't know how this match will turn out, but I suspect the fans will at least make this a good watch.

I spoke a few weeks ago about how Lesnar's MMA attire might indicate how he will wrestle this match. Although those shorts were the main focus, I was more interested in those gloves.

I know Undertaker wrestles the same with or without gloves, but with Lesnar it might be different. I don't know if Lesnar will go out there tonight all MMA and try his ground and pound game plan, or if he'll just wrestle the way he used to, except this time in MMA gear.

After seeing that punch to the face from Lesnar to Cena a few weeks ago, I wouldn't be surprised if that’s the type of match he'll work.

As for Cena, I expect him to get his ass kicked for most of the match, fight back in his usual style, yet still fall short in the end.

Winner: Brock Lesnar


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