John Cena vs Big Show in a Submission Match: This is a feud that most people, including me, want to see end sooner rather than later. What’s interesting about this match, however, is how WWE has teased that Cena can’t lock in the STF due to the height of his opponent. This could make for some interesting drama here if done correctly. I think Big Show has to get a victory here as the legitimacy of WWE"s claim that he’s an unstoppable force is becoming flimsy to say the least. Show always loses the big matches, and if WWE wants people to take him seriously as a competitor then he has to get the win every once in awhile or people will continue to lose interest in his bouts; if most haven’t already. Prediction: Big Show
Vickie Guerrero vs Santino Marella in a Hog Pen Match: Prediction: The Audience Loses.
Jeff Hardy vs Edge in a Ladder Match for The World Heavyweight Championship: This match has me the most intrigued, as it will not only be spectacular from a wrestling standpoint, but Jeff Hardy’s ever pending WWE status holds a lot of weight when it comes to deciding who will win this bout. Should Hardy decide that he’s going to leave the company, WWE could either bury him on his way out, or capitalize on his popularity by giving him one more title run and reap the benefits of merchandise sales. Something tells me, however, that WWE will not make that decision. If Hardy is on his way out, then they’re using him in title matches to help sell PPV’s, but in the end they are not going to reward him with a title win. From the looks of things, Hardy will most likely be taking time off from WWE when his contract expires, so I’m guessing he will leave "Extreme Rules" empty handed. Prediction: Edge
Christian vs Tommy Dreamer vs Jack Swagger in a Triple Threat Match for The ECW Title: This match will most likely be Dreamer’s pro wrestling swan song. It has a built-in story line where Dreamer will quit if he loses, and I think he will lose and then make the transition into being ECW’s General Manager. Putting the focus on Dreamer in this bout would be smart because it will take the focus off Swagger when he loses as well, and doesn’t take away too much of his challenging momentum. Christian is still riding the wave of his title win, and taking it away from him would do more damage to his push than it would benefit anyone else. Prediction: Christian
Randy Orton vs Batista in a Steel Cage Match for The WWE Title: With the exception of Edge, who has won the title many times, all of the title holders on this card are amidst the early stages of their wins, so as I said in other cases, I will say here. Orton hasn’t had enough of a run right now to take the title away from him and give it to a guy like Batista who doesn’t need to benefit from a title run at this point in his career. Add to that the potential of Triple H returning very soon which will logically see him return to a feud against Orton, and you have all the ingredients for a successful title defense on the part of the champion. Prediction: Randy Orton
WWE needs to allow its talent to go out there this Sunday night and leave it all in the ring, so to speak, in order to make this PPV stand out from others in the year as something unique and innovative. They’ve done it in the past, let’s hope they continue the trend this year.
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Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
