This weekend is the PPV event WWE Extreme Rules. This is a yearly event building up to the big summertime event SummerSlam. However, there are many reasons why this may be a good time to get back into watching professional wrestling if you have been lukewarm about it lately. Let’s take a look at what to look forward to, as well as why this is a good time to be a fan.
WWE Extreme Rules – Why Now is the Time to Watch
The New Game in Town
While Extreme Rules is getting ready to blast off, it comes on the heels of the latest PPV event from AEW, Fyter Fest. AEW is pulling out all of the stops, trying to make the fans of professional wrestling tune in to see them instead of the WWE. And so far they are going old school and tough, up to and including an unprotected chair shot to the skull of Cody Rhodes, requiring 16 staples to close the gash in his head. While that is exciting and gets fans cheering, it has also drawn some fire.
A move like that can quite simply do permanent damage to any wrestler. Nowadays the majority of sports fans realize what head injuries can do, and don’t want their favorite wrestlers to take unnecessary actions. That being said, safely raising the bar and having exciting high flying matches are a real draw. Extreme Rules will have to at minimum keep pace with the new kids on the block to maintain their fan base. Especially with AEW’s Fight for the Fallen in a daring Saturday before Extreme Rules night.
The Bigger Matches of the Night
Depending on what your favorite thing in the WWE is, it will determine which match in Extreme Rules will be your focus. For those who love seeing old school wrestlers returning to the ring, The Undertaker and Roman Reigns vs Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre in a no holds barred match will be a great draw. The Undertaker has been making more appearances of late, which could mean a run for a big match at SummerSlam or a desire to be only semi-retired, which would mean he would do more in-ring performances.
For a newer twist on a title match, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch will be putting their titles up against Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans. The stipulation for this match, no matter who gets pinned, they will make their partner lose the title. This can obviously put a strain on the storyline/real-life relationship between Rollins and Lynch. Or they can show their dominance and keep their titles and prove they are worthy of both. Or the WWE can wait to cause a big title change. Although, Evans got a lot of bad reaction at her last PPV appearance, as it was clearly heard that Lynch had to walk her through the match. Hopefully, she has worked the rust off if the WWE is going to push her for bigger and better matches.
Possible Extreme Rules Turn?
One match to watch for a possible loyalty change is the 2 on 1 Smackdown Women’s championship match. Bayley will be defending against Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. Much pressure has been put on Cross to give her friend the advantage. However, Bliss is not known to be a great friend to anyone but herself. Bayley has tried to point this out several times. However, Cross is stubbornly holding on to the fact that she and Bliss are truly friends and she needs to help her. Watch out for her to either come to the realization herself. Or perhaps one of Bliss’s former friends will make an appearance and try to set Cross straight.
Final Thoughts
As with all sports and interests, the WWE has had its share of ups and downs in ratings. There is speculation about how serious the AEW is as competition, or if it is a coordinated effort to boost ratings for both. So far, the WWE isn’t treating the AEW like the normal competition. They are allowing wrestlers to mention them on air and in interviews. They also make snarky comments about wrestlers who have left to go there.
All of this suggests that either the WWE is going to go full board ahead, putting out the best product they can to compete. No matter what the end game, both brands are going to be worth watching in the next few months and Extreme Rules will be no exception. In the end, it will be interesting to see who is standing in the long run.
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