WWE invades the PPG Arena in Pittsburgh tonight for their Extreme Rules PPV. The card is loaded with 7 title matches, however that is not what everyone is talking about. Rumors have been rampant that Hulkamania might be running wild at this event. He was spotted flying into Cleveland Hopkins Airport last night, and that is only 2 hours from PPG Arena.
The WWE is fresh off one of the least viewed Raw episodes of the Modern Era and can really use the spike in interest. This would be one hell of a time to bring him back. Maybe Hogan is in town for the Taylor Swift concert, or maybe he is in town to “Save The WWE” from one of their worst stretches in years.
Until the Hogan news broke, there was very little interest in this card, that one nugget of gossip could change everything however. Time will tell if it is worth note that he is only a few hours away. His booking schedule doesn’t show anything else planned in the Cleveland or Pittsburgh areas, so let the hype begin once again of a comeback!
As for the card itself, there are a few matches that have caught our attention. Some seem predictable, others have a chance to steal the show. Let’s get right to it!
Sin Cara vs Andrade “Cien” Almas: A match that could very easily steal the show if it wasn’t on the pre-show. Both of these guys proved their worth on the main card and showed incredible chemistry this past Smackdown. I’d expect the slow build of Almas to continue here, it would be beyond nonsensical for him to lose.
The New Day vs Sanity: If this match was on the main card, I could see Sanity pulling the upset to get some rub. However, buried on the pre-show doesn’t help either one of these teams. The New Day has lost a lot of steam from last year at this time. I do look for them to gain the win however.
Alexa Bliss vs Nia Jax for the RAW Women’s title: The failed Jax title run is over, and the rightful queen is back on top. I see Bliss keeping the strap and heading towards a SummerSlam showdown with Ronda Rousey at the biggest party of the summer.
AJ Styles vs Rusev for the WWE Title: Styles is so good, no matter who you put him in the ring with, the man straight up delivers. Rusev is incredibly over with the fans, so this should be a fun one and the most heavily involved crowd participation match of the night. I would look for Styles to retain and the short lived rewarding Rusev stint to pass quickly.
Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt vs The B Team for the RAW Tag Team Championship: The B Team has been a pleasant surprise and a guilty pleasure to watch. As much as I’d love to see them win, and Hardy and Wyatt breakup for a big match at SummerSlam, it is still too early. This one ends in a count out win for The B Team. Titles stay put, but it keeps them unbeaten.
Carmella vs Asuka for the Smackdown Women’s title: Why does the WWE hate Asuka so much? She wins the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble and hasn’t done anything since. Who will remember her title win if it happens tonight compared to if she won at WrestleMania over Charlotte? That said, this belt is also staying put.
The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) (c) vs. Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane) for the Smackdown Tag Championships: Kane turns on Bryan, setting up their feud for SummerSlam. WWE fans will have to wait a little longer for the much anticipated and badly craved Bryan vs Miz feud. Signs point to Bryan re-signing with the WWE and building towards Mania with The Miz. A slow burn will pay off. Only other option is Bryan vs Styles at Mania for the strap.
Dolph Ziggler vs Seth Rollins for the WWE intercontinental Championship: Expect Rollins to win here and set up the rubber match at SummerSlam. This feud has been excellent thus far with two of the very best workers in the company. I had been hoping for a Rollins vs Lesnar feud, but that will have to wait. I also love the fact that this match gets a full 30 minutes!
Roman Reigns vs Bobby Lashley: The boo birds will be out in full force for this one as neither man is over with the crowd. I “guess” I’ll take Lashley in this match, allowing Reigns to go full heel after this. Perhaps an Ambrose sighting as well?
Jeff Hardy vs Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE United States Championship: Nakamura is fresh off missing time from a dog bite while Hardy has been ailing with a bad back. Not exactly the build WWE wanted for this one. Nakamura is evil now, so I’d expect him to find a way to get DQ’d.
Finn Balor vs Baron Corbin: What a waste of Balor’s talent as they have him lose again tonight.
Braun Strowman vs Kevin Owens: KO has done a fantastic job of carrying the WWE’s new Superman in this feud. KO is everything you need in a team player and one of the best overall performers on the WWE roster. The WWE tried Super Roman and it failed, here is there attempt to do it again with Strowman. The big man wins to close the show.
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