In prediction what the WWE Extreme Rules 2020 card after Backlash, what if Bayley Dos Straps is forced to become Bayley Double Duty for one night to defend both of those straps? This is just one out of many possibilities we could see come Jul. 19.
Living off the shoulders of The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever, your opinion of last night’s PPV probably is highlighted by your opinion of the main event overall: you were either pleasantly surprised or severely disappointed. In either case, there was enough to take away from the PPV to give us an idea for what WWE Extreme Rules 2020 could look like come next month.
Without wasting any time, let’s dive into some matches we should expect to join the card within the coming weeks.
Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus – Falls Count Anywhere
Sheamus won their first battle at Backlash, but don’t expect the war to be over so soon. After all, Jeff Hardy threw a jar of pee in his face. I imagine that’s not something anyone should take lying down so easily or so fast.
Plus, we still have the “mystery” – in case there really is a swerve suggesting Sheamus wasn’t the redheaded culprit – of who framed Jeff Hardy that needs to be solved. Let’s have Hardy and Sheamus resolve this once and for all at Extreme Rules, in a Falls Count Anywhere so that they can trail their way to the parking lot where it all started. Poetic, huh?
Plus, Jeff Hardy can do a signature dive and maybe, just maybe, the parking lot finish is where we could see the real culprit reveal themselves.
Bayley and Sasha Banks (c) vs. Charlotte Flair and Chelsea Green – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
As one half of the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Bayley still has expectations to defend both of her titles when the occassion suits itself, similar to when Becky Lynch defended both of her belts at last year’s Money in the Bank.
Meanwhile on Raw, Charlotte Flair is pursuing the Raw Women’s Championship, but I feel like Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair is a marquee match better suited for SummerSlam. Plus, judging by how Jax vs. Asuka ended last night, WWE seem more keen on progressing that rivalry before diving straight into Flair vs. Asuka.
So, to give Flair something to do before her inevitable title defense at the next PPV, I say have her take a detour towards the Tag Titles. Namely, with Chelsea Green as a new protege, since Green is currently rumored to be getting the big main roster call up after she and Flair beat Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley in an NXT tag match last month.
Bayley (c) vs. Mandy Rose – SmackDown Women’s Championship
If Bayley is going to truly defend both of her titles at the PPV, then I think her most likely challenger is Mandy Rose. As far as babyfaces go at least, no woman on the SmackDown roster has had a bigger spotlight as of late with more consistent appearances on the weekly show.
Plus, she’s one of the few women on SmackDown who Bayley has yet to defend her title against; this offers a fresh match-up and a big test for Rose as an emerging main eventer.
Asuka (c) vs. Nia Jax – Raw Women’s Championship – Steel Cage Match
For some reason, WWE love booking countout finishes as of late, particularly those featuring Asuka and Nia Jax in the segment. We got another one last night during their title match, which seems to keep the door open for a rematch, likely with a stipulation to suit the Extreme Rules PPV theme.
I feel like something both extreme and fitting to the storyline would be a Steel Cage Match. More often than not, cage matches are booked to keep intruders out, but in this case, the purpose would be to keep the competitors in the ring.
Apollo Crews (c) vs. Angel Garza – United States Championship
These last few weeks have seen Zelina Vega’s entire crew basically fall apart. They unceremoniously kicked out Austin Theory and thanks to an opportunistic Andrade pinning Angel Garza in a number one contender’s match, they’ve been having tension as well.
Their relationship likely won’t get any better, seeing Andrade squander that number one contendership opportunity last night. Assuming that Angel Garza is next in line for a title shot – Kevin Owens is another option, but Owens vs. Apollo feels like a SummerSlam match; let Crews wrap up his feud with Vega’s team first – then Garza could get a title shot as soon as the next PPV.
It’ll be a title match that continues to strain the team’s relationship and possibly plant the seeds for Andrade vs. Angel Garza.
Braun Strowman (c) vs. King Corbin – Universal Championship
I know, I know, I know. No one wants to see King Corbin in any more title matches – or matches altogether, depending on who you ask – and no one likes him. But since WWE like to mistake go away heat as legit heat, expect to see much more of Corbin in the future. Plus, with SmackDown at a shortage of notable heels right now, Corbin might be the best one they have to challenge Strowman.
Furthermore, with Corbin now entering a feud with Otis, that adds an extra level of intrigue on how and if the Money in the Bank holder will make his presence known during the match. Or after, if Otis decides to cash in post-match on either man. And if Corbin somehow sneaks out a win, we should definitely expect a cash in of some sort.
AJ Styles (c) vs. Matt Riddle – Intercontinental Championship
Speaking of coronations, Matt Riddle has already been dubbed the future face of SmackDown before he even has his debut match on the brand. With all of that hype behind him, it wouldn’t be surprising if WWE decide to strap a whole rocket to his back immediately by having him wrestle arguably the best in-ring competitor on SmackDown’s roster, for the most prestigious workhorse belt no less.
The New Day (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro – SmackDown Tag Team Titles
Kofi Kingston and Big E missed out on the chance to defend their belts on PPV last night, but the opportunity has already opened up for Extreme Rules. Last Friday, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro got a non-title win over the champs, suggesting they’re next in line for a title shot.
If they don’t get that title shot within the next few weeks, expect it to happen at Extreme Rules.
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Randy Orton – WWE Championship
Randy Orton just won the Greatest Wrestling Match … Ever (which honestly wasn’t too bad; maybe not GOAT status, but pretty good). The guy he beat, Edge, sustained a legit injury during the match that’ll keep him out of action for the rest of the year, which means that feud is effectively over.
Given the magnitude and hype behind that match, WWE would be smart to capitalize on it by making Orton the next challenger for Drew McIntyre’s WWE Championship.
Who knows? Maybe it wouldn’t be terrible idea to put the strap on Orton now, but that’s debatable (which, you can feel free to do in the comments below … or don’t, I don’t care).