Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 2015's PLACE TO BE! (Ya know, if you're into losing all of your money in the most absurd of ways) We're at our next WWE Pay Per View (Feels like I should call it something different in the era of the WWE Network…) … So… Uh… OUR NEXT THREE HOURS OF WWE PROGRAMMING! … That's not Raw! Extreme Rules, the yearly tradition like no other, where the RULES. get. tossed. out! Well some of them… per match… It really depends. Extreme Rules 2015 will be coming to you LIVE and in glorious 1080p from The City of Wind, Chicago Illinois.
Reminder this column is for entertainment purposes (debatable) , and despite the fact that this High Priest of Prognostication (doubtful) was a perfect 100% on all his predictions for Wrestlemania (laughable) , okay maybe I wasn't perfect. Truth be told I don't GO BACK to look at such nonsensities as what I got right, or wrong. I assume, I got everything right. And thus? My loyal readers who heed this unprecedented free money I'm handing out are swimming in a lake of cash, like:
*Photo of actual Over/Under Reader celebrating his winnings*
So lets get this thing rolling. I've got matches to handicap (poorly) , and YOU have bets to place (DON'T) !!!
OVERVIEW!
Kidd and Cesaro have been on a tear since teaming up. They've already claimed the WWE Tag Team Championships, and have been defending them successfully. They have excellent chemistry and even can have some fun with their promos, which isn't the sharpest tool in each man's respective tool kit. The tag division on the whole is heating up a little bit. Lucha Dragons have debuted and the crowd digs them. Prime Time Players have reunited and it feels so good, and then we have the challengers for the titles at Extreme Rules. A New Day hasn't gotten off the ground as the happy go lucky dancing, chanting faces. At the Royal Rumble Philadelphia began chanting "NEW… DAY SUCKS" with the claps/apron slaps they would do through out their match. And so it began… Mania and the night after Mania it reached a fever pitch, and all three guys responded in kind on twitter. They've said they "Clap, so they don't snap". Well the snap is well on its way. They cheated to get a count out win over the Lucha Dragons and to get this opportunity. This match has the chance to be amazing. All four guys who will be in it can go, and Chicago will be in love with Cesaro and Kidd, so this pairing makes sense. Tune in early, as you can see in the picture above? Its the kickoff.
Favorite!
Kidd and Cesaro: -500. There is no reason, short of severe injury, or wellness violation the day of the show that has A New Day winning. I see Kidd and Cesaro holding these championships for a few more months, at least.
Underdog!
A New Day: +500 not their night. They JUST took the exit to "Badguyville", and while they could have something long term with the trio, but Extreme Rules is not going to be where we're talking about the dawning of A New Day (see what I did there?)
Prop bet of the Match!
Which Duo for the New Day: Kofi/Big E -250. Xavier/Big E -100. Kofi/Xavier +150
OVERVIEW!
Nikki Bella has been running the Divas division since Survivor Series. She has been the champion through both pre and post giving Divas a chance. Anyone else remember the internet "rumor" that a cast member of Total Divas wouldn't hold the Diva's championship? Anyway… this title match will pit two Total Diva, Originals as a freshly bad-girled Naomi will step up to challenge Nikki Bella. Naomi, after the #1 Contender's Battle Royal, which Paige won, attacked Paige, effectively sidelining her for the foreseeable future Read: Til she's done filming a movie . So Naomi beat Brie, and now she's fixing to beat Nikki to win the Diva's Championship.
Favorite!
Nikki Bella: -150. Not a huge favorite. She's on a roll, and they may want to have someone erase AJ Lee from the record books as longest reigning Divas champion, but no matter what, I can't see Nikki dropping the title to Naomi this Sunday.
Underdog!
Naomi: +150. Won't be a huge surprise if she wins simply to capitalize on the fresh turn AND the fact that Paige is still the #1 contender. So once you go through Nikki winning and then Naomi defending next month? You have Paige return with a vengeance.
Prop bet of the Match!
Chicago Chants "AJ LEE": YES -250. NO +100.
OVERVIEW!
I… uh… I'm not really sure of how exactly we got here? On Raw they were supposed to have a match, and it was basically just a brawl all over the arena. So now they'll have a Chicago Street Fight. The match itself should be decent, but we've seen these two fight so much over the last few months, and the fact that this match feels like it just got thrown on there because the WWE "LIKES" both guys, but doesn't "LIKE LIKE" them, and so they want them around, but don't want to date them, or make out with them, or have their babies or anything. That awkward metaphor aside. This could be a fun little brawl and a good use of the "Extreme Rules" moniker for two guys who have no issues throwing caution and their bodies to the wind.
Favorite!
Dean Ambrose: -450. Ambrose NEEDS a Pay Per View win, and I'd love to see this springboard him back to having his sights set on Rollins. Plus Chicago will be all over Mr. Ambrose. Makes sense for him to win.
Underdog!
Luke Harper: +300. I can't see Harper winning here. Looking back at them "repackaging" the Wyatt Family made no sense. I have said I see Harper and Rowan reuniting by Summerslam. There really isn't much else in my mind to start a resurrection. I can only hope that Wyatt cradling Rowan after their match a couple weeks ago was a step in this direction. He's floundering. The win does little good for him, and the loss doesn't make it any worse. Some day they might refocus intention on Harper.
Prop Bet of the Match!
References to Harper's dirty tank top: Over/Under 5.5
OVERVIEW!
Sheamus returned with a new look and new attitude. He destroyed Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler the night after Mania. Since then he's been on a crusade against "Wee little fellas" Paraphrasing – and he opines for the days of WWE having REAL MEN-
So he continued to beat on Bryan and Ziggler. The feud is good, and the match could be great… THE STIPULATION? U…G…H!!! This is a "Kiss My Arse" match. Of all the things from the Attitude Era to rear its ugly head? A personal bitter feud based on Sheamus seeing the likes of Bryan and Ziggler stealing spotlight as unworthy, and THIS is stipulation? Bell to bell this will be good. Then? I'll go grab a soda for the post match.
Favorite!
Sheamus: -500. First Pay Per View Match back? Kicking off a new persona and attitude? No way he's losing this match, and I'd guess the feud will continue.
Underdog!
Dolph Ziggler: +400. I've been conditioned to think "Ziggler loses matches like these." But really it boils down to the returning Sheamus and him hitting the ground running since his return from injury. Also Ziggler's tights make it difficult for the execution of this stipulation. )That's next level analysis!)
Prop Bet of the Match!
Exposing the Arse: Hiking Up: -350. Pulling to the side: -100. Pulling down: +300.
OVERVIEW!
These two have feuded for… hmmm… carry the seven… Forever? This feels like they had nothing better for Reigns since their plans blew up in their faces, and they want him to look strong. So? A match with Big Show that will make you look strong. Last Man Standing stipulation kind of makes me nervous. Usually these matches are long and grueling. I don't need to see a fifteen minute long Big Show match. Especially one that looks so predictable on paper.
Favorite!
Roman Reigns: -1000. Lock of the century. Roman Reigns wins this match as they continue to try to build him up to where they THOUGHT he was pre-injury. I'll be interested to see how Chicago treats Reigns. I've been surprised at how the negative reactions have stuck around.
Underdog!
Big Show: +700. He and Kane might lose more than anyone on the roster. Crowds are chanting "Please retire" at him. This match is about making Roman look strong, and WWE clearly thinks beating the Big Show fills that need.
Prop Bet of the Match!
Match Length: Over/Under 11:38. (Please god let the under hit)
OVERVIEW!
Took a pause when it came to this match. As most of you probably know, Bryan got sent home from the European tour due to an injury he suffered on one of the shows. He made it through the TV tapings and then they shipped him home to get checked out. Bad news for us fans, worse news for Daniel Bryan who has only been back for 3 months since returning from injury. What's worse? For a second straight year he walked out of Wrestlemania a Champion, and come Extreme Rules? We're worried about his health and safety. Its a shame. The story behind the match? Barrett using his rematch clause to challenge Bryan for the Intercontinental Championship. They haven't had a lot of interaction the last few weeks. Barrett challenged Cena 2 Raws ago. Cena and Bryan fought the tag champs on Smackdown. We didn't see Bryan at all last night on Raw. This match is very much up in the air. I could see if Bryan is unfit to compete, they throw Barrett into the Ziggler vs. Sheamus match, ditch the corny stip and have a great triple threat for the IC title. If Bryan IS okay to compete?
Favorite!
Bad News Barrett: -250. Even if Bryan CAN wrestle? I don't imagine they want to hitch their wagon to him right now as a champion. In fact when I saw the segment with him and Kane on Raw couple shows ago I wondered if that could possibly be the most subtle of seeds planted for a Hell No return. Really I just hope Daniel Bryan gets and can stay healthy.
Underdog!
Daniel Bryan: +200. Unless they are really playing up the uncertainty to mess with us? I don't see him leaving Chicago as the Intercontinental Champion.
Prop Bets of the Match!
Does this match happen: NO! NO! NO! -250. YES! YES! YES! +200.
If it doesn't happen who leaves IC Champion: Sheamus -300. Ziggler -100. Barrett +200.
OVERVIEW!
This is the rubber match for these two. Rusev won the first, Cena was victorious at Wrestlemania, and has been defending his title in Open Challenges. I've loved the Open Challenges. Been fun to see different guys step up. Really done a nice job of elevating the championship, and whoever does win it from Cena is going to look impressive doing so. This is another match where the Challenger using his rematch clause. The stipulation for this is a Russian Chain match. Not sure what a Russian Chain is… My guess? They're harder and colder! Also, and I'm assuming because WWE is one to change how a match works, that this match will require one of them to touch all four turnbuckles in succession. But at Raw Rusev did a nasty version of the Accolade with the chain across Cena's face. It looked legit painful.
Favorite!
John Cena: -400. The Open Challenges continue. The title defenses stack up as any number of cool possibilities can come out and get a little shine in long title matches with the face of the WWE. Be cool to see Neville challenge him soon, and would be a great way to bring up someone from NXT in the not to distant future.
Underdog!
Rusev: +200. Look on the bright side, Rusev? At least Lana is back. You may not walk out with the United States Championship, but you won't be walking out empty handed!
Prop Bets of the Match!
Cena Breaks the Chains: No -100. Yes +100.
They whip each other with Chains: Yes -50. No +200
OVERVIEW!
A long time ago, in a WWE Far Far Away, Randy Orton and Seth Rollins were brethren in the Authority. Things went south. Rollins curb stomped Orton into a vacation. Orton returns and has his eyes set on Rollins. Wrestlemania, Orton pins Rollins with a magnificent RKO, AND Rollins cashes in Money in the Bank. So Orton has claims to being the #1 Contender, and Brock Lesnar done hissy fitted himself into an indefinite suspension… NOT SO FAST, things need to be earned. So? They did a triple threat with Roman Reigns, Ryback, and Randy Orton. Orton won. All the while dissension is building in the ranks of the Authority. Rollins is getting too big for his britches. Kane is fed up. Triple H is trying to keep the peace. Also because its Extreme Rules, we need STIPULATIONS! Orton and Rollins each wrestled a match and if they won they got to pick a stip. Both won. Rollins picked: RKO is illegal, clever. Oron picked: Steel Cage match so the Authority can't interfere… its like he doesn't even WATCH Wrestling. So here we are, and adding to the drama, that's storyline drama, is that apparently Seth Rollins will not be using the Curb Stomp as a day to day finisher. Worries about safety with the move. So he debuted a rather lackluster DDT variation on Raw to beat Ziggler. Here's hoping that's a work in progress.
Favorite!
Seth Rollins: -350. He's had an amazing year. He is the future of the WWE. He's also a spectacular heel and it'd be crazy to think he'd lose the title in his first defense. He needs to slime his way to at least Summerslam, if not beyond. The new finisher thing will be a hiccup, but he's super talented in ring, and I'm sure he can cook up something.
Underdog!
Randy Orton: +150. Not a huge underdog. He doesn't need a title win. He spent almost the entirety of 2014 in the Title picture. Plus I get the feeling that Bray Wyatt's creepy promos could be targeting Randy.
Prop Bets of the Match!
So… about that Curb Stomp: We don't see it: -180. We DO see it: +220.
What about the RKO: Outta No where: -300 . No Way. No How: +100.
Kane costs Seth: No -200. Yes +200.
Bray costs Randy: No -100. Yes Even Money.
So there you have it. We're on the doorstep of another WWE Pay Per View Spectacular (Or pretty decently good… "spectacular" feels like hyperbole) – Here's hoping you found this guide as a helpful recap for how we got the matches we've got, or how you want to place your bets for Extreme Rules. Enjoy the show!
