WWE Extreme Rules 2018: Predictions, Match Card For PPV Before SummerSlam

WWE Extreme Rules 2018 isn’t one of the year’s biggest pay-per-views, but it’s a pretty important one in terms of setting up the promotion’s second-biggest card. The matches Sunday night in Pittsburgh should plant the seeds for what’s to come at SummerSlam next month.

Eleven matches are scheduled for Extreme Rules, including the kickoff show. Here’s a look at the entire card, as well as predictions for each match:

WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Rusev

Styles is going to walk into SummerSlam as the WWE Champion, so don’t expect Rusev to win. Maybe the Bulgarian Brute will put up a good fight and this will be the start of his official face turn since he’s already one of the most popular “SmackDown Live” wrestlers.

Prediction: AJ Styles

Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley

Like it or not, there’s a good chance we are getting another Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar match at SummerSlam. That will likely only happen if Reigns beats Lashley, making him the evident No.1 contender for the Universal Championship.

Prediction: Roman Reigns

Braun Strowman vs Kevin Owens (Steel Cage Match)

Strowman has only been pinned by Reigns and Lesnar, and that won’t change Sunday. It’s possible that Owens will win the match by escaping through the cage door, but much of Strowman’s popularity comes from his dominance, and Owens can survive a loss to the Mr. Money in the Bank.

Prediction: Braun Strowman

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers vs. Team Hell No

It’s pretty clear that Daniel Bryan will face The Miz at SummerSlam, so Team Hell No isn’t going to win the tag team titles. Don’t be surprised to see The Miz get directly involved and allow The Bludgeon Brothers to escape with a victory.

Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers

Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins (30-Minute WWE Iron Man Match)

Rollins probably lost the Intercontinental Championship because WWE has bigger plans for him. He’ll likely lose the rematch and move on to a major feud for SummerSlam. Drew McIntyre should assist Ziggler in victory, though it wouldn’t be stunning to see Dean Ambrose make a surprise return and turn on his former Shield partner.

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler

United States Champion Jeff Hardy vs Shinsuke Nakamura

This might be the most difficult Extreme Rules match to predict. Hardy might not lose his first title defense since introducing his new gimmick, but is WWE really going to have Nakamura lose another championship match? The heel turn at WrestleMania has been a success, and it’s about time the Japanese star finally wins a big match.

Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura

Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax (Extreme Rules Match)

Bliss is the best female heel in WWE, making it an easy choice to have her defend the Raw Women’s Championship against Ronda Rousey at SummerSlam. Rousey is expected to be in the crowd, so there’s a chance she’ll get involved in the match.

Prediction: Alexa Bliss

SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella vs. Asuka (with James Ellsworth suspended above the ring in a Shark Cage)

Even with Ellsworth above the ring, it doesn’t seem like Carmella is going to drop the title just yet. When she beat Charlotte Flair clean, it was probably a sign that Carmella will hold the belt until at least SummerSlam. Maybe another wrestler will somehow get involved and prevent Asuka from winning.

Prediction: Carmella

Raw Tag Team Champions “Woken” Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt vs. The B-Team

Classic wrestling logic indicates that Hardy and Wyatt will retain. The B-Team has continued to beat the champs in singles competition on “Monday Night Raw,” meaning they’ll probably lose when the titles are on the line.

Prediction: “Woken” Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt

Finn Bálor vs. “Constable” Baron Corbin

Balor has been pinned a few times in recent weeks in TV matches, which could mean he’s due for a PPV win. Corbin can certainly survive a loss and continue to thrive in his new role.

The New Day vs. SAnitY (Tables Match) (Extreme Rules Kickoff)

It wouldn’t make much sense for SAnitY to lose their first pay-per-view match since being called up from NXT. A loss would not bode well for their immediate future on “SmackDown Live.”