WWE Extreme Rules 2014 Predictions & How to Watch: Daniel Bryan Defends Title Against Kane, The Shield vs Evolution
This year's edition of "Extreme Rules," taking place at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will feature the first title defense for the brand new Divas champion, several simmering feuds that may end on extreme terms, and the first ever WeeLC match.
WeeLC match: El Torito vs Hornswoggle
Since linking up with 3MB, Hornswoggle has been locking horns with El Torito, with their beef about to escalate in the first ever "WeeLC" match -- with tables, ladders, and chairs all in play in their bout, scheduled for the "Extreme Rules Pre-Show," available on the WWE Network. Expect Los Matadores to looking out for their little buddy if 3MB decides to interfere, with the high-flyer El Torito using his speed advantage over Hornswoggle's bag of dirty tricks to take home the victory.
Two-on-One Handicap match: Alexander Rusev vs Xavier Woods and R-Truth
Rusev is being built up as a monster and this may be the spot to continue showcasing the powerhouse from NXT. Rusev has been making mincemeat out of R-Truth and Woods over the last few weeks, though the two showed the Bulgarian strongman what they're capable of when they working as a unit, Rusev will still be able to overcome the "numbers game" and overpower the duo to a win.
Triple Threat Match match: Jack Swagger vs Rob Van Dam vs Cesaro
The breakup of former Real American tag team partners Cesaro and Swagger has engulfed RVD into their feud after costing him a shot at the Intercontinental Championship during the tournament to determine a number-one contender. While RVD could care less what the "Colter Guy" and the "Heyman Guy" do since Cesaro dumped his manager Zeb Colter for Paul Heyman, the former Extreme Championship Wrestling champion is ready to show Swagger and Cesaro the definition of the word "extreme" after attacks from both competitors in the weeks leading up to Sunday's event. Cesaro, who has been on a roll since winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at "Wrestlemania 30," should continue his winning ways over Swagger and Van Dam.
WWE Divas Championship match: Paige (champion) vs Tamina
The former NXT Divas champion Paige has taken the main roster's Divas division by storm since beating AJ Lee for the WWE Divas title the "Raw After Wrestlemania." The young champion has looked good in matches leading up to her first title defense against the former champion's bodyguard, Tamina, who won a 10-Diva Battle Royal to determine a number-one contender. The champion should be able to handle Tamina's power to walk away retaining her champion.
Intercontinental Championship title match: Big E (champion) vs Bad News "Bad News" Wade Barrett
Barrett won the tournament to determine the number-one contender for Big E's Intercontinental Championship, having beaten Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus, and Rob Van Dam in the tourney, cutting down his foes with his Bull Hammer finisher. Big E presents a different kind if challenge for Barrett, who could deliver bad news to the challenger with his huge size advantage. But Barrett has no qualms about getting dirty and may have a trick or two up his sleeve to snatch the title away from Big E and become the new Intercontinental Champion.
Steel Cage match: Bray Wyatt vs John Cena
There is no mistaking that Wyatt has gotten into Cena's head, turning the WWE Universe against him in the weeks leading up to "Extreme Rules." Cena has shown he is strong-willed for the longest time but he seems to have met a tough challenge in Wyatt after weeks of enduring Wyatt's mind games. The cage, in theory, is suppose to keep Erick Rowan and Luke Harper from interfering, but Wyatt's two companions have a knack for finding ways to help the leader of their clan in times of trouble. While Cena has had the whole world in his hands for a long time when it comes to pay-per-view matches, all these factors against him could lead to a rare night of defeat for the former champion.
Six-man Tag Team match: Evolution (Randy Orton, Batista, Triple H) vs The Shield (United States Champion Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns)
"Adapt or perish" was the challenge WWE COO Triple laid down for The Shield, after turning on the unit despite months of doing his dirty work as requested. The Shield were thrown to the wolves on "Monday Night Raw," getting decimated in an 11-on3 Handicap match soon after those words were spoken, but evolved on "Friday Night Smackdown", with The Shield dismantling their rivals in a handicap rematch. The Shield showed Evolution how quickly they can adapt, pecking away at each competitor that was scheduled in the match -- including Triple Power-Bombing Fandango off the ramp and through two tables. "The Hounds of Justice" will continue to show Evolution that they are Darwinists at "Extreme Rules," by beating the former champions, to show their continued dominance as a stable.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship title match: Daniel Bryan (champion) vs Kane
Kane has transformed from Corporate Kane back to the "the Devils Favorite Demon" at the behest of Stephanie McMahon, as The Authority continues to find ways to snatch the title away from Bryan. Bryan came back from his honeymoon to confront the angry "Big Red Machine" but ended up taking Tombstone Piledrivers on the floor, the steel steps, and the announcers table. Despite his injuries, Bryan has promised he will be at "Extreme Rules" regardless his medical condition to punish Kane, after Kane began harassing Bryan's wife, Brie Bella, on "Smackdown." Bryan has become accustomed to the dirty games The Authority plays and should be able to find a way fend off the challenger to retain his WWE World Heavyweight championship.
Television
Please contact your cable or satellite provider for information on how to order "Extreme Rules" WWE pay-per-view, with the broadcast set to begin at 8 p.m. EST.
Live Stream (online)
Live stream coverage of the "Extreme Rules Kick-off Show" begins at 7:30 p.m. EST and can be seen on WWE Network. Live stream coverage of "Extreme Rules" can be seen on the WWE Network.