Raw's next big PPV has five men battle it out to decide who's next to be Brock Lesnar's victim. Here's the rundown.
In July, WWE has an event coming that’s inexplicably called Great Balls of Fire. Well, much like there’s a Road to WrestleMania, Great Balls of Firewill get a lead-up with WWE Extreme Rules 2017. This will be the ninth edition of Extreme Rules, which started back in 2009. The gimmick of the show is...gimmicks! Lots and lots of gimmicks. Every, or almost every, match is a gimmick match of some sort. Some more extreme than others.
This year’s show is a little interesting as the unfortunate injury of one Braun Strowman threw a wrench in the company’s plans.
WHEN IS WWE EXTREME RULES 2017?
The show will happen on Sunday June 4, 2017 at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.
WWE EXTREME RULES 2017 MATCHES
BRAY WYATT VS. SETH ROLLINS VS. ROMAN REIGNS VS. FINN BALOR VS. SAMOA JOE
Fatal 5-Way for #1 Contendership for the WWE Universal Championship
Originally, WWE looked to be building towards a massive battle of the monsters between Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman. Then Braun busted up his elbow pretty bad. That derailed plans, so instead, Kurt Angle announced a Fatal 5-Way at Extreme Ruleswhere the winner would face Brock Lesnar at Great Balls of Fire.
There have already been some bad blood between contestants. Most recently, Rollins and Joe have been rivals and Bray Wyatt singled out Finn Balor as his next victim. Through various singles and tag matches, the five men have been mixing it up and muddying the waters between would-be allies. Despite being relatively cool with each other lately, Roman and Rollins have had some friction. Similarly, Joe and Bray have attacked each other from behind on various occasions.
DEAN AMBROSE (C) VS. THE MIZ
If Ambrose Gets Disqualified, He Loses the Intercontinental Championship
When they were on SmackDown, Dean Ambrose won his Intercontinental Championship after a feud with the Miz. Once they moved to Raw, they immediately rekindled the rivalry. This led to a title defense that went the distance, but when Miz attempted and failed to cheat with a low-blow, Ambrose let loose with his own kick to the crotch in full sight of the referee. Miz won, but via DQ.
Angle put together another title match, only this time, if Ambrose were to go over the line, he would indeed forfeit his title. Miz proceeded to mess with Ambrose by interfering in an Ambrose vs. Drifter bout by hitting the Drifter and causing Ambrose to lose by DQ.
ALEXA BLISS (C) VS. BAYLEY
Kendo Stick on a Pole match for the WWE Raw Women’s Championship
Upon defeating Bayley for the WWE RawWomen’s Championship, it all went to Alexa Bliss’ head. After all, she was the first woman to win the main women’s title on both shows. She started calling herself a goddess and continued to rub it in Bayley’s face. Finally, Bayley had enough and attacked her. Alexa struck back with a kendo stuck and simply beat the hell out of her.
A week later, Alexa used said stick to smack around Mickie James to put an end to their match. Bayley made the save and gave Alexa a taste of her own medicine.
THE HARDY BOYZ (C) VS. CESARO AND SHEAMUS
Steel Cage match for the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship
Matt and Jeff Hardy made their returns at WrestleMania, surprising many and winning the titles in a Ladder match. The team of Cesaro and Sheamus challenged for the titles and seemed respectful in the lead-up, but upon losing, they ambushed the Hardy Boyz and laid them out. As they saw it, the fans had their backs until the nostalgia act arrived.
Matt and Sheamus had a singles match where the winner would get to choose what kind of match their teams would have at Extreme Rules. Matt won and said that they would battle it out in a steel cage.
NEVILLE (C) VS. AUSTIN ARIES
Submission match for the Cruiserweight Championship
The first time Neville and Aries went at it, Neville was able to escape the Last Chancery via raking Aries’ eyes (which were even more vulnerable due to recent surgery to the eye socket). When they had a rematch, Neville escaped the move by grabbing the ref and yanking him across the ring. Neville lost, but it was via disqualification, so he retained the title.
Aries has continued to run through the Cruiserweight division, especially making opponents tap out. As Neville also has his Rings of Saturn, the two will have to settle it in a match where you have to make the other tap out.
WWE EXTREME RULES 2017 RUMORS AND UNCONFIRMED MATCHES
One of the big developments on Rawhas been Goldust turning on his longtime partner R-Truth. No longer intent on being a comedy act, Goldust has regressed to his old, creepy self (albeit minus the sexuality). Goldust vs. R-Truth is a very likely match.
Alicia Fox vs. Sasha Banks seems like it will probably happen. The two have been trading wins back and forth and while Sasha got the latest win, Alicia proceeded to lay her out after it was over.
Check back for more on WWE Extreme Rules 2017!
Gavin Jasper holds a candle for Braun’s return. He isn’t finished yet. Follow Gavin on Twitter!