8 HUGE WWE Extreme Rules 2022 Predictions You Need To Know
He's Back! And he's not alone...
Extreme Rules 2022 is another first in a period of them for WWE and new creative chief Triple H.
July's SummerSlam was the first premium live event without Vince McMahon in the hot seat, while Clash At The Castle was the first 'The Game' had the keys to in terms of planning and execution. Both shows benefitted from impressive stadium aesthetics, Roman Reigns in the main event, and a wave of optimism of around the brand following the former chairman resigning in disgrace.
Extreme Rules has none of the three - not overtly anyway. Philadelphia's a classic wrestling city, but the Wells Fargo Center isn't the Principality Stadium. 'The Tribal Chief' won't feature here, forcing at least one match on the night to perform above itself. And this PLE's build peaked weeks before the show itself, with certain editions of SmackDown and Raw fraying at the edges a little following weeks of remarkably satisfying television.
Finally, and perhaps most notably, is the reality that these B-shows were often the last thing McMahon still knew how to get right. Breezy efforts choc-full of good action and the odd surprise were welcome against sluggish and nonsensical television broadcasts. Hunter's re-writing the rules on Mondays and Fridays, but how will that change the game once a month on a weekend?
Lots of questions, but will following a white rabbit lead to answers, or just down a deeper hole?
8. The Brawling Brutes Vs. Imperium
Presumably set to conclude the ongoing dispute between the two groups, an Extreme Rules six-man will determine exactly how successful much of this celebrated series has actually been for WWE’s longer term.
The original Gunther/Sheamus Intercontinental Championship bout will lead the way in company match-of-the-year ballots, and the sequel on the Extreme Rules go-home show will at least lay fitting groundwork for the last showdown.
But what of the winners and the losers? Gunther and the Imperium boys realistically need the victory, though WWE may rationalise two big singles wins as quite enough. And are they right?
The Brawling Brutes have quite effectively morphed into spirited babyfaces underneath a ‘Celtic Warrior’ riding a brand new wave. Victory here can be spun as the one that mattered all along, even if Sheamus leaves the angle without hardware and either Ludwig Kaiser or Giovanni Vinci has to eat a small helping of stiffly-served sh*t.
Winners - The Brawling Brutes