WWE Extreme Rules 2013: Too early to predict disappointment?

With over a month left Extreme Rules 2013, there is still a lot of time for WWE to develop storylines and bring out interesting matches for this PPV. But looking at the way things are currently being booked, the PPV is heading towards a disappointment to say the least.

Last year’s Extreme Rules had a lot of promising matches with a few of them surprising us a great deal. Daniel Bryan vs Sheamus was a match that none of us expected to do well, but it amazed several fans as they put on a great match. Another match worth mentioning last year was the one between CM Punk and Chris Jericho. When the two best wrestlers are at play, there isn’t anything better you can expect. Though the main event last year turned out to be a real dud of a match, it did live up to its expectation to an extent. WWE would surely like to repeat that success this year too; but at the moment, the predicted card looks far too weak to promise anything good.

Let us now look at the possible card for Extreme Rules 2013. The only match that has been confirmed at the moment is the triple threat match between Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger for the World Heavyweight Championship. Other top matches that are predicted to make entries are John Cena vs Ryback for the WWE Title and the Shield vs Team Hell No for the Tag-Team titles, and also Triple H vs Brock Lesnar in a steel cage match.

Now when you look at this card, you get a feeling that it isn’t too bad. I have this feeling too, but it is the way these matches are being booked that makes it a concern.

The positives of the PPV start with the World Heavyweight title. The problem, however, is that, at the moment, Dolph Ziggler does not have any momentum whatsoever as the Champion. His recent loss to Swagger has made it difficult for fans now to believe that he will be able to defend the title at Extreme Rules. Let us just hope that Ziggler will be able to pick up some victories in the weeks to come to help him gain some momentum for the Triple Threat match.

The Shield vs Team Hell No looks like another great match in the prospect. The Shield, in all their matches till date, have been quite impressive, and will do well against performers like Daniel Bryan and Kane. We have to wait and see which two wrestlers of the Shield will contest for the tag titles. Despite initial predictions about Undertaker at Extreme Rules, I do not expect to see Taker there as he is set to face the Shield at RAW next week, thus putting to an end all discussions about him being present at the PPV. This match, though, will be the one that WWE should count on hugely for the PPV to become a success.

Now coming to the not-so-promising part of the PPV. The first thing that comes to my mind is Triple H vs Brock Lesnar. Most of us expected their feud to end at Wrestlemania as Triple H settled the score; but apparently, Triple H is not happy with this even score. WWE has pitched these two wrestlers again and the only way this match will be justified is if Brock Lesnar picks up the win and continues as a monster heel with huge momentum on his side.

Next, the WWE title is back in the hands of Cena and this means it is bound to stay there for sometime now. I, for one, do not expect the title to change hands at Extreme Rules as Cena has gotten hold of the title after more than a year. The question that remains now is whether Ryback will turn heel or not. Ryback turning heel will make the storyline less compelling as he will just turn out to be another monster heel that John Cena will defeat like he has been doing over the years. Irrespective of Ryback’s heel turn, the match itself will be hard to watch as both these wrestlers are known for their inability to put a good match unless pitched against a good worker inside the ring.

As of now, the PPV does not hold a lot of value. With the mid-card and undercard matches still to be decided, WWE has a lot of work to do to make sure it doesn’t end up as a disappointment. With Wrestlemania turning out to be a failure, WWE is under huge pressure to make sure that Extreme Rules doesn’t follow a similar trend. Let us just hope that it is too early to call this PPV a disappointment as WWE has several options left to make this a promising event.