Ringside - WWE Extreme Rules Predictions

BALTIMORE, Maryland will host the 2017 edition of WWE's Extreme Rules pay-per-view this Sunday (WWE Channel 820 on Astro). The second RAW ppv looks to get the RED brand back on track after April's disappointing Payback event.
The stipulation-heavy Extreme Rules have always been a fan favorite but unfortunately the WWE seem to have run out of ideas with some of the matches this time around ... add that to yet another month without Brock Lesnar, the pressure is on each Raw superstar to step up and put on a good show.
Speaking of Brock, the WWE Universal Champion have been missing since WrestleMania 33 and has yet to defend his title. If this goes on, we might as well add "Vanishing Act" to his list of nicknames.
Only six matches for Extreme Rules but four championships are on the line. Let's take a closer look at Extreme Rules ...

Sasha Banks & Rich Swann vs. Alicia Fox & Noam Dar
Stipulation: Mixed Tag Match
Not too long ago Sasha was in championship matches, now she has been relegated to performing in a hastily hobbled together mix tag match. That being said, due to the sheer talent involved in this match, it should make for an entertaining bout.
PN: SwannBanks to win
AS: "Banking" on Sasha and Rich to "Swann" away with this one.
AP: Sasha Banks and Rich Swann will win the match and get some measure of vengeance for the sneak attacks perpetrated by Fox and Dar.
Winners: Sasha and Rich

Cruiserweight Championship
Neville (C) vs. Austin Aries
Stipulation: Submission Match
This feud between Neville and Aries have developed into one of the best rivalries of the year. The two Superstars have been going at since Wrestlemania 33 and their storyline have given the WWE an opportunity to insert superstars such as TJP and Jack Gallagher into the mix to keep things unpredictable and exciting for the WWE Universe.
The submission stipulation and bragging rights raises the stakes to another level. Will the Last Chancery finally gain Aries the Cruiserweight Gold or will Neville's Rings Of Saturn prevail?
PN: This could very well be the match of the night. This will be Aries' 3rd and probably last pay-per-view to take the title away from Neville and I've got a feeling he is going to be third time lucky.
Winner and NEW Cruiserweight Champion, Austin Aries
AP: Aries has failed time after time but he'll get one more shot at the title, this time in a Submission match. I predict the same outcome as the last PPV where Neville will utilize some dirty trick to retain his beloved title.
Winner: Neville
AS: Could this be it, that Austin finally wins the title? I certainly hope so.
Winner: Austin Aries
Raw Tag Team Championship
The Hardy Boyz (C) vs. Cesaro & Sheamus
Stipulation: Steel Cage
The WWE Universe was praying for a Tables, Ladders and Chairs (TLC) match but we'll have to settle for a cage match instead.
AP: Matt Hardy won the right to pick the stipulation and he chose a steel cage. Many would think that the match stipulation would somehow favor Cesaro & Sheamus considering they have the size advantage over the Hardy Boyz. But you should never count them out as they are still the veteran in the division ... so, my bet is on Hardy Boyz winning the match.
Winners: The Hardyz
AS: Jeff Hardy with another high flying Swanton Bomb from the top of the cage to give the Hardyz another win.
Winners: The Hardyz
PN: Jeff Hardy to eat a Cesaro uppercut while attempting to hit the Swanton from the top of the cage.
Winners: Cesaro & Sheamus
Raw Women's Championship
Alexa Bliss (C) vs. Bayley
Stipulation: Kendo Stick on a Pole Match
On one side you have Alexa Bliss ... hottest property on RAW at the moment. The five feet of fury not only cut excellent promos, she has proven time and again she has no problems going toe to toe against bigger opponents.
On the other side you have Bayley ... full of heart, hugs and everything a WWE role model should be.
But the question remains ... Can the hugger go EXTREME? We'll find out at the end of this match.
PN: This has got to be the dumbest gimmick/stipulation of the night. A kendo stick on a pole? Only the person that removes the kendo stick from said pole can use it? Boring!!!
Why not make it a kendo stick match so the girls can have equal opportunity to beat each other with it? I predict Bayley will get some measure of revenge by grabbing the kendo stick but ultimately, Bliss will come out on top by seizing the kendo stick from Bayley and using it on the challenger causing a disqualification.
Winner: Alexa Bliss to retain her title via DQ
AS: The ladies have gotten extreme on the weekly Raw show is by using a kendo stick, so, naturally, they'll have a "Kendo Stick on a Pole" match. I see Bliss retaining her title, and mark the end Bayley's stay as the top contender for the Women's Championship.
Winner: Alexa Bliss
AP: I guess it's time for Bayley to unleash her extreme side if she ever wish to become the Raw Women's Champion otherwise, she might not have another title opportunity
Winner: Extreme Bayley
Intercontinental Championship
Dean Ambrose (C) vs. The Miz
Stipulation: If Ambrose is disqualified he will still lose his title.
AP: The Lunatic Fringe is at a great disadvantage in this match given the stipulation. I am pretty sure The Miz will do whatever he can to have Ambrose disqualified and win his 'title' back. I hope Dean will be able to overcome all the tricks and retain his title as I believe he makes a better IC Champ than the arrogant Miz.
Winner: Dean Ambrose
AS: Miz has been running his mouth about how the title should be his. I expect him to win, with a little help from his wife of course.
Winner: The Miz
PN: Well well well ... Ambrose might style himself as a lunatic but does he really have to be stupid as well? Why did he insist on going ahead with this match? Off the top of my head I can think of 4 ways The Miz can win this match via DQ.
Winner: The Miz
Number One Contender Match for the Universal Title
Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe
Stipulation: Fatal 5-Way
Nothing much to say ... The winner gets a match against Brock Lesnar at Great Balls of Fire.
PN: The WWE painted themselves into a corner by making Goldberg vs Lesnar at Wrestlemania 33 a title match for the Universal Championship. Neither are full time performers for the WWE and now we have an absentee Champion. The only way out is to have Brock drop the belt at Great Balls of Fire but who can slay the beast? It looks like they're building up towards The Demon (Finn) vs The Beast at Great Balls of Fire so I'll go with Finn for the win.
Winner: Finn Balor
AP: This is definitely the match to watch as everyone will definitely be going all out to earn the sole right to face the Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar at the next PPV. I hope Finn Balor would be able to overcome the odds and walk out of Extreme Rules the number one contender. After all, the man is on a quest to regain something he never lost.
Winner: Finn Balor
AS: This is a tricky one. I think this match will be more about who able to best sell taking down Brock Lesnar. I would have picked Finn, but the Samoan seems the more likely to pose a threat to Brock.
Winner: Samoa Joe