Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins (30-Minute Iron Man Match for the Intercontinental Championship)
Sandra: There are some things wrong with this booking. I know Dolph Ziggler is the Intercontinental Champion, but boy would I have loved Drew McIntyre versus Seth Rollins instead. I don’t know. Maybe it is my dislike for Ziggler talking. Or perhaps it is my love for Drew McIntyre.
Anyway, back to the match at hand. I do not see Ziggler losing the Intercontinental Championship anytime soon. WWE is building McIntyre by having him support Ziggler. It is only a matter of time before he turns and takes the title from Ziggler. Even though I understand that is probably the goal at this point, I cannot wait for McIntyre to earn that title.
Even though the professional side of me says Ziggler will win, the fan side of me would love to see another title run for Seth Rollins. Boy, he was a worthy champion. I trust he has more title reigns in the future and I look forward to those, so I will not be disappointed if he does take the win.
Hunter: This will be the match of the night. Joining up with Drew McIntyre is the best thing that could have happened to Dolph Ziggler’s career. My heart tells me Seth deserves the title back, but my brain and gut tell me he’s moving onto bigger things. I think Dolph wins and Drew gets his shot for the title at SummerSlam.
Katie: I was shocked and sad when Dolph Ziggler defeated Seth Rollins to become the Intercontinental Champion. However, it’s given us some dynamite matches – and as much as I’d love to see the IC title back in Rollins’s hands, I think Ziggler will retain. First, Drew McIntyre will undoubtedly get involved in this match. Second, either this rivalry needs to continue onto SummerSlam, or it’s time for Rollins to move on to bigger things, whatever those may be.
Jack: This is the match with the most potential to steal the show. The Seth Rollins-Drew McIntyre match that closed Raw was red hot. Rollins and Dolph Ziggler always know how to deliver in anything they do.
Expect Ziggler to keep the IC title, but what does that mean for Rollins’ future – and perhaps more importantly – McIntyre’s? Is this where we’ll see friction between McIntyre and Ziggler? Is it time for big Drew to step out on his own?
Or does Rollins have one more go round at Summerslam to reclaim the IC title?
Best of all: Don’t you like just not knowing?
Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax (Extreme Rules Match for the Raw Women’s Championship)
Sandra: This one is clear to me. Looking at it both objectively and personally, I believe Alexa Bliss will take the win. Here are my reasons why.
Nia Jax had a championship run already, and it was not that fantastic. No fault of her own in my opinion, she was stuck with the championship at the wrong time and was limited with what she could do. Unfortunately, the title has been taken from her and I honestly do not see a repeat of her reign anytime in the nearby future.
Ronda Rousey also has her sights set on Alexa Bliss. Ronda is currently “suspended,” so it would make sense for the WWE to let Alexa keep the title and make the match between Rousey and Bliss a title match at another pay-per-view event.
Hunter: I’m hoping this match won’t be a dud, but I am afraid it may be. The only thing that will save it will be Ronda’s eventual interference. And since it is an Extreme Rules match, it will be curious who she sides with. Does Ronda allow Alexa to win because she’d be an easy victory or does Rousey want to prove she can beat Nia? I’m looking forward to Ronda once again Ippon-ing the hell out of everyone in her path, though.
Katie: Is Nia Jax good or bad? Her personality flip-flops from week to week, and it was a significant reason her title run didn’t work. WWE still has a few kinks to work out with Jax’s character, and for that reason, I think Alexa Bliss will retain. Furthermore, Ronda Rousey has Bliss in her crosshairs, and it seems more than likely that she’ll receive a title shot at SummerSlam.
Jack: Nia Jax seeking to reclaim her title from the villainous Alexa Bliss with… Ronda Rousey sitting at ringside?
It’s hard to imagine Bliss not retaining in some dirty way and then Rousey, umm, “expressing” her opinion about it in the post-match fallout, setting up Rousey v. Bliss for Summerslam. It’s just too perfect.
Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (United States Championship Match)
Sandra: On paper, this should be a fun match! In reality, the fight could have big repercussions for anyone who wins. Jeff Hardy has been more of his “woken” self lately, while Shinsuke is doing groundbreaking work as a heel.
If the WWE is playing their cards like I think they are, Shinsuke Nakamura will take that title. He’s been doing well as a heel so that a title reign could solidify his status on the main roster. If not, I fear Nakamura will get lost in the mix, and that would be a real shame.
As for who I want to win, honestly, I don’t know. I love both. Jeff Hardy is one of my favorite wrestlers of all time, but I cannot deny how well Shinsuke is doing. Either way, I will be happy, and I cannot wait to see what the WWE is planning with these two in the future.
Hunter: I think we finally get that main roster belt for Nakamura. His heel turn has been a revelation. Jeff is such a beloved fan favorite that he can do whatever. I think Nak as a champ could be a fresh story with him avoiding challengers or hitting them in the nuts.
Katie: Like his fellow country(wo)man Asuka, it’s high time that Shinsuke Nakamura won a main roster title within the WWE. In my opinion, WWE robbed Nakamura of a deserved WWE Championship run, and the U.S. Championship is the next best thing that SmackDown has to offer. Also, I’ve personally been unimpressed with Jeff Hardy’s turn with the title. Please, WWE: give it to Nakamura.
Jack: Shinsuke Nakamura should have been WWE champion already (not that AJ Styles deserved to lose it either – far from it – so it’s admittedly a tough call) so not giving him the U.S. strap would be a crime.
Jeff Hardy doesn’t need the title, whereas Nakamura kind of does. Along with Rollins v. Ziggler, this too could be a top contender for match of the night.
AJ Styles vs. Rusev (WWE Championship Match)
Sandra: This is another one of those matches where I feel a struggle. Loving the Rusev Day gimmick, but I do believe the WWE has waited too long to capitalize on it. Styles is also a strong champion, so it would not make as much sense for him to lose to Rusev at this point. Even though I would love to see him have another title run.
I think AJ Styles will retain. Objectively speaking, I do not see what the WWE would like to do with Rusev Day at this point. So, this might be another filler match for Rusev unfortunately. I hope they have something planned for him in the future and give him the attention he deserves.
Hunter: WWE seemingly spoiled this one already by airing a spoiler that AJ Styles will battle Samoa Joe at Hell In a Cell. AJ Styles is the champion because he is the best wrestler on the WWE roster and probably in the world. Rusev is outrageously popular, and if there were ever a time to pull the trigger, it would be now. Plans always change in WWE, so it wouldn’t surprise me if Rusev wins, but I think AJ will be the champion for the foreseeable future. Which is fine with me.
Katie: If WWE didn’t want to give the WWE Championship to Nakamura at WrestleMania, there’s no way they’re giving it to Rusev at Extreme Rules – popularity be damned. I like Rusev and what he’s got going right now (thank the wrestling gods that Aiden English finally stopped “rapping”), but it’s just not in the cards for him. AJ Styles retains.
Jack: How could AJ Styles possibly win on Rusev Day?
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