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WWE Rumors: ‘Extreme Rules’ Predictions, Will Fatal 5-Way Winner Face The Beast Or Will It Be Braun Strowman?

By Pieter Howes
Published on: 21:32 PST, Jun 1, 2017

After Roman Reigns defeated Seth Rollins in Monday night’s WWE Raw main event, all eyes now turn to the highly anticipated upcoming Fatal 5-Way – first for the wrestling giant – during the WWE Extreme Rules match on Sunday. World famous wrestling journalist, Dave Meltzer, gave the heated WWE clash four out of five stars in the newest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Roman Reigns’ victory on Monday night will undoubtedly see him gain confidence and momentum ahead of Sunday’s WWE Extreme Rules Fatal 5-Way. Joining Reigns in the ring for the WWE Extreme Rules match is Finn Bálor, Bray Wyatt, Samoa Joe, and his most recent opponent, Seth Rollins.

But the central question circulating in the WWE rumor mill is about who will face Brock “The Beast” Lesnar at the Universal Championships. Up till now, most WWE fans have been led to believe that the winner of Sunday night’s Extreme Rules Fatal 5-Way is set to be Brock Lesnar’s next opponent when The Beast defends his title at the WWE SummerSlam in August 2017.

However, the latest WWE rumors suggest that the Extreme Rules Fatal 5-Way champion may be up for a very short storyline with Brock Lesnar. Dave Meltzer said there likely wouldn’t be a rematch with Lesnar after WWE Great Balls of Fire, as the focus will shift to what is slated to be a much bigger WWE event.

So if it’s not going to be the champion of WWE Extreme Rules that goes on to the “The Biggest Party of the Summer” WWE SummerSlam, who is it then?

According to Wrestling Observer Radio, Braun Strowman is the favorite to challenge Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship Title, depending on the progress of his recovery. Strowman has been out of action and could be for a few more months after Roman Reigns left him with a shoulder injury.

It seems that no matter who gets the spot with Lesnar after WWE Extreme Rules, they won’t be back in the ring with The Beast at the WWE SummerSlam PPV.

If Braun Strowman were to face-off with Brock Lesnar, there’s no doubt that the match would be brutal and riveting. It might just be what WWE needs to get those ratings up. WWE ratings have been at a record low for months now. The last time Lesnar was a WWE champion, he had to defend his title three times, which resulted in a surge of WWE Network fans to over 1.1 million subscribers.

Brock Lesnar hasn’t taken part in a WWE Raw match since 2012, but he is slated to make an appearance at the June 12 edition of WWE Raw in Lafayette, Louisiana. Lesnar then goes on to a WWE Raw event at the Staples Centre on June 26.

Whoever wants to face Lesnar during his next WWE Championship Title defense will have to work on their movement and their ability to handle Lesnar’s suplex bumps. They’ll need creative techniques and will have to be resourceful enough to break up the constant suplexes. Seth Rollins might be the superstar most capable of doing it.

Bray Wyatt, on the other hand, might not have what it takes. He will do his best to live up to his title as the WWE New Face of Fear, having shown his mettle time and again with his creative approaches in the ring. But will his versatility be enough to contend with Lesnar at WWE Great Balls of Fire?

Finn Balor could do it, especially considering the fact that he has never officially been beaten since his first WWE Universal Championship. It was an injury that forced Balor to relinquish the coveted winning spot. Perhaps this will fuel Finn Balor’s determination to meet Brock Lesnar.

As I’ve previously reported, two of the other contenders in the WWE Extreme Rules 5-Way, Seth Rollins, and Samoa Joe, have no love for each other. The contempt between them is palpable. However, they’ll need to work together if they want to give themselves an edge for Sunday’s WWE Extreme Rules.

Meanwhile, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins have an anger-fuelled history with Lesnar. After Reigns had defeated Lesnar at WWE WrestleMania 31, it was Rollins who took the title home.

Roman Reigns is a strong contender for the clash with Lesnar at WWE Great Balls of Fire, having proven himself able to beat The Beast during a gripping match at WWE WrestleMania 31. Reigns also brought down The Undertaker at WrestleMania.

In the end, if the rumors are true, none of it will matter when WWE’s sights are more set on a Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman WWE SummerSlam showdown in August.

The WWE Extreme Rules undercard bouts look promising with a line-up of gimmick matches. Dean Ambrose will clash with The Miz after the two have been telling a great story together so far this season.

A story that hasn’t brought much in the way of WWE entertainment is the one between Alexa Bliss and Bayley, who have not been telling a remarkable story. They’ll be battling in a cane on a pole match, which is more often than not a disappointment.

We can also look forward to Sasha Banks and Rich Swann teaming up to face Alicia Fox and Noam Dar in Sunday’s WWE Extreme Rules. Fox and Dar have met Banks before, while Swann also has a long history with the duo.

The Hardy Boyz, Matt & Jeff, will try to fend off the slowly building anger of Cesaro & Sheamus at WWE Extreme Rules. When these teams clashed at the WWE Payback, they engaged in a gruesome post-match brawl. The Swiss Cyborg and The Alabaster Gladiator surprised the brothers with a brutal assault and made it clear that their beef was only just starting.

Looking ahead at rumors about future developments, Cage Side Seats revealed a few interesting speculations. There is talk of Hulk Hogan making a return to WWE. A tour to India lies ahead for WWE later this year, and in anticipation of the events, Jinder Mahal might be getting some extra attention from WWE. Although two women’s matches were planned for Money in the Bank, Naomi hasn’t found a partner. Meanwhile, Lana has asked Shane McMahon if she could be added to the “first ever” Money in the Bank women’s match next month.

WWE Extreme Rules will take place at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

Ever since Raw GM Kurt Angle announced the WWE Extreme Rules Fatal 5-Way on May 15, anticipation has been at a fever pitch. Don’t forget to tune into the WWE Network for live coverage of the WWE Extreme Rules Fatal 5-Way on June 4 at 8 p.m. EST and 5 p.m. PDT.

[Featured Image by JP Yim/Getty Images]

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