Extreme Rules is coming this Sunday and as any PPV it has a lot at stake for all superstars involved. However, some have more to lose than others. I think that this weekend it’s the heels that have more to prove. When I think of Extreme Rules as a turning point in a superstar’s career, three names in particular come to mind.
Seth Rollins
Let’s start with the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Regardless of how many times Seth repeats that he’s not “the future” anymore and that he’s “the man” now, no one will ever believe him until he proves it. Extreme Rules will be the grounds of his first title defense and there is no way he’ll lose it. The question is how will he win?
There are plenty of thick, dark clouds hanging above Rollins’ head right now and Randy Orton is the least of his issues. We’ve seen Rollins look weak and cowardly before PPVs and then deliver like a true champion when it matters. Seeing an amazing performance by Rollins this Sunday, despite having looked spineless in his interactions with Kane and Orton, leading to the event, won’t surprise me. Rollins’ skills are not questionable. The problem is that Seth is losing the Authority. He keeps saying that he can do it without them. You can say that he’s doing so to play up to the steel cage stipulation of the match but I think there’s more to it. This makes Rollins’ relationship with the Gatekeeper Kane so much more interesting.
On Sunday, Seth Rollins will have to fight not only without the Authority, but in a way, against the Authority. He needs to win against all odds. His opponent is stronger, his partners are turning on him and despite all of it, he needs to prove himself as a champion. The only thing that keeps Seth from being perceived as an underdog is his heel status.
Let’s not forget Rollins has one more name to worry about – Brock Lesnar. Brock might be suspended indefinitely but he is coming for that title. He still has a rematch clause to invoke. Who says he won’t do it on Sunday after Rollins’ expectedly gruesome cage match?
The way Rollins handles Extreme Rules will define his championship reign. This being his first defense puts all eyes on him. Is he going to coward away against the Viper? Is he going to turn on the Authority? Is he going to stand up to Lesnar? There are choices to be made this Sunday and they will set the path of Rollins’ future.
Sheamus
Another heel at a crossroads is Sheamus. The Celtic Warrior made an impressive comeback to the WWE with a new, look and a new attitude that just feel natural. He destroys people and he enjoys it. Who could say no when Sheamus yells ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? Generally speaking, he shouldn’t have had any issues. Extreme Rules should have been an easy hunting ground for a fresh, blood-thirsty heel. That was until the WWE decided to go with the Kiss Me Arse match.
There are so many things that are wrong with this stipulation that I could write an article about it. However, right now, I’m just going to look at the dead-end situation it has created for Sheamus. If Sheamus loses, he’ll either have to kiss Dolph’s behind on Sunday, or he’ll make a run for it at Extreme Rules. Then the Show Off will chase him and call him out in promos until the Celtic Warrior eventually goes through the embarrassment of kissing his ass. In fact, these scenarios seem unlikely. The WWE gives off the impression that big hopes are invested in Sheamus’ future as a heel, so it wouldn’t make sense to rip his dignity off in his first big match after his return.
If Sheamus wins, however, things will get ugly. It worries me that the WWE might have put it into their heads that Sheamus as a heel would get more heat if he opens a Kiss Me Arse club. That would simply be a disaster. It would not only create a series of unwatchable segments but it will also ruin completely the Viking gimmick that Sheamus is sporting right now. It would be a shame and yes, it will eventually end with Sheamus kissing someone’s “arse”. For reference, check how the Vince McMahon Kiss My Ass Club worked out.
How the Celtic Warrior escapes this no-win predicament on Sunday will shape up Sheamus’ future. I don’t have a good solution to this. The story has been booked so badly that we can only hope for a lesser evil at Extreme Rules. A win can ultimately ruin the Celtic Warrior. The ice is very, very thin.
Rusev
Another heel, standing too close to the edge of a slippery slope is Rusev. Until last month he was undefeated. He would win every match with authority; no questions asked. Everyone feared him, despised him or both. The Hero of The Russian Federation was everywhere, all the time and no one could stand up to him. Now he’s an afterthought.
Yes, Rusev attacked Cena backstage and yes, he won the surprisingly evenly-matched match against Ryback on Thursday. However, he’s nowhere near as untouchable as he used to be. The stipulation at Extreme Rules should play in Rusev’s favour but we all know Cena is not going to lose and this makes Rusev look bad. This Sunday the Bulgarian Brute’s legacy will receive another heavy blow.
It will be difficult for Rusev to stay relevant after he’s lost all connections to the US Championship. In a playfield, full of strong, entertaining heels, I’m concerned about Rusev’s future. His character is overly reliant on the overused USA vs. Russia narration. Rusev desperately needs to look strong in defeat. He did it at WrestleMania and he needs to do it again at Extreme Rules, otherwise he’s guaranteed to quickly fade into oblivion.
Decisions will be made and fates will be decided on Sunday. There is a possibility that we’ll leave Extreme Rules with three great heels on top of their game. However, the odds are that not all of them will be booked right. It will be interesting to see who will evade the blow this Sunday.
What do you think? Comment below with your thoughts, opinions, feedback and anything else that was raised.