This... is extreme?

I guess it's as extreme as we'll see in the new PG era.

Don't get me wrong. There are some good matches here with some guaranteed hot action; but compare this card to One Night Stand and you see differences easily. If you're expecting bloody battles tonight, some barbed wire or a flaming table or two, you're better off hitting YouTube tonight.

If you choose to order Extreme Rules though, it doesn't look like you'll be disappointed. There are some good matches here with the gimmicky goodness we've come to love (albeit preferably in smaller doses).

Let's take a look at the card tonight, with an eye towards the EXTREME.

SLAM! Predictions

Greg Oliver

To make this EXTREME, there has to be blood. But it's a PG WWE these days. I see Batista winning, but not holding the title for long.

Matt Mackinder

This day in age, a cage match has nothing EXTREME about it. Orton retains.

Jon Waldman

This one is calling for an EXTREME intervention. Either Triple H comes back or Ric Flair gets involved. If Flair does though, I wouldn't be surprised if he turnes on Big Dave. Either way, Randy keeps the belt.

Bob Kapur

The build for this one has had a great old-school feel to it, with Batista crushing both of Orton’s lackeys, but never able to get hold of the ringleader, and Orton sniping away at Batista from a distance, including attacking his friend Ric Flair. Look for Batista to deliver some EXTREME punishment all over the Legend Killer. It wouldn’t surprise me if this one results in a double-turn, where Batista’s unrelenting offense could have fans turning sympathetic towards Orton.

Andy McNamara

A nice build between these two former Evolution teammates. The reason for the steel cage is because Orton has done everything to try and avoid Batista...so now there will be no escape. The Animal has been pushed very strong here. Legacy will try to interfere and Ric Flair will EXTREMEly heroically come to Batista's aid. In the end, Randy is way to hot of a heel to take the belt off of him just yet.

SLAM! Predictions

Greg Oliver

With their rocker hair, this could be a bout involving members of EXTREME. But More Than Words can say, this match could be the showstopper ... if Hardy decides it should be. Edge always tries hard. Since I picked Batista to win, I'll take Edge to retain.

Matt Mackinder

Has the potential to be the most EXTREME match on the card. Edge keeps the strap.

Jon Waldman

The next step for these two would be a TLC match, but tonight we'll get a straight ladder dual. We're bound to get the usual EXTREME spots, but the match will end with EXTREME interference from Matt Hardy, resulting in a Jeff loss.

Bob Kapur

Given their history in ladder matches and variants thereof, the expectations are quite high for this one. I can see them delivering, as they’ve never disappointed me yet. Look for both men to jump from EXTREME heights, crash through tables and use chairs-aplenty. Edge retains.

Andy McNamara

This rivalry has been worked beautifully as Edge and Hardy's EXTREME past together of breaking into the WWE and early TLC matches is the focal point. Jeff is a far better chaser then champion, however, with all titles being retained last month maybe a big one has to change hands. No doubt we have match of the night right here. Brother Matt Hardy interferes and Edge keeps his gold.

SLAM! Predictions

Greg Oliver

Only under EXTREME duress would I ever pick Big Show. Cena wins.

Matt Mackinder

Should be EXTREMEly boring. Show taps.

Jon Waldman

I have yet to care about this one, not even for an EXTREMEly short moment. I'm sure Cena's put the STFU on Show before in one of their many feuds, so the moment means nothing. Cena wins.

Bob Kapur

While I like the way this one started – the chokeslamming of Cena through the spotlight was great – I really wasn’t hoping to see an extended feud between these two. The problem is that Big Show’s matches can often lead to EXTREME boredom. Fortunately, I think Cena will be able to deliver like always. Cena wins handily, despite interference from The Miz.

Andy McNamara

The story has been that Show is just EXTREMEly too big for Cena to submit with the STFU. So guess what will happen?....You guessed it, John will make Show tap out with the STFU. Will be interesting to see what submissions both men pull out.

SLAM! Predictions

Greg Oliver

Tommy Dreamer is like the Ghost of EXTREME past. It was a different day and time, and his very presence haunts us with memories of what once was, and, after Sunday night, will be once again -- Dreamer as ECW champion that is.

Matt Mackinder

On a pay-per-view that hypes EXTREME, you would think this match would be the main event. That way of thinking is EXTREMEly wrong and instead, Dreamer wins the title in the opening match.

Jon Waldman

If Dreamer doesn't win, it would be an EXTREME letdown, despite the half-assed booking on what could be his final story.

Bob Kapur

Having set the stage six months ago for Tommy to win, my disappointment will be quite EXTREME if he doesn't.

Andy McNamara

Dreamer comes oh so close time and time again, but it will be the young up and coming Swagger who steals Tommy's EXTREME dream and the championship. Look out for some Singapore cane shots!

	INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho

SLAM! Predictions

Greg Oliver

The EXTREMEness is, of course, in question, but I can live with it if it's a good match, which is all but guaranteed. Mysterio wins.

Matt Mackinder

Seven, eight years ago, this could have been an EXTREMEly good feud, but now, it’s EXTREMEly stale. The title stays with Rey on an EXTREME disqualification, just not sure who gets DQd.

Jon Waldman

This could be good. Three years ago, Rey's mask would be pulled after he'd been bloodied, hiding his face in crimson red. Such an EXTREME moment won't happen tonight, but Jericho will win.

Bob Kapur

This one has also been a good buildup, thanks primarily to Y2J who might be the best he’s ever been in terms of overall star power. This match could be the highlight of the night. This one seems to be building to a match where Rey will put up his mask, so look for Jericho to win the belt through EXTREME disregards for the rules.

Andy McNamara

I'm thinking that Jericho is due for one here as Mysterio has continuously punked him as of late. Should be an athletic masterpeice that could rival for match of the evening. Expect some EXTREME blood and Rey's EXTREME mask almost being yanked off. Go with Mysterio getting the pinfall, and the feud culminating in Mask vs. something battle down the road.

	UNITED STATES TITLE MATCH (FATAL 4-WAY) Kofi Kingston vs. MVP vs. William Regal vs. Matt Hardy

SLAM! Predictions

Greg Oliver

Ever realize how hard it is to use EXTREME in every write-up? Ever realize that matches like this that get thrown on a PPV at the last minute are hard to get excited about, even if it should be a good match? I'll take Kingston to retain.

Matt Mackinder

These types of matches are usually an EXTREME cluster. MVP gets the title back.

Jon Waldman

What's EXTREME about this? Puh. Throw-together matches rarely work, but there's some good intrigue here. I'm picking Matt for the heck of it.

Bob Kapur

While I would like to see Regal win the belt, the odds of that happening appear to be quite EXTREME. Look for Kofi to retain.

Andy McNamara

I would be EXTREMEly surprised if Kingston keeps the strap here. It seems like the logical choice would be MVP or Hardy. MVP may be making his way to the main event picture so my money will go on Matt...which probably means that Kofi will retain.

	GRUDGE MATCH (SAMOAN STRAP) Umaga vs. CM Punk

SLAM! Predictions

Greg Oliver

In EXTREME situations, Samoans use straps to settle fights. What, you didn't see the vignette that explained that? Oh right, there wasn't one. That would have made sense rather than racing through this feud. Umaga wins.

Matt Mackinder

Punk is EXTREMEly over with fans, while Umaga is EXTREMEly boring. Punk wins.

Jon Waldman

Punk's been abused on Smackdown. It's downright pathetic how he should be pushed hard with the MITB case, but instead he's been beaten down in most matches of late. This bout screams EXTREME letdown. Sadly, Umaga wins.

Bob Kapur

Well, the PPV’s not taking place in Chicago, so CM Punk might have a shot of winning. He has the MiTB title shot, so logic would dictate that he should win and move closer to the top of the card. But the illogic in the booking of Punk has been so EXTREME, who knows what will happen.

Andy McNamara

Ok it is time for CM to stop being punked out by Umaga. He has been taken to town and this Sunday the EXTREME underdog gets his revenge. The Samoan Bulldozer will control early and often, however, Punk will make a late comeback and touch all four turnbuckles for the 'W'.

	MISS WRESTLEMANIA MATCH (HOG PEN) Santina Marella vs. Vickie Guerrero

SLAM! Predictions

Greg Oliver

I'll be EXTREMEly disappointed if a Godwinn doesn't show up, even just to referee. Marella's shtick still has legs, albeit not exactly shapely ones. He/she goes over.

Matt Mackinder

Easily the most EXTREMEly sickening match of the card. I don’t care who wins, but it certainly won’t be the male viewers.

Jon Waldman

Santino had better get an EXTREME payoff for this humiliation. I don't care who wins.

Bob Kapur

Since Wrestlemania, my dislike for the whole Santina thing got less and less EXTREME. Until now. Hopefully this will be short.

Andy McNamara

Of course this is EXTREME comedy, and hopefully won't be too painful to watch. Nobody really cares about it so I will go with Santina embarrassing the General Manager.

PAST ECW-ish WWE PPVs
June 2, 2008: One Night Stand WWE's best this year June 4, 2007: One Night Stand a PPV gong show June 12, 2006: ECW resurrected at One Night Stand PPV June 12, 2005, One great Night of hardcore hostalgia