Extreme Rules Predictions from Cletus

I'm coming off a pretty good rank from Judgment Day - I'd like to think I've got this show nailed too!  I'm taking on two players one-on-one for Extreme Rules, too - holycrap447 and Hardyischamp. (you can follow the one-on-one challenges right here)

So, let's go through the prediction game and I'll give my thoughts as usual..

Extreme Rules (2009) Predictions from http://www.fourdown.org/WWE_Extreme_Rules_2009
http://www.fourdown.org/users/cletus42o

Judgment Day: #35 (Site) -- #5 (League: WrestleHut 2000)
Backlash: #279 (Site) -- #28 (League: WrestleHut 2000)
WrestleMania 25: #247 (Site) -- #17 (League: WrestleHut 2000)

*** Steel Cage Match, for the WWE Championship
Batista vs. Randy Orton (c) 

My Prediction: Randy Orton, Cage Escape, Yes - interference

My Thoughts: If Orton is dropping the title to anyone but CM Punk (more on that later), it's going to be HHH.  I don't see Batista getting a title win over Orton.  It means Batista's return has been pretty much wasted, but Batista's a beast - he'll be fine.  The cage escape is the "weasel" way out, so I think it'll be the finish here - pretty sure the announcers even stressed it would be a way for either man to win the match at the PPV.  I was iffy on the interference, but I could see Legacy tossing a chair into the cage, or holding Batista through the cage to allow Orton to escape.

*** Ladder Match, for the World Heavyweight Championship
Jeff Hardy vs. Edge (c) 

My Prediction: Edge, No - no interference

My Thoughts: I guess it's still up in the air as to whether or not Jeff is staying with WWE..  and that means Edge is going over.  I expect this to be an awesome match though!

*** Hardcore Match, for the ECW Championship
Jack Swagger vs. Tommy Dreamer vs. Christian (c) 

My Prediction: Tommy Dreamer

My Thoughts: I'll be posting the current standings of all the picks tomorrow, but I was pretty surprised to see a majority of other players also going with my pick here, Tommy Dreamer.  I'll be happy to see it happen, but I'm not sure it'll have that much of an impact with the fans.  (this PPV isn't in Philadelphia, right?)  But with both heels going over in the other two matches, I see the underdog going over here to offset that.

*** No Holds Barred Match, for the Intercontinental Championship
Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio (c) 

My Prediction: Rey Mysterio

My Thoughts: I just don't see the value in Jericho taking the intercontinental title from Mysterio.  He should cost Mysterio the title when facing another heel.  I'm going out on a limb with this one since Jericho's due a win, but I think Mysterio needs it more than Jericho to be honest.  He's gone WAY down after getting put against so many big guys on Raw, he needs a big boost to kick off his Smackdown return.

*** Submission Match,
John Cena vs. Big Show

My Prediction: John Cena

My Thoughts: WILL JOHN CENA LOCK IN THE STFU?  Right, like that's a big what-if.  He's done it to Big Show before, he's going to do it again.  Not thrilled about this match and I think Big Show is the one who needs the big win, but it's a feel-good ending for the live audience.

*** Samoan Strap Match,
CM Punk vs. Umaga

My Prediction: Umaga

My Thoughts: Well, Punk just beat Umaga with the GTS on Smackdown tonight, so logic dictates Umaga is winning at the PPV.  Yeah, two PPVs in a row, but I have other ideas in mind for Punk if you keep reading. :)

*** Hog Pen Match,
Santino Marella vs. Vickie Guerrero
-- 4-Down Note: "The Miss WrestleMania crown is on the line in this match. The "title" of Miss WrestleMania does NOT count towards the number of titles changing hands on the show."

My Prediction: Santino Marella

My Thoughts:

*** Match for the United States Championship
MVP vs. William Regal vs. Matt Hardy vs. Kofi Kingston (c) 

My Prediction: Kofi Kingston, Pinfall

My Thoughts: I think it's too soon to get the title off Kofi now!  He did just win it on Monday, so I don't have too many thoughts here, but I think it'd be silly to take it right off him.

*** Who will be pinned/submitted in the ECW Championship Triple Threat match?

My Prediction: Jack Swagger

My Thoughts: I think Swagger will win it right back from Dreamer, either next week or at the next PPV, so why not let him take the fall here?  He'll get his heat back.

*** Who will be pinned/submitted in the US Championship Fatal Fourway?

My Prediction: William Regal

My Thoughts: The other guys in the match need to be kept strong more, I think.

*** Who of the following will appear live at Extreme Rules?

My Prediction:
None of the above

My Thoughts: MAYBE Triple H, I would be shocked to see anyone else.  Though, if you've been playing here long, you'll know that EVERY TIME I've asked if Rob Van Dam was making a surprise appearance on a PPV, he HAS!  (and I didn't always pick it right..  doh!)

*** Will the Money in the Bank briefcase get cashed in at Extreme Rules?

My Prediction: Yes

My Thoughts: So yeah, here's my plan for Punk.  Have him lose to Umaga, and then pick things up later with a MITB cash-in.  You can check out my blog post on it for more details. 

*** How many titles will change hands at Extreme Rules?

-- 4-Down Note: "To reiterate, the Miss WrestleMania title does not count towards this question."

My Prediction: 1

My Thoughts: While I didn't pick any title changes, I did pick MITB.  I figure this covers me if Jericho wins the IC title and Punk doesn't cash in.  (which I'll admit is probably more likely to happen, but where's the fun in that!)