Photo Credit: wwe.com
WWE’s “Extreme Rules” Event comes to us Live this Saturday, October 8th, 2022, from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia at 8 pm on Peacock TV. Here are who the experts on the Eastern Observer’s “Essential Wrestling Podcast,” sponsored by ProWrestlingPickem.com, are picking for this event.
Photo Credit: wwe.com
**Smackdown Women’s Championship Extreme Rules Match**
**Champion LIV MORGAN vs. RONDA ROUSEY**
“It seems that Liv is losing some steam as a Baby Face, as Ronda is getting most of the cheers lately. Maybe it’s time for a turn? And since it’s Extreme Rules, maybe she does something so cruel that it’ll get her the win and cause the crowd to 100% turn on her. It’s tough to beat someone three times in the same season, but I think Liv can get it done.” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: LIV MORGAN
“I know I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it. For whatever reason, I can’t get into Liv’s character. She doesn’t connect with me as a top wrestler should. Ronda, on the other hand, oozes mass appeal (if somewhat untapped on the whole). I can see it being a good match, which allows for a little smoke and mirrors given the ‘Extreme Rules’ stip, and I’m hoping for a Ronda/Shayna reunion sooner rather than later, so I’m going with Ronda on this one.” – Gary Mehaffy, EWP UK Correspondent.
Pick: RONDA ROUSEY
“I don’t know how, but Morgan is leaving as champion. My best guess is interference, but by who? There are many possibilities (Shayna, Sasha, Charlotte, Naomi, Sonya). I’m hoping it’s Baszler, she’s been lost in the background for too long, and a high-profile feud with Rousey is just what the doctor ordered.” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: LIV MORGAN
“If this match is the main event, as all promotional clues would lead you to believe, then something big has to happen. Normally that would mean a title change, but I think in this case that Liv retaining Ronda is a bigger story than Ronda taking the title. Especially if Liv’s win comes from the assistance of a returning Charlotte Flair, who was last seen saying “I Quit” from the business end of a Rousey armbar.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Correspondent
Pick: LIV MORGAN
Photo Credit: wwe.com
**Strap Match**
**DREW MCINTYRE vs. KARRION KROSS**
“It doesn’t make much sense to bring Kross back to lose his first match. The real question is, is this where we get the big ‘White Rabbit’ reveal? After all, Kross’ name WAS White Rabbit in a past life. Hmm…” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent
Pick: KARRION KROSS
“This is a make-or-break for Karrion Kross. Nobody underestimates just how good Drew is as a character and a wrestler, but since Double K (that’s K, A, Double R…) returned, the jury has been out. For the first time in I don’t know how long, I’m going to pick AGAINST big Drew and go with a Kross win. But this needs to be a career-defining performance from him, as there will be a lot of eyes (both fans and management) on him for this one. He needs the win, which is why I have him going over, but the manner of it will dictate exactly where he goes in the next six months.” – Gary Mehaffy, EWP UK Correspondent.
Pick: KARRION KROSS
“Unless they want to revisit the internet uproar from the whole ‘Gladiator Kross’ thing where Kross lost in his debut against Jeff Hardy, he should get the win here. Going to be an entertaining match! Looking forward to this!” – Al Karl, EWP Host
Pick: KARRION KROSS
Photo Credit: wwe.com
**Raw Women’s Championship Ladder Match**
**Champion BIANCA BELAIR vs BAYLEY**
“As much as I love Damage Cntl, I don’t think they should have all the gold. The good thing about this being a ladder match is that neither has to get pinned or tap out. So look for a Bianca win, with a furious Bayley continuing her pursuit as both women Captain teams in War Games at Survivor Series.” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: BIANCA BELAIR
“I’m not booking the territory; I’m saying what is “best for business.” I need the title off Bianca, and I’m trying to will it into being. Enough already.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Correspondent
Pick: BAYLEY
“When a challenger prematurely touches the gold on the go-home show before a PPV/PLE, it typically means they won’t be winning the title. But this is a new era in WWE, and I think we’re all being trolled. AND NEW!” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent
Pick: BAYLEY
Photo Credit: wwe.com
**” I Quit” Match**
**EDGE vs. FINN BALOR**
“I have Balor winning this, probably due to shenanigans from Dominik, Rhea, Rey, or (fingers crossed) AJ Styles. AJ is treading water at the minute, so a partnership with Judgment Day (leading to an AJ/Balor match at Mania – you read it here first!) is just what he needs. I could see Edge quitting as Rey is about to be beaten up, and he does it to save his friend, then they both get beaten up and come back for some Survivor Series blowoff.” – Gary Mehaffy, EWP UK Correspondent.
Pick: FINN BALOR
“I have Finn winning the match, but something dastardly must occur for Edge to utter those two words. I imagine it will have something to do with his family, possibly a threat by Rhea Ripley. But this is also another situation where I could see the White Rabbit reveal happening. The first cryptic promo was a game of hangman where the first letters guessed spelled DEMON. It’s been a while since we saw that side of Balor. Could this be how his Demon persona returns?” – John Smith, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: FINN BALOR
“Edge said it himself that Finn can’t do anything to him physically to make him say, ‘I Quit.’ I think he’s right. I can see Edge quitting only if Rhea flies to Toronto, invades Edge’s home, somehow takes out Beth, and then threatens his kids. That’s it. And I don’t see that happening. So give me Edge, but I’m not exactly sure how you get Balor to say, “I quit,” either. This is the most intriguing match on the card for me.” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: EDGE
Photo Credit: wwe.com
**Fight Pit**
**MATT RIDDLE vs. SETH ROLLINS**
“I think Cormier is going to play a part here. He was not interfering with making Seth lose. But to make sure Seth doesn’t cheat, which will cause Seth to lose. Foreshadowing from their promo on Monday, Riddle took a shot at Rollins for not winning any gold over the past few years. So look for Seth to win the United States Title on Monday, with Riddle now wanting to take the title from Seth since he won this match.” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: MATT RIDDLE
“I’m intrigued to see how they use MMA legend Daniel Cormier in this one. I would have loved to see the toothless wonder, Timothy Thatcher, brought back for it. And who knows, with TripleH in charge, anything is possible! This will be quite the spectacle and will be spectacular. Although this match will be a foreign concept for some fans, these two guys are in the top tier of WWE performers right now, and they will make this a memorable match. I have Riddle winning it (that’s R, I, Double D…)” – Gary Mehaffy, EWP UK Correspondent
Pick: MATT RIDDLE
“Seems silly to send Rollins into a title opportunity on Monday for the only damn title on Raw after a loss, right? And while we’ve been reminded of how Riddle is a legit fighter ad nauseam, he did lose the Fight Pit match he previously took part in.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: SETH ROLLINS
Photo Credit: wwe.com
**A Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook**
**THE BRAWLING BRUTES vs. IMPERIUM**
“I’m not sure that I can quite contain myself. Apart from Sheamus, who is probably in the biggest career resurgence in dear knows how long, there is also Gunther, Giovanni, Ludwig, and Butch in the match and Ridge! How can this match not be anything but great? I have Double B going over (that’s B, R, A, Double U…) in what will (other than the assumed re-debut of Bray) be the biggest thing that everyone is talking about afterward. I predict this match will be Eight Stars!” – Gary Mehaffy, EWP UK Correspondent.
Pick: THE BRAWLING BRUTES
“Well, I don’t see Sheamus getting the IC title off Gunther on Friday night, so throw the Brutes a bone and let Kaiser or Vinci eat a pin on Saturday after some beautifully gratuitous violence. After all, Saturday night’s alright for Fight Night, or whatever Elton says.” – John D’Aconti, EWP Correspondent.
Pick: THE BRAWLING BRUTES
“Have to give the nod to the Brutes in this. It’s their element. And assuming Gunther will retain the Intercontinental Championship on Smackdown the night before, that’ll give Gunther two wins over Sheamus. So the Brutes will need something to keep them in this fight as we advance.” – Al Karl, EWP Host.
Pick: THE BRAWLING BRUTES
Photo Credit: Eastern Observer
Be sure to catch the “Essential Wrestling Podcast” on Tuesday Evenings at 5 pm on all of the Eastern Observer Platforms, and join the EWP Public Pool on ProWrestlingPickem.com to Play Against our Team of Experts!
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