WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Stretcher Match Triple Threat
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns
The Narrative Arc: "The Checkmate Era"
Week 1: The Heist & The Fallout (Raw, March 30) The Raw after WrestleMania opened with a deafening chorus of boos as Seth Rollins, flanked by J&J Security, made his way to the ring for a victory lap. The "Architect" was insufferable, replaying the footage of his cash-in on the TitanTron and referring to the moment as the "Heist of the Century." He claimed that while Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar were playing checkers, destroying each other's bodies, he was playing chess, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The celebration was cut short by the arrival of Randy Orton, who reminded Rollins that he had beaten the new champion clean in the middle of the ring just hours before the main event. Orton’s logic was simple: he defeated the champion, therefore he was the rightful number one contender.
Before Rollins could dismiss the claim, Roman Reigns emerged from the crowd, his face a mask of simmering fury. Reigns ignored Orton completely, marching straight to the champion and cornering him against the ropes. Reigns argued that he had Lesnar beaten, that the Beast was bleeding and fading, and that Rollins had merely picked the bones of a kill he didn't make. The tension in the ring was palpable, a three-way standoff between the man who stole the moment, the man who won the earlier battle, and the man who had the title snatched from his fingertips. Rollins tried to pit them against each other, claiming they should fight for the right to face him, but the conversation was rendered moot by the guttural roar of Brock Lesnar’s theme music.
Lesnar stormed the ring with Paul Heyman, invoking his rematch clause on the spot. Rollins, realizing he was trapped, fled through the crowd, leaving J&J Security to be mauled by the Beast. Lesnar, denied his prey, went on a rampage that would go down in infamy. He overturned the announce table with bare hands, F-5’d Michael Cole out of his shoe, and nearly murdered a cameraman with the same maneuver. To save her champion and stop the lawsuits, Stephanie McMahon stormed out and indefinitely suspended Brock Lesnar, effectively removing the biggest threat to Rollins' reign. Rollins returned to the stage, laughing at the carnage, believing he was now safe from all challengers.
However, the power vacuum was filled immediately by the return of Mr. McMahon later that night. The Chairman, disgusted by Rollins' cowardice and The Authority's attempts to shield him, overruled his daughter. He declared that Rollins didn't get to choose his challengers or hide behind suspensions. Vince booked a Triple Threat Match for Extreme Rules, placing Rollins in the ring with both Randy Orton and Roman Reigns. The show ended with Rollins throwing a tantrum in the ring while Vince walked away with a smirk, asserting that while The Authority might run the show, he still owned the company.
Week 1 (SmackDown, April 3): The Stipulation SmackDown opened with a decree from the Director of Operations, Kane. In the absence of Mr. McMahon, The Authority sought to regain control of the narrative. Kane announced a main event match between the two challengers, Randy Orton and Roman Reigns. The stakes were incredibly high: the winner would be granted the power to choose the stipulation for the Triple Threat Match at Extreme Rules. Seth Rollins sat on commentary, gloating that his two enemies would tear each other apart before they even got to Chicago, leaving him to pick up the pieces.
The match was a brutal, hard-hitting affair that showcased the contrasting styles of the two challengers—Orton’s smooth, methodical precision versus Reigns’ explosive, raw power. Just as Reigns prepared to deliver a Spear to Orton, Seth Rollins signaled J&J Security to attack. The match dissolved into chaos as Kane and Big Show joined the fray, causing a disqualification. The Authority beat down both men, leaving them lying in the center of the ring. Rollins grabbed a microphone, declaring the match a no-contest and claiming that since there was no winner, there would be no special stipulation. He raised his title high, believing he had outsmarted the system once again.
Suddenly, the TitanTron flickered to life, and Mr. McMahon appeared via satellite from WWE Headquarters. He admonished Kane for the interference, stating that he wouldn't let The Authority ruin his main event. Vince declared that since The Authority had attacked both men, both men were declared the winners. Therefore, both men would get to make a choice regarding the match at Extreme Rules. The crowd in Fresno erupted as Vince put the power back in the hands of the challengers, leaving Rollins hyperventilating at ringside as his plan backfired spectacularly.
Reigns, recovering in the corner, was given the microphone first. He looked dead at Rollins and said, "I want to hurt you. I want to carry your broken body out of that arena." He chose a Stretcher Match stipulation, ensuring that the only way to win was to incapacitate an opponent so severely they could be wheeled across a finish line. Orton was up next. "Since Roman picked the match," Orton smirked, "I get to pick your opponent for this Monday on Raw." He paused for dramatic effect before pointing at the Juggernaut next to him. "I choose... Roman Reigns." Rollins collapsed to his knees, realizing he had to face Reigns one-on-one just weeks before the pay-per-view.
Week 2: The Coup d'État (Raw, April 6) The atmosphere on Raw was electric as the main event approached: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns. To ensure a fair fight, Vince McMahon announced early in the show that he would personally serve as the Special Guest Referee. Furthermore, he banned Kane, Big Show, and J&J Security from ringside under threat of termination. The match proceeded as a grueling contest, with Reigns using his strength to toss the champion around the ring while Rollins used his agility to survive. Vince called the match right down the middle, refusing to count fast or slow, frustrating Rollins who expected preferential treatment.
As the match reached its climax, Reigns hit a Superman Punch and signaled for the Spear. Suddenly, the ring canvas began to warp and tear. In a shocking moment, Kane and Big Show ripped through the mat from underneath the ring, dragging Reigns down by his ankles. It was a loophole—they weren't at ringside; they were under it. They beat Reigns mercilessly as Rollins cackled with glee. Vince McMahon, furious at being undermined, grabbed the microphone and demanded they stop. When they ignored him, Vince got in Big Show’s face, screaming, "YOU ARE FIRED!" The arena went silent as Big Show slowly turned his gaze to the Chairman.
In a moment that shook the foundation of the WWE, Big Show clenched his fist and delivered a Knockout Punch to the 69-year-old Vince McMahon. The Chairman crumpled to the mat, unconscious. The crowd gasped in horror. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon then walked out from the back, not with concern, but with cold, calculated strides. They entered the ring and stood over the fallen body of Vince. Stephanie took the microphone, looking down at her father, and whispered, "It's time to adapt or perish."
The night ended with a ceremonial execution of the old guard. Rollins Curb Stomped Roman Reigns. Then, at Triple H's command, he Curb Stomped Randy Orton who had tried to make the save. Finally, with the entire roster watching in stunned silence on the monitor, Rollins delivered a Curb Stomp to Vince McMahon himself. The Authority stood tall over the bodies of their enemies and their creator. Stephanie looked into the hard camera, a reptilian smile on her face, and uttered a single word that defined the new era: "Checkmate."
Week 3: The Emperor's New Clothes (Raw, April 13) Live from London, England, Raw opened with a somber medical update: Vince McMahon had suffered a broken jaw and a severe concussion. Triple H and Stephanie stood in the ring, bathed in a spotlight, and declared the "McMahon Era" dead. They announced the dawn of the "Authority Era," where order would be absolute. Seth Rollins was introduced not just as a champion, but as the "Undisputed Future." He bragged about retiring the Chairman and claimed that at Extreme Rules, he would do the same to Orton and Reigns. To prove their total control, Triple H announced that Orton and Reigns would be forced to run a "Gauntlet of Punishment" to even make it to Sunday.
The Gauntlet match took up the entire final hour of the show. Reigns and Orton were forced to team up against a revolving door of The Authority's lower-card enforcers: The Ascension, The Miz, Luke Harper, and even a fresh Rusev. They fought valiantly, their bodies battered and bruised, barely surviving each wave. The London crowd rallied behind them, desperate to see someone stand up to the tyranny. They eventually cleared the ring, standing tall but exhausted, their chests heaving as they waited for the next wave.
That wave came in the form of the "Praetorian Guard"—Kane, Big Show, and J&J Security. But they didn't come to wrestle. They swarmed the ring with weapons. Rollins directed traffic from the ramp as his henchmen decimated the challengers with steel chairs. The beatdown was methodical and uncomfortable to watch. Rollins then signaled to the stage crew, who wheeled out a hospital stretcher wrapped in legitimate barbed wire.
The show's climax was a scene of pure horror. The Authority strapped an unconscious Roman Reigns to the barbed-wire stretcher, the metal digging into his skin. They wheeled him to the top of the high entrance ramp. With a unified shove, they sent the stretcher careening off the stage, crashing down onto the concrete floor below. As EMTs rushed to the wreckage, The Authority stood at the top of the ramp, arms raised, having sent a terrifying message about the violence that awaited in the Stretcher Match at Extreme Rules.
Week 4: Guerilla Warfare (Raw, April 20) The final Raw before Extreme Rules took place in Albany, NY, but the vibe was different. Paranoia had set in for Seth Rollins. Throughout the broadcast, members of J&J Security were found mysteriously knocked out in corridors and locker rooms. On their chests, the words "NO RULES" were spray-painted in red. Rollins, sweating and erratic, demanded that Triple H increase security, terrified that the ghosts of the men he crushed were coming back to haunt him. The Authority tried to maintain order, but the psychological warfare was taking its toll.
The main event segment was a contract signing for the Extreme Rules match. Rollins refused to come to the ring until the arena was surrounded by police officers. He sat at the table, flanked by Kane and Big Show, signing the contract with a shaking hand. He grabbed the mic, screaming for Orton and Reigns to show their faces, claiming he wasn't afraid. "Come out here and face your King!" he shrieked, his voice cracking. Silence followed. Rollins laughed nervously, claiming they were too cowardly to show up after what happened in London.
Then, the arena lights cut out completely. The sound of a single chair shot echoed in the darkness. Then another. Then the sound of bodies hitting the canvas. When the emergency lights flickered on, the scene was chaos. Randy Orton was inside the ring, standing on the table, RKO'ing Kane through the wood. Roman Reigns emerged not from the ramp, but from the crowd, launching a steel chair directly into Big Show’s face.
The two challengers dismantled the police and security with a level of violence that matched the stipulation. They cleared the ring within seconds, leaving bodies strewn everywhere. Rollins, realizing he was alone, scrambled over the barricade and fled through the crowd, narrowly escaping a Superman Punch. Reigns turned back towards the ring center, eyes fixed on the WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt lying on the canvas. But as he bent down to retrieve it, the Viper struck. Out of nowhere, Randy Orton coiled and planted Reigns with a lightning-fast RKO that shook the ring. The crowd erupted as Orton slowly rose to his feet, a cold, predatory smirk on his face. He picked up the championship, raising it high above the fallen Juggernaut as Raw went off the air, sending a clear message that in the Stretcher Match, there are no allies—only victims.
Last Man Standing Match
United States Championship
John Cena (c) vs. Rusev (w/ Lana)
Week 1: The Open Challenge (Raw, March 30) The sounds of "John Cena Sucks" chanted in time with his theme song filled the SAP Center, but the new United States Champion sprinted to the ring with a vindicated energy. Cena grabbed the microphone, the stars and stripes belt draped over his shoulder, and delivered a mission statement that would define his reign. He declared that Rusev’s year of tyranny was over and that the United States Championship was no longer a prop for anti-American propaganda, but a symbol of opportunity. He didn't want to be a champion who hid behind a manager; he wanted to be a fighting champion. With a fierce intensity, he issued the inaugural "John Cena U.S. Open Challenge," inviting anyone from the locker room to come and get some, instantly transforming the mid-card title into the show's focal point.
The challenge was answered by the "Swiss Superman," Cesaro, leading to a physical masterpiece that showcased the prestige Cena promised. For twenty minutes, they traded heavy artillery, with Cesaro countering the Attitude Adjustment into a relentless uppercut barrage and nearly winning with the Neutralizer. Cena, pushed to his absolute limit, had to dig deep into his arsenal, utilizing a springboard Stunner—a move rarely seen—to catch Cesaro off guard. The finish was a testament to grit; Cena powered out of a sharp-shooter attempt, muscled Cesaro onto his shoulders, and delivered an emphatic Attitude Adjustment to score the pinfall, setting a breathless standard for the weeks to come.
While Cena celebrated in the ring, the cameras cut to a dark, silent locker room where Rusev sat hunched over, staring at a monitor. The Bulgarian Brute was not angry; he was despondent, a broken conqueror. Lana entered the frame, tentatively placing a hand on his shoulder to offer comfort, but Rusev violently shrugged her off. He stood up, towering over her, and shouted in Russian, blaming her distraction for his loss at WrestleMania. He refused to go out to the ring, refused to invoke his rematch clause immediately, choosing instead to let his hatred fester in the shadows, leaving Lana looking fearful and isolated for the first time in their partnership.
Week 2: The Chain & The Challenge (Raw, April 6) Cena’s Open Challenge continued against the rugged brawler Bad News Barrett. The match was a slugfest, with Barrett targeting Cena’s head with stiff elbows and winds-of-change slams. Cena, still showing signs of fatigue from the previous week, had to fight from underneath, absorbing punishment that would have stopped a lesser man. The crowd was split, but the energy was undeniable. Cena eventually turned the tide, ducking a Bull Hammer elbow and connecting with the AA for the victory. However, the bell had barely rung when the celebration was cut short, not by music, but by a blur of motion as Rusev slid into the ring.
Rusev didn't lock in a submission; he unleashed a primal, chaotic assault. He leveled Cena with a superkick that sounded like a gunshot, dropping the champion instantly. But Rusev wasn't done. He rolled to the outside and dismantled the steel ring steps, tossing the top half into the ring with terrifying ease. He hoisted the heavy steel steps above his head, letting out a guttural roar, and drove the sharp edge down into Cena’s ribs. The impact was sickening, leaving Cena gasping for air, clutching his midsection as officials rushed down the ramp, powerless to stop the carnage.
Standing over the writhing champion, Rusev grabbed a microphone, his chest heaving. He didn't look at the crowd; he looked down at his victim. "You think you beat me?" Rusev bellowed. "You survived me. Pinning me for three seconds proves nothing. American rules are for weak men." He kicked Cena in the ribs one last time. "At Extreme Rules, I do not want to pin you. I want to break you until you cannot stand up. I challenge you to a Last Man Standing match!" He threw the microphone down, raising the Russian flag high above the broken body of America’s champion, establishing that the rematch would be a war of attrition, not wrestling.
Week 3: The Russian Chain (Raw, April 13) In London, Rusev competed in a match against the powerhouse Ryback, a contest designed to showcase raw strength. Rusev looked different—more focused, more dangerous. He absorbed Ryback's offense with a stoic refusal to feel pain, shrugging off a Meat Hook clothesline that usually ends matches. He retaliated with a jumping side kick that nearly took Ryback’s head off. The match ended not with a traditional finisher, but with Rusev pummeling Ryback into the corner until the referee threatened a disqualification, which Rusev ignored, tossing the official aside to continue the assault.
Rusev reached under the ring and pulled out a heavy, rusted steel chain. The crowd in London gasped as he wrapped the cold metal around his massive fist. He stalked Ryback, who was struggling to his feet, and delivered a sickening punch with the chain-wrapped fist, knocking Ryback out cold. Rusev then dragged Ryback to the center of the ring and applied the Accolade, using the chain to wrench back on Ryback's face, pulling with such force that he seemed intent on snapping his neck. It was a graphic display of the violence awaiting John Cena.
As medical staff tended to the unconscious Ryback, Lana entered the ring, taking the microphone. She looked nervous, glancing at the unhinged Rusev before addressing the camera. "John Cena," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "You see what happens to those who stand in the way of the super athlete. My... our client... has no mercy left." Rusev snatched the microphone from her hand, cutting her off. He stared into the lens, his eyes wide with intensity. "Cena! You are not here because you are broken. Stay home. Because if you come to Extreme Rules, I will use this chain to ensure you never stand up again." He whipped the chain against the mat, the metallic crack echoing through the silent arena.
Week 4: The Brawl in Albany (Raw, April 20) John Cena returned to Raw in Albany, his ribs heavily taped underneath his "Never Give Up" t-shirt. The crowd reaction was a mixture of cheers and concern as he walked slowly to the ring, wincing with every step. He cut a somber promo, admitting that Rusev had broken his body, but claiming his spirit was untouchable. "He wants to keep me down for ten seconds?" Cena asked, his voice rising with passion. "He's going to have to put me in the ground, because as long as my heart is beating, I will stand up for this country!" It was a classic Cena rallying cry, but the doubt in his eyes was visible.
Suddenly, the TitanTron flickered to life, showing a grainy camera feed from the arena parking lot. Rusev stood atop the hood of John Cena’s personal muscle car, the heavy steel chain wrapped around his fist. "American spirit?" Rusev mocked, his voice distorted by the feed. "This car is American spirit. Loud. Expensive. And fragile." Rusev raised his fist and brought the chain down, smashing the windshield into a thousand pieces. He proceeded to methodically destroy the vehicle, denting the roof and ripping off the side mirrors. Cena dropped the mic and sprinted out of the ring, rushing to the back to save his property and confront the monster.
The brawl that ensued in the parking lot was ugly and desperate. Cena arrived and tackled Rusev off the hood, trading punches on the concrete. However, the rib injury proved to be the fatal flaw; when Cena attempted to hoist Rusev for an Attitude Adjustment onto the pavement, his legs buckled under the weight, and he collapsed in agony. Rusev capitalized instantly, superkicking Cena into the side of the car. He then used the chain, wrapping it around Cena’s throat and tying him to the car's bumper, choking him out until he went limp. The final shot of Raw before the pay-per-view was Rusev sitting on the hood of the destroyed car, with the unconscious United States Champion slumped against the tire, utterly defeated.
"If Goldust Loses, He Is Fired" Match
Cody Rhodes vs. Goldust
Week 1: The Breakdown (Raw, March 30) The match against R-Truth was supposed to be a routine outing for Stardust, but the cosmic entity seemed distracted, his movements jerky and erratic. The crowd, sensing the instability, leaned into the comedy of R-Truth, who danced circles around his opponent. The finish came abruptly when Truth caught a distracted Stardust with a simple rollup. As Truth celebrated up the ramp, Stardust remained on his knees in the center of the ring, trembling. The usual hissing and cosmic ramblings ceased, replaced by a guttural, human scream of anguish. In a moment that silenced the arena, he began to violently claw at his own face, digging his fingernails into the gold and black paint, smearing it with sweat and tears until the star design was unrecognizable, revealing the raw, red skin of Cody Rhodes underneath.
The transformation was horrific and mesmerizing. Stardust didn't just fade away; he was being forcefully exorcised in real-time. Cody ripped at his bodysuit, tearing the fabric as if it were burning his skin. The crowd watched in stunned silence as the character disintegrated, leaving behind a broken man hyperventilating in the ring. Sensing his brother's distress, Goldust rushed down the ramp, not in character, but with genuine brotherly concern etched on his painted face. He entered the ring slowly, hands raised, whispering, "Cody? It's okay, I'm here." Cody looked up, his eyes wild and bloodshot, seeing not a brother but a reflection of the paint he was trying to escape. Goldust wrapped his arms around his sobbing brother, offering a sanctuary from the madness.
For a moment, it seemed like a heartwarming reunion, but the hug lingered too long. Cody’s sobbing stopped abruptly, replaced by a cold, dead stare over Goldust’s shoulder. With a sudden, violent shove, Cody broke the embrace. Before Goldust could react, Cody kicked him squarely between the legs, doubling him over in agony. The crowd gasped as Cody grabbed his brother's head and drove him into the mat with a vicious Cross Rhodes. He didn't celebrate. He simply knelt over his brother's unconscious body, wiped a handful of smeared paint from his own face, and aggressively wiped it across Goldust’s pristine gold face, desecrating the family legacy. He whispered something inaudible to his fallen brother before walking away, his gait no longer that of a cosmic traveler, but of a man possessed by a new, darker purpose.
Week 2: The Nightmare (Raw, April 6) The following week, R-Truth waited in the ring for a rematch, expecting Stardust. instead, the lights dimmed and a slow, ominous, industrial drone filled the arena. There was no star field on the TitanTron, just the name "CODY" in stark, grey letters. Cody Rhodes emerged, but he was unrecognizable. Gone was the spandex; in its place was a sharp, expensive black suit. His face was clean of paint, his expression completely void of emotion. He walked to the ring with a predatory stillness. The match was a slaughter. Cody didn't wrestle; he dismantled. He grounded Truth with stiff, calculated strikes and joint manipulation, displaying a cruelty that Stardust never possessed. He ended the match not with a pin, but by relentlessly driving Truth's head into the canvas until the referee was forced to call for the bell due to knockout.
As medical personnel attended to Truth, Goldust’s music hit. The veteran marched to the ring, microphone in hand, anger warring with sadness in his eyes. "What have you done?" Goldust pleaded, staying at a safe distance. "We are family! The Rhodes name means something, and you are throwing it all away because you lost a match? Talk to me, Cody! Come back to us!" Cody stood motionless, adjusting his cuffs, looking through his brother as if he were a ghost. He slowly raised his own microphone, his voice a chilling, monotone whisper that echoed through the silent arena. "Stardust was a place I went to hide," Cody said. "But you... you live in the paint. You hide in the paint."
Cody stepped closer, and Goldust flinched. "You talk about family," Cody continued, his voice rising slightly with venom. "But you let me become a clown. You watched me humiliate myself for your amusement. You are not my brother. You are a disease. A relic of a bygone era that refuses to die. And I... I am the cure." Goldust lowered his microphone, hurt flashing across his face. "I love you, Cody," he whispered. Cody’s face hardened into a sneer. "That is your weakness." He struck Goldust with the microphone, knocking him to the mat, then removed his suit jacket, folded it neatly, and delivered a second, punishing Cross Rhodes on top of it. Standing over his brother, he looked into the hard camera. "At Extreme Rules, I don't just want a match. I want to end the fantasy. I want high stakes."
Week 3: The Corporate Hit (Raw, April 13) The cameras caught Cody Rhodes exiting The Authority’s office earlier in the day, shaking hands with Triple H. The implication was clear: the new, ruthless Cody was "best for business." Later that night, in a sit-down interview with Michael Cole, Cody revealed the results of his meeting. "The Authority agrees with me," Cody stated coolly. "Goldust is an attitude era relic. He sucks up airtime, money, and resources that belong to the future. They have granted my request." He looked directly into the lens. "At Extreme Rules, the stipulation is simple. When I win... Goldust is fired. Not retired. Fired. Erased from history."
Goldust appeared later in the night, but for the first time in years, he wasn't Goldust. He walked out as Dustin Runnels, wearing jeans and a t-shirt, his face completely bare of gold paint. The raw vulnerability of the man behind the character shocked the audience. He called Cody to the ring, desperate to save his career and his brother's soul. "Look at me, Cody!" Dustin shouted, tears welling in his eyes. "I changed your diapers! I protected you from the wolves in this business! I carried the weight of our father's legacy so you wouldn't have to!" He fell to his knees, begging. "Please, don't do this. Don't make me fight you for my livelihood."
Cody stood over his kneeling brother, his expression unreadable. For a fleeting second, it looked like the old Cody might surface. He reached out a hand, touching Dustin’s shoulder. But the moment shattered instantly. "Dustin Runnels is weak," Cody said, removing his hand as if he'd touched something filthy. "Dustin Runnels is a failure. And on Sunday, I'm going to put him out of his misery." He leaned down, nose-to-nose with his sobbing brother. "Dustin is dead," he hissed. "There is only The Nightmare." Cody turned and walked away, leaving Dustin weeping in the ring, the reality setting in that to save his job, he would have to destroy his little brother.
Week 4: The Father's Plea (Raw, April 20) The familiar funky chords of "Common Man Boogie" hit, but there was no dancing from The American Dream. Dusty Rhodes marched to the ring with a somber intensity, calling out his youngest son to face him man-to-man. Cody emerged in his pristine suit, looking bored by the presence of a legend. Dusty cut a passionate, tear-jerking promo, invoking "Hard Times" and pleading with Cody to look at the destruction he was causing. "I didn't raise you to be a nightmare, baby! I raised you to be a star!" Dusty cried, his voice cracking. "Don't destroy your brother. Don't destroy this family." Cody stood motionless, staring down his father with dead eyes. When he finally spoke, his voice was ice. "You talk about family, Dad? You made us a sideshow. You put paint on Dustin because you didn't think he was enough. You made me a mustache-twirling joke. You're not a dream, old man. You're just a carny who stayed at the fair too long."
Before Dusty could respond, Goldust sprinted to the ring, grabbing the microphone and stepping between his father and brother. "That is enough, Cody!" Goldust screamed, the veins in his neck bulging. "You want to hate me? Fine. You want to end my career? Fine. But you do not disrespect him!" The three stood in a tense triangle, the history of the Rhodes dynasty crumbling before the audience's eyes. Dusty tried to play peacemaker one last time, reaching out to touch Cody's cheek. "I love you, son," Dusty whispered. Cody leaned into the hand for a split second before snapping. In a moment that sucked the air out of the arena, Cody delivered a thunderous, disrespectful slap across his father’s face, knocking the Hall of Famer’s signature cowboy hat to the mat.
The crowd’s gasp was instantly drowned out by a roar of fury as Goldust snapped. Seeing his father assaulted, Goldust didn't use a wrestling move; he simply tackled Cody to the mat with the ferocity of a wild animal. He rained down rights and lefts, mauling his younger brother in a blind rage that officials struggled to contain. Cody, realizing he had pushed too far, desperately scrambled out from under the onslaught, rolling out of the ring and retreating up the ramp, clutching his jaw. He looked back at the ring, a sadistic smirk playing on his lips as Goldust checked on a shaken Dusty. The line had been crossed, and at Extreme Rules, this wouldn't just be a match for a job; it would be a war for the family's soul.
Predictions
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Stretcher Match
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns
Renee Young: "We have a volatile situation here. Seth Rollins is backed into a corner, but he's also the Architect—he usually has a plan. However, with the stipulation being a Stretcher Match, and with Orton and Reigns seemingly on the same page last week, does the champion stand a chance?"
Booker T: "Let me tell you somethin', Renee. In a Stretcher Match, you gotta incapacitate your opponent. You gotta take 'em past the point of no return! Roman Reigns and Randy Orton, they got that killer instinct. They both want Rollins bad. But here's the thing—Rollins is slippery. He’s like a greased pig at the state fair! But tonight? There's nowhere to run. I think the Juggernaut, Roman Reigns, is gonna be the one pushin' that stretcher across the line."
Jerry "The King" Lawler: "I hate to agree with you, Book, but you might be right about Rollins being in trouble. But don't count out the Viper! Randy Orton has a way of striking when you least expect it. He RKO'd Kane, he took out J&J... he's focused. I think Orton wins the title tonight."
Corey Graves: "You people are delusional. This is Seth Rollins we are talking about! The man who cashed in at WrestleMania! The man who retired Vince McMahon! Do you think he's going to let a little thing like a Stretcher Match stop the future? The Authority always has a plan B, C, and D. Rollins retains."
Byron Saxton: "I don't know, Corey. The Authority is battered. J&J are hurt, Kane is unstable... Rollins is isolated. And facing two men who want to end his career? The odds are insurmountable. I’m going with the Big Dog to reclaim what he feels is his."
Renee Young: "I'm going with the Viper. He's been waiting for this moment since WrestleMania."
2. United States Championship: Last Man Standing Match
John Cena (c) vs. Rusev (w/ Lana)
Renee Young: "This has gotten incredibly personal. Rusev destroyed John Cena's car, he's threatened his career, and Cena is going into this with injured ribs. Can the champ even stand up?"
Jerry "The King" Lawler: "John Cena is Superman! I don't care about the car, I don't care about the chain. When the chips are down, Cena finds a way. He fights for America, he fights for the fans. He's not staying down for ten count!"
Corey Graves: "King, spare me the patriotism. Did you see Raw? Rusev didn't just beat Cena; he broke him. He tied him to a bumper like roadkill! Cena has bad ribs against a man who weighs 300 pounds and knows sambo. It's over. The accolade is coming, and a new U.S. Champion is inevitable."
Booker T: "I gotta agree with Graves on this one. Rusev is a tank, man! And Cena... he's hurt. You can't breathe right with bad ribs, how you gonna answer a ten count? Rusev is mean, he's nasty, and he's got that chain. I think the Bulgarian Brute takes it home."
Byron Saxton: "John Cena has made a career out of overcoming the odds. Rusev is dangerous, yes, but he's also emotional. He's angry at Lana, he's angry at the world. That rage makes you make mistakes. Cena will capitalize. 'Never Give Up' isn't just a catchphrase."
Renee Young: "I hate to bet against Cena, but those ribs... that was hard to watch. I think Rusev is too much of a monster right now."
3. "If Goldust Loses, He is Fired" Match
Cody Rhodes vs. Goldust
Renee Young: "This is heartbreaking. Brother versus brother, father involved... and Goldust's career is on the line. After what Cody did to Dusty last week, can Goldust keep his composure?"
Byron Saxton: "It was disgusting, Renee. Slapping his own father? Cody Rhodes has lost his mind. But that anger? That might be Goldust's fuel. He's fighting for his family's honor. He's fighting for his job. I think Goldust teaches his little brother a lesson tonight."
Corey Graves: "Lesson? The only lesson here is out with the old, in with the new. Cody is right. Goldust is a relic. It's time to evolve. Cody is the future of this industry, and he's going to do what needs to be done. It's mercy, really."
Booker T: "I've been in that ring with Goldust. The man is a survivor. But Cody... Cody has that look in his eye. That 'void' look. He's detached. When you don't care about nothin', you're dangerous. Goldust is fightin' with emotion; Cody is fightin' like a machine. I think the machine wins."
Jerry "The King" Lawler: "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think Cody does it. He's just... he's gone too far to turn back now. And Goldust, bless his heart, he's hesitant. He doesn't want to hurt his brother. Cody wants to hurt him. That's the difference."
Renee Young: "It's a tragedy either way. I think Cody’s ruthless aggression gets him the win."
CONFIRMED FOR EXTREME RULES 2015
- WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Tyson Kidd & Cesaro (c) vs. The Lucha Dragons
- Paige vs. AJ Lee
- The Miz w/Summer Rae vs. Damien Sandow
- Chicago Street Fight: Dean Ambrose vs. Sheamus
- Divas Championship: Nikki Bella (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
- Intercontinental Championship Best of 7 Series Match 3 - Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler
- Last Man Standing United States Championship - John Cena (c) vs. Rusev
- If Goldust Loses he must retire - Cody Rhodes vs. Goldust
- Triple Threat Stretcher Match WWE World Heavyweight Championship - Seth Rollins (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns
