WWE Extreme Rules 2017: Match-by-match predictions for the show

Another week, another pay-per-view is on the horizon in WWE, as it is Raw's turn to take center stage with Extreme Rules.

No matter what fans may think about the lead-up to the event, it will be at least somewhat historic, as Raw will crown a new No. 1 contender to Brock Lesnar's WWE Universal title.

That and more will take place at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore Sunday night.

Without any further delay, here are my predictions:

Roman Reigns vs. Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe vs. Bray Wyatt

With five options to choose from there are multiple directions I could go in for this match, but the one direction my brain keeps pointing to the most is Balor walking out as the new No. 1 contender to the Universal title.

Reigns is the odds-on favorite of any match he is in, but his victory on the most recent edition of Raw told me that he is not winning Sunday. That would follow WWE's typical pattern of booking.

When it comes to the other four men, Rollins would feel like a path we have all been down before and I don't think WWE is quite ready to put Joe or Wyatt up against Lesnar, especially since they are both heels and Lesnar — at least for the time being — is still sort of a heel.

That leaves Balor, who would be a fresh opponent for Lesnar and could easily play the role of the babyface in peril against the big bad wolf that carries around Raw's big red belt.

Prediction: Balor def. Reigns, Rollins, Joe & Wyatt

WWE Intercontinental championship – Dean Ambrose (c) vs. The Miz

There is nothing extreme about this match. In fact, it is so un-extreme that if Ambrose is disqualified, he will lose the title.

With those odds stacked against him, it would typically make me feel that Ambrose would find a way to overcome the odds, but I believe it is time for Ambrose to move on from the Intercontinental title.

Prediction: The Miz WINS the Intercontinental championship

WWE Raw Women's championship (Kendo Stick On a Pole match) – Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Bayley

Their awful segment from last Monday's Raw nearly completely soured me on this match, but there is still some anticipation for it within me due to the fact that Bliss and Bayley are talented enough to erase that atrocity of a segment with a heck of a match at Extreme Rules.

I don't see a reason to take the title off Bliss just yet so I believe she will find a way to retain.

Prediction: Bliss RETAINS the Raw Women's championship

WWE Raw Tag Team championship (Steel Cage match) – The Hardy Boyz (c) vs. Sheamus & Cesaro

I think the steel cage could make things interesting, but I don't think Matt and Jeff Hardy are dropping those titles at Extreme Rules.

Prediction: Hardy Boyz RETAIN the Raw Tag Team championships

WWE Cruiserweight championship (Submission match) – Neville vs. Austin Aries

I have no idea why a pair of cruiserweights would be in a submission match on Extreme Rules instead of a match that would allow them to showcase their athleticism, but I'm not the one booking the shows.

Although Aries made Neville tap out on Raw, I believe Aries will finally break through with a win here.

Prediction: Aries WINS the Cruiserweight championship

Rich Swann & Sasha Banks vs. Noam Dar & Alicia Fox

Prediction: Dar & Fox def. Swann & Banks

I think the bad guys will win.

Vaughn Johnson has a podcast with Nick Piccone called the Straight Shooters on WildfireRadio.com. Check it out here HERE.