It’s not easy to pull off a pay-per view amidst a raging pandemic with no audiences. However, WWE successfully pulled it off yet again with WWE Extreme Rules so first and foremost, they deserve a round of applause for that.

Sadly, I have to be the devil’s advocate when I say that the event was below expectations even though the company tried to think out of the box. With a cartoonish finish to the eye for an eye match and a polarizing swamp fight that went along predictable lines, Extreme Rules faltered on the key moments.

However, pro-wrestling is a business that thrives on the present and forgets about yesterday. With that said, the event did open up a pandorra’s box of intriguing storylines for the future.

Let’s take a look at the five pertinent storylines that will take front and center following Extreme Rules.

WWE Extreme Rules Review

5. Bobby Lashley and MVP in line for a huge push after WWE Extreme Rules

Apollo Crews couldn’t show up for his battle against MVP. This prompted the latter to declare himself as the United States Champion.

Whether or not that’s the case, it’s certain that the duo of Bobby Lashley and MVP are currently held in high regard backstage.

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Lashley has been presented as an unstoppable monster, something that should have been done from the start of his WWE run.

On the other hand, MVP has been the best thing about Raw for quite some time now. His impeccable skills on the mic along with his quest to add new members to his stable have made for interesting television on the usually bland episodes.

I sense that a Cedric Alexander heel turn is just around the corner and MVP has proven that he can elevate anyone who works under him to a very high degree.

Needless to say, their trajectory is only going upwards.

4. What next for the Monday Night Messiah?

Seth Rollins looked visibally appalled at what he had done to Rey Mysterio after their brutal match. What does this momentary show of sensitivity from the despicable heel show?

I’m personally very intrigued to know how Seth reacts to the entire scenario. Who knows, this might even be a slow burn towards a much needed face turn to salvage his career.

On the other hand, a lot of questions have been raised about Rey Mysterio’s contract situation. It seems like the master of the 619 will be taking some time off post being blinded by Rollins.

That leaves us with Mysterio’s son Dominik who has a bread and butter storyline set for him. Few get the kind of opportunity that he’s got. It seems like his redemption arc will be completed as he avenges his father’s annihilation by Seth Rollins.

3. Raw Women’s Championship picture gets confusing at WWE Extreme Rules

There are conflicting views regarding the ending of the match-up between Sasha Banks and Asuka. While some fans were disgusted by the shoddy finish, others liked the idea that neither competitor was pinned clean in the ring.

I personally agree with a very different line of thought. A Twitter user indicated that this might be another chapter in the slow-burn implosion of Sasha Banks and Bayley’s team.

Sasha Banks might view this as Bayley deliberately interfering to cost her the title. It’s almost confirmed that Asuka is still the champion.

After this reality dawns upon Sasha, she might question Bayley as to why she didn’t just wait for another referee to come down instead of dawning the referee gear herself.

As much as you criticize the WWE, they are doing a great job in building a long term story between Sasha Banks and her friend Bayley.

2. SummerSlam build-up for Braun Strowman vs Bray Wyatt

The Swamp fight raised more questions than it answered and that’s not a bad thing. We are eagerly waiting for SmackDown to know what happens next with Braun Strowmanafter he was drowned by the Fiend.

It’s guaranteed that the two will face off at SummerSlam with Bray tapping into his Feind persona. It’ll be really interesting to see how WWE builds up to this feud and what other secrets of the deranged Wyatt Family we come to know.

As for the stipulation, I don’t think they’ll go for another cinematic style contest. While these matches make for some great viewing once in a while, two in a row is a recipe for overkill. I’m personally rooting for Bray Wyatt to become the next Universal Champion considering that he single-handedly adds a lot of meaning to the title.

There’s still a lot that can be explored in his brilliant character and it is best achieved with him being the focal point of SmackDown.

5. The next challenger for Drew McIntyre and his WWE Championship

Drew McIntyre succesfully retained his title in a decent contest against Dolph Ziggler. The Scottish Psychopath was at his dominant best as he knocked the head off Ziggler.

With that, Ziggler’s championship dreams have come crashing down. There’s no way that the WWE creative give him another chance at SummerSlam.

Which leaves the door open for a new challenger. If the rumor mill is anything to go by, Randy Orton is set to play that role. The Viper is on a roll right now and I won’t be surprised to see him becoming the next WWE Champion.

That’s my assessment of the future of WWE post the Extreme Rules pay-per view. I’m sure there are some angles where you see things differently. Make sure that you let us know in the comments section.