The SmackDown Women’s Championship takes centre stage, while the rulebook takes a backseat, at WWE Extreme Rules.
Underdog titleholder Liv Morgan faces her toughest test yet as she looks to overcome Ronda Rousey for a third straight time. On paper, going 2-0 against Rousey should make Morgan a heavy favourite. But the nature of her previous wins mean the result is far from guaranteed a third time around, especially under Extreme Rules.
Morgan became SmackDown Women’s Champion at Rousey’s expense in July, cashing in her Money in the Bank contract moments after Rousey had defended the title against Natalya. The two met in a rematch at SummerSlam where Morgan pinned Rousey while the Baddest Woman on the Planet had the champ trapped in an armbar.
With ample time to prepare for their third encounter, and no restrictions on what Morgan and Rousey can do to each other, a definitive winner looks set to emerge Sunday (New Zealand time) in Philadelphia.
Who will it be? Join the NZPWI Roundtable as we break down the card for WWE Extreme Rules.
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SmackDown Women’s Championship, Extreme Rules Match:
Liv Morgan (c) vs. Ronda Rousey
AJ Murtagh (75% accurate for 2022):
This is actually a tough one to call for me. I’m a big Liv Morgan fan and would love to see her pull out a big win here and put the doubt surrounding her win at SummerSlam behind her, I just think Rousey will be too overwhelming to overcome and as such will walk away as the new champion.
Winner: Ronda Rousey
Steve McCleary (67% accurate for 2022):
Impossible to see how Rousey doesn’t shred Liv into tiny pieces and make a coat out of her. After this, they’ll call her Dead Morgan.
Winner: Ronda Rousey
Grady Hooker (65% accurate for 2022):
I believe—I know it is silly to do so—but I believe that Morgan can overcome the massive odds in front of her and topple Rousey a third time.
Winner: Liv Morgan
David Dunn (60% accurate for 2022):
Liv Morgan has surprised me time and time again when she’s stood across the ring from Ronda Rousey. Yet, despite her wins, Morgan still feels like she’s been lucky so far – and everyone’s luck runs out under Extreme Rules.
Winner: Ronda Rousey
Sammy G (60% accurate for 2022):
This is a chance for Liv to get ruthless and run wild in her quest to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship, and I’m all on-board for that!
Winner: Liv Morgan
Raw Women’s Championship, Ladder Match:
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley
AJ:
Damage CTRL have been on a tear and the momentum is behind them. The group have already claimed the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship and I think Bayley will complete their takeover of the Raw women’s division at any cost.
Winner: Bayley
Steve:
Belair’s been on a roll the likes of which we haven’t seen in a long time. Bayley may have exceptional backup, and be crafty, but Belair has friends too, and she’s got no weaknesses in her game.
Winner: Bianca Belair
Grady:
This is a numbers game. Sure, Asuka and Alexa Bliss could play a factor, but Bayley has Damage CTRL who are loyal to her and will make sure she walks away with gold.
Winner: Bayley
David:
Bianca has friends, of course she does, but Damage CTRL are too on the same page and have too many opportunities to exploit in a ladder match.
Winner: Bayley
Sammy:
At some point in this match, one of these women will find themselves falling from a ladder and feeling a bit like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole… and when they wake up, Bayley will be champion!
Winner: Bayley
Picks Summary:
SmackDown Women’s Championship, Extreme Rules Match:
Liv Morgan: Grady, Sammy (40%)
Ronda Rousey: AJ, Steve, David (60%)
Raw Women’s Championship, Ladder Match:
Bayley: AJ, Grady, David, Sammy (80%)
Bianca Belair: Steve (20%)
Inside the Fight Pit:
Matt Riddle: AJ, Steve, Grady, David, Sammy (100%)
Seth “Freakin” Rollins: (0%)
Strap Match:
Drew McIntyre: AJ (20%)
Karrion Kross: Steve, Grady, David, Sammy (80%)
“I Quit” Match:
Edge: David, Sammy (40%)
Finn Balor: AJ, Steve, Grady (60%)
Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match:
The Brawling Brutes: Steve, Grady, David (60%)
Imperium: AJ, Sammy (40%)
WWE Extreme Rules 2022
Sunday, October 9
1pm NZDT (Extreme Rules Kickoff from 12pm)
WWE Network
