Following an action-packed SummerSlam 2021 event filled with surprises, WWE is now building towards Extreme Rules.

Extreme Rules 2021 will be held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Sept. 26.

The event is still a few weeks away, but it’s not too early to forecast what the match card will look like. We already have a firm idea on where WWE is going with several superstars and championships, after all.

Universal Championship: Roman Reigns Vs Finn Bálor

We know Brock Lesnar will eventually feud with Reigns, but that’s unlikely to come at Extreme Rules. WWE already started the buildup with Reigns vs Balor last week, so it’s hard to imagine a different opponent for the former at this point.

The Tribal Chief will actually defend his title against the inaugural Universal Champion on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown.

However, we shouldn’t be surprised if the match ends via no contest or disqualification (interference from The Usos, perhaps). This would set up a true match between Reigns and Bálor for Extreme Rules.

Of course, there’s no logical scenario that would see Reigns drop the title any time soon. He hasn’t been pinned in nearly two years, and he just surpassed the 365- day reign as champion.

According to Fanduel online sportsbook, they are expecting Reigns to be a heavy betting favorite in this one. Prediction: Reigns Wins

SmackDown Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch Vs Bianca Belair

Lynch made a surprise return at SummerSlam 2021, replacing Carmella in the SmackDown Women’s title bout against Bianca Belair.

Lynch defeated Belair in just 26 seconds to become the new champion. There’s no reason for anyone except the ”EST of WWE” to face Lynch for the title at Extreme Rules. That said, it’s hard to envision Lynch dropping the title this early. Prediction: Lynch Wins

WWE Championship: Bobby Lashley Vs Randy Orton

Orton and Riddle successfully defended their Raw Tag Team Championships against Lashley and MVP on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw. On a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Ringside News), Dave Meltzer suggested that Orton vs Lashley at Extreme Rules “appears” to be the plan.

It’s believed that Lashley will face Goldberg in a SummerSlam rematch at Crown Jewel on Oct. 21. Orton would serve nicely as a bridge to the next Lashley-Goldberg bout. The guess is that if he wrestles Lashley, Orton and Riddle won’t be forced to defend the Raw Tag Team titles on the same night. Prediction: Lashley Wins

Raw Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair Vs Nia Jax Vs Alexa Bliss Vs Nikki A.S.H.

WWE is heavily pushing Alexa Bliss, and Nikki A.S.H. deserves an opportunity after dropping her Raw Women’s Championship in short time. Nia Jax and Charlotte Flair seem to be headed in a feud following their match on this week’s episode of Raw.

With so much talent to choose from, WWE’s best bet would be to make this a fatal four-way match. This is a prime opportunity to have a new champion, and if it’s a non-singles bout, Charlotte can be protected without taking the pinfall loss. Prediction: Bliss Wins

Intercontinental Championship Match: King Nakamura Vs Apollo Crews

It’s unclear where WWE will go with the Intercontinental Championship here. Shinsuke Nakamura’s feud with Baron Corbin is over, and Sami Zayn has already feuded with the former aplenty.

Apollo Crews hasn’t had a televised rematch for the title yet. This is merely a guess, but he’s a strong and fitting candidate to face Nakamura one last time to conclude their feud. Prediction: Nakamura Wins

United States Championship Match: Damian Priest Vs Sheamus Vs Drew McIntyre

Priest defeated Sheamus at SummerSlam to become the new United States Champion. This week’s episode of Raw seemed to hint that McIntyre will also be part of the U.S. title program.

McIntyre and Priest are both babyfaces, so it only makes sense to keep Sheamus (a heel) around for the feud. Regardless, it’s tough to imagine WWE ending Priest’s momentum this early into his title reign. Prediction: Priest Wins

SmackDown Tag Team Championships Match: The Street Profits Vs The Usos

Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins assisted Bálor in attacking The Bloodline at the end of SmackDown last week. This is a strong indicator that The Street Profits will next feud with Jimmy and Jey Uso.

But WWE seems to be all-in on building up The Bloodline as a virtually unstoppable faction for the long run. The Street Profits are worthy of another title run, but it’s unlikely to come yet. Prediction: The Usos Win