Extreme Rules 2014: Big E vs Bad News Barrett – Intercontinental Championship

For someone who deals in dishing out bad news, recent developments have been anything but for Bad News Barrett.

Barrett defeated Rob Van Dam in the finals of the Intercontinental Title No. 1 Contender’s Tournament on the April 28 edition of Raw, earning a title opportunity against the immense champion, Big E, this Sunday at Extreme Rules.

A three-time Intercontinental Champion, Barrett also toppled Dolph Ziggler and Sheamus en route to winning the tournament and snaring the top-contender position.

Since the tournament was first announced, Big E made no bones about the high level of competition among the field of contenders. “Iron sharpens iron and I look forward to seeing the very best, and I believe that every man will bring his very best in this tournament,” he stated during the first week of the tournament.

Big E has crushed opponents in championship matches since gaining the Intercontinental Title last November, turning back the likes of Curtis Axel, Damien Sandow and Jack Swagger.

After Big E overcame Alberto Del Rio on last week’s WWE Main Event, however, Barrett — rising high above the WWE Universe on his scissor lift — vowed to ruin the Intercontinental Champion’s professional life after moving past RVD. The English brawler also badmouthed Big E as “one-dimensional,” “a truly horrible champion” and possessing a “complete lack of intellect.”

Will the freaky-strong Big E shut up the bearer of bad news at Extreme Rules? Or will the cagey Barrett return to championship glory?

Source: WWE.com