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It probably goes without question that Stomping Grounds is one of the least anticipated WWE pay-per-views in recent memory. In everything from the panned name to a card filled to the brim with rematches, there is very little excitement indeed for this show.
Tickets have reportedly been slow to move, while All Elite Wrestling's All Out sold out in 15 minutes, with over 70,000 people waiting on the line hoping to get some. With competition looming this fall, it isn't the best look for the supposed premier organization in professional wrestling.
Stomping Grounds is far from "must see," but WWE can make the most out of the bed they've made if they make the right moves in the pay-per-view. While Kofi Kingston is certain to retain his championship, as are Tony Nese and Daniel Bryan and Rowan, not everything else is so certain. Let's hope the company avoids mistakes and makes the right moves on Sunday.
#5 Bayley beats Alexa Bliss
Bayley is one of the very few superstars who has been better off in 2019. Almost by a miracle, she ended a two year slump by winning and then successfully cashing in her Money in the Bank contract to become SmackDown Women's Champion for the first time.
It is then by a sinister irony that the nonsensical "Wild Card" rule reared its ugly head and put her up against Alexa Bliss in her first title defense - the same Alexa Bliss that sent her into the doldrums for two years in the first place.
Why WWE would want to renew one of the worst feuds of the decade is beyond me. At least this time it isn't nearly that bad, but we've all seen what happens when Alexa Bliss gets extended title reigns. The women's division only began to recover when Ronda Rousey finally ended her 400 days of terror.
Now, more than ever, the company needs to go forwards, not backwards. It's therefore imperative that Bayley retains. While she probably will, nothing is ever certain when a backstage favorite like Alexa Bliss is involved.
#4 Roman Reigns beats Drew McIntyre
In another rematch, this time from WrestleMania, Roman Reigns is set to take on Drew McIntyre. Why this is happening is beyond me, but nevertheless, Roman Reigns needs to win again. Too bad for Drew, but he's now involved with the biggest detriment on weekly television, Shane McMahon.
The sooner Roman Reigns defeats the lackeys and then Shane McMahon to remove him from television, the better. This "best in the world" storyline is easily the worst of 2019 so far. It must end as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, it won't happen on Sunday, but we can take a step forward in getting there if Roman Reigns decisively defeats Drew McIntyre.
With Shane McMahon lurking around and running interference, this isn't a certainty, though Reigns' odds are probably good. Let's just hope that they hold firm. Shane beating Roman Reigns at Super Showdown suggests that it's more tenuous than you think.
#3 Samoa Joe and Ricochet get their time in
While it still feels a little early for Samoa Joe to drop the US title, Ricochet winning it won't do it any harm. Things have been shaky, but he's the one NXT call up that the company has done right by this year, astonishingly enough. If there's any match to see on this otherwise dull card, this is definitely the one.
It's for this reason that we only ask that these two get the time they deserve and which the card desperately needs. There are plenty of matches on the Stomping Grounds card that can get cut short and no one would notice or care. This isn't one of them. It might well be the first in a rivalry to come, but it should still get 15 minutes.
It's indeed possible that this match is the only reason why many people are interested in watching the show at all. Give it the respect it deserves.
#2 Becky Lynch beats Lacey Evans
Why this is happening, I have no idea. Lacey Evans tapped out cleanly at Money in the Bank. Why is she still in the title hunt, then?
Whatever the case, this match needs to be the end. It's beyond clear that Lacey Evans isn't ready for a title run. Her aspiration to be the top heel of the red brand has failed. She's simply not ready for it yet. Becky Lynch needs to win so she can recover her reign and move on to more exciting opponents.
#1 Seth Rollins beats Baron Corbin
While it's likely that Seth Rollins will retain his title, especially given that Baron Corbin hoisted it up on Monday, WWE's obsession with cheap heat knows no bounds. This is a company that loves to troll its own fanbase, so Baron Corbin winning is entirely possible. That would obviously be a disaster.
Seth Rollins must retain his championship so that he can move on to more exciting opponents. It's that simple.
Obviously, Brock Lesnar will still be lurking, but that's a whole other disaster in the waiting. I still think it's likelier that it's all a bait and switch and he cashes in on Kofi Kingston instead, to be honest.
