Battleground might not sound like a big pay-per-view on paper, but this year, it is an entirely different story. The fact that Battleground is the last pay-per-view stop before SummerSlam and the fact that it is the first WWE pay-per-view after the draft makes it worthy of being noted.
WWE has packed the Battleground card with eight matches so far and almost all of them look certain to deliver with the much awaited Shield Triple Threat being the main attraction.
The outcomes of Battleground are going to have a direct impact on WWE’s SummerSlam plans. So here are the complete match card analysis and predictions for the pay-per-view.
Sasha Banks and Mystery partner vs. Charlotte and Dana Brooke
Sasha Banks and her mystery partner will go up against Charlotte and Dana at Battleground. This match has mainly two purposes: firstly, to keep the Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte singles match saved for SummerSlam and secondly, to let someone make a huge surprise.
The first is guaranteed to happen after both Sasha and Charlotte were drafted to the same show.
Speaking about the second, if Bayley does not end up being the mystery partner, the WWE fans are going to riot. Bayley was not called up for the draft and it would make sense if she shows up to help Sasha. No matter who is picked, Sasha is going to wind up on the winning side.
Prediction: Sasha Banks and Mystery partner wins
The New Day vs. Wyatt Family
After the compound segment, the war between New Day and Wyatt Family shot to mainstream attention.
The drafts, however, has taken the steam off the feud. With the Wyatt Family being split up, this feud will end at Battleground much to the disappointment of the fans that wanted to see more. Wyatt Family goes into this match with a lot to prove as all three members look set to have singles run after the draft.
New Day will stick together as a cohesive unit for the time being and has the Tag team championships as well. It’s a match that could go either way, but New Day is the favorite since it will need a victory to head the new tag team division.
Prediction: New Day wins
Rusev (c) vs. Zack Ryder (United States Championship)
The United States Championship of Rusev will be up for grabs on Sunday night as he will be defending against Zack Ryder. The drafts dropped a big hint on how this match could turn out as Ryder was drafted to SmackDown when Rusev was kept on Raw.
In addition to this, Mojo Rawley got a call up to the SmackDown roster suggesting that we could get a reunion of the Hype Bros.
In short, Ryder has a lot going for him and winning the United States Championship from Rusev wouldn’t happen from the look of things. As for Rusev, a dominating win could aid his rise in the Raw roster.
Prediction: Rusev retains
The Miz (c) vs. Darren Young (Intercontinental championship)
Miz and Darren Young are facing a similar situation to that of Rusev and Zack Ryder. Miz and Young will face each other for the Intercontinental Championship when they were drafted to two different shows. Miz was specifically picked by Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan so that they could have the Intercontinental championship on SmackDown and though Young could use a good win at this moment, Miz is unlikely to lose the championship.
WWE might book Young as the winner via some tainted fashion and keep him strong heading to the brand split era. As for Miz, such a finish will boost his heel credentials on the roster.
Prediction: Miz retains
Becky Lynch vs. Natalya
Becky Lynch and Natalya were drafted to the same brand and we might get to see more matches from these two due to the same. This feud involving Becky and Natalya started when Natalya pulled off a surprising heel turn.
WWE made good use of the fact that Becky is the only pure babyface on the women’s division and built up this feud pretty well.
One of the highlights of the feud came this week on SmackDown when Becky and Natalya engaged in a full-on brawl to show the fans that this is all about emotions. Fans would want to see Becky get one over Natalya and WWE is likely to give them this as well.
Prediction: Becky Lynch wins.
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens might go on to become a match of the year contender. These two know each other perfectly and the chemistry is out of this world. This match might not have any fancy stipulation to show off but that will not stop Zayn and Owens from having a full-blown war.
They’ve already noted that this could be the last installment in their storyline and the climax will be interesting due to the same.
Surprisingly, Zayn and Owens were drafted to the same brand raising questions on their immediate future after the feuds. Zayn, as there is a lack of babyfaces in the Raw brand, could be elevated to the main event scene and a win against Owens will serve as a boost for him.
Prediction: Sami Zayn wins.
John Cena, Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. The Club
This feud is in an interesting scenario after the drafts. John Cena and AJ Styles were drafted to the same brand when Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Enzo Amore and Big Cass were drafted to a different brand.
This means that this storyline will be likely be split into two parts with Cena and Styles on one side while the Club and Enzo and Cass will be on the other side.
The Club, especially, is vulnerable after the draft. Finn Balor is on the same brand as Gallows and Anderson, in turn opening the door for the possibility of the Club turning on AJ Styles and proclaiming Balor as their new leader.
Whichever way it goes, Enzo and Cass needs a win and they are going to get it.
Prediction: John Cena, Enzo, and Cass wins
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins (WWE Championship)
Finally, the WWE fans will get a taste of the Shield triple threat. And this could be the only Shield Triple threat in a long time since Dean Ambrose was drafted to SmackDown while Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins were drafted to Monday Night Raw.
WWE is yet to tell us whether they will have two championships and we might not get an answer at Battleground as well.
Roman Reigns could be ruled out as a possible winner as having the title on him right after a wellness policy violation will make WWE look bad.
So it’s between Ambrose and Rollins. And from these two, the favorite is Ambrose because, if Ambrose loses, the babyfaces (Ambrose, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan) will have to introduce a new championship in SmackDown! This may lead to an unwanted heat on Ambrose for being an ‘underserving’ champion.
On the other hand, if Ambrose wins. Stephanie McMahon could bring a new title on Raw and give it to Seth Rollins, drawing a huge amount of heat. So from a creative perspective, it’s good to book Ambrose as the winner but since WWE has a habit of disappointing us in such situations, my pick goes with Seth Rollins.
Prediction: Seth Rollins wins.
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