5 Superstars who were lackluster at Stomping Grounds 2019

Following the very average Super ShowDown PPV, which almost seemed like a house show, WWE's latest PPV, Stomping Grounds, was much better, with good storylines, exciting matches, and an overall well-packaged product.

WWE gave us a few surprises, there was a title change on the main card (and one on the pre-show), while we also got a few teases of a new feud.

But there were a few Superstars who didn't quite deliver - some for no fault of theirs and because of shoddy writing, and others who just weren't good enough on the night.

Let's take a look at 5 Superstars who were lackluster at Stomping Grounds 2019:

---

#5. Lacey Evans

Lacey Evans was the special guest referee chosen by Baron Corbin in his match against Seth Rollins

Not many would have expected Lacey Evans to be involved in two matches in the same PPV, let alone be a part of the men's main event of the show. Evans opened the show with her match against Becky Lynch at Stomping Grounds, which she lost, and then was chosen by Baron Corbin to be the special guest referee in the Universal title match.

But, in both matches, Evans seemed to lack something and it didn't feel like she should have been there. The hype surrounding the RAW women's title could not have sustained the levels of pre-WrestleMania 35, but Evans' feud with Lynch has been rather cold and underwhelming ever since it began after WrestleMania 35.

At Stomping Grounds, she had a role to play in Seth Rollins' match, which came out of the blue, and it was, I feel, unnecessary. WWE have fully embraced the Rollins-Lynch relationship and are using it on RAW and on PPVs, but integrating the Lynch-Evans with the Rollins-Corbin feud feels forced and it showed.

I don't think Evans is a good enough heel to go up against Lynch and this feud must be put to an end immediately.

#4. Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre lost to Roman Reigns at Stomping Grounds

Another feud that has been long drawn and unnecessary is the feud between Roman Reigns and the faction of Drew McIntyre and Shane McMahon. Fans are unhappy about the junior McMahon getting a push, while other talented, younger Superstars are neglected.

McIntyre faced off against Reigns at Stomping Grounds, with Shane McMahon ringside, and it was the same old story that was played out, where Shane interfered and tried to sabotage Reigns and help McIntyre get the win.

The same routine has got rather dull and boring, which Shane has been doing for the past few months. This feud between McIntyre and Reigns is uninteresting as well, possibly because of the inclusion of Shane and how every segment and match has felt very similar.

It's time WWE stopped the Shane heel experiment, and give other Superstars a chance, while Reigns needs something fresh as well.

#3. Nikki Cross/Alexa Bliss

Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross

Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross are a new pairing in WWE, with the former being a mentor of sorts for Cross. It's funny and doesn't make sense for Bliss to mentor Cross considering Cross has been in the business for over a decade, while Bliss only made her debut in 2013 and that Cross is older than Bliss.

WWE seem to be confused as to whether Bliss is a heel or face, and that is hurting Cross's chances on the main roster. At Stomping Grounds, WWE should have done a better job of clearly stating whether Bliss is a heel or not, and had the opportunity to do so.

Cross, while trying to help Bliss defeat Bayley and win the SmackDown Women's title, cost Bliss the match, but there was no heel turn from Bliss. She didn't seem angry about the fact that Cross had just cost her the match as well.

Both Superstars need some clarity in their characters and it is a pity that WWE didn't do it at Stomping Grounds.

#2. Heavy Machinery

Heavy Machinery

Heavy Machinery had the chance of winning their first titles on the main roster when they faced off against Daniel Bryan and Rowan at Stomping Grounds for the Smackdown Tag Team titles.

The former NXT Superstars not only lost the match, but also received boos, while their opponents (or just Daniel Bryan, to be specific), who are heels, got a lot of applause. This was because Stomping Grounds was held in Washington, the home state of Daniel Bryan.

The heels getting over with the crowd is unexpected, and Heavy Machinery bore the brunt of WWE's silly decision. The match and venue could have also been a good place for WWE to turn Daniel Bryan into a babyface once again, but their decision to not do so left many fans wondering if Bryan was the key to WWE's revival in the near future.

#1. Baron Corbin

Baron Corbin faced Seth Rollins for the Universal title

It's surprising how WWE have persisted with Baron Corbin, despite there being so much resistance from the WWE Universe - not the heat that heels get because they are bad guys, rather the heat that bad wrestlers or wrestlers with bad gimmicks get.

During the match against Rollins, where Lacey Evans was added as special guest referee, there were chants of "boring" from the crowd, while the fans also chanted for Becky Lynch to come out on more than one occasion.

It's quite clear that Corbin isn't ready yet to be in the main event of a PPV, that too against a fantastic talent like Rollins. His moves in the ring have become rather predictable (how many times will he use the "slide-out-go-around-ringpost-surprise-opponent" move?) and his character hasn't evolved since he was called up to the main roster.

It's time for WWE to end the Corbin experiment following Stomping Grounds and pick a better opponent for Rollins.

Read more about Stomping Grounds in our results article, here.