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WWE Stomping Grounds hasn't turned out to be great for the company so far. Given the reports of disappointing ticket sales for the PPV in Tacoma, Washington, WWE needs to deliver a solid show to ensure that this doesn't happen in the future.
One of the biggest problems with this PPV is the lack of freshness in the feuds and matches, as we are witnessing many rematches on the show. If there's one thing that can help WWE save and make this show exciting, it is the surprising appearances and returns to shake-up some major storylines and start new ones.
In this article, let's take a look at five such surprises that we can witness on the show tonight.
#5 AJ Styles
The Phenomenal One, AJ Styles, has been out of action for the past few weeks due to a real-life injury, but the good news is that he will be back soon. One of the biggest questions heading into Stomping Grounds is who would be the special guest referee for the Universal Championship match between Seth Rollins and Baron Corbin.
Rollins mercilessly threw chair-shots at every aspiring referee on RAW this week, taking out many names. If we look at the booking pattern, one name that can get involved in the mix could be AJ Styles. WWE hinted a feud between him and Corbin not long ago, and they could relaunch this feud after Stomping Grounds.
With AJ and Seth also having quite a history, we can also get a tease for yet another Universal title shot for AJ. The biggest problem still is that how AJ will make himself the special guest referee. There's no way Corbin will select him over anyone else. Maybe some backstage influence? I guess we'll have to wait to see what happens.
#4 Brock Lesnar
One person heavily involved in the Universal Title picture has been the advocate of the Beast in the Bank, Paul Heyman. The way he is closely monitoring Seth Rollins week in and week out on RAW, Heyman sure seems to be planning something for the Universal Champion.
Even though some are expecting him to be there, Brock Lesnar showing up at Stomping Grounds would still be a surprise. I, for once, don't want to see him as the special guest referee, but his involvement in the Universal Championship match could make it very interesting. Would he cash-in tonight and walk out as the 3-time Universal Champion? Or will Seth once again use his current best friend - the steel chair, to survive the wrath of the Beast?
#3 Dominic
One of the most anticipated matches heading into Stomping Grounds is the freshly-matched fight between the United States Champion, Samoa Joe and the #1 challenger for his title, Ricochet. The One and the Only defeated four other superstars in a fatal-five-way match on RAW to earn a shot at Joe's title.
On paper, Ricochet is the clear underdog in this match, but one person can assist him to win his first title on the main roster - Dominic, the son of Rey Mysterio. The feud between Joe and Mysterio highly involved Dominic and with the rumors of him signing an official contract with WWE, we could see him in the ring soon. What better way to take revenge from the guy who decimated your father than costing him his US title?
#2 Bray Wyatt
Last week's episode of The Firefly Fun House had many hints of being the last one and delivered the message that The Fiend has been unleashed. With the huge success of these segments, Bray Wyatt's in-ring return is one of the highly anticipated things in all of pro-wrestling right now.
WWE needs to be very careful with handling Bray's character now as they can't afford to screw-up their hottest act. Bray's return to the ring at Stomping Grounds could be huge and will definitely give us an idea of whether this gimmick can work inside the ring or not. The biggest question is - who would he go after? We might also see him bring along a few old friends.
#1 Sasha Banks
The pro wrestling world has lit up with the emergence of All Elite Wrestling, and there are many out there who have already considered them better than WWE. Many former WWE wrestlers have jumped ships to AEW, and one more of them whom fans are considering AEW-bound is Sasha Banks.
The Legit Boss is yet to be seen on WWE TV since losing her Women's Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 35, but if the recent rumors are to be believed, Vince McMahon has managed to get back in good terms with the superstar.
If there is one return that can blow off the roof at Stomping Grounds, that is of Sasha Banks. With Bayley being the SmackDown Women's Champion, it is an interesting time for Sasha to return as a full-blown heel and lay waste to her former tag-team partner.
A feud between a heel Sasha and face Bayley for the SmackDown Women's Championship could well be the biggest rivalry of the summer, and that could start as soon as tonight on Stomping Grounds.
What are your predictions for the PPV tonight? Let us know in the comments section below.
