WWE Battleground Thoughts & Predictions
July 21, 2017
DougMaynard.com

Coming up this Sunday night on the WWE Network is WWE Battleground, a Smackdown exclusive pay-per-view event, live from the City of Brotherly Love. And as per usual, it’s time to do some psychic friends network stuff and channel Dave Meltzer as I do the “Tossing Salt PPV Thoughts and Predictions” thing that I do so well. The show actually looks kind of lame in comparison to recent WWE events, but it still may deliver. There are a couple of matches that could steal the show and be really good. And then there is Cena in a “Flag Match”. What the… ? Let’s just do this…

WWE Championship: Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison Match.

This should actually be a pretty good match, but in order for it to matter, Jinder needs to win and win strongly. The feud with Jinder and Randy has been fine, but it’s time for Jinder to move on and face other challengers such as AJ Styles, Kevin Owens or even Shinsuke. Randy is better these days as a pissed off special attraction than anything full time. I expect that Randy will dominate most of the match, but after a distraction by the brothers or maybe even Baron Corbin teasing cashing in the Money In The Bank contract, Jinder comes back and lays Randy out just long enough to escape the Punjabi Prison and get the win, thus retaining the title.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Jinder Mahal

John Cena vs. Rusev in a Flag Match.

I wonder who Rusev pissed off backstage for his first match back after injury to be against John Cena in a Vince Russo special, a “Flag Match”. This whole thing with Rusev and Cena has a strong “been there – done that” feeling to it and didn’t they do a “Flag Match” or something close to it during their first feud a couple of years ago? This will be the designated bathroom break / check the Facebook match of the night which is sad because it’ll probably be a good match in that ring. It’s just not what anyone wants to see. Poor Rusev. He deserves better.

Winner: John Cena

AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens for The United States Championship.

This should probably be the most action packed match on the card with the most near falls and false finishes as the two best, in my opinion, wrestlers in the WWE go at it for the United States title. Styles won the belt from Owens at the Madison Square Garden house show and I wouldn’t be surprised to see these two men switch the title back and forth several times over the next few months. At this point, I think that Owens needs a title more than AJ does so I’m calling for a title switch, but through shenanigans of course, just to make it more interesting. New Face of America wins and regains his U.S. Championship.

Winner and NEW United States Champion: Kevin Owens

The Usos vs. The New Day for the Smackdown Tag Team Championship.

So far, this has actually been a fun little feud and although I could have lived without that “rap battle” crap a few weeks ago, these five men can really go in the ring and make for some really good tag team matches. I think that eventually, we’ll see the New Day with those tag team belts. It’s inevitable, but I don’t think the time is now to switch the title. I’d look for the Usos to pull a trick or two and cheat to win and retain, thus setting up a rematch for SummerSlam where the New Day can then take those belts home.

Winners and STILL Smackdown Tag Team Champions: The Usos

Women’s Championship No. 1 Contendership: Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch vs. Natalya vs. Lana vs. Tamina Snuka in a Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match.

I don’t think that we’re going to see Natayla or Becky in the title picture for SummerSlam. There seems to be some sort of alliance between Lana and Tamina, but I think that will implode towards the end of the match and Lana will end up eliminating her “friend” though trickery and look like she’s going to win until… (dramatic music plays here), the Queen makes her mark and ends her drought. Charlotte wins and is back in the title picture as she should be.

Winner and NEW #1 Contender for the Smackdown Women’s Championship: Charlotte

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin.

Baron has the Money In The Bank contract and thus, he will lose because the person who holds that contract always seems to lose a lot of matches up until the time they cash it in. And Shinsuke is the hot new star for the WWE and can not afford to, nor should he lose, at this point of his Smackdown career. So look for a good match and in the end, Shinsuke wins.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

Sami Zayn vs. Mike Kanellis w/ Maria Kanellis

Sami can lose every match every show and it doesn’t seem to hurt him. Kanellis is wrestling only his second match since coming to the WWE and making his Smackdown debut. A loss at this point would be hard to overcome. So give the win to Kanellis… Change that. I’ve got a feeling and my gut instinct is that Maria and Mike can use the “power of love” to make Sami’s life hell and that the story with these three would work better if Sami won. It doesn’t make any sense and there is no reason that Sami should win here, but what the hell. I’m changing my mind, mid-prediction. Sami wins and Maria gets pissed off… and then the fun really starts.

Winner: Sami Zayn

Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English (Kickoff Show)

Maybe it’s just me… hell, I’m sure it’s just me, but I actually like Aiden English. The man can really go in that ring and his character / gimmick? Well, it sucks, but he’s getting matches on television and on pay-per-views, even if it is just the Kickoff Show. That has to count for something. And Tye? He’s a good wrestler with a good look and all of that, but I just can’t get into him very much. Doesn’t matter though. He’ll win in a quick match to get the show started and make the fans happy.

Winner: Tye Dillinger

And there you go with my predictions for the big show on Sunday night. I’m not all that excited yet about this show, but I’ll be watching and hopefully, the WWE will surprise us all with a great show. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Thanks for reading. Comments and thoughts are welcome and appreciated. And now, I’m down and I’m gone. Have a great night.

Ubuntu!