WWE Battleground Match Card And Predictions
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It's almost time for SummerSlam, but before we can get to the summer event, we're making a stop at the Smackdown brand-exclusive PPV Battleground. Taking place on Sunday, July 23, three titles will be on the line, with the most anticipated one being WWE Champion Jinder Mahal taking on Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison match. Here is who is on the card and our predictions.
Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch vs. Natalya vs. Tamina vs. Lana
(Five-Way Elimination Match to determine Naomi's opponent at SummerSlam)
Naomi has been the Smackdown's Women's Champion since she beat Alexa Bliss at Wrestlemania this past spring. Since then, she's gone through the division racking up victory after victory. Now, the rest of the women on Smackdown will fight each other in an elimination match to determine who will take on the champ at SummerSlam.
Although we would love to see Becky Lynch take on Naomi at SummerSlam, we're going to go out on a limb and say that Tamina is going to take this one. She's the only one out of the five women that hasn't been in the championship picture, and while Lynch seems like the logical choice, we're thinking WWE might shake things up a bit by having Tamina win.
Our prediction: Tamina wins
AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens
(For the United States Championship)
At a recent house show, Kevin Owens lost the United States Championship to AJ Styles, which was a baffling surprise considering titles almost never change hands at non-televised events. "The New Face of America" no longer has the object that made Kevin Owens great again, so he's getting a chance to win his championship back at Battleground.
Owens and Styles are a couple of the top performers at the company, so this match will be a barnburner. That being said, in order to keep this rivalry going, Owens needs to win the title back, so they can have a rubber match at SummerSlam. Also, Owens is the new face of America, and he needs his United States Championship.
Our prediction: Owens wins
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin
Filling out the Battleground card are two of Smackdown's up-and-coming stars, Shinsuke Nakamura and Money in the Bank winner Baron Corbin. This is going to be a very interesting match, considering both wrestlers have very different styles.
Corbin will reach main event status very soon, if not by the end of Battleground, and Nakamura hasn't been given an exceptionally great storyline as of yet. However, we're thinking this match will showcase The Artist's abilities, since he has so much to gain from winning this match. Corbin will be fine, as he still has his Money in the Bank contract by his side. Because of all this, we're giving the win to Nakamura.
Our prediction: Nakamura wins
The Usos (c) vs. The New Day
(For the Smackdown Tag Team Championship)
The New Day will take on The Usos once again at Battleground, and hopefully, The Usos won't use the championship advantage to give them the edge. As far as the tag team division goes, this is the rivalry to watch--although we do love what Breezango is doing.
This is a tough call, since both of these teams are at the top of their game. However, with SummerSlam coming up next month, it seems like we may get a repeat of this match, with larger odds. For that to happen, New Day should win this match; however, much like last month, we see New Day winning by count out or DQ, which means the Usos would keep their belts.
Our prediction: The New Day wins
John Cena vs. Rusev (Flag Match)
Rusev has returned to television, and he's taking on John Cena, again. The whole "America vs. Not America" story is the angle one more time as the two battle each other in a Flag Match, in which you can only win by capturing the opponent's flag--which are at opposite turnbuckles--and raising said flag in your corner.
Apparently, the main event for Battleground didn't give the WWE Universe enough chances to chant "USA" during the PPV. When Rusev had the United States Championship, Cena/Rusev was a fantastic rivalry, but this time, there's nothing on the line, aside from pride. Because of John Cena's return to television, and jumping back and forth between Smackdown and Raw is being highlighted by WWE, we're giving Cena the win.
Our prediction: Cena wins, crowd chants "USA" a whole bunch.
Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton (Punjabi Prison Match)
(For the WWE Championship)
Closing out the PPV is yet another Jinder Mahal/Randy Orton battle for the WWE Championship. The two will square-off in a Punjabi Prison match. Two steel-enforced bamboo cages surround the ring--the first is 16 feet tall and the second is 20 feet tall. In order to win, you have to escape.
In order for Mahal to establish himself as a real champion, he needs to win this match, so he can face his next opponent. For the most part, Mahal has been involved in this rivalry for months, aside from a squash match here and there. What fans want to see out of the champ is for him to take on more than just Randy Orton, which will help legitimize Mahal. That being said, the modern-day maharajah will come out on top.
Our prediction: Mahal wins, crowd chants "USA" a whole bunch.
Secondary prediction: Baron Corbin wins after cashing in his Money in the Bank contract.