It’s time once again for a WWE pay-per-view predictions and analysis editorial! Today, we will take a look at tonight’s WWE Battleground lineup and what I expect and/or hope to see during the show. We will skip the preamble and jump right into the opening match.
Kickoff Show
Cameron vs. Naomi
Boone’s Breakdown: Yawn. Who Cares? I’ve heard WWE digs the Cameron character, so maybe she goes over? I’m not really sure, but for the love of god don’t ever let her do dueling commentary with Paige on television again. I mean never, ever! God that was atrocious. Anyways, despite all of that, I’ll go with the worker of the two getting the nod.
Boone’s Prediction: Naomi
Jack Swagger vs. Rusev
Boone’s Breakdown: I’ve heard that WWE may actually extend this program, and if Rusev squashes Swagger than I’m not sure how that’s supposed to happen, or how they can justify another match with these two. Maybe a non-finish tonight? Disqualification or count-out, perhaps? I assume Swagger will get in some offense and that it won’t be a typical Rusev squash, but I don’t expect this feud to be over after tonight’s show.
Boone’s Prediction: Rusev
Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose
Boone’s Breakdown: This is a clear-cut candidate on paper for “match of the night.” These two have great chemistry and are both exceptional in the ring. This too is expected to continue on past tonight’s show, and I don’t see WWE booking two non-finishes on a pay-per-view, so I’m not sure which will get the angle-driven finish. While I expect Rollins to go over, the fact that he has the briefcase is basically the booking equivalent to a “get out of jail free card,” so he can afford a loss without ruining his momentum. Ambrose on the other hand has been a punching bag for the top guys in recent weeks, and if they are serious about giving him a push past mid-card status, I’m not sure if he should keep losing in big matches. Regardless, I don’t see Ambrose getting his hand raised tonight.
Boone’s Prediction: Seth Rollins
Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt
Boone’s Breakdown: According to one source, these two are expected to have three straight pay-per-view matches, much like the Wyatt-John Cena program that seemed like it would never end. If they’re going to have three matches on pay-per-view in a row, I’m not sure how they can justify Wyatt winning all of them, so he’s got to lose at least once, I would assume. SummerSlam is a higher-profile show, so I expect Wyatt to win that one, and if their third match is as Night Of Champions and is the end of their run, I assume Wyatt finishes the series on top. Basically put, if he’s going to lose one of the three (if they in fact do three) than tonight would be the one that makes the most sense. I’m sure they would angle their way into giving Jericho the win, if they choose to go that route, as I don’t expect Wyatt to do a clean job.
Boone’s Prediction: Chris Jericho
WWE Intercontinental Championship Battle Royal
Boone’s Breakdown: Ahhh, another battle royal. These are usually pretty easy to predict and while Cesaro seems to be the obvious favorite. In looking at the list of competitors scheduled for this one, I can’t picture too many people wearing the Intercontinental Title, so I’ll go with the odds on this one.
Boone’s Prediction: Cesaro
WWE Divas Championship
AJ Lee (c) vs. Paige
Boone’s Breakdown: This is a Divas match that actually has some significance, as well as the potential to be a pretty damn good little match. That said, if they put this on in the wrong part of the lineup tonight, it could be largely ignored and become the “bathroom break” or “popcorn match” of the evening. Their story line friendship/rivalry has been pretty interesting thus far, but AJ just won the title so I don’t expect her to drop it at this point.
Boone’s Prediction: AJ Lee
WWE Tag Team Championships (2 Out Of 3 Falls)
The Usos (c) vs. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan
Boone’s Breakdown: This is another “match of the night” candidate, as these two teams have been having some great matches together. Unfortunately for the Samoan duo, I think their run as champions has run its’ course and I fully expect a title change here tonight. I’m going to go with Harper and Rowan to become the first members of The Wyatt Family to capture WWE Championship gold.
Boone’s Prediction: Luke Harper & Erick Rowan
WWE World Heavyweight Championship (Fatal Four-Way)
John Cena (c) vs. Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton vs. Kane
Boone’s Breakdown: There has been a lot of talk about “plan a” and “plan b” and whatnot, but this one seems pretty obvious. With all of the SummerSlam leaks pointing to a John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar match, one would assume Cena retains tonight. What’s interesting, however, is that Cena is not scheduled for tomorrow night’s RAW, but Lesnar is. The SummerSlam poster never indicated that Cena vs. Lesnar would be for the title, so it’s actually possible that Reigns or Orton walks out as champion and Cena-Lesnar split off into their own thing. Even though that’s possible, I don’t expect it to happen.
Boone’s Prediction: John Cena
What do you guys think? Who are you predicting to win the matches at tonight’s WWE Battleground pay-per-view? Leave your feedback in the “Comments” section below. You can also hit me up on Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBooneWZR and/or follow me on Twitter @MBoone420.
