http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/logo12.png
We had our last WWE PPV just three weeks ago, and yet the Battleground card is pretty solid and feels as if it has had a decent amount of build. We might be in "PPV saturation" mode here, but that doesn't mean that the PPV won't be worth watching. In fact, it looks like it'll be a pretty solid card, even if it's pretty predictable. But, hey, maybe it'll surprise. If Brock Lesnar could conquer The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania, anything can happen.
Cameron vs. Naomi
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb162.jpg
Prediction: When in doubt, pick the better in-ring worker. Nobody really cares who wins this match, but the long-term plan has to be pushing the far more talented Naomi. Cameron is still very raw in the ring, and while she's getting better, Naomi is incredibly athletic and can do things that few other Divas can do. Cameron taking a loss doesn't hurt her -- she can just do the "crazy heel" thing after -- and Naomi getting a win would be good to see.
Random Thoughts: It's going to be impossible to tell until it airs, but I still have the feeling that this breakup and mini-feud between Cameron and Naomi is all just for a Total Divas storyline. With that said, it's a Divas feud that's not over the championship, and that's always a good thing.
<color=red>2-out-of-3 Falls WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowanhttp://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb164.jpg
Prediction: I picked the team of Harper/Rowan to win at Money in the Bank, and while that didn't happen, I'm going to pick them to come away victorious again. WWE's 50/50 booking and the fact that, apart from interfering in main event feuds, The Usos haven't done much as champions lately, it's time to move on. Also, I really, really, really want to see Harper/Rowan against Stardust/Goldust.
Random Thought: I'm so over The Usos.
Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) vs. Rusev (with Lana)
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb165.jpg
Prediction: Rusev's undefeated streak is still technically a thing, and while it could definitely keep going, I'm going to pick the dark horse here. Given the recent events involving Russia, and the strong sense of patriotism Americans feel for Swagger, it's entirely possible that WWE will make a statement here by having Swagger come out on top. Swagger wouldn't be the worst person to end Rusev's streak, and the momentum he would gain from doing so could only help him. Meanwhile, Rusev will get heat with the Russia angle and can still crush tons of people.
Random Thoughts: Maybe it's because I'm not American, but this whole Rusev/Swagger thing feels like really cheap heat/pop, respectively. Playing to patriotism always feels that way to me. Perhaps it's because I'm looking on as an outsider. I don't know.
<color=red>20-Man Battle Royal WWE Intercontental Championship Matchhttp://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb163.jpg
Prediction: Cesaro. I'm just taking a random shot in the dark here. It could be him. It could be Alberto Del Rio. It could be Sheamus. It could be The Miz. But Cesaro really isn't doing much right now, and I think it's time to give him the title and a real feud.
Random Thoughts: Battle royals are such crapshoots that picking a winner is difficult. You can eliminate most people, though, which is always fun. You know Sin Cara isn't going to win, for example.
Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb166.jpg
Prediction: It seems like every time Chris Jericho briefly comes back, it's to put over a younger Superstar. I mean, that's what veterans do, right? But now he has that sort of reputation. Fans don't see him as particularly credible anymore because of this. "Y2Jobber" is a saying among the IWC. WWE has to know this. I think they'll have Jericho win this match. The feud isn't going to end any time soon, and Jericho taking the first battle -- even though he'll likely lose the war -- would be a good idea.
Random Thoughts: There's no way Jericho comes back to feud with Wyatt for only three weeks. This will continue, probably right through to Night of Champions. Also, if you're wondering whether or not these two Superstars will put on a good match, go watch what they did on NXT a while back. NXT is usually considered non-canon, and WWE won't acknowledge the fact that they've squared off before, but it was really good and hopefully their Battleground match will top it.
Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb167.jpg
Prediction: It doesn't matter who wins because the feud will continue until at least SummerSlam, if not longer. This might wind up being a draw, actually. Yeah, I'll pick that. A no contest, double countout, or something else that continues the feud. One does not need to get the best of the other.
Random Thoughts: A street fight has to be coming at the next PPV, doesn't it? Does that not seem like the most likely of stipulations?
WWE Divas Championship Match: AJ Lee vs. Paigehttp://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb168.jpg
Prediction: AJ Lee is unlikely to lose her championship at Battleground. The feud/friendship will continue past this PPV, but I don't see Paige winning the match. AJ just got the championship back; she's not going to lose it right away. Besides, we still need her and Eva Marie to feud over the title.
Random Thoughts: More interesting than the winner is what happens after the match. Will Paige complete her heel turn and attack AJ? Or will they stay "frienemies" for another month? Given that I'm guessing Cameron does the "heel freakout" earlier on in the night, I could see them drawing out the heel turn until SummerSlam.
<color=red>Fatal 4-Way WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: Kane vs. Randy Orton vs. John Cena vs. Roman Reignshttp://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb169.jpg
Prediction: John Cena walks away from Battleground as champion. I'm sorry, Cena haters, but I don't see WWE wasting Cena's 15th title win on a month-long reign. Kane will likely wind up costing Orton the chance to win the title, so it'll come down to Cena and Reigns. It's still too early to put the belt(s?) on Reigns, so Cena become the choice.
Random Thoughts: Does Brock Lesnar return here to challenge for the championship? I don't think so, but how fun would that be?
<color=D6D9DA>_________________________________________________________________________________
Outside of the "kickoff" match, are there any that aren't worth being excited for? This is a PPV with a three-week build, and it's looking to be a really solid one. Hopefully it delivers.
TL;DR Predictions:
Cameron vs. Naomi
<color=red>2-out-of-3 Falls WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan
Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) vs. Rusev (with Lana)
<color=red>20-Man Battle Royal WWE Intercontental Championship Match: Cesaro
Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt
Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins (Draw)
WWE Divas Championship Match: AJ Lee vs. Paige
<color=red>Fatal 4-Way WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: Kane vs. Randy Orton vs. John Cena vs. Roman Reigns
<color=D6D9DA>_________________________________________________________________________________
If you wish to be notified whenever I post something new, please join this <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/2-50-Reviews>user group.
For an archive of all my previous WWE reviews, please go <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.846764-Marters-WWE-Reviews-Archive>here.
Talk to me on the Twitter, <url=https://twitter.com/martertweet>@martertweet.
We had our last WWE PPV just three weeks ago, and yet the Battleground card is pretty solid and feels as if it has had a decent amount of build. We might be in "PPV saturation" mode here, but that doesn't mean that the PPV won't be worth watching. In fact, it looks like it'll be a pretty solid card, even if it's pretty predictable. But, hey, maybe it'll surprise. If Brock Lesnar could conquer The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania, anything can happen.
Cameron vs. Naomi
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb162.jpg
Prediction: When in doubt, pick the better in-ring worker. Nobody really cares who wins this match, but the long-term plan has to be pushing the far more talented Naomi. Cameron is still very raw in the ring, and while she's getting better, Naomi is incredibly athletic and can do things that few other Divas can do. Cameron taking a loss doesn't hurt her -- she can just do the "crazy heel" thing after -- and Naomi getting a win would be good to see.
Random Thoughts: It's going to be impossible to tell until it airs, but I still have the feeling that this breakup and mini-feud between Cameron and Naomi is all just for a Total Divas storyline. With that said, it's a Divas feud that's not over the championship, and that's always a good thing.
<color=red>2-out-of-3 Falls WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowanhttp://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb164.jpg
Prediction: I picked the team of Harper/Rowan to win at Money in the Bank, and while that didn't happen, I'm going to pick them to come away victorious again. WWE's 50/50 booking and the fact that, apart from interfering in main event feuds, The Usos haven't done much as champions lately, it's time to move on. Also, I really, really, really want to see Harper/Rowan against Stardust/Goldust.
Random Thought: I'm so over The Usos.
Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) vs. Rusev (with Lana)
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb165.jpg
Prediction: Rusev's undefeated streak is still technically a thing, and while it could definitely keep going, I'm going to pick the dark horse here. Given the recent events involving Russia, and the strong sense of patriotism Americans feel for Swagger, it's entirely possible that WWE will make a statement here by having Swagger come out on top. Swagger wouldn't be the worst person to end Rusev's streak, and the momentum he would gain from doing so could only help him. Meanwhile, Rusev will get heat with the Russia angle and can still crush tons of people.
Random Thoughts: Maybe it's because I'm not American, but this whole Rusev/Swagger thing feels like really cheap heat/pop, respectively. Playing to patriotism always feels that way to me. Perhaps it's because I'm looking on as an outsider. I don't know.
<color=red>20-Man Battle Royal WWE Intercontental Championship Matchhttp://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb163.jpg
Prediction: Cesaro. I'm just taking a random shot in the dark here. It could be him. It could be Alberto Del Rio. It could be Sheamus. It could be The Miz. But Cesaro really isn't doing much right now, and I think it's time to give him the title and a real feud.
Random Thoughts: Battle royals are such crapshoots that picking a winner is difficult. You can eliminate most people, though, which is always fun. You know Sin Cara isn't going to win, for example.
Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb166.jpg
Prediction: It seems like every time Chris Jericho briefly comes back, it's to put over a younger Superstar. I mean, that's what veterans do, right? But now he has that sort of reputation. Fans don't see him as particularly credible anymore because of this. "Y2Jobber" is a saying among the IWC. WWE has to know this. I think they'll have Jericho win this match. The feud isn't going to end any time soon, and Jericho taking the first battle -- even though he'll likely lose the war -- would be a good idea.
Random Thoughts: There's no way Jericho comes back to feud with Wyatt for only three weeks. This will continue, probably right through to Night of Champions. Also, if you're wondering whether or not these two Superstars will put on a good match, go watch what they did on NXT a while back. NXT is usually considered non-canon, and WWE won't acknowledge the fact that they've squared off before, but it was really good and hopefully their Battleground match will top it.
Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb167.jpg
Prediction: It doesn't matter who wins because the feud will continue until at least SummerSlam, if not longer. This might wind up being a draw, actually. Yeah, I'll pick that. A no contest, double countout, or something else that continues the feud. One does not need to get the best of the other.
Random Thoughts: A street fight has to be coming at the next PPV, doesn't it? Does that not seem like the most likely of stipulations?
WWE Divas Championship Match: AJ Lee vs. Paigehttp://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb168.jpg
Prediction: AJ Lee is unlikely to lose her championship at Battleground. The feud/friendship will continue past this PPV, but I don't see Paige winning the match. AJ just got the championship back; she's not going to lose it right away. Besides, we still need her and Eva Marie to feud over the title.
Random Thoughts: More interesting than the winner is what happens after the match. Will Paige complete her heel turn and attack AJ? Or will they stay "frienemies" for another month? Given that I'm guessing Cameron does the "heel freakout" earlier on in the night, I could see them drawing out the heel turn until SummerSlam.
<color=red>Fatal 4-Way WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: Kane vs. Randy Orton vs. John Cena vs. Roman Reignshttp://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/16/09/70/40/clipb169.jpg
Prediction: John Cena walks away from Battleground as champion. I'm sorry, Cena haters, but I don't see WWE wasting Cena's 15th title win on a month-long reign. Kane will likely wind up costing Orton the chance to win the title, so it'll come down to Cena and Reigns. It's still too early to put the belt(s?) on Reigns, so Cena become the choice.
Random Thoughts: Does Brock Lesnar return here to challenge for the championship? I don't think so, but how fun would that be?
<color=D6D9DA>_________________________________________________________________________________
Outside of the "kickoff" match, are there any that aren't worth being excited for? This is a PPV with a three-week build, and it's looking to be a really solid one. Hopefully it delivers.
TL;DR Predictions:
Cameron vs. Naomi
<color=red>2-out-of-3 Falls WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan
Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) vs. Rusev (with Lana)
<color=red>20-Man Battle Royal WWE Intercontental Championship Match: Cesaro
Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt
Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins (Draw)
WWE Divas Championship Match: AJ Lee vs. Paige
<color=red>Fatal 4-Way WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: Kane vs. Randy Orton vs. John Cena vs. Roman Reigns
<color=D6D9DA>_________________________________________________________________________________
If you wish to be notified whenever I post something new, please join this <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/2-50-Reviews>user group.
For an archive of all my previous WWE reviews, please go <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.846764-Marters-WWE-Reviews-Archive>here.
Talk to me on the Twitter, <url=https://twitter.com/martertweet>@martertweet.