WWE Battleground 2017 preview & predictions

WWE Battleground 2017 airs this Sunday from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. It is the final WWE PPV before SummerSlam on August 20th.

Kickoff Show:

Breezango is supposedly going to crack the case and the Superstars that have been torturing them during recent episodes of Fashion Files are going to be revealed. I honestly have zero clue who will be revealed as the attackers but I am looking forward to finding out.

Aiden English vs Tye Dillinger

Photo Credit: WWE.com

English and Dillinger faced off back in May at WWE Backlash. That match was also on the Kickoff Show. Tye Dillinger picked up the victory at Backlash and I would assume he will do the same Sunday night.

Predicted Winner: Tye Dillinger

Main Card:

Baron Corbin vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Photo Credit: WWE.com

Baron Corbin and Shinsuke Nakamura have been at each other’s throats for a few week’s now. Shinsuke Nakamura claimed that Corbin was afraid of him, which then caused Corbin to attack Nakamura backstage the following week.

On July 11th, Shinsuke Nakamura was scheduled to have a match with Baron Corbin. However, the match never started because Nakamura attacked Corbin before the match started.

On Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown, Nakamura teamed up with AJ Styles to take on Baron Corbin and Kevin Owens. Corbin tried to get revenge on Nakamura and attack him while he was making his entrance. Nakamura was ready for it and a brawl broke out with the four Superstars in the match. The match ended with Corbin and Kevin Owens getting the last laugh and emerging victorious.

Corbin won the Money in the Bank briefcase at last months PPV and that guarantees him a shot at the WWE Championship in the future. Shinsuke Nakamura warned AJ Styles before their match on Tuesday that he was coming for his United States Championship. Both Corbin and Nakamura have bright futures in WWE. I think Corbin will pick up the victory at Battleground, but will cheat to do so.

Predicted Winner: Baron Corbin

Sami Zayn vs Mike Kanellis

Photo Credit: WWE.com

This feud all started when Sami Zayn interrupted Mike and Maria Kanellis having a love-fest backstage. Sami Zayn continued to accidentally interrupt the Kanellis’ romantic moments and finally Mike and Maria had enough. Maria slapped Sami in the face and Mike followed it up by smashing a glass vase over Zayn’s head on the July 11th episode of SmackDown.

On Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown, Mike Kanellis made his WWE in-ring debut against Sami Zayn. Sami controlled the entire match and had Kanellis set up for the Helluva Kick in the corner. Maria got into the ring and stood in front of the love of her life. Sami became frustrated and started yelling at the referee to get Maria out of the ring. Mike Kanellis then punched Sami in the face and planted him with a Samoan Driver for the pinfall victory.

I see things playing out in a similar fashion this Sunday at Battleground. Sami Zayn will have the match won, but outside interference from Maria Kanallis will once again cost him a victory.

Predicted Winner: Mike Kanellis

SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos (c) vs New Day

Photo Credit: WWE.com

The Usos defended their titles against New Day at the Money in the Bank PPV last month. It was a back and forth match, but The Usos took the cowardly out and purposefully got counted out to retain their titles. Things then got personal during a rap battle on SmackDown. The Usos referenced a private video featuring Paige and Xavier Woods being leaked during the battle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_oNiA19qX8

On the July 11th episode of SmackDown, Xavier Woods picked up a victory over Jey Uso. New Day seemed to have all of the momentum heading into their rematch for the titles at WWE Battleground this Sunday.

However, The Usos responded with a big victory on this past Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown. Jimmy Uso defeated Kofi Kingston after Jey Uso provided a distraction on the ring apron. Kofi hesitated for a moment and then connected with a Crossbody off the top rope on Jimmy Uso in the ring. Jimmy Uso was able to roll through the move and wound up pinning Kofi for the victory.

This is one of those matches where I could see either team winning. Truth be told, I would be perfectly fine as either New Day or The Usos as SmackDown Tag Team Champions. I’ve enjoyed The Usos work as heels, but I think the time has come for New Day to be the champs again.

Predicted Winners & New SmackDown Tag Team Champions: New Day

Flag Match: John Cena vs Rusev

Photo Credit: WWE.com

John Cena made his WWE return on the July 4th episode of SmackDown. He was in the middle of cutting a promo about America’s greatness when he was rudely interrupted by Rusev, who happened to also be making his long-awaited WWE return. Cena wound up challenging Rusev to a Flag Match that night, but Rusev declined.

On the July 11th episode of SmackDown, Cena teamed up with AJ Styles to face Rusev and Kevin Owens. Cena got the better of Rusev during the match and wound up pinning Kevin Owens after an Attitude Adjustment to earn a victory for his team.

During this past week’s episode of SmackDown, Cena cut an impassioned promo about Sunday’s Flag Match against Rusev. Both the American flag and the Bulgarian flag were hanging above the turnbuckles. After Cena was done with his promo, Rusev attacked him from behind. Rusev locked Cena in the Accolade and though Cena tried his best to break the hold, he ultimately was unable to do so. Rusev left Cena laying in the ring and celebrated with the Bulgarian flag on the entrance ramp.

Rusev may have captured the momentum on Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown, but I think Cena will be the one who emerges victorious at WWE Battleground. SummerSlam is just around the corner and I’m sure Cena will be a major factor on that PPV.

Predicted Winner: John Cena

United States Championship Match: AJ Styles (c) vs Kevin Owens

Photo Credit: WWE.com

Kevin Owens had his title of “The New Face of America” snatched away from him when AJ Styles won the United States Championship at a WWE Live Event at Madison Square Garden on July 7th.

As noted earlier, Styles and John Cena teamed up to defeat Kevin Owens and Rusev on the July 11th episode on SmackDown. Owens got some revenge on Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown, when he teamed up with Baron Corbin to defeat Styles and Nakamura. Owens actually pinned the United States Champion after a Pop-Up Powerbomb.

I don’t envision AJ Styles dropping the United States Championship so quickly after winning it. Styles has hinted at bring back the US Open Challenge and defending the title weekly on Tuesday nights. I’d like to see Styles retain the title and for the US Open Challenge to return starting next week on SmackDown.

Predicted Winner & Still United States Champion: AJ Styles

Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match To Determine The #1 Contender For The SmackDown Women’s Championship: Tamina vs Becky Lynch vs Charlotte vs Lana vs Natalya

Photo Credit: WWE.com

This match is supposed to be every woman for themselves, but Tamina and Lana seem to have bonded over the past few weeks. Lana lost three matches to SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi in a row after debuting on the SmackDown roster. Charlotte, Becky and Natalya have all questioned whether Lana should be a part of this match and Tamina has come to her defense every time. On the July 11th episode of SmackDown, Lana came down to the ring during a tag match between Charlotte & Becky Lynch versus Natalya & Tamina. Lana distracted Charlotte and Tamina used it to her advantage and booted Charlotte in the face for the victory.

On Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown, the five Superstars in this match all had argument in front of SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon. Tamina once again came to Lana’s defense and told her to shut up. Natalya then suggested to Shane McMahon that Becky Lynch and Charlotte have a match tonight. Charlotte then pissed Becky Lynch off because she claimed that it would be an uncompetitive match due to Charlotte’s previous victories over Lynch. The two started arguing and Shane McMahon made the match official. Becky Lynch wound up winning the match and the two Superstars shook hands after it was over.

Natalya, Tamina and Lana then attacked Becky and Charlotte. Tamina and Lana came down to the ring together. Natalya tried to lock Tamina in the Sharpshooter but Lana attacked her from behind. Tamina then leveled Natalya with a kick and exited the ring. SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi stated on Tuesday’s SmackDown that she will be the first person in the ring to congratulate the new #1 contender at Battleground. Carmella interrupted Naomi with the MITB briefcase and told Naomi to watch her back at Sunday’s PPV.

In my opinion, the Superstar that makes the most sense to win this match is Becky Lynch. I’m solely basing that off of the interactions Lynch has had with Carmella and James Ellsworth. I’m assuming that Carmella will cash in the briefcase before SummerSlam and then enter a feud with Becky Lynch as she will be the #1 contender. Another interesting option would be Tamina. We haven’t learned much about her on-screen character since she made her return after WWE’s Superstar Shake-Up. Her relationship with Lana is puzzling and maybe we will know more about their friendship following Battleground and the weeks heading up to SummerSlam.

Predicted Winner & #1 Contender For The SmackDown Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch

WWE Championship Punjabi Prison Match: Jinder Mahal (c) vs Randy Orton

Photo Credit: WWE.com

The feud between Randy Orton and Jinder Mahal has been going on for months. Mahal has already defeated Orton twice, once to capture the WWE Championship and then he successfully defended it at WWE Money in the Bank. During their match at Money in the Bank, Randy Orton’s father Cowboy Bob Orton was seated in the front row. The Singh Brothers put their hands on him and it caused Orton to lose his mind in front of his hometown crowd. Mahal capitalized on Orton losing focus and retained his WWE Championship.

Orton then proceeded to hold SmackDown hostage until he was granted another rematch for the WWE Championship. Randy set up a chair in the ring and demanded that either Shane McMahon or Daniel Bryan make the match. Orton also threatened to RKO Mahal’s entire family in response to the Singh Brothers putting their hands on his father. SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon eventually caved in and granted Orton the match, but stated that Jinder Mahal got to choose the stipulation for the match. WWE Champion Jinder Mahal then came down to the entrance ramp and announced that it would be a Punjabi Prison match, in honor of his idol the Great Khali.

Mahal cut a promo on Randy Orton the following week on the July 4th episode of SmackDown. During the promo, Mahal insulted America and claimed that he had 1.3 billion people behind him in India. Mahal also stated that Americans do not like him because he looks different and sounds different. Mahal vowed to beat tolerance into those fans who disrespect him because of the color of his skin. Orton then interrupted and said that the WWE Universe doesn’t dislike him because he looks different, it is because he is a jackass.

On the July 11th episode of SmackDown, Randy Orton was away filming the upcoming WWE Studios film “Changeland”. Mahal had a match against Tye Dillinger and easily defeated him. After the match, Mahal cut another promo on Americans and Randy Orton. Mahal referred to Orton as a “snake” and scolded the fans for cheering for him. The fans responded by chanting “USA!”. Mahal claimed that the 1.3 billion people in India know that Jinder Mahal is the greatest WWE Champion of all time.

Randy Orton returned to SmackDown this Tuesday and interrupted Jinder Mahal while he was cutting a promo along with the Singh Brothers inside the Punjabi Prison structure. Orton said that Mahal had everything to lose as the 50th WWE Champion. Randy asked Mahal how he was going to feel after the 1.3 billion people in India realize that he is a disgrace after he loses the WWE Championship at Battleground. Orton then climbed to the top of the Punjabi Prison and vowed to leave Mahal’s “jacked up ass for dead in that ring” at WWE Battleground this Sunday.

This feud will likely come to an end this Sunday at the PPV. I just cannot see Randy Orton defeating Mahal in a Punjabi Prison match. I fully expect the Singh Brothers to somehow find their way into the structure and have a major impact on this match. Mahal will carry the WWE Championship until SummerSlam, I don’t see his title reign lasting any longer than that.

Predicted Winner & Still WWE Champion: Jinder Mahal

What are your WWE Battleground 2017 predictions? Let us know in the comments below.

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