WWE Battleground

Tampa Bay Times Forum

Tampa, FL

Cameron vs. Naomi

The Funkadactyls implode. Not sure if anyone cares. I can’t see why anyone would actually watch the Kickoff show. Well, except for Renee Young. She is so good at her job and very versatile. It’s no wonder she got the call up to broadcast the Superstars show on the WWE Network.

Jack Swagger vs. Rusev

Rusev is being built to be an unstoppable force. He’s not losing here.

Bray Wyatt vs. Chris Jericho

Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose

Since the day The Shield imploded, this match has been anticipated. They had a great finish to the Money in the Bank ladder match last month, when Rollins won the Money in the Bank contract. Ambrose’s obsession with getting his hands on Rollins has cost Ambrose several wins. But Ambrose crazed demeanor makes him a threat to Rollins, who has desperately kept a watchful eye on his former “brother” of The Shield. Ambrose has vowed to disrupt any attempts by Rollins to cash in his Money in the Bank contract. The animosity building in this feud is tremendous and this match is going to be very physical. My only concern for this match is a run-in by Kane or Triple H. There’s no need for outside interference in this match. Let’s hope it stays one-on-one, and we get a great match between 2 future WWE Champions.

AJ Lee (c) vs. Paige

We finally have the divas feud we’ve waited for since the night after WrestleMania XXX. The two best divas in the division are set to square off but with a twist. Both divas have appeared very friendly since the sudden Title change. Paige appears to be laying it on thick, so expect her to turn on AJ Lee at the PPV. Paige needs an edge to her character and a post-match beatdown of the Champion could do it for her. While I don’t see a Title change any time soon, I think if these divas are given enough time they can put on a good match.

The Usos (c) vs. Wyatt Family

I like the throwback feel of this match. The 2 out of 3 falls stipulation, while common in the older days of pro wrestling, is practically extinct now. But the excitement for fans of knowing they will see a minimum of 2 decisions in a match makes it a great stipulation for this feud. The Wyatts were unsuccessful last month at Money in the Bank, but won a non-Title rematch on Raw to earn this Title shot. The best way for this match to unfold is for The Usos to win the 1st fall, via a Super Kick. Then the Wyatt Family sounder hits, the Usos are laid out and the Wyatts grab a pinfall to even things at 1. The final fall comes on an undecisive decision to allow for a final rematch at Summer Slam. No matter what, The Usos are not losing the Title to the Wyatts. The NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension will be the ones to take the WWE Tag Team Championship from The Usos, likely at Night of Champions in September.

John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Kane vs. Roman Reigns

Cena’s not losing; he still has to face Lesnar at Summer Slam.

I though the way the World Heavyweight Championship belt was retired on Raw Monday night was fitting and well done. Having the 15X Champion, Cena, hand the Title to the 16X Champion, Ric Flair, was great respect to the history of the Championship. And having Flair back on tv was great as well. Hopefully, he can be paired with a young star on the rise and help them reach the next level. While I have a chance, I’d like to say how pathetic it is for WWE to Call John Cena the Greatest WWE Champion of all-time. Cena isn’t even in the top 5, much less #1 on that list. (In case you’re wondering… 1- Ric Flair, 2- The Undertaker, 3- Steve Austin, 4- Bret Hart, 5- Mick Foley). Cena’s greatest accomplishments have come thanks to the efforts of his opponents making Cena look much better than he is. (i.e. Big Show at WrestleMania XX, Triple H at WrestleMania 22, The Rock… etc). It’s an insult to the men who have competed in the ring to call John Cena the greatest Champion ever. Complete and utter bull.

We’ll see you next month for the August tradition, Summer Slam!

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Photo credit- Wikipedia & WWE.com