WWE Battleground 2016 Predictions and Analysis
Women’s Tag Team Match
Charlotte and Dana Brooke vs. Sasha Banks and a mystery partner
Who is Sasha’s mystery Partner
Aaron Wrotkowski: Dana Brooke (turns on Charlotte)
Josh Hendrickson: Nikki Bella
Aaron Patel: Bayley
Rich Laconi: Mickie James
Aaron Wrotkowski: Dana Brooke (turns on Charlotte)
Josh Hendrickson: Nikki Bella
Aaron Patel: Bayley
Rich Laconi: Mickie James
Winners
Aaron W, Aaron P and Rich: Sasha Banks and Mystery Partner
Josh: Charlotte and Dana Brooke
Aaron W, Aaron P and Rich: Sasha Banks and Mystery Partner
Josh: Charlotte and Dana Brooke
Who Pins Who
Aaron W and Aaron P: Sasha Banks pins Charlotte
Josh: Charlotte pins Sasha
Rich: Sasha Banks pins Dana
Aaron W and Aaron P: Sasha Banks pins Charlotte
Josh: Charlotte pins Sasha
Rich: Sasha Banks pins Dana
Thoughts by Josh Hendrickson: Charlotte and Sasha has been one of the more entertaining women’s feuds in recent memory. I wasn’t surprised that this wasn’t for the women’s title because of the draft. As far as Sasha’s partner goes I don’t expect it to be Bayley for two reasons. The first one being that would be exactly what the fans want and WWE rarely does what the fan wants. Secondly Bayley deserves a bigger introduction then being a surprise tag partner. I see her inserting herself into the Women’s Championship picture immediately and being a surprise tag partner allows for that but not on the bigger stage. As far as the match goes I don’t expect it to be an all-time great I just expect it to be filler until the dust settles from the draft.
Six Man Tag Match
The New Day vs. The Wyatt Family
Winners
Aaron W, Aaron P, Josh and Rich: The New Day
Aaron W, Aaron P, Josh and Rich: The New Day
Who Pins Who
Aaron W and Rich: Big E pins Erick Rowan
Aaron P: Xavier Woods pins Bray Wyatt
Josh: Big E pins Bray Wyatt
Aaron W and Rich: Big E pins Erick Rowan
Aaron P: Xavier Woods pins Bray Wyatt
Josh: Big E pins Bray Wyatt
Will the Wyatt Family turn on each other
Aaron W, Aaron P and Rich: Yes
Josh: No
Aaron W, Aaron P and Rich: Yes
Josh: No
Thoughts by Rich Laconi: The Wyatts have been split after the draft, with Strowman staying on RAW while Rowan and Bray are headed for Smackdown. The New Day just overtook Paul London and Brain Kendrick as the longest reigning tag team champions. With the impending split after this show expect the New Day to look strong while Strowman and his brothers show the discord that will make the split easier for both sides.
United States Championship
Zack Ryder vs. Rusev (c)
Winner
Aaron W, Aaron P, Rich and Josh: Rusev
Aaron W, Aaron P, Rich and Josh: Rusev
Thoughts by Aaron Wrotkowski: This match has had a really disappointing build up. Ryder has been made to look like a chump throughout it all. If he squeaks out a win against Rusev, that’ll make Rusev look bad. If he has a hard fought match against Rusev but loses, it’ll still make Rusev look bad and Ryder’s performance will be forgotten in a week. If Rusev crushes him, it’ll be a waste of a PPV title match. Maybe Mojo Rawley makes a run in to form his tag team with Ryder on the main show. That’s about all I can think of this being worthwhile to do.
Intercontinental Championship
Darren Young vs. The Miz (c)
Winner
Aaron W, Aaron P and Rich: The Miz
Josh: Darren Young
Aaron W, Aaron P and Rich: The Miz
Josh: Darren Young
Thoughts by Josh Hendrickson: The vignettes that led to Darren Youngs repackaging left quite a bit to be desired. But his character in the ring has been entertaining and his push has been immediate. I’d be surprised if he lost but if he does lose expect him to take the title at SummerSlam.
Becky Lynch vs. Natalya
Winner
Aaron W, Aaron P and Josh: Becky Lynch
Rich: Natalya
Aaron W, Aaron P and Josh: Becky Lynch
Rich: Natalya
Thoughts by Aaron Patel: This feud has been interesting for Becky’s character. There is a lot of intensity in this rivalry and i believe that Natalya playing the Heel has credited the feud. A good match can be expected between two of the most underrated Women in the WWE.
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
Winner
Aaron W: No Contest
Aaron P and Rich: Sami Zayn
Josh: Kevin Owens
Aaron W: No Contest
Aaron P and Rich: Sami Zayn
Josh: Kevin Owens
Thoughts by Aaron Wrotkowski: This is the feud that never ends. Yes it goes on and on my friends. But unlike the Dolph Ziggler feud with Baron Corbin, we actually look forward to every match! Zayn and Owens will be battling forever and I’m fine with that. I also get the feeling they were drafted both to Raw so they can eventually come to a decision that their feud is just too big for one brand and Mick Foley decides at Summerslam the loser of the rematch will be traded to Smackdown. That’s why I see this going to a no contest and being the potential match of the night.
Six Man Tag Match
John Cena, Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. The Club
Winners
Aaron W, Aaron P, Josh and Rich: Cena/Amore/Cass
Aaron W, Aaron P, Josh and Rich: Cena/Amore/Cass
Who Pins Who
Aaron W and Josh: John Cena taps AJ out
Aaron P: Cass pins Anderson
Aaron W and Josh: John Cena taps AJ out
Aaron P: Cass pins Anderson
Does the Club Turn on AJ Styles
Aaron W and Aaron P: Yes
Josh and Rich: No
Aaron W and Aaron P: Yes
Josh and Rich: No
Thoughts by Aaron Patel: I strongly believe that Anderson & Gallows will turn on Styles. This is the final time Styles shall team with Gallows & Anderson due to the draft splitting them up, thus the stable shall split due to animosity. A potential Finn Balor debut as he attacks Styles with Gallows & Anderson forming Balor Club. However that remains seemingly unlikely as Balor should be reserved for Raw. Enzo & Cass will gain more momentum heading into Summerslam, potentially winning the Tag Champs. Cena and Styles shall build for a rubber match at Summerslam.
WWE Battleground Main Event
WWE Championship
Triple Threat Match
Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose (c)
Who gets pinned
Aaron W, Josh and Rich: Roman Reigns
Aaron P: Seth Rollins
Aaron W, Josh and Rich: Roman Reigns
Aaron P: Seth Rollins
Winner
Aaron W: Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose (both pin Reigns, making both WWE champion for their own brands)
Aaron P, Josh: Dean Ambrose
Rich: Draw
Aaron W: Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose (both pin Reigns, making both WWE champion for their own brands)
Aaron P, Josh: Dean Ambrose
Rich: Draw
Thoughts by Rich Laconi: This could be the match that determines how the company decides to handle the title situation. With Reigns coming off of his suspension, he could easily take the loss from both men. The last match between Rollins and Seth on RAW had a questionable finish, the same could happen here where a draw keeps the title on Dean Ambrose while making the Rollins the defacto “champion” in Raw.
