WWE Battleground 2017 Preview

Here are my predictions for tonights WWE ppv:

KickOff Show: Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English

Neither of these guys has received the slightest bit of storyline support as of late, so it's yet another meaningless match between them that most fans won't care about. Dillinger can always be counted on to kick off any event on a high note given how much he connects with fans, but he should be more than that.

He received a racuous reaction from the post-WrestleMania crowd when debuted on SmackDown Live back in April, but it was apparent officials had no plans to push him. He has sparingly showed up on WWE TV in the past few months, making this match all the more random.

Similar to how it helped Chad Gable, Dillinger would benefit from answering AJ Styles' U.S. Open Challenge. He's too talented to be wasted by constantly being relegated to Kickoff matches without purpose.

Prediction: Tye Dillinger wins.

1. Mike Kanellis vs. Sami Zayn

No reason was given as to why this rematch is being held, but it is a fine addition to an already stacked show. It will also give them a chance to have a better bout than they did on Tuesday and leave a bigger impression on fans. It is way too early in Mike's run for him to be losing, so he should beat Zayn for a second straight time at Battleground.

Prediction: Mike Kanellis wins.

2. SmackDown Women's Championship No. 1 Contender's Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match

There are a ton of talented ladies on the blue brand, but each is suffering from a lack of character development because there aren't any individual storylines. Here's hoping several feuds emerge from this bout because these No. 1 contender matches have grown tiresome.

Lana had her shot on three separate occasions and lost every time, and Natalya isn't a believable challenger. Lynch would be a fine choice, but Charlotte has unfinished business with Naomi, and therefore she is the pick to win.

Given how much television time she has received lately, Tamina is a dark horse to come out on top, but Flair could get a far better match out of the champion.

Prediction: Charlotte Flair wins.

3. The Usos vs. The New Day (SmackDown Tag Team Championships)

This program has breathed new life into SmackDown's tag team scene with entertaining matches and awesome mic work. The terrific chemistry The Usos and New Day share has made them a recurring highlight on SmackDown. Count on The Usos to walk out of Philadelphia with their title reign intact, only for New Day to capture the championships in the same place they kicked off their record-setting reign as tag team champs in 2015: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, at SummerSlam.

Prediction: The Usos retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

4. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin

Corbin was the best choice to emerge with the briefcase considering he has been on the cusp of the main event scene for several months. He has also shown signs of steady progression over the past year and has the potential to be an even bigger breakout star during the remainder of 2017.

WWE's mentality has always been that no matter how many times the Money in the Bank winner loses, it won't matter because they will cash in the contract successfully. That might do more damage to them in the long term, but it's safe to assume WWE will take a similar route with Corbin, starting with this Battleground match against Nakamura.

The promotion shouldn't be beating him like a drum over the coming months, but he will benefit from working with top-tier talent such as Nakamura and AJ Styles before he captures the championship later this year—he isn't ready quite yet.

Nakamura has been undefeated in singles competition since arriving on SmackDown earlier this year, and he shouldn't suffer his first such defeat at Battleground.

Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura wins.

5. John Cena vs. Rusev (Flag Match)

Rusev deserves better than serving as a stepping stone for Cena, but that's unfortunately the point of this program. Having the Bulgarian Brute score the upset victory would be a pleasant surprise, but he is destined to lose if his attack on Cena this past Tuesday were any indication. Beyond Battleground, look for Cena to chase Jinder Mahal or AJ Styles for his title as SummerSlam draws closer.

Prediction: John Cena wins.

6. AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens (United States Championship)

However, Styles is the best choice to carry the title for the foreseeable future. Owens had an entertaining run as champion, but The Phenomenal One could elevate the belt to another level if he brings back the U.S. Open Challenge as promised.

Shinsuke Nakamura and John Cena have both teased going after the star-spangled strap at SummerSlam, but WWE should wait until WrestleMania 34 to do Styles vs. Nakamura. Styles vs. Cena would be an incredible attraction for SummerSlam, whereas Owens can be transitioned into a rivalry with Randy Orton. Either way, Styles is just getting started as United States champion and should definitively defeat Owens for the first time in a televised match at Battleground.

Prediction: AJ Styles retains the United States Championship.

7. Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship Punjabi Prison Match)

Moreover, Orton was uninspiring in the champion role before losing to Mahal at Backlash, so putting the belt back on him anytime soon (for as long as he's a babyface anyway) would be the wrong move to make. As previously mentioned, a feud with Kevin Owens would be fresh, but Orton would benefit from a character overhaul sometime soon.

Thankfully, this Punjabi Prison match appears to be the culmination of this rivalry, and should hopefully also eliminate the possibility of interference from The Singh Brothers. Mahal must emerge victorious in clean fashion considering he has the most to gain from winning this contest and establishing himself as a credible champion. The previous two Punjabi Prison matches weren't anything to write home about, but it will surely be spectacle, at the very least.

Prediction: Jinder Mahal retains the WWE Championship.

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