Welcome one and all to my preview and predictions blog for the upcoming WWE live special, Stomping Grounds. Before I begin I want to encourage you all to check out the archive of film reviews and other stuff that I have on this blog by following this LINK.
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There's a lot going on in the WWE and in professional wrestling in general at the moment. A lot of people have been very vocal about the current WWE product and other factors such as certain live specials that took place in an Arab nation. There's no question that there are real issues within the WWE at the moment and if the reports that appear on the dirt sheets are even slightly true there is a lot if unhappy talent. There is also the threat of a new competitor in AEW and also the popularity of NJPW, ROH and other indie groups all over the world. There is no doubt that it is a great time to be a fan of pro wrestling and there is something for everyone. As always I will write about the matches in no particular order.
1. WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Tony Nese (C) Vs. Drew Gulak Vs. Akira Tozawa: It's no secret that I am a big advocate for the whole 205 Live roster and I have to hope that one day very soon management will finally see the potential that is on this show. This match is a great start. All three competitors are 205 Live originals and have all flown a little under the radar during the many fluctuations of the show and division in general. Tony Nese has had little screen time to display how good he is but, I feel his two opponents are more than capable of bringing out the best in the champion. Akira Tozawa has been on top of the mountain before and whilst he has had a great showing at times has never replicated that success. Drew Gulak is one of the most under rated competitors in the WWE today. His recent matches with Kushida and Matt Riddle show that he is better than most and is more than capable of putting on a great showing when called upon. This match will hopefully be given the time it needs to fully display the talent of all three. With that being said I think that Drew Gulak will come out with the win cementing his rightful place at the top of 205 Live.
2. Smackdown Live Tag Team Championships: Daniel Bryan And Rowan (C) Vs. Heavy Machinery: The one thing that frustrates me about the WWE at the moment is the lack of decent tag team matches. Daniel Bryan and Rowan were put together and whilst they are entertaining enough to watch there are other teams that could hold the spot. Heavy Machinery are yet another example of a mediocre tag team being put in a position they shouldn't be, look to AOP and The Ascension as examples of teams being brought up on the main roster and then being left to their own devices. This will probably be quite a quick match with Bryan and Rowan picking up the win.
3. WWE United States Championship: Samoa Joe (C) Vs. Ricochet: It's been a strange old time in the United States Championship picture as of late. Rey Mysterio accidentally won the championship, injuring himself in the process and then relinquished the championship to Joe a week later. Ricochet has been impressive as of late and proves that he can replicate the success he had in NXT. This match might be the surprise of the night. This will be a fast paced match with both competitors showing they both really belong in the main event. This is a tough one to call but, I think Joe might come out with the win.
4. Smackdown Live Women's Championship: Bayley (C) Vs. Alexa Bliss: This match has been built pretty well. Alexa Bliss has been put with Nikki Cross and the two seem to be working well with each other. During this story Bayley has been accused of not being who she appears to be and this might actually lead to her turning heel, which would be something I would be interested in seeing. This will be a decent enough match with Bliss not really having many matches in recent times due to injury. I would fully expect Cross to be involved in the finish but, I think Bayley may come out with the win. I am pretty interested in seeing where this story goes.
5. The New Day Vs. Kevin Owens And Sami Zayn: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have been put into a weird position since their return. They haven't really had much success as singles competitors with Owens only getting one shot at the WWE Championship and no sign of a rematch any time soon. Sami Zayn continues to impress me as a heel and is just killing it, taunting the WWE Universe but, also being the voice of reason. This match will be a good enough match but, I can't help but feel this might have been better as a championship match with either team more than worthy tag team champions. This will be a great back and forth and I think that Owens and Zayn will be the winners.
6. Roman Reigns Vs. Drew McIntyre: I never thought it was possible but, I actually think this match will be a pretty decent showing for both competitors. The current feud between Reigns and the authority figures of the WWE has been one of the more entertaining parts of WWE TV. this match has been built pretty well with Reigns becoming more and more popular with his previous detractors and you can hear that with his reaction being more positive week on week. Drew McIntyre has really grown as a heel since he arrived on RAW. This will be a decent match with a lot of hard hitting spots. I fully expect Shane McMahon, Elias and The Revival all to be involved in the outcome of this match and McIntyre coming out on top.
7. RAW Women's Championship: Becky Lynch (C) Vs. Lacey Evans: Becky Lynch has been almost unstoppable over the past year or so and rightfully so, she is one of if not the most entertaining part of the women's division. Lacey Evans is, in my opinion, a clear example of someone who has maybe been rushed up to the main roster. Whilst Evans is entertaining enough to watch she may have benefited from a main event spot in NXT first to test the water. This match will be another example of how great Lynch is at controlling the audience and really showing how she has almost transcended the division. I can't see Lynch losing her championship any time soon so I expect The Man to come out on top.
8. WWE Championship Steel Cage: Kofi Kingston (C) Vs. Dolph Ziggler: If you told me a year ago that Kofi Vs. Ziggler would be a WWE Championship match I would have probably dismissed you immediately. That's not a discount on either competitors abilities or whether either is deserving or not but, I do feel that both men have been more than deserving of this opportunity for a number of years. I have a funny feeling that this match will be a really positive for both and I feel that given the right amount of time both Ziggler and Kingston can show why they deserve credit and attention. This will be a great match with a lot of hyper competitive spots throughout. Whilst I love Ziggler I can't see him as champion yet, so I think that Kingston will retain.
9. WWE Universal Championship: Seth Rollins (C) Vs. Baron Corbin: The real threat of this match is whether Brock Lesnar decides he wants to come to work this month. I am with a lot of people that couldn't believe that Lesnar won the Money In The Bank match and I was more than annoyed that this type of thing keeps happening in the WWE. Baron Corbin has been floating around the top end of the WWE for a little while, does he deserve a Universal Championship match ? probably not but, there's not really anyone else that could be put in this match without it seeming forced. Seth Rollins is a real anti hero character that is almost at Bret Hart or Shawn Michaels levels in the WWE. This will be a decent enough match with Corbin hopefully showing his talent outweighs his mediocre character. I can't see him as champion, Rollins for the win. Pray for no cash in.
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