Tonight, the WWE will host its last Pay-Per-View before the brand split comes into play. There are battles between Superstars on different shows, and in some cases, these matches will determine which shows have which championships. The United States Championship, Intercontinental Championship, and WWE Championship are all in danger of ending the night on a different show than they started for. With all the suspense of the brand split around the corner, let’s look at what’s to come tonight (with predictions, of course).
The Usos vs. Breezango
This match was not announced on Raw or Smackdown, but on Twitter. There seems to be no reason for this match to happen other than the fact that both of these teams are on Smackdown after tonight. Depending on how this goes, this could be a good start to Daniel Bryan’s tag team division.
Prediction:
If this match is the start of building a solid tag team division, it needs to look at one of the best draft picks of last week: American Alpha. Chad Gable and Jason Jordan were wildly popular in NXT, and since they are coming in as big babyfaces, they are going to need a solid heel team to feud with. Also, Breezango has been on a roll as of late. Winners: Breezeango
Rusev (c) vs. Zack Ryder – United States Championship
Speaking of heels that have been on a roll, the United States Champion has destroyed anyone who has stood in his way. Zack Ryder had a few victories over the last couple of weeks, and since he is feeling confident, he challenged the Bulgarian Brute to a United States Championship match. If Rusev wins, the title goes to Raw. If Ryder wins, it goes to Smackdown.
Prediction:
If Ryder wins the belt from Rusev, Rusev would earn a rematch. However, since they would be on different shows, Rusev would be screwed out of a championship match. Ryder’s fellow Hype Bro, Mojo Rawley, also just got the call to Smackdown. To avoid the rematch disaster and to pair Ryder up with Rawley, I see the belt staying on Rusev. Winner, and STILL United States Champion: Rusev
Becky Lynch vs. Natalya
Becky Lynch and Natalya teamed up at Money in the Bank to face Charlotte and Dana Brooke in a tag team match. After the Women’s Champion and her protege won the match, Natalya had enough and attacked Lynch. In the weeks that followed, Natalya and Lynch would attack each other, preventing each other from having their respective matches. Tonight, they finally collide in the ring.
Prediction:
Natalya has found no success at all this year. She lost three Women’s Championship matches, and the tag team match at Money in the Bank. Lynch has not faired much better, but she has more potential to be the head of Smackdown’s women’s division. Either way, this will probably continue all the way to SummerSlam. Winner: Becky Lynch
The Miz (c) vs. Darren Young – Intercontinental Championship
This is another Smackdown vs. Raw (not the video game series) match. The Miz was drafted to Smackdown because Shane McMahon needed another championship on his Tuesday show, and Darren Young was drafted to Raw. Darren Young returned to win his #1 Contendership in a battle royal, and has improved after acquiring WWE legend Bob Backlund as a life coach. Last week on Smackdown, Darren Young made the Miz tap out with the Crossface Chicken Wing, but will that be the case tonight?
Prediction:
With my prediction being that the United States Championship stays on Raw, I could not see the Intercontinental Championship also being on the red brand. The Miz will probably steal the win, or lose by count-out to keep the title. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
The New Day vs. The Wyatt Family
The New Day interrupted the Wyatt Family’s return, and Bray Wyatt has been out for vengeance ever since. They fought at the Wyatt Family compound, and the New Day barely escaped. In what could be the last time the Wyatts are together, these two teams square off in a WWE ring before the cult leader heads to Smackdown.
Prediction:
Bray Wyatt needs this win, because he loses every single feud he is in. He has the potential to be a top heel on Smackdown, and you can’t be credible if you keep losing. However, the New Day makes WWE a lot of money. Winners: The New Day
Enzo Amore, Big Cass, & John Cena vs. The Club
This is another match that we might not ever see again. Enzo, Cass, Gallows, and Anderson were drafted to Raw, while Styles and Cena were drafted to Smackdown. The Club likes to frequently #BeatUpJohnCena, and The Realest Guys in the Room wanted to even the odds and team up with the Champ.
Prediction:
This is the perfect time for Enzo and Cass to get put over huge by scoring a win alongside John Cena. Also, since the Club is splitting up, this is time for Finn Balor to swing in as the new leader (we’ll see about that last part). Winners: Enzo Amore, Big Cass, & John Cena
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
They were friends, now they’re not and they will fight forever.
Prediction:
At Battleground, Owens defeated Zayn in the “start” of their current series. If Zayn wins tonight, it nicely sets up a SummerSlam rubber match. Winner: Sami Zayn
Charlotte & Dana Brooke vs. Sasha Banks & *Mystery Partner*
Sasha Banks has been trying her hardest to shut up Charlotte and Dana Brooke, but she has not been able to do it on her own. After failing to receive a Women’s Championship match, Banks has to find a partner to face Charlotte and Dana Brooke.
Prediction:
Hopefully, Banks’s partner will be Bayley. Whoever Banks’s partner is should not affect the result of the match, however. WWE seems to notice how big of a star Banks can become, and a win here can kickstart that right away. Winners: Sasha Banks & *Mystery Partner*
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins – WWE Championship
At Money in the Bank, Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship. Right after the match, Ambrose would cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase and end Rollins’s very short title reign. Reigns was suspended for 30 days for violating WWE’s Wellness Policy, and makes his return tonight in the championship match.
Prediction:
With Reigns just returning from his suspension, it would be a bad move to put the belt on him. Ambrose has been a popular champion, but there has been a surprising amount of “Let’s go Rollins!” chants happening throughout the last few weeks. I see Rollins walking out a three-time WWE Champion, while opening the opportunity for Smackdown to return the big gold World Heavyweight Championship belt. Winner, and NEW WWE Champion: Seth Rollins
