Some of the PWP Nation staff make their picks for WWE Stomping Grounds 2019!
A brand new event dubbed Stomping Grounds will be live tonight on the WWE Network and some of us here at PWPNation.com have come together to give our personal predictions for tonight’s show.
Here’s who is making the picks:
- Jay Alletto: Owner & Founder of PWPNation.com
- Caden Moran: Editor-in-Chief
- John “JCD” Dimiceli: Staff writer
- Doug Turrington: PWP contributor
Now, let’s get to the picks!
Akira Tozawa vs. Tony Nese vs. Drew Gulak (WWE Cruiserweight Championship match)
Jay: Drew Gulak
Drew Gulak has been waiting patiently for a chance to get a run with the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. While Tony Nese had a huge WrestleMania moment, I feel like his momentum has declined. Give me Gulak with a win here in the Triple Threat, probably over Tozawa to help keep Nese strong by not taking the pin.
Caden: Drew Gulak
I’m with Jay here. Nese had his WrestleMania moment and Gulak has been waiting patiently. His new demeanor and attitude should suit him right in this match. I’ll take Gulak as the new WWE Cruiserweight Champion.
John: Tony Nese
Nese retains.
Doug: Drew Gulak
I’ll cop to the fact that I’m running behind on watching 205 Live. Outside of the episode with Chad Gable, I’ve missed most of the last month. It’s hard to shake the feeling that WWE is trying to shake things up right now and keep people on their toes. Gulak is long overdue for a run and Tozawa can eat the pin for Nese
The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Jay: The New Day
It’s been a while since New Day has been in traditional tag team action with Big E involved. Zayn & Owens always seem to be in the “WWE Doghouse” in some way, shape or form. I don’t think New Day loses this contest
Caden: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
I feel that the heels pick up a big win here. The New Day have been on a roll over the last few months so I feel a loss here wouldn’t hurt them.
John: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
I could see an Owens & Zayn win as Kofi will need a July challenger.
Doug: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
With Kofi rolling right now, New Day has been enjoying the run, as a group, for the most part. Meanwhile, Owens and Zayn have had some good moments and promos, but not many wins. Whether a New Day loss starts any doubt or dissent within the group is up for debate, but either way, I’m looking for a Zayn and Owens victory.
Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre
Jay: Drew McIntyre
This storyline with Roman vs. Shane McMahon & goons needs to carry into SummerSlam somehow. With Reigns getting the mega upper hand this past week on Raw, I see McIntyre pulling off a win here with heavy outside interference…possibly a new member of Shane’s posse getting involved to screw over Roman. Give me McIntyre in a classic screwjob.
Caden: Drew McIntyre
I have no idea what the end game is with this feud. Roman got the win at WrestleMania so I’ll give Drew the win here. I sense Shane interferes to give him the win.
John: Drew McIntyre
I could see Drew winning here. I’m starting to think the big payoff, whatever it might be, comes at SummerSlam for this feud.
Doug: Drew McIntyre
This is a Roman Reigns match, so not picking him is usually the wrong call. I’m holding out hope that they give McIntyre some momentum and a legit win over someone like Reigns to really solidify him as a threat. Reigns being screwed at Super Showdown doesn’t help my cause, but I’m going with how I’d book it.
Daniel Bryan & Rowan vs. Heavy Machinery (Smackdown Tag Team Championship match)
Jay: Daniel Bryan & Rowan
I don’t think that Heavy Machinery stands any chance here. Daniel Bryan is at the absolute top of his game…he is really motivated right now with his “New Daniel Bryan” persona & I don’t see the momentum slowing down anytime soon. I think Heavy Machinery push that champions to the limit, but their hilarious antics will cause an opening for Daniel Bryan & Rowan to score a victory.
Caden: Daniel Bryan & Rowan
I feel that this match will surprise people, but the champions will retain. The tag team division for both brands is very bland so I’m not sure what is to come after this.
John: Daniel Bryan & Rowan
Bryan and Rowan should win here but if they want/need to keep this feud going one more month I could see a DQ finish here.
Doug: Daniel Bryan & Rowan
Daniel Bryan and Rowan are hopefully launching a run that rebuilds the SmackDown Tag Team division. I see them doing this by squeaking out wins after hard fought matches or by cheating, making the losers still look good in the process. For me, that starts here.
Samoa Joe vs. Ricochet (United States Championship match)
Jay: Samoa Joe
I think this match was booked to add some excitement to the card. Going into the #1 contenders match, I didn’t think Ricochet had a chance to win. I was thinking that The Miz was a lock. With that being said, this is just filler for Samoa Joe to further solidify his run as the WWE United States Champion. The match will be awesome, but Joe wins.
Caden: Samoa Joe
I really wish WWE ran a tournament to crown a new champion after Rey Mysterio had to vacate it. However, Joe is champion once again and he will continue to after tonight.
John: Samoa Joe
Joe retains in a real good match that makes you want to see part two.
Doug: Samoa Joe
Ricochet is fantastic. He’s the one and only. But, Samoa Joe needs some steam after all this Rey Mysterio madness. Expect Ricochet to look like a million bucks, for this to be a match of the night contender and Joe to inch out the dub, more than likely with Ricochet going to sleep, but not tapping out
Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss (Smackdown Women’s Championship match)
Jay: Bayley
Bayley’s run as Smackdown Women’s Champion will continue, no doubt about it. WWE has been adding layers to this story, giving the fans a different look at Bayley’s character. I think that continues here. Look for Nikki Cross to be involved, distracting the referee so Bayley can use a subtle heel tactic to win this match over Raw’s Bliss.
Caden: Bayley
Nikki Cross will get involved in this someway that costs Bliss the match. Bayley retains in this filler feud.
John: Bayley
Bayley wins when Nikki Cross’ interference backfires on Alexa.
Doug: Bayley
We really have come a long way since the “Bayley: This is Your Life” promo. Bliss was in the middle of establishing herself and Bayley’s character was too naïve for someone who was a former NXT champion. My brain is telling me that Bliss needs to be around for a bit, staying cleared and un-concussed for her to get the championship back. Nikki Cross will get involved, Bayley will retain, and Bliss and Cross’ story will continue, with or without Bayley
Becky Lynch vs. Lacey Evans (Raw Women’s Championship match)
Jay: Becky Lynch
There is a clear agenda to push Lacey Evans to the top of the WWE Women’s Division. But why dethrone Becky Lynch after such momentum that took her to WrestleMania? I can’t believe that Becky won’t be defending this championship at SummerSlam…and personally, I don’t think Lacey Evans is ready for this kind of moment. Becky Lynch retains.
Caden: Becky Lynch
I expect a strong showing from Evans, but Becky needs this win. She needs to continue her momentum heading into SummerSlam.
John: Becky Lynch
As much as I want to pick Lacey, I do think Becky survives.
Doug: Becky Lynch
This feud hasn’t really gone anywhere in the last couple of weeks. There’s been promo after promo, but it’s all the same for the most part. No backstage encounters, no Lynch snapping on Evans, like she did with Charlotte. Just a lot of talk. Give “The Man” her win and let’s move on please.
Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler (Steel Cage match for WWE Championship)
Jay: Kofi Kingston
Kofi & Dolph have a storied history, competing against each other for most of the active championships that WWE has to offer. While this feud for the WWE Championship isn’t doing it for a lot of WWE fans, I love it because I love the history behind it. Call me crazy, but I feel like it would be a huge swerve for Ziggler to pull some real heel shit…maybe something crazy like handcuffing Kofi to the cage so he can escape. I just want Dolph to win this match, but so close to a huge SummerSlam card, I’m not sure they move the championship just yet. My heart says Ziggler, but my brain is telling me that Kofi Kingston retains.
Caden: Kofi Kingston
I expect a phenomenal match. Kofi will find a way to retain to continue his strong booking as WWE Champion. :
John: Kofi Kingston
Kofi should easily retain inside the cage.
Doug: Kofi Kingston
Kingston has been killing it. He’s probably the strongest booked face champion we’ve seen in a while, outside of maybe AJ Styles, but even he lost a handful of non-title bouts. Ziggler has been good, as usual, but his top guy promos always ring hallow without the gold around his waist, something we haven’t seen in years, world title wise. Lesnar doesn’t appear to be after Kingston for the moment either. Another match of the night candidate, but more than likely, another predictable outcome, which in this case is just fine.
Seth Rollins vs. Baron Corbin (WWE Universal Championship match)
Jay: Seth Rollins
I don’t think that Seth Rollins drops the WWE Universal Championship before SummerSlam, but I do think that Brock Lesnar could walk out of SummerSlam as the Universal Champion utilizing his briefcase. While the “Special Guest Referee” stipulation could serve as a way to swiftly get the title off of Rollins in a “screwjob” fashion, I’m not sure it makes sense to do so right now. I’ll take Seth Rollins.
Caden: Seth Rollins
I won’t lie, I’m becoming more of a Baron Corbin guy. However, there is no way Rollins drops this title here. Whoever the referee is shouldn’t matter in the end result.
John: Seth Rollins
Seth retains. No clue who the ref will be and there will be no Brock cash in.
Doug: Seth Rollins
Shenanigans may be afoot in this match. Lesnar and Rollins have more than established enough of a story for Lesnar to at least tease a cash-in. It seems that people are slowly realizing that Corbin is good at his job and they’re just mad at a heel, for once. Even so, Rollins has been booked as strong as Kingston and doesn’t show any signs of letting up. He may not be the champ on Raw, but I still think he beats Corbin.
WWE Stomping Grounds can either go really good or really bad, however, we are pretty optimistic about what tonight has to offer. Who do you think walks out of Tacoma, Washington victorious?
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