Time for another WWE PPV as we get the Smackdown exclusive Battleground tonight. As far as the card goes for picks, the matches seem very predictable but the prices are too high to lay in most cases. So in terms of picks, here is what I went with:
Jinder Mahal +145 over Randy Orton
The company still wants to keep Jinder on top for now as they try to enter the India market with a 1B+ population. Of course it is hilarious considering Jinder is Canadian but let us not digress.... Plus from what I have been told my a friend over there, the plan is to have him eventually feud with John Cena over the title. So I expect Jinder to retain in what will be the blowout match to this feud. It also helps that Jinder is Vince's guy currently.
The only thing that remotely scares me is Orton did put Jinder over in his hometown last month & now Jinder chose the stipulation for this match in what would be considered an advantage for him & past history shows the person choosing the stipulation usually loses. However it does not make sense to give Orton back the title now in the 3rd match UNLESS they plan on having Corbin cash in tonight which I have not heard is scheduled to happen just yet. If Orton somehow does win, I bet Corbin cashes in on him right after especially if he loses to Nakamura earlier in the card.
Shinsuke Nakamura +150 over Baron Corbin
Last month I told you the easiest lock was Baron Corbin winning the Money In The Bank contract as the company has big plans for him. Now that he has it, here is where another losing streak should be on tap as past history indicates that. After a person wins the briefcase, you will notice they lose a bunch of matches before they cash in out of nowhere to become the World Champ. I would not be surprised he puts over Shinsuke in this spot as he does not need the win at this moment.
Women's Fatal 5 Way:
Charlotte Flair +115
Natalya +165
Out of the 5 women in this match, only 2 seem to legitimately have a chance to win this match. Usually in a match like this to determine a new #1 contender, I look to see what type of character is the champ. In this case the champ is a face so one would think a heel would win. Looking at each one individually, I just can't see Becky Lynch winning as she got her victory to look strong on a go home show when she made Charlotte tap out clean. So she is a throw out.
Lana has had 3 title matches in a row & lost with every one of the matches being shorter than the last one. The most recent title match, she tapped out in 11 seconds! Tamina is just filler so I don't see her winning either. The only severe longshot theory is lately out of nowhere, they have had Tamina as a protector of Lana which storyline wise makes no sense other than perhaps they feel Lana needs to do the mic work for Tamina who is not good on the mic. Even with that, I would be completely shocked if either of those two won.
In terms of the other matches, I will give you my predictions but won't play them individually as they are priced too high but if you want easy ML parlay picks, they would work:
John Cena over Rusev: No way they have Cena lose his first match for the company since Wrestlemania. Rusev is also returning for the first time in months but since this is a Flag Match, Rusev losing won't hurt him as he won't be pinned or made to tap out so he will still look strong.
Mike Kanellis over Sami Zayn: This is Mike's WWE PPV debut match. He will not lose especially to Sami who is basically the man on that show the company trusts to put someone over & make them look good in doing so. This should be the case here in what will be a good match.
Tye Dillinger over Aiden English: This is a simple starter feud to help build Tye up the card as the company won't do anything with Aiden long term which is a shame as he is a good wrestler.
Jinder Mahal +145 over Randy Orton
The company still wants to keep Jinder on top for now as they try to enter the India market with a 1B+ population. Of course it is hilarious considering Jinder is Canadian but let us not digress.... Plus from what I have been told my a friend over there, the plan is to have him eventually feud with John Cena over the title. So I expect Jinder to retain in what will be the blowout match to this feud. It also helps that Jinder is Vince's guy currently.
The only thing that remotely scares me is Orton did put Jinder over in his hometown last month & now Jinder chose the stipulation for this match in what would be considered an advantage for him & past history shows the person choosing the stipulation usually loses. However it does not make sense to give Orton back the title now in the 3rd match UNLESS they plan on having Corbin cash in tonight which I have not heard is scheduled to happen just yet. If Orton somehow does win, I bet Corbin cashes in on him right after especially if he loses to Nakamura earlier in the card.
Shinsuke Nakamura +150 over Baron Corbin
Last month I told you the easiest lock was Baron Corbin winning the Money In The Bank contract as the company has big plans for him. Now that he has it, here is where another losing streak should be on tap as past history indicates that. After a person wins the briefcase, you will notice they lose a bunch of matches before they cash in out of nowhere to become the World Champ. I would not be surprised he puts over Shinsuke in this spot as he does not need the win at this moment.
Women's Fatal 5 Way:
Charlotte Flair +115
Natalya +165
Out of the 5 women in this match, only 2 seem to legitimately have a chance to win this match. Usually in a match like this to determine a new #1 contender, I look to see what type of character is the champ. In this case the champ is a face so one would think a heel would win. Looking at each one individually, I just can't see Becky Lynch winning as she got her victory to look strong on a go home show when she made Charlotte tap out clean. So she is a throw out.
Lana has had 3 title matches in a row & lost with every one of the matches being shorter than the last one. The most recent title match, she tapped out in 11 seconds! Tamina is just filler so I don't see her winning either. The only severe longshot theory is lately out of nowhere, they have had Tamina as a protector of Lana which storyline wise makes no sense other than perhaps they feel Lana needs to do the mic work for Tamina who is not good on the mic. Even with that, I would be completely shocked if either of those two won.
In terms of the other matches, I will give you my predictions but won't play them individually as they are priced too high but if you want easy ML parlay picks, they would work:
John Cena over Rusev: No way they have Cena lose his first match for the company since Wrestlemania. Rusev is also returning for the first time in months but since this is a Flag Match, Rusev losing won't hurt him as he won't be pinned or made to tap out so he will still look strong.
Mike Kanellis over Sami Zayn: This is Mike's WWE PPV debut match. He will not lose especially to Sami who is basically the man on that show the company trusts to put someone over & make them look good in doing so. This should be the case here in what will be a good match.
Tye Dillinger over Aiden English: This is a simple starter feud to help build Tye up the card as the company won't do anything with Aiden long term which is a shame as he is a good wrestler.
