2019 Stomping Grounds Preview

Typically in June, we get WWE’s Money in the Bank event, but this year, the company decided to move it up to May. So this year we get, what I’m sure will be an annual classic (heavy sarcasm), Stomping Grounds. Following in the footsteps (pun definitely intended) of poorly named events with worse logos like Great Balls of Fire and RoadBlock from 2017. Stomping Grounds features a lot of rematches, but there are a few bright spots that should make Sunday’s event worth tuning in to. Of course, the big questions going into the event are whether or not Brock Lesnar will be there if he will cash in the Money In The Bank briefcase, and if he does, will he cash in on Rollins or Kofi?

The Card

Seth Rollins (c) vs. Baron Corbin

WWE Universal Championship match

I don’t think there’s a doubt in anyone’s mind that Rollins will retain here, the question is how? Corbin could get himself disqualified by using a weapon, Rollins could even get the DQ for using the chair he’s been toting for several weeks. Or will Rollins just straight up beat Baron Corbin. Hopefully the latter. Rollins needs a good clean win to make him look strong. He has used a chair multiple times since becoming champion, a title he won with a low blow to Brock Lesnar. We need to know that our champ can win without resorting to cheap tactics.

Prediction: Rollins Retains

Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler

WWE World Championship match, in a steel cage

God bless Dolph Ziggler. This feud basically started because Kevin Owens refused to travel to Saudi Arabia. With KO out, WWE has to put someone in to face Kofi at the Super Showdown, so they called ol’ reliable Dolph Ziggler, who has been giving 100% in every promo and appearance since. This will be a rematch from the show in Saudi Arabia, but the added stipulation of the steel cage will provide for some cool spots during the match, especially with these two locked inside. Ultimately, the outcome will be the same.

Prediction: Kofi Retains

Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lacey Evans

Raw Women's Championship match

There is a 0% chance that Lacey Evans wins this match. Charlotte could come back and insert herself back into a feud with ‘The Man’, costing Evans her title opportunity, which would be a great way to reignite that feud and keep all parties looking strong in the process.

Prediction: Becky Retains

Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss

SmackDown Women's Championship match

The SmackDown Women’s division has gotten a little stale since Becky Two Belts lost the title to Charlotte. Bayley and Alexa could surprise a lot of people here and put on the match of the night. Expectations are probably low, which will help, but you’d be hard pressed to find two better performers than Bayley and Alexa Bliss. In order to keep things fresh on the blue brand, the smart move would be to put the title on Alexa and let the babyface chase the title. Nikki Cross could play a role in the victory to make Bayley more sympathetic too.

Prediction: Alexa Bliss Wins

Samoa Joe vs. Ricochet

United States Championship Match

This has match of the night potential. Joe and Ricochet has very different styles, which often makes for the most entertaining matches. As much as I’d love to see Ricochet win his first title in WWE on Sunday, it makes more sense to leave the belt on Joe.

Prediction: Samoa Joe Retains

Daniel Bryan & Rowan vs. Heavy Machinery

SmackDown Tag Team Championship match

Bryan and Rowan will likely drop the titles soon, so that Bryan can get back to singles action, especially following the match he and Rollins had this week. Those two could put on some instant classics in the coming months. That being said, It doesn’t feel like Heavy Machinery have earned the right to take the titles away just yet. This match should showcase the young team and let them build up some momentum, before taking the titles at a future event.

Prediction: Daniel Bryan & Rowan Retain

Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre

This one is a little harder to call than the usual Roman Reigns match. With Shane MacMahon in McIntyre’s corner, really anything is possible. It’s likely that Shane and Drew will at some point beatdown the Big Dog, but whether it causes McIntyre to lose by DQ or it happens after Reigns wins clean is the real question in this match. It seems most likely that Reigns will win by DQ when Shane gets involved. This will likely set up a rematch with some stipulation at Extreme Rules.

Prediction: Reigns Wins

Tony Neese vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Drew Gulak

Cruiserweight Championship Match

Gulak has been consistently good on 205 Live, as both a heel and babyface. It’s time for his pay off and to put the title on him. With the passion that the 205 Live roster has you can expect these 3 to give this match everything they’ve got and deliver an exceptional match. Hopefully it won’t be relegated to some YouTube Preshow.

Prediction: Drew Gulak Wins

New Day (Xavier Woods & Big E) vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

United States Championship match

With Big E coming back to TV recently, you would expect the New Day to win easily, but with KO and Sami losing on SmackDown, it seems more likely that the New Day will take the loss here. That will also keep this feud going, and could potentially lead to tension within the New Day.

Predictions: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn Win

Story by Tim Howell. Be on the lockout for Tim and the NWBro's podcast coming very soon!