WWE Battleground 2014 Preview: Let's Just Get to SummerSlam

WWE will hold its second annual Battleground pay-per-view on Sunday, July 20, and this event yet again comes at a terrible time for the company. Last year, it was in the dregs of October, which is after SummerSlam but well before the Royal Rumble when the company really starts to ramp up the Road to WrestleMania. And it had that awful non-finish between Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton with Big Show.

This year, the event is sandwiched between Money in the Bank, an always entertaining and exciting pay-per-view, and SummerSlam, the second (or arguably third) biggest event of the year for the company. And while this year's Battleground card is solid, the entire thing just screams "Let's just get to SummerSlam already!"

But because we have to make one more pit stop before we hit our destination, let's go through the match card and predict some winners.

Naomi vs. Cameron (Pre-Show)

The two former friends and Funkadactyls will face off on the pre-show after Cameron decided to "GURLBYE" her former partner. There seems to be no reason for this to happen at all. I'm assuming this has something to do with a Total Divas story, but I can't be sure because that would require me to watch Total Divas. And Cameron is the worst. Just the absolute worst. The sooner this ends, the better.

Prediction: Naomi

Jack Swagger (w/Zeb Colter) vs. Rusev (w/Lana)

This could be an entertaining match because it's a simple, good ol' hoss fight, and sometimes pro wrestling needs a simple, good ol' hoss fight. After all, let's not take it too seriously. It's grown man in spandex hitting each other.

Then again, the build to this match has left something to be desired. We're supposed to all of a sudden cheer Jack Swagger the man, who injures people like it's a bodily function, and the character, who was a racist and a xenophobe about a month ago. But it's cool now, because he's fighting the evil Bulgarian! I mean...Russian!

If we just have fun with this match, it'll be fine. But WWE's insistence on turning this into a 1980s Cold War storyline is getting tiresome.

Prediction: Rusev, if Swagger doesn't break his leg

The Usos (c) vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan (Two Out of Three Falls Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship)

This match is going to be bonkers. We've seen these two teams fight a lot, yes, but that's more a function of the WWE's resistance or inability to make a robust tag team division. Either way, we know that these four have chemistry and will put on a high-flying, spot-filled contest that will entertain us. I think the Wyatts might take the titles at SummerSlam rather than on Sunday.

Prediction: The Usos

20-Man Battle Royal for the Vacant Intercontinental Championship

I want to BO-lieve that Bo Dallas will win this match because I think the guy is incredible at what he does. But it's probably not his time just yet. Reasonable candidates in this match include Alberto Del Rio, Big E, Cesaro, Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus and The Miz. This one is more of a hope than a prediction.

Prediction: Cesaro

Bray Wyatt vs. Chris Jericho

This is likely the first of three matches between these two combatants, and Jericho more or less works to boost young talent like Wyatt nowadays, so it's likely Bray is going to win the feud. The question is if he will win the first battle, or if Jericho will get the win in order to extend the life of it until SummerSlam and Night of Champions. Bray needs the win to keep people invested in the character. Jericho doesn't.

Prediction: Bray Wyatt

Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins

This match alone is reason enough to buy the WWE Network. Ambrose is a lunatic, and he's playing his character brilliantly. Rollins sold an injury so well on Monday nigh that the Internet practically imploded at the thought of another great wrestler getting hurt. This feud is probably the best thing WWE has going right now, and this match could easily steal the show (apologies to Dolph Ziggler).

Prediction: Seth Rollins

AJ Lee (c) vs. Paige for the Divas Championship

I hope this is the beginning of a long, great rivalry like Trish Stratus and Lita that carries the women's division in WWE for years. The key word is "hope." This could easily become a short feud that goes nowhere. But these women are great at what they do, and they deserve to craft a great story, so let's hope they get the chance to do it.

Prediction: AJ Lee

John Cena (c) vs. Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton vs. Kane for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Back at the top, when I said, "Let's just get to SummerSlam," this is what I meant. There is zero drama to this match. John Cena is going to win and face Brock Lesnar in one month. WWE even teased it with Paul Heyman's appearance on Raw this week.

The only possibly interesting angle to this match is Seth Rollins, who lurks in the background with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Triple H said during his weekly sit down with Michael Cole that the person he wants to walk out of Battleground with the title would do so, which sounds like a cash-in waiting to happen. We'll find out Sunday.

Prediction: John Cena; Seth Rollins tries to cash in and actually starts the match but Ambrose stops him

What are your Battleground predictions? Let us know in the comments below.

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