ODDSbible WWE: Battleground Betting Preview

The show is a SmackDown exclusive PPV and features Jinder Mahal putting his WWE Championship on the line against Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison Match.

AJ Styles will also put his WWE United States Championship on the line against Kevin Owens and The Usos will look to defend the Tag Team Titles against The New Day.

The show also features many other unmissable matches which will help set the tone for Summerslam and so without further ado sit back, relax and let our resident Wrestling expert Tony take you through what we expect to happen on Sunday night;

Sami Zayn Vs Mike Kanellis

Sami Zayn is probably one of the best people on the entire roster who is capable of losing but staying strong in defeat. Therefore I thin that this one is pretty much odds on for a Mike Kanellis victory. Given that he is new to the promotion and that this will be his PPV debut, Kanellis simply can't afford to be buried in this match.

There will probably be some underhand tactics from Mike and Maria and it could be a great match as Zayn is not capable of doing anything less than excellent in the ring. Kanellis is favourite to get his PPV win at 4/7 and the underdog Zayn is at 5/4.

Shinsuke Nakamura Vs Baron Corbin

This one could steal the show and I think it has probably been overlooked as the storyline hasn't been the strongest. Nakamura has been underwhelming since joining the main roster but I think that Corbin can bring out a great performance from him. I think I have pretty much said this on every Corbin PPV show, but the WWE see something in him and I would not be surprised to see him win a major Title at some stage in 2017.

I am picking Baron Corbin for the victory on Sunday night and I don't think it will be long after before he starts to use the Money in the Bank briefcase to set up his first Title win in the WWE. Nakamura is the favourite to win at 2/5 but I would definitely be willing to put a few quid on Corbin at 7/4.

#1 Contender Match for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship

Charlotte Flair Vs Becky Lynch Vs Natalya Vs Tamina Vs Lana

I really struggle with how differently the WWE treat the RAW and SmackDown women's rosters, with the women on RAW being booked really strong and the SmackDown women being thrown into multi-person matches every week.

Something needs to change on the blue brand quickly and I think getting the Title on to either Charlotte or Becky is a solid starting point. Either of these women are more than capable of heading the division and creating some much needed buzz, something that current Champion Naomi has been unable to do.

This is why I am predicting a Charlotte Flair win on Sunday night which gives her a Title shot at Summerslam. The bookies are in agreement with me with Charlotte favourite to win at 5/6, followed by Lana 2/1, Becky Lynch 3/1, Tamina 9/2 and Natalya 10/1.

Flag Match

John Cena Vs Rusev

I am disappointed at the handling of Rusev during his return to SmackDown and whilst he is being given a big name opponent for his first PPV back, really think that the WWE could of been more creative in their direction for him.

This match is classic American Hero Vs Foreign bad guy with a bit of a weak stipulation match in my opinion. A John Cena win is pretty much a forgone conclusion in this match and I think that he will then move on to feud with Jinder Mahal or AJ Styles in the lead up to Summerslam. Cena has odds of 1/10 and Rusev is the big outsider at 5/1.

WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match

The Usos Vs The New Day

Both of these teams have done a great job in this feud and I am enjoying seeing them play off of each other, to the extent that I hope it runs to Summerslam for a big blow off match. We all know what to expect from The New Day but I have been very impressed with the work that The Usos have put in during their Title run and they have quickly moved into the upper echelon of Tag Teams on the WWE roster.

The last time these teams met on a PPV, The Usos got themselves counted out to win and I expect another shady finish in this one with The Usos winning, building up to a big match at Summerslam in which The New Day will get the Titles. The odds are favouring The New Day to be crowned Tag Team Champions at 4/9 with The Usos at 13/8 to retain.

WWE United States Championship Match

AJ Styles (c) Vs Kevin Owens

In my eyes this match is likely to be the match of the night as these two men have incredible chemistry and are both on the top of their game at the moment. Styles has continued on an incredible 2017 by picking up his second WWE Title which cements just how much the company think of him. Owens lost the Title to Styles during a house show in Madison Square Garden which in itself was a fantastic move to really bring something extra to this feud.

Since then Owens has played the perfect heel, removing his social media pictures and basically showing off in a way that only he can get away with. Come Sunday night I see AJ Styles retaining the Title but am hopeful that the WWE allows this feud to run on until at least Summerslam. AJ Styles is favourite to win at the bookies at 1/3 with Owens at 15/8 to recapture the US Title.

Punjabi Prison Match

WWE Championship Match

Jinder Mahal (c) Vs Randy Orton

This will be only the third ever Punjabi Prison match in WWE history and it should be a fun main event on this card. I have a feeling that this will be the last we see of these two men as the feud has been running probably longer than we all expected.

Mahal as Champion has been slightly underwhelming but I think a new feud will rejuvenate him and having the opportunity to work with someone like John Cena would be a great step up for him.

If Orton is to win the belt it would bring him up to fourteen World Title reigns, something which you would expect for the WWE to make a bigger deal of in the run up to this match. Orton winning would also prolong the feud, something I have mentioned should be put to bed on Sunday night. So my prediction is that Jinder Mahal will retain the WWE Championship. The Champion Jinder Mahal has odds of 3/10 whereas an Orton win is at 11/5.

Words By: Tony Quant

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