WWE Battleground 2014 Pay Per View Preview, Schedule and Predictions: Big Matches, New Champions and 'Plan C'

By Michael Oleaga First Posted: Jul 19, 2014 04:49 PM EDT

The WWE Universe has been presented with one of the best pay-per-view cards this year with Battleground.

Compared to 2013's "Battleground," the matches scheduled for this Sunday are a vast improvement from Bray Wyatt vs. Kofi Kingston, AJ Lee vs. Brie Bella, and CM Punk vs. Ryback. This Sunday's matches deserve a bigger show such as "SummerSlam," but "Battleground" will instead serve as the show.

Kickoff Show: Cameron vs. Naomi:

The end of The Funkadactyls was imminent following the release of Brodus Clay. Cameron and Naomi have teamed together since January 2012, and in WWE's mind, that's basically five years. Within the past couple years, Naomi has proven to be athletic in the ring while Cameron has improved from her WWE debut on the "Tough Enough" remake with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. The Funkadactyls provided a rare opportunity of showcasing a long-lasting female tag team, which has rarely been produced aside from Laycool -- The Bella Twins don't count in this case.

Prediction:

The better question is: what will happen after Sunday for Cameron and Naomi? The current Divas roster has finally woken up with most Divas having a role on television, but will Cameron and Naomi continue to feud? Are people truly interested in this match? In the end, Naomi wins in less than five minutes. Cameron has the personality, but Naomi has what it takes to be in the ring.

Jack Swagger vs. Rusev:

The real life drama between the U.S. and Russia has landed itself in a square ring. For months, Rusev and his manager Lana have promoted Russia as the superior country while "Real American" Jack Swagger and his manager Zeb Colter spewed how great the U.S. is. Rusev and Swagger, however, never crossed paths during these few months until the "Raw" after "Money in the Bank." Swagger and Colter turned face as they finally confronted Rusev and Lana and led to the strongest fan reaction for Swagger in perhaps his career, ever. The Swagger and Rusev feud has worked thanks to Colter and Lana's microphone skills, and it works. Let Swagger and Rusev handle this feud in the ring, not the microphone.

Prediction:

The WWE is building Rusev to be their next monster and that will continue at "Battleground." The feud should continue into "SummerSlam" since the real-life U.S. and Russian tension escalate further. Rusev wins.

WWE Tag Team Championship: The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) (champions) vs. The Wyatt Family (Erick Rowan and Luke Harper):

It's hard to keep track of the number of matches The Usos and The Wyatt Family has had in 2014. Despite the number of matches together, the four men in this match deliver. The unorthodox abilities Luke Harper has shown the WWE Universe continues to amaze many, and with Erick Roman's strength, it could finally spell trouble for The Usos.

Prediction:

The Wyatt Family and Usos feud needs to end with a Harper and Rowan victory. The Wyatt Family have yet to hold any gold during their WWE debut on main television programming. The Usos have done a spectacular job in showing what a tag team needs to be, but by this Sunday, their gold will go to The Wyatt Family.

20-Man Battleground Battle Royal for the Vacant WWE Intercontinental Championship:

(Participants: Alberto Del Rio vs. Big E vs. Bo Dallas vs. Cesaro vs. Curtis Axel vs. Diego vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Fandango vs. Heath Slater vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Rob Van Dam vs. R-Truth vs. Ryback vs. Sheamus vs. Sin Cara vs. The Great Khali vs. The Miz vs. Titus O'Neil vs. Xavier Woods vs. Zack Ryder):

Unfortunately, Bad News Barrett suffered a shoulder injury and had to give up his Intercontinental Championship. For Barrett, the injury came as he was finally receiving great crowd reactions and his "Bad News" gimmick was finally succeeding. As a result of the injury, fans will have a 20-man over-the-top rope Battle Royal. Of the 20 WWE Superstars set to compete, the main focus should be on Alberto Del Rio, Big E, Bo Dallas, Cesaro, Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus and The Miz. Sheamus is already the United States Champion, and his inclusion could be confusing unless the WWE has plans to unify the two secondary titles. The other men have also received moderate or big pushes on television and a win on Sunday could elevate them further. Despite the injury, Barrett confirmed on Twitter he will be at "Battleground" to watch the match.

Prediction:

The Miz could win as the WWE is re-pushing him as a movie star and he has the next "Marine" film to promote. Dallas is another contender as he's on a winning streak. Big E lost the Intercontinental Championship to Barrett, perhaps it's time to give the title back to him.

Ultimately, the choice is Cesaro. As of last Monday, he and Paul Heyman have apparently separated. Without Heyman as his mouthpiece, Cesaro might need something to further establish himself and the Intercontinental Championship could be it.

Bray Wyatt vs. Chris Jericho:

For Bray Wyatt, he could have lost with no viable opponent following his loss at "Money in the Bank." He's feud with Cena was over and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship picture is full with four men competing for it. Wyatt's next feud is now with a WWE Superstar who has been gone from WWE programming for almost a year -- Chris Jericho. Jericho is a viable opponent for Wyatt, the six-time world champion a big name no matter how many times he loses or leaves the WWE. He constantly receives the support of the WWE Universe. A problem, however, is the storyline. The feud could be a lot more organized, but in the end, these two will deliver a great match.

Prediction:

Jericho is at a point in his career where he should put over up-and-coming WWE Superstars, and he has done so in the past. At "Battleground," Jericho will lose to Wyatt. Wyatt also needs a win after his loss at "Money in the Bank."

Divas Championship: AJ Lee (champion) vs. Paige:

AJ Lee returned and in one night reclaimed the WWE Divas Championship. Lee is the only current Diva on the roster to hold the title on more than one occasion. Right now, Lee and Paige are in tweener positions, although the latter is likely to turn heel his Sunday. With an official Paige heel turn, this feud should continue even after "SummerSlam." This is a feud the WWE must not fumble. The WWE Universe are finally given a Divas match with two women that have proven to deliver in the ring. A feud with Paige was a no-brainer and these two have the talent to make it spectacular, if given the right time limit.

Prediction:

It is tough to call it as a couple scenarios could take place inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Lee could lose the title back to Paige, following the heel turn, and let the feud continue. Lee could also win, but it could hurt Paige's momentum. In the end, the call is for a Paige victory, but it wouldn't be a surprise is a disqualification or no-contest occurs.

Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins:

This is the match the WWE Universe has been waiting to see.

Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins have been tag team partners of The Shield since November 2012. They know each other very well -- mentally and physically. Since The Shield's demise, Ambrose has been on the hunt for Rollins, which includes interference in Rollins' matches or promos. The two have gone back and forth in attacking each other in the ring or backstage, but they can finally try to settle it this Sunday.

Prediction:

Prior to premiering on main WWE television, Ambrose and Rollins have competed against each other in WWE's former developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling, and the two have what it takes to provide a five-star match. On main WWE programming, Ambrose and Rollins have yet to officially compete one-on-one, and the fans will truly see a memorable match at "Battleground." Rollins is Mr. Money in the Bank. He could take a loss, and it won't matter or affect him. Ambrose is being hyped as "The Fringe Lunatic" who simply wants to brawl with Rollins. As a result, the match might end in a no-contest in order to continue the feud and not give a loss to either man. The prediction is a disqualification or count-out.

Fatal Four-Way Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship: John Cena (champion) vs. Kane vs. Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns:

Reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena has to compete against three men this Sunday. Randy Orton is trying to regain the championship following his loss at "WrestleMania 30" while Roman Reigns continues to showcase that he's one of the big dogs. Kane's role is to help Orton win the title; however, there has been friction between the two. The tension has also risen between Reigns and Cena, yet the two have tried to remain professional in the ring. Come this Sunday, it is every man for himself.

Prediction:

Cena wins. The Authority may be working on a "Plan C," and this plan could emerge this Sunday in the form of Brock Lesnar, the man who conquered The Undertaker's undefeated streak at "WrestleMania." Several months ago, Heyman stated Lesnar wants the WWE World Heavyweight Championship following his win against The Undertaker. The opportunity has yet to come, but with "SummerSlam" - one of the big four WWE events - approaching, Lesnar's chance could finally come into fruition.

How to Watch on Television

Contact your cable or satellite provider for information on how to order the "WWE Battleground" pay-per-view with the broadcast set to begin at 8 p.m. EST.

How to Watch Live Online

Live-coverage stream of "WWE Battleground" begins at 7:30 p.m. EST with the "Kick-Off" show, and it can be seen on WWE Network.