Roman Reigns Reacts to Dead Crowd at WWE Battleground

As seen at Sunday’s WWE Battleground event, the crowd was noticeably quiet for a majority of the evening with. Someone would argue it would have a lot to do with the show being one of the worst pay-per-view events of 2017 and even some are saying in recent WWE history.

Roman Reigns took to his Twitter account to react to the crowd reactions the event received. He sent out the following tweet:

Jinder Mahal Teases Match Against John Cena

After his victory against Randy Orton at Sunday’s WWE Battleground event, WWE Champion Jinder Mahal spoke with Indian Express and teased a possible match against John Cena.

“I put the ‘vipers’ legacy to rest. I beat a fourteen time World Champion three times in a row. Whose legacy am I going to put to rest – maybe John Cena. He has a legacy of his own, I would like love nothing more than to use his legacy as a stepping stone and cement my own legacy.”

It’s been rumored for a while now that they may actually compete against each other over of the WWE Championship at this year’s SummerSlam. It should be known what direction they are going with the WWE Championship title at SummerSlam after this week’s SmackDown Live episode.

Favorites to Win at Tonight’s WWE Battleground Event

There have been several shifts in the betting odds for tonight’s WWE Battleground event. “Smart Money” bets still have not been made, but here are the odds right now:

(Note: The lower the number, the more favorable they are of winning the match)

WWE Championship – Punjabi Prison Match
JJinder Mahal(c) -260 (favorite) vs. Randy Orton +180

WWE United States Championship
AJ Styles(c) -210 (favorite) vs. Kevin Owens +160

Smackdown Tag Team Championship
The Usos(c) -215 (favorites) vs. The New Day +165

Flag Match
John Cena -1125 (favorite) vs. Rusev +575

Fatal 5 Way for the Smackdown Women’s Championship #1 Contendership

Charlotte +195 vs. Lana +3000 vs. Becky Lynch +2100 vs. Tamina +4500 vs. Natalya -215

Shinsuke Nakamura -270 (favorite) vs. Baron Corbin +190

Sami Zayn +135 vs. Mike Kanellis -175 (favorite)

Aiden English +330 vs. Tye Dillenger -490 (favorite)

Check back here at 7PM ET for our live play-by-play coverage of the event.

Is Finn Balor Working Hurt?

Several readers have sent word that Finn Balor worked Saturday’s WWE Live Event in Hampton, Virginia wearing Kinesio tape on his shoulder. It’s being speculated that he may have aggravated the shoulder on Friday’s Live Event, as he was not wearing the tape that night.

For those not aware, Kinesio tape is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion. John Cena used this tape back in 2016 when he was healing from an injury. Other WWE Superstars have been seen using it as well.

As of this writing, an injury has not been confirmed or announced but it’s probably something only minor. We will keep you updated if we hear anything else regarding Balor’s status.

Austin Aries Changes Up His Look Again

Austin Aries posted the following photo on Instagram showing off his new “updated” look. It was noted last week that he completely shaved everything off. It appears now that he is growing out his facial hair again:

“A big shout out and thank you to @therock for the fresh new @underarmour gear… and the inspiration for my fresh new haircut? Time to go to work, as you can’t be wearing these horns and not be kicking ass. #humblehungry #smedium #underarmour #plantbased #plantpower”

Sound off in the comment section on how you feel about his new look…

AJ Styles & Others Hype Their WWE Battleground Matches

Several WWE Superstars have taken to Twitter to hype their matches at tonight’s WWE Battleground event. Here are a few tweets sent out:

How To Book Darren Young Upon His Return

Darren Young is set to make his return to the company really soon. You all remember Darren Young right? He was one half of The Prime Time Players with Titus O’Neil, which I thought was one great tag team. Although he isn’t the greatest wrestler, he isn’t half bad either. We last saw him as a student of Bob Backlund, working hard and doing things the right way. He injured his elbow back in January and has been off our television screens ever since.

With a return nearing, one has to wonder how Young should be booked and portrayed in his return. It doesn’t make sense to pair him back with Backlund, but he could be used in another form.

Young is on the Raw brand, which is loaded with star studded talent. To get television time there, you have to do something impressive and shocking at the same time. Do something that draws ratings and garners attention for yourself. For Young to do that, he must turn on and destroy Bob Backlund.

It sounds harsh and inhumane in a way, but it makes perfect sense. Backlund is a sixty-seven year old man who isn’t physically the same as he was back in his prime. He may can defend himself, but not like a thirty-three year old Darren Young could. Young turning on Backlund would make the crowd feel uncomfortable, sad, and even disgusted at the sight before their eyes. So how should he do it?

Start out with Young making a surprise return to Monday Night Raw with Backlund by his side. They can do the skit where Backlund proclaims he’s going to make Darren Young great again. This is when Young turns on Backlund, hitting him with heavy shots and kicks. Young grabs a chair and hits Backlund across the back. As the crowd stares at the motionless body of Backlund, they will also see the sinister grin on Young’s face. A new heel is born, one with nothing to lose.

Young’s success after that moment determines how he performs in the ring and cut promos. Start him off against a Heath Slater or a Rhyno, a low-card babyface that can help put someone over. Eventually this will lead up to him getting a shot at the Intercontinental Championship. It may be puzzling, but if Young can put in the work then he definitely deserves a shot at the Intercontinental Championship.

Jinder Mahal winning the WWE Championship has opened the door for so many others. Mahal went from jobber to champ in a blink of an eye. If he can do it, then Young has the chance to do it too. Just put in the time and the work, then anything is possible.

Darren Young has had his fair share of success within the company. He is a former Tag Team Champion and knows what it’s like to perform in big time matches. The ability is there, he just needs the opportunity. Attacking his mentor could create just the perfect opportunity. Young as a heel will be a little fresh thing to help keep the fans interested and may get the notice of the powers that be. I wish Young all the best during his return to the WWE.

Major Spoiler for Tonight’s WWE Battleground Event

Apparently there has been a huge shift in the betting odds for tonight’s WWE Battleground 5-Way Elimination match featuring Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Tamina, Natalya and Lana.

While Charlotte has been the majority favorite to win the bout, there was a huge shift late last night that now puts Natalya in the lead to be victorious in the match tonight. Dave Meltzer discussed the shift on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Radio and mentioned that at one point the match was removed off the boards because all kinds of money was coming in all at once on Natalya. The odds have since then been adjusted with Natalya being the favorite.

If Natalya wins, she will be facing Naomi at SummerSlam for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.