This is on the Kickoff? I had no clue. It hasn't helped that almost the entire build has been done via social media. Tye's also beaten Aiden rather handily each time they've met. I know it would like Aiden should finally get one over on Tye, but the WWE tends to have babyfaces win these Kickoff matches. I'm going with Tye, though neither guy seems to be gaining any sort of momentum.
Winner: Tye Dillinger
I remember thinking Sami would be the top candidate for Mike's first program. Sami's lovable, a great performer, always gets the crowd invested and loses quite often. I expect more of that here. It won't be a total one-sided squash like their Smackdown match, but I get the sense Sami's in control for the most part. Maria will get involved in some way, leading to a Kanellis win. Sooner or later, though, Sami has to start winning. Right? Right?
Winner: Mike Kanellis
Boy, the WWE has brought up Shinsuke Nakamura and made him pretty cold almost instantly. The shitty Ziggler feud was a bad start and though the Corbin one has been an improvement, I don't believe the match will fully allow Nakamura to showcase what makes him so good. I'm hoping the plan is for Nakamura to work Styles at SummerSlam, so we can get a "big match" Nakamura performance for the first time since TakeOver: Dallas. He'll need to win here to set that up most likely. Plus, Corbin has the briefcase and those guys always have horrible win/loss records.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Holy crap, this is awful. There's so much more both guys could be doing than "RAH RAH, AMERICA BABY, WOO". Rusev should be in Jinder's spot as he has the skill and charisma to be a top guy. Not just some evil foreigner. Outside of the Fastlane match in 2015, this feud was atrocious then and nearly killed Rusev. There's no way the Bulgaria flag gets waved. Cena picks up a win here to set himself up for something important at SummerSlam. Maybe a WWE Title match?
Winner: John Cena
Smackdown sure loves their multi-woman match tropes, huh? I give them props for booking more women to seem on a level playing field than Raw, where it's just Sasha/Bayley/Nia/blonde heel over and over. However, I have no interest in watching Tamina wrestle. Lana hasn't impressed much either and Natalya has next to no character. With a shot at the second biggest show of the year on the line, it comes down to either Becky or Charlotte. I think Becky/Naomi is the way to go, as the only two pure babyface women on Smackdown would make for an original and fun match. However, LADY BIG DOG GOTTA EAT. Charlotte wins because, woo.
Winner: LADY BIG DOG
They are the two best tag teams on Smackdown, so the feud makes sense. Outside of the rap battle though, I haven't been into it. The New Day was at the top of their game in 2016, but after losing the Raw Tag Titles, their act wore thin. The Usos have been rejuvenated in their new characters and I think they should retain here and get a lengthy reign. What I see happening though, is another New Day reign.
Winners: The New Day
This is pretty much the only match that sticks out to me on this card. Their match at Backlash was nearly great, but it felt like they held something back for a rematch, especially with that finish. With AJ Styles already as champion, I see him retaining here in their best match together. What Kevin Owens does after this is puzzling, but AJ should go on to face someone big (Nakamura or Cena most likely) at SummerSlam in a show stealer. Look for AJ to keep the gold in the best match of the night.
Winner: AJ Styles
Someone needs to put me out of my misery and end this damn feud. The Money in the Bank match was solid, but had the same exact finish as the Backlash one and I'm just over it. Jinder does nothing for me as champion, cutting generic promos and having generic matches, while Randy Orton is at his most unmotivated. Don't expect this to be anything of interest. Though, wouldn't it be hilariously awful if WWE gave Jinder the title, just to move it back to Orton here to set up Cena vs. Orton at SummerSlam?
Winner: Jinder Mahal
2017 Prediction Record: 39-24
2016 Prediction Record: 72-41
2015 Prediction Record: 60-35
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