10 Ways WWE Screwed Up At Battleground 2017

8. A SummerSlam Snoozefest

Jinder Mahal Battleground 2017
WWE.com

SmackDown’s women’s division used to be one of the blue brand’s crown jewels. Sadly, this isn’t the case anymore. The group’s lack of individual one-on-one feuds has prevented everyone but Carmella from showing any personality, match quality is down, and there’s a clear lack of focus throughout. It’s a mess, and sadly, Natalya vs. Naomi isn’t the feud to cure its woes.

Nattie is a tremendous wrestler, but she has never fared particularly well in bigger spots. Her lack of charisma really shows in situations like this, particularly when playing heel, which she’ll have to do against Naomi. Similarly, the champion is an excellent athlete and much improved from her early days, but she’s still not the finished article as a performer, and could have benefited from a more dynamic personality to bounce off ahead of SummerSlam.

The one positive is that this should represent a shift away from the multi-woman feuds, but Nattie vs. Naomi isn’t a match that’ll get pulses racing. Both have their plus points, but with Becky Lynch and Charlotte languishing in the division’s middle reaches, it’s a shame WWE couldn’t have devised a more exciting option for the year’s second biggest show.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.