8 Huge WWE Battleground 2017 Predictions You Need To Know

6. End Of Days

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WWE.com

Might WWE have finally turned a corner before it was too late with Shinsuke Nakamura?

It had been looking a little grim for the 'King Of Strong Style' following his post-WrestleMania debut, with more than enough evidence stacking up to suggest the main roster was never going to be a ideal fit for the former NXT Champion.

However, Money In The Bank appeared to represent a much-needed change in philosophy. Returning late in the contest after a pre-match kicking from Battleground opponent Baron Corbin, Nakamura made a huge babyface comeback and left viewers tantalised at the prospect of a blockbuster clash with AJ Styles before 'The Lone Wolf' put paid to any of that by actually just getting on and winning the match.

The Money In The Bank briefcase so often comes with a string of losses for its owner, such is the company's misguided belief that a performer is teflon from the damage of defeat should he hold the most powerful contract in the company. Baron Corbin has yet to suffer too much indignity as SmackDown Live!'s newest power player, but his recent dominance will end against 'The Artist'.

There are big plans afoot for Nakamura at SummerSlam, with WWE planting seeds for a dream match that will require a victory here to give him the best possible run-up.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett