WWE Battleground 2016: 10 Shocks That Could Happen
5. Zack Ryder Topples Rusev & Takes The WWE United States Title
There's a strange sense of connection between both the WWE Intercontinental and United States Title matches at Battleground. Just as The Miz is the cocky champion to Darren Young's underdog, Rusev's dominance contrasts heavily with Zack Ryder's more modest aura. As similar as these matches are at first glance, they also share the potential for shock.
It'd feel like a mistake if Ryder managed to beat Rusev and become the new United States Champ, there's no good reason to take the belt from the Bulgarian right now. Before this title reign, he was badly in need of repair and greater care with his booking, so losing to Zack would be an almighty step backwards.
As unlikely as it is, a Ryder win could happen at Battleground. There's a similar flavour between both the secondary title bouts, so WWE may decide that one has to be different from the other.
Putting things another way, one of the underdogs just might leave with one of the titles, a real 'blink and you'll miss it' kind of pin fall win that comes out of nowhere.