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WWE will present Bad Blood this Saturday on Peacock and the WWE Network from Atlanta, Georgia with a 6:00 PM Eastern start time for the PPV. Here is our take on what will happen on Saturday.
The Bloodline (Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa) vs. Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns
Dave: I honestly could see this going one of two ways. One, after some tense moments that arise due to their history, Reigns and Rhodes come out on top here somehow. With that said, I could also see a scenario where Roman and Cody had the match won when The Bloodline attacked Cody and Roman lives up to his word and has Cody's back but leaves himself vulnerable to then be pinned by Solo. The faces lose the match but Roman shows he has honor and that is something that could resonate with Randy Orton and KO, leading to them to join Roman and Cody in War Games. I just talked myself into that scenario.
Mike: I don't see Roman and Cody losing, so perhaps this is where the wise man returns and interferes? Could Paul Heyman pull out an old cell phone and crack someone in the head? Maybe, but I can see them pulling a lot of mileage out of how Roman and Cody do or don't co-exist as they are battling The Bloodline. Unless they decide to shock everyone by having Jacob Fatu score a big pinfall here, my gut says Roman and Cody victorious, but laid out by The Bloodline after.
Richard: Will the unlikely alliance between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes work on Saturday when they face common enemies in Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. I like that they are giving Fatu a high profile match where he can showcase his talents, but facing Cody and Roman, will he have some of his shine diminished? It is possible, but if he pops up after a CrossRhodes, things will be fine for him. The biggest wild card in this match for me is the 'leader' of the Bloodline. Solo needs a strong performance in this match. With the Hell in a Cell match, this doesn't have to be the main event of the show so they can potentially get away with a non-finish (even though I am not a fan of it). I would not be surprised to see Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa get involved (it is a Bloodline match and it is a tradition), but they will be offset by Randy Orton and a reluctant Kevin Owens? Does this match set the stage for a War Games match in Vancouver. If Solo gets pinned, that builds the tension over who is truly 'THE LEADER' of the Bloodline, but I feel safer predicting a No Contest or Double DQ.
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell Match
Dave: This whole program has been awesome and it is supposed to be "the end" (though of course it could be revisited down the line). To me, Punk has to go over here. Drew has been the aggressor the whole time so Punk should ultimately come out on top. I expect these guys to leave it all in the cage, including their blood. I expect it to be epic. I also wouldn't be surprised to see both get some time off of TV after it so that they can organically move on to their next opponent.
Mike: The right call here is for Drew to get the win and keep the entire feud going, but I don't see that happening. I expect a really insane match and then Punk scores the win here. Is this the HIAC where they end up on top of the cage? I don't know but I expect a lot of really brutal, physical, grueling stuff here so I have no idea how anyone else can follow it. I'd actually suggest that both are so banged up they are off television for a period of time to "heal up." This has been a great feud, so I hope they get to close it as strong as possible.
Richard: On the anniversary of the first Hell in a Cell match, will WWE return to its roots with a match that 'lives up to' the name of the stipulation? I expect to see a lot of blood in this match because that is what they have vowed to do to each other. I can also see a number of 'tribute' spots to previous cell matches. To keep the continuity of the feud, I almost want to see Drew put on a 'barbed wire' bracelet and use it on Punk. I was a bit surprised that Drew didn't make an appearance in Chicago for NXT to get in a final shot on Punk since there was no physicality on Raw, per Adam Pearce. I think Drew should win, but I can definitely see Punk pulling it out. Pearce said that this will be 'the end' between Punk and Drew, but do you really think they are done?
Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women's World Championship with Dominik Mysterio Locked in a Shark Cage
Dave: Much like I have loved Nia's run as champ, Liv has broken out since turning heel. She's great in her role and I would keep the Title on her. Maybe Dom drops something down to her from the cage. I think she retains and Rhea keeps chasing, with Liv being able to say that she now HAS beaten Rhea. Rhea doesn't need the belt, at least not right now.
Mike: Oddly enough, I predicted this stip in the Tip Sheet for No Mercy. My guess is Dom tosses an object down into the ring and Liv uses it to get the pin. Don't see a title change here. My guess is this is the end of the feud until Rhea wins The Rumble and they are back at it at Wrestlemania.
Richard: It feels like the title is the fifth or twentieth most important thing in this match and I think it has hurt the division. Dominik Mysterio in the shark cage is an effective deterrent for Rhea, if Finn Balor (probably not an option since he is facing Priest), JD McDonagh, and Carlito were not part of the Judgment Day (though Carlito's effectiveness is probably close to the Orioles offense at this time). Rhea should dominate Liv, but has she fully recovered from her recent injury? Does someone else interfere in this match to help Liv keep the title or will she have to figure out a way on her own to keep the belt. While I think Rhea should be the champion, they will probably keep the title on Liv a little longer. The obvious question is who is the next opponent for either if it isn't a rematch.
Nia Jax vs. Bayley for the WWE Women's Championship
Dave: One thing I absolutely expect is a "will Tiffy cash in" moment. It may figure into the finish where she would have culpable deniability that she was really there to help. But they are defnitely telling a story where one day Nia will go too far with her and she will fire back. I think Nia retains here and she should. She has been great since her return.
Mike: I am with Dave on a Tiff cashing in moment. I expect Nia to win and Tiff to use the case.
Richard: To Cash or not to Cash, that is the question. Tiffany Stratton's presence is definitely hanging over this match but I don't think she will get involved, but she may tease interference that could affect the result of the match. Just like on Raw, who, outside of the four people who have been involved in the current angle, is worthy to contend for the title? Bayley will put up a valiant effort in her attempt to wrest the title back from Nia, but she will fall short and Nia will retain. Then they can continue the build to Tiffany's eventual betrayal of Nia.
Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest
Dave: I think if Rhea loses, Priest wins and I think he should. He has been elevated by his Title run and is getting stronger and stronger as a character. Finn is still the tag champ if he loses. I put Priest over here.
Mike: Priest has been taking fire from all sides here. He needs the win,
Richard: I guess if Roman and Solo can fight for control of The Bloodline, Priest and Balor can fight for the ceremonial title of leader of The Judgment Day. The way that they have set up this match over the last few weeks of Raw, I am not really into this one. Will Balor have the assistance of JD and Carlito (because they might not let Dom out of the cage) against Priest. Damian Priest is on a similar trajectory as Trick Williams, but will he be able to have a celebration on Saturday comparable to what Trick achieved on Tuesday night? If Priest beats Balor, what is next for him? If Balor wins, Priest can continue his war with his former friends. Priest will get the win on Saturday night.
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