5 Of the biggest WWE stars surprisingly left off the card for Bad Blood
Bad Blood 2024 is less than two days away, and the excitement level is soaring as fans gear up for WWE's next premium live event. Top names such as CM Punk and Roman Reigns are scheduled for in-ring action at the show.
For the first time since losing at WrestleMania XL, Reigns will compete as he teams up with his former rival, Cody Rhodes, to take on The Bloodline's Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. Punk will look to settle the score with Drew McIntyre inside Hell in a Cell.
Damian Priest will get his hands on Finn Balor, who betrayed the former at SummerSlam 2024. Nia Jax will defend her WWE Women's Championship against Bayley while Rhea Ripley will look to reclaim the Women's World Championship from Liv Morgan with Dominik Mysterio suspended above the ring in a shark cage.
However, sticking to Triple H's five-match formula, the upcoming PLE has taken a quality-over-quantity approach. Consequently, many top stars have been left off the card for Bad Blood 2024. Below are five such examples.
#5. & #4. Gunther and Sami Zayn should have competed against each other at WWE Bad Blood 2024
For weeks, Sami Zayn had been requesting Gunther for a one-on-one opportunity for the World Heavyweight Championship. The Ring General arrogantly turned him down, but he eventually gave in to his rival's request, and the match was set for the October 7, 2024, edition of RAW.
While WWE may be drawing more eyes for RAW, Gunther vs. Zayn is a PLE-worthy showdown that should have been booked for Bad Blood 2024. The Ring General is the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. Becoming a staple on PLEs would elevate the relatively new world title.
Moreover, Zayn defeated Gunther at WrestleMania XL to end his record-setting Intercontinental Championship reign. Watching the World Heavyweight Champion avenge the loss at a PLE in a hard-fought battle would have been a treat for his fans.
#3. Jey Uso should have been booked for WWE Bad Blood 2024
In one of the most awe-inspiring moments in recent memory, Jey Uso defeated Bron Breakker to win the Intercontinental Championship, his first-ever singles title in WWE. Fans were elated at The Yeet Master's win on RAW.
Considering the fanfare surrounding Uso's win, it would have been worth the wait to see his crowning moment come at a PLE like Bad Blood 2024. Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker had much heat, and fans were invested in the program. Therefore, Triple H could have booked the title bout this weekend.
The workhorse title has a proud holder, who would undeniably bring his A-game to a PLE. Fans will hope that Main Event Jey Uso gets to defend the Intercontinental Championship at a PLE soon.
#2. & #1. Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed could have been made official for WWE Bad Blood 2024
On the fallout episode of RAW after SummerSlam 2024, Bronson Reed annihilated Seth Rollins with six Tsunamis, writing The Visionary off WWE programming in the process. Following his disturbing display of dominance, Reed embarked on a reign of terror, wreaking havoc on RAW.
R-Truth and The Miz also felt the former NXT North American Champion's wrath. The Australian star also had a slew of harrowing clashes with Braun Strowman, but The Monster Among Men had the last laugh this past week on RAW as Rollins returned to cost Reed a win over Strowman.
Given that The Visionary is one of WWE's top stars and Bronson has gotten over with fans in the last few weeks, Rollins vs. Reed should have been booked for Bad Blood 2024. The background story was compelling and the star power was also there.
Hence, WWE should treat this more than a TV feud, which would be beneficial for Reed, who would come across as a top star.