A shocking debut, living up to the theme? - 5 early bold predictions for WWE Bad Blood 2024
WWE's next premium live event off the heels of the Bash in Berlin is Bad Blood. The revamped PLE will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, the hometowns of Bron Breakker and Cody Rhodes.
The Bash in Berlin followed WWE's formula for smaller PLEs - five matches with a few championships up for grabs. Among the contests were a Strap Match between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre and another Women's Tag Team Championship win for Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair. Rhodes and Gunther also defended their titles. The event also featured a mixed tag team fight pitting Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan against Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley.
With the next PLE about a month away, here are five early bold predictions for Bad Blood in Atlanta.
#5. There will be at least one gimmick match at Bad Blood
![Things are far from finished between Drew McIntyre and CM Punk. [Image Credit: WWE.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/ba97f-17256558720315-1920.jpg?w=500)
Bash in Berlin had a Strap Match to up the ante in the second showdown between Punk and McIntyre. The Best in the World won and then stated his intentions to go after Gunther and the World Heavyweight Championship.
McIntyre quickly ended those hopes with a brutal surprise attack that left Punk bloodied and needing to be stretchered off to the ambulance. The third match would be perfectly suited for Bad Blood. The feud is far from being over and needs yet another huge gimmick match to settle the score. It could be a Hell in a Cell, Last Man Standing, or even a First Blood Match.
Damian Priest and Jey Uso could also battle The Judgment Day in a Hardcore Match. Whatever happens, the event will include one heated gimmick bout.
#4. Jey Uso and Damian Priest will challenge for the World Tag Team Championship
Finn Balor and JD McDonagh have not defended the World Tag Team Championship since claiming the titles in June. With over two and a half months between representation, the champions must be featured at Bad Blood.
Priest and Uso defeated The Judgment Day in non-title action on the latest episode of RAW. When a champion is pinned in non-title action, it typically leads to a title opportunity at a later date.
Featuring the ongoing drama between Priest and Balor perfectly suits the theme of Bad Blood. The Judgment Day may also cost Jey his chance to challenge for the Intercontinental Championship in the upcoming Fatal Four-Way Match.
#3. A huge return or debut shocks the world at Bad Blood
Roman Reigns returned to WWE at SummerSlam, following that Bash in Berlin did not feature any returns of either an injured or missing performer.
As things heat up in the final quarter of 2024, some big names may be ready to make an impact in the new era. Alexa Bliss could return from maternity leave to bolster the women's division on the main roster.
Charlotte Flair is a physical fitness specimen and could return sooner than later after suffering a major knee injury last December. Raquel Rodriguez's MCAS might finally be in remission also.
If The Bloodline is booked in a match, Hikuleo could debut. Should he skip over NXT, Penta El Zero Miedo could make a shocking WWE debut at Bad Blood as well.
#2. There will be more non-title matches than championship contests
If WWE follows the recent trend for smaller PLEs, Bad Blood will likely consist of five contests. The card could have six matches to add more variety, but when it comes to championship defenses, non-title matches will overshadow title bouts.
Cody Rhodes will be featured since he's from Atlanta and is the company's top star. Since he's defended his belt at the last two PLEs, he'll pivot to a grudge match or tag team action.
Liv Morgan will possibly defend her title before Bad Blood as could LA Knight and Nia Jax. Since Bron Breakker also hails from Atlanta, he'll probably defend the Intercontinental Championship against the winner of the Fatal Four-Way Match to determine the number-one contender.
If Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston disband, that would be a perfect spot for a one-on-one contest. Woods also calls Atlanta home. The same could be said for Austin Theory and Grayson Waller if they finally break up. Theory is another native of Georgia.
#1. A few title matches will be saved for big episodes of RAW and SmackDown
With a five-match card likely for Bad Blood, several titles will be left off the event. Rhodes and Gunther defended their belts in Berlin while the Women's World Champion, Liv Morgan, was in a Mixed Tag Team Match.
As WWE heads into its debut on new networks, some title showdowns will be saved for those first episodes. It's also season premiere time on network TV, so WWE will prop up some episodes of RAW and SmackDown with championship contests.
Bayley should be getting a rematch soon and LA Knight will probably have to wait for a featured spot on a PLE. The Women's Tag Team Championship doesn't need to be on another card, while the other tag titles or the United States Championship are not.