Current World Champion, forgotten RAW performer - 4 WWE stars who should have had matches at Bash in Berlin
WWE Bash in Berlin is just hours away and the show is going to be a special one. This is the company's first massive premium live event to ever take place in Germany and the fans are eager to see what goes down.
The card for Bash in Berlin is stacked too. The likes of Cody Rhodes, Gunther, Rhea Ripley, Drew McIntyre, and CM Punk, among others, are booked to have big-time matches. In total, there are three title matches, a Mixed Tag Team Match, and a Strap Match announced for the show.
While there is a lot of star power on the Bash in Berlin card, there are some names missing that have left fans scratching their heads. Some performers, both male and female, missing out on the show seems like an odd choice.
This article will take a look at four such performers from RAW and SmackDown who should have had matches at Bash in Berlin.
#4. Ludwig Kaiser was a no-brainer for the show
Ludwig Kaiser has quickly become a talent to watch in WWE. While he spent much of his career as Gunther's lackey, the Imperium member has recently begun to break out as a singles star. In fact, he even main evented RAW with Randy Orton.
In a bizarre twist, Ludwig Kaiser is not booked for a match at Bash in Berlin. Given the fact that he is a German superstar who rose through the ranks of the European indie wrestling scene, this exclusion is quite strange.
Thankfully, Kaiser got some kind of promotion in Germany on Friday Night SmackDown. The A+ Specimen accepted LA Knight's open challenge for the United States Championship. While Ludwig came up short, the fans loved seeing him. Still, his addition to the Bash in Berlin card would've made the PLE even better.
#3. Roman Reigns should have had a major bout
Roman Reigns is one of the most popular wrestlers in the world. Despite spending around four years as a hated heel, and a World Champion, Reigns is now adored by the WWE Universe.
The Original Tribal Chief was absent from WWE programming following his loss to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania until SummerSlam. From then on, he appeared on multiple SmackDown episodes to take down The Bloodline. Unfortunately, things went poorly for Roman when Jacob Fatu returned. The OTC was put through a table and hasn't been seen since.
While Roman works limited dates per year, returning at SummerSlam and then missing the next premium live event seems odd. Reigns should have had a major match at Bash in Berlin, perhaps against Solo Sikoa in singles competition.
#2. Nia Jax should be defending her WWE Women's Title
Nia Jax has had an incredible run since returning to WWE. While many fans questioned Jax being brought back, she has put on banger after banger and even won the World Title at SummerSlam.
Friday Night SmackDown this week saw Jax compete in an epic bout. She and Michin fought in a Street Fight for the WWE Women's Championship that featured tables, fire extinguishers, canes, Tiffany Stratton, and the return of Bayley. It was a great match.
The only problem is that this match should have been booked for Bash in Berlin. There isn't a single Woman's World Title being defended at the show. While Liv Morgan at least has a Mixed Tag Team Match, Nia is seemingly missing the PLE. This Street Fight could have been booked on the Bash in Berlin instead of SmackDown.
#1. Ilja Dragunov was another obvious pick for a match at Bash in Berlin
Ilja Dragunov is the most intense wrestler in WWE and arguably the best in-ring performer in the world. Every match he has feels like a fight and it is hard not to root for a guy who puts his all into every strike and bump.
Of everybody excluded from this show, Ilja being absent makes the most sense from a storyline perspective, as he isn't doing much in WWE at the moment. He has entered himself in the Intercontinental Championship Tournament, but other than that, he has no active angles.
Still, it is disappointing that he doesn't have a match on a European PLE. Ilja is from Russia, but he moved to Germany and rose through the ranks in wXw Wrestling. Similar to Ludwig, a match at Bash in Berlin would have been a special moment for The Mad Dragon and for his loyal German fans.