August 31, we have the next WWE PLE Bash in Berlin. After this week's edition of Monday Night Raw, we have our main event for the card already booked, The Legend Kiler, Viper, Apex Predator Randy Orton challenges The Ring General Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship. The seeds were planted at King & Queen of the Ring back in May when Gunther's win over Randy was controversial. HHH said we would get a rematch and Orton is cashing that in now.
For Gunther's first defense, Orton arguably is the perfect opponent. We have the backstory, whether planned or not. Randy is a 14 time World Champion. He also has been with WWE for over 2 decades. With his first defense in his home country, Gunther retaining the title against Randy isn't a given. Granted most of us don't expect Gunther's first World Title reign to only be 4 weeks, however with the match being against a veteran like Randy, his retaining the belt doesn't seem as for sure now. If WWE wants to legitimize Gunther as World Heavyweight Champion (not sure with his resume why folks wouldn't believe he is worthy as champ) a win against Randy would securely legitimize Gunther as Raw's flag bearer.
Our second match will most likely be a mixed tag match featuring Damien Priest & Rhea Ripley against Finn Baylor (or possibly Dirty Dom) & Liv Morgan. With the Judgement Day's attempted beat down of Priest failing and Ripley running to the ring to take care of the Liv problem and woman handle J D McDonough, this seems to be a match announced for the card as soon as next week.
One match I don't expect to happen in Berlin is Seth Rollins vs Big Bronson Reed. What did Seth do to piss off this behemoth? One time, two time, three time, four time five time, six time(Sorry Booker T for using your gimmick) six time six time six time six time six time six time Seth is flattened by a tsunami. The last time I remember someone being crushed like that was when Earthquake decimated Hogan on the Brother Love Show. Maybe next week, WWE starts an email writing campaign where they encourage fans to send get well emails to Seth.......If you know you know.
Some possible matches: Sami Zayn & Jey Uso challenging Judgement Day for the World Tag Team titles (if Dirty Dom is in the mixed tag match), Bron Breaker defending against Ilja Draginov, and Punk/McIntyre II leading us to Punk/McIntyre III at Bad Blood inside Hell in a cell possibly.....
We will see what happens Friday on SmackDown to see what is building there for Berlin....