Bold Predictions for Kevin Owens and WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 Match Card
On Saturday, WWE will bring its unique brand of sports entertainment to the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Bash in Berlin will be the company's latest foray into the international market. It has hosted live shows in Germany since the height of its popularity in the 1990s, but the upcoming premium live event will be its first major event to take place in the country.
This weekend's five-match card boasts two world title contests and the second chapter in CM Punk's feud with Drew McIntyre. Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest will also get the chance to avenge their losses at SummerSlam when they take on Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio in a mixed tag team match.
It's a concise and straightforward lineup that doesn't leave room for many surprises, but here are three bold predictions for this weekend's Bash in Berlin.
CM Punk and Drew McIntyre Will Overdeliver
Punk and McIntrye have been feuding since The Scottish Warrior injured the returning Superstar at the Royal Rumble, costing him the chance to headline WrestleMania for the first time.
This rivalry started the year hot with the potential to be the top matchup at SummerSlam, but it hasn't quite lived up to the hype. Their early segments were entertaining, but the seven-month build has caused their latest confrontations to grow repetitive.
Their highly anticipated match at The Biggest Party of the Summer was adequate, but the in-ring action didn't match the intensity of their most heated interactions. Instead, we got a highly story-driven clash over Punk's friendship bracelet, which left much to be desired.
The upcoming strap match will allow the two men to deliver a display of violence that fans hoped to see during their first outing.
Sure, much of the momentum from their initial segments has died down, but this rematch will surpass expectations.
Gunther Will Beat Randy Orton Definitively
Gunther will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Randy Orton in this King of the Ring rematch.
Their first showdown from the finals of this year's 16-man tournament was well-received, but the controversial finish ensured it wouldn't be the last time they crossed paths. Gunther won via pinfall, but Orton's shoulder clearly wasn't down.
The Viper has had his eyes set on championship gold since he returned from an 18-month hiatus in November at Survivor Series. Many fans expect this to lead to a high-profile match with his mentee and former stablemate, Cody Rhodes.
In fact, the third-generation star left some subtle hints in his latest promo on Raw that he could turn on The American Nightmare to achieve his goal. As such, we predict that a humbling loss to Gunther could set him down the path to reintroducing The Viper of old.
Kevin Owens Won't Turn Heel
Meanwhile, all of WWE's teases that Kevin Owens could betray Rhodes in the lead-up to their Undisputed WWE Championship match seem like a red herring.
As longtime viewers know, KO has a long history of stabbing his friends in the back, especially when a shot at the world title is involved. As a matter of fact, this was the premise of his iconic rivalry with Sami Zayn in NXT.
During last week's episode of SmackDown, Grayson Waller graciously reminded fans that The Prizefighter is notorious for being a terrible friend with a montage of some of his worst moments. It was a great way to reference WWE's continuity and create doubt among fans and the reigning champion.
Owens even tried to reassure Rhodes that he wouldn't do that to him because all of those other guys had it coming, which plays into his guilt. See? The 39-year-old offered him a title shot in the first place because he put him in harm's way so many times during his conflict with The Bloodline.
So, his words felt more ominous considering he betrayed others for less and Rhodes already thinks he hasn't been a great friend. Nevertheless, we don't think Owens will turn on the champion in Berlin because it seems a bit too predictable.
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