WWE Battleground 2016: Full Card Predictions After Money in the Bank

In the rubble that the chaos of the Money in the Bank pay-per-view left behind, one could see much of what lies ahead at WWE Battleground 2016 even with the upcoming brand split creating uncertainty. 

Rusev's villainy in Las Vegas seemed to signal a rematch with his powerhouse opponent. Natalya's act of treachery set up a new storyline. John Cena is certainly not done with The Club after Sunday.

The next PPV is difficult to project with the Raw-SmackDown draft now scheduled for July 19, per WWE.com. That's just five days away from Battleground. How will WWE navigate that timing, and what bouts will it build toward until then?

Based on what WWE foreshadowed at Money in the Bank and foreseeing logical booking moves, while keeping the company's SummerSlam plans in mind, the following is a look at what matchups to expect when Battleground hits the airwaves in five weeks.

Becky Lynch vs. Natalya

Becky Lynch and Natalya entered Money in the Bank as allies but exited as enemies. After the babyface team lost to Charlotte and Dana Brooke, Natalya ambushed The Irish Lass Kicker, letting out her frustrations on her own partner.

With that moment, WWE looks to have given both Natalya and Lynch a new narrative to play with. Jason Powell of ProWrestling.net wrote, "I hope this means we're going to get a feud between women that doesn't involve the championship for a change."

WWE has too often neglected the women's division outside of the champion and the challenger. This rivalry would be a welcome alternative to that and allow the company to take advantage of Lynch's persistent connection with the crowd.

The New Day vs. Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady (Tag Team Championship)

The New Day faced three sets of challengers in Las Vegas and survived with the titles still in hand. That result extended the champs' lengthy reign as WWE continues to play up how historic The New Day's run has been.

One of the most eye-catching moments during the Fatal 4-Way tag team title bout was when The New Day faced off with Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady. The staredown between the two popular squads charged up the crowd.

WWE surely noticed that. The company also had to be taking note of the verbal chemistry between the champions and The Realest Guys in the Room in the past few weeks. A collision between them is inevitable.

Booking it for Battleground would improve the event instantly. And WWE could then save the expected battle between The Club and The New Day for SummerSlam. 

Rusev vs. Titus O'Neil (United States Championship)

As the United States Championship match at Money in the Bank wound down, with Rusev wrenching Titus O'Neil into submission, it looked like this would be a one-time clash between these two. The champion would go on to dominate someone else. 

But the aftermath suggested a continuation of this story. Rusev shouted at O'Neil's sons, insulting their dad and ruining Father's Day. 

Cageside Seats' Sean Rueter wrote of Rusev and O'Neil, "Thanks to some classic and timely heeling by the champ, got social media buzzing themselves." That was surely by design. WWE wanted people talking about that moment, even if the bout preceding it was nothing special. 

With Rusev making things personal and O'Neil sure to be enraged, a rematch at Battleground looks to be on the menu.

The Club vs. Team Cena

John Cena and AJ Styles' stellar matchup ended in controversy. With the referee knocked out, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson attacked Cena to help Styles to victory.

That speaks to a rematch in the future, but it would be hard to imagine WWE booking the second round of a dream match at a low-rung pay-per-view like Battleground. The rematch is more likely set for the SummerSlam card.

To keep this feud's momentum until then, expect WWE to have Cena and Styles collide in a different kind of match. To combat The Club, Cena will recruit some mighty allies. His superteam could include Cesaro, giving The King of Swing something to do following Money in the Bank and be how WWE welcomes back Randy Orton after returning from injury.

A tag match at Battleground is an easy way to increase animosity between these enemies and build anticipation for Cena vs. Styles II.

Charlotte vs. Paige (Women's Championship)

Charlotte won't have to worry about Becky Lynch or Natalya for the time being. Those two rivals will be too busy with each other to go after her Women's Championship. 

It's too early to have the champ's relationship dissolve and lead to a match. That takes Dana Brooke out of the mix for Battleground, too.

With WWE seemingly holding off on showcasing Sasha Banks until SummerSlam, the company may go back to one of Charlotte's early foes until then. Paige has a claim to a championship match after beating Charlotte in non-title action twice since May, per CageMatch.net.

Paige can offer one last challenge before Charlotte gears up for Banks, setting up the SummerSlam showdown many have expected for a long time.

The Miz vs. Sami Zayn (Intercontinental Championship)

The Miz was absent from Money in the Bank and from TV for the past few weeks as he is filming the latest WWE Studios movie. He has, though, kept us up on his acting exploits via live videos on his Facebook page.

When The Miz heads back to Raw, a man who was recently gunning for the Intercontinental Championship will be awaiting him. 

Sami Zayn battled The Miz for that crown in multiple-man matches at both Extreme Rules and WrestleMania. Having them move on to a one-on-one feud would take advantage of their chemistry together and help build on the momentum Zayn generated in the Money in the Bank ladder match. 

Zayn is without a storyline now that the chase for the Money in the Bank briefcase is over. Reconvening his issues with The Miz is an easy solution for that.

Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins (No. 1 Contender's Match)

Seth Rollins had little time to celebrate dethroning Roman Reigns at Money in the Bank. Dean Ambrose used the guaranteed title shot he earned earlier in the night to seize the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Rollins.

The audience is now expecting an ongoing battle between all three men. As Jesse Collings of Wrestling Inc put it, "It looks like WWE is banking on a Shield Triple Threat feud to carry the company over the summer."

That's too big of a match to have at Battleground. 

To prep for that bout, expect WWE to have Reigns and Rollins argue over who deserves a rematch at first. A No. 1 Contender's match will be set up to settle that but end in a way that inserts both men in a Triple Threat match at SummerSlam with Ambrose.

After a strong performance by these two at Money in the Bank, WWE can book a rematch with confidence, knowing it will bolster a Battleground card that will be in danger of feeling like a throwaway, transitional pay-per-view.

Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)

Dean Ambrose wasted no time in turning his Money in the Bank briefcase into a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. After cashing in to close that pay-per-view, he awaits a placeholder challenger until the expected SummerSlam showdown with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. 

Kevin Owens, one of the best heels in the company today, is a natural fit to oppose Ambrose at Battleground.

He and Ambrose have a contentious history. Owens has been delivering at a main event level. And after the Money in the Bank ladder match, the bruiser needs a new storyline.

Consider this one of the steps in Owens' journey to the top tier while Ambrose gets a tough test before taking on Rollins and Reigns.