WWE Battleground 2017: Feuds Guaranteed to Increase Excitement for SmackDown PPV

On July 23, the Superstars of SmackDown Live return to the WWE Network for the Battleground pay-per-view.

Headlined by a Punjabi Prison match between Randy Orton and WWE champion Jinder Mahal, the show will set the stage for SummerSlam in August while bringing some of the hottest rivalries to a head.

Which feuds are guaranteed to enhance excitement for a show many see as a B-level setup to a much more significant event on August 20?

As it turns out, the blue brand has a handful of engaging and compelling stories that will elevate Battleground past the status of "afterthought" to be one of the hidden gems of 2017.

Shinsuke Nakamura Halts Baron Corbin's Momentum

At Money in the Bank, Baron Corbin attacked Shinsuke Nakamura before the event's namesake match, creating questions about The Artist's ability to compete. He exploded back into the match, unloading with a furious vengeance on The Lone Wolf.

He fell short of his goal of retrieving the briefcase when Corbin shoved over a ladder Nakamura and AJ Styles were standing atop and won the match.

Tuesday's episode of SmackDown Live saw Nakamura watching from the backstage area as Corbin squared off with Sami Zayn.

Corbin is the holder of the Money in the Bank briefcase, and Nakamura is arguably the most popular babyface on the SmackDown Live roster. The arrogant, unlikable villain versus the enigmatic hero works. What will make the feud work well, though, is the experience levels of the Superstars involved and what working with Nakamura will mean for Corbin.

The former Arizona Cardinal has the look and aura of a Superstar, but he has not yet been confronted with a situation in which he must perform up to the level of his opposition in a major pay-per-view singles match.

He has been protected in multi-man main events wherein he can hit his signature stuff but not be overexposed. At Battleground, he's set to square off with one of the most celebrated performers of his generation in a match that will demonstrate just how ready he is to thrive at the top of the card.

The different styles of the wrestlers involved will also make for an interesting watch.

Carmella vs. Becky Lynch

Miss Money in the Bank Carmella has won the briefcase on two separate occasions, both coming at the expense of Becky Lynch. The most recent victory, on Tuesday's broadcast of SmackDown Live, saw The Princess of Staten Island use a steel chair on the injured knee of The Lass Kicker, costing her the guaranteed championship opportunity.

Assuming WWE Creative opts to position Carmella against Lynch at Battleground, the women's division could well benefit from a prominent rivalry full of emotion and quality performances from one of its best heels and most sympathetic babyfaces.

Whereas the aforementioned rivalry between Corbin and Nakamura will allow The Lone Wolf to learn from one of the most talented in-ring workers in the industry, Carmella will also benefit exponentially from working with Lynch, who might just be the most talented in-ring talent on WWE's women's roster.

The added element of James Ellsworth, who has been a thorn in the side of Lynch for months, only adds to the entertainment value—as would a strong Bexploder suplex or Disarmer to the chinless wonder.

United States Championship Match: AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens

Strictly from an in-ring perspective, there is no rivalry more capable of generating excitement for Battleground than a United States Championship match between AJ Styles and Kevin Owens.

The Phenomenal One lost out on the opportunity to dethrone The New Face of America in May at Backlash when his leg became stuck in an announce table and he was consequently counted out. Though he has yet to earn another championship opportunity against Owens, recent booking trends suggest the Ring of Honor alumni will bring an end to their issues in Philadelphia.

To do so, Styles will have to win the Independence Day Battle Royal to earn a shot at Owens' title. If and when he does so, fans will witness the culmination of a competitive rivalry that will likely end with a show-stealing match.

Styles is the most consistently great wrestler on the roster, and his chemistry with Owens is undeniable. Putting them in the same ring, in front of a wrestling-thirsty audience in the City of Brotherly Love, is the best way to drum up interest for Battleground without relying on any overly complicated booking or a strong, unnecessary push ahead of the July 23 event.

Let two wrestlers do what they do as well as, if not better than, anyone else.

The John Cena Element

John Cena returns to WWE on Independence Day and is advertised for the Battleground pay-per-view.

It is unclear exactly what the leader of the Cenation will do in Philly, but his presence alone is guaranteed to generate intrigue and excitement for the show.

Will he issue an open challenge? Will he even compete? Perhaps he is best suited to sitting at ringside, calling the action alongside Tom Phillips, JBL and Byron Saxton as Orton attempts to dethrone Mahal.

Whatever the case may be, Cena adds starpower and credibility to the show like no other Superstar can claim to do. It will benefit Battleground, the SmackDown Live brand and the fans watching in the arena and around the world.