We are more than likely not going to see a huge return or debut at WWE Bash in Berlin on Saturday, and there are only five scheduled matches.
A lineup that small, mixed with no real platform for a major return, is the perfect situation for a massive plot twist that doesn’t involve an introduction of new talent or a reintroduction of a Superstar who is returning from injury or hiatus.
There were a few hints from WWE Smackdown, which was live from Berlin on Friday. Here are the results from the WWE Smackdown in Berlin on Friday, August 30:
- United States Championship Open Challenge: LA Knight defeats Ludwig Kaiser to retain
- Angel and Berto defeated Crews and Corbin
- Andrade defeated Carmelo Hayes
- WWE Women’s Championship Street Fight: Nia Jax (c) defeated Michin
With the current WWE storylines and the Bad Blood PLE coming on October 5 in Atlanta, there are a number of potential heel or face turns brewing. It’s not crazy for at least one of them to happen in Berlin.
Here are five to keep an eye on.
Austin Theory
For well over a month, Theory has been the fall guy for Grayson Waller’s tomfoolery, and we know WWE has always had big plans for the former.
It might finally be time for Theory to get another push, and to get that, he will need to separate himself from Waller.
The two men briefly exchanged before seemingly stomping out any tensions, but veteran WWE observers know this formula.
These two will be breaking up soon, with Theory most likely turning a face. It could happen in some sort of backstage segment at Bash in Berlin.
Xavier Woods
The Final Testament has been working on turning Woods against Kofi Kingston, and each week, it seems like an inevitable moment. It’s a promising storyline because Woods has done such good mic work in these situations.
They don’t appear to have a reason to be on the Bash in Berlin show, but the potential of Woods’ heel turn could be PLE-worthy.
Kofi Kingston
I know all the focus has been on a potential Woods turn, but the real twist would be Kofi Kingston and Odyssey Jones turning on Woods.
I’ve been dying to see Kofi get a legitimate opportunity as a heel, and if you’ve noticed, it seems Kevin Owens has gone out of his way to say that the veteran is the only person he’s turned on who didn’t have it coming.
Those seeds could be a part of the plan to further paint Kofi as innocent, thereby making his heel turn all the more shocking.
If so, I’m here for it.
Kevin Owens
An Owens heel turn is a possibility. Selling this switch as a possibility is almost the only way for WWE to sell any tension for his match against Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship.
Owens has been among the best in history when it comes to sticking a knife in someone’s back, and to do it to Rhodes could be epic–especially if it unexpectedly leads to a title change.
The latter is unlikely, but what if that becomes the major shocker from this otherwise predictable PLE?
Jade Cargill
At some point, we will see Jade Cargill vs. Bianca Belair. The two are currently functioning as a tag team, but their failure to win back their titles at Bash in Berlin could fuel the breakup.
Let’s face it: Cargill is much better as a heel. She mastered her character in AEW while still developing her in-ring skills. She’s still working on the latter, but her character doesn’t have the layers it did in AEW.
WWE didn’t invest as heavily in her as it did for her to be a tag-team product. Perhaps Bash in Berlin is where she turns on Belair and launches a feud that spills into Bad Blood.
Here is a look at the complete Bash in Berlin card:
- Date: Saturday, August 31
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV/Stream: Peacock in the United States and WWE Network in Europe
Bash in Berlin Full Card
- WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes defends against Kevin Owens
- World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther vs. Randy Orton
- Mixed Tag Match: Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley vs. “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan
- Strap Match: CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Unholy Union vs. Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill
