WWE's Stomping Grounds PPV comes to us from the Tacoma Dome on June 23rd, and will be an important one for the Vince McMahon-led promotion as both WWE RAW and SmackDown are not currently doing well in viewership, while the WWE Universe is also uninterested in WWE's programming and storylines.
Also Read: 5 Superstars who could return at WWE Stomping Grounds PPV
WWE will need to change things around soon and the Stomping Grounds PPV is an important one for them to change the tide. The PPV will see several title matches as WWE build towards the next big PPV, SummerSlam.
Here are 5 things WWE should not do at Stomping Grounds:
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#5. Lack of surprises
One of the best PPVs in recent times was the 2019 Money in the Bank PPV that received rave reviews from fans. As usual, the Money in the Bank ladder match was fantastic to watch, but what made the PPV stand out was the surprises that WWE had in store for fans.
First, we had Bayley win the women's Money in the Bank ladder match, who then went on to cash-in on Charlotte Flair, who had just moments earlier defeated Becky Lynch to become the SmackDown Women's title. This was a popular decision as fans have demanded and wanted to see Bayley win a singles title again. And the surprise cash-in brought the house down!
The other big surprise of the night was the return of Brock Lesnar, who entered the men's Money in the Bank ladder match after Sami Zayn - who was orignally supposed to be one of the eight men in the match - was attacked and hence could not participate in the match.
Lesnar went on to win the briefcase, and despite it being disliked by many fans, Lesnar winning the men's Money in the Bank ladder match was a massive surprise for many fans.
WWE should try to do the same by weaving new mini stories during the PPV, like the Bayley cash-in, or the Zayn attack and Lesnar victory, to keep fans invested in the show.
#4. Predictable results
The last PPV that WWE hosted was the Super ShowDown PPV in Saudi Arabia, which had a decent card on paper. But the PPV failed to deliver, thanks mostly to the final match of the night between Undertaker and Goldberg, which was disastrous.
But the PPV also failed on other counts, notably the lack of title changes and the predictable results. It has become very easy to second guess WWE PPV results, which should not be the case in pro wrestling. At Super ShowDown, there wasn't even one title change as the three title matches - Universal, WWE, and Intercontinental title holders, all won their matches.
At Stomping Grounds, we are going to witness seven title matches, and it would be a pity if we did not see even one title change. WWE needs to shake up things and do it quickly, and moving in a different direction with one title is the way to go.
#3. Shane McMahon begins a feud with Kofi Kingston
WWE is reportedly keen on having Shane McMahon feud with Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship. This is a decision that has already angered most fans who feel that Shane does not deserve to be offered that opportunity considering the numerous talented Superstars who haven't been given those opportunities.
This decision by WWE has apparently rubbed Superstars the wrong way as per Fightful: "We’ve not heard of Shane being criticized personally, but that the decision to heavily feature Shane McMahon in the middle of a Wild Card scenario that already limits screen time for others is 'infuriating.'”
McMahon is a good heel, but he should be an authority figure who is a heel rather than someone who takes up title opportunities. Shane isn't a full-time wrestler, and although his high-flying moves are much loved, he isn't as good as most of the Superstars who are currently in the WWE.
#2. No heel turns
WWE's other problem is that there aren't great heels or ones that are getting a lot of TV time to make the show much more interesting. At Stomping Grounds, WWE should try to turn one or two Superstars heel, and add the surprise factor that I spoke about previously in this article.
The Miz is one of the best heels in the business, and his latest babyface run hasn't been to the liking of a lot of fans. The A-Lister isn't on the card at Stomping Grounds but I hope he makes an appearance and turns heel, perhaps against someone like Ricochet, which would be a good feud.
It is also time for WWE to bring back Sasha Banks, who has been out of action since WrestleMania 35. Banks, when and if she returns, should turn heel and maybe feud with her former tag team partner, Bayley.
#1. Brock Lesnar winning the Universal title
I said this ahead of Super ShowDown and I say it again now before Stomping Grounds. Brock Lesnar SHOULD NOT be the Universal champion. Not much has changed since Brock Lesnar returned to WWE at Money in the Bank PPV as he is still a part-timer who features in big PPVs or in the lead up to big PPVs.
Lesnar was at Super ShowDown and tried to cash-in on Seth Rollins, but a trip from Paul Heyman distracted The Beast which resulted in Rollins taking advantage and stomping Lesnar.
But, there's a possibility that Lesnar could return at Stomping Grounds and try to take advantage of the situation once again, and cash-in on Rollins, who will face Baron Corbin once again at the PPV.
It would make better sense for Lesnar to try to cash-in on his briefcase on WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, which would make for an interesting feud.