6 things WWE subtly told us on Stomping Grounds 2019

WWE Stomping Grounds was a surprisingly refreshing and excellent PPV. If you ignore the disaster that was WWE Super ShowDown, then you mustn't forget that Money in the Bank was bar none, the best PPV of the year.

With all the hype of AEW and the lacklustre weekly shows, we often forget that WWE knows how to pull off a good show when they really want to. More importantly, what we learned was that when there are low expectations heading into a PPV, WWE tends to deliver.

The PPV went by quite fast as well, not really dragging on like other shows. Either way, quite a few things happened and we have one more PPV before SummerSlam. It looks like the seeds will be planted for the biggest show of the summer and we couldn't be more excited! Here are a few things that WWE subtly told us on Stomping Grounds 2019

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#6 Lacey Evans is the future...but it's still The Man's time

Evans will have to wait

Lacey Evans has clearly been pushed as a future Women's Champion. From doing absolutely nothing before WrestleMania 35, she instantly established herself as a championship contender.

She was handily defeated in under ten minutes at Money in the Bank and after costing Becky Lynch the SmackDown Live Women's Championship moments later, she remained in the RAW Women's title feud. This time, they went a little over ten minutes in a solid bout.

While Lacey Evans is undoubtedly a future Women's Champion, it's clear that right now, it's Becky Lynch's time.

She had her moment at WrestleMania 35 and is now running strong as Women's champion. Hopefully, she remians champion for a few more months atleast before dropping the title.

It's good that WWE didn't make the mistake of rushing Evans to the main spot. She isn't ready for that yet.

However, we must admit that her addition in the main event took us by surprise.

See WWE Stomping Grounds Results, Highlights of event, & more on WWE Stomping Grounds Results page

#5 Big plans for Ricochet

Ricochet got a huge reception backstage

Ricochet won the United States Championship from Samoa Joe as expected, but WWE made a much bigger deal out of it than they usually would. Notice that when Ricochet went backstage, he had all sorts of names congratulating him, from Seth Rollins to Charlotte Flair to Heavy Machinery and then finally, Triple H.

The Game had a moment with one of his former NXT favourites and he received a huge endorsement. The reality is that WWE knows how to make moments bigger and hint something, which is exactly what they did with Ricochet.

It looks like they heard the reactions he's been receiving the last few months and realized that they have something very special in The One and Only superstar. Moreover, the entire incident with AJ Styles backstage certainly seemed to hint that WWE has huge plans for him in the future.

#4 AJ Styles could turn heel soon

Ricochet didn't have to wait to find his next challenger

It's true when they say that when a person becomes champion, they instantly have a target on their back. Ricochet found out about this first-hand when he was busy with a championship photoshoot.

He was interrupted by Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, who told him to put up the "two sweet" while Ricochet uncomfortably posed with them. However, he was soon met by AJ Styles, who clearly stated his intenton to challenge for the title, hinting that it could happen as soon as the coming episode of RAW.

Since it's a big match-up, WWE may want to save it for PPV. And if they do have big plans for Ricochet, then having Styles turn heel to feud with him would be massive. It would help put Ricochet on the map and it could even lead to an incredible SummerSlam feud.

#3 Roman Reigns vs Shane McMahon is going to have a long-term payoff

Roman Reigns was victorious on the night

Roman Reigns faced Drew McIntyre in a WrestleMania 35 rematch. So far, the last 3 PPVs/Network specials have seen Roman Reigns involved in the same feud. It's basically been him vs Shane McMahon, with Drew McIntyre, Elias and The Revival (to some extent) as side characters.

As you know, Reigns defeated Elias at MITB, lost to Shane McMahon at WWE Super ShowDown and beat McIntyre at WWE Stomping Grounds 2019. Right before the main event of the PPV, Shane McMahon mentioned backstage that on RAW, Reigns will be taking on Drew McIntyre and Shane McMahon in a 2-on-1 handicap match.

What's clear is that this rivalry is far from over. It's going to extend over the course of this year and if Shane McMahon does become WWE Champion, then the payoff will be Roman Reigns defeating him for the title.

#2 Dolph Ziggler's time in the main event scene is officially over

Is it all over for Ziggler?

Kofi Kingston vs Dolph Ziggler inside the steel cage was actually a really solid match. The psychology was great, their chemistry was off the charts and they put on a real WWE title-caliber match up.

But what's interesting is how Corey Graves mentioned with certainty that this will, in fact, be the last opportunity that Ziggler has at glory. Not that he can't compete at that level anymore, but what WWE made crystal clear is that Dolph Ziggler's time in the main event picture is officially over.

Of course, he was never going to become World Champion and it was obvious that he was just a filler feud. But with Ziggler transitioning and making it bigger in other careers, it seems as though he's going to wind down in WWE. How long he's going to stay around, we really don't know.

#1 WWE loves the Becky Lynch-Seth Rollins relationship

Becky Lynch had a big role to play in the main event

WWE has sometimes been guilty of separating couples via a brand split. However, more often than not, they are quite supportive of relationships, especially among top stars. In this case, it's clear that WWE absolutely loves the fact that Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch are dating.

Not only did they acknowledge it on social media, but they've approved it on-screen as well. We've seen references of them dating and brief interactions they had, limited to seconds on RAW.

In the main event of Stomping Grounds, Becky Lynch had a big role to play. Lacey Evans was cleverly picked as the special guest referee.

Rollins couldn't attack her with a steel chair and she played a clearly biased referee. After a long drag, Becky Lynch came out and helped Rollins win, with the two celebrating to close the show. WWE probably plans to use them as a "power couple" going forward.