And Baby Now We've Got Bad Blood...

Bad Blood returns to the big stage for the first time in 20 years in Atlanta, Georgia. WWE has made it a point to promote this PLE as much more than a "just another" event, kicking off the marketing campaign with a buddy cop skit featuring ATL-native Cody Rhodes and one of the biggest producers in the music industry, Metro Boomin.

Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns vs. The Bloodline

The actual event is headlined by two huge matches with monstrous storyline implications. The hometown hero and current WWE Undisputed Champion teams up with The "OTC" Roman Reigns, who returns for his first match since Wrestlemania XL, where he lost the championship to Cody Rhodes after the longest reign in almost 40 years.

Reigns didn't just lose to Cody, he also "lost" his title as "Tribal Chief" to Solo Sikoa, who leads the (new) bloodline with Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga (equiped with his ridiculous yet hilarious "bark" or whatever it is), and Tonga Loa. 

Prediction:

I believe there's no chance Roman Reigns and Cody lose this match, unless Randy Orton and/or Kevin Owen's turn heel on Cody (which we are all on the lookout for; we know that RKO is eventually coming to Cody Rhodes at some point). And to be honest, based on this storyline, I wouldn't be mad at Orton or Owens, especially after helping Cody against the Bloodline and fueding on and off with the Bloodline over the last few years.

Drew McIntrye vs. CM Punk - Hell in a Cell

CM Punk vs McIntrye face off in HIAC which pays homage to the iconic match that made it's debut at 1997's inaugural event. The feud may have (accidentally) spawned from Punk's injury from the Royal Rumble, but has since evolved into one of the hottest most personal feuds of the 2020s. This feud has had almost everything. They've traded victories, interfered in each other's business, executed hilarious (and apparently controversial) social media troll jobs, generated intense promos and delivered absolutely brutal beatdowns. This match is argurably the true main event regardless of its spot on the card (hopefully it goes on last).

Prediction:

Drew McIntrye is an HHH guy. Punk is not. But Punk is probably a top 5-ish face on the roster and HHH knows what's "best for business." I think Punk will get the victory but Drew McIntyre will look damn good in defeat. It's cliche to say this, but I honestly feel no matter what we as fans will enjoy this encounter regardless of who the victor is.

Even with these two matches, the rest of the card features three other high profile "blood-fueled" feuds that are ripe for pay off.

Damian Priest vs. Finn Bálor

Priest faces off against his former Judgment Day stablemate in a revenge match, adding to the feud that started after Finn cost the former Judgment Day leader to lose the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Gunther back in SummerSlam. Balor has since ascended to be the leader of the new Judgment Day and has vowed to be a thorn in Priest's side for as long as possible.

Prediction:

I wouldn't be shocked if this is the first in a series of matches. I can see Balor escaping with a W due to Judgment Day interface.

Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan for the WWE Women's World Championship

This feud has just as much heat as the others and could have most fan involvement of the night. This feud actually goes back to 2023 when Rhea injured Liv. Liv came back and eventually "returned the favor" sidelining Rhea, which forced her to relinquish her championship. While Rhea was gone Liv made sure to get the attention of mega heat-magnet Dominik Mysterio in Ripley's absence. "Dom Dom" eventually betrayed "Mami" at SummerSlam and Ripley has yearned for revenge on them both since. Now Rhea gets the chance to win her title back and deliver as much punishment to Morgan as possible.

Prediction:

Ripley dominates the match, Liv bumps like crazy. Dominik obviously tries to interfere. I think it's been great seeing Ripley involved in the chase while Morgan excels as a heel with Dominik; I think Liv somehow slithers away with a W after getting an epic beatdown.

Nia Jax vs Bayley for the WWE Women's Championship

This match perhaps has the least blood-fueled momentum out of the card but also has enough momentum to justify it's spot on the card.

Bayley lost the title she won at WrestleMania XL to the reigning Queen of the Ring at SummerSlam. Since then she, along with her friend Naomi, has been battling Jax and current women's Money in the Bank winner Tiffany Stratton.

Prediction:

Nia retains outright or if Bayley wins, it's "Tiffy time." 

Other thoughts:

Based on what was recently hinted at on The Pat McAfee Show, I wouldn't be shocked at a big "return" or an appearance that shakes things up. After all, one of the greatest debuts in WWE history took place at the first event 27 years ago. Every wrestling fan from that era remember's where they were when Kane arrived to WWE to confront his big brother.

 - "The Blog Guy" JustJayBe