Stomping Grounds preview

Read on for my ideas for booking tonight's WWE Network special event.
Before I get into this show, I think it's clear WWE has some major challenges that booking this one show well won't fix. Honestly in this fantasy scenario I'd be pitching more or less a reboot, preparing for a (real) new era when Smackdown Live moves to FOX, with each show feeling distinct and having more freedom to experiment. Someone representing FOX would "buy" Smackdown Live from Evil Boss Vince and USA would counter by "buying" Raw and putting it under new management, too. The time between Summerslam and SDL's FOX debut would have talents looking to prove themselves for the "new management" and all that. Each show would have its own roster and want to showcase fresh names to beat the other show. They could do the narrative of some people not pulling their weight for the amount of money they get paid and all that. No way does Vince actually step aside and let that happen, though, so let's just get through this meaningless show.

-- Kickoff:
- Nese vs. Akira vs. Gulak:
Too soon for Nese to lose. Tony wins, which Gulak blames on the triple threat. Playing into the other fantasy booking idea, 205 Live would become a warzone where everyone is auditioning for a spot on "the new Raw and Smackdown Live," as I'd turn 205 Live into the SDL equivalent of Main Event once FOX takes over.

-- Stomping Grounds:
- Bryan/Rowan vs. HM:
No need to end the Bryan/Rowan title reign here, but I like the idea of Roman vs. Bryan at Summerslam. This match isn't important enough to kickstart that, though. Bryan and Rowan win.

- Bayley vs. Alexa:
Nikki's interference backfires. Alexa, understandably, blames Nikki. I do want this team to continue, but Bayley just won the title so it's not really meaningful if she loses here.

- Becky vs. Lacey:
Oh I REALLY want Lacey to win here, but there'd be nowhere to go but down once she takes the title. Plus, it would hurt Becky to lose so much after the big Mania win. Alexa turns her attention to The Man. Lacey vs. Nikki could be fun, too.

- Joe vs. Ricochet:
Looks like Rey's coming back soon, so he's going to end up back in this. Ricochet has a good showing, but loses. I like adding Rey and Cesaro to this picture, with Rey wanting the next generation of talent to get opportunities and all that.

- Big E/Woods vs. Owens/Sami:
Owens and Sami take this to bring up the question of whether New Day will go 0-2. It also plants the seed that Kofi's partners are holding him back/not at his level. How about the Authors of Pain going after Sami and Kevin next?

- Roman vs. Drew:
Drew with the tainted win. Drew, Elias, and Shane go after New Day next. Because obviously The Best In The World should challenge for the WWE Title at Summerslam, right?

- Kofi vs. Dolph:
Guess I spoiled this one with the last match result. Kofi retains. Dolph is a great example of someone who's overstayed his welcome in WWE and needs to be cut in the FOX Era.

- Rollins vs. Corbin:
Baron names himself referee. Hey, if you're going to do a trainwreck, do a trainwreck. Seth KOs Corbin and uses Baron's hand to count to three.

More wrestling coming up.