Daniel Bryan Randy Orton
Randy Orton took the WWE championship from Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam, with help from Triple H. Reuters

On Sunday the WWE will debut its newest Pay-Per-View. Battleground is set to take place in Buffalo, New York, coming just three weeks after Night of Champions.

Since there is such a short turnaround between PPV’s, the WWE can go a lot of different ways this weekend. The WWE title is being held in abeyance, and Daniel Bryan is trying to win back the belt that was stolen from him twice in just a few weeks. Other than the main event, Cody Rhodes’s quest to win his job back might be the most important part of the PPV.

Six matches are on the official match card for Battleground 2013, but a few could be added throughout the week. According to the Wrestling Observer, Kofi Kingston could face Brat Wyatt, and R-Truth might challenge Curtis Axel for the Intercontinental Title. The Big Show doesn’t have a match, but he could be involved after threatening to knock out Triple H on “Monday Night Raw.”

Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship Match)

Bryan is due for a run as the WWE champion, but it won’t start on Sunday. For his feud to continue with Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and Orton, he can’t walk out of Buffalo with the belt. If Orton wins, there could be interference by someone like Triple H or the Big Show. A draw or no contest is also possible, setting up a final match between the two at Hell in a Cell at the end of October.

Prediction: Randy Orton

World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Rob Van Dam (Battleground Hardcore Rules Match)

With rumors that RVD could be taking a break from the company soon, it’s not probable that he’ll win the belt. His partnership with Ricardo Rodriguez doesn’t seem to be working, and a Hardcore Rules Match would allow the ring announcer to turn on Van Dam and give Del Rio the win. An injury angle would give the WWE a reason to keep Van Dam off TV for a while.

Prediction: Alberto Del Rio

CM Punk vs. Ryback

With Ryback entering the picture at Night of Champions, the feud between Punk and Paul Heyman may continue past Sunday’s PPV. Punk is the favorite to win the match, but he might have to wait to get his hands on Heyman.

Prediction: CM Punk

Divas Champion AJ Lee vs. Brie Bella

If the WWE wants to inject some life into the Divas division, they’ll put the title on Brie. AJ has proven to be much better than all of the female wrestlers, which is something that could change on Sunday. Giving Brie the championship would also give the WWE another storyline for “Total Divas” in time for when the series comes back on the air in November.

Prediction: Brie Bella

Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns

Considering that a loss for the Rhodes family would mean an end to any one of them competing in the WWE, it’s a pretty safe bet that the two brothers will come out on top. With Dusty Rhodes at ringside, there’s a chance that he’ll get involved in the match, somehow. Cody will likely get the pin, beginning his rise to the becoming a main event wrestler.

Prediction: Cody Rhodes & Goldust

Dolph Ziggler vs. Damien Sandow (Kickoff Match)

After Ziggler won the Money in the Bank contract last year, he lost most of his matches, until cashing in. The WWE appears to be doing the same with Sandow in 2013. Since babyfaces usually get the win on the pre-show, Sandow’s losing streak is likely to continue.

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler