Germany hosts a WWE pay-per-view for the first time when the inaugural Bash in Berlin event kicks off on Aug. 31. World heavyweight champion Gunther returns to his longtime home on a card also featuring undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes.
Gunther cut his teeth on the German independent season in the years preceding his WWE run. Gunther returns to Berlin — a seven-hour drive from his birthplace of Vienna, Austria — to defend his newly acquired world heavyweight championship. Gunther will take on fellow King of the Ring finalist Randy Orton who looks to start his 15th world title reign.
Take a look below at the confirmed matches for Bash in Berlin and glance at the crystal ball of what may come. The event streams live on Peacock with the main card starting at 1 p.m. ET.
2024 WWE Bash in Berlin matches
World Heavyweight Championship — Gunther (c) vs. Randy Orton: Gunther earned a world title shot at SummerSlam by defeating Orton in May’s King of the Ring finals. Gunther made the most of his opportunities but a small black cloud hangs over his young title reign. Orton’s shoulder was off the mat when Gunther pinned him to become King of the Ring. Orton challenged Gunther to a world title match that will reinforce Gunther’s success against Orton or wrong a right for the “The Viper.”
Undisputed WWE Championship — Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens: Rhodes offered Owens a title shot to show his gratitude for Owen’s support against The Bloodline. Owens declined, arguing his recent win-loss record didn’t justify the opportunity. Rhodes took the request to SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, who booked the match for Berlin.
Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley vs. Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan (Mixed Tag Team Match): Priest and Ripley have been on the warpath since both were violently bounced from Judgment Day. Priest’s bigger issues are with Finn Balor, but he’s more than happy to also get his hands on Mysterio. After Mysterio left Ripley for Morgan, Ripley’s issues with the women’s world champion hit a new level. Morgan has done everything she can to keep Ripley from getting any physical revenge but now they have to share the ring for the first time since Mysterio helped Morgan get a win in their SummerSlam match.
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Strap Match): McIntyre beat Punk in their long-awaited match at SummerSlam thanks to Punk being distracted by guest referee Seth Rollins and the bracelet McIntyre stole. If there was any big criticism of that match, it was a lack of “hate” in the match in favor of the drama of a stolen friendship bracelet made by Punk’s wife. After Punk delivered a follow-up beating with a belt, he was inspired to challenge McIntyre to a strap match, which should provide the level of violence fans wanted from the first meeting.
2024 WWE Bash in Berlin predictions
United States Championship — LA Knight (c) vs. Santos Escobar: Escobar, with help from Carmelo Hayes, defeated Andrade on the Aug. 9 episode of SmackDown to become No. 1 contender. The match has not been formally announced but will likely occur at Bash in Berlin or the go-home episode of SmackDown the night before. Knight’s popularity could allow WWE to elevate the U.S. title. Putting the match on PPV will help accomplish that goal.
Intercontinental Championship — Bron Breakker (c) vs. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser: Kaiser and Gunther spent years growing the German independent wrestling scene. It only makes sense to book Kaiser on WWE’s first PPV in Germany. Booking Kaiser in an intercontinental title match against Breakker and Sheamus accomplishes several goals. Kaiser gets his first singles title shot on home soil, Sheamus continues his pursuit for the one title that has eluded him and Breakker books his first title match. It’s a killer match if nothing else.
The Bloodline (Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu or Tonga Loa) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) or Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford): #DIY and Street Profits defeated Pretty Deadly and A-Town Down Under, respectively, to qualify for a title eliminator. Whichever team emerges victorious will likely become The Bloodline’s first title challengers. Tonga and Fatu defeated #DIY to become champions the night before SummerSlam. With Fatu’s injury status unknown following SummerSlam, WWE may evoke the Freebird Rule. The rule — named after the Fabulous Freebirds — allows two stable members to defend tag team titles on a rotational basis. Loa would likely fill-in if Fatu isn’t medically cleared.
