This Saturday, WWE will host a Premium Live Event in Germany for the first time in the promotion's storied history. Bash in Berlin takes place from Uber Arena and will stream live on Peacock.
It's a relatively light card, but it is to be expected as the first PPV event after a tentpole like SummerSlam earlier this month. Just five matches are slated to take place, but each has a unique storyline worth following.
World heavyweight champion Gunther will look to make the first defense of his title when he takes on Randy Orton, who is looking for his 16th major championship. Gunther, who was born and bred in nearby Austria before working on the independent wrestling scene in Germany, could get a hero's welcome despite working as the heel.
Meanwhile, undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes is set to take on friend Kevin Owens as the tension between the two continues to heat up the closer we get to match time.
Plus, CM Punk and Drew McIntyre continue their year-long feud when the two meet in a strap match that is sure to pack the violence.
Let's take a look at who the CBS Sports experts are picking to win in each match on Saturday's card.
WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 predictions
World Heavyweight Championship -- Gunther (c) vs. Randy Orton: Orton is a perfect first challenger for Gunther's title reign. Orton is as much of a made man as there is on the WWE roster and losing here will do him no harm. Gunther also builds cred by picking up a second win over Orton, having controversially defeated him at King and Queen of the Ring. There's no real mystery in the result here, especially in Germany, but the journey to get there should be a good one as Orton has settled into a nice role as the dangerous veteran. Pick: Gunther retains the title -- Brent Brookhouse (also Shakiel Mahjouri)
Undisputed WWE Championship -- Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens: Similar to Gunther, WWE won't take the title off Rhodes in a quick feud after spending two years preparing him to be the company's top star. Rhodes vs. Owens should be a great match that reminds people how good Owens is. It'll also add another strong title defense to Rhodes' reign. There is little doubt that Rhodes retains the title. The more interesting question is how well the superstars' friendship endures by night's end. Pick: Cody Rhodes retains the title -- Mahjouri (also Brookhouse)
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Strap Match): McIntyre got the SummerSlam win, which means Punk has to get the win back and even things up. The focus on Punk's friendship bracelet in the SummerSlam match was met with a mixed reaction. A strap match should provide the violence that match was missing. This isn't going to end things between Punk and McIntyre but if we're following standard wrestling logic, Punk gets the win to heat up a third meeting between the two, likely at Survivor Series. Pick: CM Punk wins -- Brookhouse (also Mahjouri)
Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley vs. Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan: If there's one match that's hardest to predict on the card, it's this one. The heels winning makes sense if you want to continue to build up Priest and Ripley's frustration and the rest of Judgment Day interfering provides plenty of easy paths to get there. Still, it feels like Priest and Ripley benefit from a win here and it pushes closer to Ripley getting her hands on Morgan in another title match. If that's the end goal, Priest and Ripley should get the win. Pick: Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley win -- Brookhouse
Ripley and Priest are the competitive favorites, so to speak. They are a far more imposing duo than weaselly lovebirds Morgan and Mysterio. I suspect The Judgement Day's combine might will be too much for the heroes to overcome. It's the most straightforward way to continue the feud. If WWE opts to give the German crowd an easy pop, LWO might even the numbers game by aiding Priest and Ripley to victory. Pick: Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan win -- Mahjouri
Women's Tag Team Championship -- Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn (c) vs. Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill: Candidly, I have no idea how this match plays out. Not because the WWE has crafted a complex storyline or presented the teams as competitively even, but because it seems like creative barely cares. The Unholy Union's title win at Clash at the Castle felt like an opportunity to reward the Scottish crowd. Belair and Cargill are far bigger draws but feel invisible without the titles. I anticipate WWE will course correct with new champions. Pick: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill win the titles -- Mahjouri (also Brookhouse)
