WWE Battleground Review 07/24/2016

Hello Misfits! Last night we witnessed one of the best WWE PPV’s of 2016 and the last PPV that isn’t one of the big four that is featuring both the Raw and Smackdown brand.  A lot of the future fate of both brands was on the line here, majorly where the WWE Championship would end up after this show. I was 6-2-1 with my predictions, with the one draw being the IC title match.

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Battleground comes to us from the Verizon Centre in Washington, DC. The promos and the commercials for this event have been amazing with “This is a war” by the Phantoms being the perfect theme for this PPV. This is the last PPV, excluding the big four PPVs, that will be featuring both Raw and Smackdown superstars. Mauro Ranallo & Byron Saxton call the kick off match. Michael Cole, JBL and Byron Saxton call the rest of the show.

Breezango def. The Usos
in 5:26 via pinfall.
This match was the only match on the kick off. It was fast paced, and went a bit back and forth. The Uso’s were receiving boo’s from the crowd, which I assume is because their union with Roman Reigns for so many months before this. I’m a fan of Breeze and Fandango as tag team and I think if Smackdown wants to build a strong tag team division they need to start building the other teams such as Breezango.At the end of the match, Jimmy attempted to perform a Diving Splash on Breeze but Breeze countered the move and pinned Jimmy with a Small Package to win the match. I love that Breezango went over here because the Smackdown tag team division really needed to start building the other teams in the division as serious competition. Thus having Fandango and Breeze go over on former two time tag team champions does a lot for them and also may start a rivalry for the blue brand.
Rating – *1/2

Sasha Banks & Bayley def. Charlotte & Dana Brooke
in 7:25 via submission
Battleground officially kicked off with the highly anticipated Women’s tag match. This match was highly anticipated because the rumours and speculation of who exactly Sasha Banks’s mystery partner might be had everyone talking. The mystery partner ended up being NXT’s top female star Bayley. The crowd went wild once Bayley’s music hit and you could tell that Sasha couldn’t contain her happiness for her friend showing up here on the main roster to such a large reaction from the crowd. I also think she was just really happy to be able to team up with one of her closest friends. Sasha and Bayley are still responsible in putting on in my mind, the greatest women’s wrestling match at NXT Brooklyn, and friends who create history together stay together. This match was featuring three of NXT’s finest and Dana Brooke was actually the perfect match to start the show. The surprise of Bayley and just the quality action between the two teams got the crowd fired up, ready for more action.Sasha goes for a backstabber, but Charlotte holds onto the ropes. Charlotte drops Sasha with Natural Selection for a two count. Brooke tosses Bayley to the outside. Sasha gets Charlotte in the Bank Statement, but Brooke drags Charlotte foot to the bottom rope. Bayley connects with a wrecking ball dropkick to Brooke. Charlotte drops Bayley with a forearm. Sasha gets Charlotte back into the Bank Statement and Charlotte taps out. I think just seeing Bayley on the main roster and her teaming with Sasha just made this a highlight of the PPV. Its one of those things that will bring people back to this PPV to watch it again years from now. Following the match, Sasha and Bayley celebrate in the ring together and even hug. This was just a fun match, with such an amazing moment with Bayley coming out as The Boss’s mystery partner. It was later revealed that this was a one night only deal for Bayley as she’s going back to NXT to try to reclaim her NXT Women’s Championship but it surely gave everyone a taste of the potential Bayley has on the main roster.
Rating – ***

The Wyatts def. The New Day
in 8:47 via pinfall
The video package that aired before this match was masterfully put together. The story it told, the music they chose and everything about it was just awesome. I expected chaos in this match and that it was we got. In yet another match Kofi goes above and beyond, Big E almost kills himself and Xavier surprises us with his wrestling skill. One of the most intriguing parts of this feud was the fact that Xavier seemed to be falling for Bray Wyatt’s spell. Therefore, near the end of the match when it came down to Xavier and Bray in a stare down after everyone else was taken out, you could feel the tension. However, Woods broke out of his trance of fear and fights Wyatt until Kofi soars in with a flying cross body onto Bray. Bray responds with a vicious side slam. Woods with a series of right hands to Bray. Woods connects with a wrecking ball dropkick to Bray. Woods continues his attacks with a series of right hands to Strowman’s who on the ring apron. Big E spears Strowman to the outside. Bray gets in his spider walk which distracts Woods. Bray plants Woods with Sister Abigail to pickup the victory. I knew there would be no storyline progression here since The New Day and Bray Wyatt were going to be on two different shows following this event but the match delivered. The New Day didn’t need this win, they were gonna remain the tag team champions and over regardless. Now with that in mind, The Wyatt’s needed this victory because a loss could have really hurt them. I’m glad Bray Wyatt picked up the win going over one of the most over teams today. This match was entertaining nonetheless.
Rating – ***

US Championship
Rusev w/Lana def. Zack Ryder
in 7:01 via submission
As I mentioned in my predictions, the only way Ryder was walking out as the new US Champion was if they wanted to IC and US titles to swap shows, but I would have found it silly to take the belts off Rusev and The Miz while they’re killing it as champions. Lana looks like she’s ready to get married right after this match or dressed for a “Frozen” party that she couldn’t afford to be late for, so she got ready extra early. Regardless how her outfit makes her look, Lana looks gorgeous as usual. The crowd is really behind Ryder, but I’m personally rooting for Rusev, since I’ve loved his dominance in his most recent reign. Near the end of the match, they really made it seem like Ryder was once again going to overcome the odds and prove he’s capable of being a mid card champion. Ryder is on fire coming at Rusev with a with a missile dropkick off the barricade. Ryder connects with the Rough Ryder back in the ring. Ryder goes for the flying elbow drop, but Rusev gets his knee up in the air. Rusev with a leaping axe kick to the back of Ryder’s head. Rusev applies the Accolade. Ryder tries to break the submission hold, and they did a really good job of making it look like Ryder was going to break out of it. However, Rusev bridges his back which forces Ryder to tap out. After the match Mojo Rawley storms into the ring. Rawley edges Rusev to fight, but Rusev exit’s the ring. It’s great to Rusev continue on his path of dominance. It was also great to see that we might get to see the Hype Bro’s working together on the blue brand. There was a brief moment I thought we were going to see Mojo Rawley turn on Ryder, but that didn’t happen.
Rating – **

Sami Zayn def. Kevin Owens
in 18:22 via pinfall
This match was built as the match that was going to officially put an end to the Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn feud. However, when they didnt get drafted to different shows, it made me find it hard to believe that one or two months down the road we won’t see these two ruining each others lives again. It is not just a fancy phrase when people say these two are destined to fight each other forever. Following this match though, I wouldn’t mind that. This was definitely the match of the night and a candidate for match of the year. I would have to put this in top ten matches on 2016 thus far. These two have such amazing chemistry together and after wrestling against each other all over the world, they just know each other so well.  This match had me on the edge of my seat as I knew it could go either way and personally didnt think we were going to walk out with a clear winner. Kevin Owens was on the receiving end of a brutal looking brain buster on the apron. Sami Zayn looking like he almost re injured his shoulder with a dive to the outside. The brutality on this match was real. If I was only allowed to recommend one match from this show to watch, this would be my choice.Near the end of the match, Zayn attempted to perform a Helluva Kick on Owens but Owens countered the move into a Pop Up Powerbomb, but Zayn put his Foot on the Ropes to void the Pinfall. Owens told Zayn to stay down and slapped Zayn, which led to Zayn executing an Exploder Suplex into the Turnbuckles and a Half and Half Suplex on Owens. Zayn executed two Helluva Kicks on Owens for a pinfall victory. I still think this rivalry is far from over, but just on hold for now. This was hard hitting, perfectly paced and suspenseful action. I loved every single moment of it.
Rating – ****1/4

Natalya def. Becky Lynch
in 9:04 via submission
I was quite shocked that this grudge match was placed later in the show rather than the Woman’s tag team match from earlier. However, I felt worried for Natalya and Becky as they had to follow that epic encounter between Zayn and Owens. I know both these women can wrestle and have the potential to steal the show but I also had the impression that this was the first match of their feud, so they weren’t going to give us everything they had to offer in their first match. This match really showcased Natalya’s heel persona and also showed Becky Lynch’s aggressive side. It still amazes me that these two have wrestled against each other and along side each other for so many years around the world until finally getting here. They even both spent time in my local ECCW promotion. This must have been such a cool moment for the two of them. Natalya was really on fire in this match and I am starting to believe she works better as a heel.Near the end of the match, Natalya applied the Sharpshooter on Lynch but Lynch touched the Ropes, forcing Natalya to release the hold. After the Referee pulled Lynch away from Natalya, Natalya kicked Lynch’s Leg. Natalya forced Lynch to submit to the Sharpshooter to win the match.
Rating – **1/2

Intercontinental Champion
Darren Young w/ Bob Backlund vs. The Miz w/ Maryse (C) ends in a double DQ
in 8:41 via countout
The fact that both of these stars end up on different shows following this match, I don’t see how the finish had any storyline progression. I assume it protects Darren Young and The Miz from having to look weak by doing the job. Regardless, this type of finish would usually lead to the rivalry to continue, but thats not the case here. The match ended when Maryse slapped Bob Backlund and claimed that Backlund had pushed her. Miz got outside the ring to aid his wife and pushed Backlund, which led to Young applying the Crossface Chickenwing on Miz outside the ring until referees pulled Young off  the Miz. As a result, the match ended in a Double Disqualification. I really dig The Miz’s character right now and the Darren Young/Bob Backlund relationship is growing on me, but as for this match, meh.
Rating – *

John Cena, Enzo Amore & Big Cass def. The Club
in 14:30 via pinfall
Enzo and Cass are over as fuck and I love it. The promo before the match was hilarious and Enzo is full on energy. The fans really love Enzo’s rambles and I really liked the whole Mount Rushmore of Certified G’s. Enzo and Big Cass go on roasting The Club and Cena thoroughly looks like he’s enjoying it. This match was another fun and fast paced 6 man tag match. The match was good but really got entertaining when it fell apart and the referee lost control as John Cena and AJ Styles were the legal men. Cena follows that up with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment, but Styles counters with the Pele Kick. Styles knocks Enzo off the ring apron. Styles goes for the Styles Clash, but Enzo drops him with a Tornado DDT.  Anderson plants Enzo with a Spinebuster. Big Cass with a fallaway slam to Anderson. Gallows drops Cass with a sitout powerbomb. Enzo goes for a flying crossbody, but he crashes into Cena. Styles goes for the Phenomenal Forearm, but he accidentally hits Gallows. Cena drops Styles with the Attitude Adjustment for a two count, but Anderson drags Cena out of the ring. Anderson with a spinebuster to Cena on the announce table. Styles plants Cena with the Styles Clash for a two count as Cass drags Styles out of the ring. Cass with a running boot to Styles. The Club drops Cass with The Magic Killer. Enzo sends Anderson shoulder first to the steel ring post. Gallows with a superkick to Enzo. Gallows charges towards Cena, but Cena ducks out of the way. Cena sends Styles crashing crotch first on the top turnbuckle. Cena clotheslines Gallows over the top rope. Cena plants Styles with the Attitude Adjustment off the top rope to pickup the victory.  The whole finishing sequence had me on the edge of my seat. It was really good stuff. I still think one of the two six man tags on this match should have had a War Games like stipulation either in a Cell or Elimination Chamber. This is unfortunately the last match of this incarnation of The Club and the last time we see Cena teaming with Enzo and Cass as we see them all get separated by the draft.
Rating – ***1/2

Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel:
with Randy Orton
Finally, after 9 long months The Viper Randy Orton returns. Orton returned at Battleground on Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel to discuss his return, being drafted to Smackdown and his upcoming match with Brock Lesnar at Summerslam. Jericho comes out to the ring first. Jericho wants the DC crowd to be quiet as he’s about to speak. He wants the entire WWE Universe to know that tonight’s Highlight Reel is the biggest in WWE History. Jericho introduces his special guest Randy Orton. For 9 months Orton has been at home with his wife recovering. He realized during that time period that something was missing. Orton doesn’t mind sharing the ring with Jericho even though this is his return. Jericho says that Orton should thank him for allowing to make his return on the highlight reel. Orton reminds Jericho that he’s in a good mood, but don’t provoke him before he drops his ass. Jericho pokes fun at the #RKOutOfNowhere. Orton better be careful before he gets dropped with a #CodeBreakerOutOfNoWhere. Jericho reminds Orton that he’s been drafted to SmackDown. Jericho praises his general manager Stephanie McMahon and Jericho mentions that he still has scares from his feud with Ambrose when he was dropped on thumbtacks.
He wants to give Orton a gift that’s going to help him defeat Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam and that’s the Gift of Jericho. Drink it man.  It looks like Orton was leaning in for a RKO but Chris Jericho opened his eyes aware of the possibilty. Orton cracks jokes about Jericho’s hair and says he feels like he’s on the Ellen show. Jericho reminds Orton that Brock Lesnar is still the most destructive force in the WWE. Jericho sends us to a video package about Brock Lesnar on the very expensive Jericho 65,000. Jericho talks about Orton and Lesnar starting their career in OVW. Jericho says that Orton may be scared of Brock Lesnar and thats why they havent had a match since 2002. Jericho wants to know why Orton would make a decision to fight Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam? Orton says that he needed something epic to return. How would it be if he made his return against Fandango throwing shots at Jericho and his 2013 feud with Fandango. Jericho says that he’s never liked him.
Jericho reminds Randall that Brock is gonna take him to Suplex City. Orton says that it’s take only one RKO to head to Viperville and there’s no enhancement needed. SHOTS FIRED!! Jericho quickly responds that Orton is going to pay for that comment and calls Orton a stupid idiot, but claims those were Brock’s words and not his. Jericho wants to know if Orton is going to take him to Viperville and keeps mocking Orton asking if the RKO Outta Nowhere is coming ever couple of seconds. As Jericho finally starts to walk out of the ring, Orton plants him with the RKO. I absolutely loved this entire segment between two legends in the game. I mentioned on my page that it felt weird calling them both legends because I have been recently watching 2002/2005 Raw’s on the WWE Network when Orton was a rookie and Jericho an already established star. It just goes to show how much The Viper has accomplished in his career.

WWE Championship
Dean Ambrose (C) def. Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns
in 18:03 via pinfall
In one of the most anticipated matches of all time and a match that was nearly 3 years in the making, it’s the Shield triple threat. This match was considered big enough to headline Wrestlemania or Summerslam, but considering he brand extension circumstances, we’re getting this match at Battleground. Speaking of the brand extension, both brands COO’s and GMs were out at ringside for this match. I was not that big of a fan of them being out there, as I figured the entire match should be focused on the three competitors in the match.  They actually never got too involved, therefore it ended up being fine. The stakes were high though, because the winner of this match would be taking the WWE Championship to the brand they got drafted too, therefore it made sense for the Authority figures to be interested in the outcome of this match.I remember the days when Eric Bischoff would be just as interested in the matches but backstage on his leather couch. At least both the Raw and Smackdown rosters watched this match from backstage rather than all coming out and standing on the stage to take more attention away from the guys wrestling in the actual match.
During the match, Ambrose and Rollins performed a Double Powerbomb on Reigns through the Spanish Announce Table which was reminiscent of their former Shield days. Most of the beginning of match was Ambrose and Rollins trying to “delete” Roman Reigns from the match. Immediately afterwards, Rollins hit Ambrose and Reigns with a Steel Chair which was a throwback to when he turned on the Shield. There was a lot of nostalgia for Shield fans during this match. Rollins executed a Superplex followed by a Sitout Suplex Slam on Ambrose, who kicked out at a two count. Ambrose attempted to perform a Rebound Lariat on Reigns but Reigns countered with a Superman Punch on Ambrose. Rollins took advanatge by executing a Pedigree on Reigns, who kicked out at a two. Rollins executed a Turnbuckle Powerbomb on Reigns but Reigns performed a Superman Punch on Rollins, which was followed by a Spear on Rollins. I was not a fan of the total no sell of the power bomb into the corner buckle. Ambrose performed Dirty Deeds on Reigns for a pinfall to retain the title. The crowd erupted in excitement and shock. The WWE Championship stays on Smackdown. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were extremely ecstatic about Ambrose retaining and the Smackdown roster makes their way out to celebrate with Ambrose as their brand keeps the WWE title on their show.
The match overall flew by and thats because it was that damn good. If you’re a Shield fan, this match is a must watch for you. If you’re not a Shield fanatic but a wrestling fan, I would still highly recommend watching this match. The Shield has dominated the WWE for the past 5 years and this will be the last time all three of them are going to be on the same show for a while, and they closed this chapter of their careers with a bang. This was an incredible and competitive match between three of the brightest, most popular top stars of this era.
Rating – ****

Final Thoughts

The WWE has been on fire this year when it comes to PPV events. They have done a really good job on making their minor PPV’s seem important and memorable. For example, they did an excellent job making Battleground seem important and the entire time watching it, it felt that way. The surprises, the debuts, the battles and the suspense led to one of the best shows of 2016 thus far produced by the WWE in my mind. This was just a solid few hours of TV that flew by because it was entertaining. This was the last hurrah for a lot these stars in travelling together and being on the road together before the WWE Draft takes full effect. This was the last minor PPV featuring both brands until the end of this brand extension era. This show will always be significant because of that. It’ll also be significant because of Bayley’s first main roster appearance, this incarnation of The Club making their final appearance as a team, Randy Orton’s 2016 return, Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens main roster rubber match and the Shield triple threat. That’s a whole lot of significant and memorable moments from one show and that makes Battleground a success in my mind. I still think that one of the six man tag matches should have had stipulation though…..in a Cell or Chamber though. I’m never letting that go.
Final Rating – 8.5/10