Mitchell’s WWE Battleground Report! (7/23/17)
Three titles, a strongly personal Flag Match, and the Punjabi Prison, all in one night!

All images courtesy of the WWE Network streaming service
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Match: Tye Dillinger VS Aiden English; English wins.
- WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos VS The New Day; The New Day wins and become the new WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
- Shinsuke Nakamura VS Baron Corbin; Nakamura wins by disqualification.
- WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Elimination 5-Way: Charlotte Flair VS Becky Lynch VS Natalya VS Tamina VS Lana; Natalya wins and faces Naomi for the championship at Summerslam.
- WWE United States Championship Match: AJ Styles VS Kevin Owens; Owens wins and becomes the new WWE US Champion.
- Flag Match: John Cena VS Rusev; Cena wins.
- Sami Zayn VS Mike Kanellis w/ Maria; Zayn wins.
- WWE (World) Championship Punjabi Prison Match: Jinder Mahal VS Randy Orton; Mahal wins and retains the WWE Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
Ms. Money in the Bank comments on the Women’s Fatal 5 Elimination Match.
The Princess of Staten Island already has her shot set thanks to the MITB contract, but Carmella does have interest in who she might be cashing in on. And for that matter, she could hijack Naomi’s spot by becoming champion before Summerslam. How does she feel about the WWE Universe saying it’s only thanks to Ellsworth that she IS Ms. MITB? She doesn’t care what they think, because they have to accept she’s Ms. MITB and can be the champion at any time. Her choice is going to be Natty, because the Queen of Harts was her ally in the Welcoming Committee and still has the talent to win. She then silences the crowd — or rather, riles them up — with showing off her MITB Contract. Ms. Irrelevant is now the “two time, undisputed” Ms. MITB. Does she worry at all about “the greatest female wrestler”, Charlotte? Well Charlotte is a queen, queens are old, Carmella is the “young and hot” Princess of SmackDown. When and where will the FABULOUS One decide to become the champion?
The #SocialMediaLounge welcomes Mr. & Mrs. Kanellis.
But they’re too busy being lovey-dovey to realize it’s started. First question: When will we see Maria back in the ring? She is in the ring, or at least ringside, for her man. That makes her a harder worker than most of the women under SmackDown. Her purpose is the power of love. Well she did get in the ring to help Mike… Second: What is Mike’s strategy for this rematch with Sami Zayn? That’s a question? He’ll just do what he’s already done: punch Sami hard as he can. Third: How can we find love like theirs in our lives? Sometimes, you just have to wait until the right person finds you and looks at you from across the room, and you both know you’re perfect for each other. There’s only one Mike and one Maria, so most of you are going to be out of luck. But these two don’t need love, they have love. That ends the Q&A, will the Power of Love overcome the Underdog again?
Kickoff Match
Tye Dillinger VS Aiden English!
The Perfect Ten knows what the fans want in the “City of Brotherly Love”, and it ain’t the Shakespeare of Sorrow. The fans chant “TEN! TEN! TEN!” as Tye and Aiden tie up, headlock from Aiden but Tye powers out. Aiden shoulders Tye down and bows, the fans just boo. They circle and tie up again, Aiden going after an arm now. Tye is wrenched to his knees, Tye spins and reverses into a headlock then armlock then back again for a snapmare. The fans applaud, Tye hits an arm drag and flashes “TEN! TEN! TEN!” at Aiden. Aiden tries a sneak attack, gets a chop, gives a kick and forearm. Tye in a corner, Aiden gives him a body shot ad corner to corner whip, but Tye fires out with a clothesline. Aiden sits in a corner, Tye stomps a Perfect Ten mudhole into him! Aiden gets to the apron, sucker punch, then a knee drives Tye into buckles. Aiden stomps an artistic mudhole into Tye, the fans boo. Aiden puts Tye in a corner, gives a stiff kick to the stomach, then he conducts a back splash before posing over the Perfect Ten, we go to break.
We return, TWO for Tye, Aiden is frustrated. Aiden drags Tye up by his ponytail and drives knees into his spine. Tye fires up inside the chinlock, the fans are rallying for him, Aiden sings “He’s not going anywhere~!” The fans keep rallying, Tye feeds off their chants, and uses power to pry Aiden’s hands away. Tye backs Aiden down into a corner, Aiden hits him in the back with a forearm. Aiden hops up to the second rope, takes aim, and takes a dropkick in midair! Aiden and Tye get up, Tye gives perfect ten chops. A whip is reversed but Tye runs Aiden over and starts rallying. Tye is fired up, knee pad goes down, Aiden gets out of the ring. The Artiste has had enough, but Tye hasn’t. Mule kick from Aiden, it was his trap. He puts Tye in, but takes a perfect ten spinebuster on reentry! TWO! Aiden gets to a corner, Tye picks him up and puts him on the top rope. Another loud chop stuns Aiden, Tye climbs up. Aiden resists, getting Tye to go back down to second rope, a headbutt knocks Tye away. Aiden adjusts, takes aim, flying crossbody, rolled over! TWO! Tye gets Aiden up for the fireman’s carry, Aiden grabs ropes out of desperation. Aiden gets to the apron, hotshot to Tye, Artistic DDT!

TWO! Aiden is shocked that Tye survived! Aiden gets frustrated, furious even. The fans rally for Tye, Aiden calms himself and mocks the Ten Fingers. Aiden drags Tye up, fireman’s carry, Tye slips out, Aiden rolls, TWO, TWO, and both men get to a corner. Tye dodges, gives those Perfect Ten punches, only to be tripped up. Artistic full-nelson facebuster!

Aiden English wins! And feels oh so vindicated. Can the Vaudevillain turn this into a true masterpiece?

WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match
The Usos VS The New Day’s Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston!

Jimmy and Jey literally walked out of a previous encounter with the Power of Positivity, but now they have to pony up as the New Day promises to turn the Penitentiary into a Playpen! We start with Kofi and J, dropkick right out of the gate! Kick out from Jey, tag to Woods, running kick, clothesilne, splash and elbow, TWO! Woods chops Jey a couple times, powers out of a headlock but JImmy has tagged in. Forearm to Jey, Jimmy holds Woods, Jey pounces. They mug WOods on the apron, the ref gets them to back down. Jimmy gets in the ring, Woods kicks out, but Jimmy isn’t bothered by that. He stands WOods up for a stiff uppercut, tag to Jey. Jimmy holds Woods still for Jey’s jumping forearm. Woods is staggered and walks into a scoop slam. The fans rally for the New Day, Woods fights back but takes the reverse dragon whip kick. TWO, Jey keeps between Woods and Kofi as he tags in Jimmy. The Usos keep on Woods, body shots and headbutts, Woods ends up in a neutral corner. The fans duel, “Let’s go Usos!” “Usos suck!” Running hip attack, TWO. Jimmy grinds Woods into ropes, cheap shot kick from Jey! Tag to jey, Jey goes up, it’s “too easy” as they hit the backbreaker ax handle! Big E tries to coach Woods back into this, the fans rally for them as well. Jey gets Woods up, puts him in a corner, sits him on the top rope and gives him a haymaker to keep him dizzy. Back chop as well, then an open hand chop. Jey climbs up, Woods resists the superplex. Woods sends Jey down with headbutts, Woods takes aim, flying missile dropkick! Jey gets blasted, both men are down as the fans rally. Jey tags Jimmy, Woods tags Kofi, Kofi flies in and rallies on Jimmy! Jey gets stomps, too, Kofi knocks JImmy down for the “new Day~” Boomdrop! Kofi gets the fans going again as he takes aim. Jimmy dodges the Trouble in Paradise then puts Kofi on the apron. Kofi hits back, Penalty Kick to Jey, Jimmy gets dumped down. Tag to Woods, Kofi goes up and… Trust Fall!

Kofi gets caught! And powerbomb’d!

The Usos glare down at Kofi, then as Woods flies in, rock him with a double uppercut! The Usos take their time getting Woods up and into the ring, Jimmy climbs up top. Jimmy takes aim, jumps but Woods dodges. Wheelbarrow facebuster, TWO! Woods is frustrated, he was so close. But he doesn’t let it slow him down, he feeds off the fans’ energy and gets to a corner. He takes aim, Honor Ro- Fireman’s carry! And then Jimmy rams Woods into corner buckles! Tag to Jey, both Usos get in and take aim at Woods. Flapjack Samoan drop, TWO! Jey is shocked, Big E is surprised but relieved. Jey kicks Woods to a corner, takes aim, “UCE! O!” Running in, takes a back elbow! Woods runs back at Jey, is put on the apron, rocked with a haymaker. Tag to Jimmy, Mule kick trips him up. Swing kick knocks Jey away, Woods climbs up top rope again. But he’s taking aim at the wrong Uso! He tight-rope springboards at Jey, it’s Jimmy who hits a SUPERKICK!

TWO!? Jimmy AND Big E are at a loss for words, but the fans know “This is awesome!” Jimmy gets up as Big E tries to get Woods up. Jimmy drags Woods around into the hammerlock half-crab. Woods endures, he uses his free half to crawl. He reaches, Jimmy drags him away but he has to let go of the hammerlock. The half-crab stretches Woods’ leg back, but he won’t give in. He powers himself to the ropes again, fans rallying for him. Ropebreak! Jimmy won’t let go until 3 in the ref’s 5 count. Jimmy argues with the ref about that, Woods gets himself to his feet, and fights back against Jimmy. Kofi is there for the tag! Up Up Down Down!

TWO! No one can believe that, least of all The New Day. Kofi gets to the apron and takes aim. Springboard but Jimmy ducks, SUPERKICK! Tag to Jey, Uso Splash! TWO! Jey is frantically upset, but the fans are loving it. Jey calms down and gets his brother ready. He drags Kofi around, tags Jimmy, they take opposite corners and take aim at Kofi. Woods stops Jey, Jimmy hesitates, and misses his splash! Tag to Woods, the New Day coordinates and… Trouble in Paradise! Springboard elbow!

The New Day wins!! They are the first ever team to hold both Raw and SmackDown tag team championships in their career!

Shinsuke Nakamura VS Baron Corbin!

The King of Strong Style isn’t scared of the big bad Lone Wolf, and with all of Corbin’s sneak attacks, believes Corbin is afraid of him. Now they’ll settle this 1v1 to see who is the baddest man on the blue brand. Corbin trash talks Nakamura, Nakamura just rolls his eyes before giving forearms and kicks. Corbin puts Nakamura in a corner to give knees, then to another corner but Nakamura fires back. Nakamura gives kicks to Corbin’s leg, several forearms to Corbin’s head, Corbin gets out of the ring and catches his breath. Nakamura dares Corbin to get back in. Corbin won’t be egged on by Nakamura, so Nakamura comes out. Corbin gets in the ring to mock the “C’mon!” Nakamura goes to ropes but backs off when Corbin throws a boot. Nakamura tries again, Corbin backs him off again. Nakamura grabs Corbinn’s foot the third time but Corbin kicks him away. Nakamura reenters but Corbin punches and stomps away on Nakamura. The fans boo and jeer the Lone Wolf, Corbin puts Nakamura in a bearhug. Corbin squeezes Nakamura, fans rally for Nakamura, and Nakamura uses elbows to fight his way out. Corbin gives a knee, lifts Nakamura, Nakamura grabs his arm for a triangle hold!

Corbin resists, he’s still on his feet. Corbin lifts Nakamura up, Nakamura slips out again, but a boot puts Nakamura on the mat. TWO, but Corbin does not get frustrated. He tosses Nakamura outside and follows, to drive Nakamura into the barriers. Corbin does it a second time then puts Nakamura back in the ring. Corbin stalks Nakamura before dragging him up. He pushes Nakamura into ropes and gives a forearm on the rebound. Corbin drags Nakamura up, back into the bearhug. Nakamura endures the squeeze, uses those elbows again but Corbin drives him into buckles before putting the bearhug on tighter. Nakamura uses body shots and elbows, fighting out again. COrbin grabs the throat, Nakamura punches his way out of the choke slam. Corbin ducks one kick but gets hit with the other, Nakamura fires up as he starts kicking away at Corbin’s chest. Corbin blocks one, but takes another! Nakamura runs, dynamic dropkick! Nakamura goes to Corbin in a corner, fires off strikes, and a special Good Vibrations up high. Corbin is set on the top rope, Nakamura rolls back and… Top Shelf Knee! But Corbin stays up there, so Nakamura gives it again! Corbin down now, cover, TWO. Corbin gets to ropes, Nakamura stalking him now. Nakamura puts Corbin in a corner with strikes, whips corner to corner but is reversed. Corbin slides out then in, lariat runs Nakamura over! TWO, and Corbin is frustrated. Corbin rains right hands on Nakamura’s head, sitting him up even to take those shots to the face. Corbin poses over Nakamura a moment before dragging Nakamura up. Nakamura resists the suplex, and drives knees into Corbin’s side. Nakamura gets Corbin up, gord buster! Nakamura takes aim… Kin- DEEP SIX!

TWO! Corbin is too exhausted to even show frustration right now. Corbin and Nakamura slow stir and get to the feet. Now it’s a brawl as Corbin throws boxing body shots while Nakamura replies with strikes of his own. Corbin wants the choke hold, Nakamura gets out and gives a backstabber before a spinning Penalty Kick. Nakamura gives an ax kick, but he’s not done there. He fires up, as do the fans, and he takes aim again, but Corbin isn’t getting up. Nakamura won’t let Corbin just lie down, he drags Mr. Money in the Bank up by his hair. Corbin escapes the Inverted Exploder with a mule kick to Nakamura’s nuts!

Corbin is disqualified, Nakamura wins, but nothing is settled between these two. Corbin smiles, takes his briefcase, and uses it as a weapon! Then, End of Days!

Message sent, who will the Lone Wolf go after next?
WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Elimination 5-Way
Charlotte Flair VS Becky Lynch VS Natalya VS Tamina VS Lana!

With such a competitive Women’s Division on the Blue Brand, Commissioner Shane McMahon couldn’t just choose one to face Naomi, so now the Queen of Pay-Per-Views, the Lass Kicker, the Queen of Harts, the Daughter of Superfly and the Ravishing Russian fight “every woman for herself” until only one is left to #FelltheGlow at the biggest PPV of the Summer. Which is also why the champ comes out to watch! The match begins, the five circle, Lana gets a kick on Charlotte and things break down into groups. Charlotte gives chops to the Ravishing Russian, scaring her otu of the ring, Natty rolls up Charlotte then tries the sharpshooter. Charlotte shoves her away, Tamina throws Becky into Charlotte. TWO from Becky, Tamina clubs her down. Tamina whips, Becky dodges, Lana drags Becky out and puts her into the announce desk. Natty hits Tamina, Tamina shoves her away, Lana kicks Natty and drags her out of the ring. Lana and Tamina end up being the only two now, but then Charlotte returns. She dares them to try something, it’s a 2v1 fight now. Tamina slams Charlotte, Lana gives an elbow drop. They toy with Charlotte a bit, Tamina pulls Charlotte up for Lana to give a kick to Charlotte’s chest. Lana trash talks Charlotte as Tamina scoops but is brought down. Charlotte kicks Tamina, now Lana’s all alone. She’s not scared, because Tamina is back up, anchoring Charlotte for Lana to kick down. TWO from Charlotte, Lana and Tamina keep working together to get Charlotte up. Snap suplex, another kick from Lana. Tamina whips Charlotte to a corner, Lana runs in for a back elbow. Lana laughs at Charlotte’s pain as Tamina drags her up and gives her a chop. They stomp away on Charlotte together, Becky returns to even the numbers! Charlotte backs down Tamina, becky has Lana, double exploders!

Lana and Tamina roll out, Becky and Charlotte are alone now. Friendly rivalry renewed, Becky slips out of a cover to armdrag Charlotte a couple times. Charlotte’s in a corner, Becky runs in but takes an elbow. Charlotte spins Becky around, neckbreaker. Natty walks over Charlotte, low dropkick, TWO. Cover on Becky, TWO. Natty keeps on Becky, Becky fights back, Becky rallies on Natty. Mule kick, Becksploder! Lana gets back in, SHE gets a Becksploder! Tamina comes in, fights off the Becksploder, SUPERKICK! Natty comes in, Samoan Drop. Charlotte runs Tamina over with a clothesline, positions Natty, Figure Four! Small package, TWO, Discus Clothesline! Natty catches her breath before putting Charlotte in the Sharpshooter. Lana bulldogs Natty, to cover Charlotte, TWO! Lana is furious immediately, Becky pounces! Disarm-her!

Tamina saves Lana with a SUPERKICK to Becky. Samoan Drop! She tackles Charlotte, too! Lana sees her opening, covers Becky, TWO, back to Disarm-Her! Tamina saves Lana again. Samoan Drop denied, Disarm-Her to Tamina! Lana doesn’t save Tamina, Tamina taps and is eliminated! Lana still pounces, but is put in the Disarm-Her!! Lana taps and is eliminated! Becky took out two, Natty comes in and eliminates her with a roll-up! Boot from Charlotte! TWO! Charlotte is upset, but she won’t stop here. Figure Four- no, cross armbreaker from Natty! Charlotte blocks by holding hands, she gets in, gives forarms, then deadlifts Natty for the sit-out powerbomb!

TWO! Charlotte is distraught with how much effort that took. Charlotte refocuses and drags Natty over to a corner. Charlotte goes top rope, moonsault! Hits knees! Natty got the knees in time, Charlotte is reeling from the damage done. Roll up into buckles, then the cover, Natty wins! The Queen of Harts is now the #1 contender! And as promised, Naomi goes up to congratulate her challenger. Noami offers a handshake, Natty turns it down. Will Natty bring that SmackDown Women’s Championship home at Summerslam?

WWE United States Championship Match
AJ Styles VS Kevin Owens!

The Phenomenal One won a US Title match via the Independence Day Battle Royal, but chose to use it at a WWE house show, and won that match! Now tables have turned and it’s Styles who gives Owens a fair title match tonight. The bell rings, the two circle, Kevin kicks and clubs Styles, driving knees into Styles’ stomach before wrapping on a headlock. Styles works to find an escape, he powers out but Kevin runs him over with a shoulder. Thigns speed up, Styles up and over and armdrags Kevin right out of the ring. Kevin recomposes before getting back in the ring. Styles gets a waistlock, standing switch, Styles gives it back, Styles is tripped but he springs up to headscissors Kevin out of the ring. The fans jeer the Prizefighter as he composes himself again. Kevin has Styles stay back before getting back in again. The fans are thunderous for Styles as he kicks the punch away. Kevin resists the German Suplex, standing switch but Styles gets it back, stiff back elbow from Kevin, Styles gives him a dropkick. Kevin rolls out once more, Styles pursues this time. Styles throws hands and then throws Kevin onto the announce table. Kevin responds with a whip but Styles reverses to send Kevin to barriers. Styles then gets a running start, but he misses! Kevin rams Styles into the post, splitting him down the middle. Kevin doesn’t stop there, he puts Styles in the ring, back senton! TWO, Kevin is already upset so he grinds a forearm and elbow into Styles’ face. The ref backs Kevin down, Styles gets to ropes, Kevin keeps Styles down with punches and a kick to the side. Kevin drags Styles up, knocks him down with another punch. Cover but a quick kick out, so Kevin wraps on another headlock. Kevin grinds and squeezes Styles, insisting HE is the phenomenal one. Kevin even uses his own chin to grind Styles’ forehead. The fans rally for Styles, Styles gets to his feet, but Kevin grabs tights to pull Styles back down to the mat. Kevin says “I could do this all night, AJ!” Styles won’t give in, the fans keep rallying, Styles starts standing up again. Styles fights back, Kevin throws him down by his hair. Back senton #2, hits knees! Styles gets up and fires forearms off, then the Phenomenal Blitz, but Kevin gives him a DDT! TWO! Back to the headlock. Styles endures the squeeze again, the fans rally again. Styles fights his way back up, and fights out of the headlock. Styles gives more forearms, the Phenomenal Blitz completes! Styles gets running, low flying forearm! Kevin rolls to a corner, Styles gets up and fires up. Styles runs, big jumping clothesline. Styles wants the Fireman’s Carry but Kevin is a bit big. Styles adjusts and tries the back suplex, same problem. Kevin gives back elbows, Kevin suplexes Styles but he slips out. Styles gets Kevin up this time, wheelbarrow facebuster!

TWO! Styles and Kevin slowly stir, Styles getting up first. He drags Kevin up, goes for that fireman’s carry again but Kevin resists. Waistlock from Kevin, Styles standing switch, Kevin bucks Styles off, Styles blocks the kick. Styles wants the Clash but Kevin escapes, hotshot to the ropes, roll-up with tights held, TWO, Kevin is frustrated as he runs into the Ushigoroshi!

TWO! Styles and Kevin are down again from exhaustion, slowly stirring while the fans cheer for Styles. Styles gets up, drags Kevin into position, and then goes to the apron. Styles springboards, 450 meets knees! TWO, and Kevin is shocked. Kevin gets up while Styles crawls to a corner. Kevin runs in, Cannonball!

Kevin covers, TWO, and Kevin is again frustrated. Kevin gets back up, stalks Styles at the corner and drags him up. Kevin puts Styles on the top rope, gives him a chop, then climbs up to join him. Kevin wants but Styles resists the superplex. They fight for control, Styles gives headbutts to change that, then sunsets over. Kevin holds on to deny the powerbomb! Styles keeps trying, he gets kevin in a torture rack! A couple pumps, Styles spins Kevin for a towerhacker bomb!

TWO! Styles is running out of ideas, but he still has something up his “sleeve.” He gets up, goes to the apron, goes top rope, Kevin trips him up! Styles lingers on the top rope, Kevin gives him a haymaker before climbing up again. Styles fights him off, Kevin fights back, Styles slips down to trip Kevin up now. Styles rushes back in, but ends up on the apron, so he knocks Kevin away. Styles springboards, Kevin rolls out, Styles lands back on the apron, only for Kevin to sweep out the legs with a lariat!

Styles crashes down on the edge, rolls back in, Kevin rolls back in as Styles holds onto that bad shoulder. Which Kevin puts into the post! Code Breaker to the arm! Kevin grabs Styles, PELE from Styles! Both men down again, working to get back to their feet. Styles is first, wants the Clash, but that bad arm holds him back, Kevin shoves Styles off into the ref!

Three men are down in the ring now. Styles checks on the referee, Kevin pounces with a SUPERKICK! No ref to call the action, Kevin drags Styles up and throws him to ropes, Styles hops over. Rolling takedown, Calf Crusher! But the referee is still out! Kevin rolls him around, Crossface! Styles is stuck. The ref sees things now, Styles pops out to put on a Crossface to Kevin! Kevin crawls and rolls, pin, but the crossface, Kevin wins!? Styles is confused, but Kevin is just gratefl to have the title back.

The Prizefighter is again the Face of America, having avenged his Madison Square Garden defeat. Styles is still confused and upset, will he get a rematch to return the favor?
The Maharaja gets a work-out backstage.
The Singh Brothers “regret to inform” him that they can’t be there for his Punjabi Prison match. But not to worry, they will be waiting and watching to celebrate. Mahal is confident he alone can trap and punish Randy Orton. Then 1.3 billion people of India will celebrate together with “the greatest champion of all time!” Confident as he is, can Mahal escape the Punjabi Prison and the Viper?
Flag Match
John Cena VS Rusev!

Pride and patriotism are on the line as this rivalry is renewed, only one man shall plant their nation’s flag on top of the stage. But to start, the flags are set up on opposite corners, their respective defenders standing by them. Cena and Rusev, familiar with each other, are wary, so Rusev goes for his flag instead. Cena grabs him and puts him in a headlock, Rusev powers out with one forearm. Rusev gets to his corner, Cena brings him down and into a headlock again. Rusev power out again and squashes Cena in a corner. Rusev then goes to his corner undisturbed, but Cena returns to climb up after him. Cena throws Rusev down with a super bulldog! Cena recovers and decides to go for the American flag now. Rusev denies Cena now, Electric Chair drop! Rusev and Cena stir, Rusev staggers Cena with punch and kicks. Cena staggers to his corner but Rusev beats him down with more punches and stomps. Rusev drags Cena over, suplexes him to the mat. Rusev goes to his corner, Cena crawls after him and anchors a foot. Rusev turns around and stomps Cena again. Rusev gives Cena a reeling clothesline, and then takes his time toying with Cena. Rusev trash talks America, bumping Cena off the buckles right in front of Ol’ Glory. Rusev makes Cena look at the flag, runs in and squashes him in the corner. Cena is down as Rusev climbs up. Cena revives and grabs at Rusev. Rusev kicks and ax handles Cena down. Cena fires off right hands on Rusev, Rusev fires back. DDT to Cena! The fans rally, Rusev mockingly encourages them. Rusev watches Cena crawl for the American flag. The fans duel, Rusev rocks Cena with another right hand. Cena starts rallying with flying shoulders. Spin-out powerbomb! And of course, You Can’t See Me!

Five Knuckle Shuff hits! Cena gets ready, lifts Rusev up, Rusev slips down and gives Cena a spinebuster. Rusev throws Cena out of the ring, he’s clear again as he heads for the Bulgarian flag. Rusev climbs up, Cena reappears and joins him! They brawl on the corner, Cena knocks Rusev down. Cena readjusts, jumps, into Rusev’s powerbomb!

Cena is down again, Rusev crawls back to his corner, and climbs up again. Rusev gets the Bulgarian flag free, and is halfway to victory! Rusev takes his time waving his flag but Cena dropkicks him down! Cena rolls to his corner, willing himself up. Rusev comes in, misses in the corner, Cena hits the AA!

Both men are down, but Cena crawls back to his corner. Cena wills himself once more to climb up. The fans chant “U S A!” as Cena gets higher and higher. Rusev returns, grabs Cena off the corner, ready to powerbomb, but Cena sunset flips through to put on the STF! Cena can’t win with submissions but it will tire out Rusev. Rusev even taps out, but it doesn’t end the pain. Rusev has faded, Cena finally lets go, and Cena climbs up once more. Cena takes the star-spangled banner down, and now Cena is halfway to victory! Rusev SUPERKICKs Cena! Things are even again, it comes down to who gets on stage and plants that flag. Rusev gets back to the White, Green and Red and rolls out of the ring with it. He shakes out the cobwebs as he walks with the flag, Cena jumps off the apron to hit Rusev with ax handles! Cena drives Rusev into steel steps, and then gets Ol’ Glory again. Cena gets moving towards the stage, Rusev revives to club him from behind. Cena is sent back to the ring, Rusev bounces him off steel steps. Cena crawls his way back to where he dropped the American flag, but Rusev uses those steps as a battering ram. Rusev returns to the Bulgarian flag, holding it up high as he starts his way up the ramp. Cena grabs a foot to anchor Rusev again, so Rusev sets his flag down to brawl with Cena. Cena backs Rusev to the stage, throwing him face first into the stage walls. Cena heads back but sees Rusev revive, he jumps off the pedastal, for Rusev to givea Fall Away Slam!

Rusev and Cena are both down, but Rusev gets up. Rusev can’t remember where he left his flag, the ref helps give him directions. Rusev worries about that later, he sees a table he can use. Rusev sets it up on the stage, the Philly fans like the way he thinks. Cena stirs, Rusev sets up a second table! Cena tries to make his way back to the flags, but Rusev is upon him first. He bumps Cena off the top of the American podium, then climbs up those steps to bring Cena up. Rusev mocks “You Can’t See Me!” Fireman’s carry, and… Cena slips down and shoves Rusev down. Cena staggers back to the flags, grabbing the American but then Rusev starts another brawl. Double clotheslines knock them both down! Cena still reaches out for the stars ’n’ stripes, crawling to the podium. Rusev pursues, not wanting Cena to finish this. Cena is climbing up, Rusev meets him at teh top, using the flag stand as a weapon!

Rusev stomps Cena and then puts on the Accolade!

Cena is stretched back, Rusev tells him “not today!” Cena fades, and Rusev leaves him behind as he goes back for his Bulgarian Flag. Rusev brings it over to the podium, Cena surprises Rusev by blocking him at the last moment!

Cena gets up to join Rusev, wants to AA him off, but Rusev slips down and drags Cena over for a roundhouse. Cena is stunned, Rusev “MACHKA!” The Accolade on again but Cena powers up to switch it around, fireman’s carry and brings him to the podium, AA through those tables!

Rusev crashes down, Cena grabs Ol’ Glory, and wins! Cena wins for America!

The Fashion X Files returns.
Fandango and Tyler Breeze need to find the culprits behind the attacks on HQ, on Breeze, and on Fandang’s horse. Months of police work have culminated in this. Partners and friends, awkward bro hug. But wait! Those shadows! Oh wait, The Ascension. It was them all along. What? Why? Cuz they could. Lame. Case closed. Or is it? Because maybe, it wasn’t them! Remember, two tickets to Paradise? N-No! They were not there! They’ve totally been the ones messing with them! And the horse head!? OH GOD NO, oh no. No no no. Clearly it wasn’t them. So who?! Lights out! Fandango gets a flashlight, Breeze was hit again! And then so is Fandango! The mystery assailants drag Fandango away! “The truth is still out there.”
Sami Zayn VS Mike Kanellis w/ Maria!

After being cheated thanks to The First Lady’s interference, the Underdog gets this rematch to see if he can break even with the Kanellis’ power of love. Sami and Mike feel each other out, Sami gets Mike down and throws hands. Mike scrambles away, drags Sami to the apron, Sami shoulders and slingshots back in. Sami speeds up, tilt-o-whirl headscissors throws Mike to a corner. Sami keeps Mike in that corner, gives him stiff chops then whips Mike to the ropes. Mike holds ropes but is clothesline’d out. Mike boucnes off the apron, Sami speeds up, Maria saves her hubby. Maria says Sami “can’t do that to him!” Mike gives Sami a strong right sucker punch. Mr. & Mrs. Kanellis rub noses, Mike gets Sami in the ring and runs him over with a clothesline. TWO. Mike stomps away on Sami out of frustration. Mike puts Sami in a corner, rocks him with another right. Sami crawls, Mike gives him another. Sami dares Mike to keep trying, so Mike does. Mike and Maria blow kisses, Mike uses that to punch Sami again, TWO. Mike is getting frustrated, Sami staggers to a corner. Sami gives chops to Mike that back him down, corner to corner whip, Mike reverses and clotheslines Sami, repeat. Mike boots Sami on the run, TWO. Mike rains rights on Sami while Maria grins sadistically. She calls him over and the two kiss. Mike grabs Sami into a half-surfboard. Maria likes what she sees, but fans rally for Sami. Sami gets up, flips and kicks Mike away, Sami starts rallying. Sami whips Mike, back body drop sends him flying. Sami whips again but is reversed, springboards up and over, tosses Mike all the way out. Sami speeds up, and FLIES!

They crash down, Maria is worried for her husband. Sami gets Mike up and in the ring, then climbs up to the top. Sami takes aim, flying crossbody lands! TWO, and Sami is a bit surprised. Sami doesn’t slow down, though, he brings Mike up, but Mike resists the Blue Thunder with power. Mike punches back, powerbomb attempt but Sami slips out. Chop and to the ropes, acrobatic DDT! Sami wants Mike to get back up, Maria slips back in. Sami can’t Exploder with Maria there. She won’t let Sami do what he wants. Sami tells her to get out, so does the ref, Maria does. Mike gets Sami up, Sami slips down, Exploder! Sami lines up his shot, Helluva Kick!

Sami wins! The Power of Love does NOT conquer all this night.

WWE (World) Championship, Punjabi Prison Match
Jinder Mahal VS Randy Orton!

The Modern Day Maharaja will not let The Viper and the “prejudiced” United States ruin his reign as the 50th WWE Champion ever, for the glory of his country of India. As such, Mahal has resurrected this “barbaric” match after roughly 10 years, who will escape first and bring that title home with them? It begins, Randy going right at Mahal with furious right hands. Orton whips Mahal, is reversed but kicks back, only for Mahal to run him over with a back elbow. ONe door opens at Mahal’s command, but Orton keeps him from getting out. The clock ticks down, Orton wants to use the door, Mahal blocks him now. They brawl again, Mahal trying but Orton blocking again. 30 seconds left on that door, Mahal is thrown into the bambo, but he manages to anchor Orton. Orton tries to crawl through but the time ticks away, that’s one door down. The champ and challenger glare at each other, knowing they have one less escape route. They get up and survey the area before brawling again. Orton backs Mahal down, Mahal hits back, but Orton whips. Mahal reverses, arm breaker. Mahal goes after that arm, springboard knees dropping again and again. Mahal grinds his knee on Orton for as long as he wants with no disqualifications. Mahal grabs Orton, brings him up and uses the bars of the cage to wrench that elbow. Mahal has Orton trapped between cage and ropes, hotshot to that bad arm. Mahal stands over Orton as he uses an armbar. Orton endures, the fans slowly rally, Mahal brings Orton back down. Mahal goes after that arm again and asks for the second door. Orton grabs him just in time, dragging him back. Mahal thumbs the eyes, but Orton hits a Fall Away Slam. Both men are down and the time ticks away. Orton crawls for that open door, Mahal pursues. Mahal grabs a foot but Orton grabs ropes as he kicks at Mahal. Mahal yanks Orton away, but that door goes to waste, too. Only two more doors remain. Orton stomps away on Mahal, drags Mahal up, then throws him into the bamboo cage. Orton walks around, thinking through his options. Orton throws Mahal at the cage, Mahal starts climbing! Escaping that way is still allowed, Orton pursues and brings him down. They fight on the top rope, Orton falls but grabs Mahal to trip him up. Mahal gets caught up on the top rope a moment, he writhes in pain. Orton stalks Mahal, bouncing him off the cage again. Mahal is brought through the second rope but Mahal knows about that DDT, he tosses Orton into the cage now. Orton and Mahal are down, Mahal gets up and squashes Orton against the cage with running splashes. Mahal fires himself up, Orton fires back on the third try. Orton grabs Mahal, and suplexes Mahal into the cage.

Orton grabs Mahal again, and repeats, suplexing Mahal into the cage before giving a hotshot. Orton calls for the third door, starts crawling over, but Mahal is upon him. Mahal brings Orton back for more strikes, yanking Orton’s arm. Mahal wants to use that door, Orton grabs him in a sleeper hold. Orton gives a European Uppercut, Mahal is down, Orton goes for the door again but Mahal yanks on that bad arm, the third door goes to waste. Mahal and Orton are down, both having tired each other out scrambling for doors. They know there’s one door left, they let the tension mount, then Mahal runs in only to take the powerslam. Orton gets Mahal between the ropes, draping DDT!

Mahal hits the mat, Orton gets up and calls for the last door. Orton has a minute, but he doesn’t go through it yet. He wants to hear those voices first! Orton waits for Mahal to get up, RK- denied, knee strike from Mahal! Mahal sees the door, sees the time, grabs Orton, Kar- RKO!

Orton got Mahal, but no one is near the door! The Singh brothers show up from under the ring?! They get Mahal out of the first cage and leave Orton inside! Was that moment earlier all a fake out? The Singh Brothers help Mahal get up, helping him start his climb. Orton sees this, knows all the doors are locked, so he has no choice but to climb. Orton climbs the first cage, Mahal climbs the second, Orton gest to the top of his first, and shows the massive hole in the Singh Brothers’ plan by simply reaching over to the outer cage.

Mahal gets over to where Orton is, and they start fighting to knock the other off. They both start slipping, they end up climbing down little by little as they club and headbutt each other. Orton bounces Mahal’s head off the cage and he falls to the floor. The Singh Brothers try to screw Orton over again, they grab a foot each. Orton is brought down and beat down.

The fans boo the Bollywood Boyz for their helping get Orton up for Mahal. Mahal takes aim, boot to the Viper! Mahal is fired up as he starts a second climb. The Singhs rub that in to Orton, but Orton fights them off. Orton even suplexes one brother to the mat. Mahal keeps going, Orton climbs up and drags him back down. Orton gets Mahal back on the ground, then bounces him off the cage wall. Orton suplexes the other Singh Brother, then has to fight the other one again. Orton spots Mahal has moved around to the other side, Mahal uses a kendo stick! Then another stick! Mahal wants to use the Karas, Orton backs him into the cage walls and breaks out. Mahal staggers around, Orton grabs that kendo stick. Mahal begs for mercy, Orton doesn’t show any. Smack smack smack with that stick, then he gives smacks to the Singhs. Orton rests after unleashing on Mahal and his sidekicks. Orton, with that bad arm really bothering him, climbs up again. The Singhs slip through gaps in the cage, and go after Orton from the other side! Orton is choked against the bars by that Singh Brother, but then fights back. He punches away on the Singh Brother, and dislodges him to fall through the announce desk!

The fans go wild, but then they notice Mahal has returned! He goes after Orton, Orton fights him off, but we again have a fight on the side of the wall. They brawl again, climb down a bit, Mahal holding on to a leg of Orton’s. Orton has no choice but to go down, they’re both on the ground again as Mahal clubs Orton from behind. Mahal drives Orton’s back into the wall. Mahal goes to boot, Orton dodges and Mahal gets stuck. Draping DDT #2! Orton and Mahal are beat up and sore, Orton’s bleeding from one arm, but the match continues as Orton stalks Mahal… with a chair! The other Singh Brother gets in the way, so he gets a chair shot across the back. Mahal comes in, chair to the gut, AND the back! Orton raises the chair up again, for another shot to Mahal’s back. Orton keeps driving in chair shots, and finally has an opening to climb. Orton climbs, but that remaining Singh Brother returns! He anchors Orton, Orton kicks him away, but that took a lot of energy. Then, Mahal’s music hits? Mahal’s in the ring, so… The Great Khali?!

The Punjabi Nightmare is here! Orton climbs up, Khali watches and shakes the cage. Orton can’t hold on with that, he has no choice but to come back down. Khali goes up, chokes Orton, and keeps him stuck on the wall! Mahal climbs up, trash talks Orton, and then passes him up. The fans boo and jeer as Mahal gets to the top, goes over, and comes back down! Mahal has won, with the power of Punjabi!

With the Singh Brothers AND the Great Khali on his side, can anyone hope to defeat the Modern Day Maharaja?
My Thoughts:
Battleground was a bumpy ride, that unfortunately ends worse than it started. That tag team title match between New Day and Usos was incredible, I could not tell which way it was going and then — to my surprise — the New Day wins to make history! A WWE tag team makes history, at Battleground! Now, no one can say right now if the New Day will do some kind of historic tag title reign, but this was still great for them as still one of the most over acts in the WWE. Sadly, this made it hard for the rest of the show to follow. Corbin-Nakamura was physical like everyone wanted, but the ending of a low blow was sorely disappointing. Sure it goes in character with Corbin, but it was the easy way out of that match when they could’ve had some kind of “Dusty Finish”, like a double count-out where the two just keep brawling and the ref counts to ten. No idea if the booking team thought this would leave fans wondering “maybe Corbin can cash in now!” but seeing as how he doesn’t, now it’s just a disappointment. Then the Women’s Fatal 5 Elimination match seemed rushed, or perhaps just not as thought at as well as the two different Women’s MITB Ladder matches. Kudos to Becky for eliminating Tamina and Lana, which in itself brings up story as to why Lana didn’t return the favor for Tamina but also made Becky look strong, at least until Natty just gets her with a “dirty Heel” roll-up. I’m surprised it’s Natty getting the win, but between Naomi needing a Heel opponent and Natty being the most experienced of all, it makes sense. I almost thought we’d see Carmella cash-in while Naomi lingered in the ring, but Carmella is “too smart” to go after a 100% healthy and ready champion, guess we’ll have to wait until Summerslam for both cash-ins.
The middle content kinda saved things. That US Championship rematch was pretty damn good, the history between Styles and Kevin really lent itself to the story elements of this match, because they both knew each other so well to get out and away from each other’s moves. They gave us a unique ref bump, too, but it didn’t seem to play into anything, unless Kevin was supposed to tap while in the Calf Crusher and get away with not losing. Kevin didn’t even try to use eye pokes or something dirty, and then there was the confusion that Styles sold and we all felt: was there meant to be a Dusty Finish there? Double pin? Tap out at the same time as the third count? Either way, Kevin comes away as the champ and Styles has his own rematch clause, maybe Summerslam (or even this Tuesday’s SmackDown) will be a special match type to clear all this up. That Flag Match was a slow build because of how it’s structured, “one person climbs, the other stops them, repeat or switch.” It got exciting once both flags came into play, and as I predicted, Cena (and America) can’t lose the return to PPV’s, but both men looked great in this match. Then the Fashion Police keep it funny in that reverse swerve where the Ascension wanted to be but were not the culprits, only for things to get very serious very quickly as they’re attacked and then Fandango is abducted! Perhaps it is a possibility I overlooked in that Luke Harper & Erick Rowan are back together (for the umpteenth time). Oh and Sami wins in the reverse of the SmackDown match!
That main event. That… I’m not sure what to make of it. This match, just like the Flag Match, and any cage match really, suffered a bit at the beginning from the very formulaic set up: Get out via the doors or be trapped. Those first three doors dragged on, they clearly didn’t worry about anything other than that point of drama when choreographing the match. Great surprise to see the Singh Brothers somehow appear from under the ring to help Mahal through that part, and then things picked up when Orton makes it up and over and they all get to brawl in the gap between cages. The best spot of the night didn’t even involve Mahal, it was one of the Singh Brothers when he went off the cage wall through that announce desk. And in a twist that seemed rather off was the Great Khali returning after being away from the WWE for years. It makes sense to fans who remember every obscure moment, such as Mahal introducing himself on WWE TV as Khali’s rich benefactor but also cruel brother-in-law in the latter part of Khali’s run (when he went from Nightmare to Playboy). Seems they’ve patched things over since then, we can only hope Khali isn’t here to wrestle again, as he wasn’t really the best when he was first in the WWE.
My Score: 7.8/10
