WWE Battleground: Event rundown, TV schedule
WWE is bringing Battleground to Philadelphia on Sunday.
WHEN: The SmackDown-branded pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET with the kickoff show set to begin at 7. This is the last SmackDown pay-per-view event before SummerSlam in August.
HOW TO WATCH: Battleground can be seen on WWE Network.
WHERE: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia
THE RUNDOWN:
WWE Championship, champion Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison Match: WWE breaks out the Punjabi Prison for the first time in a decade and only the third time, with the combatants having to escape the two steel and bambo cages to win. The massive structure creates interesting challenges and could add some fire to a fued that has gotten a bit stale. This likely will be the last meeting with Mahal moving on as champion.
Flag Match, John Cena vs. Rusev: Cena, who is being touted as a free agent who can work on RAW or SmackDown events, makes his in-ring return after a three-month hiatus. Rusev also has been away from the ring after a shoulder injury suffered in March. WWE has been waiting for the right time to bring him back. Cena and Rusev had a series of matches in early 2015 capped by Cena winning an “I Quit Match.” This one has an old-school stipulation with the flag of each’s man’s country in the corner. To win, a competitor must grab his own flag and get it to the top of stage and insert it into the flag stand.
United States Championship, champion A.J. Styles vs. Kevin Owens: WWE made a surprising title change at a live event in Madison Square Garden with Styles taking the title from Owens, who gets his rematch here. This is a fun rivarly between two performers who have taken a longer path to WWE superstardom. Mark this down as the best match of the night.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship, champions The Usos vs. The New Day: The New Day’s move to SmackDown Live was delayed by Kofi Kingston’s ankle injury, but a title reign seems inevitable. The question is whether this turns into another non-finish – like their bout last month – in order to have title change happen at SummerSlam.
No. 1 Contender Match for SmackDown Women’s Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair, Natalya, Lana vs. Tamina Snuka in a Fatal Five-Way Elimination: The SmackDown women again find themselves in a multi-person. Carmella is not in the match because as the Money In The Bank winner, she has a title match whenever she wants. At this point, champion Noami is not on the show. Becky Lynch beat Charlotte on SmackDown Live this week and then all five women ended up in the ring. Plus, there is the element of Tamina trying to protect Lana. Both of those stories could come into play.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin: We still have not seen the full Nakamura since his elevation to the main roster. Corbin has the Money In The Bank briefcase, so he doesn’t need to win to be a threat to the WWE champion. A strong Nakamura victory could put him in line for a much-anticipated New Japan reunion against Styles at Summer Slam.
Sami Zayn vs. Mike Kanellis: This will be Kanellis’ in-ring pay-per-view debut and again, Zayn seems like he will be used to elevate someone else. Kanellis got the win against Zayn on SmackDown Live thanks to interference from Kanellis’ wife Maria. Expect Maria to again play a role as part of their “Power of Love” characters.
Breezango vs. TBA: The latest edition of the “Fashion X Files” this week suggested that whomever has been behind the damage done to Breezango will show themselves at Battleground. A stuffed horsehead was a clue. Could this be Luke Rowan and Erick Harper?
Kickoff show, Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English: These two meet for the second consecutive SmackDown kickoff show.