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Csonka’s WWE Battleground Review 7.24.16
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Csonka’s WWE Battleground Review 7.24.16
OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Kickoff Show Match: Fabreeze defeated The Usos @ 5:25 via pin [**½]
– Sasha Banks and Bayley defeated Dana Brooke and Charlotte @ 7:27 via submission [***]
– The Wyatt Family defeated The New Day @ 8:55 via pin [***]
– WWE United States Title Match: Champion Rusev defeated Zack Ryder @ 7:05 via submission [**½]
– Sami Zayn defeated Kevin Owens @ 18:35 via pin [****¾]
– Natalya defeated Becky Lynch @ 8:53 via submission [**¾]
– WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Champion The Miz vs. Darren Young went to a double count out @ 8:40 [*½]
– John Cena, Enzo Amore and Big Cass defeated AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson @ 14:30 via pin [***½]
– Triple Threat WWE Title Match: Champion Dean Ambrose defeated Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins @ 18:03 via pin [****¼]
– Mauro Ranallo and Byron Saxton are on commentary for the pre-show match.
Kickoff Show Match: The Usos vs. FaBreeze: The Usos controlled early on Fandango, using double teams and scoring the first near fall. Breeze tagged in and quickly turned the tide with a stun gun, double teams followed and Fandango scored a near fall and then took control, grounding Jey. Jey quickly fought back, stopping the double team and sending Breeze into Fandango. Jimmy got the hot tag, ran wild on Fandango and also took out Breeze. The Samoan clambake connected for a near fall. All four in now, we got superkicks and then back to Fandango and Jimmy. Fandango set him up top; Jimmy fought him off and then sent Breeze to the floor. Jey in, but Breeze stopped the doomsday device and Jimmy scored with the high cross for a near fall. They again battled up top, Fandango sent Jimmy to the floor with a kick and Breeze missed a dive. It broke down again, superkick to Breeze, Jimmy up top as Jey hit a dive to Fandango. Jimmy with the splash, but Breeze got the knees up and cradled Jimmy for the win. The Usos are still getting heat following their run with Reigns, and the crowd was easily more into Fabreeze here tonight. It felt a bit rushed and chaotic at times, but it was a fun little pre-show match.
– The commentary team for the PPV is Michael Cole, JBL and Byron Saxton.
– And Sasha’s mystery partner is… Bayley! She got a great reaction, and the smile on Sasha’s face during her entrance was great.
Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Dana Brooke and Charlotte: As Bayley and Banks were playing to the crowd, Charlotte and Dana attacked. They bell rang and Charlotte took control and worked over Bayley right away. Bayley quickly fought back, got the tag to Banks and she worked over Charlotte. She went for a RANA off the ropes, landed very awkwardly, which could have been bad. She was thankfully ok, as Charlotte took control back and sent her to the floor. Dana tagged in as she and Charlotte grounded Banks and took control for a bit but Banks got the tag and Bayley ran wild on Dana, hitting the corner elbows. Charlotte distracted her, which allowed Dana to pull her off the ropes and take control of the match. Dana worked over Bayley in the corner as the crowd was rooting for Bayley to fight back. She did and got the tag to Banks, she ran wild on Charlotte, hit the corner knees and that got a near fall. Banks up top, fights off Dana and then hit the high cross for a near fall. Charlotte fought back, hit natural selection but Bayley made the save and it broke down. Dana and Bayley went to floor and as Banks locked in the Banks statement, Dana made the save. It only saved her for the moment, as Sasha got the backstabber and Banks statement to score the win. That was a good opening match, with the crowd into it big time due to Bayley’s debut and the ladies worked hard, keeping the vibe through out the match. Sasha gets the win, which sets up her title shot at Summerslam. On a side note, JBL made sure to say that this was a “one time favor” from Bayley and that she was still focused on the NXT Women’s Title.
https://twitter.com/DeathToAllMarks/status/757370381565042688
– New Day made sure to tell us that they are now the longest reigning WWE Tag Team Champions of all time. They noted that they have to face the Wyatts, who were spit up in the draft and likely more dangerous than ever. But they aren’t scared.
The Wyatt Family vs. The New Day: Woods was still selling fear of the Wyatts. Woods then decided he anted to start against Strowman, but Bray tagged in. Woods was frozen in fear, so Kofi tagged in as Woods stood there in fear. That seemed odd considering that Woods faced off with Bray on Smackdown and seemed to have dropped his fear. Anyway, Kofi scored early with a dropkick, but Strowman tagged in for the short beat down. This led to quick tags from the Wyatts, with Bray and Rowan working the early heat on Kofi. Wyatt hit the running senton, and while Kofi looked to fie up, Bray destroyed him with a clothesline. They focused on Woods showing fear and dropping to the floor after that. Strowman did more big man things, they kept him limited as Rowan and Bray worked quick tags again, beating own Kofi in the corner. Kofi finally sidestepped Bray, sending him to the floor and getting the hot tag to Big E. Big E tossed Rowan around with suplexes, danced and hit the running splash. Big E hit a great overhead belly to belly, Strowman in and took out Woods, Bray hit Big E and Rowan got a near fall as Kofi made the save, Strowman missed a boot and fell to the floor, Kofi then wiped him out with a dive. Back in the ring Rowan posted Big E, bray tagged din and looked for Sister Abigail, but Woods made the save. He stared down with Bray, started to kneel before him and Bray took out Kofi. Woods snapped out of it and ran wild on Bray and hit the big splash. Superkick to Rowan, Big E with the spear through the ropes to Strowman and then Bray did the spider, which scared Woods long enough for him to hit Sister Abigail and pick up the win. That was another good match, it started a bit slow but they did a nice job of picking up the action down the stretch to provide a hot ending. I am not sure of the booking, as with Bray and Rowan on a different brand than New Day, and no explanation as to how the title situation will work, I am not sure how they continue this. Hopefully we get answers on Raw.
– Lana is prom ready.
Please welcome…the #RavishingRussian princess? #WWEBattleground @LanaWWE pic.twitter.com/zyfBni69Hr
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 25, 2016
WWE United States Title Match: Champion Rusev vs. Zack Ryder: Ryder is representing America with the red, white and blue gear. Don’t fail us like Titus did. Rusev used his power to pull Ryder to the ground right away. Ryder fought back as the action spilled to the floor, Ryder started to take control but he then missed the missile dropkick and that allowed Rusev to just lay in the clubbing strikes and beat down his challenger. Rusev then worked the grounded bear hug; Ryder worked to his feet and then avoided a corner charger. Ryder connected with forearms in the corner, went for the broski boot but Rusev stopped that and connected with knee strikes. Ryder then countered a suplex with a neck breaker, and then the broski boot hit and he got a near fall. They went to the floor, where Rusev took back control and suplexed him gut first onto the barricade. Rusev charged at Ryder, but he moved and Rusev collided with the barricade. Ryder hit a dropkick off the barricade, back in the ring Ryder hit the rough Ryder, went for the elbro drop but he ate knees. Rusev locked in the accolade, Ryder fought but Rusev bent him in half and scored the submission; Zack Ryder failed America. This was an overall solid, but unspectacular, match. I kept waiting for it to pick up, but it came across like a basic TV match with not a lot of energy to it. It wasn’t bad, it just felt very average.
– Post match, Rusev looked to punish Ryder some more but Mojo Rawley made the save. Rusev looked at this man with a, “who the fuck are you?” expression and then left.
– Seth Rollins met with Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley. Rollins said that this was a huge night and they want him to bring the title to Raw and prove why he was the #1 draft pick. Rollins says he is confident and will win back the title he never lost. He said that everyone will sing his praises and worship him when he brings the title back to Raw.
"Tonight's gonna be so great … In 9 months, there's going to be a boom of babies named ROLLINS!" #WWEBattleground https://t.co/COuBGAIyMM
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2016
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens: Zayn charged Owens right away, but he bailed to the floor and they brawled. They took turns shooting each other to the barricade, Zayn got the advantage and took the battle back into the ring, and got a near fall off of a leg lariat. Owens crotched Zayn as he went for the lucha arm drag, and hit the cannonball for the near fall. Owens had some great rage here, demanding that Zayn look at him before he punished him with chops. The crowd was really into this, they did the OLE chant, which Owens mocked as he continued his assault on Zayn. Owens then worked the chinlock, yelling QUIT to Zayn and then telling the ref that Zayn wants to quit each time he asked. Zayn finally managed to escape and hit a stiff lariat and a Michinoku driver for a near fall. Owens bailed to the floor, pulled Zayn out with him and tried the apron bomb, which was countered. Zayn then went for an split legged moonsault but bounced straight up instead of out and landed BADLY on his shoulder on the apron.
https://twitter.com/DeathToAllMarks/status/757382750483652609
Back in the ring, Zayn still had control, went up top but Owens cut him off. They battled up top, Zayn with head butts sent him to the mat but then Zayn ran right into a superkick for a near fall. Owens then worked the crossface, Zayn fought and finally got the ropes. Owens continued to attack, hitting corner clotheslines but Zayn hit the XPLODER to the corner, but Owens dropped to the floor to avoid the helluva kick. They battled on the apron, with Zayn hitting an apron brainbuster! Zayn rolled back in as they did the countout tease on Owens, he rolled in and both men were down. The crowd reacted huge to the brainbuster spot, and then went wild as they went all crazy fists. Owens again tried to escape to the floor, Zayn followed and went for the through the ropes tornado DDT dive but ate a superkick. Owens then hit a cannonball, went up top and hit the frog splash, which got a great near fall. Zayn managed to counter the pop up powerbomb and scored with the tornado DDT. They then went wild down the stretch with counters, suplexes, and near falls; the crowd loved it. Zayn went for the helluva but ran into the pop up powerbomb, but he survived by getting his foot on the ropes! Owens was pissed and demanded that Zayn stay down and then slapped him repeatedly and said to stay down and don’t make me do this. Zayn then hit a series of suplexes and the helluva kick, and Owens fell into him. Zayn draped him in the corner and hit ANOTHER helluva kick for the definitive victory. This was simply amazing, with great emotion from both guys as far as the hate and desperation went. These two know how to work together, you expect good at the very least from these guys, but they have the ability to take their emotions (feud wise) and translate that to their work, which makes the audience care and react in kind. This was so good, the only negative is that they were NOT separated in the draft. This was the time to separate them so that they can come back at a later date and do it again. This is in the top tier in terms of the best matches for this year.
Becky Lynch vs. Natalya: Well I feel sorry for these two having to follow that. Becky controlled early, out wrestling Natalya, and sending her to the floor. After taking a powder, Becky continued to control and again sent her to the floor. Becky followed and hit a forearm off the apron. Natalya trapped the leg of Becky in the apron skirt, worked her over and then slammed her to the steps. Back in, Natalya targeted the knee and grounded Becky. Natalya slammed the knee to the mat repeatedly, the work is fine but they haven’t done anything to engage the crowd or really make them care. Natalya kept working the leg, Becky tried for the disarmher, but Natalya escaped. Becky finally hit the enziguri, struggled to her feet and then connected with some clotheslines. She sold the leg, doing a limping run to the corner, and then hit the xploder for a near fall. They went back and forth trying for submissions, and Natalya finally got the sharp shooter, but Becky got the ropes. Becky would score with the missile dropkick, which got a near fall. The ref then tried to separate the, Natalya got a cheap kick on the knee of Becky, locked in the sharp shorter and after a long fight, Becky had to tap. I really liked the work, Natalya had great focus in her work, Becky sold her ass off and the cheap shot finish works to extend the feud. They just couldn’t get the crowd into it, despite their hard work.
– Bryan and Shane give Dean a pep talk about keeping the WWE Title for Smackdown.
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Champion The Miz w/Maryse vs. Darren Young w/Bob Backlund: Young was aggressive early, going for quick takedowns and pin attempts. Young was doing well, but then he climbed the ropes and Maryse distracted him, allowing Miz to send him to the floor. Miz worked over Young on the floor for a bit, tossed him back in and took the heat. Miz worked over Young, and while doing so was yelling at Backlund, asking who will make Young great again and calling Backlund an old man. The problem here was that while nothing was really wrong, there was nothing that really pulled you in or made you excited. The crowd was completely disinterested as Miz stomped away at Young. Young managed to cut off Miz with a clothesline and they did a double down spot. They got to their feet, with Young hitting rights and chops as he mounted the big comeback. Young was almost begging the crowd to get involved, and hit the apron back breaker on Miz and got a near fall off of that. Backlund called for the chicken wing, but Miz countered and then looked to take a walk. Backlund stopped him, Young pulled him back in and then Maryse slapped Backlund and dropped him. Backlund fired up as Maryse claimed Backlund pushed her. So Miz shoved hi down. Young got the chicken wing on the floor, and the bell rang. Referees separated them as Young looked at his hands like Backlund used to do. They did not announce an official result. Double countout I guess? So that ended up not being good. They worked an ok match, but no one cared and then they went with the cheap finish to keep the title on Miz and to keep Young from losing. This was the first thing I did not like on the show.
– Enzo and Cass did their shtick, and the crowd played sing along. Enzo then gave the Club some advice, like not eating yellow snow and not wearing crocs. To say that the crowd loves Enzo is an understatement, they kept cheering for him while he danced and Cena looked amused the entire time. Enzo is almost doing the George Jefferson dance. Cass mocked Styles’ soccer mom haircut, the fact that he drives a mini-van, and that they will be beating the Club on Raw. He of course called them SAWFT as the crowd chanted along.
John Cena, Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson: Enzo and Styles started things out, with Styles outwrestling Enzo to chants of “soccer mom.” Styles hit the dropkick combo, Cass and Anderson then tagged in. Anderson fired away with rights, but Cass hit a shoulder block and that led to Enzo and Cass taking out Anderson and Gallows as Cass tossed Enzo to the floor onto the Club members. Cass then tossed Styles to the floor onto the pile. Enzo tagged in, but he got ct off almost immediately as Gallows and Anderson beat him down in their corner. Gallows in, connected with a jackhammer, which got a neat fall. Enzo kept fighting back, but the Club worked quick tags and kept control. Enzo managed a jawbreaker, but Anderson cut him off with the back breaker and sent him to the floor. Styles worked him over on the floor. Gallows missed a charge and posed himself, Enzo tried to run for the tag but Anderson took him out with a jumping knee, which got a near fall. Back in the ring Gallows tagged in and missed the splash. Cena got the hot tag and Styles was in as well. Cena ran through the usual, went for the AA, but Styles escaped and hit the PELE. He went for the clash, but Enzo broke that up as it broke down into the big move buffet. Gallows went after Cena, but Enzo went for a high cross and hit Cena, but Cena rolled through and tossed him into Gallows, Styles in and he accidentally hit Styles. Anderson took Cena to the floor and hit a spinebuster onto the table, and then Enzo took out Anderson with a DDT to the floor. Cena managed to beat the count, Styles again looked for the clash and hit it! 1…2… NO as Cass pulled Styles to the floor and destroyed him with a kick. Gallows posted him and then the Club hit he magic killer to take out Cass. Enzo returned and fired up, he posted Anderson and went one on one with Gallows. Gallows took him down with the superkick and Enzo rolled to the floor. Gallows missed a charge at Cena, Styles went up top and was crotched as Cena sent Gallows to the floor. Cena went up with Styles, they battled and Cena hit the AA off the second rope for the win. I liked the booking of this going in, because it pt off Cena vs. Styles II, but after the draft it also sets Cena vs. Styles II for Smackdown and the Club vs. Enzo and Cass on the Raw brand. Also, the tag format allowed Cena to get a win on Styles, but not in a singles match, which will set the stage for the rematch. I really enjoyed the match overall, as everyone played their roles well and it was fun and chaotic in all of the right ways.
The Highlight Reel with Randy Orton: Jericho told everyone to be quiet as he hyped Orton’s return to WWE. Randy Orton is actually wearing his big boy clothes here. Orton says that he’d been at home for 9-months with his family, but when he came out he realized something was missing. He had missed the fans, and he doesn’t even mind having to share the ring with Jericho. Jericho says Orton should be thanking him for having him on the show, because it puts Orton on a different level. Orton says he’s in a good mood, but that can change real quick and he could drop his ass. Jericho mentioned the RKO out of nowhere, and said he may use a code breaker out of nowhere. Jericho breaks down the changes, the draft and praises the fact that he is on Raw with Stephanie McMahon. He then ranted about Ambrose sticking 69 thumbtacks into his flesh, but then said that this is all about Orton. Jericho then wanted to give Orton something that will make Orton better and allow him to defeat Brock Lesnar; the gift of Jericho, drink it in maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan. Orton then made fun of Jericho’s hair, and called him Ellen. Jericho said that Lesnar was coming for Orton, and then we got some clips of Lesnar causing destruction. Jericho then claimed that Orton has been ducking Lesnar, and claimed that he was scared of Lesnar. Jericho then asked why he would return to face Lesnar, and Orton sad he needs to make a statement when he returns. How much of a statement would he have made returning to face… Fandango. Jericho doesn’t like Orton, but says that Lesnar will kick his ass at Summerslam, bounce him around and take him to suplex city. Orton knows this, but says it only takes one RKO to get to Viperville, and no enhancement needed. RANDY ORTON GOT JOKES TONIGHT! Jericho then says he knows Lesnar will tear Orton apart, rip his shoulder apart and eat his arm for breakfast, and that Orton is a stupid idiot. Jericho claimed these were Lesanr’s words. Jericho asked if he was going to get an RKO out of nowhere, and then told Orton to stay out of his business. Orton dropped him with an RKO and took a bow. I enjoyed parts of this and felt that it was a good TV segment that was added to PPV and overstayed its welcome. Why wouldn’t you save this for Raw when you struggle to fill three hours weekly? Also, having the segment at this point in the show really killed the momentum, in my opinion.
– The rosters are together in their locker rooms, waiting to see who the champion will be and what roster it will be part of.
– Foley, Stephanie, Shane and Bryan all came to ringside to watch the match.
Triple Threat WWE Title Match: Champion Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns: Rollins wanted to do the old Shield fist bump, but Reigns attacked and sent him to the floor. Reigns worked him over, tossed him back in and then sent him back to the floor. Ambrose scored with a schoolboy on Reigns for a near fall. They went back and froth, Rollins returned and they sent him back, and Reigns went for a pin on Ambrose. More back and forth, Ambrose went for a cross body but bounced off of Reigns. Rollins returned and laid the boots to Reigns, went for a high cross but was caught and Ambrose knocked them both to the mat, and Rollins went to the floor again. Early on the crowd was happy anytime someone worked over Reigns, and hated when he got anything in. Rollins finally sent Reigns to the floor, and finally got to get some offense in on Ambrose. Ambrose tried to fire up, but ate a flatliner to the corner. Reigns then returned and worked over Rollins on the floor. Ambrose flews off the top and hit Reigns, Rollins got out of the way and then followed with the knee strike. With Reigns down, Rollins sent Ambrose to the steps and then sent Reigns to the barricade. Reigns fought back, sending Rollins to the timekeeper’s area. Ambrose charged off of the announce tables and took out both men. Back in the ring, Ambrose hit a missile dropkick, went up top and hit his elbow drop for a near fall. Rollins flew in with the high fly flow onto Ambrose, which got him a near fall. Reigns managed to counter a pedigree from Rollins, and then laid into him with uppercuts. Ambrose was in control, Superman punch to Ambrose and then one to Rollins as he jumped into the ring. The spear was stopped, Reigns hit another Superman punch to Rollins but Ambrose leveled him with the lariat and all three were down. They fought to their feet and all traded punches, with Ambrose and Rollins then working together to beat down Reigns. They then looked for the Shield bomb on Reigns, but he escaped to the floor. Ambrose hit the suicide dive and them Rollins followed with the over the top dive. Ambrose and Rollins then took apart an announce table and went after Reigns. Shield bomb through the table on Reigns! Rollins then grabbed a chair and laid out Ambrose and then Reigns. It’s the history of the Shield in 30-seconds. Back in the ring, Rollins went for a buckle bomb but Ambrose countered with a RANA. They went up top, superplex by Rollins and then into the falcon arrow (HE DID THE DEAL!) which got a great near fall. Both men struggled to their feet, they worked some counters and battled up top. Reigns returned and he powerbombed Ambrose, and then hit the sitout powerbomb on Rollins for 2. Reigns then set for the Superman, countered by Ambrose, who got a backslide for 2. Reigns then cut off the jawbreaker lariat with the Superman punch, Rollins in and hit Reigns with the pedigree for a great near fall. Rollins was furious, went for another pedigree but Reigns powered out, Rollins then hit a buckle bomb but Reigns rebounded with the Superman punch and spear! Ambrose then snuck in and hit dirty deeds and pinned Reigns to retain. I was so pleased to have a clean and decisive finish here, when they trotted out the McMahons, Foley and Bryan I was really worried about a shenanigan filled finish. The first half felt really slow, not bad but I was losing interest in it. But then they kicked things up in the second half, worked in some great callback spots and near falls and delivered an overall excellent main event.
– Shane and Daniel Bryan celebrated with Ambrose as commentary noted that the world title was officially on Smackdown. The Smackdown locker room came out to celebrate with Ambrose as Stephanie looked pissed.
– End scene.
– Thanks for reading.
“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”
