WWE Battleground Preview

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

WWE returns this Sunday night with the next Smackdown Live pay per view event! WWE brings us the fifth edition of WWE Battleground, live at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Smackdown Live's main championships will be on the line as the WWE superstars do battle inside the squared circle. We'll also be treated to a Flag Match and the return of the Punjabi Prison Match! All that and a heck of alot more!!

- "WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Punjabi Prison Match": Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton: Last month at WWE Money In The Bank, Mahal defeated Randy Orton for the second pay per view in a row to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Randy Orton demanded another match with Jinder Mahal and stated that winning the world title meant nothing to Orton now, instead this rematch was for Orton's revenge for Mahal touching Orton's dad Bob Orton at WWE Money In The Bank. Shane McMahon understood how Orton felt and immediately announced that Orton would receive another world title match at WWE Battleground, but also allowed Jinder Mahal to pick the stipulation. Mahal chose a match that his idol The Great Khali made famous, The Punjabi Prison Match. Can Randy Orton survive the Punjabi Prison, get redemption for his family and win back the WWE World Heavyweight Championship? Will Jinder Mahal use the Punjabi Prison to his advantage in taking down The Viper yet again?

- "WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship Match": The Usos (c) vs. The New Day: Last month at WWE Money In The Bank, The New Day defeated The Usos by countout, however, The Usos retained their titles. The New Day would go on to mock The Usos for the way they backed out of their title fight and taking the countout on purpose. The Usos went on to defeat The Hype Bros. in a match that could've given the bros. a title shot. Since no #1 Contender was yet to be determined, The New Day arrived and immediately asked for a rematch at WWE Battleground, which The Usos accepted. The New Day and The Usos battled it out in a tune up Rap Battle with Wale as the celebrity host, getting the fans hyped for this tag team title match at WWE Battleground. Can The New Day defeat The Usos and prove that The New Day still Rocks? Will The Usos defeat The New Day or find another loop hole to leave still the champions?

- "WWE United States Championship Match": AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens: Kevin Owens began issuing Open Challenges to anyone for a shot at his WWE United States Championship. AJ Styles immediately answered the challenge, however, Owens turned Styles down because Owens was only looking for someone that was from the city they were touring in. AJ Styles went to Daniel Bryan and told Bryan that Kevin Owens had no clue what an open challenge meant, considering Owens continued to turn down Styles. Styles then went on to win an Independence Day Battle Royal to become #1 Contender to the WWE United States Championship. Styles would go on to defeat Owens at a live house show at Madison Square Garden and become the new WWE United States Champion, making Owens now the #1 Contender at WWE Battleground. Can AJ Styles defeat Kevin Owens and retain his newly won WWE United States Championship. Will Kevin Owens get back what Styles took from him and leave the champion?

- "Flag Match": John Cena vs. Rusev: John Cena returned to Smackdown Live on July 4th and announced he would be appearing on both RAW and Smackdown Live whenever needed. Rusev interrupted John Cena's return and complained about not getting as much exposure for his Smackdown Live return like Cena did. Rusev then went on a tirade about how much he hates America and why we're the lowest of the low out of all the other countries. Cena would go on to challenge Rusev to a Flag Match at WWE Battleground to determine which country was the toughest, America or Rusev's home country of Bulgaria. Rusev accepted the challenge and then attacked Cena from behind one week before the event to send one last message to Cena. Can Cena defend old glory and win the match? Will Rusev defend his home country of Bulgaria and stomp on America? 

- "#1 Contenders Fatal Five Way Elimination Match": Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Nattie Neidhart vs. Tamina vs. Lana: WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion Naomi is to thank for this match getting signed, after going to Shane McMahon and asking who her next #1 Contender would be. Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Nattie Neidhart, Tamina and Lana all interrupted and stated their cases on why they should face Naomi next. Shane McMahon took them all under consideration and then announced that they would figure it out themselves in a Fatal Four Way Elimination Match with the winner going to WWE SummerSlam to face Naomi. Which Smackdown Live lady will come out victorious and punch her ticket to SummerSlam?

- Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin: Baron Corbin began his feud with Shinsuke Nakamura last month at WWE Money In The Bank when he attacked Nakamura from behind during Nakamura's entrance. Corbin went on to win the Money In The Bank briefcase in the process as well. The following week Nakamura stated that he'd love to face Corbin one on one because he knows that Corbin is scared. Corbin went on to attack and beat down Nakamura after those comments and said he wasn't afraid of Nakamura. Corbin and Nakamura faced each other on Smackdown Live, however, the match was ruled a no contest after both men brawled all over the arena. Daniel Bryan went on to announce that both men would face each other again at WWE Battleground. Can Nakamura defeat the self proclaimed lone wolf? Will Corbin defeat the Japanese Rockstar and possibly cash in his Money In The Bank briefcase as well against the WWE World Heavyweight Champion?

- Mike Kanellis vs. Sami Zayn: Last month at WWE Money In The Bank, Mike and Maria Kanellis made their WWE debut. During their promo on Smackdown Live, Sami Zayn accidentally interrupted them, which upset Maria. Maria demanded an apology from Zayn for his intrusion and Zayn stated he apologized twice and wasn't apologizing again. Maria ended up slapping Zayn and then Mike busted a vase over Zayn's head. One week before WWE Battleground, Mike Kanellis defeated Zayn in a one on one match. Zayn would get another shot at Kanellis at WWE Battleground in a rematch. 

- Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English: Two months at WWE Backlash, Tye Dillinger defeated Aiden English on the Pre-Show. Five days before WWE Battleground it was announced that Dillinger and English would go one on one again on the WWE Battleground Pre-Show.

WWE Money In The Bank Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Here comes the money....here comes the money! WWE Money In The Bank was live at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Two Money In The Bank Ladder Matches and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match headlined this year's event, that belonged to Smackdown Live. Who walked out Mr. and Ms. Money In The Bank? Who walked out the WWE World Heavyweight Champion? Read on and find out the results for yourself!

** Money In The Bank Card **

- The Hype Bros. battled The Colons.
- Breezango battled The Ascension 
- WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Champions The Usos defended their titles against The New Day.
- WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion Naomi defended her title against Lana.
- WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jinder Mahal defended his title against St. Louis' own Randy Orton.
- Carmella, Becky Lynch, Charlotte, Nattie Neidhart and Tamina battled it out in the Women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match.
- AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura battled it out in the Men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match.

- Mike and Maria Kanellis make their WWE debut for Smackdown Live.

** Money In The Bank PreShow **

- Social Media Lounge Interview With The Usos: The Usos state that they really don't want to answer any fan questions but they were forced to. The Usos talk about wanting to face The Hardy Boys one day. 

- The Hype Bros. vs. The Colons: The match closes out with Epico working over Ryder's knee. Ryder lands a boot on Epico, but Epico drops Ryder and gets a near fall. Primo tags in, he and Epico double team Ryder and then Primo goes to work on Ryder's knee. Ryder hits a neck breaker and finally tags in Mojo. Mojo unloads on Primo and then hits the Hyper Drive for a near fall, as Epico breaks it up. Ryder is back in and attacks Epico. Ryder sends Epico into the corner and then hits the Broski Boot on him. Primo goes after Mojo, but misses and gets drilled into the mat by Mojo. Ryder tags in, hits the Rough Ryder and scores the pinfall.
Winners: The Hype Bros., by pinfall.

** Money In The Bank **

- "Women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match": Carmella vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte vs. Nattie Neidhart vs. Tamina: The match closes out with Charlotte taking Tamina outside and tossing her into the steel steps. Nattie goes after Charlotte's leg, but Charlotte kicks away Nattie and then goes to the top rope. Charlotte leaps and takes out Nattie and Tamina outside on the floor. Carmella climbs the ladder, going for the briefcase, but Becky power bombs Carmella off the ladder. Becky climbs the ladder, but James Ellsworth hits the ring and tips Becky off the ladder and into the ropes. Ellsworth tries to wake up Carmella, but it's not working.

Ellsworth climbs the ladder himself, grabs the briefcase and tosses it to Carmella, giving Carmella the victory. Ellsworth celebrates as The referees argue over the decision. Ellsworth steps in and argues back with the referees about the decision. Ellsworth grabs a microphone and announces Carmella the winner. Carmella and Ellsworth escape with the briefcase as there's still a huge controversy over the ending to the match.
Winner: Carmella, to become Ms. Money In The Bank.

- Backstage, Lana says everyone was lucky that she wasn't in the Money In The Bank Ladder Match. Lana then says she'll prove all the doubters wrong tonight when she becomes the new WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion.

- "WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship Match": The Usos (c) vs. The New Day: The match closes out with Kofi eating an Uso Kick as Big E tags in. Jey goes for the Uso Splash on Kofi, but Big E catches him in mid air and hits the Big Ending for a near fall, as Jimmy breaks it up. Woods gets on the apron with his trombone, distracts Jimmy and allows Big E to nail a clothesline. Big E goes for a spear, but The Usos hit double knees on Big E. Big E comes back and sends both Usos over the top rope and to the floor. Kofi tags in, climbs the ropes and flies out to the floor taking out both Usos. Back in the ring, New Day hit Midnight Hour on Jey, but Jimmy grabs Jey and pulls him to the floor before the pinfall. The Usos grab their titles and leave, taking the count out loss.
Winners: The New Day, by countout, The Usos retain the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship.

- Backstage, Bob Orton and Sgt. Slaughter are here to watch the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match.

- "WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship Match": Naomi (c) Lana: The match closes out with Lana landing knees to the back and then slams Naomi. Lana hits a suplex into the corner on Naomi and then another into the ropes. Lana attacks Naomi's knee and works it over. Naomi hits a Rear View on Lana and gets a near fall. Lana rolls to the floor and kicks Naomi in the face. Lana plants Naomi with a sitdown spinebuster and gets a near fall. Carmella and James Ellsworth suddenly arrive at ringside with the Money In The Bank briefcase and watch the match after faking a cash in. Lana unloads on Naomi and goes for her finisher again. Naomi counters out and traps Lana in a submission and gets the tap out win to retain her title. After the match, Carmella taunts Naomi and fakes another cash in until leaving with Ellsworth.
Winner: Naomi, by submission, to retain the WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship.

- Another edition of The Fashion Files shows Breezango being challenged by a mystery team.

- Mike and Maria Kanellis Promo: Formerly known as Mike Bennett from Impact Wrestling has arrived and is going by his wife's last name. Maria says that we are not seeing things, the first lady of the WWE is back after 7 years of searching for the perfect partner. Mike says she found him and now they're here to educate Smackdown Live on the power of love. Mike and Maria dance to end the segment.

- We get a shot of WWE Legends Greg Gagne, Larry Hennig, Baron Von Raschke, Sgt. Slaughter, Bob Orton and Ric Flair sitting in the crowd.

- "WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match": Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton: The match closes out with Orton hitting the RKO on Mahal, but one of The Singh Brothers put Mahal's foot on the ropes. The referee tosses The Singh Brothers from ringside. The Singh Brothers stare down the WWE Legends as they leave and stop and talk trash as the Legends mock them. The Singh Brothers grab Orton's dad Bob Orton, but Randy makes the save. Orton tosses one into the ring post and the other into the timekeepers area. Orton tosses a Singh brother into the barricade and then the other into the announcers table.

Orton hits the RKO on one Singh Brother on the floor and an RKO on the other through the announcers table. Orton gets back in the ring and gets laid out with the Cobra Clutch Slam by Mahal. Mahal covers, scores the pinfall and retains his title.
Winner: Jinder Mahal, by pinfall, to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

- Breezango vs. The Ascension: The match closes out with Breezango getting the quick win as Fandango gets the rollup pinfall.
Winners: Breezango, by pinfall.

- "Men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match": AJ Styles vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens: The match closes out with Nakamura hitting a boot on Ziggler and then hits a Kinshasa off the ropes on Ziggler. Nakamura hits another Kinshasa on Ziggler and then an exploder on Zayn. Nakamura hits a Kinshasa on Zayn and then grabs a ladder. Owens tries to stop Nakamura from grabbing the ladder, but Nakamura shoves the ladder into Owens and then hits a Kinshasa on Owens outside. Nakamura climbs the ladder where Styles meets him on the other side.

Nakamura and Styles shove the ladder aside and trade shots with each other. Nakamura locks in a submission and then hits an exploder on Styles. Styles counters the Kinshasa with a forearm to Nakamura. Styles climbs the ladder where Nakamura meets him and they trade shots at the top. Corbin runs in and shoves the ladder over sending Styles and Nakamura flying. Corbin climbs the ladder, grabs the briefcase and becomes Mr. Money In The Bank.
Winner: Baron Corbin, to become Mr. Money In The Bank.