WWE Battleground 2015.

This event was broadcast live on the WWE Network on Sunday July 19^th, 2015.

1) Randy Orton pinned Sheamus.

The opening contest was physical as you’d expect from these two. Nothing extraordinary but still a solid effort with plenty of signature moves and counters. In the final moments, Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick but didn’t make the cover. He applied the Cloverleaf but Orton made it to the ropes and hit a classic “RKO out of nowhere!” for a hometown victory.

2) Tag Team Championship.
Prime Time Players beat New Day.

My partner and I don’t like the Prime Time Players new trunks. Copper with blue stars, seriously they are horrible. The match was decent, if slightly formulaic. Darren Young took most of the heat and Titus received a hot tag and won with the spinebuster. I like both teams but don’t want to see round three at Summerslam. 

3) Bray Wyatt defeated Roman Reigns.

Wyatt dominated early on and Reigns lacked his usual intensity. Was Roman selling the storyline mind games or is his offence becoming stale? Hard to tell but the quality improved throughout 20 minutes of good action. Neither could afford to lose clean. Luke Harper’s interference in disguise was the reasonable solution and Bray hit Sister Abigail for the win.

4) Triple threat match.
Charlotte beat Brie Bella and Sasha Banks via submission.

Finally some new faces in the ladies division! I’ve been waiting for a change since blogging my concerns in the Payback review (back in May). Charlotte, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch made their RAW debut before this show. Overall, an entertaining triple threat that effectively introduced Charlotte and ‘The Boss’ to viewers who don’t watch NXT. Charlotte won with the painful looking figure-eight.

5) United States Championship.
John Cena defeated Kevin Owens via submission.

Cena/Owens III began quickly compared to their two epics at Elimination Chamber and Money in the Bank. Due to familiarity, most near falls lost their impact and it couldn’t match the high standard set by those former wars of attrition. Regardless, this was hopefully a conclusive blow off to their feud helped along by new counter moves. Wrestling done right makes the loser look good. Owens was unbelievably strong in defeat so this trilogy can certainly be considered a success. The follow up will be interesting.

Short promo before main event.

Miz insulted the crowd and said he should be awarded the title if Ryback is injured. Big Show came out and hit Miz with a KO punch. Not bad, it keeps the Intercontinental storyline going.

6) WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Seth Rollins vs. Brock Lesnar (non-finish).

It was great to see Lesnar get his hands on Rollins. ‘The Beast’ sent Seth to ‘Suplex City’ thirteen times. He was about to become champion with an F5 when the lights went out accompanied by a gong. Lights back on and Undertaker was standing in the ring. ‘The Dead Man’ kicked Lesnar low and hit a choke slam and two tombstones before walking up the stage for an inconclusive finish.

Judged as an individual event, the Undertaker interaction with Lesnar at Battleground was an unsatisfying ending. However, their wild pull-apart brawl the following night on RAW was a highlight of the year made this development more than worthwhile.

See you next time wrestling fans.