WWE Battleground Results
July 23, 2017
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
OWW Staff
Aiden English def. Tye Dillinger during the kickoff show.
A video package opens the show focusing on John Cena vs. Rusev and Jinder Mahal defending the WWE Championship against Randy Orton inside a Punjabi Prison.
The video package also looks at the five way women’s match with the winner advancing to SummerSlam to face Naomi for the WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship.
A graphic opening hits. We go live inside the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Tom Phillips is the first to welcome us to the show tonight. We get a look at the Punjabi Prison hanging above the ring for tonight’s main event.
The New Day is out first to kick off the show tonight.
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championships
The Usos (c’s) vs. The New Day
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods will represent New Day in the ring tonight.
We start with Kofi Kingston and Jey Uso. Kofi tags out quick, kicks Jey in the face and Woods with a drop down clothesline, Kofi with a splash and Woods with a elbow drop for a two count. Jimmy holds Woods in the rope and Jey tags out as he kicks away at Woods. Jimmy throws an uppercut and tags Jey back in. Jey catches Kofi with a kick to the face. Jimmy with the tag and headbutts Woods to the corner. Jimmy with a splash in the corner to Woods. Jey with a cheap shot kick from the ring apron and gets the tag. Jey is up top with fists to the chest off jumping off to Woods. Jey props Woods up top and throws chops. Woods knocks Jey off and catches him with a missile dropkick from the top rope. Hot tags to Kofi and Jimmy. Kofi with leaping shots to Jimmy including a dropkick. Kofi with a jumping stomp to Jey when he charges in. Kofi with a Boom Drop over Jimmy. Kofi kicks Jey in the face and then dumps Jimmy over the top rope. Tag to Woods as Kofi goes up top, jumps and takes out both Usos with a trust fall. The Usos catch Kofi and powerbomb him to the floor. Woods jumps off and eats an uppercut from The Usos. The referee is starting the count. Jimmy tosses Woods back inside the ring. Woods with a reverse sunset flip for a two count on Jimmy. Jimmy drives Woods back first into the corner and tags in Jey. The Usos with a double samoan drop on Woods for a two count. Woods catches Jey with an elbow. Jey with a right hand and tags in Jimmy. Woods takes out Jimmy and Jey with kicks and a trip. Jimmy catches Woods with a superkick when Jey moves out of the way! Jimmy with a single leg Boston Crab on Woods. Woods is reaching. Jimmy pulls Woods out to the middle of the ring and applies more pressure. Big E is firing up Woods on the outside. Woods is reaching and gets to the bottom rope to break it up. Kofi with a stomp on Jimmy off the top rope with Woods holding him over his knee after a tag for a very close two count. Jimmy with a superkick to Kofi. Tag to Jey who comes off the top rope. Kofi kicks out. Tag to Jimmy as both Jimmy and Jey go up top on opposite corners. Woods knocks Jey off. Jimmy misses a splash off the top. Tag to Woods. Woods is back up. Trouble in Paradise to Jimmy. Woods connects with his flying elbow off the top. New Day gets the win!
Winners and new WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions: The New Day
Backstage, WWE United States Champion AJ Styles is warming up.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin
Nakamura with shots early to Corbin. Corbin with knees to Nakamura in the corner. Nakamura with quick leg kicks and elbows. Corbin with stops to Nakamura when he returns to the ring. Corbin with more knees, but Nakamura counters a scoop slam attempt into a triangle choke. Corbin breaks free and levels Nakamura with a big boot. On the outside, Corbin drives Nakamura back first into the ring barricade. Corbin yells at the booing Philadelphia crowd, “I’m doing pretty good dummies!” Corbin with a bear hug on Nakamura, drives Nakamura into the corner and keeps it locked in. Nakamura catches Corbin with a spinning kick to the head. Nakamura with kicks to the chest of Corbin. Nakamura with a right kick and dropkick off the ropes. Nakamura has Corbin propped up in the corner and lands two big high knees. Corbin with his slide out/slide back in clothesline on Nakamura. Nakamura is throwing huge knees at Corbin. Nakamura plants Corbin face first on the mat and backs up in the corner. Corbin with Deep Six on Nakamura for a two count. Nakamura and Corbin exchange shots. Nakamura catches Corbin with a spin kick off the ropes. Nakamura drops a leg over the back of Corbin’s neck and tries to fire up the crowd in Philly. Corbin stays down as Nakamura fires up in the corner. Nakamura goes to pick up Corbin. Corbin with a low blow. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner via DQ: Shinsuke Nakamura
After the match, we see a shot of Baron Corbin smiling. Corbin rolls out and grabs his “Money in the Bank” briefcase. Corbin then slides back inside the ring and hits End of Days on Nakamura. Corbin exits the ring and heads to the back with his briefcase.
A promo for SummerSlam in Brooklyn next month is shown.
Backstage, Kevin Owens is warming up for his match with AJ Styles tonight.
Five Way Elimination Match
Winner advances to SummerSlam to face Naomi
Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Natalya vs. Tamina vs. Lana
WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion Naomi heads to the ring. She will join Tom Phillips, JBL and Byron Saxton on commentary tonight for this match.
Lana with a big low kick to Charlotte early. Charlotte chops away at Lana in the corner as more brawling breaks out. Natalya with a roll up early on Charlotte for a two count. Tamina tosses Becky into Charlotte. Lana trips up Becky from the outside and launches her into the announce table at ringside. Lana with a kick to Natalya and pulls her out. Lana and Tamina team up taking shots at Charlotte. Lana catches Charlotte with a kick when Tamina holds her back. Tamina plants Charlotte with a quick suplex. Tamina and Lana kick away at Charlotte in the corner. Becky is back in throwing elbows at Lana. Charlotte and Becky with double exploders on Tamina and Lana. Charlotte with a reverse neckbreaker on Becky right as Natalya jumps back in with a low dropkick for another two count. Becky with kicks to Natalya followed by an exploder. Becky with another exploder to Lana. Tamina avoids an exploder and connects with a superkick. Tamina with a samoan drop on Natalya. Charlotte clotheslines Tamina, runs over and goes for a Figure Four that Natalya counters into a roll up for a two count. Natalya gets the Sharpshooter on Charlotte. Lana breaks it up. Lana covers Charlotte and gets a two count. Becky with an armbar on Lana. Tamina with a big superkick to Becky and a samoan drop. Tamina tackles Charlotte through the ropes. Lana is left alone with Becky, goes for a cover and Becky counters into an armbar. Tamina again breaks it up. Becky gets an armbar on Tamina. Tamina taps.
Tamina is eliminated.
Becky gets Lana down in the armbar. Lana taps out.
Lana is eliminated.
Natalya with a roll up on Becky Lynch for the pinfall.
Becky Lynch is eliminated.
Charlotte with a big boot on Natalya and Natalya kicks out. Charlotte goes for the Figure Four again and Natalya counters into a submission. Charlotte lifts Natalya up to her shoulders and powerbombs her down to the mat for a two count. Natalya gets her knees up when Charlotte connects with a moonsault off the top rope. Natalya tosses Charlotte into the corner and Charlotte’s neck hits with a thud. Natalya covers for the win.
Winner and new No. 1 Contender: Natalya
After the match, WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion Naomi gets in the ring and offers to shake her hand to congratulate her. Natalya blows her off and leaves the ring.
A video package runs hyping AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens tonight.
WWE United States Championship
AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens
We get ring introductions for the champion AJ Styles and challenger Kevin Owens.
Owens with a kick and knees early to Styles. Styles with an arm drag on Owens spinning and hanging onto the arm of Owens. Owens pulls out the leg of Styles and trips him up. Styles pulls Owens down on the mat using his legs real quick. Owens catches Styles with a big elbow and Styles follows up with a big dropkick! On the outside, Styles sends Owens into the ring barricade with an irish whip. Styles misses a dive to Owens. Owens sends Styles crotch first into the steel ring post. Back inside, Owens with a senton splash for a two count. Owens with a headlock applied on Styles to keep him grounded. Owens plants Styles with a quick DDT, gets a two count and goes right back to the grounded headlock. Styles catches Owens with a flying forearm off the ropes. Styles with his front face suplex and rolls over into a two count on Owens. Styles with his fireman’s carry neckbreaker for another two count on Owens. Owens gets his knees up when Styles connects with his springboard 450 splash. Owens connects with his cannonball in the corner on Styles and gets a two count off a pinfall attempt. Styles with a torture rack and drops Owens down. Owens crotches Styles up on the top turnbuckle hitting the ropes. Styles with an elbow, springboards up, Owens slides out, Styles jumps back down and Owens takes out the legs of Styles immediately. Styles is favoring his left shoulder as Owens drops his knees over it. Referee bump when Owens tosses Styles to the corner and Styles catches the referee. Styles avoids a Pop Up Powerbomb and gets Owens down in the Calf Crusher. Owens rolls through and gets the Crossface applied. Styles counters into a Crossface of his own. Owens turns Styles over to his shoulders. The referee counts the pinfall.
Winner and new WWE United States Champion: Kevin Owens
After the match, AJ Styles sits up and can’t believe it. Kevin Owens rolls out and leans over the announce table grabbing the WWE United States Championship.
Backstage, Jinder Mahal is with The Singh Brothers. Mahal will make sure the Punjabi Prison is the final resting place of Randy Orton’s legacy.
A video package runs hyping John Cena vs. Rusev.
Flag Match
John Cena vs. Rusev
Rusev goes for the Bulgarian flag early and Cena cuts him off with a headlock. Rusev with a big splash to Cena in the corner. Cena is back up and cuts off Rusev up top near the Bulgarian flag. Cena with a bulldog on Rusev from the top rope. Rusev with an electric chair drop on Cena and kicks away at Cena afterwards. Rusev levels Cena with a clothesline. Rusev with another charge to Cena in the corner. Cena again cuts off Rusev on the top turnbuckle, but Rusev is kicking back at Cena. Cena plants Rusev with his twisting powerbomb. Cena drops his Five Knuckle Shuffle over Rusev. Rusev with a spinebuster. Rusev gets up on the top turnbuckle and Cena throws fists at his knees. Cena is throwing rights at Rusev against the flag post. Rusev falls back to the ring. Cena goes for a flying leg drop, but Rusev counters catching Cena and planting him with a powerbomb. Rusev has the Bulgarian flag and is climbing down. Cena levels Rusev with a dropkick. Cena with an AA on Rusev. Cena is climbing up top and Rusev pulls him down to his shoulders. Cena with a counter and gets the STF applied on Rusev. Rusev is tapping out, but it doesn’t matter. Cena breaks the hold and goes up to grab the American flag. When he jumps back down, Rusev catches him with a superkick and Cena is down. Rusev has the Bulgarian flag in hand and is heading towards the entrance area. Cena dives off the ring apron and takes out Rusev. Cena sends Rusev shoulder first into the steel ring steps. Cena dives back inside the ring and grabs the American flag. Rusev cuts off Cena. Rusev grabs part of the steel steps and launches it at Cena. Cena is back up and throws Rusev face first into the LED walls in the entrance area. Rusev with a fallaway slam on the entrance ramp on Cena. Rusev grabs a nearby table and sets it up near the American stairs. Rusev grabs a second table and sets it up right nearby. Rusev tosses Cena face first off the American stairs a few times, walks up and drags Cena with him. Cena tosses Rusev off the stairs. Cena has the American flag. Cena and Rusev exchange right hands and hit a double clothesline. Cena is crawling with the American flag in hand. Rusev grabs the flag stand and hits Cena with it. Rusev applies The Accolade on Cena. Rusev drops Cena with a big kick. Cena has Rusev up, walks up the steps and drops Rusev with an AA over the tables. Cena grabs the American flag and puts it inside the flag stand to get the win.
Winner: John Cena
A new Fashion Files airs with Breezango. The Ascension walks up and claims it was them who attacked Breezango weeks ago. Fandango points out Ascension wasn’t at Smackdown Live last week. The lights go out and we hear brawling. Fandango turns on a flashlight and Tyler Breeze is knocked out. Fandango is then knocked over and dragged away.
Mike Kanellis w/ Maria Kanellis vs. Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn with a tackle and right hands to Mike Kanellis early. Sami with a head scissors takedown on Mike. Sami with rights and chops to Mike. Sami clotheslines Mike over the top rope. Maria is yelling at Sami from the outside causing a distraction. This allows Mike to land a big right hand to Sami when he jumps out. They rub noses together over Sami. Mike tosses Sami back in and gets in some quick stomps. Mike blows a kiss at Maria and she catches it. Sami with big chops to Mike. Mike with big corner clotheslines to Sami and follows it up with a big boot for a two count. Mike and Maria share a kiss through the ropes. Sami with clotheslines to Mike followed by a high back body drop. Sami tosses Mike over the top rope. Sami with a dive over the top rope taking out Mike. Sami connects with a cross body off the top rope for a close two count. Sami with a corner springboard tornado DDT. Maria is in when Sami is going for an exploder to block it. Maria leaves and Sami counters giving Mike an exploder to the corner. Sami with his Helluva Kick for the win.
Winner: Sami Zayn
The Punjabi Prison is lowering around the ring.
A video package runs hyping Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton tonight.
WWE Championship
Punjabi Prison Match
Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton
After Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton enter the first part of the prison, the second part of the structure lowers around it and we get ring introductions for both.
The bell rings and Orton goes after Mahal right away throwing right hands. It’s really hard to see through the structure. Mahal drops Orton with an elbow and calls for the door to be opened. Mahal has 60 seconds and Orton cuts him off. Orton is now trying to escape and Mahal cuts him off. Orton sends Mahal face first into the bamboo wall. Mahal is holding the ankle of Orton to prevent him from crawling out. Time expires and it closes. That door is now shut for good with three doors remaining.
Mahal is working over the left arm of Orton dropping knees. Mahal keeps working the left arm of Orton applying pressure. Mahal calls for the second door to be opened. Orton with a fallaway slam on Mahal as the time expires. Orton is kicking the face and chest of Mahal. Orton is holding the ropes. Mahal lifts up Orton and slams him back down hard. Mahal is going for the door and Orton cuts him off. Time expires and the door is now locked.
Orton sends Mahal face first into the bamboo again inside the ring. Mahal jumps up on the bamboo wall and begins climbing. Orton jumps up to cut him off. Orton pulls away at the leg of Mahal and Mahal crotches himself on the top rope. Orton tosses Mahal back first against the bamboo wall. Mahal avoids Orton’s DDT through the ropes and instead tosses Orton back first into the bamboo wall. Mahal with jumping forearms to Orton. Orton with a suplex on Mahal into the wall of the bamboo wall. Orton with a second suplex on Mahal into the bamboo wall. Orton is calling for the third door to be opened. Time expires as he throws elbows and right hands to Mahal. Orton is applying a sleeper on Mahal to try and keep Mahal from crawling through the open door. Orton with an uppercut that drops Mahal. Mahal cuts off Orton from crawling out. Time expires. The third door is now locked.
Orton and Mahal are staring each other down. Philadelphia crowd is getting a bit hostile. Orton catches Mahal with a powerslam favoring his left shoulder. Orton with his DDT off the ropes on Mahal. Mahal with a jumping knee countering an RKO attempt by Orton. The fourth door is now open and time is expiring. Orton counters Mahal and connects with an RKO out of no where. The Singh Brothers crawl out from under the ring and pull Mahal out of the ring. Time expires and the door must be closed and locked.
Orton is climbing up the first bamboo wall, while Mahal is climbing the second bamboo wall that leads to the floor. Orton climbs over and reaches the outer structure with Mahal. Mahal and Orton are exchanging headbutts. Orton with more headbutts landing and sending Mahal face first into the bamboo wall structure. Mahal falls off the structure. The Singh Brothers are grabbing Orton and pulling him down. They get Orton down and stomp away at Orton. Mahal with a big kick to the face of Orton with help from The Singh Brothers. Mahal is climbing up the bamboo wall. The Singh Brothers are holding Orton back. Orton is fighting them off including a big suplex to one brother on the floor. Orton hooks the ankle of Mahal on the wall pulling him down. Orton sends Mahal shoulder first into the wall. He grabs another Singh brother and hits a suplex to the floor. Orton launches another brother into the bamboo wall. Mahal has a kendo stick and starts cracking it against the body of Orton. Orton is backing Mahal back first into the wall. Orton grabs the kendo stick and starts cracking it across the arm and back of Mahal. Orton cracks away at The Singh Brothers at ringside as well when they run up. We can see the marks on Orton’s back from the kendo stick. One of the Singh Brothers crawls up on the other side of the wall and is trying to contain Orton. Orton with right hands. Orton with a third right and the brother falls off the wall crashing through an announce table below! Orton is kicking away at Mahal who is now up on the bamboo wall. Orton with headbutts to Mahal. They drop back down near the wall. Orton with a DDT to Mahal on the floor. Orton finds a steel chair under the ring. He cracks it over the back of the other Singh brother still at ringside. Orton hits Mahal in the gut and then over the back with the steel chair. Orton is climbing up the bamboo wall facing the entrance ramp when the other Singh brother tries to cut him off. Orton kicks him away. Orton is climbing up the wall when Jinder Mahal’s music plays.
The Great Khali walks out! Khali walks up to the wall and starts shaking it. Orton is hanging on. Khali climbs up the wall and starts choking Orton.
Mahal is climbing up the wall, gets over and climbs down to retain.
Winner and still WWE Champion: Jinder Mahal
Quick Match Results:
* The New Day def. The Usos to become the new Smackdown Tag Team Champions
* Shinsuke Nakamura def. Baron Corbin via DQ
* Natalya won the Five Way Elimination to become No. 1 Contender for the Smackdown Women’s Championship against Naomi at SummerSlam
* Kevin Owens def. AJ Styles to become the new WWE United States Champion
* John Cena def. Rusev in a flag match
* Sami Zayn def. Mike Kanellis
* Jinder Mahal def. Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison to retain the WWE Championship