Battleground 2015 Review

Despite Battleground's status as a B PPV, this year WWE pulled out all the stops to deliver a memorable show. Orton and Sheamus strung together one of their finer performances together, a minor Wyatt Family reunion helped defeat Roman Reigns, John Cena forced Kevin Owens to submit via the STF in his first high profile submission victory since Albert Del Rio at Night of Champions '11 and The Undertaker returned to cost Brock Lesnar his chance to regain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship subsequently allowing Seth Rollins to retain his title.

Although Battleground provided more questions than answers in the lead up to SummerSlam, all in all the show should be considered a success through a combination of good wrestling and storyline development.

Here is my review of Battleground:

King Barrett vs R Truth in the Battle of the Jobbers

The first match of Battleground got under way to determine who is the rightful owner of the crown Barrett rightfully won during the WWE Network's King of the Ring Special. R Truth, a man with the reputation of just "wanting to have a good time", began the match by doing exactly that before WWE ran an advert for Battleground half way through the Battleground pre-show.

Upon return, King took the opportunity to try some of his comedy stylings, even claiming his crown was better than both R Truth's paper crown and King Barrett's crown he won by achieving something Jerry 'The King' Lawlor could never do by winning King of the Ring. 'The King', acting like he had never seen Barrett's nose before, continued with his jokes whilst the action continued in the ring as Barrett kicked out of a scissor kick delivered by Truth. Barrett misses with the first Bull-Hammer before hitting the second for the three count finally ending the madness.

Winner: King Barrett
Prediction: King Barrett

Barrett keeps the crown and his title of King after defeating R Truth in a match that lasted slightly longer than the usual pre-show match up. Will this lead to better booking of King Barrett? Hopefully, although rumours continue to persist that Barrett will be dropping the King gimmick in favour of a return to the Bad News gimmick.

Randy Orton vs Sheamus

The obligatory WWE hype video preceded this match, referring to the arena as a modern day Colosseum. The first two gladiators in the WWE's Colosseum, Sheamus and Orton, begin the show underscored by the collective moans and groans of the audience with some mustering up the energy to ensure Sheamus understands just how stupid he looks. If it wasn't for Sheamus' hair he would be incredibly hard to detect in the ring, somehow he manages to get paler by the week.

The match spills out of the ring with Orton irish whipping Sheamus into the barricade whilst I can't help but feel this isn't the way to start a PPV particularly after last year's show stealing opener of The Wyatt Family vs The Usos (2 out of 3 falls). Sheamus continues to portray his modern gladiator schtick asking the fans if they are entertained, giving Orton the thumbs down before hitting White Noise for a two count. Sheamus makes his way to the top rope to perform a move he has never done before... oh what a surprise Orton chases him up before delivering a picture perfect Super-plex for only two. Orton stalks his prey before an attempted RKO  is reversed into a roll up for another close fall, Orton makes his way up to his feet before walking into a Brogue kick. Both men lay strewn across the ring, Sheamus finally makes it to his feet before locking in the Irish Clover Leaf. Orton struggles to the ropes and the hold is broken. Orton gets to his feet then BAM! Huge RKO outta nowhere to pick up the win.

Winner: Randy Orton
Prediction: Sheamus

At the beginning of the night, the thought of this match made me angry and want to break things. However, Orton and Sheamus put together a really solid match here which certainly proved me wrong. I was a little surprised to see Orton pick up the win due to Sheamus' position of MITB holder but perhaps there is even more to come from these two in the near future.

***1/2 Stars

Stephanie McMahon Backstage

The Stephanie McMahon face turn continues as the Executive Vice-President cut a baby face promo dropping the name of the city before alluding to the venue's historical importance before announcing a triple threat match for later in the show pitting one member of each new Diva faction, Team Paige, Team Bella and Team Ethnic, against one another.

Prime Time Players vs The New Day

The New Day emerge, mic in hand, professing the benefits of a positive mindset, claiming that they are winners already due to their attitude. The whole thing made me feel sorry for Bo Dallas who debuted this gimmick before The New Day. I can't help but feel that Bo could be a fantastic addition to The New Day as the guy that hangs around them all the time but nobody really likes him and i don't really understand why this has yet to materialise. Maybe it is due to  WWE's policy of grouping ethnic minorities together to form factions so Bo can't be friends with New Day despite having an almost identical gimmick.

Anyway, Kofi and Big E start the match for New Day with Xavier Woods mixing words of encouragement for The New Day whilst criticising the quality of Titus O Neil's moves. Woods continues to trash talk PTP, claiming O Neil has the worst leg drop ever before reminding Big E to pick up his suitcase because he is going to work. As the match approached the ten minute mark, Woods has yet to shut up. King suggests a mute button for Woods. Conversely, I suggest a mute button for King would be much more desirable. Woods finally gets his comeuppance as Young delivers a side slam to the ring apron before walking into a superkick by Kofi, attempted Trouble in Paradise dodged before Young hits the Gut Check on Kofi, who rolls out of the ring. Young tags O Neil back into the ring before he delivers the Clash of the Titus (they really are pushing this modern Colosseum stuff) to Big E to pick up the three count.

Winner: Prime Time Players
Prediction: Prime Time Players

Pretty standard tag-team match up here, nothing special, nothing insulting. Battleground has enjoyed a short history of fantastic tag team match ups with the likes of The Rhodes Brothers vs The Shield and The Wyatt Family vs The Usos which has not been added to here. I can't understand why a team with as little momentum as PTP were given the titles over The New Day who were ,a couple of months ago, one of the most over group of wrestlers on the show. Xavier Woods saves the match from being rated lower.

**3/4 Stars

Roman Reigns vs Bray Wyatt

Firstly, you gotta give credit to WWE's pre-match video promo guys. They have managed to transform weeks of uninspired drivel into a big match feel. Wyatt makes his way to the ring first up- and what an entrance it is. The fans are desperate to get behind a Wyatt monster push, every single person in the arena held up a light when he made his way to the ring. The commentators switch on to serious mode for this match with Michael Cole providing Reigns with the "he had it won" narrative. Cena-esque in all but appearance. JBL continues to build Reigns as an unpredictable hothead despite seemingly never altering his facial expression.

A man with a Kevin Owens shirt in the front row boos Roman, shock. The contest starts to heat up as Wyatt dodges a spear, Roman goes hurtling into the steps- remember, Roman, sell that shoulder.Wyatt backs Reigns into the corner before beginning the ten punches in the corner spot. Wyatt only reaches seven before Roman forgets about his injured shoulder and delivers a powerbomb. As with the majority of Roman Reigns' matches, the side headlock plays a prominent part in this match. Roman finally... finally... powers out of the side headlock to deliver another powerbomb before proceeding to cock his fist-gun to set up the Superman Punch, reversed into an attempted Sister Abigail which is again countered into a roll up before Roman connects with a Superman Punch for a two count. Roman lines up a spear but runs directly into a big right hand by Wyatt. Both men lay in the centre of the ring. Wyatt sits up into his signature spider taunt, heads to the outside of the ring and picks up two chairs before turning around into a big Superman Punch from Reigns. Roman tosses several chairs into the ring until a hooded figure delivered a big superkick to Roman causing him to stumble back into the ring before walking into the Sister Abigail for the three count.

Winner: Bray Wyatt
Prediction: Bray Wyatt

Wyatt kneels down in the centre of the ring and raises his arms to the heavens. The hooded figure enters the ring and reveals his identity to be Luke Harper, former member of the Wyatt Family, in one of the better booking decisions of the night. Although many will perceive this as WWE stacking the odds against Roman, providing him more obstacles to inevitably overcome at SummerSlam, I enjoyed how no one kicked out of his opponent's fishing move, making this one of the better matches of the night whilst developing the storyline.

***1/2 Stars

Sasha Banks vs Charlotte vs Brie mode

It is very easy to get carried away with all this talk of a 'revolution' in women's wrestling. Stephanie McMahon, Michael Cole, Tom Phillips, JBL and Renee Young all spoke extensively on the subject whilst Jerry 'The King' Lawlor eyeballs the woman, commenting on how beautiful everyone was. Come on, WWE. Surely it is not hard to see a problem here. If a 'revolution' in women's wrestling is to take place, WWE must first get rid of the outdated attitudes of The King whose comments range from seedy observations on the lack of clothing worn by the women to comments the most pervy of perverts would blush at.

The action heats up as the new NXT recruits, Charlotte and Sasha Banks, perform a suicide dive to the outside of the ring, taking out the majority of the Diva's division. A muffled This is Awesome chant briefly breaks out as the match stretched past the ten minute mark, a first in a long time for the women. Sasha Banks locks in the Bank Statement on Charlotte only to be broken up by Brie, who is subsequently knocked to the floor. Charlotte takes advantage and locks in the Figure 8 on Brie and it's all over.

Winner: Charlotte

Charlotte makes Brie tap in what must be the longest Diva's match in a long, long time. Clocking in at a whopping 11 minutes and 28 seconds, the match far surpassed anything the main roster Divas have achieved in the past year though not reaching the heights of certain NXT matches just yet. This is a good start to revolutionising the Diva's division but it is only that, a start. Don't buy into Stephanie McMahon's hyperbole just yet, there is still a long way to go.

*** Stars

Kevin Owens vs John Cena

One year ago to this very day, the wrestler formerly known as Kevin Steen faced Steve Corino for his last ever match in ROH. Today, Kevin Owens claims that he is going to win the US title from Cena in the third match of their epic trilogy. Big pop for Cena whose performances over the past couple of months have significantly reduced the "John Cena Sucks" chants to secondary to the cheers.

As the match begins, so too does Owens begin to mock Cena. Kevin Owens is seemingly attempting to resurrect the lost art of trash talking your opponent all by himself as he comments on the execution of his own moves. After performing a couple of shoulder tackles, Owens continues to mock Cena by giving him the big U CNT C ME before hitting the five knuckle shuffle. Owens takes this opportunity to ask Michael Cole if he is calling the match right, proving that not only does he share the appearance of a member of the IWC but also has the same concerns. Owens appears to have Cena well scouted as a spring-board stunner is reversed into a German suplex-not the first we will see tonight. Owens goes for the pin before Cena powers out to hit an AA for the first kick out at 2. Slowly getting to their feet, both competitors connect with multiple punches before Owens counters an attempted AA with a huge superkick followed by an AA of his own before locking the STF in. Cena eventually reaches the ropes before no selling his own submission manoeuvre and hitting an AA immediately after escaping the hold. Another kick out at two by Owens from a second AA.

Climbing to his feet whilst using Cena to balance, Owens lands some stiff punches before irish whipping Cena into the ropes for a pop up powerbomb. Kick out at two AGAIN! What a match! Owens goes up to the top rope looking for that moonsault but Cena gets to his feet quickly. Owens is stranded on the top rope, Cena lifts him over his shoulders for a huge AA from the second rope and HITS IT! That is it, surely gotta be over.... 1.... 2.... HOLY FUCK OWENS KICKED OUT!!! NO ONE EVER KICKS OUT OF THAT!! Cena, in shock, stands over Owens and a small package by Owens... NO FREAKING WAY.... kick out at two! Cena rolls out before locking in the STF. Smarks worldwide will Owens to continue, begging for him to reach the ropes... Owens so nearly reaches the ropes before being dragged back to the centre. No place for Owens to go as he taps out to Cena's STF, Cena's first high profile submission win since he defeated Alberto Del Rio in 2011.

Winner: CENAWINSLOL!
Prediction: Cena

HOLY FUCK! WHAT A MATCH!

Smark's new appreciation of Cena will stand a considerable test after that ending, though. Whilst not possessing the same intensity as the first two matches, the third match certainly delivered a shocking finale. I don't think many people would have anticipated Cena tapping out Owens here but that is what we got. Sure, I was pissed after the match but I still feel certain Owens wins the title at SummerSlam by pinning someone over than Cena in a triple threat. It was nice to see a male WWE wrestler pick up a victory with a submission even though it was Owens. A loss here for Owens does not make him look weak, instead only provides motivation to win that US title.

**** Stars

Seth Rollins vs Brock Lesnar

The night's main event saw a pissed off Beast seeking vengeance on Seth Rollins. Lesnar salivates in anticipation of finally getting his hands on Rollins, whose eyes never leave Lesnar's. The match has been going a total of a few seconds when Lesnar attempts the first German suplex which Rollins manages to escape from by hitting an elbow. Rollins isn't so lucky this time, though, as Lesnar delivers the first German. And a second. And a third. And a fourth. And so on until I lost interest and started thinking about the kayfabe reason Rollins is so wet all the time. Rollins finally falls outside the ring and grabs his WWE World Heavyweight Championship before deciding he has had enough, climbing over the barricade and into the crowd. Lesnar proceeds after him, hurdling the barrier, tossing Rollins back into the ring for more punishment. Lesnar goes for a sixth German but Rollins lands on his feet before hitting a superkick which barely makes an impression on Lesnar. Rollins follows up the superkick with numerous kicks to the hamstring looking to take Lesnar down. Rollins finally succeeds as the Beast rolls outside of the ring only to be hit with two consecutive suicide dives.

Lesnar, unperturbed by Rollins' brief offensive flurry, re-enters the ring to execute a seventh German. followed by an eighth. And ninth... And so on until the 13th. Heyman signals it's all over as Brock lift Rollins onto his shoulders to deliver the final blow. A huge F5 sends Rollins crashing to the mat then DONG! Lights out.

FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!

The Undertaker is here!!!

Undertaker stares down Lesnar in the ring with a look from beyond the grave. Lesnar is in awe, Heyman too. Rollins is so shocked he spontaneously combusted and is nowhere to be seen. Taker goes for the chokeslam but it is countered by Lesnar, who picks 'Taker up looking for an F5 but that too is reversed. Undertaker hits a low blow (and perhaps with it a heel turn). 'Taker picks up Lesnar for a TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER!!! The crowd lose their collective shit before pleading for one more, a request to which 'Taker obliges before he makes his way up the ramp to close the PPV 15 minutes early.

Winner: Brock Lesnar via DQ. Seth Rollins retains. 
Prediction: Seth Rollins retains

This match had potential to be match of the year. Rollins' athleticism vs Lesnar's power would have sure made for an interesting match up. It was not like that, though. Sadly, this match was no more than a glorified squash and only served to strengthen the position of Lesnar in the company. Rollins mounted next to no offence and took one hell of a beating, managing to look even less worthy as a champ than before. This was never meant to be Rollins' arrival, though. That will come when he eventually faces HHH.

In the end, the decision to have 'Taker interfere was the only option WWE had left. Clearly, they did not want Rollins vs Lesnar at SummerSlam ending in a shady finish and they clearly don't want to put the title on Lesnar at this time. Ergo, they needed someone to come and interfere in the match on the level of Lesnar and Undertaker is the only one who kind of makes sense. As for the Undertaker's motivations, well, they are pretty questionable. Imagine the impact of this if 'Taker stays away after the streak ends and makes his return here without appearing on WWE TV since the loss at 'Mania. Minor quibbles aside, I'm pleased 'Taker is back as there is certainly an unfinished story with Lesnar. Undertaker returning keeps Lesnar strong and Rollins chickenshit champ.

** Stars for the match
***** For Undertaker Returning.

Notes

• Only six matches on the card gave the matches some room to breathe. Less matches on the card translates into better story telling.
• The child in me will always love The Undertaker.
• Two out of the big three matches (Owens vs Cena, Reigns vs Wyatt and Lesnar vs Rollins) ended with interference. I expected it to be all three,
• Overall, this was an entertaining PPV which provided good wrestling whilst advancing story lines. I understand a lot of people's frustration  at the booking of the main event and Cena vs Owens but this show was always going to be a set up for SummerSlam.

Overall Rating 

*** 1/2