WWE Battleground Live Coverage & Discussion Thread

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WWE Championship
Randy Orton (c) vs Daniel Bryan

World Heavyweight Championship
Battleground Hardcore Rules Match
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Rob Van Dam

CM Punk vs. Ryback

Divas Championship
AJ Lee (c) vs. Brie Bella

Rhodes' Careers Are On The Line
The Shield vs. Cody Rhodes & Goldust (with Dusty Rhodes)

Bray Wyatt vs Kofi Kingston

Intercontinental Championship
Curtis Axel (c) vs R-Truth

Pre-Show: Damien Sandow vs. Dolph Ziggler.

The pre-game show opened with a panel of Josh Mathews, Tensai, Miz and Titus O'Neil discussing the main events. They sort of teased a Damien Sandow cash-in for tonight while discussing the pre-show match.

They did a deal asking fans to vote on the biggest Power Couple in WWE history.

They promoted the CM Punk vs. Ryback match with clips from Raw.

Paul Heyman cut a promo backstage saying that Punk had gathered 14,000 bullies in Buffalo to try and bully Ryback but Ryback would show them otherwise.

They announced the World title bout will kick off the PPV.

Damien Sandow vs. Dolph Ziggler

Sandow cut a promo saying that he would be watching the World title match closely later on and if it goes the way he expects it to, this may not be the last time we see him tonight, and for that, "You're welcome."

They locked up and Ziggler tried to work over Sandow's arm but was taken down to the mat and ground away by a side headlock. Ziggler came back with a dropkick as Sandow rebounded off the ropes.

Ziggler backdropped Sandow and hit his series of elbows. JBL called them the "Heartstopper" and Lawler responded, "Don't remind me." They went to commercial and when they returned, Ziggler went for a backslide but Sandow kicked out and nailed the Elbow of Disdain.

Ziggler sidestepped Sandow and tossed him to the outside. Sandow went to the top but was nailed as he came back into the ring. Sandow charged Ziggler but was sent into the buckles. Ziggler nailed the Stinger Splash and peppered him with fists in the corner.

Ziggler drilled Sandow with a neckbreaker and rebounded off the ropes for the Famouser. Sandow avoided it and drilled Ziggler for a two count. Sandow caught Ziggler with a rolling neckbreaker for a another two count. Ziggler came back with another Famouser for another two count.

They went back and forth until Ziggler, after going after a knee that Sandow hurt, nailed the Zig Zag for the pin.

Your winner, Dolph Ziggler!

OK match but nothing that really spotlighted either or made you want to order the show. It was OK and nothing more. Ziggler's momentum seems as far gone as Zack Ryder's.

El Torito showed up in the social media lounge to hit on Renee Young.

Edge and Lita won the Power Couple poll.

They aired clips to promote the Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan WWE title bout.

The panel all picked up Daniel Bryan to win the WWE title tonight.

They went off the air showing RVD and Alberto walking in the halls backstage like they were going to commercial before the next Raw segment.

Hardcore Rules: World champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Rob Van Dam (with Alberto Del Rio)

They went right into the crazy spots as RVD DDT'd Del Rio on a chair for a two count. Del Rio tossed RVD into the buckles and nailed a Backstabber for a two count. Del Rio drilled him across the back with the chair. The announcers discussed that they were both former Money in the Bank cash-in winners as a way to tease Damien Sandow could cash in tonight.

Van Dam fought back but was beaten down with a series of kicks to the back and face. He wedged a chair in the corner but was caught by RVD with a spinkick. Rob nailed a guillotine legdrop on ADR, who was draped over the apron.

RVD pulled a ladder out from under the ring, which garnered an "ECW" chant. Del Rio tried to stop him from bringing it into the ring but was fought off and nailed with a Ryder Kick off the ropes. RVD placed the ladder in the corner and sent ADR into it. Del Rio took a nasty spill over the top to the floor.

Van Dam brought Alberto into the ring for a two count. He whipped ADR into the ladder again, then nailed a spinkick. RVD went for his somersault into a monkey flip but ADR moved and Rob landed on the ladder. ADR nailed an enziguiri into RVD, who fell with the ladder landing atop of him.

With Van Dam down, ADR worked him over and mocked his thumb-posing routine. He brought a trash can into the ring and beat Van Dam with it over and over again. Del Rio came off the ropes with the can but RVD dropkicked it into him in mid-air.

They battled back and forth in the ring with ADR getting the better of the exchange. RVD ducked a clothesline and nailed one of his own. He placed a ladder on the mat in one of the corners. RVD slammed ADR on the ladder and went to the ropes for the split-legged moonsault. RVD nailed it and covered Del Rio for another two count.

Van Dam nailed several strikes and placed ADR on a ladder. He went for Rolling Thunder but ADR moved and RVD crashed and burned. ADR locked on the rolling armbar. Ricardo hit the ring and nailed Del Rio with the bucket he carries since there was no DQ. ADR went after him but RVD rolled him up for a two count. ADR tossed RVD out of the ring and began yelling at Ricardo, who was in the ring. Ricardo began acting upset like he was going to do whatever ADR wanted, then kicked him low and nailed ADR with the bucket.

ADR went to the floor. Ricardo followed but was nailed and kicked Ricardo. He flung him backwards into the barrier and kicked him hard in the face. ADR went to bring the ladder back into the ring but RVD nailed a sliding kick into it. ADR went down to the floor with the ladder atop him. Van Dam nailed the frog splash off the apron, hurting himself as he crushed the ladder into ADR.

Van Dam finally brought ADR into the ring and teased the Van Terminator. He went for it but Del Rio got out of the way at the last second. Van Dam cracked his head hard on the mat. Del Rio set up a chair but was caught with a jawbreaker. RVD went after him but was hit with a drop toehold into the chair. ADR kicked him in the head, then stomped RVD with the chair around his arm. He locked in the cross armbreaker and finally RVD tapped

Your winner and still World champion Alberto Del Rio!

A good opener, especially if you like plunder and crazy spots. There were some really, really stiff shots during this one. A lot of hard work in this one.

The Real Americans vs. Jack Swagger & Great Khali (with Hornswoggle)

Swagger controlled Santino early. They locked up and Swagger continued maintaining control. Santino escaped a hold and they did a comedy bit where he couldn't do a kip up. Santino pulled out the Cobra. Swagger retreated to the outside, where Hornswoggle had one as well.

Cesaro tagged in and wiped out Marella. He and Swagger tagged in and out, working over Santino. Marella finally makes the hot tag to Khali who nailed clotheslines on the Americans. Khali chops and elbows Cesaro in the corner.

Khali nailed the big chop on Santino but Swagger broke up the pin. Santino held Swagger for Khali to chop. Swagger went to the floor and Santino nailed a pescado to the floor.

Cesaro avoided a Khali charge inthe corner and took out his knee. He nailed the Cesaro swing, which was a hell of a sight, and covered Khali for the pin.

Your winners, The Real Americans!

It was all about building to the swing spot, which was pretty cool.

WWE Intercontinental champion Curtis Axel with Paul Heyman vs. R-Truth

Truth gained control early and scored several two counts. You could hear fans catcalling "Paulrus" at Heyman. Truth clotheslined Axel over the top to the floor. He followed Axel out and tossed him back in the ring, but was kicked hard into the guard rail as he tried to return to the ring. Axel drove him hard into the barriers back-first.

Back in the ring, Axel tried to score several pinfalls and ripped at Truth's face. Axel locked in a side headlocked and worked over. Truth came back with a nice looking leg lariat for a two count and followed up with a few clotheslines.

Truth missed the scissors kick but came back with a twisting sunset flip for a two count. Truth nailed the scissors kick and covered Axel for a two count. Truth nailed a gourdbuster for another two count. Axel came back with a hot shot into the buckles and nailed a neckbreaker for the pin.

Your winner and still Intercontinental champion, Curtis Axel!

Good, solid match. Axel looked good and Truth looked and worked the hardest he's worked in years. Enjoyable undercard match

WWE Divas Title Match: Brie Bella vs. AJ Lee
We go to the ring and out first comes The Bella Twins. WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee is out next with her hired muscle Tamina Snuka.

They talk trash after the bell and Brie slaps AJ. Brie unloads on AJ and takes her to the mat. AJ scrambles out of the ring to regroup but Brie follows her. Tamina gets in the way and won't let Brie to AJ. Brie chases AJ back into the ring, blocks her and gets a 2 count. Brie takes AJ to the corner with kicks and beats her down. Brie rams AJ back into another corner and keeps the offense coming. Brie with a dropkick off the second rope for a 2 count.

AJ turns things around and sends Brie out to the floor. AJ brings it back in the ring and covers for a 2 count. AJ keeps control and works on Brie's arm now. Brie fights back and they trade holds. AJ drops Brie with an armbreaker for a 2 count. AJ screams in frustration and pushes Brie back to the mat. AJ with knees to the back on the ropes now. AJ stomps away in the corner some more before showing off. She charges in the corner and misses. Brie tries for a comeback but AJ unloads on her arm. AJ with an armbar as Nikki Bella cheers her sister on from ringside. More back and forth action. AJ shows off and skips around the ring as the crowd pops. AJ turns around to a dropkick from Brie. Brie with a roll up. Brie with a clothesline and another dropkick, and another. Brie with a backbreaker over her knee for another 2 count. We see Tamina attacking Nikki at ringside. She shoves Nikki face first into the apron. This distracts Brie. Brie goes to save her sister but AJ rolls her up from behind for the win.

Winner: AJ Lee

- After the match, The Bellas check on each other as AJ and Tamina leave together. We go to replays.

- Renee Young is backstage with Cody Rhodes, Dusty Rhodes and Goldust. Dusty talks about family and being together. He says no matter what happens, they will leave Buffalo with their heads held high. Goldust says tonight, they will expose the Hounds of Justice for what they are - the authority's puppets. Cody puts over his dad and brother. He says there is no length he won't go to protect his family's future. Cody says tonight, they fight for their lives and their family.

Cody Rhodes and Goldust vs. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns

We go to the ring and our first comes The Shield. WWE Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns head to the ring with United States Champion Dean Ambrose. Out next comes Cody Rhodes and Goldust with their father Dusty, to his theme song. If Team Rhodes wins this one, Cody gets his job back with WWE and Dusty gets to keep his NXT job. If they lose, they're gone from WWE for good.

Cody starts things out with Rollins. Cody ducks and goes to work on Rollins, taking him to the corner. Reigns comes in and gets sent to the corner where Goldust gets some shots in. Goldust tags in and they double team Reigns but Rollins pulls him to safety. The Shield discuss strategy at ringside now. They walk towards Dusty at ringside and we get a 3 on 3 staredown. Goldust hits the ring and waits on Reigns. They go at it and trade shots. Goldust runs over Reigns and tags in Cody for a little double teaming. Rollins tags in and keeps Cody down in The Shield's corner.

Rhodes turns it around and takes Rollins to another corner for a beatdown. Rollins ducks a clothesline and sends Cody into the turnbuckle. Reigns comes in and runs over Cody with a shoulder. Reigns with a 2 count. Rollins comes in off the top with some double teaming as they keep Cody in their corner again. Cody looks to fight them both off but Rollins takes him to the top. A "we want Goldust" chant starts up. Cody fights Rollins and Reigns off. He nails a big moonsault on Rollins. Goldust and Reigns come in on tags. Goldust unloads and hits the big right hand. Goldust with an atomic drop and a kick to the face. Goldust mounts Reigns with right hands in the corner now. Reigns misses a splash in the corner. Goldust goes to the top and hits a big crossbody for a 2 count.

More back and forth. Goldust misses a clothesline and flies out to the ring in front of Rollins and Ambrose. Cody comes over to even things up. Rollins tosses Goldust into the barrier as the referee counts. Goldust makes it back in at the 9 count. 2 count by Rollins and the beatdown continues. Reigns tags in and they keep Goldust in their corner as Dusty looks on. Reigns keeps Goldust grounded with a headlock. Goldust finally fights out Reigns hits a big flying clothesline for another 2 count. Reigns drags Goldust back to their corner and tags in Rollins for more offense on Goldust. Goldust blocks a shot off the ropes and goes for a tag but it's blocked. Reigns tags back in. Another tag to Rollins. He runs the ropes but Goldust catches him in a big powerslam. Cody finally tags in and goes at it with Rollins with a springboard dropkick. Reigns goes down. More offense on Rollins.

Cody with an Alabama Slam and a 2 count on Rollins. Cody charges in the corner but Rollins blocks him. Cody with a muscle buster out of the corner. Cody covers for 2 as Reigns breaks the pin. Goldust takes out Reigns but Reigns hits Goldust and sends him to the floor. Cody with a Disaster Kick on Reigns. Cody clotheslines Reigns to the floor. Ambrose gets up but Cody knocks him off the apron. Ambrose distracts Cody, allowing Rollins to attack from behind. Dusty approaches Ambrose and throws his hat at him. Dusty hits a right hand and a bionic elbow on Ambrose. The crowd pops as Ambrose retreats from Dusty. Goldust stops Reigns from attacking Dusty on the floor. Rollins with a roll up on Cody for 2. Cody nails Cross Rhodes for the win.

Winners: Cody Rhodes and Goldust

- After the match, the Rhodes family celebrates in the ring as Dusty's music plays. Dusty gets to keep his job and Cody gets his job back. We go to replays. The Rhodes family ends up on the stage where a bunch of WWE agents and Superstars from the locker room come out to celebrate with them.

- We go back to Josh Mathews and the panel to talk about what has happened so far tonight.
- Backstage segment with Brad Maddox and Vickie Guerrero. Brad wants Vickie's help keeping things under control. Vickie says Triple H and Stephanie McMahon left Maddox in charge so this is all on him. She laughs at him and walks off.

Kofi Kingston vs. Bray Wyatt

We go to the ring and out first comes Kofi Kingston. The lights go out, Bray Wyatt lights the lantern and makes his way to the ring with Erick Rowan and Luke Harper.

Wyatt gets up from his rocking chair on the ramp and makes his way to the ring. Bray charges but Kofi strikes first with kicks. Bray laughs. Kofi with more offense but Bray catches his leg and sends him to the mat. Kofi comes right back and kicks Wyatt in the face from the corner. Kofi goes to the top but Bray knocks him down. Bray with a running splash in the corner. Wyatt with more offense and a 2 count. Bray beats Kofi down in the corner until the referee backs him off. Bray with a big clothesline.

Bray keeps Kofi grounded and yells out. Bray scoop slams Kofi and drops a big elbow for a 2 count. Kofi finally fights up and out but Bray scoops him. Kofi falls on top of Bray for a 1 count. Kofi springboards in but Wyatt catches him with a scoop slam for a 2 count. Kofi counters and drops Bray on his head. Kofi with chops and a dropkick. Kofi with a big right hand and the Boom Drop. Bray ducks Trouble In Paradise, runs the ropes and they collide in mid-air after a nasty Bray crossbody. Bray tries walking upside down like a spider but falls on his head. He ends up on the floor. Kofi runs the ropes and leaps out onto The Wyatt Family, taking them out. They come back in and Kofi keeps control. 2 count by Kofi. Kofi goes for a sunset flip but Wyatt hits him. Wyatt blocks SOS and nails Sister Abigail for the win.

Winner: Bray Wyatt

- After the match, Rowan scoops Kofi and drops him over his knee before throwing him into a clothesline from Harper. Wyatt takes the mic and says there is no right, there is no wrong. All that is left are the mannequins trying to force feed us what their ideas of purity are. Wyatt promises there will be none of them left in due time. One by one, they will fall. Follow the buzzards, he says. The Wyatt Family pose and the lights go out.

- We get a look back at Antonio Cesaro hitting the giant swing on The Great Khali earlier tonight.
- Their air a promo video for Ryback vs. CM Punk.

Ryback vs. CM Punk

We go to the ring and out first comes Ryback with Paul Heyman. CM Punk is out next to a big pop.

They lock up and go at it, going to the corner. Ryback talks trash and tells Punk let's fight. Fans chant for Punk. They lock up again and Ryback nails shoulder thrusts in the corner. Punk comes back with kicks and sends Ryback out to the floor. Ryback meets with Heyman for advice. Ryback goes back into the ring and Punk works him over. They end back up on the floor. Punk whips Ryback into the barrier. Punk goes on top of the barrier and leaps off but Ryback catches him. Punk counters and sends Ryback into the ring post. They come back in and Punk nails a crossbody from the top for a 2 count.

Punk with kicks until Ryback sends him face first into the turnbuckles. A "you can't wrestle" chant starts up. Ryback presses Punk from the top to the mat. Ryback slides Punk across the ring and into the bottom of the ring post. He works Punk over on the ring post some more before coming back in. Heyman looks on and smiles. "Goldberg" chant start up next. Ryback keeps Punk on the mat with a headlock now. Ryback with more offense including chops in the corner. Ryback stands on Punk's head as the referee counts.

Punk tries to make a comeback but Ryback runs over him. Ryback suplexes Punk and drops him on the top rope before kicking him to the apron. Ryback is still in control as he taunts Punk and slaps him around. Ryback with shoulder thrusts in the corner. Ryback with a 2 count as Heyman yells at ringside. Ryback with a body scissors on the mat now. Punk turns it around and unloads with elbows. Ryback charges but misses in the corner. He misses again and hits the ring post. Punk comes back with kicks. He ducks a clothesline and hits more offense on Ryback. Punk comes back with a swinging neckbreaker and calls for GTS. Heyman takes a mic at ringside and introduces himself, distracting Punk. Heyman brags about pinning Punk and says he's the best in the world. Punk turns around to Ryback running over him. Ryback nails a powerbomb for a close 2 count.

Ryback goes for 2 more pins but Punk kicks out. Heyman yells for another powerbomb. Ryback goes for it but Punk slides out and drops Ryback with part of a roundhouse kick. Punk with the high knee and the bulldog. Punk goes to the top and nails the big elbow drop for a 2 count. Punk with a big knee in the corner, and another as Heyman looks on. Punk misses the next high knee and Ryback grabs him in mid-air. Punk counters and takes Ryback down. Punk goes for GTS but Ryback fights out with elbows. Ryback with a big powerslam for a 2 count. Ryback works Punk over on the ropes now. Heyman pulls a kendo stick out from under the ring and the referee catches him. Punk takes advantage of the referee being distracted and hits a low blow on Ryback for the win.

Winner: CM Punk

Match for the Vacant WWE Title: Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton

In Demand has some technical difficulties but comes back to the vacant WWE Title sitting at ringside as the announcers hype the match. We go to the ring and our first comes Randy Orton to a big pop. Daniel Bryan is out next to a huge pop from Buffalo.

They lock up and go at it. Bryan takes Orton to the mat first and they trade holds. Bryan with a pin attempt. More back and forth with them trading holds. Orton drops Bryan with a shoulder. More back and forth with holds on the mat. Bryan unloads on Orton with forearms on the mat while he has him in a submission. Bryan with kicks in the corner now. Bryan climbs up for a superplex but Orton crotches him on the top rope. Orton clotheslines Bryan off the rope and Bryan falls on his head. Orton with a 2 count.

Orton turns it around and mounts Bryan in the corner with right hands. Orton keeps control and works Bryan over in the corner. Orton runs into a big boot but catches Bryan with a powerslam for 2. Orton with a slingshot suplex for a 2 count. Orton ends up on the floor and Bryan leaps out with a suicide dive. Bryan with kicks up against the barrier. Bryan whips Orton hard into the barrier and follows up with a big dropkick. Bryan goes up top but Orton catches him in a powerbomb for a 2 count. Orton with a Boston crab now.

Bryan crawls for the ropes but Orton pulls him back to the center of the ring. Bryan turns the crab into a 2 count. Bryan goes for the Yes Lock but Orton makes it to the ropes. Bryan slides out of the ring but Orton counters and sends him into the steps. Orton pulls Bryan's shoulder into the ring post as the referee counts. Orton back drops Bryan over the barrier and drops him on the floor. They come back in at 9 and Orton covers for 2. Orton takes Bryan back to the top for a superplex. Bryan headbutts Orton back to the mat. Orton goes right back and crotches Bryan on the top. Orton climbs back up and nails the superplex.

They get up and go at it, trading shots in the middle of the ring. They trade uppercuts as the crowd chants now. Bryan backslides Orton for a 2 count. Bryan drops Orton with a kick to the head for a 2 count. Bryan tries to suplex Orton in from the apron but Orton counters and suplexes Bryan hard out to the floor. Orton takes apart the Spanish announcers table. Orton goes to powerbomb Bryan through it but Bryan slides out and unloads with kicks. Bryan sends Orton into the steel steps. Bryan climbs to the top and leaps out onto Orton and the floor. Orton goes down and Bryan brings them back in the ring. Bryan climbs to the top and nails the big headbutt for a 2 count. Bryan with a big dropkick in the corner, and another. Bryan hits two more dropkicks in the corner and Orton goes down. The 5th running dropkick is a low one. Fans start chanting "yes!" as Bryan gets pumped up. Bryan with kicks to the chest as Orton is on his knees. Orton blocks the roundhouse kick and suplexes Bryan over his head.

Orton nails the second rope draping DDT and readies for the RKO. The crowd is into this one and ready for the finish. Orton mocks Bryan and hits the mat. Bryan blocks the RKO. Orton ducks a kick and rolls Bryan up for 2. Bryan counters and applies the Yes Lock. Big Show's music hits and out he comes running to the ring. Show pulls the referee to the floor as the crowd boos. Bryan breaks the hold and looks at Show in shock. Bryan asks Show what he's doing. Show responds with a knockout punch through the ropes. A "you sold out" chant breaks out. Brad Maddox appears on the stage and calls out referee Scott Armstrong. He comes in to count the pin but Show pulls him out of the ring. Show knocks out Armstrong with a punch. Show enters the ring and has words with Orton. Show drops Orton with a knockout punch. Show gets hype and the crowd goes nuts as Maddox looks on in shock. Show's music hits as he hits the turnbuckles to pose for fans. Battleground goes off the air with Orton and Bryan still down.