WWE Battleground
Location: St. Louis, MO
Date: July 19, 2015
Commentators: Michael Cole, JBL, and Jerry Lawler
Renee Young welcomes us to the Scottrade Center as fans file into the arena. She is joined by panelists Booker T, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton. Corey tells us to use #WWEBattleground to join the conversation on social media.
Tom Phillips is in the Social Media Lounge. He announces that Paul Heyman will be joining him later on during the Kickoff. Use #AskPaulHeyman to send in questions. He also brings up the news that Ryback suffered an injury earlier this week, and shares some of Ryback’s tweets. Tom notes that the Intercontinental Championship will not be defended tonight. A tweet from The Miz is also shown, in which Miz claims that Ryback is scared to lose the title, so he made up an excuse.
Back at the panel, they preview the card. A promo package detailing the feud between John Cena and Kevin Owens airs. Byron says that tonight’s match will do the previous two, which is saying a lot. He says that Owens lost the NXT Championship, and his plans during the US Open Challenge haven’t worked out, so his confidence may just be a facade. Booker says he’s destined to be champion, but he’s going up against John Cena. Nobody’s defended it like him. Corey says Owens is a man possessed. He needs this title tonight. Owens picks Cena to win. Booker picks Cena. Byron picks Cena as well.
The conversation shifts to Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt. A promo detailing the beginnings of their feud at Money in the Bank airs, then Renee asks the panel what they expect from the match. Booker says he wants to know what’s going on in Bray Wyatt’s mind. Renee introduces a clip from Michael Cole’s interview with Bray Wyatt on that subject. In the interview, Bray says he has to victimize the world. He could give a million definitions as to who Bray Wyatt is, because he has 1000 names, but the truth is that he is no one. Back at the panel, Renee asks what that means. Byron says we’ve all been in a situation in which someone doesn’t want you to achieve your dreams, and Roman is going through that with Bray. Earlier, Roman said that he’s going to beat Bray, but he doesn’t know if that will be enough. Corey says he’s been effective with mind games, but tonight, there’s going to be a fight. Booker says that Bray’s mission is all about gaining control of WWE.
Backstage, Eden Stiles is with R-Truth. He asks her what’s up. He notes that he’s “King What’s Up?” tonight. Eden notes that Barrett said that he would make him bow down tonight. R-Truth gives her the royal scoop. He may walk around with tinfoil crowns and use a plunger as a scepter, but he knows what he’s doing. Barrett says he worked so hard to be a king, but he busted his butt to be where he is too. Truth’s beaten Barrett before. He can’t wait to see Barrett’s face when he sees a man with a plunger celebrating beating him.
Back at the panel, they review the feud between Randy Orton and Sheamus. Renee notes that Randy will be receiving a lot of love from his hometown crowd tonight. Byron notes, however, that Sheamus has been on a roll since winning Money in the Bank. Corey says the crowd support will lead Orton to victory. Renee asks who has more to prove tonight. Byron says both have plenty to prove. Booker says that nobody wants to lose in their own hometown. The Viper’s going to strike tonight. Renee announces that Randy Orton vs. Sheamus will open the show tonight.
The conversation moves to The Prime Time Players vs. The New Day for the WWE Tag Team Championship. Byron remembers Darren Young and Titus O’Neil all the way back on NXT, and Booker notes how much they’ve improved since then. Corey says that The Prime Time Players proved that The New Day is fallible. Renee asks if The New Day will use the Freebird rule tonight. Booker says he didn’t expect The New Day to become such marquee names in WWE, and they proved him wrong. They start a New Day clap, and The New Day shows up at the panel. They coach Byron and all do the clap together. Xavier says that tonight, he’s going to put The Prime Time Players to rest. They’re going to down tonight. Corey notes that they won at the last pay-per-view, so why will tonight be different? The New Day gets offended and starts making fun of Corey.
Michael Cole, JBL and Jerry Lawler are at ringside. Cole asks Lawler who has the edge tonight. Lawler doesn’t know, but he’ll say that it’s good to be the king. They both want to be the only king in WWE, and he’d love to see King What’s Up win tonight as he makes his way to the ring. R-Truth then puts the crown onto his head and asks “the Kingdom of St. Louis” to make some noise. King Barrett makes his way to the ring next.
“Battle For The Crown” match: King Barrett vs. King What’s Up?
Truth performed his song coming out, then put his tin foil crown on. Truth did a quick promo playing to the crowd. They were into him.
They locked up and Barrett drilled Barrett in the ribs with a right hand. Truth fired back with a series of shots to the mid-section and hit a splash in the corner. He scored a one count after a snapmare and cinched in a front facelock.
Barrett escaped and drilled him with elbows. Truth came back with a forward roll for a two count. Barrett tried to nail him with an elbow but missed. He went to the outside but Truth nailed a slingshot pescado to the floor. Barrett rebounded with an elbow and snapped Truth’s throat on the ropes for a two count.
Barrett worked over Truth as they faded out for a promo for tonight’s PPV. Since they are airing the PPV Kickoff show online and not just the Network, I can forgive this, although it’s annoying. When we returned, Truth was fighting out of a surfboard variation. They battled back and forth with Barrett getting the better of the exchange.
Truth came back with a clothesline and a missile dropkick for a two count. Truth went for a suplex but Barrett slipped out and caught him with the Winds of Change (Black Hole Slam) for a two count. Barrett went for the Bull Hammer but Truth escaped. Barrett nailed him with another and scored the pin.
Winner: King Barrett
Solid back and forth bout.
We go to Paul Heyman backstage with Tom Phillips in the “Social Media Lounge.” They did fan questions.
Heyman was asked Brock’s daily routine before a big match. Eat, Sleep, Conquer and then repeat.
How many suplexes will Brock use tonight? As many as Brock feels he needs to defeat Seth and make him serve his penance for crossing Lesnar.
What will happen if Brock loses? Heyman cut him off and said they don’t deal with “Ifs” but deals in absolutes. He promised Brock will hurt Rollins and will win the WWE World Heavyweight championship tonight.
They showed the Divas division angle from this past Raw.
The panel said that Stephanie McMahon requested all nine Divas involved be present at Battleground.
Renee introduces a recap of the main event of WrestleMania 31, in which Seth Rollins cashed in on Brock Lesnar, to end the Kickoff.
A video package opened the event and played up the battleground theme. It touched on the top matches on the show…
Pyro shot off on the stage… Michael Cole, JBL, and Jerry Lawler were on commentary…
Singles match: Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
Orton got a favorable response, yet nothing special considering it’s his hometown, yet Cole described it as thunderous. The bell rings, and we’re ready to kick things off in this one. We get a lockup and Orton goes behind Sheamus, but Sheamus squirms out of it and makes his way out to the floor to a good bit of heat. Sheamus heads back into the ring, and the crowd begins a ‘you look stupid’ chant. We get another lockup and Sheamus goes to work on Orton’s arm, driving him down to the mat with an arm bar. Orton is able to fight out of it quickly, pushing Sheamus into the ropes to break the hold.
Another lockup and Sheamus goes for a headlock, but Orton is quick to fight out once more, only to fall to a shoulder block from Sheamus. Orton comes back with a back elbow, and Sheamus bails to the outside again. Orton follows and the two trade right hands on the floor. Sheamus tries to whip Orton into the barricade, but Orton is able to reverse it and send Sheamus crashing in. Orton tosses Sheamus back into the ring, but Sheamus heads right back out to the floor. Orton gives chase and drops Sheamus with a quick clothesline on the floor.
Orton brings things back into the ring and stomps away at Sheamus in the corner, repeatedly kicking and punching the Irishman. Sheamus stands and begins fighting back. The two trade some huge uppercuts, with Orton getting the upper hand. Orton kicks Sheamus in the chest, but runs right into an Irish curse backbreaker immediately after.
Sheamus picks Orton up and plants him with another Irish curse, and a third before letting Orton fall to the mat. Sheamus jaws with the crowd a bit, asking if they’re entertained, before turning back to Orton. Sheamus picks Orton up, and Orton lays in with a couple of quick rights before running right into a knee to the gut from Sheamus. Sheamus heads up to the middle rope, leaping off with a huge flying knee drop that’s good for a two count.
Sheamus clamps on a rear chin lock, and Orton struggles against it. Orton is able to fight to his feet, but Sheamus plants him back on the mat and drops a knee across Orton’s chest for another two count. Sheamus goes right back into the rear chin lock, not giving Orton a break. Orton is able to fight up to his knees, and Sheamus tosses Orton into the corner. Sheamus charges Orton, but Orton side-steps Sheamus, and the Irishman crashes shoulder first into the ring post before crumpling to the outside.
Sheamus makes it back into the ring at a count of 7, and the two men begin trading right hands. Both guys fight up from their knees to their feet, and Orton scores with a couple of big clotheslines. Sheamus avoids the snap powerslam and catches Orton with an elbow. Orton fights out of white noise and clotheslines Sheamus out to the floor. Sheamus grabs Orton’s legs and pulls him to the floor. Orton trades rights with Sheamus before hitting a belly to back suplex and dropping Sheamus on top of the announcer’s table. Orton brings things back into the ring and avoids a brogue kick before connecting with his snap powerslam for a two count.
Orton pulls Sheamus up on the apron and tries for the suspension DDT, but Sheamus is able to block it. Sheamus goes for his clubbing blows to the chest while Orton is tied up in the ropes, but Orton fights it off. Sheamus drops Orton throat first across the top rope and hits a rolling senton, and an over the shoulder backbreaker that’s good for a two count.
Sheamus calls for the brogue kick, but he misses. Orton tries for an RKO, but Sheamus pushes him away. Sheamus tries for the cloverleaf, but Orton fights him off. Finally, Sheamus connects with white noise, but Orton is able to kick out at two.
Sheamus picks Orton up to his feet and hits a couple of quick uppercuts, but Orton comes back with a kick to Sheamus’ chest before he slams him to the mat, and follows up with an exploder suplex. Orton covers Sheamus, but it’s still not enough for three. Orton beats on Sheamus in the corner, mounting him and hitting him with about four right hands before Sheamus drops him down on the top turnbuckle. Sheamus heads to the top rope, but Orton is able to stop him in his tracks with a big right hand. Sheamus and Orton fight while Sheamus is seated on the top rope, and Orton gets the upperhand, climbing up after Sheamus for a huge superplex. Orton covers Sheamus, but Sheamus is still able to kick out at two.
Orton picks Sheamus up to his feet and sends him to the apron. Orton connects with the suspension DDT, taunting the ref’s count before dropping Sheamus on his head. Orton drops to the mat and calls for the RKO, but Sheamus counters with a roll up for two. Both men stand and Sheamus connects with the brogue kick, but he’s too slow to capitalize on it.
Sheamus crawls over to Orton and stands before stomping away at the Viper. Sheamus tries for the cloverleaf, and he’s able to get it locked in this time. Orton struggles toward the ropes, but Sheamus pulls him back to the middle of the ring before Orton can break the hold. Orton begins crawling again, making it to the ropes this time to force Sheamus to break the hold. Sheamus pulls Orton back, and Orton stands, hitting a quick RKO. Orton pins Sheamus, and gets the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
Cole and the announcers change the focus to the WWE Divas, recapping the ‘Diva’s Revolution’ that took place on this Monday’s Raw, and the debuts of Becky Lynch, Charlotte, and Sasha Banks.
JoJo is backstage with Stephanie McMahon, JoJo talks about Stephanie changing the landscape of the Diva’s division in one night. Stephanie says you haven’t seen anything yet. Tonight they’re in St. Louis, and there have been some of the best matches in history right here. Stephanie’s asked each Diva’s team to pick a representative to compete in a triple threat match. She will expect nothing less than the Diva’s revolution tearing this house down tonight.
WWE tag team championship match: WWE tag team champions The Prime Time Players vs. New Day
Back in the arena, it’s time for the next match as New Day make their way to the ring for their Tag Team Championship match. Kofi asks the crowd to rise to their feet and prepare for celebration, because for the past five weeks, they’ve been tried and tested, but never lost their way. Woods says when you have a positive mindset, there’s no way you can be defeated. Big E says when you do the right thing, like Spike Lee says, you reap the rewards. Kofi says that’s why they can’t lose. Woods says they did lose their titles at Money in the Bank, but everyone will learn that sometimes you’ve got to lose, in order to win later. And tonight, New Day deserves to win. Big E says they’ll beat the Prime Time Players, they’ll be successful, and they will become the new Tag Team Champions. But today is not just any other day, today is a New Day! And that’s because New Day rocks (of course while the crowd chants about how much they suck).
The Prime Time Players interrupt New Day, and make their way to the ring to a tiny bit of love from the crowd. Kofi and Young look to kick things off for their respective teams. Kofi is able to take Young to the mat for a quick one count, then he laughs at Young. We get a lock up and Young is able to transition into a hammerlock. Kofi fights out, only to run into a big clothesline. Young follows up with a swinging neckbreaker and a bridging Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Titus tags in and we get a double shoulder block. Titus shoulders Kofi, but Kofi drops down and slaps Titus in the back of the head. Titus comes back, propping Kofi up in the corner and chopping his chest hard. Titus continues the assault with several more huge open hand chops. Kofi bails to the floor where he’s comforted by his teammates, who ask for a timeout.
Back in the ring Kofi tags out to Big E. Big E runs right into a body slam from Titus, who follows it up with a big leg drop. Young tags in, walks over Big E, and allows himself to be suplexed on top of Big E by Titus. Big E comes back with a vengeance, tossing Young in the corner so hard that Young flies over the top turnbuckle and to the outside. Big E heads out after and runs Young into a big kick to the chest from Kofi. Kofi tags in and gets a near fall on Young. Kofi and Big E take turns tagging in and out and stomping repeatedly at Young’s chest. Kofi finishes up the assault with a dropkick to a seated Young in the corner. Kofi kicks Young across the chest and gets another near fall. Kofi goes right into a modified rear chin lock, but Young is quick to fight out of it with a couple of head butts.
Kofi trips Young up and hits a couple of clubbing blows to his back before tagging out to Big E who splashes Young on the apron. Big E heads into the ring and goes for the pin, but he’s only able to get a one count. Big E goes for the submission, locking in an abdominal stretch. Young is able to fight out of the hold, but he runs right into a huge back elbow from Big E that’s good for another two count. Big E shoulders Young, but Young is able to fight out of it. Young connects with an enzuigiri, and both men are down.
Both men make the tag, and Titus comes in with an explosion of offense against both of his opponents. Titus hits two quick backbreakers on Kofi before simply tossing him aside. Titus hits a splash on Kofi in the corner, but he’s kicked in the back by Woods, and Kofi plants Titus on the mat for a two count. Kofi heads to the top rope, but leaps off into a shot to the gut from Titus. Young tags in and hits a belly to belly suplex on Kofi, and a big right hand to Big E. Young heads to the apron and hits a belly to back suplex to drop Woods on the apron. Young heads back into the ring and is stopped cold. Young is able to avoid the big ending and trouble in paradise before connecting with a lungblower on Kofi. Titus connects with a big sit-out powerbomb on Big E, and he scores the three count.
Winners: The Prime Time Players
Young and Titus celebrate with their belts on their way up the aisle, while New Day seethe in the ring.
Paige is shown backstage with Charlotte and Becky Lynch. Paige says she’s wanted change for the division for months. Paige wants them to know how psyched she was when Steph promoted them to the main roster, and tonight is the start of the revolution. Becky says they’ll tear it down and rebuild it brick by brick. They’re putting the Divas, and even the Superstars on notice. Charlotte says they’ll do it with Flair.
We get a video package highlighting the recent history between Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt that began when Wyatt cost Reigns the Money in the Bank contract last month.
Singles Match: Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns
In the arena, Bray Wyatt is the first man to make his way to the ring, and it looks like there are quite a few Wyatt fans in the house tonight, as tons of cell phones are lighting up the arena.
Roman Reigns is out next, and Reigns gets a nice initial pop, and a bit of love as he makes his way to the ring through the stands. The bell rings, and we’re ready to begin. We get a quick lockup and both men struggle to push the other around the ring. Reigns backs Wyatt into the ropes, and Wyatt comes out swinging. Wyatt pushes Reigns into the corner, and Reigns comes back with a shoulder tackle. Another lock up and Wyatt gets in a couple of quick shots with a knee to the gut and big right hand. Wyatt puts Reigns to the mat, then picks him up in the corner for a couple of shots to the gut.
Wyatt turns around and is immediately tossed into the corner by Reigns. Reigns stomps away at Wyatt in the corner before mounting Wyatt and hitting a couple of big right hands. Wyatt pushes Reigns away, but Reigns pushes him right back in and goes for more punches. Wyatt pushes Reigns off a second time, but runs right into another big right hand that sends Bray to the outside. Bray heads back into the ring and drops Reigns with a huge right. Wyatt picks Reigns up to his knees and continues to beat down on him, but Reigns pops up and hits a clothesline that sends Wyatt to the outside.
Reigns follows Wyatt to the outside and throws him into the barricade hard before bringing things back into the ring. Wyatt ambushes Reigns on his way back into the ring, but Reigns is quick to respond with a couple of big forearms. Wyatt ducks a clothesline, but can’t avoid Wyatt flying through the air to wipe out Reigns.
Wyatt chokes Reigns against the bottom rope before picking him up and tossing him into the corner. Wyatt hits Reigns with a big right hand before dragging his forearm across Reigns’ face. Reigns is able to connect with a clothesline in the corner, and a short-arm clothesline. Reigns misses with a leaping clothesline, but is able to connect with a Samoan drop that sends Wyatt crashing to the mat, and out to the floor. Reigns follows to the outside, and charges Bray, but Bray avoids it and Reigns crashes shoulder first into the ring steps.
Wyatt brings things back into the ring, and he hits a huge splash in the corner. Wyatt picks Reigns up and connects with a couple of rights before he mounts Reigns in the corner and hits a series of rights. Reigns stops the assault, trying for a powerbomb, but Wyatt fights out of it and tosses Reigns out to the floor. Reigns and Wyatt fight on the floor, and Wyatt hits a DDT on the apron to plant Reigns.
Wyatt hits a belly to belly suplex and running senton for a two count before clamping on a rear chin lock. Reigns is slow to fight out of the hold, but he’s able to make it to his feet before being slammed back to the mat by Bray. Wyatt goes right back into the rear chin lock.
Reigns is able to fight up to his feet and make his way out of the hold. Reigns hits a big belly to back suplex that sends Wyatt crashing to the mat, and both men are down.
Wyatt charges Reigns and runs into a big back elbow. Reigns continues the assault with a series of kicks, and clotheslines. Reigns hits a crazy belly to back suplex, then follows it up with another.
Reigns goes for the running kick from the outside, but runs right into a huge clothesline from Bray that sends Reigns crashing to the floor. Wyatt heads out to the floor and hits a running senton before bringing things back into the ring. Wyatt goes for the pin and gets a two count.
Wyatt takes Reigns into the corner and hits him with a big right hand before seating him on the top turnbuckle. Wyatt heads up after Reigns and he tries for a superplex, but Reigns won’t go over easily. Reigns is able to fight Wyatt off with a series of head butts, and he drops down to hit a running sit-out powerbomb for a two count.
Reigns calls for the Superman punch, but he misses and Wyatt tosses Reigns out to the floor. Wyatt heads out after Reigns, but Reigns sweeps Wyatt’s legs out from under him, then follows up with a big dropkick. Reigns brings things back into the ring, and he runs right into a huge urunage from Wyatt that’s good for a two count.
Wyatt mounts Reigns and hits a series of big right hands. Wyatt lays in with some big forearm shots to the face. Wyatt tries for Sister Abigail, but Reigns counters with a roll up. Reigns stands and hits an immediate Superman punch, but Wyatt won’t stay down for a three count.
Reigns gets to his knees and begins psyching himself up. Reigns waits for Wyatt to stand, and he runs right into a big boot from Bray. Reigns hypes himself up again, but runs into a huge clothesline from Wyatt that puts him down for two. Wyatt does his creepy spider walk, then he tries for Sister Abigail. Reigns fights it off and hits head butts to Wyatt that send him into the corner. Reigns hits a series of 10 clotheslines in the corner before he shoulders Wyatt. Wyatt tries to fight out, but he’s planted with a Samoan drop.
Wyatt heads out to the floor, and Reigns is quick to follow. Wyatt catches Reigns with a big right hand and tosses him into the ringside barricade. Wyatt brings things back into the ring, but not before grabbing a couple of chairs to bring with him. When Wyatt turns around, Reigns is waiting with a big clothesline to send him crashing to the floor. Reigns looks down and grabs the chairs, tossing them both into the ring. Reigns grabs a few more chairs, tossing in another two. Reigns is attacked from behind by someone who looks to be Luke Harper. Wyatt hits a urunage, planting Reigns on the apron. Wyatt hits Sister Abigail in the ring, and pins Reigns for the three count.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
After the match, Harper gets into the ring and reveals himself, standing behind Wyatt while Wyatt poses.
JoJo is backstage with Naomi, Tamina, and Sasha Banks. JoJo asks if they had trouble deciding who will compete. Naomi says there’s no trouble with this trio, everyone’s on the same page. Tamina’s the muscle, Naomi’s razzle dazzle, and Sasha’s the NXT Women’s champion. Sasha says she’s the boss because when people see her in action, they know it’s the truth, believe her.
Triple threat Divas match: Sasha Banks vs. Brie Bella vs. Charlotte
Sasha hits Charlotte with shotgun double knees in the corner, and Brie attacks Sasha from behind. Brie and Sasha trade blows until they’re both clotheslined by Charlottes. Charlotte hits a crazy neckbreaker on Brie, and a weird suplex into a neckbreaker on Sasha. Charlotte charges Sasha in the corner and eats a big boot, so Charlotte hits Sasha with a big boot of her own. Brie breaks up the pin attempt and hits Charlotte with a couple of clotheslines and a big dropkick.
Brie hits both Charlotte and Sasha with a bulldog, but it’s not enough to keep either lady down for a three count. Brie backs up and channels her husband, kicking both Charlotte and Sasha across the chest. Sasha comes back with a big forearm, and she sidesteps a charging Charlotte, sending Charlotte crashing into Brie with a spear. Sasha is able to roll up Charlotte for a two count, and both women try for a backslide, but neither can pin the other. Sasha drops Charlotte with a neckbreaker, but it’s not enough for a three count.
Brie heads to the top and hits a double missile dropkick to take out both of her opponents. Brie hits both ladies with running knees to the face, but she’s low bridged by Sasha, and she ends up crashing out to the floor.
We get a standoff as Team Bella is stared down by all of the ladies on the floor. Brie heads up to the apron, but she’s dropkicked off into her team. Sasha leaps through the ropes with a big suicide dive to wipe out Team Bella and Paige and Lynch. Charlotte leaps over the top rope to wipe out Tamina, Naomi and Sasha. Charlotte tosses Brie back into the ring and she seats Brie on the top turnbuckle. Charlotte goes after Brie with a big forearm while she’s seated on top. Sasha gets Charlotte from behind with a backstabber before locking in the Bank statement. Brie pulls Sasha off and sends her shoulder first into the ring post.
Brie tries for something, but she’s planted on the mat by Charlotte instead. Charlotte locks in the Figure Eight, and Brie taps out.
Winner: Charlotte
Charlotte, Becky and Paige all celebrate in the ring while Team Bella look on dejectedly.
Cole sends things over the Renee Young and the All Star kick-off panel with Cory Graves, Booker T, and Byron Saxton. Graves says that was an amazing triple threat, and they re-defined what it means to compete like a girl. Booker shouts out the Prime Time Players, and Saxton talks about enjoying Reigns vs. Wyatt, featuring the return of Luke Harper. Renee speaks briefly about Cena/Owens, before turning things to the pre-show match that saw Wade Barrett retain his crown in a match against R-Truth.
Cole turns his attention to Cena vs. Owens, and we get a recap of some of the more recent history between these two men, beginning with Cena’s victory over Owens at Money in the Bank.
WWE United State championship match: WWE United State champion John Cena vs. Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens is out first, and he gets a pretty warm welcome for such a new superstar.
Cena’s out next, and he gets his trademark mixed reaction from the fans in attendance.
After formal ring introductions, we’re ready to begin. We get a lockup and it’s broken quickly. The fans are super into this match and it hasn’t even properly started. Cena goes right into a headlock, and Owens is quick to turn things around with a headlock of his own. Owens taunts Cena fans, screaming ‘Let’s go Cena!’. Cena sends Owens into the ropes, and he eats a huge right hand from Owens that drops him to the mat. Owens hits Cena with a couple of big right hands, and a couple of clubbing blows to the back.
Owens sends Cena into the corner, and both men trade shots with Owens scoring big with a quick dropkick. Owens picks up Cena in the corner and whips him across the ring hard. Owens picks Cena up again and throws him into the corner chest first. Owens shoulders Cena and drops him down into a huge neckbreaker for a two count.
Owens cocks back and hits Cena with a big right hand. Cena responds with a big shoulder tackle. Owens catches Cena on his second shoulder tackle, slams him to the mat, and follows up with a big senton splash that’s good for two. Owens grinds his forearm into Cena’s face. Owens stands, and is surprised by a quick Cena dropkick. Cena ducks a big right hand and Cena connects with a weird sit-out body slam that’s good for a near fall.
Cena climbs to the top rope and hits a rocker dropper on Owens, but Owens will not stay down for three. Cena stalks Owens and shoulders him, but Owens fights out of it and drops Cena with a quick DDT for another two count. Owens connects with a big right and yells for Cena to stay down. Cena ducks a clothesline and connects with a couple of shoulder tackles, and a belly to back suplex. Cena calls for the five knuckle shuffle, but Owens rolls out to the apron and tells Cena he can’t see Owens. Owens sends Cena to the mat with a big right hand, then he goes to the top for a swanton. Cena gets his knees up and Owens crashes down hard.
Cena tries for the AA, but Owens fights out. Owens connects with two shoulder tackles, and a belly to back suplex. Owens calls for, and connects with the five knuckle shuffle. Owens tries for the AA, but Cena drops down and gets Owens in electric chair position, and drops him on his face. Cena locks in the STF, but when he tries to pull Owens to the center of the ring, Owens kicks him away. Owens connects with a crazy backbreaker out of the corner that’s good for another two count on Cena.
Owens stands and jaws with Cena for a bit before laying in with a big right hand. Cena tries for the springboard stunner, but Owens catches him, connects with a German suplex, and follows it up with a cannonball in the corner, but Cena still won’t stay down for three.
Owens talks some smack to Cole before turning around to trade right hands with Cena. Cena connects with a sloppy code red to put Owens down for another two count.
Cena heads to the top again, and jumps off right into a huge powerbomb from Owens, but Cena won’t stay down for a three count. Cena shoulders Owens out of nowhere and connects with the AA, but Owens kicks out at two.
Cena heads to the top again, and jumps off right into a huge powerbomb from Owens, but Cena won’t stay down for a three count. Cena shoulders Owens out of nowhere and connects with the AA, but Owens kicks out at two.
Cena pulls Owens to his feet and backs him into the corner, seating Owens on the top turnbuckle. Cena heads up after Owens and tries for a superplex, but Owens counters with his crazy side suplex from the middle rope. Owens pins Cena, but still only manages the two count.
Owens tries for the pop-up powerbomb, but Cena counters with a hurricanrana. Owens connects with a superkick, then he follows it with the AA. Owens locks in the STF, but Cena refuses to tap out.
Cena struggles, but he’s able to make it to the bottom rope to force a break, and Owens looks distraught. Cena pulls himself up in the corner and connects with a back elbow and a leaping tornado DDT out of nowhere, but it’s still not enough to put Owens down for a three count.
Owens and Cena continue to trade rights, and Cena connects with a springboard stunner. Owens doesn’t take the brunt of the move, and connects with a giant clothesline before falling to the mat. Owens hits an awesome pumphandle neckbreaker on Cena, but Cena still will not die. Owens tries for the pop-up powerbomb, but Cena counters out and hits an immediate AA. Cena goes for the pin, but Owens is able to kick out at two.
Cena winds up and hits a huge clothesline, turning Owens inside out. Owens ducks a clothesline and connects with a pop-up powerbomb, but Cena’s able to kick out at two.
Owens heads to the top rope, but he’s stopped by a right hand from Cena. Cena and Owens trade blows while Owens is seated on the top rope. Cena tries to shoulder Owens, and he hits an AA from the middle rope, but Owens still manages to kick out!
Cena looks absolutely shocked, just sitting straight up after the kick out. Cena talks it over with the ref for a minute, still not believing he didn’t score the three count. Cena tries to pick up Owens, but Owens falls right back down to the mat. Cena picks Owens up again, but Owens goes for a small package, getting a two count. Cena is able to lock Owens into the STF, but Owens refuses to quit, dragging himself to the ropes. Cena pulls Owens back to the middle of the ring and reapplies the hold. Owens is finally forced to tap, and this one is over.
Winner: John Cena
Owens is helped to the back by the ref while Cena celebrates briefly in the ring.
We get a heads up as to why Ryback won’t be defending his IC title tonight, recently battling Staph infection.
Back in the arena, Miz makes his way out in a silly looking hoodie/robe getup. Miz asks the fans to please shut up. He understands they’re as sad as him that there’s no Intercontinental triple threat match tonight. He has plans. He was going to become the new IC champion. Miz talks about everything his stylist and publicist did to prepare for tonight, but someone had to come down with an injury, and the match is currently postponed. It’s just like Ryback. Miz has known him since Tough Enough, and the Big Guy has always been the big pansy. When the going gets tough, Ryback gets injured. Miz thinks he’s just scared of him, because Ryback knows he’s the toughest man in the WWE and the toughest man in this building right now. And Ryback knew Miz would take his championship. Ryback’s off with an injury, and who knows where Big Show is, but Miz thinks he’s been missing since the Attitude era. If he were smart, Show would do what the Universe wants and retire. But since Miz is the only one here, the Authority should do what’s right for business and crown Miz the new IC champion, and if not, Miz will take the title, like a real city LA is going to take the Rams.
Miz is interrupted by Big Show, and he immediately begins back peddling. Miz says he thinks he and Show should team up to beat the living hell out of Ryback. Show simply gets in the ring and hits Miz with a KO punch to a big pop from the crowd before turning around and heading to the back.
The announcers turn their attention to the main event of the evening, as Cole throws things to a video package that highlights the history between Seth Rollins and Brock Lesnar, beginning at WrestleMania when Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to steal the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
WWE world heavyweight championship match: WWE world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins vs. Brock Lesnar
Back in the arena after a very lengthy video package, Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring, and it’s a bit odd to see him walking to the ring alone, with no J and J Security, or Kane to back him up.
Brock Lesnar is out next, and the Beast gets a huge pop as he makes his way to the ring accompanied by Paul Heyman. After formal ring introductions from Lillian Garcia, we’re ready to kick things off. The bell rings, and Lesnar takes Rollins right into the corner with a series of shoulders to the midsection. Lesnar goes for a German suplex, but Rollins fights it off and heads out to the floor. Lesnar heads out after Rollins, and Rollins heads right back in, trying to get the jump on Lesnar. Lesnar shrugs off every attack, and tries to pry Rollins off the ropes. Rollins scores with a couple of kicks to the lower leg, but Rollins is caught out of a dropkick. Lesnar tries for the F5, but Rollins fights it off. Lesnar connects with his first German suplex, and follows it up with a second almost immediately. Lesnar doesn’t stop, hitting his third, and fourth while Heyman screams that he told Rollins. Brock hits suplex number five, and Rollins rolls out of the ring and to the arena floor.
Rollins pulls himself up and waves off Brock, heading over and grabbing his title. Rollins heads out to the crowd, Lesnar hurdles the barricade, and tosses Rollins back to the ringside area. Lesnar brings Rollins back into the ring, and hits suplex number six. Heyman’s nice enough to hold up his fingers to let Rollins know how many suplexes he’s taken so far.
Lesnar buries his elbow in Rollins’ back hard before picking him up to his feet. Lesnar tries for another German, but Rollins lands on his feet and connects with a superkick. Rollins scores with a couple of quick kicks to the back of the knee, and a chop block. Rollins hits a couple of superkicks to a kneeling Lesnar, then he tries for the pedigree, but Lesnar counters, getting Rollins into F5 position. Rollins fights out of the F5 and puts a knee in Lesnar’s back, sending him crashing out to the floor. Rollins leaps through the ropes with a suicide dive, then hits a second immediately after. Rollins tries for a third, but Lesnar pops into the ring and hits a big belly to belly suplex (suplex #7).
Lesnar pulls Rollins up and hits another German, this time not releasing. Lesnar connects with suplex nine and ten before letting go. He goes right back to the well for suplex eleven though. Lesnar slaps Rollins across the face hard before hitting suplex twelve.
Rollins slaps Lesnar across the face, and Lesnar knees Rollins in the chest before hitting number thirteen. Lesnar shoulders Rollins and hits the F5, pinning Rollins, but the lights go out and the Undertaker’s gong hits. When the lights come back on Taker is standing in the ring!
Lesnar looks shocked as Taker seethes. Taker grabs Lesnar around the throat, but Lesnar fights out. Taker fights out of an F5 and kicks Lesnar in the groin.
Taker calls for the chokeslam, waiting for Brock to stand. Taker grabs Brock around the throat and plants him with a huge chokeslam.
Taker hits the tombstone piledriver, and stares down at Lesnar before soaking in the adulation from the crowd.
Taker stops himself on the way out of the ring, and waits for Lesnar to stand before he hits a second tombstone.
Taker gets big ‘welcome back’ chants, before he drops to a knee and poses for his fans while his music plays. It’s an incredible moment and Taker looks absolutely amazing, better than he has in his past couple of Mania appearances. Taker makes his way out of the ring and to the back, and it looks like this is the end of the show. Taker stands at the top of the entryway and stares down Lesnar before raising his arm. Fade to black!
Winner: Brock Lesnar by disqualification
Source: http://www.ringsidenews.com