WWE Battleground 2017 Result, the Great Khali returns after three years

WWE Battleground 2017 Results:

Kickoff Show:

Aiden English defeated Tye Dillinger

Main card:
The New Day defeated The Usos to become the NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Baron Corbin by DQ
Natalya defeated Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Lana, and Tamina to become the #1 contender to the SmackDown Women's Championship
Kevin Owens defeated AJ Styles to become the NEW United States Champion
Sami Zayn defeated Mike Kanellis
Jinder Mahal defeated Randy Orton in the Punjabi Prison match to RETAIN the WWE Championship

The #ModernDayMaharaja @JinderMahal rides on...with help from the MONSTROUS #GreatKhali! #WWEChampionship #WWEBattleground #PunjabiPrison pic.twitter.com/kPdU9uxsI9
— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2017

THE GREAT KHALI?! The innovator of the #PunjabiPrison has emerged, and his target is @RandyOrton! #WWEBattleground #WWEChampionship pic.twitter.com/s54zkQlaXA
— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2017

And in case you forgot, we broke the story about Great Khali's return before the show. This is another gentle reminder that you should stay tuned to Sportskeeda for all of your professional wrestling needs.

Say what you want about the show, but deus ex machina is the most powerful storytelling tool in professional wrestling, and the WWE just wielded it to perfection.

Orton then destroys Sunil Singh and Mahal; he then proceeded to exit the cage, but Sunil grabs him by the leg. Orton shakes him off and tries to exit when an entrance theme begins to play. It's the Great Khali — the kayfabe creator of the Punjabi Prison Match. He returns for the first time in three years. Khali holds Orton in a vice grip while Mahal taunts the Viper and then exits the cage. What a turn of events !!!!

Jinder Mahal defeated Randy Orton to retain the WWE Championship

Orton attempts to scale the cage, but Samir meets him at the top. The Viper then punches a hole in Singh, who goes crashing through the announce table!!!!

The Singh Brothers then interfere and drag Mahal through the door. Mahal then begins to climb the outer structure and gets fairly close to the top when Orton leaps onto the outer structure. Jinder attempts to attack Orton, but he takes a tumble for his troubles.

It looks like Orton will win, but the Singh Brothers hold him down while Mahal attacks him. The Viper then destroys the Maharaja's cronies, but Mahal nails him with a Kendo stick. Mahal then attempts Khallas but Orton blocks and regains the upper-hand. He then gets retribution by smashing Mahal with the same Kendo stick.

Randy Orton then starts to flow; he hits the powerslam and begins to hear voices inside his head. He calls for the fourth door to be opened and sets up for an RKO, but Jinder Mahal counters with a knee. The Maharaja then attempts to hit Khallas, but Orton counters and hits the RKO with all the suddenness of a lightning strike.

Orton looks to be in control, but Jinder Mahal reverses a rope-hung DDT. However, Mahal isn't in the ascendancy for long as Randy Orton chains together a flurry of offence. The Viper then calls for the third door to be opened, and it looks like he's on the verge of escaping, but Mahal attacks the left arm of Orton and thwarts the Apex Predator.

Both men come close to escaping through the second door, but it is also closed for good. Orton tries to tee off on Mahal, but the WWE Champion latches on to the cage and attempts to climb out of the inner structure. Needless to say, he is thwarted by Randy Orton.

Mahal manages to get on top of Orton, and he begins to target Orton's left arm. He manages to inflict some damage on the Viper and then calls for a door to open.

Jinder Mahal immediately calls for a door to be opened, but Orton cuts him off and the sixty seconds lapse without much incident. One of the four doors has been shut permanently.

It's becoming more and more evident that it is going to be impossible to watch this match because of the structure.

Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton — Punjabi Prison Match for the WWE Championship

Jinder Mahal is out first, but there is almost no heat from this audience. These men have their work cut out for them. Randy Orton is grabbing the cage and almost gauging it's tensile strength. No time for psychology here, I'm afraid. They just have to hit the ground running.

The #SDLive-exclusive pay-per-view event #WWEBattleground is NEXT only on the award-winning @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/dTZ55wVxnC
— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2017

The Punjabi Prison match is up next. We get a poor promo package that is bound to put the audience to sleep.

TRIUMPH for @SamiZayn, and it was a HELLUVA KICK! Back to the drawing board for @MariaLKanellis and @RealMikeBennett... #WWEBattleground pic.twitter.com/wBOKFa98no
— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2017

Both men trade offence, but Kanellis is largely on top thanks to a hand from his more talented wife. However, Zayn eventually grabs the momentum and hits a suicide dive. He then connects with a Blue Thunder Bomb, but his attempts to connect with an exploder are foiled by Maria's interference. Kanellis attempts to take advantage and hoists Zayn in a fireman's carry, but the former NXT Champion fights out of it and hits an exploder followed by a Helluva Kick to hand Kanellis a loss in his pay-per-view debut.

Sami Zayn defeated Mike Kanellis

Mike Kanellis vs. Sami Zayn

It looks like we are going to have some filler before the main event, and can you believe that El Generico has been thrust into this situation? This is what incompetent booking can do to people.

Kanellis makes his PPV debut against WWE's resident underdog.

What. Just. HAPPENED?! #FashionXFiles #WWEBattleground pic.twitter.com/XA9yGS3OP7
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 24, 2017

Breezango are still looking for the people who murdered their toy horse. The Ascension turn up and attempt to take credit, but Breezango claim that Viktor and Konor have an alibi. The Ascension then turn around and leave, but the lights go out and Breezango are taken out. The mystery continues.

Of all the accolades @JohnCena has achieved and experienced in his career, this one is by far the most PAINFUL! #WWEBattleground #FlagMatch pic.twitter.com/gnypuwPrGO
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 24, 2017

Cena then attempts to crawl to the podium, but Rusev attacks him and locks in the Accolade. Rusev almost has the match won, but Cena staves off defeat at the last moment. Cena then stops Rusev from locking in another Accolade and puts the Bulgarian Brute through the tables — which Rusev set up earlier. He then takes his time to plant his flag. The Cenation rejoice as their leader leaves Philadelphia with another W to his name.

John Cena defeated Rusev

Rusev eventually connects with a fallaway slam to gain a measure of control. He then sets up a pair of tables near the American podium. Rusev then taunts Cena and attempts to put him through the table with an AA, but it doesn't work.

These two men have struggled to generate any sort of drama, and their subsequent exchange on the entrance ramp is greeted by the cold apathy of the fans.

Rusev makes a beeline for the podium, but he is intercepted by Cena, who then throws him into the steel steps. Cena then attempts to grab the American flag and put an end to proceedings, but Rusev isn't done with this match and blasts him with the steel steps.

Normally, this is good for a victory...but NOT in a #FlagMatch! #WWEBattleground @JohnCena @RusevBUL pic.twitter.com/4dy3L7DdId
— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2017

Cena then locks in an STF; Rusev is writhing in pain, but this match has no submissions. Cena then grabs the flag, but he is greeted by a superkick from Rusev.

Rusev looks to grab the flag, but Cena knocks him off the top rope and attempts a flying leg drop. However, Rusev counters this move into a powerbomb. The Bulgarian Brute then manages to grab his flag, but before he can make his way to the entrance ramp, Cena throws him into a turnbuckle and hits an AA.

Rusev smacks Cena around, taunting him with insults about the USA in the process. Cena attempts to come back with a flurry of punches, but Rusev nails him with a DDT. However, just as the Bulgarian Brute looks to be in control, the Superman Comeback ensues. Cena hits the 5 Knuckle Shuffle, but his attempt to hit an AA is foiled as Rusev connects with a spinebuster.

Rusev climbs to the top rope and attempts to take his flag, but Cena hits him with a bulldog off the top rope. When the two men are on the ground, Rusev hits an electronic chair and flattens Cena.

The flags are placed in position, and Rusev immediately attempts to snatch his. But Cena simply grabs a headlock and grounds the massive Bulgarian.

There was once a time when Cena couldn't enter a building in Philadelphia without fear of being stabbed by an ECW fan, but those days appear to be long gone.

John Cena vs. Rusev — Flag match
Rusev is out first, and the WWE doesn't bother to fully acknowledge his entrance. They're more interested in promoting their various announce teams.

The Leader of the Cenation is up next. Who's up for a Superman comeback?

We then cut to a backstage segment where the Singh Brothers are motivating Mahal for his title defence later in the night.

Styles then gets a crossface of his own, but just as the referee begins to stir, Owens attempts to jostle and both men appear to have their shoulders down as the referee counts to three. It looks like we have a draw on our hands. That was a rather anti-climactic finish. Wait a minute!!! The bloodied and battered Kevin Owens has been declared the victor!!!! We have another title change and a rather controversial finish.

Kevin Owens defeated AJ Styles to win the United States Championship

Styles gets Owens in position for a Styles Clash, but the ensuing sequence leads to the referee being laid out. Styles gets Owens into a calf crusher, but Owens reverses into the Crippler Crossface. KO is paying tribute to a fellow French Canadian.

The two man have an exchange which almost leads to a Phenomenal Forearm, but Owens rolls out of the ring. He attacks Styles outside the ring and takes the advantage. He throws the former TNA stand out into the post and hits an arm breaker.

Styles then gets Owens into position for a sunset flip, but the Prizefighter will not let go. However, the Phenomenal One is a creature gifted with incredible technique, and he locks his foe in a torture rack which he then modifies into a high impact slam.

A Styles Clash is then blocked, and AJ climbs the ropes for the Phenomenal Forearm. Owens gets the knees up!!! But he can only get two. Owens follows up with the rolling cannonball for another two count.

The two men then have a smooth sequence where Owens gets a near fall with a schoolboy. Styles replies with an Ushigoroshi for two.

Styles launches a barrage of strikes, but KO counters and nails him with a DDT for two. Another chin-lock, but Styles fights back and successfully connects with his strikes. He then successfully connects with a high impact move for two.

Kevin Owens stays on top and takes Styles to Chinlock City. He then says, " I'm the Phenomenal One." Styles attempts to fight out of the hold, but Owens puts him on his back and attempts a senton. No good!! Styles gets the knees up.

Styles mounts a flurry of offence and sends Owens outside the ring. KO then returns to the ring and both men attempt to trade Germans but to no avail. Spoiler: They're actually calling spots at the top of their lungs.

AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens for the United States Championship

Styles and Owens are over with Philadelphia. They are all but guaranteed to have the best match on the show. Kevin Owens comes out strong and has Styles on his back, but the Phenomenal One reverses and sends the Prizefighter outside the ring. These two are calling this one in the ring.

IT'S OVER! @NatbyNature eliminates @MsCharlotteWWE to earn a #SDLive #WomensTitle opportunity at @SummerSlam! #WWEBattleground pic.twitter.com/tiPRz4mzTt
— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2017

Natalya and Charlotte are the only two women left. There is some good back and forth action, and Charlotte looks to be gaining the upper hand, but Natalya drives her face first into the turnbuckle to steal the victory. After the match, Naomi enters the ring and attempts to shake Nattie's hand, but she is snubbed in emphatic fashion.

Natalya eliminates Lana; she will challenge Naomi for the SmackDown Live Women's Championship at Summerslam

Natalya then catches Lynch unawares and locks in a school boy to send her home.
Becky Lynch has been eliminated

WWE Battleground 2017 Result, the Great Khali returns after three years

What will happen when the SmackDown Live superstars put on their war paint, ready for battle?