WWE Battleground is in the books, and the response thus far has been more than positive. While it may not have been a blockbuster event in terms of booking, there is no doubt that the card was extremely solid from top to bottom.
This is what The New Era of WWE is becoming known for; hard fought matches, entertaining promos and satisfying finishes. No other company in the business can deliver the way WWE can, and that is especially true of Battleground.
It is the first post pay-per-view of the new brand split, which means everyone was surely anxious to get in the ring and show what they can do. It’s up to the talent to make all of this work, and now that the old guard is beginning to fade, there’s no time like the present to make a great impression.
Fans expect something big, and they want it all the time. Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live may be the cornerstones of the company, but it’s the monthly events that provide prime opportunities for everyone set to appear or compete.
Battleground was a win for WWE, as nearly everything that happened worked. While there’s never a guarantee of success, there is always a very strong likelihood that many moments will connect with the audience, and that is hugely important.
When it comes to this event, there are five of those moments that are worth remembering.
#5 Randy Orton Returns
Randy Orton spent nine months of his career on the shelf, mending from shoulder surgery. As The New Era began and younger talents rose up in the ranks, The Viper was forced to sit back and watch it all unfold from a distance.
But the Apex Predator is back, and he made his return during an interview with Chris Jericho at Battleground. Chris did everything in his power to rattle Orton, and he did that by promoting the match with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam.
However rather than allowing Jericho to get to him, Randy instead went on the comedic offensive. Orton was loose, he was having fun, and he seemed genuinely happy to be there. He mocked Jericho, he laughed at him, and he was completely in the moment. This was definitely not the Randy Orton fans remembered.
Randy looked more like The Rock returning from Hollywood than a man headed for destruction thanks to Brock Lesnar. He was laidback so much that it was completely out of character for him. Fans likely didn’t know what to make of it all, but they definitely got the message when he referenced Lesnar’s failed drug tests.
“No enhancements needed.” The words hit like a bomb, and they sent a very clear message to the man known as The Beast Incarnate. Orton may have had a smile on his face, but this was not fun and games. At the end of the day, Randy was all business. An RKO out of nowhere provided the perfect punctuation to this moment.
#4 Enzo and Big Cass do their thing
Enzo Amore and Big Colin Cassady are this generation’s New Age Outlaws, and they proved that once again on July 24 at Battleground. Much like Road Dogg and Billy Gunn, Enzo and Cass can hold their own on the mic with anyone in the company, and that includes WWE’s heavy hitters.
Sharing the ring with John Cena is a test that they immediately passed. Cena stood back and watched as Enzo did what he does best on the mic, and the Certified G tore the house down. Enzo once again showed why The New Era is in good hands, and it was fitting that it came as John stood in the background.
Cena is sidestepping now, and it’s been a long time coming. He’s been on top for over 10 years, and while no one has been able to supplant him as the face of the company, the fact is that the time has come for WWE to move on.
Enzo and Cass are part of this new movement, and they’ve done a great job of entertaining fans since they arrived on the main roster. The same can be said of Battleground, where they teamed with Cena in a winning effort against The Club.
But it was the promo before the match started that truly set the tone for what was to come. Once again, they were given the task of getting over, and once again they killed it. This is what Enzo and Cass do best, and very few can hold their own against them.
#3 Bayley is the mystery partner
When it was announced that Sasha Banks would need a mystery partner against Charlotte and Dana Brooke, fans immediately said Bayley. She’s been the darling of NXT for quite some time, and she’s built a passionate fan base that rivals that of any Superstar in WWE.
Bayley is real, she’s genuine, and she honestly loves what she does. While others have claimed to embrace the fans and appreciate them, Bayley actually lives it. She’s humble and has so much heart, that fans can feel her excitement when she’s in the ring.
They want her to win, and they want good things to happen for her. They’ve always felt that she belongs on the main roster, and they knew it was only a matter of time until it actually happened. So when Sasha needed a partner, only one woman could fill the spot.
The fact that it was presented as a one-off appearance means nothing; all that matters is that Bayley proved she belongs with WWE’s top stars. The pop that she received was enormous, and that reaction spoke volumes about how fans feel about her.
It was a moment that will never be forgotten by anyone that witnessed it. Bayley may not have made the pin, but that’s of little consequence. She has star power beyond measure, and though fans knew it, now the whole world knows it. They also know she’s ready for the main spotlight.
#2 Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens have gone to war before. They fought in Ring of Honor, they fought in NXT, and they fought on the main roster. Everywhere they go, the fight follows. They can only play nice for so long, until the hatred returns and when it does, it explodes.
This is what makes these two so valuable to WWE. This rivalry was born outside the walls of the company, it’s one that was not created, or controlled, by Vince McMahon. This feud wasn’t born out of a need to get one guy over for a championship, or for a main event spot.
This is the direct result of a love for the business. Both Sami and Owens want to get this story over because they know it’s a good one. They also know they can do it better than anyone else in the locker room. They give their all and they leave their all in the ring, because they know there’s just no other way to do it.
It’s their instincts and their passion for what they do, that sets them apart from everyone else in The New Era. Considering their level of intensity and commitment to this rivalry, how could anyone believe they will not elevate even higher when given the opportunity?
This is what these two were born to do, and even though this match was advertised as the last one, anything can happen in the future. They will always cross paths at some point, but they can use the momentum they built at Battleground to now go in new directions.
#1 The Shield goes to war
If The Four Horsemen had split in their prime, it would have meant big business for the NWA. Ric Flair versus Arn Anderson. Barry Windham versus Tullly Blanchard. JJ Dillon, torn between the four men, while fans divided on who they wanted. As good as they were together; they perhaps could have been even better apart.
But while this division never really happened, it did happen to The Shield. Even though fans were upset when the move went down, they cannot be upset at the end result. These three made magic at Battleground, and this match will never be forgotten.
Roman Reigns’ return was controversial, and with good reason. The man that was believed to be the heir apparent to John Cena has since slipped from that spot, and now he’s fighting to climb back up. Seth Rollins is out for redemption when it comes to the WWE Championship, and he wants nothing more than to take Cena’s top spot. However Dean Ambrose arguably already has it.
The history behind this match is so important, and fans are so emotionally connected to it, that it’s nearly impossible for WWE to screw it up. The well is so deep here, and it’s a feud that will work in any combination that the company could book.
But this was important, because it’s the last for now. Ambrose wins and goes to SmackDown Live, while Rollins and Reigns head to Raw. The ongoing war between the three men is on the shelf, at least for now, and fans are left with only memories. They’re also left with the match at Battleground, and that’s a great way to wrap things up.
Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Sportskeeda. His podcast, Tom Clark’s Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here
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