WWE Smackdown Opener:
The Singhs are on the stage and they remembered not to wear red as the introduce Jinder Mahal. Mahal makes his way into the Punjabi Prison that is surrounding the ring.
Jinder and The Singh Brothers enter the Punjabi Prison, then wait as the outer structure is lowered. Jinder says this colossal structure will be the final resting place of Randy Orton’s legacy on Sunday at WWE Battleground. The USA chants start up but Jinder demands silence so The Singh Brothers can go over the rules. There are 4 doors and each one will be attended by a referee. When instructed by a competitor, each door will open and remain open for just 60 seconds. The door will shut after the 60 seconds and it will remain shut for the rest of the match. The outer structure has no doors. The only way to win the match is by climbing out of both structures.
Jinder says the most important rule is that there are no rules. Fans chant for Orton now. Jinder says he’s going to smash Orton’s face into the structure until his face matches the ugliness of the nation that Orton represents. Jinder threatens to drop Orton from the top of the structure with the Khallas. Jinder says they both will enter the Punjabi Prison on Sunday but only The Modern Day Maharaja will leave as WWE Champion. Jinder speaks to his people now but the USA chants continue. The music interrupts Jinder and out comes Orton to a pop.
Orton says either Jinder is the bravest SOB he’s ever met or he’s just not all that bright. Orton can’t believe Jinder is actually choosing to be locked inside the Punjabi Prison with him, without the only advantage Jinder ever had – The Singh Brothers. Orton says they are the only reason Jinder took the title in the first place. Orton has walked to the outside of the structure now. Fans chant Orton’s name. Orton says he and Jinder will be locked in the Prison on Sunday and there will be no escape for Jinder. No running, no hiding, no escape. Orton starts climbing the outer structure now. Orton stops a few feet up and tells Jinder he has nothing to lose. Jinder took his title, embarrassed his family, tried to take his dignity and left him for dead. Orton climbs up a few more feet. Orton says he has nothing to lose but Jinder has everything to lose. Orton mentions Jinder being the 50th WWE Champion ever. Jinder raises the title to boos. Orton says Jinder has the weight of 1.3 billion people in India on his back. Orton climbs up a few more feet and asks Jinder what he’s going to do when those 1.3 billion people consider him a disgrace.
Orton climbs some more and gets one leg over the top of the outer structure. Orton speaks from the top of the structure and says he’s going to leave Jinder’s jacked-up ass in the ring on Sunday. This will be Orton’s view when he takes back the title on Sunday, when he’s announced as the new WWE Champion. Orton’s music hits as Jinder and The Singh Brothers talk trash from the ring. Orton poses on top of the Punjabi Prison to a pop.
– Still to come, John Cena will address Sunday’s Flag Match. Also, Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin and Kevin Owens in the main event. We see SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos backstage walking. We go to commercial.
Jimmy Uso vs. Kofi Kingston
Back from the break and out come SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos. The New Day are out next.
The bell rings and Jimmy takes Kofi to the corner. Kofi turns it right around and beats Uso down with kicks. Kofi stomps away now as Xavier Woods plays Francesca and Big E dances. Kofi with the big dropkick in the corner for a 2 count. Kofi ends up dumping Jimmy over the top rope. Kofi runs the ropes for a dive but is forced to put on the brakes as Jimmy is talking trash to Woods and Big E. Jimmy turns back towards the ring and Kofi comes over the top to take him out. We go to split screen.
Kofi sends Jimmy back into the ring and he kicks Jimmy. Kofi with an arm bar. Kofi rolls through into a single leg Boston Crab but Jimmy gets to the floor. Jimmy returns to the ring and Kof clotheslines him over the top rope to teh floor. Kofi waits for the running kick but Jimmy blocks it and sends Kofi face first into the apron. Jimmy slams Kofi’s throat into the apron and then he kicks Kofi when he returns to the ring. Jimmy chokes Kofi in the ropes and then he applies a reverse chin lock.
Jimmy with a reverse chin lock. Kofi with a jaw breaker but Jimmy with a dragon whip for a near fall. Kofi with a jumping double stomp when Jimmy charges into the corner. Both men are down but they get up and Kofi with chops and a drop kick followed by a jumping clothesline. Kofi with a Boom Drop and he sets for Trouble in Paradise but Jimmy ducks and runs Kofi into the turnbuckles and gets a near fall.
Kofi goes to the apron for a pendulum kick and then Kofi goes up top but Jimmy with an uppercut. Jimmy goes for a superplex but Kofi blocks it. Kofi with a head butt to knock Jimmy off but Jey gets on the apron and Kofi with a shoulder and then he goes up top again and hits a cross body but Jimmy rolls through and gets the three count.
Winner: Jimmy Uso
After the match, The Usos take the titles up the ramp as we go to replays. The two teams talk trash as The Usos head to the back.
Backstage:
SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon is backstage with Lana, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Tamina Snuka and Natalya. The Fatal 5 Way is on Sunday but he needs something for tonight. Charlotte wants a match with Lana. Natalya says the delusional queen just thinks she can fight who she wants but that’s not happening because Natalya has Lana tonight. Shane says no one is fighting Lana. Becky comes with a pun but Tamina shuts her up and says no one is fighting Lana tonight. Natalya proposes Becky vs. Charlotte. Charlotte says that won’t be happening because Shane is looking for a competitive match tonight. Becky is shocked. Charlotte says she’s beaten Becky every time. Shane makes Becky vs. Charlotte for tonight.
– Still to come, a look at Jason Jordan being revealed as Kurt Angle’s “long lost” son on RAW, plus Chad Gable’s reaction. Back to commercial.
– We are back and Tom talks about what happened on Raw when Kurt Angle told us he had a child when he was younger and that child is Jason Jordan.
Backstage:
We go to Chad Gable, who is with Renee Young, to talk about Jason Jordan and Kurt Angle. Chad says you don’t think your life is going to turn around when you watch Raw. Chad says he would have loved a heads up because this also changed his life. Chad says Jason called him after Raw. They trained together and did everything together on the road. Jason explained it all to him and he understands.
Chad is asked what is next for him. Chad says they won the Smackdown Tag Titles and Jason was there for matches against AJ Styles and Kevin Owens. He will support Jason and Chad says he has some ideas for what is next. Chad says Kurt and Jason have a new beginning but they are not the only one. Chad says it will be interesting to see him on his own.
Mike Kanellis vs. Sami Zayn
We go to the ring and out comes Mike & Maria Kanellis. We see their attack on Sami Zayn backstage at last week’s SmackDown. Mike & Maria do their thing as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Mike & Maria are wrapping up their entrance. Sami Zayn is out next. The bell rings and they go at it. Sami strikes first and takes control.
Sami keeps control for several minutes. Sami mounts Mike in the corner and unloads. They end up on the floor and Mike looks to take control as they come back in. Sami comes right back with a clothesline and then the exploder suplex into the corner as Maria looks on. Maria comes in the ring and gets in the way, yelling at Sami and the referee.
Maria protects Mike in the corner. She leaves the ring and Mike takes advantage of the distraction, hitting Sami with a cheap shot. Mike scoops Sami and hits the Samoan Driver for the pin.
Winner: Mike Kanellis
After the match, Mike & Maria celebrate with a kiss at ringside as we go to replays. We come back to Mike & Maria making their exit as Sami looks devastated.
– Still to come, John Cena will be here. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
Back from the break and out comes John Cena as some fans sing their own version of this theme song.
John says you can see it and you can feel it. The WWE Universe is excited because they know this Sunday at Battleground you will see amazing things. You will see something you haven’t seen in ten years, the Punjabi Prison match. This Sunday, of all of the things you will see, what will you remember? This Sunday, live on the WWE Network, in the very city this country was founded in, you will remember this. A Flag Match. In one corner, the flag of Bulgaria. In the other, the flag of the United States of America. To win this match, you must grab your flag and securely plant it at the finish line. We know that there is a whole lot much more involved.
Cena says that he does not like Rusev because he runs down the country that John loves so much. The reason you will remember that flag match on Sunday is because you will remember one of two things. The flag of the United States of America waving in victory or the flag of Bulgaria waving in victory. John says he knows that he is not everyone’s favorite son, but tonight we can all agree that everyone loves that flag (as he points to the American flag). John says he has had to ask himself, will that flag fly or will that flag fall?
John says he can feel how you feel about that and it all rests on his shoulders. He knows that he has his work cut out for him, but he is ready. If there was ever a guy for this job, it is him. John says he is ready. If it was any one of you, you would be doing the same thing because this is a country of fighters. We fight for what we believe in and we never give up.
John says that America fought for its independence and the flag stood high. When brother fought brother, the flag stood high. When Pearl Harbor happened, the flag stood high. When the Towers fell, the flag flew high. John says these colors do not run.
John grabs the flag and waves it. John says this flag will fly high.
Rusev comes through the crowd and attacks Cena out of nowhere. Rusev unloads and beats Cena down as fans boo. Rusev charges with a big kick and floors Cena. Rusev stomps and applies The Accolade. Cena eventually powers up and tries to break the hold but Rusev shuts him down. Rusev leaves Cena laying and goes to retrieve the Bulgarian flag from the post. Rusev stands over Cena with the flag before making his exit to boos.
– Still to come, Becky vs. Charlotte. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
Back from the break and we see WWE United States Champion AJ Styles backstage with Shinsuke Nakamura. AJ wants to talk strategy but Nakamura doesn’t look interested. AJ wants to talk about Japan but Nakamura not so much. Nakamura points at the US Title and says one day when AJ calls, he will answer.
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair
We go to the ring and out first comes Becky Lynch. Natalya is already out for commentary. Charlotte Flair is out next.
Back and forth to start. Becky gets some offense in and lands a dropkick. They tangle again and show each other up some more. Charlotte with a 2 count and a German suplex attempt but it’s blocked. Becky ends up going for the Disarm Her but Charlotte scrambles to the floor. Charlotte applauds Becky as we go to split screen commercial.
Becky goes for a springboard move in the corner but Charlotte with a forearm followed by a back breaker for a near fall. Charlotte with knees to the back followed by a rear chin lock. Charlotte with knees to the back and she stretches Becky. Charlotte gets a near fall. Charlotte kicks Becky in the corner. Charlotte is sent to the apron and Becky kicks Charlotte to the floor. Becky with a forearm off the apron.
Charlotte and Becky with forearms. Charlotte with chops followed by an Irish whip and another chop. Charlotte with a running boot to the head and then Charlotte with a Flair knee drop to the back of the head for a near fall.
Naomi is in the back watching a monitor.
Becky sends Charlotte into the turnbuckles but Becky misses a charges but she hits a double jump forearm followed by a back heel kick and an exploder. Becky with a running forearm into the corner for a near fall. Becky goes for DisArmHer but Charlotte clips Becky. Becky counters Natural Selection into DisArmHer but Charlotte with a rollup for a near fall. Charlotte with a boot to the head for a near fall. Charlotte walks across Becky’s midsection and misses a moonsault. Becky with DisArmHer and Charlotte gets her foot on the rope but Becky pulls Charlotte into the center of the ring. Charlotte taps out.
Winner: Becky Lynch
After the match, Becky celebrates and has her arm raised as Charlotte recovers. They meet in the middle of the ring after the match but the music hits and out comes Tamina Snuka. Lana is with her. Natalya comes from behind and drops Becky. Charlotte goes after Natalya. Natalya sends Flair to the floor as Lana and Tamina double team Becky. Tamina fights off Natalya. Lana and Natalya argue until Tamina drops Natalya. Lana and Tamina stare each other down. Tamina leaves first, continuing the staredown with Lana.
– The announcers plug Battleground and the WWE Network.
– Still to come, the tag team main event and The Fashion X Files. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Renee Young is with Naomi in the interview area. Naomi says while she won’t be defending her title on Sunday, she will be the first in the ring to congratulate the number one contender. Naomi says she wants every match to be her biggest challenge. It does not matter who it is because they better be ready to go because when it is GLOW TIME! Carmella stops by with her briefcase held high. She tells Renee to leave. Carmella tells Naomi wherever Naomi goes she will be there with her briefcase.
The Fashion X Files, the Truth is Not H:
Fandango is checking the board. Tyler says they need to deal with Skience. Tyler says there is no such thing as aliens or ghosts. There is a moaning sound and they pull back the curtain to reveal Aiden English warming up.
A light appears from above and Tyler says he wants to meet ET, Alf, Max Moon, and Chewbacca.
Fandango sees a little green man but it was a delivery man who turned on the light. He points out that he looks so human and can breathe our air. Fandango wants to know what is in the box while Tyler tells him not to look. Fandango opens the box to find Tully’s head.
There is a note inside and it says Battleground. Fandango says it ends on Sunday.
– Still to come, Styles and Nakamura vs. Corbin and Owens. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and Drew Gulak cuts a backstage promo on his 2 of 3 Falls Match against Mustafa Ali on WWE 205 Live tonight.
AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin and Kevin Owens
We go to the ring and out first comes WWE United States Champion AJ Styles. Shinsuke Nakamura is out next. Baron Corbin suddenly attacks Corbin out of nowhere and beats him down. Kevin Owens is out next to join in but Styles runs up the ramp and meets him. The teams separate as AJ and Nakamura head to the ring and wait. Corbin and Owens take their time getting to the ring. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and we see Corbin knocking AJ out of the air with a big right hand. Corbin works AJ over and talks trash to Nakamura. Owens tags in and talks trash as he unloads on AJ. Nakamura finally gets a tag and takes over on Owens. Nakamura drops Owens in the corner and gives him some good vibrations. Owens cuts Nakamura off but Nakamura drops him with an enziguri. Nakamura keeps control and drops a knee. Nakamura with a forearm and a knee. Corbin pulls the top rope down and dumps Nakamura to the floor. Corbin rolls Nakamura back into the ring. Owens follows up with a senton for a 2 count.
Owens takes Nakamura to the corner and works him over before Corbin tags in. Corbin stomps away as the referee warns him. Corbin yells back and in comes Owens again. They keep Nakamura down in their corner. Owens with a boot to the head. Corbin comes back in as Owens yells to the crowd about being the Face of America. Corbin catches Nakamura in a bear hug. Nakamura gets out and ends up dropping Corbin with a kick. Corbin stops Nakamura from tagging and drops AJ off the apron with a cheap shot. Nakamura with a forearm and kicks to Corbin. Corbin misses in the corner and Nakamura puts him up top. Owens runs in but Nakamura boots him in the head. Corbin with a Deep Six on Nakamura as AJ breaks the pin. Corbin mounts Nakamura on the mat with forearms.
Nakamura fights back and knees Corbin in the gut. Nakamura drops Corbin with a left. AJ finally gets the tag and unloads on Owens as he comes in. AJ with a clothesline and a forearm for a 2 count. AJ ends up planting Owens on his face for a close 2 count. Owens shuts AJ down with a clothesline. Corbin comes in but AJ goes for the Calf Crusher. Corbin tosses AJ. AJ counters and gets the Calf Crusher applied but Corbin gets the bottom rope and breaks the hold. Corbin dumps AJ to the apron. AJ decks him and goes to springboard in but Owens takes him out. AJ lands on the floor hard.
Nakamura comes over and fights Owens but he gets dumped into the timekeeper’s area. Corbin comes back in with AJ but AJ blocks End of Days with an enziguri. AJ with a pele kick but Corbin is still up. AJ goes for the Styles Clash and didn’t see Owens get the tag. Owens nails AJ and hits a pop-up powerbomb for the pin.
Winners: Kevin Owens and Baron Corbin
After the match, Owens and Corbin stand tall as Nakamura checks on AJ. Owens leaves and Corbin is right behind him with the MITB briefcase in the air. SmackDown goes off the air with the Battleground opponents staring at each other.
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