WWE: Updated ‘Battleground 2016’ Preview After WWE Draft—Randy Orton Returns


Randy Orton makes his long-awaited return to WWE programming when he appears at WWE Battleground 2016 as Chris Jericho’s guest on The Highlight Reel. After a nine-month absence, Orton is set to face Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2016, and Jericho is likely to ask Orton about that match and the recent doping scandal that has consumed Brock Lesnar since his win over Mark Hunt at UFC 200.

Orton was drafted to the SmackDown brand this week, while Jericho was drafted to Monday Night RAW. In fact, the WWE Draft will likely impact every match at Battleground. In some instances, the feud will likely come to an end since the opponents were drafted to opposite brands, like the Intercontinental and United States Championship Matches. Others like Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens and Becky Lynch vs. Natalya can continue afterwards, since the opponents are now “brand-mates.”

WWE Battleground 2016 Preview

Even though the entire card was set prior to the premiere episode of WWE SmackDown Live, the results of the WWE Draft plays an important role in the matches set for Battleground. What follows is a look at every match set for Sunday’s event and how the results of the WWE Draft will impact the booking of each match. These matches have been confirmed by WWE’s official Battleground 2016 preview page.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat Match: Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns

Since both Seth Rollins (No. 1 overall) and Roman Reigns (No. 6) were drafted to Monday Night RAW — while WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose (No. 2) was drafted to SmackDown Live — Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley will be pushing both of their competitors hard to win the title and bring it back to RAW. Rollins may even try to get Reigns to agree to team up and take out Ambrose so that it will come down to Reigns vs. Rollins, guaranteeing the title comes home with their brand. However, with the WWE Women’s Championship and Tag Team Championship soon to be joined by the reintroduction of the WWE Cruiserweight Division on Monday nights, it seems likely that SmackDown will end up with the title.

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: The Miz (c) vs. Darren Young

The Miz (No. 17) brought both Maryse and the IC Title to SmackDown, while Darren Young (No. 36) and Bob Backlund were sent to Raw. Unless the WWE is planning on putting most of the WWE gold on the red brand’s show, it seems unlikely that Young will take the strap from The Miz and SmackDown Live on Sunday at Battleground.

WWE United States Championship Match: Rusev (c) vs. Zack Ryder

It’s peculiar how similar the two mid-card title match-ups are for Battleground. Both Rusev (No. 16) and The Miz are accompanied by their beautiful blonde lovers as they defend their championships. Both challengers have been drafted to the show opposite of the titleholder they’re facing on Sunday, and both Ryder (No. 43) and Young are looking to make a comeback as the New Era movement puts a legitimate threat to their jobs.

Six-Man Tag Team Match: John Cena, Enzo & Big Cass Vs. The Club

John Cena (No. 7) being drafted to SmackDown was almost as surprising as the fact that the biggest money-maker for WWE didn’t get selected in the first round. Since AJ Styles (No. 4) has been professionally separated from Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (No. 21) but remains brand-mates with Cena, their feud will likely continue until at least SummerSlam. Enzo and Big Cass (No. 20) could continue to feud with The Club if one of the teams isn’t moving on to challenge for the WWE Tag Team Championship at SummerSlam.


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Six-Man Tag Team Match: The New Day Vs. The Wyatt Family

While The New Day (No. 10) remains intact on Monday Night RAW, Bray Wyatt (No. 12) and Erick Rowan (No. 55) were separated from Wyatt Family member Braun Strowman (No. 48), making it uncertain how things will proceed for Bray and Erick on RAW, with Strowman left to his own on SmackDown. With the likely break-up of the Wyatt clan, there’s no reason to think they’ll get a non-title win over the WWE Tag Team Champions.

Charlotte And Dana Brooke vs. Sasha Banks And TBA

Stephanie and Mick were very clear that the Monday Night RAW brand was going to be stacked in terms of the Women’s Division. The WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte was drafted No. 3 overall, and RAW drafted Sasha Banks (No. 13 overall) as the second woman of the draft. Dana Brooke (No. 56) is also on the RAW brand, so it would make sense that Sasha’s tag team partner will be another RAW female. That list includes Nia Jax (No. 25), Paige (No. 35), Summer Rae (No. 44) and Alicia Fox (No. 54).

The Highlight Reel: Chris Jericho Interviews Randy Orton

Randy Orton (No. 7) went to SmackDown Live, meaning he’ll likely be challenging for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship after his SummerSlam match against Brock Lesnar (assuming the title remains exclusive to the blue brand after Battleground). Since Jericho was drafted to RAW, whatever happens on The Highlight Reel won’t travel with The Viper or Y2J. That gives Orton the opportunity to send Lesnar a message via Jericho with an “RKO outta nowhere” without any repercussions.

Sami Zayn Vs. Kevin Owens

Joining Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan as they try to focus on the New Era movement in WWE on SmackDown, the feud between Sami Zayn (No. 11) and Kevin Owens (No. 18) won’t necessarily end at Battleground. While these two are likely to feud over and over again throughout the rest of their WWE careers, the fact that they’re on the same brand probably means this chapter will last until SummerSlam.

Becky Lynch Vs. Natalya

Leading the charge for the Women’s Division on SmackDown Live will be veteran Natalya (No. 27) and NXT alumnus Becky Lynch (No. 14). The winner of this match will likely be seen as the top woman on the blue brand, which also includes the likes of Naomi (No. 39), Alexa Bliss (No. 47), Eva Marie (No. 51) and Carmella (No. 59).

WWE Battleground Kick-Off Show: The Usos Vs. Breezango

The Usos (No. 32) and Breezango (No. 49) represent the Tag Team Division from the SmackDown brand, a show that doesn’t currently have a tag team championship. These two will be competing to be the best team on the blue brand, which also includes American Alpha (No. 22), The Ascension (No. 41), The Vaudevillains (No. 53) and potentially the Hype Bros, Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley (No. 57).

Where To Watch

WWE Battleground airs live on the WWE Network on Sunday, July 24, at 8/7c. The Battleground Kick-off Show begins at 7/6c.

[Image via WWE]

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