WWE Battleground is going to be a brutal event, with the Smackdown-exclusive pay-per-view set to host one of the most brutal types of matches in the company’s history: the Punjabi Prison. WWE Champion Jinder Mahal will defend his title against Randy Orton in the punishing structure, one that’s only been used twice in WWE history. But that’s all the way at the end of the card — and the rest of the night is slated to be almost as physically demanding.
WWE Battleground 2017 live stream: Start time, TV schedule, matches, and how to watch online
The Punjabi Prison will loom over a night of intense WWE action.
The return of John Cena to a WWE pay-per-view for the first time since WrestleMania 33 will dominate a lot of headlines, with the legendary superstar defending the honor of the United States in a flag match against the Bulgarian Brute, Rusev. Cena and Rusev have had some huge clashes over the last few years, including a months-long rivalry over the United States Championship in 2015 that saw Rusev’s long undefeated run come to an end. There’s no title on the line this time around, but that doesn’t change just how intense these two will be as they square off.
Speaking of the United States Championship, AJ Styles will be defending his recently won title against Kevin Owens. Styles was originally supposed to be challenging a champion Owens in this match, but he won the title in shocking fashion at a recent WWE Live event at Madison Square Garden. Owens has been threatening to come unhinged since losing his treasured title, and he’s going to leave nothing in the ring as he battles with Styles to get it back.
The SmackDown Tag Team Championship will be on the line as well, with the New Day trying to take out The Usos to win the titles for the second pay-per-view in a row. The two teams nearly stole the show at Money in the Bank, and will be trying to top that performance at Battleground, with the dynamic trio of the New Day almost desperate to dethrone the Uso twins and secure themselves the tag team titles for the first time in almost a year.
The SmackDown Women’s Championship won’t be on the line, but champion Naomi will be learning who she’ll face at SummerSlam, with Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Natalya, Lana, and Tamina all set to battle each other in a five-way elimination match to become the number one contender. Other non-title action includes Shinsuke Nakamura facing Baron Corbin in a feud that’s been bubbling since Money in the Bank, and Sami Zayn hoping to upset the pay-per-view of Mike and Maria Kanellis. It’s going to be a long night full of fantastic action, and it certainly looks like WWE Battleground is going to live up to its name.
Event info, plus how to watch on TV and stream
Event Date/Time: Sunday, 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Watch It: WWE Battleground will be streamed live on the WWE Network, which is currently offering a free month to new subscribers.
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