WWE Battleground 2013: Winners, Grades, Twitter Reaction and Highlights
If you had told me prior to the show that both CM Punk and Daniel Bryan's matches would be major disappointments, I might have sat this pay-per-view out all together. Those were the main bouts and the ones with the most promise.
That clearly would have been a huge mistake.
Yes, Bryan's match with Randy Orton for the WWE championship was an overbooked cluster, the kind of match that makes long-time fans wonder if Vince Russo is back in Stamford, Connecticut at WWE headquarters.
Not only did Big Show knock both wrestlers cold, he also took out a pair of officials, including heel referee Scott Armstrong. The show went off the air with the title still up for grabs. The WWE title, and both wrestlers in the main event scene, are merely the backdrop for another storyline. The McMahons, once again, have taken center stage.
Best for business? Time will tell. But calling that match a huge mess is an insult to messes.
Luckily, as much as that belt means in the wrestling business, there was another match with even more at stake. Dusty Rhodes watched as his sons, Goldust and Cody, beat The Shield with the entire family's future at stake. It was a classic tag team match, one that more than made up for the main event failures.
The Rhodes boys weren't the only ones to succeed beyond my wildest hopes tonight. What follows are the match results in real time, complete with instant analysis and our trademark letter grades.
Disagree? Let us know in the comments.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Damien Sandow
1 of 10
Dolph Ziggler vs. Damien Sandow
Storyline
There really isn't one. This is the first time the two have ever met in the ring. The story here is as pure as it gets—two men battling to prove who's best.
Result
Ziggler pinned Sandow with the Zig Zag. Sandow injured his leg during the match, making his cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase unlikely.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Sandow sends Ziggler flying into the turnbuckle and all the way to the floor.
Sandow nearly decapitates Ziggler with a clothesline.
"Confucius once said, the higher a monkey climbs, the more you can see of his behind," Jerry Lawler on the perils of climbing the top rope.
Twitter Highlights
"I'm OVER it #WWEBattleground #Kickoff http://t.co/u1hHtjbGnx
— Dolph Ziggler (@HEELZiggler) October 6, 2013"
Grade
B
Analysis
Much better than the kind of filler that normally constitutes the pre-show match. These guys both have the talent to be future main-eventers. Ziggler took his normal insane bumps, and Sandow is proving at every opportunity that he can carry his end of a match.
Alberto Del Rio vs. RVD W/Ricardo Rodriguez (World Championship Hardcore Match)
2 of 10
Storyline
The two are fighting over the world championship, sure. But they are also fighting for the affections of Rodriguez, Del Rio's former personal ring announcer. Fought under hardcore rules, this match should be right up Van Dam's alley. He's done matches like this for more than a decade, first in ECW and later in WWE. It's a chance for him to excel—and put the World Heavyweight Championship back on the map.
Result
Del Rio makes Van Dam tap out with a steel chair assisted armbar.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Van Dam's awesome DDT into the steel chair.Del Rio's stiff Back Stabber and subsequent hard chair shots to the back.
WWE's slow motion replay of Del Rio just nailing Van Dam with a kick.
"Out comes the toys," JBL as Van Dam brings out a tall ladder.
Del Rio's jumping stomp—onto the ladder.
Twitter Highlights
"RVD sends the World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio flying into a steel ladder! #BattleGround is… http://t.co/E0oiL6Voju
— Justin Roberts (@JustinRoberts) October 7, 2013"
Grade
A
Analysis
I'm not inclined to enjoy this kind of match. I've seen enough ECW spotfests to last ten lifetimes. And yet—this one sucked me in. Not only were the highspots extra high, but the match was super stiff and hard-hitting too. The match was well worked throughout and the chair-assisted armbar was a pretty cool finish. What can I say? Bias aside, this was a pretty darn good match. Great start to the show.
The Real Americans vs. Santino/Great Khali
3 of 10
Storyline
Santino's Cobra, a rip off of Mr. Socko if there ever was one, has been particularly powerful of late. It's helped him to some surprising success against the Real Americans. Will his luck hold out?
Result
Cesaro pinned the Great Khali after the Cesaro Swing.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"What else we saw was a bunch of maple syrup chugging Canadians who were sneaking across our borders," Zeb Colter on Buffalo's biggest problem.
Twitter Highlights
"Fans in India are going banana right now. Comedy tag match. Ironic. Real Americans could be seriously good. #WWEBattleground
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) October 7, 2013"
"
No big deal,i could do that to khali too.. #WWEBattleground
— DivaOfTomorrow (@RealPaigeWWE) October 7, 2013"
Grade
B
Analysis
Just when you think you've seen it all, Cesaro goes ahead and spins the Great Khali round and round with the Cesaro Swing. Let there be no secrets among friends—I am a huge Cesaro mark. At some point, and I hope it is soon, I hope WWE realizes it has the makings of a pretty good tag team division on their hands. Let's make something of it people!
Curtis Axel vs. R-Truth (Intercontinental Championship)
4 of 10
Storyline
Axel continues to shuffle his way down the card. The storyline here, if you can call it that, is the fact Truth beat Axel on Raw in a non-title match. In 1974 that's a hot angle. In 2013 it doesn't even trend on Twitter.
Result
Axel pins R-Truth with his finisher to retain the title.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"It really stuck in his craw," Michael Cole on R-Truth's lack of title shots. Stephanie McMahon got him riled up."Why does he need the Paulrus?" Jerry Lawler on Axel's relationship with Paul Heyman.
Axel's picture perfect dropkick
Strange to call a roll up a "memorable moment" but R-Truth had a really nifty counter to score a near fall.
Twitter Highlights
"Ding ding ding. I'm guilty. Started Walrus chant. My bad. @DJRedders: @JRsBBQ @HeymanHustle You did, back in 2001: http://t.co/G9kpGaplyU”
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) October 7, 2013"
Grade
B-
Analysis
Nothing objectionable here, but nothing special either. Curtis Axel is just there. Listen, I loved Curt Hennig as much as the next guy. But it's becoming clear that his son just doesn't have that next gear to propel him to the top of the WWE. He's a a midcard hand—at best. There are worse things to be.
AJ Lee vs. Brie Bella (Divas Championship)
5 of 10
Storyline
AJ Lee continues her efforts to make the Divas division an integral part of the show. The Divas champion defends against Total Divas star Brie Bella. If Brie and her new fiance Daniel Bryan both win they will become the WWE's true royal couple. You can bet AJ who has her issues with the Total Divas crew, will do everything in her power to stop that from happening.
Result
AJ Lee rolled Brie up when she was distracted by Tamina.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Great bump by AJ off a middle rope dropkick by Brie."You know in any of AJ's matches it's just a matter of time before she snaps," Jerry Lawler on AJ.
AJ's skipping.
Twitter Highlights
"Rooting for @nicoleandbri !!!! Come on!!!
— Natalya (@NatbyNature) October 7, 2013"
Grade
B
Analysis
I wanted to love this match. Some of it was exceptional, ike AJ's work on the arm and her very cool bridging hammerlock. But I'm just going to come out and say it—Brie Bella doesn't look healthy. Aesthetics to the side, I think for her own safety in the ring, she needs a little more padding for protection.
Cody Rhodes/Goldust vs. the Shield
6 of 10
Storyline
Dusty Rhodes explained the history between the McMahons and the Rhodes in our exclusive interview last week. The families have been adversaries for decades, but the issue in this match is the more immediate past.
Dustin and Cody need to work. The McMahons, and their proxies the Shield, stand in the way of that. If the Rhodes win, they get their jobs back. If they lose? The son of a plumber is out of work as well. The stakes are high in what promises to be an amazing match.
Result
Cody pinned Rollins with the Cross Rhodes.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"I would be lucky if I had half the charisma of the American Dream my father. I would be lucky if I had half the natural in-ring skill of my brother Goldust," Cody Rhodes. Truth.Love that Goldust uppercut. Best punches in the game.
"I hope he has suspenders," JBL after Dusty took his belt off.
Cody Rhodes with the Shawn Michaels- style moonsault bodyblock.
Goldust tries to top him with a top rope cross body. And, I might add, succeeds
The hot tag! That's what wrestling is all about.
Dusty with the Bionic Elbow on Ambrose.
Twitter Highlights
"Very much anticipating the @WWEDustyRhodes & Family bidness....if you weeiill. #WWEBattleground Just 1 Bionic Elbow for old time's sake.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) October 7, 2013"
"Can't help but smile when you hear @WWEDustyRhodes music!!! C'mon #RhodesFamily! Our @WWENXT family needs a win here too!! #WWEBattleground
— EMMA (@EmmaWWE) October 7, 2013"
Grade
A+
Analysis
Wow! What a moment. Watching Cody, Dustin and Dusty Rhodes hugging it out in the ring was pretty special. The fact that it came after a legitimately excellent match was just icing on the cake. Goldust hasn't looked this good since he was Dustin Rhodes in the old WCW. Cody is finally finding his groove. And Dusty, in the moment of need, had one more Bionic Elbow in him.
Here's to the Rhodes family—past, present and future.
Bray Wyatt vs. Kofi Kingston
7 of 10
Storyline
Bray Wyatt is a first class weirdo. You need more storyline than that?
Result
Wyatt pinned Kingston with Sister Abigail.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
The King referring to Rowan as "Lambchops" was pretty funny.Bray Wyatt with one of the hardest flying tackles you'll ever see.
Wyatt crawling, upside down, after Kingston.
Kingston with a flying somersault dive on the whole Wyatt crew.
Twitter Highlights
Twitter was too busy talking about Dusty Rhodes to notice
Grade
B-
Analysis
This match was a mess. On several occasions they kind of lost their way, leading to awkward pauses in the ring. It was a palette cleanser, so it didn't rally matter. But bad wrestling is bad wrestling. And I don't care for bad wrestling.Luckily they redeemed themselves with a couple of pretty nifty highspots. Before that, it was on its way to a failing grade.
Ryback vs. CM Punk
8 of 10
Storyline
CM Punk hates Paul Heyman, his former mentor. That hate, more than any issue with Ryback himself, is what fuels Punk in this continuing feud. That Heyman seems so, um, intimately attached to his new protege Ryback only adds to the heat.
Result
Punk pinned Ryback with a low blow.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"CM Punk is a serial bully," Paul Heyman, before the match.Heyman distracting Punk with his old standby "My name is Paul Heyman." We know your name at this point Paul!
Punk takes advantage of a Heyman distraction to hit Ryback low!
Twitter Highlights
"Ryback one on one with CM Punk! #WWEBattleGround http://t.co/9GjmFPKyxE
— Justin Roberts (@JustinRoberts) October 7, 2013"
". @CMPunk and @Ryback22 a true @HeymanHustle guy on #WWEBattleGround pic.twitter.com/sIpJu1Kkvx
— Brooklyn Brawler (@brawlerreal) October 7, 2013"
Grade
B-
Analysis
When you're the best in the world, you're expected to deliver "best in the world" level performances. This wasn't one. And yes, Ryback was the proverbial broomstick here. But Ric Flair or Shawn Michaels would have made that broomstick dance. That didn't happen here.
This was the worst match on the card, at least when compared to high expectations. Punk can, and should, do better.
Power Outage
9 of 10
Storyline
The power needed a break after all the hot WWE action.
Result
WWE scored a clean win over the power outage by restoring the juice.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Michael Cole briefly moving his lips with no sound.
Me screaming "Noooooooo!" at the screen.
Twitter Highlights
"FEEL MY WRATH. I killed the feed. This is MY title. @arda_ocal
— Vacant (@WWEVacant) October 7, 2013
"
"We are back. Yes! Yes! Yes! @WWE #WWEBattleground pic.twitter.com/pizy8a73OD
— Josh Mathews (@wwejoshmathews) October 7, 2013"
Grade
F
Analysis
Not funny guys. Not funny at all.
Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship)
10 of 10
Storyline
It's round three for the two biggest stars in wrestling right now. Bryan won the strap from John Cena at SummerSlam, only to have Orton take it away when he cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase. Bryan returned the favor at Night of Champions, but shenanigans with referee Scott Armstrong led to the title being held up.
It's time for the rubber match—with all the marbles on the line. If Bryan gets the edge will Triple H and Stephanie really stand for him to leave the pay-per-view as the face of the WWE? This one is bound to get interesting.
Result
Both wrestlers were knocked out by the Big Show, bringing the match to an end.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"The power outage was probably his fault too," JBL on Daniel Bryan.
Bryan working a strong ground-and-pound game on Orton.
Orton's wicked powerslam. With Goldust back, the two guys are going to have to thumb wrestle for the rights to the spot.
Orton catches Bryan in mid-dropkick with a hard powerbomb.
Bryan with the diving headbutt. Enjoy the brain cells while you still have them!
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" The Buffalo crowd explodes for Daniel Bryan.
Orton with an Exploder Suplex. Delivered in beautiful slo-mo HD by the crack WWE production crew.
Twitter Highlights
"Like the pace of @WWEDanielBryan vs @RandyOrton. Exchanging holds. Both looking to create a sustained advantage. #WWEBattleground
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) October 7, 2013"
"Daniel Bryan about to fly!!! @WWE #WWEBattleground WWE Championship up for grabs! pic.twitter.com/bsvHnp4c7V
— Josh Mathews (@wwejoshmathews) October 7, 2013"
Grade
D
Analysis
With respect to Orton and Bryan, who worked a strong match, that was awful. I don't care how overbooked a finish it is—for $44.95 I think we deserve one. The only winner in this cluster is the word "abeyance." We're sure to hear it plenty on Monday night.
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