WWE SmackDown: Spoiler-Free Preview for July 16

The excitement for the 2015 edition of WWE’s Battleground pay-per-view has reached a fever pitch, and Thursday will feature the go-home episode of SmackDown.

While all of the heavy lifting has already been done for key matches—Seth Rollins vs. Brock Lesnar and John Cena vs. Kevin Owens—there is still plenty of build needed for many of the secondary storylines.

Here is a full breakdown of Thursday’s episode of WWE SmackDown.

Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, Nebraska

When: Thursday, July 16, at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: SyFy

Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus and Big Show

The main event for this week’s SmackDown will be a tag match featuring friends Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns standing toe-to-toe with Sheamus and Big Show. While the bout doesn’t have direct relation to the PPV, fans should be looking for a possible Bray Wyatt interference.

Wyatt has played the foil to Reigns for weeks, and it’s hard to see the New Face of Fear taking a beatdown on Raw without retaliating. While possible interference from Wyatt will be on everyone’s mind, the WWE Universe should be watching Ambrose closely.

Reigns has left Ambrose out to dry on several occasions, and at some point, the Lunatic Fringe will get tired of being abandoned by his friend and make him pay. If Reigns leaves his partner to fight Wyatt and Ambrose takes the loss, keep an eye out for a heel turn at Battleground.

Rusev vs. Cesaro

After Owens left the Triple Threat match on Raw, Rusev and Cesaro proceeded to tear the house down with one of the most enjoyable television bouts this year. The fans get a continuation of the rivalry this week when Rusev takes on Cesaro in a singles match.

While this SmackDown match is not leading to a PPV bout for either man, it will be a legitimate reason to tune in to the show this week. Episodes of SmackDown before a PPV are usually throwaway shows, but an extended bout between these two men will be must-see TV.

Both Rusev and Cesaro have gripes with Owens, and each has come close to picking up a win over Cena. Rusev may be tied up in a storyline with Dolph Ziggler, but the hope is that the company teases Cesaro getting involved in the Cena vs. Owens match Sunday night.

Stardust vs. Neville

A large portion of the WWE Universe wanted to see Cody Rhodes ditch the Stardust gimmick and come back as himself to honor his father’s legacy. Instead, heel Stardust returned Monday with force and knocked off Neville.

The Man Gravity Forgot gets his rematch Thursday, though.

The hope from the WWE Universe is that this is the beginning of the end for Stardust. Rhodes is a popular wrestler and has the charisma to get over with the fans as himself. While Stardust hasn’t been great, it hasn’t been due to a lack of commitment from the performer.

After building his confidence with a win on Raw, Stardust should get overzealous and Neville should pick up the win. With Ryback being removed from the card due to an injury, the third match between Stardust and Neville could take place at Battleground.

Match listing courtesy of ProWrestling.net.

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