10 Ways WWE Screwed Up At Battleground 2017

2. Defeating The Purpose

Jinder Mahal Battleground 2017
WWE.com

The whole point of cage matches (and their many variants) is to prevent outside interference. The walls should theoretically stop third parties from running in and disrupting the match, allowing the participants to settle their differences one on one. Sadly, this is rarely the case in WWE, and the company messed it up again last night.

Having fallen through interference from the Singh Brothers in his last two matches with Jinder Mahal, the Punjabi Prison should have finally given Randy Orton the chance to succeed or fail on his own merit. It seemed to be going well until about 12 minutes in: the Singhs turned up, came to their boss’ aid, then inevitably became Orton’s personal punching bags a few minutes later.

Then, to top things off, The Great Khali appeared at the match’s conclusion, choking ‘The Viper’ out while Mahal escaped the structure. These interference finishes suit Jinder’s character, but what’s the point in building walls around the ring if wrestlers are going to interfere anyway? It makes a mockery of the stipulation every single time, and for as long as WWE are booking matches like this, we can be sure they’ll be laced with interferences.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.