7 Best WWE Battleground Matches

3. Cody Rhodes & Goldust Vs. The Shield (2013)

Rob an Dam Alberto Del Rio Battleground 2013
WWE.com

Watching this one back now, it seems like it happened far longer than just three years ago. In October, 2013, The Shield were firmly united, and they were the villains of the piece when going up against Cody Rhodes and Goldust. Topping things off, the 'American Dream' Dusty Rhodes was around ringside to cheer on his sons.

This fell before Cody went all wacky and began aping his brother by being portrayed as Stardust. He was a much more serious character, and that aided the story being told. There was a lot on the line in this one, including Dusty losing his gig at NXT and both the Rhodes brothers being fired by The Authority had they lost.

They didn't, and were thus reinstated by WWE. Fans went crazy for the finish, but it wasn't just the stipulation that caused that. Everyone involved helped tell a story, so deftly that the finish (a Cody 'Cross Rhodes') felt natural rather than forced.

Sadly, things fell apart with the storyline after this, even though it should have been the platform with which to push Cody as a big babyface.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.