Updated WWE Battleground 2017 Card After SmackDown
July 23rd gets a US Title bout, and a flag match between familiar foes.
Taking place on July 23rd, Battleground is WWE's next SmackDown-branded pay-per-view, and some of the show's biggest matches are already in place. A Punjabi Prison match between WWE Champion Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton was booked last week, as was a Tag Team Title rematch pitting The Usos against The New Day, and a couple of new additions were made on last night's show.
SmackDown's main event featured a 15-man Independence Day Battle Royal to crown the new number one contender for Kevin Owens' United States Champion. AJ Styles eliminated Sami Zayn last to take the victory, and he'll now face KO in a rematch of their Backlash bout, which Owens won via countout on May 21st.
A flag match between John Cena and Rusev has also been added. Both men returned to WWE programming following lengthy absences last night, with 'The Bulgarian Brute' interrupting Cena's in-ring promo at the start of the show, leading to the booking.
Here's how the updated Battleground card looks following the additions:-
WWE Title Punjabi Prison Match: Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton
United States Title: Kevin Owens (c) vs. AJ Styles
SmackDown Tag Team Titles: The Usos (c) vs. The New Day
Flag Match: John Cena vs. Rusev