WWE Battleground PPV Results
October 6, 2013
Buffalo, N.Y.
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

WWE's live half-hour pre-show started with a live shot of the arena (with lots of empty seats) as Josh Mathews introduced the pre-show studio. This month, Mathews has The Miz, Titus O'Neil, and Tensai dressed like and talking like a normal person.

After a break down of the talking points for the PPV, backstage interviewer Renee Young introduced this month's Ridiculous Poll Questions from the "Social Media Lounge."

Backstage: Paul Heyman and Ryback were standing by for a discussion of Ryback's match against C.M. Punk. Heyman entered promo mode that Punk thinks he and his army of Punksters can bully Ryback, but Ryback will put an end to it tonight at Battleground.

Ringside: Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and JBL were ringside to call the action. Cole announced that the World Title match will open the PPV, leading to a discussion of Alberto Del Rio vs. Rob Van Dam and the Hardcore Rules stipulation.

In-ring: World Title MITB holder Damien Sandow was introduced for the PPV pre-show match. Sandow spoke on the way to the ring that he plans to decimate a former Mr. MITB Dolph Ziggler on the pre-show, then cash in his MITB contract, offering a PPV teaser for a potential MITB cash-in. Basically, WWE is playing the MITB cash-in card to try to entice some last-minute PPV buys. Dolph Ziggler's music then played to bring out Ziggler as Sandow's opponent.

A -- DAMIEN SANDOW vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER

Cole called this a first-time-ever singles match as Ziggler opened things up with a leaping dropkick that sent Sandow reeling to the corner. Ziggler followed with the sing-along nine elbow drops, a hip swivel, and a leaping tenth elbow drop for a nearfall. But, Sandow chucked Ziggler over the top rope in response. Ziggler recovered on the floor leading to a "break."

[PPV Hype Break]

Back from "break," Sandow and Ziggler traded nearfalls. Sandow then awkwardly moved to the corner turnbuckles and attempted a move, but Ziggler popped him with a dropkick. Both men recovered on the mat, then Ziggler cornered Sandow for Ten Corner Punches into a neckbreaker. Ziggler teased the Fameasser, but Sandow avoided and delivered a slam for a two count. Sandow followed with a running neckbreaker for another nearfall.

Slow pace, then Ziggler tried to end it with the Fameasser, but Sandow kicked out. Ziggler then missed a corner move and kind of fell down to the mat, allowing Sandow to pin him for a close two count. The match came to a standstill again, then Sandow sold a knee injury. Ziggler tried rolling him up, but Sandow kicked out. Sandow again sold a knee injury, so Ziggler dropped him with the Zig-Zag for the win. On commentary, Lawler said Sandow may not be cashing in MITB on this night following the apparent knee injury.

WINNER: Ziggler at 10:08. Awkward match. They seemed to trip and fall forward over the finish line rather than charge through with a strong finish.

Back to the All-Star Panel, where Josh Mathews asked Miz, Titus, and Tensai about the Rhodes Family getting a fourth chance tonight against The Shield.

Back at the Social Media Lounge, El Torito interrupted Renee Young reading some tweets. El Torito tried to flirt with Renee, who no-sold Torito's Spanish, then the mini bull kind of jumped around on the lounge chairs before leaving.

Poll Result: WWE's top power couple is Edge & Lita with 42 percent, followed by 30 percent for Triple H & Stephanie McMahon and 23 percent for Savage & Liz.

Back to the All-Star Panel, where Tensai tried to play Lee Corso putting on a Daniel Bryan beard to signal his pick for the WWE Title match. WWE then cut to a backstage shot of Rob Van Dam and Alberto Del Rio walking to the ring for the opening title match. They signed off with a teaser for a potential new World champion.

END OF THE PRE-SHOW. LIVE PPV COVERAGE CONTINUES AT PWTORCH.COM . ...

***

Alerts: Follow live PWTorch Staff tweets during the PPV here - Twitter.com/PWTorch/torch-staff .

After the PPV, we're looking for your Reax, 0-10 score, and Best/Worst Match sent to pwtorch@gmail.com.

Do you have the free PWTorch App? How about the free PWTorch Livecast App? Download both now in your App/Mobile store available for every mobile phone device!

We suggest these recent related articles...

McNEILL's Late Night Deadblog - WWE Night of Champions: Bucklebombs, Light-up Jackets, Poachers, IcoPro, Eddie, more!

KELLER’S WWE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS PPV REPORT 9/20: Ongoing “virtual time” coverage of event including Sting vs. Seth, Cena vs. Seth, Ryback vs. Owens, mystery partner with Reigns & Ambrose, Divas Title, Tag Title, more

CALDWELL'S WWE NOC PPV REPORT 9/20: Live Night of Champions Coverage from Houston - Seth Rollins's double duty