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

First Hour PPV Results

The first of two WWE PPVs this month opened with a video package previewing C.M. Punk vs. Ryback (representing Paul Heyman), the Rhodes Family getting another chance to earn WWE jobs, and Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton for the vacant WWE Title.

Live in the arena, Michael Cole introduced the PPV before Rob Van Dam's music played to bring out the #1 contender to the World Title, flanked by Ricardo Rodriguez. World champ Del Rio was introduced next to kick off the PPV. For formal ring intros, Ricardo introduced RVD, then Del Rio insisted that Lilian Garcia introduce him in Spanish. Before the bell sounded, Cole acknowledged a sign in the crowd that read: "Cash It In Sandow," referring to Damien Sandow holding the World Title MITB briefcase. But, the announcers noted that Sandow appeared to injure his knee during the pre-show match.

1 -- World Hvt. champion ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. ROB VAN DAM (w/Ricardo Rodriguez) -- World Title match -- Battleground Hardcore Rules match

Van Dam quickly took Del Rio to the outside, where RVD landed a moonsault off the guardrail. RVD then brought a chair into the ring and delivered a slingshot DDT onto the chair for a nearfall. Del Rio recovered quickly and nailed a Backstabber for a two count. Del Rio then popped RVD across the back with the chair a few times. Del Rio followed with a big boot to the side of the mouth, which WWE replayed using their new super-slow-motion camera.

RVD came back with a slingshot leg drop across the ring apron before Ricardo encouraged him to find another weapon. RVD accepted the offer and retrieved a ladder, which he brought into the ring to utilize as a weapon. Del Rio found himself on the floor, so RVD rolled the World champ back into the ring for a two count.

Del Rio recovered and used the ladder against RVD before rolling out of the ring to retrieve a trashcan. Del Rio smashed RVD a few times before trying to re-arrange his mouth. The World champ wanted a move from the second rope, but RVD dropkicked the can into Del Rio's stomach. Reset. Both men came to their feet and traded blows before RVD landed a clothesline. And a second. RVD followed with a split-legged moonsault and covered for a two count.

At 10:00, RVD went for Rolling Thunder onto the ladder, but Del Rio moved and RVD ate the ladder back-first. Del Rio followed right up with the cross arm-breaker, but Ricardo went under the ring to retrieve The Bucket. Ricardo smashed Del Rio with the bucket, distracting Del Rio, who nearly got rolled up for a three count. But, Del Rio escaped, chucked RVD out of the ring, and stalked Ricardo. Ricardo accepted Del Rio's tongue-lashing and pretended to hand the bucket over to Del Rio, but Ricardo kicked him in the gut. Ricardo knocked Del Rio to the floor, but Del Rio smashed him into the guardrail ringside.

Back in the ring, RVD dropkicked Del Rio back to the floor. RVD then measured Del Rio for a frogsplash from the ring apron onto Del Rio and the ladder. Both men sold immense pain on the floor. Back in the ring, RVD covered Del Rio for a two count. Reset as the crowd chanted for tables. Instead, RVD re-introduced a chair. Van Dam wanted a coast-to-cast Van Terminator, but Del Rio rolled out of the way and Van Dam crashed to the mat, sucking the air out of the building.

At 15:00, Del Rio stood up with chair in-hand. Del Rio caught RVD with a drop toehold into the face of the chair, then superkicked RVD through the chair. Del Rio followed with an arm yank and kicks to the shoulder inside the chair before slapping on the Cross Arm-breaker inside the chair. Van Dam was forced to tap out, giving Del Rio the win.

WINNER: Del Rio via submission at 16:04. Solid PPV opener. RVD got in enough of his trademark spots to satisfy viewers who ordered the PPV for WWE's watered-down version of a hardcore match, but this was about continuing Del Rio's title reign and allowing him to show more of a ruthless side. (**3/4)

Post-match: The announcers hyped Del Rio's title retention before Lawler noted Damien Sandow is nowhere to be found. Cole said Sandow's knee injury prevented him from capitalizing on Del Rio's condition following the hardcore match.

Backstage: Zeb Colter was standing by with the Real Americans. Colter asked for one valid reason why someone would cheer their hometown. He then noted he walked around Buffalo earlier today to find a growing Hispanic population and Canadians sneaking across the border. Colter transitioned to running down Great Khali to close the promo.

Exterior Shot: Niagara Falls.

In-ring: For the comedown match, Great Khali was introduced along with Hornswoggle. Santino was out next for the babyface tandem, then the dastardly heels dressed in pink were out next.

2 -- GREAT KHALI (w/Hornswoggle) & SANTINO vs. REAL AMERICANS (JACK SWAGGER & ANTONIO CESARO w/Zeb Colter)

Santino pulled out the Cobra sock puppet two minutes in, but Swagger rolled to the outside to avoid. Swoggle then pulled out a mini-Cobra, but Swagger tore up the sock. Back in the ring, the heels wore down Santino as Khali waited and anticipated and contemplated his eventual entry into the ring.

Khali got the tag at 5:10 and the heels ran into Khali, who stuck his arm out to inflict punishment. Khali followed with some elbow strikes to Cesaro, then a chop to the chest. And a second. Cesaro then walked into the Big Chop, but Swagger broke up what would have been a decisive pinfall. Swagger took a chop for good measure, then Cesaro cut off Khali back in the ring.

Cesaro wanted it, he balanced himself, and delivered the Big Swing to Khali, popping the vocal males. Cesaro did about 10 revolutions, then dropped Khali to the mat and immediately pinned his shoulders to the mat for the win. Post-match, WWE employed their super-slow-mo camera to show Cesaro giving Khali a ride.

WINNERS: Real Americans at 7:06. The whole thing feels backwards - a wrestler does a cool-looking, feat-of-strength move to overpower a giant and gets a clean, conquering victory. But, he's a heel. (*1/2)

In-ring: For the next match, IC champion Curtis Axel was introduced along with Paul Heyman. R-Truth was then introduced as Axel's opponent.

3 -- IC champion CURTIS AXEL (w/Paul Heyman) vs. R-TRUTH -- Intercontinental Title match

Axel dominated early on, drawing big smiles from Paul Heyman. Meanwhile, the announcers wondered if Axel feels overlooked now that Heyman is spending so much energy on Ryback since Night of Champions. Truth then cut off Axel with a kick to the face before rolling him up for a close two count. Truth followed with a running axe kick for another two count as Heyman covered his mouth with his hand to sell concern.

Truth followed with a pancake suplex at 6:30, but Axel kicked out of another pin attempt. Truth could not follow up with a finishing combination, allowing Axel to connect with his spinning facebuster finisher. It was good for a clean three count and the win. Post-match, JBL nicely described Axel's work as a "solid performance."

WINNER: Axel at 7:40 to retain the IC Title. Basic, house show-level action. (*1/2)

Announcers: Cole, JBL, and Lawler revisited the PPV pre-show, where Dolph Ziggler defeated Damien Sandow and Sandow sold a knee injury.

In-ring: The Bellas's music played to bring out Brie and Nikki Bella for the Divas Title match. A.J. Lee then came out with Tamina to defend the belt. Not much reaction for either duo considering the Bellas really haven't given the audience a reason to cheer them and A.J.'s act has been watered down by the "Total Divas" non-sense.

4 -- Divas champion A.J. LEE (w/Tamina Snuka) vs. BRIE BELLA (w/Nikki Bella) -- Divas Title match

As the bell sounded, Cole noted Brie and Daniel Bryan could be the new power couple in WWE if they win their respective title matches tonight. A.J. tried to make sure that would not happen by taunting Brie early on. Brie found herself on the defensive after taking the bait, then A.J. worked on Brie's left shoulder. This went on for a while as the crowd acted disinterested.

Brie eventually made a comeback, but Tamina attacked Nikki ringside, which distracted Brie. Brie went over to investigate, allowing A.J. to roll up Brie from behind for the win.

WINNER: A.J. at 6:38 to retain the Divas Title. Four matches, four heel victories thus far.

END OF THE FIRST HOUR. SECOND HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES AT PWTORCH.COM . ...

***

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