The Deadman Rises at Battleground

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Just as Brock Lesnar began to zero in on recapturing his prized WWE World Heavyweight Championship, the lights went out, the infamous bell sounded and then, there he stood—The Undertaker

Around a year and a half following the most shocking moment in WWE history where the Deadman's undefeated streak on the Grandest Stage of Them All was snapped by the Beast Incarnate, the Phenom was poised for revenge as he stared him down before proceeding a beatdown, including two Tombstone Piledrivers.

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It was the conclusion of a truly scintillating night emanating from St. Louis, which featured an epic rubber match between Kevin Owens and John Cena, on top of Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt's thrilling battle.

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King, no King

Wade Barrett—or King Barrett, if reports that WWE are scrapping the name "Wade" from the Englishman—yet again found himself in the treacherous waters of the kickoff show, and déjà vu was a not-too-distant thought when he once again shared the squared circle with R-Truth. Fast forward the run-up to this match, phonies to royalty, and this match ended finally with the truest king, that is Barrett, getting the pinfall with a Bullhammer; while the WWE Universe remained none-the-wiser in the logic of the booking and if this pain has finally moved on.

BULLHAMMER means victory for King @WadeBarrett as he successfully defends the crown! #WWEBattleground! pic.twitter.com/AAdPq71MTs

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 19, 2015

Viper victorious back at home

Having homecourt advantage doesn't diminish the pain from the ruthless beats of Sheamus. Randy Orton learnt that the hard way over the course of his physical battle with Mr. Money in the Bank in his home state of Missouri. Wile the subsequent morning would endure many-a-bruise, the Viper more than held his own on a quest to dish out punishment to the eccentrically-haired former World Heavyweight Champion.

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20-feet by 20-feet was not a sufficient host to the battle. On numerous occasions the action spilled to the outside, where Sheamus crashed onto the unforgiving surface of the announcers desk, after his skull crashed off the ringpost. Even when things did emanate from their native habitat once more, the apron wouldn't do for Randy Orton, landing a Superplex from the top rope in an emphatic response to his opponent's futile White Noise.

That was the cue the third-generation superstar needed to really dial it up, triggering a partisan response from his fellow states residents, but before he even had a look-in to end things, a roll-up pin would crumble and in the blink of an eye, the Money in the Bank holder would have his counterpart flattened from a thunderous Brogue Kick.

And JUST LIKE THAT! After an #RKOOuttaNowhere, @RandyOrton picks up the victory over @WWESheamus! #WWEBattleground pic.twitter.com/T57CxRiokf

— WWE (@WWE) July 20, 2015

Instinctively, Randy Orton managed to flee, and soon enough, his most prominent opportunity to execute things would emerge. After more back-and-forth battling, an RKO, quite literally out of nowhere, would bring an end to the contest as the American picked up the victory, getting the better of his bitter rival and concluding a physical runup to the opening of the pay-per-view. Sheamus will feel the physical hardship, but it will do little to thwart his momentum, because when that briefcase is in hand, little can grind things to a halt.

Still a "Prime Time" in the tag team division

Prime Time Players' dismissed the New Day, and all the trash talking prior to the meeting, to keep their Tag Team Championship reign in tact in what turned out to be an eventually steamrolled victory. With Xavier Woods cheerleading ringside—and certainly pushing the wrong buttons of the WWE Universe—Kofi Kingston and Big E surged early on, but soon enough, the tag team Champions would show exactly why they were sporting the gold that moulds to their personas so well.

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The hard-hitting sequences in fluidity wouldn't grant immunity from the underhand tactics by way of the challengers, however. New Day's PhD would push the odds in the favour of his side when he jumped up on the apron to stun Darren Young . A Trouble in Paradise ducked paved the way to nail a gutbuster, before the Celebrity Dad of the Year, Titus O'Neil would delve into the action—almost at ease, he overpowered the opposition before a Spinebuster concluded it, and in what seemed like a rushed match for the gold, it was still a Prime Time in the tag team division.

A reunion thwarts Reigns

As the Scottrade Center became illuminated with the fireflies to welcome Bray Wyatt's entrance to the ring, little did spectators know that after a thrilling match with The Sheild's powerhouse, another entire variable would aid the Eater of Worlds to victory. With both profound entrances being made, the latter with Roman Reigns making his way through the sea of bodies before combat, emotionally charged from events on course to the collision in St. Louis.

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Overwhelming emotion almost lead to an early downfall for the 2015 Royal Rumble winner as he looked to explode out of the blocks but instead found himself on the receiving end of a vicious barrage of strikes by the New Face of Fear. Eventually, through composure and just pure grit, the Samoan would delve deep into his lineage with a Samoan Drop that concluded a flurry of offence.

Neither man was willing to give up any measures as a split, undecided crowd was captivated by the action taking place between the four turnbuckles. In doing so, however, both would crash to the mat, of course that wasn't before a lengthy sleeper which looked to drain energy from the powerhouse, and as Bray Wyatt would learn, it did anything but, with a side suplex flattening the pair of combatants.

Wyatt was waiting.... #WWEBattleground @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/dhModfSiJ3

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 20, 2015

Fans were off their seats when the intensity rose. A Superplex was reversed into a Powerbomb, but Bray Wyatt kicked out, Roman Reigns then followed suit from a Sister Abigal, responding with his own, devastating Superman Punch. Obstacles continued to follow for the juggernaut, none more prominent than his counterpart's ability to telegraph the impending manoeuvres. 

No-one could telegraph what would happen next. As Roman Reigns attempted to channel his inner demon, retrieving steel chairs and loading the ring with the barbaric metal, Bray Wyatt seemed lifeless, but someone who certainly wasn't, was a hooded man—later revealed to be his former and now reunited brother—who attacked the WrestleMania 31 main-eventer from behind, allowing Wyatt to drag him into the ring and finish it with a Sister Abigail.

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A sensational contest had a puzzling ending, but one that means we'll see it again. The concept of reuniting Luke Harper with Bray Wyatt makes sense since Erick Rowan is injured, and it showed two things: Roman Reigns is making huge improvements and Bray Wyatt is simply a born star.

Triple trouble

Stephanie McMahon initiated a "revolution" on the Raw before Battleground. It didn't take long for the NXT Champion Sasha Banks, and Charlotte, to prove why NXT has unlocked the key to a new era in the Divas' division. Each trio would be represented in a triple threat match, as Brie Bella collided with Sasha Banks and Charlotte—and it proved to be a match worth remembering.

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Charlotte would demonstrate her athletic prowess with a double clothesline sweeping both Brie and Sasha, but then one half of the Bella Twins would have both on their knees, landing kicks to the torso. Team Bella couldn't really manipulate things this time round, because when they even made the slightest move, they would be surrounded by the revolution that was ever so progressively swarming them.

After Banks flew to the outside, subsequently followed by her NXT colleague, a Figure Eight would be too much for Brie Bella to handle, tapping out and giving Team Paige a huge victory, potentially signalling the beginning of the end for the Bella's fortress on top of the division.

Cena overcomes Owens

For a third time, John Cena and Kevin Owens stood at opposite corners of the ring. The WWE Universe were intrigued by what was about to unfold. And this time, the United States Championship was on the line. We learnt just how important that title is to the CeNation Leader as he pulled out all the stops in the thrilling rubber match to dispatch a game Kevin Owens.

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The former NXT Champion got the better of the early, tentative lock ups, and after the sleeper he would stun the reigning United States Champion with a rocket of a right hand, followed by a dropkick and a very innovative neckbreaker to rattle the cage of the face of the company.

John Cena himself found some leverage in the form of a dropkick, beefore an Attitude Adjustment was countered into a DDT as he was kept at an arms' length througout. There was even time for Kevin Owens to imitate the Doctor of Thuganomics, although that would come close to really biting him back as he found himself viced in the STF. He escaped, then stopped John Cena in his tracks, catching his Springboard Stunner attempt and nailing a German Suplex. 

Beautiful counter to the #SpringboardStunner by @FightOwensFight! #WWEBattleground @USTitle pic.twitter.com/8h5Uc9lMX3

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 20, 2015

Two counts galore would follow from both: Powerbomb of the top rope, AA's, clotheslines, the whole lot, but the look on the American's face said it all when he tried to AA his opponent from the top rope, only for him to kick out. After a roll-up, an STF submission would eventually seal the deal after some resistance, and John Cena remained Champion in one of the toughest battles of his career. Yet again, what a match.

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Money maker mangled

The Intercontinental Championship was also set to be defended on the card, but the contest was scrapped when Ryback was ruled out. That still didn't prevent The Miz from running his mouth, accusing the Champion of being a coward and demanding himself to be crowned the new titleholder. Big Show stepped in, and without a word, he would knock out The Miz and thankfully that was that.

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Never too late for revenge

After a long wait Brock Lesnar finally got his hands on Seth Rollins, as part of an opportunity to reclaim the gold he never really lost back at WrestleMania 31. The Architect appeared to be regretting all he had ever said previously when he was hurled in the air near to a dozen times, after weathering an early storm with crafty kicks to divert the power of the Beast Incarnate.

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Soon enough, Brock Lesnar would edge ever closer to the title, but after an F5, during a pinfall, an illustrious dong would be sounded, and the lights would go out. Standing in the ring seconds later was The Undertaker.

He has risen. #WWEBattleground pic.twitter.com/dC2Hk11fn8

— TheSportMatrix (@TheSportMatrix) July 20, 2015

The Beast attempted to take him on, but would receive two emphatic Tombstone Piledrivers as the Deadman set his sights on the man who ended his undefeated WrestleMania streak.

He's back, and he's looking for revenge, what does the future hold on the run-up to summer?

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