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411’s WWE Battleground 2013 Report: 10.06.13

October 6, 2013 | Posted by Scott Slimmer

Welcome to 411’s WWE Battleground 2013 Report. For even more coverage, don’t forget to follow me on Twitter at @ScottSlimmer.

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Kick-Off Show Match
Dolph Ziggler vs. Damien Sandow
Dolph Ziggler vs. Damien Sandow photo Dolph_Ziggler_vs_Damien_Sandow_Cropped_zpsa926f18b.jpg

Ziggler and Sandow lock up to start, and Sandow transitions to a standing side headlock. Ziggler counters into an overhead wrist lock, but Sandow counters back into a side headlock takedown. Ziggler gets back to his feet, but Sandow levels him with a running shoulder block. Ziggler again gets back to his feet, but Sandow again goes to the standing side head lock. Ziggler whips Sandow to the ropes, waits for him to rebound, and connects with a gorgeous standing drop kick. Ziggler catches Sandow with a big back body drop and follows up with the Heart Stopper elbow drops for a two count. Ziggler ties to whip Sandow to the corner, but Sandow reverses and whips Ziggler right over the turnbuckle and down to the arena floor as we head to a break. We return from the break to find Sandow still in control. Sandow whips Ziggler to the corner, and Ziggler crumples to the mat. Sandow drags Ziggler back to his feet and hits a snap suplex for a two count. Sandow locks in a bow-and-arrow, but Ziggler counters into a backslide pin for a two count. Sandow hits the Cubito Aequet and gets another two count. Sandow heads up top and flies at Ziggler, but Ziggler catches him in mid-air with a standing drop kick. Sandow charges toward Ziggler in the corner, but Ziggler slides out of the way. Ziggler goes to work with the mounted corner punches and follows up with a neckbreaker. Ziggler goes for the Fameasser, but Sandow evades. Sandow goes for a sunset flip, but Ziggler sits down for a two count. Sandow hits the ropes and gives Ziggler a flipping neckbreaker for yet another two count. Ziggler goes for the Terminus, but Ziggler counters into the Fameasser for a two count. Sandow drops a knee on Ziggler’s face and goes to work with knee shots to the gut. Sandow leapfrogs Ziggler but tweaks his knee, so Ziggler gets a quick rollup pin for a two count. Both men get back to their feet, but Ziggler catches Sandow with the Zig Zag for the three count.

Match Result: Dolph Ziggler defeats Damien Sandow with the Zig Zag.
Match Length: 10:22

Battleground Hardcore Rules Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Alberto Del Rio (Champion) vs. Rob Van Dam w/ Ricardo Rodriguez
Alberto Del Rio vs. Rob Van Dam photo Alberto_Del_Rio_vs_Rob_Van_Dam_Cropped_zpsa7bcc35c.jpg

Del Rio immediately takes the fight to Van Dam with a side kick to the gut. Del Rio heads to the outside and looks under the ring, but Van Dam catches him with a baseball slide. Van Dam heads out of the ring and hits a moonsault off the barricade. Van Dam rolls Del Rio into the ring and slides a chair into the ring as well. Van Dam climbs up onto the ring apron and hits a SLINGSHOT TORNADO DDT ONTO THE CHAIR for a two count. Del Rio gets back to his feet, grabs the chair, and drills Van Dam with a shot to the gut and a volley of shots to the back. Del Rio goes for the cover but only gets a two count. Del Rio locks in a chin lock, but Van Dam fights back to his feet. Del Rio levels Van Dam with a boot to the side of the face and wedges the chair in the corner, but Van Dam retaliates with a spinning back heel kick to the face. Del Rio rolls to the apron, but Van Dam catches him with a slingshot leg drop on the apron. Del Rio rolls back to the middle of the ring as Van Dam retrieves a ladder from under the ring. Van Dam slides the ladder into the ring and hits thrust kick from the top turnbuckle. Van Dam props up the ladder in the corner and whips Del Rio face-first into it. Del Rio ricochets off the ladder, over the top rope, and down to the arena floor. Van Dam rolls Del Rio back into the ring and gets a two count. Van Dam stomps on Del Rio, once again whips him into the ladder, and follows up with another spinning back heel kick to the face. Van Dam goes for a monkey flip, but Del Rio slides out of the way. Van Dam catches himself on the ladder and begins to climb, but Del Rio connects with his patented rope-assisted enzuigiri to the back of the head. Van Dam falls backward with the ladder on top of him. Del Rio heads out of the ring and grabs a trashcan from under the ring. Del Rio brings the trashcan into the ring and nails Van Dam with it. Del Rio heads up top with the trashcan and flies at Van Dam, but Van Dam catches him with a standing drop kick to the trashcan in mid-air. Van Dam levels Del Rio with a clothesline and body slams Del Rio onto the ladder. Van Dam hits a SPLIT LEGGED MOONSAULT ONTO DEL RIO ON THE LADDER for another two count. Van Dam drags Del Rio back to his feet and kicks him back onto the ladder. Van Dam goes for Rolling Thunder onto Del Rio on the ladder, but Del Rio rolls out of the way, causing Van Dam to crash onto the ladder. Del Rio locks in the cross arm breaker in the middle of the ring, but Ricardo grabs his bucket and rushes the ring to make the save. Del Rio breaks the hold and whips Van Dam out of the ring. Del Rio tries to convince Ricardo to go back to the dark side, but Ricardo beats Del Rio with the bucket. Ricardo beats Del Rio out of the ring, but Del Rio whips him into the barrier to stop the assault. Del Rio picks up the ladder and begins to slide it back into the ring, but Van Dam catches him with a baseball slide to the ladder. Del Rio lands on the arena floor with the ladder on top of him, so Van Dam his a FIVE STAR FROG SPASH FROM THE APRON TO THE LADDER ON TOP OF DEL RIO ON THE ARENA FLOOR. Van Dam rolls Del Rio back into the ring for a two count. “We want tables! We want tables! We want tables!” Del Rio ends up in the corner, so Van Dam grabs a chair and heads up top in the adjacent corner. Van Dam goes for the Van Terminator, but Del Rio rolls out of the way, causing Van Dam to crash to the mat. Del Rio sets up the chair and goes for Van Dam, but Van Dam hits a jaw breaker. Van Dam charges Del Rio, but Del Rio catches him with a drop toe hold right into the chair. Del Rio kicks the chair into Van Dam’s face. Del Rio wraps the chair around Van Dam’s arm, stomps on it several times, and locks in the Cross Arm Breaker. Van Dam is trapped in the chair and the hold, so he has no choice but to tap.

Match Result: Alberto Del Rio defeats Rob Van Dam with the Cross Arm Breaker.
Match Length: 17:08

Santino Marella & The Great Khali w/ Hornswoggle vs. The Real Americans w/ Zeb Colter
Santino & Khali vs. The Real Americans photo Santino_and_Khali_vs_The_Real_Americans_Cropped_zpsba449968.jpg

Santino and Swagger start the match, and Swagger levels Santino with a running shoulder block. Swagger catches Santino with a side headlock takedown, but Santino rolls into a pinning predicament for a two count. Swagger goes back to the standing side headlock, but Santino breaks the hold, hits the ropes, and levels Swagger with a running shoulder block of his own. Santino catches Swagger with a hip toss and dons the Cobra, so Swagger rolls out of the ring. Hornswoggle heads for Swagger with a Cobra of his own, but Swagger rips the Cobra off Hornswoggle and rips it to shreds. Swagger heads back into the ring and makes the tag to Cesaro. Cesaro works over Santino in the corner and makes the quick tag back to Swagger. Swagger hits the Swagger Bomb, and Cesaro follows up with a leapfrog double stomp to the chest. Cesaro gets the tag and makes sure that Santino can’t make the tag to Khali. Cesaro drags Santino back to the opposite corner, but Santino finally escapes and tags Khali. Khali traps Cesaro in the corner and connects with a chop to the chest. Khali hits the big chop to the chest and covers Cesaro, but Swagger makes the save. Khali chops Swagger off the ring apron, and Santino flies over the top rope to take him out on the outside. CESARO HITS KHALI WITH THE CESARO SWING FOR THE THREE COUNT!

Match Result: Antonio Cesaro defeats the Great Khali with the Cesaro Swing.
Match Length: 7:11

Intercontinental Championship Match
Curtis Axel (Champion) w/ Paul Heyman vs. R-Truth
Curtis Axel vs. R-Truth photo Curtis_Axel_vs_R_Truth_Cropped_zps3703f2c7.jpg

Truth takes the fight to Axel and slams his head into the top turnbuckle. Truth goes for another turnbuckle slam, but Axel gets his boot up to block. Truth goes to work with the mounted corner punches and follows up with a big hip toss. Axel rolls out of the ring to catch a breather, but Truth hits a flying clothesline off the ring apron. Truth rolls Axel back into the ring for a two count as Heyman watches from ringside. Axel again rolls out of the ring to consult with Heyman, so Truth gives chase. Axel kicks Truth into the barricade and then slams him back-first into the barricade. Axel rolls Truth back into the ring and gets a two count. Truth fights back to his feet with a volley of forearm shots to the face, but Axel regains control a standing drop kick for another two count. The slow motion replay of that drop kick was spectacular. Axel charges Truth in the corner, but Truth gets his boot up in Axel’s face. Truth levels Axel with a clothesline and rolls him up for a two count. Truth hits the bicycle kick and gets another two count. Heyman isn’t quite apoplectic, but he’s on his way there. Truth connects with the sit-out facebuster and gets yet another two count. Truth lands a back kick to the gut, but Axel drops Truth face-first onto the top turnbuckle. Axel hits Truth with the Hangman’s Facebuster for the three count.

Match Result: Curtis Axel defeats R-Truth with the Hangman’s Facebuster.
Match Length: 7:36

Divas Championship Match
AJ Lee (Champion) w/ Tamina Snuka vs. Brie Bella w/ Nikki Bella
AJ Lee vs. Brie Bella photo AJ_Lee_vs_Brie_Bella_Cropped_zps4e99c441.jpg

Brie slaps AJ across the face and goes to work with the ground and pound. AJ escapes to the outside, and Brie follows her. Tamina gets between Brie and AJ and gives AJ time to get safely back into the ring. Brie chases AJ back into the ring and slams her back-first into the corner. Brie heads up top and hits a missile drop kick for a two count. Brie drops AJ with a forearm shot to the face, but AJ slams Brie face-first into the ring post. Brie tumbles out of the ring, and AJ follows her. AJ rolls Brie back into the ring and gets a two count. AJ locks in a hammer lock on the mat and flips forward into something akin to a single-arm Cattle Mutilation. Brie escapes the hold, but AJ catches her with a Code Breaker to the arm for a two count. AJ slams Brie shoulder-first into the turnbuckle to continue to work over the arm. AJ charges Brie in the corner, but Brie slides out of the way. AJ locks in a Fujiwara Arm Bar, but Brie fights back to her feet. AJ skips around the ring, but Brie catches her with a standing drop kick. Brie gets a sloppy roll-up for a one count. Brie lands a low drop kick to the knees and follows up with a backbreaker for a two count. Brie connects with a knee to face, but Tamina attacks Nikki on the outside. Brie gets distracted by Tamina’s attack, and AJ rolls up Brie for the three count.

Match Result: AJ Lee defeats Brie Bella with roll-up pin.
Match Length: 6:37

Cody Rhodes & Goldust w/ Dusty Rhodes vs. The Shield
Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. The Shield photo Cody_Rhodes_and_Goldust_vs_The_Shield_Cropped_zpsbd671610.jpg

Cody and Rollins start the match. Cody catches Rollins with a big back body drop, but Reigns gets the tag. Cody whips Reigns to the corner and makes the tag to Goldust. Reigns rolls to the outside to regroup. The Shield heads for Dusty on the outside, but Cody and Goldust head to the outside, and we’ve got a six-man standoff. Goldust heads back into the ring to break the count, and Reigns follows him. Cody gets the tag, but Reigns muscles him to the corner and tags Rollins. Rollins beats Cody to the mat and stomps a mud hole in him. Cody fights back to his feet, turns the tide, and stomps on Rollins. Cody charges Rollins in the corner, but Rollins catches him with a drop toe hold into the turnbuckle. Reigns gets the tag and holds Cody as Rollins heads up top for a double ax handle. Rollins gets the tag and locks in a modified Fujiwara arm bar. Rollins whips Cody to the corner, but Cody knocks Reigns off the ring apron. Rollins ties up Cody in the tree of woe, but Cody counters with a kick to the jaw. Cody heads up top and connects with a HUGE moonsault to Rollins. “We want Goldust! We want Goldust! We want Goldust!” Goldust gets the tag, but so does Reigns. Goldust hits his patented uppercut and follows up with mounted corner punches. GOLDUST HEADS UP TOP AND HITS A FLYING CROSSBODY! Goldust charges at Reigns, but Reigns ducks, causing Goldust to tumble out of the ring. Rollins gets the tag and whips Goldust in the barricade. The referee begins his count, but Goldust just manages to slide back into the ring at 9. Rollins muscles Goldust to the corner and makes the tag to Reigns. Reigns locks in a chin lock in the middle of the ring and grapevines the body. “Goldust! Goldust! Goldust!” Goldust gets back to his feet, but Reigns levels him with a vicious clothesline. Reigns drags Goldust back to the corner and makes the tag to Rollins. Rollins locks in a modified Cobra Clutch and drags Goldust down to the mat. Goldust fights back to his feet and grabs the ropes to avoid a drop kick from Rollins. Goldust goes for an elbow drop, but Rollins rolls out of the way and tags Reigns. Reigns drags Goldust back to the corner and tags Rollins, but Goldust finally escapes and makes the tag to Cody. Cody hits Rollins with the Alabama Slamma for a two count. Cody charges Rollins in the corner but eats a back elbow shot. Rollins heads up top, but Cody pulls him off and hits a Muscle Buster for another two count. Reigns breaks up the pin, but Cody hits him with a Disaster Kick. Rollins levels Cody with a clothesline from behind. Ambrose heads for Dusty on the outside, but Dusty takes off his belt and whips Ambrose. DUSTY LEVELS AMBROSE WITH THE BIONIC ELBOW! Reigns sneaks up behind Dusty, but Goldust makes the save with a gorgeous clothesline. Back in the ring, Cody drags Rollins back to his feet… AND HITS A SPECTACULAR CROSS RHODES FOR THE THREE COUNT!

Match Result: Cody Rhodes defeats Seth Rollins with the Cross Rhodes.
Match Length: 13:54

Kofi Kingston vs. Bray Wyatt w/ Luke Harper and Erick Rowan
Kofi Kingston vs. Bray Wyatt photo Kofi_Kingston_vs_Bray_Wyatt_Cropped_zpscb06925c.jpg

Wyatt shoves Kingston down to the mat, but Kingston springs back to his feet and connects with a kick to the back of the head in the corner. Kingston heads up top, but Wyatt knocks the ropes and crotches Kingston on the top rope. Wyatt pulls Kingston out onto the ring apron and delivers a clubbing forearm to the chest. Wyatt pulls Kingston back into the ring and wrenches on his neck. Close-ups of Erick Rowan in that mask are incredibly unnerving. Wyatt scoop slams Kingston and follows up with an elbow drop for a two count. Kingston heads to the ring apron and goes for a slingshot clothesline, but Wyatt counters into a powerslam. That was sweet. Kingston hits a crucifix pin with a lot of torque; it was kind of like a crucifix pin diver, if that’s even a thing. Kingston hits the Boom Drop, but Wyatt regains his vertical base and damn near decapitates Kingston with a running back elbow shot. Wyatt charges at Kingston, but Kingston low bridges the top rope, sending Wyatt tumbling to the outside. Harper and Rowan help Wyatt get back to his feet, but Kingston takes out all three of them with a somersault senton over the top rope. Kingston rolls Wyatt back into the ring, but Wyatt catches him with Sister Abigail out of nowhere for the three count. After the match, Harper and Rowan continue the assault on Kingston as Wyatt grabs a mic and reminds us to follow the buzzards.

Match Result: Bray Wyatt defeats Kofi Kingston with Sister Abigail.
Match Length: 8:27

CM Punk vs. Ryback w/ Paul Heyman
CM Punk vs. Ryback photo CM_Punk_vs_Ryback_Cropped_zps73fba168.jpg

Punk and Ryback lock up to start, but Ryback immediately shoves Punk down to the mat. “Goldberg! Goldberg! Goldberg!” “CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!” Ryback drives Punk into the corner and rams his shoulder into Punk’s gut. Punk retaliates with leg kicks, so Ryback heads to the outside to strategize with Heyman. Ryback heads back into the ring, and Punk once again goes to work with elbow and knee shots. Ryback heads to the outside, but Punk takes him out with a suicide dive. Punk climbs up onto the barricade and goes for a flying crossbody, but Ryback catches him and tosses him into the barricade. Punk and Ryback head back into the ring, and Ryback guerilla presses Punk off the top turnbuckle. Ryback whips Punk ribs-first under the bottom rope and right into the ring post. Ryback slides out of the ring and again slams Punks ribs into the ring post. Ryback heads back into the ring and locks in a chin lock in the middle of the ring. Punk fights back to his feet and tries to break the hold with a volley of punches to the gut, but Ryback counters with a textbook belly-to-belly suplex. Ryback hits a leg drop, whips Punk to the corner, and levels him with a running clothesline. Ryback lands a kick to the back of the head, but Punk fights back to his feet and connects with chops to the chest. Punk hits the ropes, but Ryback levels him with a nasty clothesline. Ryback drops Punk gut-first onto the top rope and casually kicks him around the ring. Ryback drives his shoulder into Punks gut three times but only gets a two count. Ryback goes back to the chin lock and grapevines the body, but Punk rolls him and goes to work with the mounted punches. Ryback charges Punk in the corner, but Punk gets his boot up in Ryback’s face. Punk hits a swinging neck breaker and calls for the Go To Sleep, but Heyman gets on the mic and proclaims himself the Best in the World. The distraction gives Ryback enough time to catch Punk with a powerbomb for a two count. Ryback goes for another Powerbomb, but Punk counters into a roundhouse kick. Punk hits a clothesline in the corner, heads up top, and hits the Macho Man Diving Elbow Drop for a LOOONG two count. Punk connects with a high knee in the corner and goes for Go To Sleep, but Ryback counters into a power slam for a two count. Ryback drapes Punk over the second rope and repeatedly drills him with forearm shots to the head. The referee pulls Ryback away, but Heyman retrieves a kendo stick from under the ring. Heyman is about to hit Punk with the kendo stick, but the referee turns around and tells him not to do it. Ryback pulls Punk back to the middle of the ring, but Punk low blows Ryback while the referee is focused on Heyman. Punk covers Ryback and gets the three count.

Match Result: CM Punk defeats Ryback with a low blow.
Match Length: 14:47

WWE Championship Match
Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton
Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton photo Daniel_Bryan_vs_Randy_Orton_Cropped_zps06270818.jpg

Bryan and Orton lock up to start, and Bryan hits a side headlock takedown. Orton rolls Bryan for a one count, but Bryan shifts his weight and gets back to his feet. Bryan locks in a second side head lock and drags Orton back down to the mat, but Orton breaks free and levels Bryan with a running shoulder block. Orton calls for a test of strength but kicks Bryan in the gut. Orton hits a side headlock takedown of his own, but Bryan gets back to his feet and levels Orton with a drop kick. Bryan wrenches Orton’s arm over his shoulder, but when he tries it a second time, Orton counters into a back breaker. Orton locks in an arm bar and then wrenches on Bryan’s arm. Bryan whips Orton to the ropes and catches him with a knee to the gut. Bryan traps Orton in the corner and works him over with a volley of kicks to the body and legs. Bryan takes Orton down to the mat and wrenches on the knee. Bryan locks in an Indian Death Lock and then slugs Orton in the face. Bryan takes Orton up top, but Orton pushes Bryan away, causing him to crotch himself on the top rope. Orton clotheslines Bryan off the tope rope and gets a two count. Orton traps Bryan in the corner and goes to work with the mounted corner punches. Orton clotheslines Bryan in the corner, and Orton is firmly in control at this point. Orton charges at Bryan, but Bryan gets his boot up in Orton’s face. Bryan charges Orton, but Orton catches him with a power slam for a two count. Orton locks in a chin lock, but Bryan fights back to his feet. Bryan hits the ropes and charges at Orton, but Orton turns him inside out with a high knee. Orton drops Bryan gut-first onto the top rope for yet another two count. Bryan gets back to his feet and goes to work with straight punches. Orton whips Bryan to the corner, but Bryan runs up the turnbuckles and flips over Orton. Orton tries to whip Bryan out of the ring, but Bryan skins the cat and hurricanranas Orton out of the ring. Bryan connects with a suicide dive to the outside, rams Orton into the barricade, and rolls Orton back into the ring. Bryan heads up top and goes for a missile drop kick, but Orton counters into a powerbomb. Orton locks in a Boston Crab. Bryan tries to claw his way to the ropes, but Orton drags him back to the middle of the ring. Bryan counters into an inside cradle but only gets a two count. Bryan goes for the Yes Lock, but Orton escapes and rolls out of the ring. Bryan gives chase, but Orton whips him into the ring steps. Orton slams Bryan into the Spanish announce table and whips him shoulder-first into the ring post. Orton rolls Bryan back into the ring, takes him up top, and goes for a superplex, but Bryan head butts Orton back down to the mat. Orton heads back up top, and this time he does hit the superplex for a two count. Bryan and Orton get back to their feet and trade European uppercuts in the middle of the ring. Bryan gets a backslide pin for a two count and follows up with a kick to the back of the head for another two count. Orton rolls out to the ring apron. Bryan tries to suplex Orton back into the ring, but ORTON SUPLEXES BRYAN OVER THE TOP ROPE AND ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE ARENA FLOOR! Orton tries to powerbomb Bryan through the Spanish announce table, but Bryan floats over and kicks Orton in the back of the leg. Bryan heads all the way up top and flies from the top to the outside to take out Orton. Bryan rolls Orton back into the ring, again heads all the way up top, and connects with the Benoit Flying Head Butt for a LOOONG two count. Bryan hits a running drop kick in the corner. And a second! And a third! And a fourth! And a fifth! “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Orton gets to his knees, and Bryan peppers him with kicks to the chest. Bryan goes for a kick to the head, but Orton springs to his feet and counters into a t-bone suplex. Orton sets up for the RKO, but Bryan shoves him away. Bryan goes for a head kick, but Orton counters into a roll-up for a two count. Bryan locks in the Yes Lock… BUT HERE COMES THE BIG SHOW! Show pulls the referee out of the ring just as Orton was about to tap. Bryan asks Show what the hell he’s doing… AND BIG SHOW KNOCKS OUT DANIEL BRYAN! BRAD MADDOX SENDS SCOTT ARMSTRONG DOWN TO THE RING! Orton covers Bryan and Armstrong begins to count… BUT BIG SHOW PULLS ARMSTRONG OUT OF THE RING AND KNOCKS HIM OUT! BIG SHOW CLIMBS INTO THE RING AND KNOCKS OUT RANDY ORTON! Brad Maddox is apoplectic on the stage. Dreamy, but apoplectic. Bryan and Orton are unconscious in the ring, and both referees are unconscious at ringside. Big Show’s music hits, so I guess that means this match is over.

Match Result: No Contest
Match Length: 25:00ish, depending on when you want to say we all conceded the fact that there wasn’t going to be an actual finish

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