WWE Battleground 2017: 5 Best Matches in PPV History
By Bryan Heaton
1. Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens, 2016
While it’s never been proven that El Generico and Sami Zayn are the same person, Zayn seems to have the same kind of relationship with Kevin Owens as Generico did back in the day.
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From KO’s first day in NXT, he and Zayn have been at odds. Owens defeated Zayn for the NXT Championship, then injured him. Sami made a surprise entrance in the Royal Rumble basically just to eliminate Owens. As Owens once told El Generico, “You and I are destined to do this forever.”
At Battleground 2016, Zayn and Owens stole the show in what was supposed to be their “final encounter.” There’s something magical about the chemistry these guys have in the ring, and this night was no exception. Even a botched maneuver seems like it belonged. In the video above, Zayn goes for a rebound moonsault, but lands shoulder-first on the apron.
A spot like that could ruin a match, but Owens just instinctively attacks the shoulder. Why would he do that if Sami could be hurt? Because the show must go on. If something like that happens, within kayfabe Owens would absolutely not hesitate to try and injure his best friend turned bitter enemy. Years in the ring with each other allows both guys the ability to just react.
Brainbuster on the apron. Frog splash. Cannonball. Blue Thunder Bombs. Factor in a moment at the end where Owens just begs Sami to stay down, only to be hit with two Helluva Kicks and lose, and you have a match of the year contender. If they truly are destined to do this forever, the WWE Universe is in for a treat.
Next: WWE SummerSlam 2017: Potential John Cena Feuds
What do you think is the greatest match in WWE Battleground history?