As seen on this week’s episode of SmackDown Live, John Cena and Rusev made their return to WWE TV. Cena has been away since WrestleMania 33 to film movies while Rusev has been out of action since March after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Cena challenged Rusev to a Flag match in the opening segment of the show. Daniel Bryan later announced on Twitter that the match would take place at Battleground.
Take notice, #SDLive AND #RAW…@JohnCena is BACK! pic.twitter.com/tFHE8ysJ0q
— WWE (@WWE) July 5, 2017
NOT TONIGHT, @JohnCena…
@RusevBUL says they'll fight on HIS terms! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/cH6lyOhK9W— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 5, 2017
After @JohnCena essentially just called out the entire @WWE roster, the #BulgarianBrute @RusevBUL EMERGES! #SDLive 🇧🇬 pic.twitter.com/CfrLJQeMfz
— WWE (@WWE) July 5, 2017
#SDLive kicks off with fireworks. Now let me make it official. @JohnCena vs. @RusevBUL in a flag match at #WWEBattleground. #YesYesYes
— Bryan Danielson (@bryandanielson) July 5, 2017
The Battleground pay-per-view event takes place on Sunday, July 23rd in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Wells Fargo Center and will air on the WWE Network and some traditional pay-per-view outlets. This will be an exclusive SmackDown Live brand event. Here is the updated card:
— WWE Championship Punjabi Prison Match: Jinder Mahal © vs. Randy Orton
— SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos © vs. The New Day
— Flag Match: John Cena vs. Rusev
