On tonight’s (Tues. July 4, 2017) Fourth Of July episode of SmackDown Live, former WWE Champion John Cena made his highly-anticipated return to WWE TV. While “The Leader Of The Cenation” was paying homage to the good ole’ US of A, he was interrupted by former United States Champion Rusev:
The hype around @JohnCena's return may have FIRED UP the @WWEUniverse, but there's no doubt @RusevBUL feels a bit differently… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/mJA8TBC5n3
— WWE (@WWE) July 5, 2017
Cena challenged Rusev to a Flag match for later that night as a result, however, “The Bulgarian Brute” declined Cena’s offer and said he’d face him on his own terms. Soon after, SmackDown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan took to Twitter to confirm that Cena and Rusev will, in fact, meet in a Flag match at the upcoming Battleground pay-per-view (PPV) on July 23rd from Philadelphia:
#SDLive kicks off with fireworks. Now let me make it official. @JohnCena vs. @RusevBUL in a flag match at #WWEBattleground. #YesYesYes
— Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) July 5, 2017
Following this week’s SmackDown Live, the following matches are scheduled for this month WWE Battleground pay-per-view:
Punjabi Prison for the WWE Title
– Jinder Mahal defends against Randy Orton
WWE United States Title Match
– Kevin Owens defends against AJ Styles
SmackDown Tag Team Title Match
– The Usos defend against The New Day
Flag Match
– John Cena (USA)Â vs. Rusev (Bulgaria)
