SmackDown: July 16, 2015

Bray Wyatt continued playing mind games with Roman Reigns

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— When The New Face of Fear interrupted the main event of the final SmackDown before WWE Battleground, The Big Dog bit back in powerful fashion. Plus, Cesaro made history by becoming the first Superstar on Thursday night’s hottest show to pin Rusev!

On the final show before his WWE Battleground clash against Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt's mind games continue.

Three days after launching a surprise counter-offensive against Bray Wyatt’s mind games on Raw, Roman Reigns kicked off SmackDown. Poised for his highly-anticipated WWE Battleground clash against Wyatt, the powerful Superstar made it clear that The Eater of Worlds is not in his head.

Not to be overshadowed, Wyatt appeared on the TitanTron and ignited a war of words between the two competitors. But The Big Dog was noticeably shaken when his adversary advised him to spend time with all those he holds most dear. Wyatt said that after Sunday, Reigns would not be able to promise that he will ever be home again. 

Big E & Kofi Kingston def. The Lucha Dragons

Ready to battle The Prime Time Players for the WWE Tag Team Titles at WWE Battleground, The New Day take on Sin Cara & Kalisto.

As The Prime Time Players joined the SmackDown announce team, Big E & Kofi Kingston overcame Sin Cara & Kalisto — with a little extra help from Xavier Woods on the apron.

Following the match, all three members of The New Day expounded on how the “power of positivity” will win them back the WWE Tag Team Titles this Sunday. But when Titus O’Neil and Darren Young entered the ring, the outspoken No. 1 contenders quickly headed for the hills. 

King Barrett def. Jack Swagger

Set to wage war for control of the crown against R-Truth at WWE Battleground Kickoff, King Barrett locks horns with The Real American.

After overcoming Jack Swagger with the Bull Hammer Elbow, King Barrett unleashed a verbal assault on an emerging R-Truth, promising to finally stop “King What’s Up’s” constant ridicule in their Battle for the Crown at WWE Battleground Kickoff. 

Cesaro def. Rusev

The Swiss Superman goes head-to-head with The Bulgarian Brute.

After engaging in a chaotic Triple Threat Match on Raw — a contest that earned Rusev an immediate United States Title Match against John Cena — The Bulgarian Brute and Cesaro squared off on SmackDown. 

And after catching his opponent with a flying uppercut as he was leaping off the top rope, Cesaro hit the Neutralizer for the three-count. In doing so, he became the first-ever Superstar to SmackDown — and the second overall — to pin Rusev! 

Neville def. Stardust

The Man that Gravity Forgot leaps into the cosmos in a comic book-esque clash against Stardust.

In the second comic book–esque battle this week, Stardust went head-to-head with Neville. Moments after the cosmically strange Superstar tried to use the ropes to get the three-count, The Man That Gravity Forgot utilized his awe-inspiring athletic prowess to turn the tables and pick up the quick pin.  

WWE.com exclusive: Watch Stardust's sneak attack after the match and Neville's reaction 

Naomi, Tamina and Sasha Banks staked their claim over WWE

After the Divas division was turned completely upside down on Raw, Sasha, Naomi and Tamina explain why they are the perfect trifecta of dominance.

The explosive “trifecta” of Naomi, Tamina and NXT Champion Sasha Banks explained why they are the perfect combination to dominate the squared circle.

Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose def. Sheamus & Big Show by Disqualification

The Big Dog & The Lunatic Fringe wage war on The Celtic Warrior & The World's Largest Athlete.

Moments after Dean Ambrose turned Big Show’s attempted chokeslam onto the announce table into the World’s Largest DDT in SmackDown’s main event, Roman Reigns’ attempt to Spear Sheamus was stopped in its tracks by a sudden sneak attack from Bray Wyatt.

Though the emergence of The New Face of Fear brought an end of the match by disqualification, it wouldn’t deny The Big Dog from hitting his WWE Battleground opponent with the Superman Punch and laying out The Celtic Warrior with an earth-shattering Spear.