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Flag Match
John Cena vs. Rusev
You know the deal. John Cena loves America. Rusev hates America. Boom, flag match.
The Road to Battleground 2017
John Cena took a brief hiatus from WWE after obliterating Miz and Maryse at WrestleMania 33.
His return to WWE on America’s Independence Day, July 4, was heavily promoted for weeks ahead of time. The Face that Runs the Place wasted no time passionately expressing his patriotic spirit. But his big speech was abruptly interrupted by the surprise return of Rusev.
This led to a heated exchange of words where Rusev complained that his incredible return didn’t receive even a fraction of the hype that Cena’s return was given by WWE, even though Rusev worked his butt off to recover from injuries. That’s because the American Dream is a lie and America is a joke.
John Cena promptly challenged Rusev to a Flag Match at Battleground, and Rusev eagerly accepted while furiously waving his own Bulgarian flag.
Cena and Rusev then crossed paths the following week in a tag team match, where Cena and AJ Styles ultimately defeated the team of Rusev and Kevin Owens.
On the go-home episode of SmackDown Live, Cena gave one final lengthy heartfelt speech about how much patriotic pressure was resting squarely on his shoulders and how he was fully prepared to carry that burden.
Rusev suddenly blindsided him out of nowhere and used the Accolade to break John Cena down into an unconscious heap. Rusev then proudly waved the Bulgarian flag over Cena’s fallen body.
What’s at stake?
The pride of two nations is on the line when John Cena and Rusev fight each other on the battleground of a Flag Match. The first man to retrieve his country’s flag will be victorious.
Which man has the intestinal fortitude to lay it all on the line in the name of defending his country’s honor?
(Hint: the answer is John Cena. Sorry, Rusev.)
Tune into Battleground 2017 and keep it here on Cageside Seats to see John Cena proudly wave around the American flag at the conclusion of this match.