It is being reported by Billi Bhatti of Sportskeeda.com that the original plans for a number of SmackDown Live Superstars were very different.
According to the report, John Cena was penned in to face the current United States Champion AJ Styles and the Commissioner of SmackDown Live Shane McMahon was scheduled to face Kevin Owens at the biggest party of the Summer. Furthermore, Charlotte was going to go up against the SmackDown Live Women’s Champion, Naomi.
The Styles vs Cena feud was nixed to let the Kevin Owens vs Shane McMahon storyline develop, which may eventually lead to a match at the upcoming Hell in a Cell event. It is also being said that the outcome of Styles vs Owens at Battleground was changed mid-match.
On the other hand, the plans for Charlotte vs Naomi were nixed two days before the Battleground event, which saw Natalya get the win. This is being done in order to expand Naomi’s Title Reign.
Styles is set to take on Owens tonight with Shane McMahon working as a special guest referee and Cena is set to go head to head with Baron Corbin while Charlotte is not even on the card.