Show
Time and location
BUFFALO, N.Y. – At the first-ever WWE Battleground, Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel successfully defended his illustrious title by defeating R-Truth.
Watch R-Truth discuss his loss to Curtis Axel
In his first championship opportunity in nearly a year, the rapping Superstar — evidently motivated by Stephanie McMahon’s harsh critique of him on the Sept. 23 episode of Raw — came out with something to prove, aggressively taking it to the “Paul Heyman Guy.”
After hitting a series of numbing elbows and kicks, Truth dragged his opponent around the ring, pounding his skull into the turnbuckles. A powerful clothesline sent Axel over the top rope and another diving clothesline off the apron left the champion down at ringside. The energized challenger kept the pressure on with pin attempts, but Axel managed to stay alive.
Paul Heyman’s protégé regained momentum with a spine-rattling slam into the barricade before unleashing his vicious grappling game — and a beautiful dropkick — back in the ring. Undeterred, Truth fought back valiantly with a nifty roll-up and another near fall after nailing Axel with some of his trademark electrifying offense. The champion, however, simply refused to relinquish his title, taking advantage of a momentarily dazed Truth to hit his signature finishing maneuver for the hard-fought win.
Check out photos of Truth vs. Axel
With the key WWE Battleground victory, the up-and-coming “Paul Heyman Guy” avenges a non-title loss to Truth on the Sept. 30 episode of Raw and improves upon his already-impressive title reign, which now exceeds 110 days. Axel is slowly but surely gaining ground on his legendary father, WWE Hall of Famer Mr. Perfect, who held the Intercontinental Title for an incredible 400-plus days.
Is Curtis Axel better than 'Perfect'? | A look back at Mr. Perfect
For R-Truth, meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board after coming up short in a championship match once again. Could the WWE fan favorite use this disappointing loss as further motivation to earn another title opportunity? Or, could more critical, unsympathetic words from Stephanie McMahon be in his immediate future?