Seth Rollins informed Dean Ambrose of his SmackDown opponent

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Two days before WWE Battleground, The Lunatic Fringe ran full-speed into Demonic fire, Intercontinental Championship Battle Royal combatants battled for momentum, grooving “besties” battled would-be frenemies, East sounded off against West and the “Ayatollah” went head-to-head with a brutal disciple of fear.  

Dean Ambrose discusses the ambush he received on Raw from Seth Rollins, Randy Orton & Kane.

After suffering a vicious ambush at the hands of Seth Rollins, Randy Orton and Kane on Raw, Dean Ambrose kicked off SmackDown by asking his attackers if that was all they had – calling them out in the process.

Battleground preview: Ambrose vs. Rollins | Sting in WWE?

Instead, Rollins appeared on the TitanTron, informing his former “business associate” that while he had tweaked his knee and was not medically cleared to engage him on Friday night, COO Triple H had put The Lunatic Fringe into a match against The Devil’s Favorite Demon.

Sheamus & Dolph Ziggler def. Fandango & The Miz

Intercontinental Championship Battle Royal participants square off in a huge tag team encounter.

With the stage set for a colossal Intercontinental Championship Battle Royal at WWE Battleground, Sheamus joined forces with Dolph Ziggler against their fellow pay-per-view opponents Fandango & The Miz.

Pre-Battleground tag team war | Miz's leaving home letter to WWE Universe

And, in the end, after The Celtic Warrior took out Fandango with the Brogue Kick, The Showoff hit the Zig Zag on “The Moneymaker” for the huge tag team victory.

Eva Marie vs. Alicia Fox ended in a No Contest

Stephanie McMahon makes Nikki Bella the special guest referee for a match between Eva Marie and Alicia Fox.

While Nikki Bella was meant to serve as the Special Guest Referee in the SmackDown contest between Eva Marie & Alicia Fox, the two competitors suddenly attacked her in the middle of their match!

Diva ambush of the ref | Lana's summer vacation

It’s worth noting that speculation ran rampant as to whether Stephanie McMahon might have had something to do with the incident, as further retribution for Nikki’s sister Brie slapping her at WWE Payback.

Chris Jericho def. Luke Harper

Can Chris Jericho get a victory over Luke Harper with The Wyatt Family ringside?

Poised to take on Bray Wyatt at WWE Battleground, Chris Jericho went one-on-one with Wyatt Family disciple Luke Harper in a SmackDown barnburner. And when Erick Rowan attempted to breakup Y2J’s Walls of Jericho, the first-ever Undisputed WWE Champion knocked him out of the ring and grabbed the quick pin on his war torn opponent.

Battleground preview: Jericho vs. Wyatt |  Y2J overcomes creppy odds

Then, as the full force of The Wyatt Family launched a follow up attack after the bell, WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos charged to the ring to even the odds and send The New Face of Fear packing.

Aggressive diplomacy rocked SmackDown

With their cold war ready to turn red hot this Sunday at WWE Battleground, both camps – Jack Swagger/Zeb Colter and Lana/Rusev – sounded off and waved their respective flags in explosive resolve.

Alberto Del Rio def. Kofi Kingston

Kofi Kingston and Alberto Del Rio compete in a highly competitive match just 48 hours before WWE Battleground.

Determined to conquer one and all in the  Intercontinental Championship Battle Royal at WWE Battleground this Sunday, Alberto Del Rio readied himself in a match against fellow pay-per-view competitor and former I.C. Titleholder Kofi Kingston. And when the highflying Wildcat got caught up in the ropes, The Mexican Aristocrat stomped down on him from the turnbuckle to the canvas and seized the win.

AJ Lee & Paige def. Summer Rae & Layla

AJ Lee & Paige team up days before their clash at WWE Battleground. Can they defeat the duo of Summer Rae & Layla?

Dancing “besties” Summer Rae & Layla teamed up against Divas Champion AJ Lee and her unlikely frenemy Paige in hot Divas action. Alliance or not, however, when AJ tagged herself into the match to make Summer tap-out to the Black Widow, her Battleground No. 1 Contender was noticeably upset. Nevertheless, once the titleholder extended her hand after the match, Paige chose to bring her in for the real thing and gave her a huge hug.

  “besties” vs. “frien-emies” | Hall of Divas Champions

Hornswoggle showed the Usos how to Sonic, at his own risk

Hornswoggle doesn't know how to properly drink Sonic slushes.

‘Swoggle schooled the WWE Tag Team Champions, only to end up out in the cold.

Tag teams in face paint 

Dean Ambrose def. Demon Kane by Disqualification

Dean Ambrose looks to get retribution on the Demon Kane for his attack on Raw.

In the height of SmackDown’s main event, just after Dean Ambrose had countered Kane’s attempt to blast him with the Tombstone onto the steel ring steps, Seth Rollins emerged and hit his one-time business associate with the Money in the Bank briefcase.

Lunatic in the fire | Battleground preview: Fatal 4-Way World Title Match

He then executed a Curb Stomp to Ambrose onto the unforgiving steps, pounding a message into The Lunatic Fringe, just two days before their highly anticipated showdown at WWE Battleground.