WWE Battleground results 2016: Dean Ambrose retains title as Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens steal the show

Ambrose triumphed an a triple-threat match against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns while John Cena teamed up with Enzo Amore and Bog Cass to defeat AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson

As the WWE heads towards a new era following the return of the brand split, it’s Smackdown who will be able to boast the WWE World Heavyweight champion after Dean Ambrose retained the title in a triple-threat match agains6t his former Shield teammates Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns.

The main event proved a hugely exciting one, coming hot off the heels of the WWE Draft that split the roster in two. With Ambrose heading up Smackdown’s line-up and Rollins and Reigns heading to Raw, both shows had their commissioners and general managers at ringside, with Raw’s Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley looking on with Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan representing Smackdown.

Any lingering feelings between the former teammates were all but gone when Reigns attacked Rollins after he attempted to repeat The Shield’s trademark pose, and from there the match unfolded into an all-out brawl that was anyone’s to claim.

The action spilled out onto the outside, allowing the trio to utilise everything at hands that saw Ambrose leap off the announcers’ table to take out his two opponents. It would be Reigns who would come off worse though as Rollins and Ambrose teamed up to powerbomb him through the announcers’ table.

Rollins followed up with a Pedigree to Reigns, but he was able to kick out of the pin, and after Reigns speared Rollins, Ambrose pounced to hit Dirty Deeds on Rollins and retain the title.

Dean Ambrose celebrates with the rest of the Smackdown roster (WWE.com)

However, if the main event delivered the goods, it was hard pushed by the culmination of a fierce and brutal rivalry between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. The former NXT friends turned bitter rivals met in what will end their feud as the two head to Raw and Smackdown respectively.

The two clashed on the outside early but once Owens got control of the bloody and vicious match, he focused on bating down on Zayn’s torso. A nasty fall that saw Zayn land on his right arm looked to affect the Underground from the Underground, but he was still able to fight back against Owens and counter just when Owens was going for the kill.

The action-packed match led o chants of “This is awesome” from the WWE Universe, while Owen’s was heard to scream “why won’t you stay down” at his rival. However, the match had to end with someone effectively being knocked out, such was the fight and desire of the pair, and it was Owens who went first. Two Helluva Kicks turned the lights out for Owens, and Zayn picked up the win to the delight of the fans.

Zayn and Owens fought out a match of the year contender (WWE.com)

The feud between John Cena and AJ Styles shows no signs of stopping though after Cena teamed up with Enzo Amore and Big Cass to defeat The Club. After Amore riled up the crowd with his talents on the microphone, he felt the full force of The Club as Styles, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows isolated him in their corner.

Amore and Big Cass displayed their teamwork though as Amore was launched over the top rope to take out Anderson and Gallows, but chaos ensued as each man took their turn to dominate the match. As The Club clashed with Enzo and Big Cass, Cena and Styles fought it out, with Cena delivering an Attitude Adjustment to his rival to pick up the win and point all things towards a SummerSlam showdown between the pair.

Enzo Amore and Big Cass teamed up with John Cena to beat The Club (WWE.com)

After nine months out, Randy Orton returned to the WWE on Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel to address his SummerSlam showdown with Brock Lesnar. After Jericho and Orton traded barbs with each other – and Orton made a thin-veiled reference to Lesnar’s recent anti-doping violation following his return to the UFC – Jericho taunted Orton to hit him with an RKO out of nowhere. Orton did exactly that.

The Miz retained his Intercontinental Title after an incensed Darren Young – complete with life coach Bob Backland – lost his cool and attacked the champions outside the ring, leading to a double count-out.

Bayley made her WWE main show debut (WWE.com)

Women’s Champion Charlotte and her partner Dana Brooke were unable to stop Sasha Banks and her mystery partner, who turned out to be fellow NXT graduate Bayley. The champion and protégé Brooke were able to ground Banks, but when The Legit Boss battled back, she was able to pick up the win via submission with the Bank Statement.

Bayley and Sasha Banks celebrate after beatin Charlotte and Dana Brooke (WWE.com)

Rusev saw off the threat of Zack Ryder to retain the United States Championship. Despite landing the Rough Ryder, Ryder was unable to put the champion away and it was all over when Rusev locked in The Accolade to retain the belt. However, the attack continued after the bell, leading to Ryder’s tag team partner Mojo Rawley rushing out to make the save.

The Wyatt Family ended the current reign together with a victory over tag team champions The New Day, with Bray Wyatt heading to Smackdown and Erick Rowen and Braun Strowman destined for Raw.

The New Day were immediately handicapped when Xavier Woods froze in fear of Bray Wyatt, and it allowed the Wyatt Family to isolate Kofi Kingston. Big E was able to restore clarity to the match though as he speared Rowan off the ring apron, and Woods eventually got himself into the match to attack the Eater of Worlds. However, Wyatt would have the last laugh as he hit Sister Abigail on Woods to secure the victory.

Xavier Woods freezes when confronted by Bray Wyatt (WWE.com)

Natalya was able to triumph in the battle of the submissions as she defeated Becky Lynch with the use of her Sharpshooter, while on the pre-show Breezango were able to defeat The Usos to pick up an entertaining win.

Results:

Breezango DEF The Usos

Sasha Banks and Bayley DEF Charlotte and Dana Brooke

The Wyatt Family DEF The New Day

Rusev DEF Zack Ryder

Sami Zayn DEF Kevin Owens

Natalya DEF Becky Lynch

The Miz DEF Darren Young

John Cena, Enzo Amore and Big Cass DEF The Club

Dean Ambrose DEF Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns