Battleground

* Poll results: Grade WWE’s Battleground PPV
* Poll results: Best match at WWE’s Battleground PPV

– We’re live from Washington, DC as Renee Young welcomes us to WWE Battleground. She’s joined by Corey Graves, Booker T and Jerry Lawler. They make small talk and hype the WWE Network. We go backstage to Tom Phillips in the Social Media Lounge. He will be taking questions for Daniel Bryan and Mick Foley later tonight.

We get hype for tonight’s multi-man matches – The Wyatt Family vs. The New Day and The Club vs. John Cena, Enzo Amore and Big Cass. Andrea D’Marco is backstage with Zack Ryder, who is confident about bringing the WWE United States Title to SmackDown tonight. Back from another break and they discuss tonight’s women’s tag match. Booker has it on good authority that Lita will be the mystery partner for Sasha Banks. We get a video and discussion for Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn. We come back to Cesaro on the panel. He’s not happy about watching from the sidelines, calling it salt in the wound. He doesn’t care who wins their match, he just hopes they stop interfering in his matches. We go backstage to Foley and Bryan in the social media lounge. They both talk about taking the focus off management and putting it on the Superstars and the in-ring action on their brands. Foley said the Hall of Famer he would have drafted would be Terry Funk while Bryan would have drafted Shawn Michaels.

We get discussion for tonight’s Intercontinental Title match and go to another break. We come back to hype for Randy Orton on The Highlight Reel before going to Byron Saxton and Mauro Ranallo at ringside.

The Usos vs. Tyler Breeze and Fandango

We go to the ring and out first come The Usos.

We get discussion for tonight’s Intercontinental Title match and go to another break. We come back to hype for Randy Orton on The Highlight Reel before going to Byron Saxton and Mauro Ranallo at ringside.

The Usos vs. Tyler Breeze and Fandango

We go to the ring and out first come The Usos. Out next comes “Breezango” Tyler Breeze and Fandango. They dance and pose on the apron as The Usos look on. Fandango starts off with Jimmy Uso. Uso gets the upperhand and in comes Jey Uso for more offense and a 2 count. Breeze comes in and takes chops. Uso misses a shot as Breeze and Fandango turn it around.

More back and forth until The Usos turn it around. Jimmy Uso gets a hot tag and unloads, hitting a Samoan Drop and then the Rikishi splash in the corner on Fandango. Breeze breaks up a 2 count. Jey runs in to take him out but Fandango hits a kick. Jimmy with a superkick on Fandango. More back and forth. Fandango takes Uso up for a superplex. Uso fights him off and kicks Breeze off the apron. An electric chair by The Usos is blocked by Breeze and they get just a 2 count after a crossbody. Fandango knocks Uso off the top and in comes Breeze. More action all over the place. Breeze blocks a Samoan splash with his knees and keeps Uso held for the pin.

Winners: Fandango and Tyler Breeze

– After the match, Breezango celebrates at ringside as we go to replays. We come back to The Usos looking on as Breeze and Fandango make their exit.

– More discussion from the panel before going to a video package on tonight’s main event. That’s it for the pre-show.

– The 2016 WWE Battleground pay-per-view kicks off with a video package. The pyro goes off as we’re live from a sold out Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Michael Cole welcomes us. He’s joined by JBL and Byron Saxton.

Dana Brooke and Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks and

We go to the ring and JoJo makes the introductions as Dana Brooke is out with WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte.

Dana Brooke and Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks and Bayley

We go to the ring and JoJo makes the introductions as Dana Brooke is out with WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte.

Cole introduces the Spanish and German announce teams at ringside. Sasha Banks is out next to a big pop. Fans chant for Bayley as Sasha waits. The music hits and out comes Sasha’s mystery partner to a big pop – Bayley. They celebrate in the ring but are attacked from behind by Dana and Charlotte. Fans boo.

Things settle down but the heels quickly take control and control most of the match over Sasha. Bayley finally gets a hot tag and unloads on Dana. Charlotte distracts Bayley from the apron, allowing Dana to trip her and drop Bayley on her head. Dana turns it around and covers for a 2 count before keeping Bayley down.

Fans chant for Bayley and she rolls Dana up for a 2 count. Bayley goes back to work before Sasha eventually comes back in. Counters between Sasha and Charlotte. Dana breaks up a Banks Statement. The end comes when Sasha hits a Backstabber and applies the Banks Statement. She keeps it locked until Charlotte taps out.

Winners: Sasha Banks and Bayley

– After the match, Bayley rushes in the ring to celebrate with Sasha. We get replays and come back to the babyfaces looking down at the heels from the ring. Sasha and Bayley hug to end it.

– We get a video package for tonight’s first of two six-man matches.

The Wyatt Family vs. The New Day

We go to the ring and out come WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day. They cut promos on going to RAW and their opponents tonight. The Wyatt Family is out next as the two teams stare each other down. Xavier Woods looks to start out for his team but he’s frozen. Kofi Kingston tags in and attacks Bray Wyatt. Woods is still frozen but finally leaves the ring. Braun Strowman tags in and floors Kofi. Braun keeps on and in comes Erick Rowan. Rowan keeps control of Kofi and nails him in the kidneys for a 2 count. Rowan keeps Kofi grounded.

Kofi fights back but gets dropped with a big clothesline. Wyatt comes back in and knocks Kofi towards their corner. Wyatt with a slam and a senton for another 2 count. Kofi looks to make another comeback but Bray nails a huge clothesline. Woods is terrified and drops off the apron. Kofi eventually manages to send Wyatt to the floor. Braun tries to get him back in. Big E tags in and unloads on Rowan.

Braun breaks up a 2 count on Rowan. Braun and Bray both get cheap shots in on Big E. Rowan slams him for a close 2 count that Kofi breaks up. Braun misses a big running boot in the corner and hits the floor. Kofi runs the ropes and leaps out onto Braun. More back and forth. Bray blocks Trouble In Paradise and goes for Sister Abigail but has no luck. Woods and Wyatt meet in the middle of the ring and he is frozen again. Wyatt takes out Kofi as he comes off the top. Woods attacks Wyatt and unloads on him. Wyatt dumps Woods to the apron but gets kicked in the head. Woods goes up top and nails a splash . Woods takes out Rowan. He decks Braun on the apron but can’t knock him off. Big E runs over and spears Braun off the apron, into the barrier. Wyatt turns upside down and Woods is frozen again. This leads to Sister Abigail for the win.

Winners: The Wyatt Family

– After the match, Greg Hamilton announces the winners as The Wyatts stand tall in the ring. Woods rolls to the floor. We get replays and come back to The Wyatt Family posing in the middle of the ring.

WWE United States Title Match: Zack Ryder vs. Rusev

We come back and go to the ring and Lana has a mic. She asks everyone to stand and welcome the only man that can have her. Out comes WWE United States Champion Rusev. Zack Ryder is out next in red, white and blue.

Ryder hits the ring as we see some of the international announce teams in the arena, including Funaki with the Japanese team. Rusev uses his strength to start and ends up on the mat with Ryder. Rusev with two quick pin attempts. Ryder looks to turn it around with a dropkick through the ropes. He brings it back in and kicks Rusev. Rusev runs into knees int he corner but swats a missile dropkick out of the air. Rusev with a big kick to the neck. Rusev mounts Ryder with right hands now.

Rusev keeps control and hits a spinning heel kick for another 2 count. Rusev keeps Ryder grounded again. Ryder gets an opening and unloads on forearms. Ryder keeps control but the Broski Boot is blocked and Rusev turns it around. Ryder blocks a suplex and hits a neckbreaker. Ryder hits the Boot in the middle of the ring but Rusev kicks out at 2. Rusev suckers Ryder in on the floor and sends him into the barrier. Rusev suplexes Ryder on top of the barrier ribs first. The referee counts. Ryder turns it back around and hits a missile dropkick from the barrier. They come back in and he hits the Rough Ryder. Ryder goes to the top for the elbow drop but Rusev barely gets his knees up. Rusev with a big kick to the back of the head. Rusev stomps and applies The Accolade. Ryder tries to fight out of the hold but Rusev falls back and tightens the hold for the win.

Winner: Rusev

– After the match, Rusev raises the title and stomps on Ryder. The “Hype Bros.” music hits and out comes Mojo Rawley to the ring. He rushes in and comes face to face with Rusev, screaming at him. Rusev backs down and leaves the ring. Mojo checks on Ryder as Rusev joins Lana on the ramp. Mojo and Rusev talk trash as the music hits.

– WWE RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon is backstage with General Manager Mick Foley. Seth Rollins walks in and they remind him he has the chance to bring the WWE Title back to RAW tonight. Rollins is confident about tonight’s Triple Threat.

– We get a video for tonight’s match to end the Owens vs. Zayn feud.

Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens

We go to the ring and out first comes Sami Zayn. Kevin Owens is out next. Sami misses a Helluva Kick to start the match. They end up on the floor brawling early on. Sami takes control after whipping Owens into barriers and hitting a stiff clothesline. Sami rolls Owens back in and ducks a clothesline, then hits a kick to the face for a quick pin attempt.

Owens takes control after crotching Sami on the top rope. Owens with the corner cannonball for a 2 count. Owens keeps control and drops Sami for another 2 count. Owens with elbows to the face now. Owens keeps up the offense on Sami as fans do the “ole!” chant. Owens mocks their chants and goes for a suplex but it’s blocked. Owens blocks that and drops Sami ribs first over the top rope. Owens with a kick to the back and then the front. Owens with a running senton for a 2 count.

Owens keeps Sami grounded now. Owens mocks fans chanting Sami’s name as he keeps him down in a headlock. Sami finally manages to cut Owens off with a clothesline. They end up on the apron and Sami looks to botch a move, possibly hurting his shoulder. Owens takes control and brings it back in but Sami hits a Blue Thunderbomb for a close 2 count. They go to the corner and Sami fights off a superplex. Sami sends Owens to the mat with headbutts. Sami comes off the top but has to roll through. Owens with a big superkick for a close 2 count.

Owens goes right to a crossface submission but Sami hangs on. The hold is finally broken after Sami gets a foot on the bottom rope. Owens with a big clothesline in the corner. And another. Sami blocks the next and hits the exploder suplex into the corner. Sami goes for a Helluva Kick but Owens rolls to the floor. Sami goes to the top but Owens comes to the apron. Owens grabs Sami on his shoulders but Sami fights out. Sami with a brainbuster on the apron for a big pop. The referee counts as both men are down.

Fans chant “this is awesome” now. Sami rolls back in the ring. Owens starts to move around 6. He makes it back in at the 9 count. Both are still down. They trade shots now. Dueling chants by fans as they unload on each other in the middle of the ring. Sami forces Owens to the ropes for a break. Owens rolls to the floor. Sami goes to the floor and readies for the big tornado DDT through the turnbuckles. He goes for it but Owens meets him in mid-air with a superkick. Owens with a sick corner cannonball. Owens goes up top and hits the frogsplash but Sami kicks out at 2. Sami blocks a pop-up powerbomb and hits a tornado DDT. Sami goes for a Helluva Kick but Owens nails a superkick. Sami blocks the pop-up powerbomb. Sami with a big suplex onto Owens’ head but Owens comes right back at him and eats another. Sami with a 2 count as the crowd goes wild on their feet. Owens ends up hitting the pop-up powerbomb but Sami gets his foot under the bottom rope to break the pin.

Owens is frustrated now. Fans chant “this is awesome” again. Owens yells at Sami to stay down. Owens slaps Sami twice. Sami tells him to bring it. Another slap. Sami fights back. Owens runs into a big exploder suplex. Sami with another suplex, dropping Owens on his head. Sami nails the Helluva Kick. Sami holds Owens’ body up, looks at him and runs in for another Helluva Kick and the win.

Winner: Sami Zayn

– After the match, the music hits as Sami stands tall. Fans sing his theme song. We go to replays and come back to Sami taking it all in.

– We go back to the pre-show panel for some discussion.

Becky Lynch vs. Natalya

Back to the ring and out first comes Natalya. Becky Lynch is out next. The bell rings and the referee has to back Becky off early on. Becky with early offense until Natalya turns it around. Natalya argues with the referee, leading to Becky turning it around. Natalya goes to the floor to regroup. She talks trash to fans and gets kicked in the back. Becky takes her down from the ring and gets fired up. Becky brings it back in for a pin but Natalya goes right back to the floor.

Natalya turns it around on the apron and brings it back. Natalya keeps Becky down on the mat and works on her leg. Natalya avoids the Disarm Her and takes Becky back down. Natalya stands on Becky’s leg and shows off. Natalya with another submission on the mat as Becky tries to fight out. Natalya slams her again and shows off some more. Natalya slaps Becky to the mat and goes back to work on the legs. More showing off by Natalya as some fans boo. Another leg submission by Natalya.

Becky unloads while in the hold. She goes on and hits an enziguri but sells the leg injury. Becky comes back and hits a pair of clotheslines and a back elbow. She gets fired up as some fans pop. Becky with offense in the corner, including a slap. Becky with the exploder for a 2 count. Becky blocks the spinning clothesline but has the Disarm Her blocked. Natalya gets the Sharpshooter locked in. Becky makes it to the ropes to break the hold. Natalya with a kick. Becky goes to the top for a missile dropkick but it looks like she barely connects. Becky with a 2 count. More back and forth. Natalya with another Sharpshooter. Becky tries to fdight it but she taps out.

Winner: Natalya

– After the match, Natalya has her arm raised and makes her exit all smiles.

– Backstage segment with Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan hyping WWE Champion Dean Ambrose up for the main event. Ambrose says Bryan was his favorite out of all the guys The Shield beat up but admits that sounded better in his head. Ambrose is confident about retaining tonight. Ambrose says The Shield goes to war and he will show why they drafted him.

WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Darren Young vs. The Miz

We go to the ring and out comes Darren Young with WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund. WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz is out next with wife Maryse.

Back and forth to start. Miz drops Young with shoulder tackles. Young comes back with a big shot of his own and a swinging neckbreaker for a 2 count as Maryse looks on. Young takes Miz to the corner for more offense. Miz runs into boots. Young goes up top but Maryse yells at him, allowing Miz to knock Young to the floor. Miz keeps control on the floor and rams Young back into the apron before bringing it back in. Miz with a 2 count. Miz keeps Young grounded on the mat with a headlock now.

Miz keeps Young down in a headlock and talks trash to Backlund. Young tries to make a comeback. He blocks a neckbreaker. More back and forth. Miz charges with the corner clothesline but Young floors him with a clothesline. Young makes another comeback and nails a big throw. Young slams Miz’s back on the apron and covers for a 2 count. Backlund gets wild at ringside. Miz counters a Crossface Chickenwing and goes to the floor. Backlund stops him from leaving. Young takes advantage and yanks Miz into the ring. Maryse slaps Backlund to the floor. He gets up shocked. Maryse falls and tries to make it look like Backlund hit her as he’s snapped now. Miz goes to the floor and yells at Backlund, then shoves him down. Young has had enough, he comes out and drops Miz to the floor with the Chickenwing. The referee calls for the bell.

Winner by DQ: The Miz

– After the bell, Young keeps the hold locked as Miz taps out. Referees try to break it up but Young has snapped. He assaults a referee trying to make it back to Miz. Young joins Backlund on the ramp and can’t believe his hands just did that. Young’s music hits as officials and Maryse check on The Miz.

– We get a promo for tonight’s next six-man match.

The Club vs. Enzo Amore, Big Cass and John Cena

We go to the ring and out first comes John Cena. Enzo Amore and Big Cass are out next with promos. Enzo calls them the Mount Rushmore of certified G’s. Cass asks fans to give it up for Enzo and says his promo was excellent. Cass cuts a good promo on everyone going their separate ways in the Draft, then calls The Club “SAWFT” to a big pop. AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are out next for their final time together.

Enzo starts off with Anderson. Styles tags in before they get going. He talks trash to Enzo as they go at it. AJ with an arm drag as fans chant “soccer mom” to AJ because of what Cass said in his promo earlier. AJ and Enzo run the ropes now. AJ with a dropkick to the face. Cass comes in and ends up using Enzo to take Anderson and Gallows down. They go to the floor and Cass launches Enzo out of the ring, taking Gallows and Anderson down again. Cass launches Styles out of the ring next and everyone is down on the floor but Cena and Cass. Cass brings Anderson back in and slams Enzo on top of him. Enzo with a 2 count.

Anderson turns it around on Enzo and in comes Gallows. Fans do dueling chants for Cena. Gallows with a big suplex into a slam on Enzo for a 2 count. Gallows keeps control and Anderson comes back in. Anderson hits a big kick to the head and keeps Enzo grounded. Enzo ends up getting his head kicked off after rushing back in for a tag. Anderson with a 2 count. Gallows comes back in but misses a splash. Cena finally tags in as does Styles. Cena with shoulder tackles. Cena goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle and hits it. AJ counters an Attitude Adjustment and hits a pele kick.

Enzo stops a Styles Clash. Anderson with a spinebuster on him. Cass takes out Anderson. Gallows takes out Cass. Enzo comes off the top but Gallows moves and Enzo hits a crossbody on Cena. Cena rolls through and uses Enzo on Gallows. AJ accidentally hits a Phenomenal Forearm on Gallows. Cena with the AA but Gallows pulls him out. Cena gets tossed over the German announce table via Anderson’s spinebuster. Enzo leaps off the steps with a DDT on Anderson on the floor. Cena makes it back in at the 9 count. Styles grabs Cena for a Clash and he hits it. Cass pulls AJ to the floor and breaks the pin. AJ is left laying on the floor. Cass brings Gallows in but Anderson makes the save. They hit Magic Killer on Cass. Fans boo as they stand tall. Enzo comes back in and gets hype as he faces off with both of them. Anderson charges and Enzo sends him into the steel ring post, then the floor. Enzo talks trash to Gallows in the ring now. Fans rally behind Enzo. He ducks a clothesline but runs into a huge kick. Cena drags himself into the ring now. Gallows charges in the corner but Cena moves and falls back down. AJ goes to the top but Cena crotches him. Cena sends Gallows to the floor. Cena climbs up for a super AA on AJ but AJ fights back. Cena re-positions himself and hits the super AA for the win.

Winners: John Cena, Enzo Amore and Big Cass

– After the match, Enzo and Cass join Cena in the ring as we see The Club recovering. The winners celebrate and hit ringside to join the fans as we go to break.

– Back from the break and out comes Chris Jericho for The Highlight Reel.

Jericho repeatedly calls for everyone to be quiet. Jericho says this is the biggest Highlight Reel in history because his guest is returning to WWE after being gone for more than 9 months with a shoulder injury. Jericho mentions the SummerSlam match against Brock Lesnar and introduces his guest, Randy Orton. Orton’s music hits and out he comes to a big pop.

Orton says he’s been soaking up the time with his wife and kids but he just noticed while walking out that something was missing – it was this, the crowd, the fans. Orton says DC has him in such a good mood that he doesn’t mind sharing the ring with “this guy” on the night of his return. Fans chant “RKO” and Jericho mocks them. Jericho says Orton is welcome because being in the ring with him puts Orton on a higher level. Orton says he’s in a good mood but that might change and Jericho might provoke him to drop his ass. Jericho wonders if it will be outta nowhere and says Orton better watch it or get hit by a Codebreaker outta nowhere. Jericho says a lot has changed since Orton went down with an injury. Jericho catches him up on the brand extension. Jericho takes shots and Orton says he almost got this confused with the Ellen DeGeneres Show, because of Jericho’s haircut. Fans chant “Ellen” and Jericho tells them to shut up. Jericho puts over Brock Lesnar and says he’s coming for Orton. Jericho plays a video making Lesnar look like a beast.

They trade promos after Jericho wonders if Orton is scared of Lesnar and if he’s been avoiding Lesnar for 15 years. Orton knows Lesnar is going to beat up on him at SummerSlam and try to take him to Suplex City but he’s just one RKO away from Viperland. Orton says, “No enhancement needed” in a reference to Lesnar’s failed drug tests related to UFC 200. Jericho believes Orton will pay for that comment. Jericho goes on and Orton teases for a RKO but doesn’t go through with it. Orton comes right back with the RKO and leaves Jericho laying. His music hits and Orton hits the turnbuckles to pose for fans.

– We see the entire locker room backstage to watch the main event. Bosses Stephanie McMahon, Mick Foley, Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon all come out to watch the match from ringside.

Triple Threat for the WWE Title: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose

We go to the ring and out first comes Seth Rollins to a big pop. Fans start booing before the music even hits and out next comes Roman Reigns, making his return to WWE TV from the Wellness Policy suspension. WWE Champion Dean Ambrose is out next to a pop. We get formal ring introductions from JoJo.

Rollins comes back in and unloads on Reigns with stomps in the corner. Reigns runs into a Rollins boot. Rollins comes off the ropes but Reigns catches him. Ambrose dropkicks them both and covers Reigns for a quick attempt. Reigns works Ambrose over in the corner now. Ambrose turns it around and goes cray with punches and kicks. Rollins pulls Ambrose off and drops his back over the knee. Rollins sends Reigns to the floor and covers Ambrose for a 2 count. Rollins keeps control of Ambrose now. Ambrose tries to come back but Rollins drops his face into the middle turnbuckle. Reigns with a Drive By on Rollins out of nowhere. Reigns sends Rollins into the apron and the barricade. Ambrose leaps out to the floor and takes Reigns down. Rollins with a knee to Ambrose’s face from the apron.

Rollins launches Ambrose into the steel steps and Reigns into the barrier. Rollins charges but Reigns dumps him into the timekeeper’s area. Ambrose runs across the announce tables and lands on both opponents. Ambrose brings Reigns back over the barrier and they go into the ring. Ambrose comes off the top with a missile dropkick on Reigns. Ambrose charges in the corner and then hits the running bulldog. Ambrose goes to the top for a big elbow drop for a 2 count. Rollins with a Frogsplash on Ambrose out of nowhere for a 2 count. Rollins goes for a Pedigree on Reigns but it’s blocked. Rollins tries to roll Reigns up but Reigns picks him up and drops him with rights. Reigns with big shots in the corner as fans boo. Ambrose runs into a Reigns clothesline. Reigns with a tilt-a-whirl slam on Rollins. Reigns floors Ambrose with a Superman punch and then one for Rollins. Reigns stands tall and fans boo. Reigns readies for a spear but Ambrose and Rollins avoid it. This leads to all three men getting knocked down in the middle of the ring.

They get up and continue trading shots. Fans cheer as Reigns gets double teamed. They drop Reigns and a “yes!” chant starts. They go for a Shield-style powerbomb but Reigns fights out. Reigns gets sent to the floor in front of the announcers. Ambrose runs the ropes and nails a big dive. Rollins runs the ropes and leaps out onto Reigns as well. We see the RAW locker room and SmackDown locker room watching backstage. Ambrose and Rollins take apart the Spanish announce table. They go to powerbomb Reigns through the table and they hit it to a big pop. Rollins grabs a steel chair and smacks Ambrose over the back with it. Rollins with a chair shot to the back of Reigns now.

Ambrose blocks a Pedigree and a turnbuckle powerbomb in the ring. Ambrose goes to the top but Rollins cuts him off with a superplex and an immediate driver for a close 2 count. Stephanie cheers Rollins on as Foley watches from behind her. Ambrose blocks a Pedigree. Rollins blocks a launch into the corner. They end up top again. Reigns runs over and powerbombs Ambrose to the mat. Reigns kicks Rollins as he jumps off the top. Reigns with a sitdown powerbomb on Rollins for a close 2 count. Ambrose blocks a Superman punch. Reigns blocks Dirty Deeds. Reigns goes for a Razor’s Edge but Ambrose rolls him up for 2. Reigns with a right and a Superman punch. Ambrose goes to the floor. Rollins with a Pedigree on Reigns for a very close 2 count. Reigns blocks another Pedigree attempt but Rollins powerbombs him into the corner. Reigns comes right back with a Superman punch and a spear. Reigns goes for the pin but Ambrose runs in and hits Dirty Deeds on him for the win.

Winner: Dean Ambrose

– After the match, Ambrose celebrates with the WWE Title. The SmackDown roster, including John Cena, comes to the ring to celebrate with Ambrose, Bryan and Shane. Foley and Stephanie watch from ringside and don’t look happy. The Usos lift Ambrose up on their shoulders and the celebration continues as Battleground goes off the air.