WWE Battleground 2016 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Representing Raw, Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley watched the title clash from ringside. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan, the heads of SmackDown, followed their lead.

Seth Rollins tried to get his teammates to do The Shield's signature pose, but Roman Reigns responded with brute force.

Each man traded the advantage. Rollins emerged in control of Dean Ambrose, picking apart the champion. The battle moved to the outside where the former allies brawled near the announcers' tables. 

Reigns, Rollins and Ambrose traded shots until all their legs were wobbly. The Architect and The Lunatic Fringe formed a temporary alliance against Reigns that Rollins quickly dismantled. 

Ambrose pounced on Reigns just as he speared Rollins, the champ hitting Dirty Deeds to ensure the victory. The SmackDown roster came out to celebrate.

Ambrose wins via pinfall to retain the WWE Championship.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"The ire of the crowd aimed at Roman Reigns early."—Michael Cole.

Ambrose leaps off the announcers' desk to crash into Rollins and Reigns.

Reigns hits a mid-air Superman Punch on Rollins.

"A battle of attrition at Battleground!"—Byron Saxton.

Rollins and Ambrose powerbomb Reigns into the Spanish announcers' table.

Reigns kicks out of the Pedigree.

While not quite the classic many were hoping for between these three rivals, this was an electric main event.

Excellent chemistry powered the action. The desperation of each competitor was palpable. WWE did well to play on The Shield's past.

There was a bit too much talk of Raw and SmackDown pride, but Ambrose's win was clearly designed to boost the blue brand. After years of being inferior, the show is now set to be the exclusive home of the WWE champ. That's a major added reason to tune in.