In the main event, SmackDown's Dean Ambrose retained the WWE Championship in a triple threat match against his former Shield teammates, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, both of whom had been drafted to Raw, thus keeping the championship on SmackDown.

The show was also notable for Randy Orton's first appearance after a nine-month injury, as well as Bayley's main roster debut.

[1] Announced on March 27, 2016, the 2016 event was the fourth Battleground and took place on July 24 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

At Money in the Bank, Dean Ambrose won the Money in the Bank ladder match and subsequently the WWE World Heavyweight Championship by cashing in his contract on Seth Rollins, who had just won the title from Roman Reigns.

Accordingly, Shane McMahon scheduled a triple threat match between all three men for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Battleground.

[10] Pro Wrestling Torch reported that WWE knew of the violation before Money in the Bank, leading to Reigns losing his world title at the event.

[12] On the June 27 episode of Raw, both Rollins and Ambrose acknowledged Reigns's suspension on television.

On July 18, a match for the WWE Championship between Ambrose and Rollins ended in both men pinning each other simultaneously.

While Raw commissioner Stephanie McMahon declared Rollins the new champion, the referee ruled the match a draw, with Ambrose retaining the title.

[8] On the June 27 episode of Raw, Lynch attacked Natalya, who was on commentary, before her match against Summer Rae.

[22] On the July 11 episode of Raw, Darren Young won a battle royal to earn a title match against Intercontinental Champion The Miz at Battleground.

[23] On the June 20 episode of Raw, The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, and Erick Rowan) returned and were interrupted by WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E).

Later that night, Charlotte and Dana were scheduled to wrestle Sasha and a mystery partner at Battleground.

[26] After Randy Orton was revealed as Brock Lesnar's opponent for SummerSlam, he was announced as the guest of a special episode of Chris Jericho's The Highlight Reel at Battleground.

[29] The actual pay per-view opened with WWE Women's Champion Charlotte and Dana Brooke facing Sasha Banks and her mystery partner, who was revealed as Bayley.

[29] Next, The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan, and Braun Strowman) faced WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods) in a six-man tag team match.

Owens countered a Helluva Kick into a Pop-Up Powerbomb but Zayn placed his foot on the rope to void the pinfall.

[29] Chris Jericho then hosted the Highlight Reel with Randy Orton, who made his first appearance following a nine-month injury.

[29][30] In the main event, Dean Ambrose defended the WWE Championship against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns.

[32] With the return of brand-exclusive PPVs after SummerSlam, the following year's Battleground was held exclusively for wrestlers from the SmackDown brand.

[34] Dean Ambrose retaining the WWE Championship at the event left Raw without a world title.

As Raw's number one draft pick, Seth Rollins was named a contender to the title, and his opponent was determined in two fatal four-way matches.

Later that night, Bálor became the second contender by defeating Reigns, and was scheduled to face Rollins to determine the first Universal Champion at SummerSlam.

It was subsequently announced that there would be a six-pack challenge between AJ Styles, John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Bray Wyatt, Baron Corbin, and a winner of a Battle Royal, which was won by Apollo Crews.

Later that night, Ziggler won the six-pack challenge to earn a WWE World Championship match against Ambrose at SummerSlam.