WWE Smackdown: Dean Ambrose beats Seth Rollins to retain world title

Seth Rollins (R) failed to prise the world title from Dean Ambrose (L)

Dean Ambrose retained the WWE Championship on the first live edition of Smackdown after defeating long-time rival Seth Rollins.

Rollins had been granted a championship rematch on Tuesday night after his title tussle with Ambrose on Monday Night Raw had ended in a double pinfall draw.

The Architect seemed poised to claim the title on Smackdown when he floored Ambrose with a superplex but the champion quickly got to his feet and planted Rollins with Dirty Deeds for the win.

Rollins is now a Raw Superstar with Ambrose on Smackdown

Ambrose and Rollins, formerly team-mates in The Shield alongside Roman Reigns, will soon go their separate ways, with Ambrose snared by Smackdown and Rollins chosen by Raw during the Draft.

However, the duo will meet again on Sunday night at the Battleground pay-per-view, in a Triple Threat Match for the world title, which will also include Reigns.

Elsewhere on Smackdown, John Cena beat Luke Gallows with an Attitude Adjustment after his friends Enzo Amore and Big Cass and Gallows' pals Karl Anderson and AJ Styles got involved.

John Cena and Luke Gallows battled on Smackdown

Gallows, Anderson and Styles will get the chance for revenge at Battleground, however, as they take on Cena, Amore and Big Cass in a six-man tag team match.

Darren Young and Zack Ryder defeated their respective Battleground opponents, Intercontinental Champion The Miz and United States Champion Rusev, in a fast-paced tag tussle.

Young made The Miz submit to the Crossface Chicken Wing, a move made famous by his new manager and life coach, WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund.

Darren Young attacks Rusev during a tag match

Bray Wyatt bested Xavier Woods with Sister Abigail and Chris Jericho flattened Cesaro with a Codebreaker as the Swiss Superman leapt off the top rope.

Plus, Demon Kane's singles scuffle with Kevin Owens ended in a no-contest as the veteran chokeslammed both Owens and Sami Zayn after they brawled among themselves.

Becky Lynch and Alicia Fox's bout went the same way with Lynch jumped by Natalya, while Sasha Banks was outgunned by Charlotte and Dana Brooke in a two-on-one handicap match.

Sasha Banks fell victim to the numbers game on Smackdown

WWE Battleground booking details

WWE Battleground will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) AND Sky Sports HD Box Office (492) at 1am on Sunday, July 24.

WWE Battleground will be repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) BUT NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (492) between 10am on Monday, July 25 and 10pm on Thursday, July 28.

Repeat showings will take place every four hours, with the final showing STARTING at 10pm on Thursday, July 28.

The event is priced at £14.95 for UK customers, €21.95 for viewers in the Republic of Ireland.

Reigns, Ambrose and Rollins will meet at WWE Battleground

Viewers can call 03442 410 888 NOW to book WWE Battleground (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).

You can also book WWE Battleground NOW by visiting this link: https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/

Viewers can also book using their Sky TV remote nearer the event by pressing the 'Box office' button and following on-screen instructions. (Only bookings via Sky TV remote are recordable using Sky Plus).

Sky TV residential customers only. Commercial customers contact Sky for price and to order. Sky Box Office terms apply. Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.

Who will partner Sasha Banks on Sunday night?