5 Biggest Winners & Losers From WWE Battleground 2016

Regardless of whether last night really was the final battle or not, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens have produced one of the all-time great wrestling rivalries.

Kicking-off way back in December 2009, the former Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions have battled their way through ROH, NXT, and now the main roster. While their momentum has often stuttered since hitting the mainstream, the relationship has established Zayn and Owens as two of the New Era’s major players, and last night’s match was an instant classic.

Packed with all the energy, emotion, and hard-hitting action you’d expect from two long-time friends, Zayn and Owens blew the roof off. Their in-ring chemistry is simply unmatched, and while both would likely have benefitted from being separated in the Draft and taking a break from each other, nobody will complain if they meet again in the near future.

Owens took the pinfall, but neither man truly lost here. KO remains an obnoxious bully who’ll regain his heat as soon as he has the opportunity to beat someone up again, and it took some serious offence from Zayn to put him away.

The apron Brainbuster spot was particularly brutal and, yes, Owens lost, but he went out on his shield and still came off as one of the baddest men on the planet.

Zayn, meanwhile, has finally overcome his greatest adversary. Owens has tormented Zayn for years, and last night was penance for all the bullying, beatdowns, and backstabs that Sami has endured since the day KO first crossed him.

With Reigns’ status still up in the air, Zayn has now become Raw’s biggest babyface, and one of the biggest stars in the company.