Balor vs. Rollins at SummerSlam for new WWE Universal Championship
With the WWE Championship the exclusive property of "SmackDown Live" following Dean Ambrose's victory Sunday at Battleground, the "Raw" brand was seemingly left without a world champion to call its own.
That all changed Monday, when commissioner Stephanie McMahon and general manager Mick Foley announced to the WWE Universe that a new Universal Championship was going to be awarded in one of the main events at SummerSlam on Aug. 21.
Seth Rollins, the first overall pick in the WWE brand extension draft, was automatically given one of the two spots. The other was ultimately earned by NXT standout Finn Balor, who needed to win twice on "Raw" for the opportunity to fight Rollins at Barclays Center next month.
.@WWERollins sees his future. He sees @wwebalor as his opponent for #SummerSlam! #Raw #WWE pic.twitter.com/2CMFR6KC4q
— WWE (@WWE) July 26, 2016
Making his debut on the main roster, Balor emerged victorious in a Fatal 4-Way match to begin the show, defeating Kevin Owens, Cesaro, and United States Champion Rusev. As a result, the former NXT Champion advanced to face Roman Reigns, who'd beaten Sheamus, Chris Jericho, and Sami Zayn shortly thereafter.
A Coup de Grace from Balor, a double foot stomp from the top rope, sealed Reigns' fate to end the night, sending the sold-out crowd at CONSOL Energy Center into an uproar.
.@WWEBalor is going to @SummerSlam to face @WWERollins for the first-ever @WWE #UniversalTitle! #RAW #TheDemon https://t.co/VdnYzh9QeM
— WWE (@WWE) July 26, 2016
Rollins versus Balor joins "The Beast Incarnate" Brock Lesnar taking on "The Viper" Randy Orton as the only matches currently scheduled for SummerSlam.
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