Balor rocks in debut, faces Rollins for new WWE Universal title
Finn Balor completes his amazing debut, hitting Roman Reigns with the Coup de Grace to arrange a showdown against Seth Rollins at SummerSlam for the new WWE Universal Championship. Photo from WWE.com
The Demon is finally here.
Finn Balor made his much awaited debut on Raw Monday (Tuesday Manila time) in Pittsburgh and proved why he is one of the most sought after stars from NXT.
The Irish standout beat Roman Reigns in the main event to book his ticket to SummerSlam and face Seth Rollins for the new WWE Universal Championship.
Balor reversed a Spear into a Sling Blade to lay out Reigns, then dropkicked him to the corner. The former NXT champion would then go to the top turnbuckle and hit the Coup de Grace for the three-count.
It was an impactful first night for Balor than it has ever been for anybody, less than a week after Raw commissioner Stephanie McMahon and general manager Mick Foley took him fifth overall in the WWE Draft.
Balor immediately made his presence felt, winning the fatal-4-way opening match against Rusev, Cesaro, and Kevin Owens. He hit the Coup de Grace on Rusev, the United States Champion, to advance to the main event.
Reigns soon followed him, finishing Chris Jericho with a Spear to emerge victorious in his own fatal-4-way match, which also included Sami Zayn and Sheamus.
McMahon and Foley announced the introduction of the Universal Championship at the top of the show, giving the flagship show its own world title.
The New Era was truly in full swing that night, as Sasha Banks also claimed the WWE Women’s Championship, making Charlotte tap out to her Bank Statement to win the title.
Neville also made his return after a four-month absence, beating Curtis Axel with the Red Arrow.
Braun Strowman laid waste to a local competitor in his first match without his Wyatt Family cohorts, while the debuting Nia Jax also decimated her local foe.
The Club members Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson also attacked The New Day during the latter’s celebration of becoming the longest reigning WWE Tag Team Champions in history.
