Balor vacates Universal title due to shoulder injury

An injured Finn Balor relinquishes his newly won WWE Universal title to Raw general manager Mick Foley and commissioner Stephanie McMahon. Photo from WWE.com

The Demon King’s reign didn’t last very long.

Finn Balor was forced to vacate his newly won WWE Universal Championship on Monday (Tuesday Manila time) after suffering a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

“Last night, I achieved the impossible and I became the WWE Universal Champion. But there was a sacrifice and I have to relinquish this title,” the Irish said on Raw in Brooklyn.

Balor, though, said that reclaiming the title will be his main target when he returns.

“Rest assured that when I am healthy and when I am fit and when I am ready, I will be back and this title is the first thing I am coming for,” he said.

Balor is initially part of the roster for the upcoming WWE Live Manila on September 9.

Ringside physician Dr. Chris Robinson also shed light on the topic, saying that Balor injured his shoulder after taking a powerbomb to the barricade in his match against Seth Rollins at SummerSlam on Sunday.

“He hit the wall during the match, dislocated his shoulder and was able to put it back in himself in a split second,” he said.

Balor is expected to go to under the knife, which would leave him with a recovery time from four to six months.

Meanwhile, Raw commissioner Stephanie McMahon and general manager Mick Foley announced a series of bouts to determine the participants for next week’s fatal-4-way match for the vacated WWE Universal Championship in Houston.

Rollins beat an injured Sami Zayn with a Pedigree, while Kevin Owens also advanced after nailing Neville with a Torture Rack neckbreaker.

Big Cass also progressed after United States Champion Rusev got a boot and opted to be counted out, while Roman Reigns completed the field after beating Chris Jericho with a Spear.