The WWE Universal Championship is one of the most prominent belts in professional wrestling. WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) debuted it in 2016 as a rival to the WWE Championship, which is only available on the SmackDown brand. Raw's greatest reward is the Universal Championship. In this post, I will present a summary of the WWE Universal Champions, their reigns, important moments, and some championship history.
A pay-per-view event held on August 21, 2016, crowned the inaugural WWE Universal Champion. Seth Rollins won the first championship by defeating Roman Reigns. The next night on Raw, Rollins vacated the title due to a knee injury, ending his reign.
On August 29, 2016, a fatal four-way elimination match was held to determine the champion. The participants were Big Cass, Kevin Owens, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins. Kevin Owens emerged victorious, defeating Seth Rollins with the help of Triple H, who turned on Rollins and aligned himself with Owens.
Owens' reign as champion lasted until September 25, 2016, when he faced Seth Rollins at the Clash of Champions pay-per-view. In a highly competitive match, Rollins triumphed over Owens to capture the Universal Championship for the second time.
In an unexpected turn of events, Goldberg returned to WWE after a long hiatus in 2016. He challenged Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship at the Fastlane pay-per-view on March 5, 2017. In a dominant display, Goldberg defeated Owens in just 22 seconds, winning his first Universal Championship.
Goldberg's reign was short but impactful, as he defended the title against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33. In a rematch of their previous encounter, Lesnar emerged victorious, ending Goldberg's reign and capturing the Universal Championship for the first time.
Brock Lesnar's reign as champion was characterized by sporadic appearances and dominance. He held the title for a record-breaking 504 days, defending it against a range of challenges, including Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe, and Braun Strowman.
Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar in a one-on-one match at SummerSlam 2018 to win the Universal Championship for the first time. Reigns' victory signaled the beginning of his first reign as Universal Champion, which lasted until October 22, 2018, when he announced his decision to resign the title due to his ongoing battle with leukemia.
After an absence of several months, Reigns returned to WWE in February 2019 and went on to challenge Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 35. In an intense match, Reigns defeated Lesnar to capture the title for the second time.
Reigns' reign as champion was short-lived, as he dropped the title to Seth Rollins at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view on May 19, 2019. Rollins' victory marked his second reign as Universal Champion.
Throughout its history, the Universal Championship has been contested in various high-profile matches, including Hell in a Cell, TLC (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs), and Steel Cage matches. The title has also been defended at WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and other major pay-per-view events, solidifying its significance in the WWE landscape.
Notable Universal Champions include Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, and Roman Reigns, who have each left a significant mark on the title's history. Lesnar's lengthy reign, Goldberg's dominant run, and Reigns' current reign as the "Tribal Chief" have contributed to the Universal Championship's prestige and legacy.
Following Seth Rollins' second reign as Universal Champion, he faced a formidable challenger in "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view on October 6, 2019. The match ended controversially with a no-contest decision, leaving the Universal Championship in Wyatt's possession. This marked the beginning of Wyatt's first reign as Universal Champion.
Wyatt's reign as champion was characterized by his unique and eerie persona, captivating audiences with his dark and unpredictable nature. He defended the title against top contenders, including Daniel Bryan and Braun Strowman. However, his reign came to an end at WrestleMania 36 on April 4, 2020, when he faced Goldberg. In a shocking turn of events, Goldberg defeated Wyatt to capture his second Universal Championship.
Goldberg's second reign as Universal Champion was short-lived as he dropped the title to Braun Strowman at WrestleMania 36. Strowman's victory marked his first Universal Championship reign, providing him with a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.
Strowman held the title until May 10, 2020, when "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt resurfaced and beat him at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. Wyatt's stint as Universal Champion was his second.
Roman Reigns makes an unexpected comeback to WWE on August 23, 2020, at the SummerSlam pay-per-view. Asserting his supremacy, Reigns assaulted "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman, aligning himself with Paul Heyman.
He then went on to win a triple-threat match against Wyatt and Strowman, capturing the Universal Championship for the third time.
Reigns' reign as Universal Champion has been characterized by his new persona as the "Tribal Chief." He has showcased a more aggressive and calculating side, aligning himself with his cousin Jey Uso and establishing a dominant faction known as the "Bloodline." Reigns has successfully defended the title against formidable challengers, including Daniel Bryan, Edge, and Cesaro.
Roman Reigns is the current Universal Champion, having held the title for nearly a year. It is crucial to remember, however, that title changes or reigns may have occurred after then.
The WWE Universal Championship has evolved into a prized possession in professional wrestling, reflecting quality, athleticism, and the ability to fascinate fans. It remains a staple of WWE programming, with each champion putting their own distinct imprint on the company's rich history.
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