Finn Balor makes his debut as Universal Champion tonight on Raw. (WWE.com)
Tonight on Monday Night Raw, the era of The Demon King begins in the first post-SummerSlam show. Raw will be broadcast live at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the USA Network. Read on for live match results and spoilers, and read on for a full preview of the night’s events written earlier this afternoon.
8:00 – It’s announced that Finn Balor will be relinquishing his Universal Championship title due to injury. Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon open the show in the ring. They welcome out Finn Balor, who enters with his arm in a sling.
Balor says that this championship represents that if you believe in yourself, you can do anything, but it requires sacrifice. He thanks the WWE, the entire roster, and Seth Rollins for giving him the match of his life. In particular, he thanks the audience. For now, he says, he has to relinquish the title, but when he’s healthy, he’ll be back and coming for the Universal Championship.
8:11 – Seth Rollins enters, laughing as he walks past Finn Balor and towards the ring. Rollins says that now we know who the true winner at SummerSlam was. Rollins expects the championship to be turned over to him.
Sami Zayn enters, followed by Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens, Enzo and Cass, and Roman Reigns. They all want a championship opportunity and argue with Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon. Foley says they will conduct a series of matches, which will culminate in the crowning of a new champion next week. The first match will be next, and it will be Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins.
8:28 – Seth Rollins fights Sami Zayn. During the match, Zayn’s leg is apparently injured, though it seems that this is a work. Seth Rollins defeats Sami Zayn.
8:45 – Kevin Owens defeats Neville.
8:58 – The New Day enters, with Big E officially back. They celebrate being tag team champions for 365 days. In order to celebrate, they bring out a unicorn pinata filled with Booty O’s. Before they have a chance to go at the pinata, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson enter. They don’t understand why they’re celebrating, considering they lost last night. Anderson and Gallows say they’re owed a rematch due to Big E’s interference. That match will take place next.
9:05 – The New Day defeats Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
9:21 – Titus O’Neil talks about losing to The New Day when he was with The Prime Time Players, saying he felt good being able to drop the weight of Darren Young. Bob Backlund enters, fighting Titus after Titus says Darren Young was never great to begin with. Darren Young enters to help Bob Backlund, who has been knocked out by Titus O’Neil.
9:32 – Backstage, Stephanie McMahon says that Brock Lesnar crossed the line last night, and there will be repercussions.
9:34 – Big Cass fights Rusev, saying before the match that he’s going to finish what Roman Reigns started at SummerSlam. Big Cass wins by count out.
9:48 – Backstage, Chris Jericho expresses confidence that he’ll defeat Roman Reigns tonight. Jericho and Owens’ friendship begins to fall apart as they realize they may be fighting each other in the fatal four-way match next week.
9:55 – Charlotte enters. Dana Brooke tries to get a “You deserve it!” chant going, and Charlotte declares she’s the greatest female athlete in the world. Charlotte also says that last night, she exposed Sasha Banks as being all flash, no cash, and it’s now clear that Sasha doesn’t have what it takes.
Mick Foley enters, announcing that when Sasha Banks returns from her back injury, she’ll be granted a rematch for the Women’s Championship.
Charlotte says there’s no one left that’s worthy to face her, but Foley introduces the newest member of the Raw women’s division: Bayley! She challenges Charlotte for the Women’s Championship title. Charlotte says she isn’t dressed for a fight, but instead Bayley will fight Dana Brooke next.
10:11 – Bayley defeats Dana Brooke.
10:16 – Backstage, Roman Reigns says that tonight, he’s finally going to shut Chris Jericho’s mouth.
10:22 – Backstage, Sheamus says that Cesaro is always overhyped and he always fails to deliver. Unlike Cesaro, Sheamus is going to be a winner during the best of seven series.
10:24 – Braun Strowman defeats a local jobber.
10:32 – The Dudley Boyz enter. They reflect on their 20 year career, saying they’d do it all again and that the WWE will always be their home. They thank the audience for their support, but just as things are wrapping up, the Shining Stars enter and say it’s about time the Dudley Boyz leave because they’re all washed up. They present the Dudley Boyz with two plane tickets to Puerto Rico. The Dudleys attack the Shining Stars and pull out a table from under the stage, but just as this is being set up, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows intervene and beat up the Dudleys. D-Von is put through the table, and Anderson and Gallows stand victorious.
10:49 – Roman Reigns defeats Chris Jericho. Next week, then, the fatal four-way will consist of Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Big Cass and Roman Reigns, with the winner becoming the new Universal Champion.
Last night, during the absolutely massive six hour SummerSlam pay-per-view, Finn Balor defeated Seth Rollins to become the first ever WWE Universal Champion. The match itself was a bit overshadowed by WWE fans’ hatred of the belt design, but tonight on Raw, Balor will speak for the first time as the face of this title. And what does Rollins have to say about his defeat?
One of the other major twists of SummerSlam was Sasha Banks losing her Women’s Championship title to Charlotte. This came as a huge shock, and even more surprising was the fact that moments after the match ended, Banks’ name was removed from upcoming WWE events. She will reportedly be taking some time off to recover from various injuries, which must have been exacerbated by that horrifying match during which Banks landed on her neck several times. According to WWE.com’s official preview, though, it looks like Banks will make an appearance on tonight’s Raw, possibly her last before a month-long hiatus.
Of course, the fallout of the brawl between Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton must also be dealt with. SummerSlam ended with the ring being covered in blood after Lesnar emerged victorious via a technical knockout. Lesnar also attacked Shane McMahon as the show closed, and so Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley will likely be forced to discipline him in some way on Raw.
Plus, Big E is back with The New Day, and the rivalry between Roman Reigns and Rusev will apparently continue, seeing as absolutely nothing was resolved on that front at SummerSlam. It all starts tonight at 8 on USA.