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Tonight’s WWE RAW opens up with a new intro video. We’re live from Pittsburgh with Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton. They’re back near the production area. We go to the ring with Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and General Manager Mick Foley.
Foley brings the RAW roster out to the stage. He talks about producing the best show every week. Stephanie says Foley will have full authority status to do what he needs. Stephanie brings up Roman Reigns costing the brand the WWE Title at Battleground. Fans boo. Stephanie calls him a loser. She says there has always been a heavyweight champion on RAW and the world demands it. She says that’s exactly what they’re going to get. Foley announces Fatal 4 Way matches for tonight. The winner will face Seth Rollins at SummerSlam to crown the new WWE Universal Champion. The participants are revealed to be Sami Zayn, Sheamus, Chris Jericho, Cesaro, Roman Reigns, WWE United States Champion Rusev, Kevin Owens and Finn Balor. Balor appears and gets a big pop. They address WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte and announce Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks for tonight because of the tag match loss at Battleground.
WWE Universal Title Qualifier: Sheamus vs. Sami Zayn vs. Chris Jericho vs. Roman Reigns
Back from the break and the Superstars are out with Roman Reigns coming last to boos from the crowd. Back and forth to start with action all over the place. Jericho and Sheamus double team Sami while Reigns is down on the outside.
They toss Sami to the apron but he hangs on and fights back in. Sami takes Sheamus down with a hurricanrana and dumps Jericho to the floor. Jericho lands on Sheamus. Sami runs the ropes for a dive but puts on the brakes as the veteran heels move on the floor. Reigns comes from behind and spikes Sami to the mat for a 2 count. Reigns knocks Sheamus to the floor and hits a snap suplex on Sami for a 2 count. Reigns takes Sami from corner to corner now as the boos continue.
More back and forth with all four Superstars. Reigns ends up running the ropes and hitting a big dive on all three of his opponents. Back to commercial with Reigns standing tall as fans boo.
Back from the break and Reigns hits a double Drive By on Sheamus and Jericho. More back and forth. Sami with a Blue Thunderbomb on Reigns for a close 2 count. Reigns counters a Helluva Kick and hits the Razor’s Edge sitdown for a 2 count. More action all over the place as they steal pins and land counters. Fans do the “ole!” chants for Sami as he goes at it with Jericho. Jericho goes for the Walls of Jericho and gets it locked in. Sheamus eventually breaks it with a Brogue Kick. Sheamus covers for a 2 count as Sami breaks it. Sheamus and Sami go at it again. Sheamus with the Irish Curse backbreaker. Sheamus goes for White Noise but Reigns hits a Superman punch. Jericho also takes a Superman punch. Another for Sheamus. Sami rolls Reigns up for 2. Reigns with another punch. Reigns blocks a Codebreaker and drops Jericho with a punch after a failed attempt. Reigns readies for a spear as fans boo. Jericho kicks the spear and nails a Codebreaker for a 2 count.
Jericho yells at Reigns to stay down. Jericho misses a shot and Reigns spears him for the win. Reigns is going to the main event against Finn Balor.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns is walking backstage when he sees Finn Balor. They wish each other good luck. Finn says he’s Irish, he invented luck. Reigns says he’s Samoan, ’nuff said. Back to commercial.
WWE Universal Title Qualifier: Finn Balor vs. Roman Reigns
Back from the break and out comes Finn Balor for the main event. The winner will face Seth Rollins in the main event of SummerSlam to crown the first-ever WWE Universal Champion.
Roman Reigns is out next to a big mixed reaction. We get formal introductions from JoJo. Reigns attacks to start the match and launches Balor across the ring. Reigns with another big toss across the ring. Balor does make a comeback but Reigns drops him with a high elbow. Roman unloads on Balor in the corner and then drops him. They end up on the floor and Balor nails a big running dropkick into the barrier. Balor goes back into the ring and stands tall as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and they’re going at it. Reigns with a slam for a 2 count. Reigns keeps Balor grounded and wears him down now. Balor fights up but Reigns nails a headbutt. Reigns with another shot in the corner. Reigns runs into a boot. Balor with a forearm and another. Reigns ducks a shot and rolls Balor up. Reigns powers into the sitdown powerbomb for a 2 count.
Reigns misses a Superman punch. Balor runs into a boot. Reigns sits on the top but Balor kicks him in the head. Reign falls to the floor and Balor dropkicks him back. Balor with a running knee to the face from the apron. They bring it back in and Balor goes to the top. Balor with the big stomp to the back of the head for a close 2 count. More back and forth. Balor runs into a Superman punch for a close 2 count. Reigns scoops Balor for the Razor’s Edge but Balor rolls him for a very close 2 count. Reigns powers up with two powerbombs for a 2 count. Reigns readies for a spear but Balor counters with a Slingblade. Balor dropkicks Reigns into the corner. Balor goes to the top and hits Coup de Grace for the win.
Winner: Finn Balor
After the win, Balor celebrates as Reigns goes to the floor. Balor will face Seth Rollins at SummerSlam to crown the first-ever WWE Universal Champion. Saxton interviews Reigns at ringside. Reigns hopes Balor wins at SummerSlam because he wants him again. RAW goes off the air with Balor celebrating.