Raw becomes The Demon Kingdom

In an incredible, historic matchup, Finn Bálor put Seth Rollins away with a Coup de Grâce to become the first WWE Universal Champion last night at SummerSlam. Following The Demon King’s conquest, Bálor brings Team Red’s flagship title to Raw. What’s next for the enigmatic Irishman? We’ll hear from him — and Rollins — on Monday night’s hottest show.

Seth Rollins to deconstruct The Demon King

After brazenly dismissing Finn Bálor’s face-painted alter ego as mere theatricality, Seth Rollins received an eerie history lesson from his SummerSlam opponent that changed the complexion of the first-ever WWE Universal Championship Match.

 

Claiming an ability to tap into supernatural powers greater than himself when “his limbs and his flesh are not enough,” Bálor affirmed that The Demon King will be waiting for Rollins at SummerSlam, where myth just might become a horrifying reality for The Architect.

 

Not willing to wait for SummerSlam next Sunday, Rollins aims to conjure The Demon King on Raw. Will he regret this decision?

Will Seth Rollins need to rethink his strategy?

 

Seth Rollins tried to use mind games to get under Finn Bálor’s skin this past Monday night, claiming that his WWE Universal Championship opponent at SummerSlam was nothing more than a cheap imitation of The Architect. However, Rollins wasn’t necessarily feeling like “The Man” moments later, when Bálor responded with swift kicks to the stomach and the skull that forced the former WWE World Champion to retreat up the ramp.

 

Rollins made a statement later in the night when he defeated Sami Zayn with a Pedigree, but something tells us that The Architect’s most recent encounter with Bálor left more of a lasting impression than Rollins is willing to admit.

We are back and Michael Cole is in the ring and he talks about the week that his guest had. He brings out Finn Balor.

 

Michael mentions Finn being a first round draft pick and he says Finn proved it was not a fluke. Finn agrees that it has been a wild couple of weeks. He says he knew that he had to come to Raw and make an impact. He knew that coming here meant a lot of things.

 

Seth Rollins’ music plays and he makes his way to the ring.

 

Rollins introduces Finn. He says Finn is a former NXT Champion. He wasn’t the first one because that was Seth Rollins. He says Finn was picked in the first round, but he wasn’t the first overall pick.

 

Last week, Finn shocked the world when he pinned Roman Reigns. Seth says that was admirable and he had a career threatening injury and came back on his first night back and beat Roman Reigns for the WWE Title. He calls Finn a cheap remake of Seth Rollins.

 

Finn says some of the things you say are true. You were the first to do some of those things. Finn says he will beat Seth at SummerSlam and become the first WWE Universal Champion.

 

Seth says that Finn is funny, but he is not a comedian. That is like expecting the Braves to win the World Series. He tells Finn he has beaten a lot of people and NXT would not be where it is today without Finn Balor. Seth tells Finn this is his show and this is his ring. He tells Finn that he is the man.

 

Balor says that he has been watching Seth for a while and he thought Seth’s laugh was bad, but hearing it live is annoying. He says that everywhere he has been, someone said they were the man. Finn says he beat that person to be the man.

 

Seth says you have never faced anyone like him. He is stronger, faster, and the most resiliant in the industry. If you want an idea, get on the WWE Network and watch his sweet special. Maybe he can watch when Seth faces Sami Zayn and makes an example of him.

 

Finn says there is one thing that is different about them. Finn says he earned his title match while Seth had it handed to him.

 

Seth says he has never had anything handed to him. He will be handed the WWE Universal Title when he beats Finn.

 

Finn says the only thing that Seth will have handed to him is his ass.

 

Seth tries to punch Finn but Finn blocks it and Finn with a Pele Kick and Seth goes to the floor.

 

Will Seth Rollins halt the rise of Finn Bálor?

On his first night as a Raw Superstar – and on his birthday, no less – Finn Bálor defeated three elite Superstars in a Fatal 4-Way Match, withstood the might of Roman Reigns and stood victorious at the end of the night, earning the right to face Seth Rollins in the first-ever WWE Universal Championship Match at SummerSlam.

 

WWE.com captured footage of Rollins witnessing Bálor’s main event victory over The Big Dog, and The Architect was uncharacteristically silent as the enigmatic Irishman celebrated. Does this quiet contemplation mean Rollins is confident about his upcoming clash with Raw’s hottest newcomer, or is he apprehensive about standing across the ring from Bálor? Expect to hear from Rollins this Monday night.

The NXT factor

The WWE Draft saw the much-anticipated summons of Finn Bálor from WWE NXT, as well as the unexpected selection of Nia Jax, the powerhouse of the Women’s division. The WWE Universe will watch tonight’s to see if these dynamic competitors will make their first appearances as Raw Superstars. If they do, look for Bálor’s athleticism and Jax’s unparalleled power to make a big, big impression on the WWE Universe and the locker room alike.